Iron Ring of Ealdormere
The following are the rules of the Challenge of the Iron Ring, as set down by then-Lord Rodrigo de Montoya, and as accompany the Iron Ring in hardcopy when passed from ringbearer to ringbearer. It is an exact copy taken from the hardcopy for historical reference, including any typographical or syntactical mistakes:
The Iron Ring is a symbol of prowess (and only prowess) in rapier fighting, currently there are five Rings, one per ratio of Kingdom, in the Middle Kingdom, East Kingdom, Kingdom of Ealdormere, Meredies, and Northshield, and the only way to acquire one is to challenge the current ring bearer. The format of the challenge is fixed and shall be strictly followed to insure this does not alter from its original intent.
To declare the challenge the challenger declares 'I request the Challenge of the Iron Ring'.
The proper responses are 'I accept your challenge' or 'I am forbidden from accepting your challenge'.
The fight for the Iron Ring shall always be best 3 out of 5 fights to allow for the occasional lucky shot.
The Iron Ring may only exchange ring bearer's once in any given day. If another challenger requests a Challenge to the new ring bearer, the ring bearer is required to respond 'I am forbidden from accepting your Challenge'. However, an existing ring bearer may accept up to three Challenges in a given day, assuming the ring bearer is the victor of each preceding Challenge that day. Only the first Challenge is the ring bearer required to fight, the second and third are optional and should only be fought if the ring bearer thinks they can show as much prowess and stamina in the latter two Challenges as the first. A challenger may only Challenge for the Iron Ring once is a given day.
The 'Challenge' can only be made while both participants are fully in dress rapier armor (non-period practice armor is not acceptable) and there is still opportunity to fight that day. The 'Challenge' must be (reasonably) met before said rapier armor is removed or the ring bearer forfeits his right to the ring to the challenger. (Reasonably means use common sense here, if it is not possible because of unforeseen acts of god leave it at that)
Since the ring bearer must choose the appropriate time, it is always the challengers right to choice of weapons. However, the weapons must include a rapier (case of dagger is excluded, this is rapier prowess recognition). The Challenge must meet its Kingdom's rules for tournament combat (including no RBG's).
The ring may not reside out of its Kingdom's borders, it will revert to the previous ring bearer if the existing ring bearer moves from kingdom(s) or stop playing. No two ring bearers may challenge each other.
The Iron Ring shall be worn prominently while in period armor so potential challengers may know who is the current ring bearer. (My recommendation is wrap the chain around your belt and wear it as a favor).
Lastly, it is the duty of the outgoing ring bearer to make sure the incoming ring bearer is fully aware of these rules.
As Premier, I will be making sure the original intent of this challenge is maintained and that the rings stay in circulation.
One Ring To Rule Them All… Lord Rodrigo de Montoya
Lineage of Ringbearers
The following is a record of those who have born the Iron Ring of Ealdormere. As it is incomplete, please help make it complete and add to it is as the ring is passed from bearer to bearer.
- …
- Gareth Cambell won the ring from…
- Eyrny Ormasdottir won the Ring from Gareth Cambell, War of the Trillium, 2017
- Gareth Cambell won the ring from Eyrny Ormasdottir, Rapier Tournament of Renown, 2018
- …
- Wilhelm von Pottruff won the ring from…
- Sebastian de Sandoval won the ring from Wilhelm von Pottruff, Fall Crown Tournament, 2025