Welcome To The Pitch

Tavernball is a full-contact, high-stakes medieval fantasy sport played in the dead of night. The pitch itself is completely dark, illuminated only by the goal posts, the concession stand, the privies, and the glowing ball itself. Play at your own peril!

Team Composition & Equipment

• Four Players: Only four combatants are required on the field at any given time (two per team).
• The Goalie: Tasked with defending the goal post. They are permitted—and heavily advised—to wield a shield for self-preservation.
• The Runner: Tasked with scoring. They are armed solely with a standard tankard.
• Runners may use any part of their body to run the ball to the opposing team's goal
• Runners can not throw the ball
• Goalies can move the ball by any means, excluding messenger services

The Tankard & Scoring Mechanics

• Liquid Assets: A Runner can only score a goal if there is a valid swig of fluid remaining inside their tankard.
• Dry Spell Penalties: If a Runner's tankard runs completely dry, they must immediately abandon the field of play to fetch a fresh pint.
• The Temperance Clause: While traditionally a drinking game, alcohol is not required to play. However, if you choose to fill your cup with water, the local deities may judge you silently.

Code of Conduct

• Hands Off: The opposing team may not touch, grab, or interfere with your tankard in any way.
• Not a Weapon: Tankards are strictly not to be used as bludgeoning weapons.
• No Repelling: Runners are forbidden from using their tankards to push back or repel opposing players.

The Goalie’s Glory

• The Breakaway: If a team has no Runners currently active on the field, their Goalie is permitted to abandon the goal post.
• The Ultimate Play: The Goalie may dribble or carry the glowing ball across the entire length of the dark field to score a goal themselves.
• The Reward: Should a Goalie successfully pull this off, they instantly win the coveted Tavernball Cup (a pitcher sized tankard) and by supreme law of the realm, their teammates must fill that cup with a free drink...  for the rest of the night or another challenger wins it. 

The Pitcher remains on the pitch. The Tavernball cup must remain on the Tavernball Field.

• What was I talking about?
• Oh, Tavernball!

Tavernball is a full-contact, high-stakes medieval fantasy sport played in the dead of night.

Full-Contact & Grappling Rules

• The "No Biters" Edict: While full contact is encouraged, checking, tackling, and wrestling are permitted only from the neck down. Shaving, biting, or pulling an opponent's tunic over their head is considered uncivilized.
• The Shield Bash: Goalies may use their shields to block or deflect players, but charging at a Runner like a runaway chariot will result in a 2-minute timeout in the "Stocks."

Spillage & Ball Handling

• The Party Foul Clause: If a Runner is tackled and accidentally spills all of their fluid onto the pitch, their tankard is instantly deemed "Dry" and they must immediately retreat to the concession stand to refill. No crying over spilled ale.
• No Pouching: Players may not conceal the glowing ball inside their tunics, cloaks, or deep pockets to hide it from view. The ball must remain visibly glowing at all times.

Low-Visibility & Field Etiquette

• The Blind Man’s Bluff: Intentionally sabotaging the field's limited lighting (e.g., throwing a cloak over a goal post lantern or stealing the torches from the privies, is strictly treasonous.
• The Ghost Runner: If a player gets lost in the dark and accidentally wanders off the pitch and into another realm, such as Canada, they must loudly sing until rescued so the referee knows they haven't been eaten.

Game End & Overtime

• The Broken Cup Tiebreaker: In the event of a tie at the end of the match, the two Runners must face off in a sudden-death chugging contest. First to finish their pint and successfully flip their tankard upside down on their head wins the match for their team.

Special Event Rule

• In the event native wildlife enters the playing field do not engage. Be aware that the local megafauna are very real, and do not respect the rules of Tavernball.
• Evacuate to the closest structure until wildlife has either left of it's own choice, or been escorted safely home by a representative of The Lodge; as the Lodge Staff have a truce with the native wildlife.
• Once the native wildlife is taken to safety, It is then safe to enter the playing field again.

Official Tavernball Liability Waiver, Voluntary Release of Limbs, and Sovereign Oath

Read thoroughly before applying your blood, ink, or wax seal.

I, the undersigned peasant/adventurer/fool, hereby acknowledge that I am voluntarily choosing to step onto a pitch that is entirely pitch-black except for a few poorly placed lanterns and a ball glowing with volatile magic. By signing this scroll, I agree to the following sacred covenants:

1. Assumption of Absolute Peril

I understand that Tavernball is a full-contact, high-stakes sport. I accept all risks associated with sprinting through the darkness, including but not limited to: tripping over tree roots, colliding chest-first into an opposing Goalie’s heavy shield, and accidental face-to-face encounters with native wildlife.

2. The Canada Boundary Clause

I acknowledge that if I lose my bearings in the dark and accidentally wander off the pitch into another realm (such as Canada), it is my sole responsibility to loudly sing until rescued. The Firefly Tavern is not liable for any customs fees incurred during my displacement.

3. The Wildlife Mandate

In the event that a bear, squirrel, moose or any other horrifying fauna enters the pitch, I promise to evacuate immediately to the nearest structure. I will not attempt to pet, ride, or challenge the wildlife to a chugging contest, and I will leave all beast-handling to a representative of The Lodge .

4. Tankard Misuse & Bodily Integrity

I swear upon my honor that my tankard will remain a vessel of hydration/libation and never a bludgeoning weapon. If I break this rule, I accept my fate: a two-minute timeout in the Stocks, accompanied by public mockery. Furthermore, while full contact is legal, I agree that shaving, biting, or de-robing remains strictly uncivilized.

5. The Sovereign Indemnification

Should I spill my entire beverage during a tackle, I will not weep. Should I lose the match in a sudden-death chugging contest, I will accept my defeat with grace. I hereby release The Firefly Tavern, its bartenders, its deities, and its resident factions from any liability regarding bruised shins, spilled ale, or wounded pride.

X _______________________________________
(Sign your name or leave an ink spot if your species has no names)

Faction / Team Name: _____________________

Emergency Contact (Next of Kin / Local Cleric): _____________________