“The spectacular Blood Games of ancient Tixaquan are alive and well in Waxaclajuun.  Visit there if you dare, but keep your wits about you, otherwise you may lose your head!” - Lord Domnivok, Regent of the Silver Kingdom

The Blood Games

The Blood Games are an annual spectacular of contests and celebrations hosted in the fabled city-state of Waxaclajuun.  Long past the prime of its power, Waxaclajuun holds on to its fame and reputation in the Realms by continuing this age-old tradition of competition and glory.  Arising from Waxaclajuun’s battle-scarred past of ritual warfare against its sister city-states, the Blood Games provide a more civilized venue for challenges to be issued and scores to be settled.

The contests range from non-violent games of mental acuity, through treacherous races of endurance and cunning, to the bloody Grand Melee.  All games are held for the honor and glory of all the Realms of the land.  Homage is paid to the powers of Battle and Joy, venerated as Bellinger and Brashtamere in Waxaclajuun.  The winners of the various contests will carry home not just happy memories of opponents defeated, but more importantly, vast bragging rights, as well as the Victors’ Necklaces that carry with them the respect that can garner a favor in many a Realm.

Exhilarating in the heady parties, heart-pounding competitions, and horrific combats, the competitors from the many diverse Realms of the land will be assured of an experience to treasure and tell when they return to their homes. 

Waxaclajuun

It is said that thousands of years ago the Great Jaguar was hunting on the Ixaijua Plains.  He started hunting farther and farther away from the coast, moving closer to the mountains.  One night he came upon a spot that seemed inviting and laid down to rest.  At dawn the Great Jaguar awoke and as the sun started to rise over the horizon a light shone on a spot in a ring, showing that the Maker smiled upon that spot.  This is where Waxaclajuun, which means favored of the Maker, was built.

Once the city was built, the Great Jaguar invited his friend, Brashtamere, to visit him.  Brashtamere was so enamored with the city that the Great Jaguar gave it to him as a gift.  In the center of the city Brashtamere had his priests build a large temple.  After the temple was consecrated Brashtamere gave his priests orders to celebrate with a grand celebration, which is still remembered today in the Blood Parties.

Waxaclajuun was a prominent city-state in the Tixaquan Empire.  It was a primarily Brashtamerean city, with strong influences of Bellinger, as was the case in all of the Tixaquan Empire.  When the Tixaquan Empire fell 700 years ago, the city was spared the level of destruction of Naracauac and Caramul, but in the years since it has often been abandoned and then reoccupied. 

About 400 years ago the inhabitants of Waxaclajuun started rebuilding the city and have since recreated much of the wealth that the city originally had.  The worship of Bellinger has gained great influence in the last 400 years, largely due to a famous high priestess named Tula Na’Dal, who founded the Tradition of the Unforgiven and consecrated a Cathedral to Bellinger in Waxaclajuun almost 300 years ago.  Under her stewardship, the Blood Games of the ancient Empire were recreated as a celebration of Battle and Joy.

Factors of Waxaclajuun

In a departure from years past, the traditional leader of Waxaclajuun, the Jaguar’s Voice, has abdicated her throne, publicly stating that the good of the people must take precedence over heredity.  In her last official act she appointed the enigmatic Jarpaxa who calls himself only Chief as Chancellor of Waxaclajuun, with all powers to guide and rule the city as he deems necessary, assisted by the High Priests of Bellinger and of Brashtamere, and any other Factors he may appoint. In a call to all the Realms, Chief has once again issued the invitation to come participate in the Blood Games.  Promising that the Blood Games of 2010 will see some differences from past years, they will nonetheless focus in and around the Cathedral of Bellinger and the Brashtamerean temple.

The Jaguar’s Claws

The Jaguar’s Claws is a group of warriors who are the elite troops of Waxaclajuun, stationed and trained in the Cathedral of Bellinger.  These troops have two main duties - the first is the protection of the Factors, and the second is to lead battles in any wars.  During the Blood Games they serve as marshals and guards of the contests, and are well equipped to handle any troublemakers.

Laws of Waxaclajuun

Although the Blood Games involve fierce competition, the Factors expect all visitors to battle with honor in the spirit of Bellinger. Duels and formal challenges are encouraged. In the wilds of the woods, however, there is no such expectation. It is considered a mark of bravery to venture into the wilds, daring other visitors of like mind to set an ambush or be ambushed.

Assault of non-combatant visitors, or of any visitor who has retired from the activities and is moving around solely on out-of-game personal business, as indicated by the signal of a hand placed on top of the head, is forbidden. Assault of a Blood Games official is punishable by confiscation of a number of life tokens from the attacker and his Realm. Thievery is punishable by confiscation of the criminal's life tokens.

People to Watch

		Chief, the Chancellor of Waxaclajuun, maintains a low profile, preferring to issues his decrees through the High Priests of Bellinger and Brashtamere.  While some desire to hear a proclamation from him as to his goals and plans for Waxaclajuun, most citizens are content to have the mysterious being remain out of the public spotlight.  His patience with dissent is said to be low, and his powers of magic considerable.
Chiquatr is a high priest of Bellinger, a title he has earned in numerous wars. Bellinger's favor graces him, and there are few warriors who can compete with him in her eyes. As befits his faith, he invites and welcomes any challenge to battle with merciless ferocity. He is military advisor to the Voice, and handles all affairs of Waxaclajuun where strength of arms might be required.
		Tayanna of Bellinger is Mistress of Ceremonies of the Blood Games. She directly supervises many of the competitions, ensuring the competitors abide by the spirit of the Blood Games. In case of disputes that are brought before her, her rulings and decisions are absolute.
Archibald Montague, popularly known as Archie, is a master swordsman and successful merchant. His friendly face can usually be found in the tavern, serving up drinks or running a friendly game of chance.
		Nadetta Montague's poise and grace has served her well in a tumultuous career in which she has managed to manuever from worship of Brashtamere to his oft-maligned enemy Artifice, while still maintaining a friendly relationship with all her many contacts. Chances are, if you need something, Nadetta can get it, for a price.
Eva the Red, pirate extraordinaire, the right hand of Ullon, second-in-command to the high priest Alistair that consigned Tyrhaven to doom. Due caution is advised of any visitor that falls into dealings with this emissary of darkness, whose true motives can never be known.

Be warned of temptation! Although the Mistress of Ceremonies has not ruled against it, only a desparate contestant would try to gain an advantage in the competitions by resorting to the aid of outsiders, be it Ambassador Shrell's Kreenan inventions, Master Torville's alchemical experiments, or dire gifts from unspoken parties.