Ophiucha
Auror
Sports, games, these things are all pretty significant to many cultures. Balls were 'invented' (to use the word generously) in nearly every culture in the world and they got the idea to kick it around and throw it through hoops.
They're also fairly political. The olympics as a time of temporary peace, patrons with teams that represent them in the court of sport instead of the court of law (but with all the intrigue), the heavyhanded metaphors that come from chess. We often think only of duels to the death and gladiator rings when it comes to sport in fantasy, but many sports games have had significant, direct effects on the politics of the nations partaking. Riots on the street, the occasional war, and we need not mention the current world cup in Brazil.
So, does anyone else have fun inventing games and sports for their world? How much thought do you put into it, and how do you explain it in your story (if you show it at all)? Are your games 'fully functional', or do you just re-name classics from our world and hint enough for the audience to get the idea?
My current project has a card game that requires a bit of mathematical skill as well as the usual strategy and luck. People are keen to gamble on the results.
They're also fairly political. The olympics as a time of temporary peace, patrons with teams that represent them in the court of sport instead of the court of law (but with all the intrigue), the heavyhanded metaphors that come from chess. We often think only of duels to the death and gladiator rings when it comes to sport in fantasy, but many sports games have had significant, direct effects on the politics of the nations partaking. Riots on the street, the occasional war, and we need not mention the current world cup in Brazil.
So, does anyone else have fun inventing games and sports for their world? How much thought do you put into it, and how do you explain it in your story (if you show it at all)? Are your games 'fully functional', or do you just re-name classics from our world and hint enough for the audience to get the idea?
My current project has a card game that requires a bit of mathematical skill as well as the usual strategy and luck. People are keen to gamble on the results.