The Gladiatorial Arena (Level 1)

[Shadow141]

In the outskirts of Rome lies the gladiatorial ring. Place where people of Rome come to see fights agent gladiators and some time agents exotic animals. Gladiators come from all over the Rome proivinces to prove their strength and skill. In the central part of the stands is a place for senators of Rome where they can enjoy a drink and a food during the fights. Sometimes it happens that Senators poison or incapacitate gladiator that should fight against their champions

[Rhapture]

The Gladitorial Ring on the outside of Rome was filling up. This was to be the first event held in the new arena. Most people in Rome had never seen a gladitorial fight before except
for a few lucky merchants or travelers to outlying parts of the republic, and the air was filled with excitement and electricty. Merchants selling all kinds of merchandise outside
the Ring; there is honey covered sweat bread, different kinds of roasted spiced nuts were available by the handful, dried fruit, some entrauprneur had even dragged down several casks
of mead. By the Patrician entrance, things were more orderly, but snails sweetened cakes, and higly watered wine were available.


Odds for the Matches:
Match 1
Lusitanii 110
Cilician Brigands 190

Match 2
Gladiators 125
Lions 150

Match 3
Fabius Mactator - Samnite style -115
Titus Rufus Piso - Thracian style -125

(bold amount is how much you win per 100 denarii bet)

The overhead shades were up in the arena, as the weather was still hot and sunny after the harvest. Some augurs were in the middle of the ring asking Jupiter and Bacchus and Fortuna
for good games. The people cheered as the left, but he was only replaced by a magistrate welcoming everyone to the games. Finally four men came out, each one standing at each of the four
major directions. "People of Rome, the first engagement today will feature a fight to the death by two teams of twenty men! The evil tribes of the Lusitanii will face off the raggard
bunch of brigands from Cilicia!" Shouts of booing followed, as the crowd seemed to favor the spanish.

The Lusitanians were taller and broader than the others, who appeared to be bow-legged. Neither side had an armor wearing breaches or leather aprins mostly. Swords were carried by most but
some had a spear and shield. The brigands wore belts in white, while the spaniards had red belts.

(the matches begin in 24 hrs)

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius took his seat in the arena, thrilled to once again spectate one of Rome's most interesting pastimes. This time, however, Lucius kept his purse strings tight. Funds were running low this year after the purchase of a large shipment of slaves.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus arrived to watch, yet he also did not spend for he was most likely destitute after the purchase of that legion

[Demon Soul]

Titus, also arrived at the spectacle, in the end as a true Roman he could not not resist pleasure of watching a fight for life and death. "This time, I can not overdo it with wine", he thought.

[Vaðarholmr]

Gaius arrived. He was clearly looking forward to the lions.

[Shadow141]

Avitus arives

[Rhapture]

The bookmaker was yelling above the din of the crowd.
"Come one! Come all! Get your bets in before the fights start! Cheer for more than just blood!
He points out a man in a dark grey tunic. "You sir, come now, I know you want the lions to win! Make some quick denarii!! Best odds in the City right here!

[Shadow141]

200 denarii on lions in match 2

[Rhapture]

The bookie smiles. "Yes, yes, very well my man, 200 on the lions! Those are always special matches, and these lions are fresh from Africa, lean and hungry after their sea voyage!
He waves others forward. "There surely must be more wagers ! The final match is destined to be an epic battle! Two differing styles! Appreciate the dance of two masters!"

[Vaðarholmr]

300 on the lions!

[Rhapture]

Finally the match began! One brigand charged the largest Spaniard all by himself with a yell! Did he have a death wish? The large man stepped forward with his sword held high. The crowd went suddenly quiet. The brigand swung
wildly as the larger man easily side stepped and then crashed his sword between the head and shoulder of the Cilician. The blooded squirted high and the brigand screamed out in pain. Another quick thrust
ended the noise. The people went wild! It was gory but they seemed to love it.

The other Asians seemed less inclined to rush into death. A random spear flew across the ring, but it was deflected away. The two groups circled each other, the Lusitaniis slowly inching closer. A shout from the large leader and they apruptly broke into three groups of 6, one charging left, the other right while the leader led the charge straight ahead.
It did not look good for the brigands. It also did not last long. Fifteen minutes later, 12 Lusitaniis emerged from the short battle still alive, though some had slight injuries. The leader seemed to have four heads
in his hands as victory trophies. Perhaps one day he could become an actual gladiator and have the prestige that brought with it. The crowd mostly enjoyed this fight, but it seemed very one sided.
Yet they had their taste for blood now and wanted more. The Spanish had to be carefully escorted out. Ex-legionaries as guards were used, as an interpreter told the winners to lay their sword down.
The large Lusitanii however did not give up his heads. There was another break as the ring was cleared.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius jeered at the pirates as they fell, he knew from experience the Lusitanians were more fearsome foes.

[Vaðarholmr]

Gaius showed little interest in the fighting, and was talking to a Merchant behind him.
He was there for the animals.

[Rhapture]

The master of ceremonies entered the ring. "People of Rome! Be prepared today for a fabulous showing on daring and skill as two bestiarii will now take on two ferocious and untamed lions!"
The bestirarii were bare chested with leather leggins and sandals. The had whips, spears and a small shield. The lions were in caged areas off the main ring, when the doors opened they would then attack the gladiators. They looked large, and the crowds cheered wildly when the first appeared. If one gladiator fell, the other would be in serious danger. Both lions were males, and there manes were impressive if somewhat shaggy.

The gates opened upward and the lions came out, more cautiously than the crowd hoped. They wanted violence. Some boos were heard. One bestarius moved forward to engage his lion, his whip snapping as he moved forward. The lion was unsure of this advance, and angled away from the whip end.
Again the whip came down and the lion roared, his long teeth like spikes in his mouth. The people loved this, "Hooray!" Came the applause, while some younger children made "Oohs and Aahs!"
More whips came, and finally one landed on the beasts back. He jumped back, the gladiator raised his spear, but the lion did not stay there long, he leaped forward, closing the gap in one jump. Silence. A cloud of dust. and there was the gladiator rolling away from the other side. He turned adroitly as the lion came again, paws and claws ready to strike. He lunged, but this time the bestarius was ready. he side stepped and thrust his spear near the bottom of the lions neck.
It was a bad injury, certianly it would lead to death, but the lion wasn't going down yet. he swiped at the man's legs and drew blood. He yelped but drew out a small dagger and actually jumped on the beasts back. The crowd was amazed at the bravery displayed here. A slice at the neck and the beast was on the dirt floor, but there was nothing he could do as the blood turned the dirt red.

[Rhapture]

The Arena announcer entered after the lunch break as the floor of the ring was now cleared of the animal fights. There were muted conversations throughout the crowd, while others were sill finishing their small meals.
“Romans!” He shouted, “Let me direct your attention to the center of the ring!” Two large gates ground open at opposite ends of the stadium. “To my left,” the announcer declared, “is the famous gladiator Fabius Mactator, winner of five consecutive matches throughout the provinces! Who is today fighting in his favored Samnite style!”
Mactator strolled forward. A large man at over six feet, his visored helmet with its tall white crest made him appear even more goliath like. He was the most heavily armored gladiator as he fought with a long spear and a small round shield, a short dagger available to him in dire situations. His breastplate and shield were intricately decorated with griffons, snakes, lions and eagles. He was the favorite and it was easily seen why.
“To my right,” the announcer roared after the eruption from the crowd on seeing Mactator, “Titus Rufus Piso!” More yelling and cheering welled up but the announcer continued on. “This outstanding ex-legionary will be fighting in the Thracian style!”
Titus came forward with his sword raised. The Thracian style was based loosely on those ancient enemies of Rome, the Thracians. And Titus wore the armor beautifully. He was only of average height, however he was exceptionally quick compared to the usually large opponents he faced, and he used this speed to defeat most of his enemies. Piso wore a wide brimmed visored helmet with a red plume apon the top. He carried a short rectangular shield, an arm protector and on his legs, long shin guards. His short curved short was the Thracian’s distinctive weapon.
Both combatants circled the ring, rousing the crowd up as they raised their shield and clashed weapons upon them. The match’s referee entered and the men met him in the middle of the arena. He quickly went over the rules.
“Gladiators, I went over the rules beforehand, but I will give a quick reminder, obey my commands at all times, when one of you wishes to submit, raise your right index finger. The crowd will then determine if your performance is worthy of life.”
“Knock shields and step back 5 paces.”
The two gladiators did as they were told, then bowed to the crowd and each other. The match could begin!

(if you want to place any more bets before this match you have time, will post the conclusion in a couple hours, but wanted to let people size up the gladiators.)

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius cared much less about the lions. Killing animals was simple enough, and this did not please the gods. The next match, however, would prove most interesting. Lucius had been using a small rock to carve an image of Mactator into his marble seat. He cheered loudly when the lion was finally slain, more in anticipation for the next match than anything else.

Come on Mactator, show this Thracian dog how Italia fights! Effeminate cur!

[Rhapture]

The two gladiators slowly circled each other, they were both veterans of the ring and wanted to put on a good show. Their life would depend on it. Mactator made some feints with his spear that were easily parried by Titus' shield. He countered with his sword, but Mactator also blocked. They danced like this together for afew more minutes. The people applauded and roared their appreciation for they had waited all day for this match. Most of the older crowd knew about this dance and were waiting for the real fight, but the young members of the audience who had not experienced a true gladatorial fight match enjoyed it immensely. These two contrasting styles always thrilled the masses.

Finally with a known secret hand signal from Piso, the men began to go for blood. He deftly swung his sword so that it was easily blocked, then swirled adroitly in a 360 degree circle and cut across Mactator's chest piece. It left a long furrow along the gold plating. Even though the move itself was unsurprising, Fabius was extremely stunned by the effective sword cut.

This made him angry and he moved to the offensive. Mactator bore down on Titus, thrusting over and over again from all directions to get him to back up. Fabius still had to be careful of having his spear cut in two however, that would leave him at a severe disadvantage. He went to thrust again, but faked and charged with his shield. Titus Piso blocked with his own shield and rolled away back towards the center of the ring. Piso wanted to tire out the larger man and retreated again as the spear thrusts came in bunches again, moving the pair across the arena. Once again Mactator charged with his shield, and again Piso began to roll away. But Mactator expected this and did a spin of his own, holding his shield know horizontal, he met Piso coming in the opposite direction directly on the plated armor. CLANG! The sound of metal on metal could be heard at the top of the arena.

Somehow Piso did not scream out in pain, but the arm was clearly injured perhaps broken. Titus was no greenhorn, he threw his shield directly at Fabius, who blocked it, but know had to fight a lefty swordsman. Piso was attacking madly now, his addrenalin giving him extra energy. He swung with his left hand and used his broken arm to block the spears. He must have been in incredible pain, but his face was hidden behind the helmet. The crowd was in a true freenzy, such bravery was expected but this seemed behind normal.
Mactator knew he had an advantage with his opponent shieldless, and he moved inside of the sword arc, pressing forward with his shield. Another thrust with the spear was parried with the armored right arm, but he followed it a swing of his sheild and again connected with the broken appendage. This time a howl escaped Piso. He staggered back, falling to one knee. But once more he sprang up and charged. Hacking at the shield, he pushed forward, but Fabius was so good with the small shield he knew he had to do something, again he twirled , using his arm to protect the rest of his body, he was able to draw blood from the large man's upper thigh.

Yet Titus was tiring, the pain in his shoulder and forearm was burning now. And Macator was using his shield again as a weapon, but this time the spear came out in a different pattern of attack, slicing into Titus. It hit a rib under the arm and deflected out and to the back. But it stung and Piso knew he could not last much longer. For one last attack again he charged. Mactator blocked him yet again, his spear just missing on the counter stroke. Piso stepped back out of range, then knelt down and raised his index finger. The referee rushed in with his wooden pole between the men. He yelle, " Fabius Mactator is the victor by submission!" The crowd was cheering, although some fans of Titus were booing.
"What say you people of Rome? Shall the valiant Titus Piso live to fight another day?

+2 populist points -Pontifex

[Pontifex Maximus]

Titus fought like a woman, let him die!

Lucius held his thumb down

[Rhapture]

Marcus Domitus thought Piso had fought one armed with great courage. He gave the thumbs up.