Tournament Lyris

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A Wayfarer of Flame. A martial artist whose connection the Way of the Flame grants him abilities beyond human limits, and whose strikes can set foes ablaze.

An Arcanist Writ. The one hundred pages of her spellbook, inked in Lyris, will either spell the tale of her victory, or become a story of defeat.

A Devout of Justice. A knight whose devotion to the Mantra set forth by his god allows him to tap into the might of divinity, and whose sword shows no mercy to the wicked.

A Gunslinger. A hard man from a hard place, taking to the competition little more than his wits, his grit, and the six-shooter by his side.

Four competitors among many, each with their own story, and each with their own reasons for tackling the deadlyTournament Lyris. But only one can claim victory, and the right to decide the fate of the source of all magic.

Do any of them have what it takes to be champion? Or will they spill their blood where so many heroes have spilled theirs before?

In this story, you will find:

[+] Four unique points of view, each telling the story of a character's entry and participation in the tournament.

[+] A focus on worldbuilding, characters, and deep lore.

[+] A magic system that takes three different forms, each with its own rules.

[+] Intense combat between masters of their fighting styles.

Currently editing the Writathon chapters. Edit progress: 14/18

Weekly chapters beginning soon

[Winner of April 2025 Writathon]

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Phil Grosso

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.9/ 5.0
Followers: 12
Views: 5,480

Chapters(19 total)

What readers say about Tournament Lyris

“Overall I wasn’t expecting to like a story about a tournament this much. But the thing is, this story is more than just a bunch of characters fighting each other. It has emotional depth and high stakes. I’m definitely following this story, and it’s also on…”
Ana87Royal Road5.0 / 5
“This is the first time I’ve read a book with such a unique structure, where each chapter offers a different point of view. I’m not talking about just one or two, but many. It’s incredibly creative, and I love how the author distinctly differentiates each ch…”
Eva_EverquillRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(3)

Ana87Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall
I wasn’t expecting to like a story about a tournament this much. But the thing is, this story is more than just a bunch of characters fighting each other. It has emotional depth and high stakes. I’m definitely following this story, and it’s also on my list of favourites.
Story
I’m writing this review after reading chapter 5. So far, we’ve just met the four protagonists who are on their way to the tournament. Of course, we know what’s going to happen eventually, but you can tell how much the author cares about the characters and the details of the worldbuilding. You will be invested after meeting the first character and even more after reaching chapter 4.
Style
The story is narrated in third person, with a different POV for each chapter, which, for me, was a good choice. The author manages to give each character a unique voice. The pacing feels a bit rushed in some parts of the first chapter, but it ends with a dramatic twist that keeps you hooked. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are just brilliant. The dialogues are one of the strongest aspects. You can clearly imagine the personality of each character by the way they speak. There is a nice balance between action, emotion and lore.
Grammar
Nothing to say here, except that it’s very good, with only a few minor typos here and there.
Character
Unless you have a heart made of stone, you’ll like (or even love) each of the four main characters. You can pick a favourite, but it won’t be easy. Each one has a distinct personality, a unique backstory, and a clear purpose. Their backgrounds give us a glimpse into a rich worldbuilding that mixes not only classic medieval themes but also western and tribes that control different elements. I won’t give more details to avoid spoilers. You’ll find enough information in the blurb. Or better yet, just go and read the story.
Eva_EverquillRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is the first time I’ve read a book with such a unique structure, where each chapter offers a different point of view. I’m not talking about just one or two, but many. It’s incredibly creative, and I love how the author distinctly differentiates each character’s voice and backstory. It’s so well-executed that I couldn’t help but think, “I wish I had thought of this!” This technique clearly requires careful planning, and it’s impressive how smoothly the author manages it.
The action in every chapter keeps the pace lively and engaging. Each chapter feels like a self-contained short story, which is perfect if you’re looking for something quick and immersive. I found myself easily able to finish a chapter, grab a coffee, and return to be drawn into a completely different backstory with the next chapter. You can really tell it’s going to be an epic tournament, given the diverse range of skills each character brings.
There were a few minor grammar hiccups in the latest chapter I read, but they didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, the book is captivating, and the multi-POV structure really sets it apart. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys creative storytelling and dynamic characters.
D3xterityRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Usually the tournament trope isnt one that I am drawn to, mostly because the setup for it often is quite rushed and the motivations are lacking, but I can say with confidence that this isn‘t the case at all here. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it is one of the authors greatest strengths.
The worldbuilding feels vibrant, and while the characters do seem to embody a trope each, their personality shines through and makes them feel unique. I enjoy the different cultural feels that we get, and I especially enjoy the aspects of different societies using Lyris (the magical resource) in different ways. This is complemented by the 4 different viewpoints, which gives us a better view of how they look at the world, instead of only the viewpoint of one MC.
Of course, this kind of setup has its own risks. Writing from different points of view runs the risk of confusing the readers, and so far there isnt enough for me to judge that aspect. However, from the masterful writing I have seen so far, I am confident that the author has the chops to handle this kind of perspective swapping.
I think this is a fascinating take on tournaments for everyone who enjoys low magic settings, and reminds me of great works such as the hunger games, if less dystopian.
Style: The writing style is good, the pacing I enjoy too though some aspects could have been delved into a bit more in my opinion. But overall, its very solid.
Story: I am a bit hesitant to give a full score here, since I have mostly read worldbuilding and character introductions so far. The actual plot itself has not been revealed yet, and it remains to be seen how well the chaos of a tournament is handled in terms of combat writing. The score Im giving is my prediction, based on the authors work so far.
Character: I only have praise for the author here. Writing not only one but 4 compelling characters is nothing short of impressive.
Grammar: There are no glaring errors, just the usual culprits us authors often make, especi