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The Kingmaker Worm

Hurricane Ivan

on May 3, 2011

The Kingmaker Worm is a magical construct used as part of the democratic election process of the Sawtooth Tribe, a strangely forward-minded tribe of goblins in the Mountains of Night.
Their election process happens once a year, and is open to any citizen who wishes to compete. It consists of three challenges, each held in a public arena with the entire populace watching.
In the first trial, the trial of skill, the candidates must Navigate their way swiftly through a dangerous maze, to reach the other side first. The second, the trial by oration, is when the candidates make their speeches as to their vision for the clan, and make their election promises. In the last trial, trial by combat, the candidates must overcome each other and the Kingmaker worm, to be the first to wrench the sword from its head.
After the trials, each citizen casts their vote as to which leader they think would do the best job of running the tribe as consul. More than one would be consul has won most challenges, only to face the jeering laughter of a tribe of goblins who voted for another candidate, because the Sawtooths value wit over brawn.