We know that certain numbers of Free Men must be present in a room or else it cannot be raided. We know that the wilds are places where killing can take place but that there is a process to protect Warriors from a "stab, stab, You're dead!" approach.

GC operates on a speed post (fastest post wins) formula. When viewed in contrast to the laborious meanderings of some ponderous spars that seem to go on for endless ahn without action, it is a good system.

One might object that "connect speed" does not constitute skill and there is some truth to that, but like most other things, it is the best available system.

Sparring is another matter. I was raised in a Camp which did not compete in spars. We hunted game on the plains and practiced with weapons for the eventuality of actual combat. However, I have come to believe that sparring is a healthy activity that keeps Warriors alert and raises interest level and morale in a City. I have encouraged the Warriors of Port Kar to spar often and with studied attention to detail. I have noted that it has raised their level of confidence and increased the spirit of comraderie at the Inn and in Port Kar.

The Men have also taken a greater interest in learning about what they can and cannot do with weapons. There is nothing like live combat to sharpen the senses and increase speed and coordination.

Some may say that combat only occurs when there is the threat of injury or death. If that person had been in Port Kar when Demetrius and I sparred last week, that argument would never again be raised.

I would suggest the following occur with sparring. Warriors should be trained to judge the spar with an objective system of scoring that can be pointed to and defended. The highest ranking non sparring Male present should be the judge of the spar.

Rules for the spar itself are varied. Most are of the 3 post or 5 post variety with a chance oriented choice of number determining who has the last post. My favorite of these would be as follows: 5 post spar with 3 offensive and two defensive actions per post with a 4 minute time limit between posts.

I do admit that the Warrior to move first is at a disadvantage as He has no way to answer His opponents final post. This can be remedied by allowing first posting to have 3 offensive moves and then allow him to "save" the 2 defensive moves until after His opponents last posting. This would largely level the sparring field and not make second post such a large advantage.

A possible problem is the amount of time that a spar takes and the need to move conversations into private while it is ongoing. I have seen outstanding cooperation from the people of Port Kar in this venture and it has proven to be nothing more than a small inconvenience.

Port Kar offerred a challenge to spar to any GC city. The prize that we offered was slaves going to the victor. This is straight out of Nomads of Gor,when the Tuchuks engaged in such activity with Turians. Sadly, the repeated challenge went unanswered.

Sparring is a way to rouse a City from doldrums and encourage Warriors to be fit and agile and attentive to detail. That is what this Ubar now thinks.