"What's this?" one voice asked. This voice is a harsh, commanding baritone. "New shipment of gladiators, sir," another voice answered. This one is quieter, higher-pitched, nervous. It probably belongs to someone young. The crate was pried open at the top ever so slightly, and I winced as the bright afternoon light glared into my eyes after the inky darkness of the crate. I heard the other prisoners groan with discontent as well. I caught a glimpse of a sharply angled but handsome face looking down upon us before the lid of the crate slammed shut once more and we were once again enveloped in blackness. "Let them in," the authoritative voice ordered coldly. "Get them to the trainers immediately." "Yes, sir," replied the young voice. I could hear the sound of bronze boots clacking against cobblestones, and it slowly receded. Then, I heard an order called out, and with the clattering of hooves against stones, we lurched forward once again.
"Welcome to the arena," a voice said. This one, too, was authoritative, but it was kinder than the voice from before. I opened my eyes slowly and leaned upward in the crate, awaking from my nap in the crate. I beheld a tall, muscular man with jet black hair cut unevenly short. He was clad in the garb of the Roman military; lorica segmentata, a war skirt, caligas, a scarlet focale, a crimson tunic, a black woolen sagum, a horsehair galea, and a balteus containing a stylized gladius. His face was marred by a deep, straight scar running from the cheek to just above the eye. He extended his right hand to me and I grasped it in mine. He gripped my hand firmly and hauled me to my feet. I stumbled at first, months of malnutrition and starvation as well as being jammed in a crate with several other people for days having severely atrophied my muscles, but the soldier caught me. I was able to sit down in a stooping position. "My name's Cadmus," the soldier informed me. "And that's Octavia." He pointed across the vast, sand-floored room and I saw a tall, equally muscular woman in a white toga and caligas. She seemed to be pretty...but in a commanding way. "We're your trainers." "Trainers? For what?" I asked in confusion. Cadmus shook his head. "You don't know where you are, do you?" Octavia replied, walking up. I shook my head unsteadily. "You're in the Arena," Cadmus informed me. "In Rome." I rubbed my gritty eyes. I did recall hearing one of the guards mention something about sending me to some arena. "So...the Arena? In Rome? And why am I here?" I asked again. "I think you know," Cadmus replied. "This Arena is used as a form of punishment for crimes against Rome. I don't care to know what crime you committed in particular, but I do know that in order to be here, in this arena, you have to have done something." "A punishment?" I repeated. "So...it's like the gladiators' arena then, is it?" "Not quite," Octavia answered. "This Arena is a little bit different." "How so?" I asked. "In the Gladiator's arena, the fights are fair," Cadmus answered, "and they're watched by a crowd of spectators for sport. This Arena is no sport. The only viewer is our Emperor, and he is our judge. We must put on a good show for him. He and the others control everything in the Arena. If the Emperor is disappointed, we die. That's not exactly it, but it's a simplified version." "So...I'm in the Arena to fight, am I?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Octavia rolled her eyes. "Of course," she answered. Cadmus folded his arms impassively. "And you're my trainers?" I clarified. Cadmus nodded. "Our job is to make sure you survive...long enough so that the Emperor is pleased with our work, that is," Cadmus told me. "Your work reflects on our own. If the Emperor is really displeased about your performance, we can be punished as well. We must not only make sure you survive, but that you put on a good show." "Makes sense...I guess," I said, shrugging. "So, what now?" "Perhaps you should tell us who you are," Octavia suggested.
Name: First name mandatory, last name optional. Must at least sound authentic...here's a list of male and female names. Age: No kids, and no one elderly. Gender: Crime Committed: Physical Description: Biography: --------------------------------------------------------------------- You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength: Charisma: Intelligence: Agility: Endurance: Skill: I do this, from your biography. Ability: You make this up, but be reasonable. Preferred Weapon: You do better with this weapon than you do with any other. For a list of weapons, look below. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: None. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None.
List of Weapons Almost all possible weapons that you can use are on this list, but if I'm missing one, you can use that. Swords Pugio Gladius Spatha Spears/Javelins Hasta Javelin Pilum Ranged Arcus/Sagitta Plumbatae
Good luck! But be warned...this is not just about winning fights. There's a lot more to it than that.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:15 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
"I said this before..." Cadmus sighs. "You can't get out. If you're lucky, and you survive your matches, you might end up as a trainer in the Arena, like us." *gestures to himself and Octavia* "If you're obscenely lucky and the Emperor takes a liking to you, he might arrange to have you put into the regular Gladiator's Arena. But here...you can never return to a regular way of life. And okay, I'll schedule the match for you. It will be worth 3 asarii, and you will be fighting a slightly trained laquerii. The fight will be a little after noon, so you have a few hours."
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:15 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
You train for a few hours: +1 Strength. Now you're sent to the match. It's against a Laquerii; he's armed with a very long lasso in his right hand and a pugio(dagger) in his left hand. Otherwise, he has very little armor, wearing only a breechcloth and a galerus. What will you do?
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
hmm try to taunt him to lasso me so i can douge and cut it
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
You try to taunt him but he is impassive about your insults. He slowly starts to approach and circle you... He has an extremely significant reach advantage. Remember that.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
i start circling watching out for the lasso trying to stab him with my spear
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
Now you're both circling, making it harder for him to get a shot at you with his lasso, but he's still too far away from you for you to reach him with your hasta.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
"wat you fight for huh" circling "tell me wat you got outside here"
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
"I fight for my life." the laquerii replies quietly. He suddenly flicks his wrist forward sharply; the lasso wraps around your leg and throws it out from under you. You suddenly find yourself flat on your back on the ground.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
swing my spear quick to cut it an roll away an get on my feet
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
You swing your spear to cut the rope but the laquerii has already flicked it back to his hand. You jump to your feet successfully.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
'tougher then i thought'
charge forawrd and jump left an try to stab him with my spear
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
You charge forward quickly. He flicks his lasso forward, right where you were before you jumped to the left. Taking advantage of the lull, you try to stab him, but thanks to his light armor, he is agile and able to dodge your jab. It does, however, pierce his side slightly. He starts to fall back and spirals his lasso at you again, aiming to tie you up in the rope from far away. What will you do?
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
roll to the right getting close and attempt another stab keeping the pressure up
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 15/15 Crime Committed: pick poketing, stealing, and framed for murder Physical Description: strong legs, meddium build chest, tan Brown short hair, big hands Biography: He had a family and he stole to keep food on the table till he was stealing and saw a murder no one believes a thief so they took him a tossed him in the gladior games with out a trial ------------------------------------------------------------ You have 50 points to distribute among the following attributes. Strength:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence:5 Agility:10 Endurance:15 Skill: Slippery Fingers[thanks to the time you spent stealing, you're better at sneaking around, pickpocketing, and picking locks]. Trained: Basic Dodging. Ability: intimadate (scares weaker foes to giving up) Preferred Weapon:Spears/Javelins ----------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas.
You roll to his right, getting closer, and attempt another stab with your spear. Now he's feeling the heat, and is falling back heavily. But you're starting to press him against the wall. In an act of desperation, he casts out his lasso again, and manages to catch your spear. He starts to drag you closer to him, and draws his pugio to stab you when you get close. What will you do?
