The Whetstone

A yearly tradition for the United Bearer Corps of Arenfürich, where they participate in public competition within the Nichtfryth Colosseum. The arena itself is filled with a tension net of coupled blacksteel anchor points, which progressively get denser towards the center, converging on a floating platform. The coliseum itself is large enough to house 6 on 6 conflicts, a match-up considered full-scale for firekeepers. The event is intended to act as training for the Bearer Corp in times of peace, while also serving to generate support from the public and boost recruitment.

Each city sends a detachment of their 6 strongest Lords, oftentimes including the figurehead of the city if applicable. The tournament is then structured in separate branches of

• Individual Duels (1v1)
• Pair Duels (2v2)
• Half Scale (3v3)
• Full Scale (6v6)

Each fighter is also paired with a strategist pulled at random from the United Scribe Companies if they lack a permanent partner, a measure intended to both encourage teamwork and help them to find one, with this particular method being the most common for firekeepers who did not have a Kindling (latecomers or failures). The scribe is often tasked with gear maintenance, tactics advisal, and training regimens. They are, however, intended as equals.

Under the Scarlet Wreath

During the Blood Wars, each of the returning fighters would often purposely embrace their gimyndine's Shade–as opposed to repressing it–in a manner similar to theater performances. This technique has since been proven to advance the ego death of gimyndine users, and is generally perceived as an archaic mistake.