The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet is a deadly obstacle course carved into the steep ridgeline of Basgiath War College, forming a natural barrier between the Riders’ Citadel, the flight field, and the Vale. The course zigzags up the mountainside in five steep switchbacks of nearly 180-degree turns, each one more difficult than the last. Its rough terrain and sheer vertical ascent test every aspect of a cadet’s strength, balance, and strategic thinking.

Access to the Gauntlet begins through a narrow gate that often causes bottlenecks during training sessions. Beyond the gate, a dimly lit tunnel lined with mage lights leads to a ten-foot-high stone archway at the base of the course. From this vantage point, the valley stretches endlessly to the south, covered in green slopes, wildflowers, and clusters of low-growing trees.

The Gauntlet rises thousands of feet above the valley floor, its design forcing cadets to scale the cliffside in increasingly punishing stages until they reach the summit. Upon completion, cadets can ascend the rough-hewn staircase carved into the cliff wall, which provides the only access to the flight field above. This narrow stairway is prone to congestion during high traffic, especially on trial days.

Above the final ascent lies a natural box canyon that opens into the flight field, where the Presentation takes place. First-year cadets awaiting their turn can often watch their peers attempt the course from the base or the cliff edges, witnessing firsthand the peril that awaits them.

The Gauntlet zigzags up a cliff, with switchbacks, treacherous ledges, and obstacles that test both body and mind. Shoulder-width gravel paths connect each ascent, forcing cadets to recover quickly between trials. While cadets are allowed safety ropes during practice, on Presentation Day they may only use them to stop a fall—each use adding thirty seconds to their time. The fastest squad earns the honor of presenting first to the dragons, while the slowest squad goes last, leaving their chances of bonding slim.

• First Ascent: Begins with a spinning log spanning the cliff, followed by rising granite pillars that test balance. Ends with a massive rotating wheel that forces precise timing.
• Second Ascent: Cadets swing across five giant suspended spheres, too wide to grip, requiring momentum and accuracy.
• Third Ascent: Involves traversing three hanging iron rods arm-over-arm, then leaping to a series of shaking iron pillars.
• Fourth Ascent: Features seven spinning timber logs set as crushing steps, followed by a vertical chimney climb where cadets must wedge themselves upward.
• Fifth Ascent: The final ramp, nearly vertical, juts outward before curving up like a dragon’s foreleg. Cadets must climb it without ropes during the final timed run.

The Gauntlet is one of the most feared and defining trials at Basgiath, designed to push candidates of the Riders Quadrant to their absolute physical and mental limits. The course is a vertical obstacle path carved directly into the mountainside that separates the Riders’ Citadel from the Flight Field and the Vale below. It ascends the steep inner ridge in a zigzag pattern, built from stone and timber, with narrow ledges, rope climbs, and shifting footholds that simulate the instability of flight.

The Gauntlet tests the core abilities every future dragon rider must master. It challenges courage, balance, strength, endurance, and agility. Each section of the obstacle course grows harder, forcing cadets to use every skill learned since arriving at Basgiath War College.

Completion of the Gauntlet is mandatory for all first-year cadets before advancing to the Presentation, where dragons observe potential riders. The trial acts as a rite of passage—only those who endure the Gauntlet are considered worthy to face dragons during Threshing.

Cadets take part in nine training sessions before the final trial on September 29. These sessions allow them to practice each stage of the course under instructor supervision. The final run, however, must be completed alone. Assisting another cadet is forbidden and can lead to disqualification or death.

The Gauntlet is notoriously lethal. Many candidates fall or are crushed during failed climbs, and serious injuries such as broken bones and concussions are common even in training. Despite the danger, it remains one of Basgiath’s most respected traditions—a test of skill, endurance, and willpower. Those who survive the Gauntlet move on to the Presentation, the last step before Threshing and potential dragon bonding.