Traetor Open Enters Finals
Due to the nature of this tournament, there are no upsets and few crowd favorites. At least at the beginning. As the majority of participants are new hopefuls or amateur rookies, every player is an underdog. Heartbreak and emotions run high because the Traetor Open can end careers just as easily as it starts them. And after a grueling week, the Finals are set to begin.
The Traetor Open is the longest Gungi tournament, designed to be a more forgiving environment. A single lucky game won't make or destroy anyone's chances. Here it's about consistency and endurance. Each day, players play dozens of games, scoring points for wins and the manner in which they win. Closer games score fewer points. Every day, the players with the lowest total score are sent home. Meaning the competition and stakes get increasingly tougher as time goes on. The last two days of the Traetor Open before the Finals are referred to as the “Boiler”, due to the combination of fatigue, stress and pressure many players feel. Usually by this time, the crowd favorites have been decided.
With the six finalists declared, they will get two days of rest before the Finals begin- a single elimination bracket. The winner secures a spot at this year’s GCS. The top four are invited to the rest of the tournament circuit for the rest of the season, and the least two have to wait until next year. This year there are two finalists that have drawn major attention of viewers. Both are warped in controversy. The first is the overall top point scorer of the tournament, Kassi.
Kassi early one drew high praise early on from the audience for her sportsmanship and kind conduct. In addition, she is only 19 years old, meaning if she does join the tournament circuit, she is primed to break a number of age records. Many thought that Kassi would be the darling of the Traetor Open, and this year's Gungi season. But unfortunately, she lost most of her fanbase after it became known that she is Talaos. Few Talaos compete in the professional Gungi scene and few get very far. Kassi is already the most successful in decades. And maybe if this was last year people wouldn't care as much about her heritage. But with the rising unrest in Traetor and the increasing attack by insurgents, tensions are running high. Not to mention that while the tournament is being held in Orphela, it is the Traetor Open and most of the Traetor Dynasty have lost their lives in the past six months. Despite this there has been a rallying cry for politics to be kept out of Gungi, and for Kassi to be judged on her own merits and not by her heritage. She is also beloved by Talaos fans across the country.
The second controversial figure is actually well-liked by most fans. Like Kassi, Tezisi is also 19 years old. But he is much more striking to looking at in his black Cadre robes. Tezisi is not a Cadre monk, but rather a member of the infamous Temple of Silence. The Temple filed a special petition asking for permission that he be allowed to compete in the Traetor Open. This is because since the Temple is no longer considered a Cadre, it cannot just send players to compete during the midseason. Tezisi is not allowed to speak and is accompanied by another member of the Temple at all times, although she appears around his age, nothing else is known about her. He was doing relatively okay in the tournament, scoring near the middle of the back at the end of each day. Until the Boiler. This is when Tezisi proved himself and became the crowd favorite. While every other player slowed down, their games taking longer, their point earnings decreasing as games were closer, and fatigue affecting their ability and decision making, Tezisi went on a rampage. He outperformed everyone else in the tournament, ending as with the second highest overall points. There has been huge speculation as to the reasons behind this- was he purposely underperforming? Does it have to do with his training at the Temple, is he adapted to performing while exhausted? Unfortunately, Tezisi can't answer any of these questions, only adding to his charming mystery.
In two days’ time, the Finals of the Traetor Open begins, and four will secure their place in Gungi this season, and one will ensure they will get a place at the coveted GCS.