Haneron

Haneron is a team sport hailing from the Crescanian Confederacy in which the goal is to hit a moving target with a ball while being placed within a 80mX80mX80m zero-gravity dome of thick glass known as a "Hane". The word "Haneron" literally means "Dome-ball" in Nyzian. Haneron is well-known for being the so far only game in the galaxy set in zero gravity.

Teams are made up of 12 players, each equipped with protective gear such as pads for legs, arms and chest, as well as a helmet with a visor, and each with a jet-pack attached to their backs, which serves as a propulsion boost. How this equipment is designed cosmetically varies between teams, but functionality must always remain the same.

The goal of the game is to score a higher amount of points than the opposing team by shooting the ball at a large device called a Drone that flies around unpredictably inside the dome with varying velocities. The fact that the target is constantly moving makes the game notoriously dangerous, as the 20 kilogram rubber ball often misses its target and hits another player instead, in some cases casing serious injuries and has even been known to cause death. As the dome is still filled with air, players can easily "swim" around inside, or use high-powered air vents or their jet-pack to give themselves a boost.

A game lasts for a minimum of 100 Arói (83,4 minutes), with possibility of extensions, and starts with the two teams entering the dome and placing themselves in groups in three white squares placed on their half of the dome, with the other team having their own three squares on the other half. The ball is placed in the middle of the dome. The dome is sealed shut and the zero-gravity is activated. Six seconds later the match starts.

The rules in Haneron are relatively few, but extensive enough to prevent chaos and unnecessary injuries. Breaking the rules causes a "Foul". A player is disqualified if he or she causes three Fouls.

Players are only allowed to use the standard team equipment, which is jetpack, uniform and protective gear. Bringing and/or using other equipment mostly results in a Foul, and the violating player must hand over the extra equipment to a referee. Since meeting other empires, new details to this rule has been added, should citizens of Crescania's allies play the game. Using equipment such as Air Trecks or the powers of the Unani Unatro Val results in immediate disqualification.

Players are allowed to touch the ball with all parts of their bodies, but hands and feet are generally preferred as hitting it when it comes in high speed with any other body part can be very painful.

Once a player has the ball, they are allowed to carry it for four seconds before they must either drop it or pass it. Holding it for any longer results in a warning. To repeatedly hold to ball for too long results in a Foul.

Players are not allowed to cause injury to themselves or other players using their body, or grappling another player or in any way hindering their ability to play using their body. To do so results in a Foul. Causing harm with the ball, however, does not cause a Foul, as it happens so often that a team could be whittled down by disqualifications only.

Players are not allowed to touch the ground for more than three seconds. If a player stays for any longer they are given a warning. If they repeat it, it causes a Foul.

Either team have the right to request a time-out any time they want. Once a time-out is in effect, any player holding the ball must drop it and back away an arm's length. To move the ball during a time-out results in a foul, and the ball is returned to the middle of the dome.

Finally, to verbally or physically harass another player, regardless of team, results in a warning. Repeated violation results in a Foul.

Due to the high costs to build a Haneron dome and to train and equip a Haneron team, as well as the level of danger in the sport, Haneron has not yet been introduced into any other empires, though watching the sport is known to have become a very popular pass-time in Crescania's ally states, especially The Kingdom of Edolas.