fatal

Of most importance to gladiators and those
who bet on them is a record that exists for each
gladiator as a tally of their wins and losses. Generally,
the more wins and the less losses on their record,
the more the public favors them. All gladiators, even
volunteers, must forfeit their freedom and rights for
5 years. These 5 years are role-played in the coliseum,
unless the gladiator escapes or is awarded their
freedom by the local ruler. The odds of escape are
exceptionally small, and a local ruler will only award
freedom to the most excellent of gladiators when
the spectators cheer for the freedom of the gladiator.
If a gladiator survives for 5 years, then they will
be awarded freedom. Few gladiators live long enough
to be awarded with freedom.
Most gladiators enter combat at least once
per week. Each gladiator keeps track of their record
of wins to losses, as do the managers of the coliseum
and some spectators. Most gladiators participate
in (6d8 x 10) combats during their 5-year term.
Gladiators do not earn wages, but spectators
usually throw coins into the arena. The more
that spectators like a gladiator or enjoy watching the
game, the more coins they throw into the arena. It
is the right of the winning gladiator or team to collect
the coins. Teams distribute coins evenly among
surviving participants. Most gladiators who receive
coins from spectators purchase weapons or armor.
Some purchase the services of whores.
Roll 1d100 to determine the percent of the
spectators who enjoyed the game. Roll 1d100 again
to determine the percent of those who enjoyed the
game, who have thrown money into the arena. Now,
roll 1d100 to determine the average amount of
money contributed:
Spectator
Race
Contributions
Average
B ugbear
1d4 s.p.
D warf, Black
1d6 s.p.
E lf, Dark
1d4 s.p.
H uman
1d4 s.p.
K obold
1d4 s.p.
T roll, Subterranean
1d6 s.p.
Upon gaining freedom, the gladiator partakes
in a ceremony in which the local ruler bestows
a wooden sword upon the victorious gladiator. These
wooden and strictly decorative swords are highly
prized. Most gladiators who earn freedom from
the coliseum leave relatively wealthy.
Ability Requirements: None.
Gender: Occasionally, female gladiators enter
the arena. Males, however, are clearly the default
gender for gladiators. Among human cultures, human
male gladiators must be at least age 25 and females
at least age 21. Other cultures -- such as bugbear,
kobold, and subterranean troll -- have no restrictions
of age or gender.
Race: All races may be imprisoned, and
hence, are each likely to have members who have
become gladiators, whether they volunteered or not.
Disposition: While all dispositions are possible,
very few gladiators are ethical, since it is often
their unethical or unlawful actions that have caused
them to be imprisoned in the first place.
Temperament: Gladiators tend to be choleric.
Sociality: The vast majority of gladiators are
slaves, peasants, or serfs, as are most criminals. However,
nobles have been known to volunteer to become
gladiators.
Religion: Some gladiators worship gods of
war or combat, though others many pay no attention
to religion at all.
Skills: Armor (General, Light), Armor
(General, Medium), Dismemberment + 3, Impaling
+ 3, Mangling + 3, Seduction + 3, and 4 Weapons
(Specific).
Equipment: Gladiators receive their armor
and weapons, if any, as a courtesy of the arena. No
gladiator is ever given heavy armor, and only occasionally
do they acquire medium armor. Nearly any
melee weapon may be used by gladiators in the arena.
Magic Points: Inapplicable.
Advancement Points: Gladiators gain AP
by damaging foes while in an arena or a situation in
which they fight for money, freedom, or the amusement
of the public. Points gained equal the damage
dealt.
Training: None.
Guild: None.
Chapter 7: Occupation
255