BuccaneerBass

This not-so-eagerly-awaited contest has nevertheless been taking place for the last 10 years. About three months prior to Founding Day, 'Olden starts gathering manure from his livestock and creates a huge pile of dung on his farm. On Founding Day he holds his annual shovelling contest. The participants all get a shovel and a pile of canvas bags. The purpose of the contest is to fill as many bags as possible within a 15 minute period. Last year 'Olden was beaten by Tarek Eckard, a member of the Sewer Cleaners Guild. The difference was a measly quarter of a bag and 'Olden is eager to regain his title.

After the contest, the bags filled with manure will show up at 'Olden's stall at the Quad. He sells them as fertilizer and asks for a Halfcrown per 20 pound bag.

Who is doing it?

Greg 'Olden, vendor of 'Ooves and 'Orsies and nine time Manure Shovelling Champion.

A week prior to the contest, 'Olden will have registration forms available at his stall where anyone can sign up. On the day of the contest, participants will gather at 'Olden's farm at around eight o'clock in the morning. The registration forms are then put in a big bowl and participants are drawn in pairs by 'Olden's wife 'Ellen. Every year an official magistrate of Corvis is requested to be present as a judge but in case of their absence (about every year), 'Olden's oldest son will take that role. The judge will keep track of time and make sure none of the participants is cheating. In case of an odd number of participants, a member of the crowd is asked to fill the empty slot. If no one steps up, the odd participant goes through to the next round without having to dirty his hands. A big scoreboard is hung on one of the barns where spectators can check the status of the tournament. Also on display in one of the barns is 'Oldens' nine-ribbon-shovel. It is guarded at all times by Greg's nephew who's a member of the Corvis city guard and two of his sons.

This goes on until two participants reach the final and one of them is crowned Manure Shovelling Champion. The champ's shovel will get decorated with a ribbon and he gets his pick from a selection of 'Olden's finest 'Orsies.

At noon , a free meal will be provided to all contestants. Spectators can join in for a Shield per person.
Whoever is paired against 'Olden 'imself during the contest, will get taunted by him endlessly ... if 'Olden is on the winning side. If it's a very close match, 'Olden will shut up and shovel, gritting his teeth and face reddening.

The Crowd

As you might imagine, this event isn't found high up society's ladder. Most participants and spectators are local farmers, beggars and the occasional down-on-his-luck adventurer.

A yellow piece of parchment which features all the relevant data concerning the event and a picture of a shovel with nine ribbons stuck in a small hill of dung.

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