Champion

Champions are the professional fighters and entertainers of Aodh. A profession established in the spring of 1701, the Champions offer an alternative to the traditional Pit Fighters.

Out of the five days of fighting at the Crucible, Champions currently occupy three.

## Overview

Unlike Pit Fighters, Champions are free citizens who choose to become fighters and entertainers in the Crucible. The best of them are shrewd combatants, skilled entertainers and valiant fighters; and the ones who aren’t are hoping to be. They fight for the entertainment of the Crucible crowds, and the most famous combatants are treated as celebrities in their own right, able to rub shoulders with nobility and live luxurious lifestyles.

Champions often accent their fights with blessings, weapons, acrobatics, and various theatrics. The rules of each fight are agreed upon before the match starts, leading to many custom engagements. Fights with more dangerous conditions (for example, real weapons) tend to pay a lot more.

The lives of Champions may appear glamorous but are in fact filled with training and hard work; for most of them, it is a job like any other, bringing in the shards to feed them and their families. There is also danger inherent in the job - although Champions never fight to the death, and most fights are performances as much as actual duels, accidents do happen. Sometimes a showy kick lands in the wrong place, or a blade slips. Injuries, ranging from harmless to horrific, are a fact of the profession, especially among inexperienced fighters.

### **Livelihood**

Champions are paid per fight, and additionally a small cut of the overall betting pool, should they win. More experienced and famous fighters generally command not only higher rewards per fight, but also higher betting pools and percentages. The more famous Champions tend to have their own fan merchandise, and may also be paid to perform or appear at other events or meetings. The status of famous Champions is comparable to sports stars in our own world - both in terms of wealth and popularity. Famous Champions are household names, and can supplement their income with lucrative sponsorships from noble benefactors, usually in the form of endorsement deals. However, only a few fighters are this popular, and most live average middle-class lives - while many newbies need to work a second job, or risk poverty. Nobles are only interested in sponsoring already popular fighters (for the most part, anyway - some nobles might just favor someone they like) to get a return on their investment.

Most new fighters seek out a professional manager who handles a whole team of fighting prospects. This manager will arrange fights and take care of other practical issues, such as organizing matchups, scheduling, promotions, merchandising, and negotiating good cuts on the betting pool. Big-name Champions usually have their own, personal managers, as well as assistants. Very few Champions choose to go at it without any kind of manager, as doing all the paperwork on their own would severely cut into their training time.

### **Training and Requirements**

As Champions are an extremely new thing, none of them have extensive backgrounds of training for the profession. Instead, many of the best fighters are ex-Chevaliers, physical laborers or come from an entertainment background. Because of the high pay and extravagant lifestyle the best Champions can afford, the rank is also attractive to many less-skilled individuals, to those seeking a better life, and those who simply crave the attention and recognition the Crucible can bring them.

The Champions manager will usually find them a trainer, who will then take charge of a training regimen suited to that Champion’s goals and abilities. Besides general strength exercise and combat training, many Champions also attend acting classes, learn dance, do acrobatics or practice the use of exotic weapons. All in all, unique skills and styles tend to get you noticed, and as a result, fighters tend to be quite protective of their “brand”.

Champions train hard to fight safely, as the purpose of the fights is never to kill or seriously maim an opponent. Showiness tends to take priority over efficiency.

The requirements for becoming a Champion are simple:

* Must be at least 18 years of age
* Must be a free citizen of Aodh

## Background

In April 1701, when a large Vindicator raid freed 80% of the city’s labor force, King Isador chose to repurpose all civilians’ slaves as laborers. The loss of the Pit Fighters soon sent waves through Aodh’s economy, as well as caused much unhappiness and unrest. The solution came in the form of the Champions, Aodhian free citizens who rose up to fill the space left behind by the slaves. They quickly gained popularity and revitalized Aodh’s popular betting and fighting scene.

When King Isador declared that slaves could be repurchased from the city, the high price meant that only the best and most valuable fighters and fighter prospects were purchased back, and returned to the Crucible. The low numbers meant that the Champions retained their position in the Crucible, and although matches between pit Fighters are held once more, the Champions are greater in number, and their importance seems to only grow.

## Rank Rewards

* **At 25 AP** | As an entertainer who beats horses up for money, do you carefully consider your strategy or improvise? You may gain your **Tier 1 Talent** early (for your first talent only).
* **At 50 AP** | Some matches permit a weapon. Receive a **weapon of your choice** from an adoring fan, and a fancy **Helmet** to protect your head.
* **At 75 AP** | Strength and speed are obvious assets, but don’t let your training neglect other physical attributes. Receive +15 SP to Agility or Vitality.
* **At 100 AP** | Occasionally, Champions are permitted to fight alongside a familiar. If your familiar spot is open, receive an **Level 2 Aodhian Familiar (except rare).**