Category:Palestra Trials: Difference between revisions

The Palestra Trials are held periodically, allowing for prospective Faendryl characters to particpate in the trials and, if successful, be recognized as wandering Palestra of the Mahkra Academy. The trials are structured as a multi-day event that is run by GM staff, offering scheduled roleplay opportunities over the course of the event. The sessions are open to the public, allowing for spectators to watch the trials unfold, often with a reception on the first day. The trials typically consist of several parts wherein the candidates demonstrate their prowess with weapons, individually face one another in combat, individually face a Blade of the Academy in combat, and finally face minor demons in combat as a group. A ceremony, led by the Master of Mahkra Academy, is held on the final day to recognize those who have completed the trials as wandering Palestra of Mahkra. NPCs are heavily involved in the event, including as spectators.

The first Palestra Trials were held in 2016. The first trials heavily focused on the introduction of Mahkra Academy and the concept of a wandering Palestra. Mahkra Academy was the first, and thus far only, Palestra Academy to begin seeking out prospective candidates among those "wanderers" who do not reside in New Ta'Faendryl. Blade Schalyne helped spearhead this effort, traveling far from New Ta'Faendryl to find candidates for the first Palestra Trials event. Since then, there have been two more rounds of trials held, with Blade Schalyne returning to serve as sponsor for those who did not have one from among the wandering Palestra. A single round of trials was also held in the Platinum instance. While earlier trials restricted access to characters with a Faendryl culture set, this restriction was later lifted so that characters of all races and cultures could watch.

Participants must be Faendryl, and they must have a sponsor who is already a Palestra. NPCs such as Blade Schalyne have also sponsored participants. In addition to prospective Palestra, current Palestra may participate in the trials to test for a new and higher rank. Palestra ranks begin with Paele, then Peltast, followed by Sarissa, and finally Blade. Only NPCs have been recognized as Master Palestra. Participants who successfully complete the trials are awarded the rank which best reflects how well they fared, including against demons. Because of this, it is possible for a first time participant to be awarded the highest rank of Blade if they perform very well. Recognized Palestra have access to their unique titles.

During the event, a portal allows passage for both participants and spectators to the Academy Nexus located within New Ta'Faendryl, which is otherwise inaccessible in game. The portal is usually made available from the Faendryl Embassy, located within the Embassy complex of Ta'Illistim. The Academy Nexus is a facility that is available for all Palestra academies to utilize, both major and minor, for their trials as well as for meetings between Palestra Masters. The trials themselves are conducted within the Academy Nexus' arena, which has viewing boxes for spectators to safely watch the events unfold. There is also a training hall and a council room.

Trial Dates

Year	Trial Dates	Class Name	Instance
2016	February 11-12, 15	Wanderers of Mahkra	Prime
2018	March 1-3, 19	Seekers of Mahkra	Prime
2018	July 19-20		Platinum
2022	September 16-18	Vanguard of Mahkra	Prime

Schedule

The third round of Palestra Trials began Imaerasta 16, 5122 (September 16, 2022), and closed on Imaerasta 18, 5122 (September 18, 2022). They were held within the Academy Nexus, within New Ta'Faendryl, which was accessed via a portal from the Faendryl Embassy in Ta'Illistim.

At the conclusion of the Palestra Trials, Master Jahosk of Mahkra Academy granted the title of Blade (highest) to Anru, Brutish, Dhairn, Ketsimney, and Yardie; the title of Sarissa (second highest) to Tayler and Xylador; and the title of Peltast (third highest) to Alanisse and Vaeldrys. Sarissa Brutish was elevated to Blade.

Event	Date	Time	Description
Reception	Friday 9/16/22	9pm ET	Formal reception held in the Academy Nexus with presentation of candidates. The presentation will include a demonstration of skills and proficiency with their chosen weapon. (This can be done with verbs, ACTs, weapon scripts, guild skills etc. Any way you can show off skill is acceptable.)
The Trials	Saturday 9/16/22	8pm ET	This consists of a series of three battles against a candidate, Master, and finally a demon.
Closing Ceremony	Sunday 9/18/22	9pm ET	Closing Ceremony to conclude the trials and formally present the new members of the Palestra.

There will be a portal in the Faendryl Embassy in Ta'Illistim for all who wish to attend any of the events.

Participants

Year	Candidate	Sponsor	Rank Awarded
2016	Arku	Blade Schalyne	Blade
2016	Aurach	Blade Schalyne	Blade
2016	Durakar	Blade Schalyne	Blade
2016	Noira	Blade Schalyne	Sarissa
2018	Brutish	Blade Aurach	Sarissa
2018	Divyne	Blade Arku	Blade
2018	Hypolita	Blade Arku	Blade
2018	Synathaesia	Blade Durakar	Peltast
2018	Alsal (Plat)
2018	Qoshkalia (Plat)
2018	Vrin (Plat)
2022	Alanisse		Peltast
2022	Anru	Peltast Synathesia	Blade
2022	Sarissa Brutish		Blade
2022	Dhairn	Blade Durakar	Blade
2022	Ketsimney	Blade Schalyne	Blade
2022	Khobra	Sarissa Brutish
2022	Tayler		Sarissa
2022	Vaeldrys		Peltast
2022	Xylador		Sarissa
2022	Yardie	Blade Arku	Blade

Supporting NPCs

• Master Elyck of Silvius Academy
• Master Esatre of Akeleyn Academy
• Master Jahosk of Mahkra Academy
• Blade Mishrac
• Blade Schalyne
• Ambassador Tredohal Hashier Faendryl
• Master Ugaart of Kanigel Academy

Palestra Trials by Year

• 2016 Palestra Trials
• 2018 Palestra Trials (Platinum and Prime)
• 2022 Palestra Trials

Logs

2016

• Day 1 - Opening reception and initial weapon skills display
• Day 2 - The Trials
• Day 3 - Closing Ceremony

2018

• Day 1 - Reception
• Day 2 - The Trials, part 1
• Day 3 - The Trials, part 2

2022

• Day 1 - Opening reception and initial weapon skills display
• Day 2 - The Trials
• Day 3 - Closing Ceremony

See Also

• Saved posts
• Palestra
• Path to Palestra
• The Theory of Governance and Social Order