"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 Health: 7/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 7/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
You try to stick the pugio through his visor but he grabs the handle of the blade and starts resisting you with all his might. Unluckily for you(only 7 strength) he is stronger than you are, and he manages to push you off of him and roll over on top of you. You feel his extremely heavy weight crushing on you and he brings his gladius back for the coup de grace....
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 7/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
In this day and age, it is common knowledge that 'cups' haven't been invented. Only a small amount of chains guard a persons groin, if they even have protection. I would procede to stab the Samnite repeatedly in the groin, and then would procede to stab in in the neck or horizontally in the armpit to reach the heart.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 7/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Well, he's on top of you and already stabbing down. The first thing you need to do is block him, you'd take too long to stab him.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 7/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Basic Personal Defense: If your thrusted at with a short edged weapon, you can't entirely stop it. You have to redirect the force, you I'd swing my arm up and his the arm holding the short sword to deflect its direction. Than I'd procede to demonstrate what happens when you don't invent cups.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
You deflect the force of his blow although you are slightly grazed by the blade, then stab him in the groin. Ow. Desperate times call for desperate measures. He is stunned temporarily by the pain.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Do it again. And again, and again. Until he gets the f*** off of me!
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
He starts crying like a little girl. Now you're embarrassed for him, but he's just...he can't move. ****. Worked too well.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
I feel nothing. Stab him in the neck, and end it quickly. I can do that much for him.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: 1 dupondius. Right Hand: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
You leave. You are paid your one dupondius on your way out. What now?
Name: Michael Taylor Age: 27. Gender: Male Occupation: Medical Resident: Neurosurgery Physical Description: 6'0, Clean-Shaven, Dark Brown Hair(classic collegiate cut), Brown Eyes. --------------- Health: 20/20 Days Survived: 0 --------------- Equipment: Antibiotics, Bandages, Tourniquet, Suture/Needle, Anesthetic, Antiseptic Agent, Surgical Scrubs. Weapon: Surgical Saw. Special: Novalis (like the machine, you can take on complex problems ease, and without stressing out) --------------- Bio: Taylor was born to a pretty normal family; nuclear engineer for a dad, and a dean for a mom. Okay, so maybe that's not normal. That's genius material right there. Taylor was pressured a lot academically to do well, so even though he was pretty average, he studied a LOT, and grew up with a near-perfect GPA(think somewhere near 3.95) and a lot of ambition. He was accepted to an Ivy League college(his parents' encouragement of the dean of admissions may or may not have had something to do with it). So, he got a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and went on to medical school, where he got his M.D. He then went on to his residency, acquiring a job in Vancouver, Canada as a resident. He continued to take night classes throughout, and recently went from a bachelor's in biochem to a master's, but he still isn't licensed to practice yet, as he's only been a resident for two years.
Find a blacksmith, and trade in my pugio to get money to buy a new bow of the highest quality I can afford.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: 1 dupondius. Right Hand: Pugio. Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Find a blacksmith, and trade in my pugio to get money to buy a new bow of the highest quality I can afford.
Name: Orpheus Age: 21 Class: Sagitarrius Gender: Male Health: 6/13 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: 1 dupondius, 1 asarii. Right Hand: . Left Hand: Torso: Mastercraft Thorax Hamata. Head: Cassis. Right Shoulder: None Left Shoulder: Galerus. Legs: Cloth Leggings Feet: None Other: None
Well, it turns out your pugio is worth 1 asarii, so now you have 3. The highest quality bow you can afford is just a normal quality, it will cost 3 asarii.
