The Challenge of Champions

The Challenge of Champions has its roots in the history of Cheapside, when the wars between rival factions of thieves left many dead and buried in the alleyways and sewers. To sought this out an agreement was made to have a yearly contest, the winner of which would rule for the next year. This served the city for many years until the great uniting of the guilds when the administration formed a single entity. However since the contest had become a very popular attraction the authorities kept it going. Thus over the last 300 years the event has become the great Challenge of Champions..

This years contest is for the Legendary artefact the Hammer of Gad'rk the founder of the Iron Stone Temple. This item is much coveted by the Dwarves, but they have been excluded from the contest for violations of the rules. On hearing what the prize was to be this year a number of indignant Dwarves decided to seize the artefact. In a riot of violence and destruction the Dwarves tried to get to the artefact to retrieve it. However the forces of the city seemed to appear from no where and quelled the disturbance. The banning from the event meant the Dwarves can only watch while one of their greatest lost treasures is given away in a contest.

The contest takes a similar form most years where a series of challenges is presented to groups of willing participants. The ones who complete the final challenge area are able to choose the prize. The victors are then able to enjoy a celebrity status, the losers are generally sold at a reasonable price as animal food. The unlucky ones can get stuck in the challenges for ever. But the death is all part of the spectacle that draws the crowds every year.