Arena Champion (Character Kit)

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==Arena Champion==
The arena champions are gladiators whose greatest desire is to practice their blood sport in arenas filled with thousands of screaming fans. They risk their lives for fame, wealth, and adoration. In rare instances, even slaves have risen to champion status.
Role: Societies have always demanded heroes. The sorcerer-kings live lives that are almost god like in most Athasian societies, and the populous cannot relate to the opulent lifestyles they lead. Great gladiators, however, can rise from the ranks of average and ordinary citizens, and so the popular arena champions serve a purpose. Even the most subjugated servant needs a role model, something to aspire to; the arena champion fills this very real need.
Some of the gladiators are local neighborhood heroes or visitors from nearby communities. They work in jobs or use their skills to earn a living and train for the arena in their spare time. Arena champions aspire to become famous and earn sponsorship, which would permit them to concentrate on training for the arena full time.
Other champions are slaves who see the arena as their one chance for freedom and a better life. The better they perform in the arena, the more money they make for their masters. Their masters in turn may provide better living quarters, weapons, and other advantages. There is always the possibility of buying one's freedom, if one performs well enough.
Secondary Skills: Arena champions may receive any secondary skill by whatever means the DM selects—by choice or random die roll. This imposed choice represents the lessons of life the character learned before he entered the arena.
Weapon Proficiencies: Arena champions gain a specialization in the melee weapon of their choice at no additional cost.
Nonweapon Proficiencies: Bonus Proficiencies: (Warrior) Weapon Improvisation. Recommended: (General) Heat Protection.
Equipment: Any that the gladiator can afford. In the case of a slave, any that are given.
Special Benefits: Because of previous success, arena champions may train free of charge in their home city as long as the following conditions are met:
# The gladiator is not being sought for crimes by the local templars;
# There must be a gladiator, in training at the arena, two levels higher than the PC.
Special Hindrances: Arena champions are often held in esteem only in the local area or in the neighborhood they represent. When in different parts of the city, they may be assaulted or attacked by the fans of other champions. An attack may come as anything from rotten produce to heavy stones dropped from building tops. Other local champions may challenge them to "plaza" matches, or make them fight their way out of a neighborhood.
Slaves who rise to champion status may incur the wrath of other slaves who feel that they are being cheated out of their fair share. A fellow slave may attempt to kill an arena champion in practice or during the night out of sheer envy and hatred. Professional jealousy often causes infighting between slave champions. In the slave pits, there can be only one "First Rasclinn" among arena champions. They seldom retain that title for long.
Wealth Options: Free arena champions may earn from one to five silver pieces for an appearance in the arena. Local merchants may give their heroes food, drink, or lodging, free of charge, to celebrate a winning match. Wagers made separately could greatly increase the arena champion's earnings. Ten percent of all earnings must be spent on equipment (armor, weapons, etc.) for use in the arena.
A slave arena champion who performs well may receive better accommodations, better weapons, money, or even freedom. Cruel masters may not reward their slaves at all—a dangerous practice.
Races: Anyone may become an arena champion with a lot of hard work and a little luck.
Special Notes: Female arena champions usually receive special accolades from the fans.
Famous and Infamous:
* Ruach, Silvertrident: Half-elf male Master Piscator Gladiator. Nibenay.
* Pauk, Spiderslayer: Male halfling gladiator. Gulg.
* Llunet Blackdagger: Dangerous female with a love for poison. Tyr.
* K'kivir of the Shining Sands: Thri-kreen gladiator. Raam.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit CGH