Desportium of Magic
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The Desportium of Magick is an annual competition in the Free City of Greyhawk, involving an enormous performance of illusions.
Description
The Desportium of Magick is an annual celebration held at the Grand Citadel in the Free City of Greyhawk. It is considered the crowning event of Growfest.
It is a contest sponsored by the Guild of Wizardry in which spellcasters from across the Flanaess come to the Free City to perform in teams to create an illusory show depicting an attack on the Citadel. The Master of Ceremonies of the Guild of Wizardry organizes the event and introduces the contestants during the Desportium.
Theme
The Desportium of Magick began as a celebration of a historical conflict somewhere around 43 CY,[1] but whose specifics are now lost to antiquity. A humanoid horde from the Abbor-Alz once attacked the Grand Citadel after having attempted to siege Hardby only a week prior. The second Lord of Greyhawk, Ganz, and his wife Maro, the daughter of the then-current Gynarch of Hardby, "recruited several local wizards and appropriated magical items from various citizens (by force, it is said)". Though the army had spellcasting support, the Greyhawk forces were able to repel them by using cunning illusions to break the morale of, and overcome the horde.[2] This is the inspiration for the Desportium.
The celebration, however, has grown increasingly embellished and is no longer simply a recreation of the historical event. Modernly, there are dragons, hydras, various humanoids, and all manner of other monsters, creatures, and beings depicted by the competitors. The warriors and spellcasters of Greyhawk are depicted with just as much embellishment. The entertainment and display are the focus and it's not about historical accuracy.
Contestants
Participants compete in five teams of three members.[3][1] Competitors come from all over the Flanaess and are most often not already Greyhawkers themselves.[1] Some are locals but are not members of the Guild of Wizardry.[1] Nothing technically precludes a member of the Guild from participating, however.
Performances are by individual teams one at a time and are limited to 40 minutes each.[1]
Judges and Prizes
The performance is traditionally judged by the Guildmaster of Greyhawk's Guild of Wizardry, the President of the Society of Magi, and a member of the Circle of Eight. In the past, these have included such notables as Kieren Jalucian, Jallarzi Sallavarian, Otiluke[3], and Torrentz Hebvard.[1] The judges score the performances very critically and details are viewed in close detail. The prizes include 500gp to each winning team member, and training and instruction at the Guild of Wizardry at half normal cost. Each winner is additionally offered membership in the Guild without dues.
Location
The Desportium is held specifically only in the Free City and is not celebrated elsewhere.
Activities
Though the display is visible from many parts of the city, attendees gather in crowds in public areas surrounding (but not on) the hill where the Grand Citadel stands. There are many private residences in the High Quarter, but many open areas around edifices such as the Guild of Wizardry, Lord's Tomb, and City Watch Barracks are nearby.
After the celebration, there is a hot meal prepared outside the Grand Citadel which is open to the public.[3][1]
Many food vendors are available to the attendees[3][1], either at stalls or hawking amongst the crowds. Common food and beverages include: "hot chestnuts, roast squirrel, mulled wine, ale by the barrel, and the like."[3][1]
History
The details of the original attempted invasion of the Grand Citadel are no longer known, other than they happened in about 43 CY.[1] See Theme, above.
See Also
See also: Growfest.
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Niles, Douglas. The City of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. Item code TSR1043.
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9578.
- Moore, Roger E.. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9577.
- Miller, Andy. "Campaign Holidays". Dragon #Annual 1996. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desportium of Magick | Calendar | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 20, 66 | |
| Desportium of Magick | Calendar | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 19 | |
| Desportium of Magick | Calendar | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 14 | |
| Desportium of Magick | Calendar | The Adventure Begins | 43, 59 |