Editing Illivere (section)

=== Gladiatorial Combat ===
The crafter-states of Illivere pit combat golems against one another in a yearly competition called the Test of Mirrhen. It is meant to pit the designs and workmanship of the Crafters of the different states against one another. The winning state receives funds, prestige, and may make a case to use their designs to improve Illivere's golems, having their innovations added to other workshops. The old Testing Champions are greatly respected and enshrined when they are destroyed or cease functioning.<ref name=":1" />

The Testing operates like a tournament. Golem matches are selected via random lottery, and then the winners would face off, until one finalist emerged victorious. As it is a competition of designs, the weapons used are unenchanted, and attack spells and others like [Haste] are forbidden. The winners of the previous Testing have an advantage as they still have their Golem, even if it's damaged, which they can immediately improve upon instead of having to create a new golem entirely like the losing states, giving them a head start on the competition. It is possible for a state to forfeit during the match when the outcome looks obvious to save their golem. There is time to repair the golems between matches.

Due to the popularity, gladiatorial combat with golems continued, and they also forced criminals to fight golems in arenas. This was to test their killing efficiency and entertain bloodthirsty citizens.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2021/05/11/8-22-he/ Chapter 8.22 HE]</ref>