2745
The Challenge
Maiavel
::The challenge remas one of the oldest druidic traditions. It purges the weak and complacent, ensurg that the highest ranks of the druidic order rema filled with strong and cunng dividuals. The masters of the druidic order are not politicians, but men and women of action. They believe that the challenge, by brgg ambition to the open, allows them to by-pass some of the worst excesses of hypocrisy and behd-the-scenes power plays found  other religions. ::The challenge operates under prearranged rules: Characters who violate the letter of the rules will fail to advance  rank, just as if they had suffered defeat. Always a one-on-one battle, the challenge does not allow even servants or animal companions of the combatants to participate. ::First, the two parties must agree upon the time of the duel--if they can't agree, it will take place at the next moot. Druids consider it impolite to set a challenge outside of a moot, although it's still done. ::Second, the challenge needs a witness--a druid whose rank equals or exceeds the challenger's. Hierophant druids      work well as witnesses, as do druids or archdruids visitg from different circles or from the Grand Druid's entourage. This dividual must witness the terms of the challenge and make sure the combatants obey the rules. The great druid of the circle always names the witness, even if the challenge volves that very leader.   ::Third, the terms by which the battle will be fought are set out by mutual agreement. Once agreed upon and witnessed, the terms may not change. If neither side can agree on the terms, the witness selects them and proclaims the duel an all-out battle until one druid surrenders or becomes incapacitated. ::Terms to discuss include: The size of the battlefield, whether to allow weapons, magical items, granted powers, and spells, whether  to alter the normal battle-oriented conditions of the duel. ::The challenge begins with the witness's invocation, asking Nature (Or the Aspects) to watch over the duel. This means that challengers who defeat foes through cheating will find themselves unable to gain a rank after all, and incumbents who cheat automatically lose the rank. Once the witness concludes the invocation, the druids enter the battlefield from opposite ends, and the contest begins.