Kite Fighting

For more than a century, the Seta have been refining techniques for kite-fighting. They coat the strings of their aitvars — fighting kites — with resin and sharp bits of stone, sand, and glass and attempt to cut the strings of competitor’s kites. This was originally used as a way to fight over good fishing grounds, although that practice has now been banned by the Seta Council. Some still occasionally break the rule, but it is strictly enforced. As a result, kite fighting evolved into a game played on land. The techniques were refined, and so were the kites. 

A typical Seta fighting kite is now made from thin layers of Palao bark, like strong tissue paper. Aitvars are fairly plain in design, engineered for performance rather than appearance. Each kite has a two-person team flying it, the tail and the talon, in charge of the separate spool and string lines controlling the kite. The talon is generally the more experienced pilot, and handles the motion, direction, and timing of the kite’s attacks, bluffs, and retreats. The tail helps with string slackening/tensioning and supports the talon’s decisions. While many tails aspire to be talons some day, some of the most successful teams have dedicated tails who have focused their energy on the nuances of that position.

The strings are the most valuable part of the equipment. The body of the kites are made from readily available resources, but gathering enough spider web to spin the spider silk for the strings is time-consuming. Carefully coating the string with resin and sharp material is painstaking and usually results in a lot of razor-fine cuts to the hands and fingers. Seasoned kite-fighters develop thick callouses. Because the strings are valuable, when a kite is cut the spooler and stringer carefully reel in their string. The kite, however, is simply replaced.

Younger, poorer Seta, who can’t buy kites and can’t make them, chase after the falling kites. The first one to get to the kite gets to keep it. The new owner will have to make a string but will then be able to start learning the sport. Most Seta begin collecting webs as toddlers and grow up helping to make strings for kite fishing, so learning to coat the strings is the main challenge. By age 20, most Seta can make a decent kite, good for fishing or basic kite-fighting.

Only a few actually specialize in making fighting kites. Those few make substantially lighter and swifter kites that are more balanced, though the skill of the talon and tail are what matter most.

Kite Dancing

The elves have their own kite-flying tradition that is very different. They make complex kites with long showy tails (“dragon kites”), and box kites. Their kites are made from silk and designed to look like animals, creatures, and characters/objects from legend. Silk is even more difficult to produce, especially outside of the elvish lands, than spider silk and thus more valuable. The colorful and decorative elvish kites are used to perform carefully choreographed plays (or “puppet shows”). They have incorporated local legends and characters.

These kaivars — or acrobatic kites — are seen at major festivals throughout the city.

Silk Fighting

A hybrid form of elvish kite dancing and Seta kite-fighting is the domain of the nobility. Easily maneuverable “trick kites” are used. They are made of silk and are blend of elvish and Seta kite designs. Many feature short tails that slow the kite, making it easier to control, though the best are simpler and rely on color for their visual impact. Silk fighters employ a tail, a talon, and a third team member who can use magic, a stanchion. Their battles are visual spectacles and hugely popular. Silk fighting might be the domain of the rich, but it is free to all as a spectator sport and hugely popular. Nobles often hire Seta to fly their kites. Seta consider silk fighting easier than “true” kite fighting but like how well it pays.