In the heart of the capital city of Elandria stands a grand colosseum, designed specifically for monumental events like the Royal Tournament. It's an architectural marvel, combining the aesthetic sensibilities of all four participating races. The colosseum is vast, able to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators. The arena floor is enchanted, allowing it to transform into various terrains - forests, deserts, and icy plains, for example - to test the combatants' adaptability.
The crowd's anticipation is palpable as a majestic Draconian steps forward. His scales gleam in the sun as he raises his arms, signaling for silence. The colosseum, a grand amphitheater that stands as a tribute to the unity and competition between the races, echoes with his deep, resonating voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Four Great Races! Today marks the beginning of the illustrious Royal Tournament! Here, in the heart of Elandria's magnificent capital, we gather to witness the might and mastery of our young warriors and mages," the Draconian announcer begins.
"From the human kingdom of Elandria, we have spear-wielding strategist, Lyon; dual-blade virtuoso, Amukelo; the steadfast Kael; the protective sorceress, Ksara; and the elemental prodigy, Eliss," he announces, his voice echoing across the colosseum.
"From the serene forests of Eloria, the Elves bring forth their agile archer, Lireal; the swift swordsman, Niall; the master of polearms, Silvarin; and the celestial mages, Lyrial and Seliora.
"From the sturdy halls of Dorga, the Dwarfs are represented by the axe-wielding Grimur; the defensive fortress, Burlok; their mace expert, Thrain; and the mages of earth and fire, Orin and Vesta."
"And from the fierce lands of Orkara, the Orcs send forth their powerful warrior, Rukh; the hammer-wielding Zara; their two axe menstruum, Gruk; and their mystical shamans, Gara and Mara."
He takes a breath and continues:
"The rules are as follows: In the initial rounds, each competitor will face off in a 1v1 match against a member of each of the other races, earning one point for a victory, and zero for a loss."
Here, he unfolds a scroll, presenting the list of fights:
Amukelo vs. Gurk, Grimur, Niall
Kael vs. Rukh, Tharin, Lirel
Lyon vs. Zara, Burlok, Silvarin
Eliss vs. Mara, Vesta, Lyrial
Ksara vs. Gara, Orin, Seliora
"The two races accumulating the most points will advance to the finals," he explains, "where a grand team battle awaits within a vast, enchanted arena. The goal is simple: eliminate all opponents. Fear not, for protective spells ensure no permanent harm will come to our brave competitors."
As he rolls the scroll closed, the colosseum erupts into cheers and applause.
. . .
As the Draconian announcer's voice fades and the crowd's applause and cheers fill the colosseum, Amukelo, Eliss, and Kael gather in a semi-secluded corner away from the spotlight.
Amukelo breaks the ice, his eyes serious but shining with excitement. "So, this is it," he says. "Our names are out there, and our battles are set. How are you two feeling?"
Eliss lets out a small sigh, but her face is painted with determination. "I'm not very nervous,but I have to win," she confesses, "but after all the hard work we've put into our training, I'm certain that we will win. We've grown stronger together."
Amukelo smiles. "We've already faced some of our own battles together," he reminds them. "This tournament... it's just another challenge. We've trained, we've learned, and we've become like a family. No matter what happens, we will win!."
Eliss's eyes fired, and she places her hand atop Amukelo's. "You're right," she agrees. "We are a team, and together we can do anything."
Kael grins and pats Amukelo on the back heartily. "Well said, both of you," he declares. "Let's make this a tournament to remember, not just for us, but for Elandria as well. Let's make our people proud."