The morning was soon approaching. With the morning came the beginning of Nomariaâ€™s thirteenth annual Grand Tournament.  This tournament wasnâ€™t any normal tournament, hence the name â€˜Grand Tournamentâ€™. The festivities and activities, to include the scheduling of tournament competition, often required planning to start before the ongoing tournament had been completed.<br/>The first stages were usually underway before the yearâ€™s Grand Champion was crowned, and his or her horse loaded with the large sum of gold, as was the prize.<br/><br/>This tournament was not quite like many other tournaments, as the chances of coming home alive were significantly greater. Each participant was told to never intentionally kill a competitor in any event; to do so was punishable by death. In fact, it was highly recommended for participants to bring their own dulled weapons for the fighting events. Castle Nomaria had quite a few in its armory, but obtaining one of even fair quality was, at best, a gamble.  Many of the tournament weapons were poorly made, some lacking balance for even a skilled swordsman to handle proficiently.<br/><br/>Each country sent up to five of their best warriors to the tournament; some sent only one or two. Those who came from smaller countries often sent the fewest, regardless of the rule. To participate in the Grand Tournament was a very high honor, as many would die in the process of becoming a contestant in the Grand Tournament. Smaller countries did have a slight advantage, however.  Six of the first twelve winners were from countries that no one ever thought had a chance. Shingral was the prime example; with a population of just over one hundred thousand, it brought home two victories while only sending one warrior every year.<br/><br/>Everyone involved in the Grand Tournament was restless. Everyone knew they had a chance at this yearâ€™s prize, and none were becoming too reckless so close to the beginning.  Last year, two men decided to have a drinking contest. They became so inebriated that when the Archery Competition began, they began shooting at each other, getting a leg wound each. Needless to say, they were unable to compete in much else, and were sent home packing after a sobering lesson on drunken archery.<br/><br/>By six in the morning, everything is as prepared as they can be. Warriors and judges alike begin filing into Castle Nomariaâ€™s Festivities Chamber, a massive room over fifteen paces high, its floor dimensions appearing to be at least one hundred paces from wall to wall. Hanging about halfway down the ceilings, at equal intervals were nine chandeliers. Each one was adorned with thousands of tiny diamonds, easily reflecting the fifteen candles that rested just inches under the millions of mirrors. The reflections meant fewer candles needed to be lit during the night, but there were gold casings to fit up to thirty candles if need be.<br/><br/>The chamber seemed to be enhanced with the smell of feasting, though there was no food in sight. It seemed as if there was so much feasting that commenced here, that the delicious odors of said feasts embedded themselves into the walls, enticing the hunger of anyone who entered. Some could smell various things as they moved throughout the room. The entrance combined everything into one scent, but moving out, they separated.<br/><br/>Everyone had managed to find a seat, awaiting the entry of the King to introduce himself, and to deliver his speech welcoming everyone to his great nation. The Thirteenth Annual Grand Tournament was about to begin.