Games (CGH)

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One of the most exciting parts of running a gladiator PC is Game Day. Whether it comes weekly, monthly, or daily, the constant challenges the arena poses present chances for the gladiator to test his skill against that of his opponents. The winner survives to see another Game Day while the less-skilful fertilize the earth with their corpses.
Of course, the Game schedule varies from city to city, but there is typically no less than one set of games per week. During times of festival or relaxation, the games are held with far greater frequency, sometimes for several days on end. This sort of excess is not typical, for even the most bloodthirsty of crowds grows tired of constant bloodshed. The sorcerer-kings, skilful manipulators of mobs, know exactly when the crowd will reach such a point. They end the games before that point so that the crowd will again become anxious to see the next week s games.
Free gladiators have the option of deciding how many games they will attend. Of course, they might be paid less for fewer appearances. That is the risk they have to take—more games for more money, or playing it safe, participating only in as many games as it takes to meet expenses.
==Games==
The sheer variety of the games is enough to bewilder anyone not familiar with the structure of a Game Day. This is a simple primer of the basic games found in all the major cities of Tyr, followed by a brief summary of the advanced games of various cities.
Matinee: This is usually a simple and straightforward combat between weak gladiators and prisoners, all of whom are lightly armed and armored. They are showcase matches in which newer gladiators can gain the attention of nobles and the populace, provided they are impressive enough with their victories. Matinee fights are always to the death, no matter how much either side might beg for mercy.
Matinee fights are always placed at the beginning of airy Game Day so the crowd can work into its bloodlust quickly. Although the inexperienced and unpolished fighting styles lack the flair of the later games, the blood spilled is just as red (in most cases) as in the later games. Besides, there is always the chance that a shining star will emerge from the matinee, who will later light the arena with his skill and savagery.
Grudge Match: The Grudge Match pairs up two gladiators who have faced each other before and survived. This traditionally is a match that goes on\y until one of the gladiators is clearly at a disadvantage, rather than to the death. This provides the spectators with the enjoyment of knowing that there are future possibilities for the match to continue. It also gives them an excuse to follow the gladiators, so that they will know how to bet on the next match. Sometimes grudge matches take place between gladiators who later grow to be close friends. Not all of these matches end in bad blood, much to the disgruntlement of the crowd. Still, grudge matches are avidly awaited, for the spectators cannot wait to see who has improved, and how much. Betting on these games is always particularly intense.
Trial by Combat: Justice is not always dispensed by the templars in the streets. Occasionally, accused felons are brought to the arena to stand trial for their alleged crimes. If they win, they are proven innocent and may go free to continue with their lives. If they lose, they are judged guilty and dispatched with cruelty.
Though this may sound like a fairly easy out for more powerful prisoners, they must still face combat against the pick of the sorceror-king's stable—not an easy proposition for even the most powerful of offenders. Even if they should win, they are best advised to leave town quickly, to avoid further persecution and prosecution.
Matched Pairs: Every self-respecting stable keeps at least one pair of gladiators to match against those of the other stables. Each pair is selected on the basis of how well they complement each other's skills. One team might be an elf, with speed and subtlety, paired with a dwarf, with strength and persistence, while another might be a half-giant with intimidation and huge size paired with a rapid, tumbling halfling.
These combats come to be like grudge matches, except that they are comprised of multiple teams, and injuries are more often fatal. There are always matched pairs in a day's events, though not always the same pairs pitted against one another. The spectators keep careful watch on the various stables of the cities, observing the progress of every new team.
Bestial Combat: A mainstay of the arena in any city is the Bestial Combat, where gladiators are tested against the beasts of the desert. The more exotic beast the better, at least from the crowd's point of view. For the gladiator it means an opponent that is almost impossible to gauge, one for whom the standard attack and defense signals are initially unreadable. Bestial combat, especially against intelligent beasts, has spelled the end for more than one famous gladiator. Those who trap the beasts can gain almost as much fame as a standard arena gladiator, if the beasts they bring are exciting enough.
Test of Champions: This is one of the most exciting events the arena has to offer, and it is therefore usually left until the end of the day so the crowd may savor it with growing anticipation. In terms of sheer skill, prowess, and danger, there is no other game to match it. It pits two of the arena's champions against each other, the mightiest the city has to offer. In these games, the crowd sees the epitome of the gladiatorial experience as the finest gladiators produced by the city clash for the crowd s benefit. Though neither gladiator usually desires the death of the other, these combats are left entirely to the whim of the sorceror-king. If he decrees the death of a fallen gladiator, so be it.