The Arena
The Arena in Crystal Hills comes from traditions a century old. The nobility of Ikaanos in particular enjoys spectating the blood sports that take place here.
The Arena is open to both slave and citizen alike. Slave fights are rarely to the death, as training a slave to fight is a significant investment that no master wants to lose. As such, medical personnel are kept on hand to treat any major or life-threatening wounds.
Despite this, it is not unheard of for a slave to die. In such cases, recordings of the fight are examined and a ruling is made as to the legality of the death. If the death appears to be a genuine accident resulting from a misjudged attack or other error, no further action is taken. If it appears that the deceased's opponent killed them deliberately, the dead slave's master may demand reparations from the master of the opposing slave. Such cases are usually settled via private agreements. If no agreement can be made, the masters may agree to bring the case before a private arbitrator. The arbitrator will take several days to review the evidence, during which time both sides will privately try to exert political and financial pressure to sway things in their favor. The case is usually won by whichever side has better political connections or can offer the bigger bribe.
Fights between free citizens are somewhat different. Private citizens typically participate in more brutal, lethal fights. These pay quite well, but the real draw is the potential to earn fame and influence as a top arena fighter. A particularly successful fighter may earn a sponsorship from a member of the nobility, which in turn provides even more fame and influence, as well as a substantial amount of cash and the political connections to retire to a comfortable, cushy job working for the nobility once the gladiator is either too old or too injured to continue fighting. Of course, a fighter has to survive in order to make it that far, and survival is not guaranteed.
Fighting in the Arena
The player can sign up to fight in the Arena. This comes with it's own share of risks and rewards. Fights in the arena are deadly. Mercenaries who perish are permanently lost just as they are in regular combat, and you and your slaves will suffer the same permanent effects for being defeated in combat. You can choose the tier of fights to participate in, and can also choose to fight a random opponent. You earn money for winning fights, and prestige in the form of climbing the internal ranks of the Arena. You gain a daily amount of influence based on your rank. Arena ranks are as follows:
- CHAMPION OF THE MASTERSPHERE - +20 influence/day
- Immortal - +14 influence/day
- Centurion - +6 influence/day
- Herald - +2 influence/day
- Veteran
- Warrior
- Brawler
- Initiate
- Unproven