Just for clarification (again), this is “the roles each character is designed to play” blog (again), since just saying “class blog” makes it sound like this is some sort of social class thing (again), which it isn’t (again). But if you want to see that, turn on the news (again).

Our class for today (and last class for the time being because we don’t have anymore to show off in-game) is the Damé; otherwise known as Abella’s main class.

Most Damé can’t do this; I just thought it looked cool.

The Damé is a bit of an interesting class with how it’s supposed to function. It specializes in attacks, but less in the “really strong hits” way, and more in the vein of allowing a continuous stream of attacks. This is reflected in the Damé’s abilities, many of which are activated upon the defeat of an enemy. With every defeated enemy, buffs are gained, allowing for greater proficiency in defeating MORE enemies. It’s like an old train; it can be difficult to get going, but it’s even more difficult to stop—especially since its breaks don’t work too well.

At the time of writing this, though, these abilities have yet to be implemented. But, like, it’ll be really cool when they are.

The name “Damé” is derived from Dambe boxing, a sport originating in Nigeria, and one that remains popular in West Africa to this day.

The set-up before Dambe bouts is crucial. A combatant’s dominant hand is wrapped in cloth and knotted. This is the “spear.” The other hand faces the opponent, palm forward. This is the “shield.” As their names suggest, one is for offense, the other defense. Grabbing is allowed, but only by the shield, as grabbing something when your hand is wrapped in cloth is definitely impossible.

There are three rounds (if three rounds are possible (foreshadowing)), there’s no time limit, and the loser is decided when they fall to their knee, fall to the ground, or surrender (which is lovingly referred to as being “killed”). In some variations of the sport, you’re also able to kick.

And that’s basically it for the rules. If it wasn’t apparent, this is a rather intense sport, and often results in serious injuries. There is a great deal of fame that can arise from continued participation, though.

Tradition and spirituality is also important in Dambe, with combatants often wearing charms and talismans blessed by spiritualists and healers. These charms, in turn, are meant to protect the boxer and grant them good fortune. And, in an odd turn of fate, it seems that pretty recently there has been pushes for the sport to go worldwide. I have little research on this, but, like, the internet is famous for always being accurate about all information, so I’m sure it’s true.

And those are our two classes! Unless you only read this blog, in which case there’s another class you can read up about. There will be more classes, of course, but they’re in the “This is planned but in absolutely no state to share any information about” stage: a classic stage that is the bane of every blog writer’s existence.

Class is in Session (Again): The Class Blog (Again) #2