King's Tourney

Summary

The King’s Tourney is the annual tournament and festival held in the valley beneath Everdale and the Gleaming Keep. It lasts for about two weeks and draws noble houses, knights, merchants, performers, scouts, and spectators from across the Crownlands. Source: 2026.05.05.

Areas

• Proving Grounds: lower-tier competitions open to almost anyone who can pay the entry fee. Sponsors and scouts watch these bouts for promising talent. The fighting pit is 15 feet deep, dug straight into the earth—muddy, with craggy rocks underfoot, cheap banners overhead, and active betting rings running alongside. A noble box with a red tent sits above for scouts and midlords. Five levels of Crowd Favor are achievable; reaching Level 5 grants entry to the Grand Stage. Source: 2026.05.05, 2026.06.02.
• Grand Stage: the main arena where top contenders, noble champions, and major bouts are held. Source: 2026.05.05.
• Registration tent: where entrants register for the tournament. Holt handled the party’s registration. Source: 2026.05.05.

Notable Vendors and Spots

• Holt’s registration tent for the Proving Grounds.
• Minnie’s brewing stall (huckleberry mead from near the Thornwood Vale).
• Slug’s cookhouse.
• Marea Voss’ apothecary.
• Gruvelda Duskbelt’s smithing commission tent. Source: 2026.05.12.
• Ragged Flagon: a makeshift tavern in the campgrounds where nobles don’t typically go—recommended by Jevon as a safe place to lie low. Source: 2026.05.12.

Current Party Status

Cassian, Aldrich, Azrith, and Odine Dunmere entered the Proving Grounds as Cassian’s Crushing Crusaders and won their first bout. Now at Crowd Favor Level 4, sponsored by Duke Tristan Blackwood (House Blackwood) at 8%. Next bout: Crown Gauntlet, 7 PM, Tent A. See Compete in the King’s Tourney. Source: 2026.05.05, 2026.06.02, 2026.06.11.

Tournament Notes

• Team competitions are common in the Proving Grounds, usually with groups of four.
• Magic is allowed. Higher-level competitors may use enchanted arms and armor.
• Strong performances can attract sponsors and possibly lead to the Grand Stage.
• The Crown Gauntlet is an obstacle course format in the Proving Grounds. Party registered for 7 PM, Tent A.

Notable Houses (as confirmed)

The three dominant houses at the tournament: House Godran (arcane power, white armor), House Wulfhelm (militant, holds last year’s deed), House Corwin (knowledge seekers, silver armor). Vassal houses below these include House Blackwood (vassal of Corwin; sponsoring the party), and others. The illegitimate House Oswald also arrives annually with a throne claim—they are considered a standing joke by established nobility.