"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:16 Charisma:5 Intelligence: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"Nothing here," one says, shrugging. "Maybe you should catch Bertramus!" one says, laughing loudly. The rest join in. 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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. 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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"No one knows, and no one knows," one girl answers you. "Bertramus is Public Enemy Number One," one man replies. "He's highly secretive...no one knows his real name, his physical description, or anything about him at all, really. Just that the Emperor hates him...and we don't even know why that is!" "But if you want a job," another pitches in, "you could go to the legionaries. They might need your help on something."
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. 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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
You go to the Roman legionaries. "Okay everyone," says the centurion(he's like an officer). "Today we're going to track down a possible lead on Bertramus. We've heard a rumor that a few of his friends will be staying at the Red Rooster Inn tonight...we need to catch them. These are high-profile people, and they could lead us directly to Bertramus if we catch them." "Sir?" calls a young legionary, raising his hand hesitantly. "Do...do we know anything about Bertramus yet? What he looks like...anything?" "We know that the Emperor wants him, dead or alive!" the centurion bellows in the legionary's face. "That's all that we need to know! Now let's move!" Then the centurion turns to you as the legionaries prep to move out. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. 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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"You need more money, can we help..." the centurion trails off, thinking. "Well, as it happens, we need more manpower. The more folks we have in this, the better. I want you to make sure that these friends of Bertramus don't escape once we capture them. We'll send them to you at our legionary quarters, and you guard them with Brutus and Galenus over here." The centurion shouts the name 'Brutus' and a tall, muscular man with a tan walks up. He's clean-shaven and what little black hair is on his head is cut very short, stiffly, and straight. Then he calls 'Galenus' and a lanky, youthful legionary with armor too big for him walks up. His blond hair is swiped to the side and neatly combed. "Remember; wait at our quarters, and we'll bring these people to you. If they don't escape, the city of Rome will pay you 5 asarii. Interested?"
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. 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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
You go to the legionaries' quarters and wait there with Brutus and Galenus. When they arrive, Brutus and Galenus immediately exchange looks and turn to you. "Who are you?" Brutus demands harshly.
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"none of your dam business i just want to do this and get my money"
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
Brutus glares at you, but Galenus pauses for a moment, then takes off his right glove. You see, stamped on his underarm wrist, a black raven. Brutus gives Galenus an evil eye, but takes off his glove as well, to reveal a raven on his wrist too. Then they both stare at you expectantly.
Name: Cato Age: 23 Gender: Male Crime Committed: Rebellion. Physical Description: not that strong but very agile and slick fighter Biography: was always very poor and felt that the emperor had too much power and that the people, not the ruler, should rule rome. was a kind of assassin/ rogue in his childhood and was a highly charismatic man, though he was always good with a pugio.... --------------------------------------------------------------------- attributes. Strength: 6 Charisma: 13 Intelligence: 10 Agility: 13 Endurance: 8 Skill: Voice of the Rebellion(you are more charismatic and better at convincing people to join your cause) Ability: good stabber, knows how to throw knives good Preferred Weapon: Pugio. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: None. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None.
what do you suggest then? anything to do with speech?
Name: Cato Age: 23 Gender: Male Crime Committed: Rebellion. Physical Description: not that strong but very agile and slick fighter Biography: was always very poor and felt that the emperor had too much power and that the people, not the ruler, should rule rome. was a kind of assassin/ rogue in his childhood and was a highly charismatic man, though he was always good with a pugio.... --------------------------------------------------------------------- attributes. Strength: 6 Charisma: 13 Intelligence: 10 Agility: 13 Endurance: 8 Skill: Voice of the Rebellion(you are more charismatic and better at convincing people to join your cause) Ability: good stabber, knows how to throw knives good Preferred Weapon: Pugio. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: None. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None.
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"oooo black ravens i'm so dam scared, lets just get this job done shall we"
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: 6 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 2 Asarii. Right Hand: Hasta. Left Hand: None. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
They both glare at you angrily. Then, there's knocking and muffled shouting from outside. Galenus stands up and opens the door to admit three people, all trussed up like Christmas trees with their hands and legs bound with thick twine in addition to having their mouths gagged with some kind of rags and blindfolds made of some thick black cloth over their eyes. They're tossed in by several legionaries, still wriggling around, then the door is slammed shut by the legionaries outside. Galenus and Brutus both stare at you again, their hands on their gladii.
