In a twist sure to surprise most Sapience-dwellers, the Wayward Heights is now nearing its fifth anniversary without being obliterated by its neighbour or abandoned by its whimsical ruler. Through its short life as a state, the Divine-led enclave has played host to a number of events, big and small, such as diplomatic summits, book reveals, private counselling from guest Gods, and, most notably, an inter-city contest consisting of a series of varied games.

In typical Pandoran fashion, the contest was announced with just a day or two in advance, with no explanation as to the rules or of how many events it would consist. Sapience was only alerted that there were to be games, and the first stage came in the form of a round of trivia, most of it incredibly obscure or mundane.

Next came an unusual race where all the participants were maddenned and enlightened, hallucinating and unsure of where they were. Through deciphering cryptic hints, their citymates were meant to guide them towards their next destination as best they could. By now, Mhaldor and Hashan were neck-to-neck in the overall placements, the Evil city leading by one overall point.

The third event was no less vexing, for it involved a wheel much like one might see in New Thera, except the prizes ranged from game-points to free mounts to what was simply labelled 'Oops!' Any prizes could be challenged through a mini-game of knowledge, to be stolen by the challenger if the victim could not defend it. In an upset, neither Mhaldor nor Hashan even placed in this round, with Ashtan taking a very strong first place, followed by Eleusis. Now, Mhaldor led versus a tied second place of Eleusis and Hashan, while Ashtan trailed close behind.

Finally, the game to decide it all was much more creatively-focused. Through a series of battles of poetry and lyrics, the cities recited and rebutted against each other with speedy compositions. Ultimately, Hashan was triumphant, followed by Mhaldor, but this meant the overall games had a tied first place!

While a tiebreaker is the more common solution, Pandora decided She would rather the two winners split the prize: a statue of a citizen of their choosing, to be immortalised by the Goddess Herself. Naturally, as they tied, they would each get half a statue.

~~~~~

Summary: Pandora hosted a series of games in the Wayward Heights, with Hashan and Mhaldor tying for first in the end. Each won half a statue of a citizen of their choice.


Penned by My hand on the 3rd of Chronos, in the year 857 AF.