"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: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
The blacksmith raises his eyebrows, but shrugs. "All right. But I''m not interested in hiring a guard. If you will catch the thieves and bring them to me, I will do one of two things: either repair your stuff for half off from now on, or give you a masterwork item of your choice for free. You can select which method of payment you want when you get the job done. But for now, just wait in my shop tonight and catch those **** burglars."
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:17 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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
Has felt the power of the NINJA
then i'll do some powerful punches douge or block his attacks and attempt a uppercut
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 12/15 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:17 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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
He blocks most of your punches, but one jab makes it through. In return, he swings a huge left hook at you and you are unable to dodge it. It hits you squarely on the jaw and you take some damage. Then he backs off, preventing a counterstrike.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
Cool. Guess I'll hang out in his shop tonight, waiting for the theives.
Out of curiosity, what happens if I get caught stealing?
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
You hang out in his shop, waiting for the thieves. At about 12 to 1 AM, you hear the sound of footsteps. You can't tell where it's coming from yet.
If you get caught, you will have to not only pay for the item(s) you stole, but return the stolen stuff. So...you stand to lose quite a bit of money, depending on the item. Of course, you could also save that much money if you're not caught.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 12/15 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:17 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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
Circle around him keep on toes with those punches atempt some low kicks to the legs so i get him down
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 12/15 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:17 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: Hasta ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
You circle around him, and attempt some low kicks. They land, but it doesn't seem to do much damage. He keeps his guard up, waiting for you to strike first.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 12/15 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:17 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: Hasta ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 5/15 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:17 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: Hasta ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
You keep circling him...he finally gets sick of it and approaches. You didn't have your guard up, and he punches you again, this time in the gut. You double over and he follows up with several hooks and uppercuts. Stunned and pretty badly hurt, you fall down on the ground. Your nose is bleeding.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 5/15 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:17 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: Hasta ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
I get up on my feet start doing a barrage of punches then get down an attempt to trip him once on the ground commence kickin him and if he starts to retalliate back away then rush back and do a knee drop ova his head
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
Drop a few coins at a known location, than hide. I can see the coins, so when he goes to pick them up, I'll tackle him.
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 5/15 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:17 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: Hasta ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
You get up and do a barrage of punches. The first few hit, but the latter do not because he started blocking. You try to trip him, and it's successful. You start kicking him, but after about two kicks he grabs your leg and yanks it. You fall to the ground. This gives him enough time to jump on his feet when you do. What will you do now?
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
You set down...well...you don't have any coins. But that doesn't matter. Anyway, you hear a light thump, then another. Then you hear the sound of soft padding footsteps again. You see two people, clad in navy blue outfits, creeping downstairs to where the items are. They start to snatch stuff off the shelves and empty the money cabinet. Neither has noticed you yet... What will you do?
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
Name:Benignus Oridan Age: 26 Gender:M Class: Velitus Level: 1 Health: 5/15 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:17 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: Hasta ----------------------------------------------------------- Money: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet:
do a kick to the ribs if he grabs it jump and do a kick to his head with my other leg
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 13/13 Level: 1 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. Training: Basic Horsemanship, Basic Bow Proficiency. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Money: None Right Hand: Occupied. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None Head: None Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: Horse
You draw your bow and point it at them. They both jump in surprise then start babbling on. "P-p-please don't kill us!" "We need this money!" *starts crying* "Have mercy!" And so on... You notice that they're both just kids, maybe 9-13 years old. Hard to tell.
