"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: 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
tend to my head for one look into legionaries (intellegence)
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. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
I forgot how fun RPGs are! ---------- Easy. Shooting from Horseback. Realized that its probaly best to remain mobile, as I'm ranged, and not to high on total health.
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
Maybe you could go to the medicus? You can't heal yourself. You find nothing.
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. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
Well, before you can learn something advanced like shooting from horseback, Cadmus and Octavia teach you the basics of horseback riding. Now you can ride a horse without falling off and looking like an idiot, plus knowing how to jump, go faster, rear up, etc. etc. 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
go to the medicus "hey fix me up a drunk hit me in the back of the 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
See if I can get some armor. Something flexible, like chain male or scales or leather. Don't want to impede my shots with rigid armor.
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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
He heals you.
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. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Right Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Left Hand: Arcus/Sagittarius. Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: None. Other:
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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
Go too church to pray and head to the tavern to chill for awhile
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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
You head to the tavern to chill, as you put it, when you see a few legionaries in the corner harassing...well, just about everyone. They are well and truly drunk.
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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
look at them and order a drink thats worth one asari
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: . Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
Well, that would be an awfully expensive drink. You sure?
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: . Left Hand: 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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Bottle of Wine. Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
You buy a moderate bottle of wine for 1 quadran. What now?
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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Bottle of Wine. Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
drink alittles an bottle it up and take it home with me
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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Bottle of Wine. Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
You drink a little from the wine then cork it again. The legionaries are really starting to get annoying...they're like, literally shouting and waving their arms and stuff. 11:30.
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: 1 Asarii, 1 Semis, 1 Quadran. Right Hand: Bottle of Wine. Left Hand: Torso: None. Head: None. Arms: None. Legs: Cloth Leggings. Feet: Caligas
i'll confront them "will you please be quite its late as it is"
