Arthon

An **arthon** is a trained professional warrior in Assyra who specializes with particular weapons and armor. They fight before the public in organized games held in large multi-purpose arenas throughout the Assyran Empire. As fights are usually to the death, arthons have a short life expectancy. Although in some respects it is a glamorous profession, the majority of fighters are slaves, condemned prisoners, or prisoners of war. Arthon spectacles are one of the most-watched forms of popular entertainment in the Assyran Empire.

### Types of Fighters

Arthons most often come from a slave or criminal background but also many prisoners of war are forced to perform in the arenas, or arkaenos. A small number are free citizens who sign contracts to fight, are supervised under patrons, and can earn wages from victories. Few arthons become champions of the Empire, win widespread fame, and have their names remembered and celebrated by the populace for centuries. Women are not permitted to fight as arthons.

Those selected to fight are trained in barracks built for this purpose. Arthons fight in particular combinations. There are many lesser types of arthons with various combinations of weapons and armor. They may fight in hand-to-hand combat, on chariots, or by horseback.

There are three principal classes of arthon:

* Thestra (Eagle)
* Atarra (Wind)
* Orthis (Osprey)

The most heavily armed, the Thestra has a greatsword, a large square shield, and protective armor. The Atarra has a shorter sword or lance and a smaller round shield. He has lighter armor or sometimes none at all. The Orthis has no armor and is given only a sword or spear.

### Winners and Losers

Those who lacked the enthusiasm to fight are subject to whipping or other forms of torture. The roars from upwards of sixty thousand spectators and the unrelenting attacks of one's opponent convince those who are reluctant to fight till the end.

The losing arthon, if not killed outright, may appeal for mercy by dropping their weapon and shield and calling on Nimra, goddess of victory and competitive spirit. His adversary can decide to be lenient, although, as there is a significant risk of meeting in the arena, it is considered good professional practice to kill the opponent. If the emperor is present he will decide. The crowd will try to influence his judgement by shouting *Nimris arthae!* or "Nimra's mercy," or *Kraetos!* meaning "Execute!"

The instance of asking for mercy is extraordinarily rare among Assyran arthons, as this is seen as a sign of weakness. Most every two-person match ends in the death of one arthon. Other matches or mock battles made up of more fighters may end in the victorious team, or several arthons, remaining alive.

Victors in the contests, particularly those with many fights behind them, become darlings of the crowd and are especially popular with women. When a prisoner of war wins a match, they may be granted their freedom if the emperor is present, but this is highly unlikely. It is much more likely they earn only the cheers of the crowd before returning to the barracks. Slaves, foreign or Assyran, may also win their freedom from an arena match. The chance of this increases as they earn more victories. A slave who has fought well for years may be granted a sum of money alongside their freedom. Foreign slaves may win citizenship as well.

More material rewards for winning one's contest include prize money, ornamental weapons or helmets, or the prestigious crown of victory modeled after Nimra's circlet of gold leaves.

### The Games

On the day of the arthon games, an arkaena may be filled with anywhere from between 10,000 and over 60,000 spectators, depending on its size. The larger arkaenos in Carnum hold more than 100,000. The games are advertised well beforehand, so that as many citizens as possible may attend.

A game at an arkaena of Carnum begins with the announcement of the presence of the emperor. The crowds may not sit until he has given them allowance. Usually before this, the emperor will give honor to the gods who may be watching the games. Various announcements are made by the arkaena officials. Particular honor is given to Tero, king of all gods, and the gods associated with athletics, Atalius and Adrax.

Before the first game, a prayer is said for the horses that will be participating in the day's events. In fact, as much of the focus is on the horses as the men who may die. Assyran priests ask for the forgiveness of Brontus if the blood of horses is spilled on the sands of the arkaena. They pray that the horses will not suffer from their potential injuries, and if the animals die, that their deaths are clean and swift.

Foreign fighters whose horses are brutally injured or killed are subject to torture, often conducted during *in noctus kartas,* the periods between the games. The stadium officials bring the men to the centers of the arkaena and torture them for the approval of Brontus and the crowds.

Animals that are not killed in fights may be brought out again during in noctus kartas and either pitted against healthy beasts or arthons. The pardoned losers of previous matches and wounded animals may be set against each other, although this is an unlikely occurrence given the rarity of an arthon requesting mercy.

Games most often open with the beast fights, in which different wild and exotic animals are pitted against each other and slaves or prisoners. Most times the fighters are given weapons to defend themselves, but they may also be simply thrown defenseless to the animals. After the beast fights come the matches between less skilled fighters, often Assyran slaves. Foreigners are not given the honor of competing in the first matches. Near the middle of the games, the matches with the more skilled arthons are conducted. These matches include a mixture of hand-to-hand combat, combat by chariot and horseback, and combat against wild animals. Groups of arthons may fight together against animals or other forces, including foreign slaves and prisoners. The end of the games are reserved for the champion matches made up of the best fighters.

Prizes are given to the victor at the end of each match. After all the matches, further prizes may be distributed to those arthons who have fought particularly well or most entertained the crowd. The emperor may name the champion of the day, the greatest fighter, although this is not a mandatory part of the proceedings. The gods are honored once again and their mercy and favor asked for.

### Horses

Horses that are heavily injured and in pain are put to death cleanly by officials. Prayers for forgiveness are made to Brontus and the horses are honored. The officials and priests kneel before the animals and hymns of mourning are played when their bodies are carried out of the arkaena.

When the horses of Assyran fighters are injured or killed, most arthons honor their animals in the proper way to avoid punishment. Those who offer themselves to be killed or tortured, or to kill themselves, may be pardoned.

### Other Aspects

The spectacle of the arkaena is focused almost completely on bloodshed and violence. However, there are other aspects outside the matches which keep the crowds entertained. During in noctus kartas, there may be plays put on by actors and musicians. They wear masks and costumes and often perform mock battles or other events of history.

The best arthons, the champions, make appearances between the matches, riding around the arkaena on horseback while musicians play. The most famous and beloved champions have their own songs to herald their arrivals into the arena.

Short competitions of racing and skill on horseback are also held. Arthon champions or other soldiers from outside the games may participate. Smaller prizes are given to the victors, most often bronze tokens in the shape of the two-headed Empire eagle.