Gladiatorial Slave (Character Kit)

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==Gladiatorial Slave==
Gladiatorial slaves tend to be some of the strongest, toughest, and most dangerous adversaries in the arena. Battling for survival has been the only constant in their violent lives. Some are bought and raised from childhood for a life in the arena. Others start later in life and must learn quickly in order to survive. They have little to lose or gam except their lives.
The duty of a gladiatorial slave is to enter the arena when his master orders him, and give his best effort—or his life. As bad as life can be in the slave pens, quarries, and fields, slaves may still live long lives. This is not always true in the arena. A slave who is forced to fight in the arena is still a gladiator, whether by choice or fate.
Role: Through sneer numbers, unwilling slaves make up the majority of the combatants in the arena. If the entire party begins as gladiators, a common basis for experiences and goals is encouraged. Escape, freedom, and revenge for unjust imprisonment are but a few of the typical motivations for slave gladiators.
Since a gladiatorial slave has no personal freedom, it is possible for one PC to own an NPC in a campaign setting. the gladiator could be used as a bodyguard or as a member of an elite strike force. Problems of conflict between the player and the NPC must be carefully handled.
A DM should always represent slavery as a cruel and inhuman institution when addressing the social roles of gladiatorial slaves. Usually regarded with contempt, gladiatorial slaves are property to be bought and sold. Remember, being forced into gladiatorial combat might be an unwilling choice for a warrior, regardless of his or her fighting skills.
Secondary Skills: Anyone, despite class, race, or birthplace may wind up as a gladiatorial slave on Athas. Because of this, a slave's secondary skill may reflect life before slavery.
If the character was born into slavery and reared as a gladiator, then secondary skills would be limited to the following: Armorer, Bowyer, Gambler, Teamster (animal handling), Furrier (skinning), weaponsmith, or none.
Weapon Proficiencies: Gladiatorial slaves have automatic proficiency in all weapons. If the character was born and raised to be a gladiator, he receives an automatic specialization in impaler (a weapon used in gladiatorial combat). this is in addition to any other weapon specializations.
Nonweapon Proficiencies: Bonus Proficiencies: (General) Heat Protection, (Warrior) Weapon Improvisation. Recommended: (Warrior) Gaming, Survival.
Equipment: Most slave gladiators choose their favorite or best weapon for arena combat. However, a slave gladiator has only the equipment granted by her master or trainer. Although most slave gladiators receive ample weapons and armor for arena combat, it is well within a master s or trainer's power to force a slave gladiator to enter the arena with weapons or armor they did not choose—or even with neither. A slave gladiator has little recourse but to accept his fate and survive.
Special Benefits: Gladiatorial slaves, raised from childhood to be gladiators, may specialize in two single melee weapons. this adds an additional +1 attack modifier and +2 damage modifier. However, the cost is 4 weapon proficiency slots for the second specialization. Double specialization does not increase the number of strikes per round.
A lifetime slave gladiator gains 1 ability point that may be spent on Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity, as the result of rigorous training. Likewise, the slave loses 1 point of Charisma and Intelligence. the number must be set following character creation.
Special Hindrances: To a slave, this is obvious. In every combat his life is on the line; no other reward is offered except her own survival. A gladiatorial slave can only bide for time and look for a means to escape and freedom. the outlands are filled with tribes of slaves who have made good their escapes and found new lives outside the gladiatorial arena.
If PC slave gladiators have had a few successful combats in the arena, they should be warned about popularity. Escaped gladiatorial slaves are easily recognizable. Thousands of spectators have seen them at each match. Some fans may wish to help them out of admiration. Others (possibly those who have bet against them) may turn them over to the nearest templar as soon as possible, hoping for a reward. Both groups fear templar reprisals, and this must be taken into consideration when escaped slaves seek shelter.
Wealth Options: A generous owner or templar may give a slave incentives to fight. Incentives can vary from a few ceramic pieces to a new weapon, or the promise of his eventual freedom.
Races: Anyone can be forced into the arenas of Athas. The greater a slave's physical strength and endurance, the longer she will survive in the gladiatorial games.
Special Notes: Those who take this kit often hide any psionic wild talent from their masters, for it might be the edge they need to escape.
Famous and Infamous:
* Rikus: Escaped slave leader of the Tyr uprising. Male mul.
* Neeva: Rikus's former fighting partner. Human female. Tjr.
* Vang: Dwarf fighter (deceased).
* Gaanon: Half-giant axe weapon specialist (deceased).
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit CGH