"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.
Flag Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None.
D:
COMMA-NISM!!! Hahahahah! *runs screaming into the arena*
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
*Toga guy is pale, not tan. Mea culpa.
You give your two daughters a short hug then they are quickly dragged away by the collar by the Praetorian guy. "What else do you need?" asks the young man in the toga who let you hug your daughters.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other: Horse.
You run into the arena, screaming like a madman. You are given a horse to ride on like a standard sagittarius, though it's not trained. You are paired up against an eques; a horse gladiator.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other: Horse.
I enter the arena, and dismount my horse. I stand at its side, with the horse between me and the eques, as a shield. I then procede to shoot the horse out from under the eques. Eques-horse = useless tincan
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"Ah, see, that is because you know too much," the mean Praetorian guy answers, stepping up. "You know the identities of two of our legionary undercovers, due to some bad decisions on their part. Regardless, you need to agree never to tell anyone. We cannot kill you if you do not comply, because then the Emperor would get suspicious, but we can kill your daughters because Nero believes that they are already dead. And I can't tell you where you're at, because it's a closely-guarded secret. So...what will it be?" You still don't know who any of these people are, or what is going on.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other: Horse.
That's not exactly true, actually. They could be efficient on foot as well. Anyway, so you dismount your horse and shoot at the eques' horse. You miss, however, on the first try, but hit on the second try. The eques tumbles off his horse, but he runs straight towards you, shield up high so you cannot shoot him.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other: Horse.
I feel no shock. I feel no fear.
Well, if his sheild is up high to block my arrows, than it has to be protecting his face. If his face is protected, than he can't see me. If he can't see me, than...
Side-step at the last moment. As he charges by, I shoot him n the back, where the armor (if any) is thinner.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 8/13 Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other: Horse.
Good plan, but he throws a twist in the plan. Instead of charging at you, he was charging at your horse...just as you're sidestepping, he jumps easily onto your horse and gallops towards you with tremendous velocity. He slams his shield into you and you're thrown back a few feet, but recover quickly thanks to your near-immunity to pain. He circles around for another pass. What now?
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"ok tell me this who are you guys, as for that wat makes you sure i know anything of value to you anyway"
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 8/13 Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
Bugger doesn't learn to well: shoot his/my horse. Again.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"Galenus told us," the Praetorian mean-guy answers. "They showed you their tattoos. That means you know who they are." "But before we tell you anything else," Cadmus cuts in, "you must promise us that you will never tell anyone of any of this. It would mean the deaths of all of us, including you and your daughters, if word of any of this gets out."
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 8/13 Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
You try to shoot the horse, but he was prepared for that this time and manages to maneuver the horse to evade your shots. Meanwhile, he's getting closer to you.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
i'll promaise on my daughters but the rest of you i could care less
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
"So, you swear that you will never tell anyone, ever, of anything we tell you henceforth?" the toga-clad guy double-checks. "If you break your promise, we will all die...including you."
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 13/15 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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 8/13 Crime Committed: Conspiracy, High Treason Physical Description: 6'1", Fair features, slight build. but with wiry muscles. Biography: From the Greek Mainland. Conspired with other Intelligentsia against the Stationed Romans. After a failed revolution, he fled to the Middle East, and Jerusalem. Used his Intelligence to talk his way out of guards. Ambushed by the Romans, he killed several but was soon overpowered. And the rest, is history. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strength: 7 Charisma: 7 Intelligence: 13 Agility: 10 Endurance: 13 Skill: Aesthetic (I feel nothing: Handle Pain, Food, Water, and Sleep Deprivation better, and can't get psyched out) Ability: Smooth Talker(you can talk people into your way of thinking, as well as being able to bluff, intimidate, lie, and charm better). Preferred Weapon: Arcus/Sagittarus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
Tricky. I can't outrun him. I'm unprotected. He has height advantage.
I feel nothing: Wait for his horse to get near me, than jump in front of it. Have to put on a show, right?
