The Arena

Also known as the Culling Fields and Blood Grounds, the Arena is located in the Upper Circle of the Capital City of Quur, it is the public dueling grounds, treasury/vaults, and the place of choosing the next Emperor.

## Description

It is a wild and wind torn looking area, with grass covering old bones and weapons from previous fights and emperor choosing. There are a few sparse trees, all with a ragged wind torn look. It is rather large, taking up the area of a curled up dragon. It is a mixture of small woods, briers, and meadow, with several small buildings, looking like ruins, inside. The buildings are the Vaults which have darkened doors and windows, and they hold the priceless artifacts of the Empire and Emperor, including at one point the star tear diamond necklace. Surrounding the Arena are cobblestone paths, and trees, the branches of which abruptly end in a dome shape due to the rainbow soap-bubble force field that forms when the Emperor dies.

> *"The grass was an illusion of sorts, an idyllic deception that concealed the skulls and bones: the bodies of generations of dead wizards, warriors, and sorcerers, their weapons, and their secrets. One could still pick out faded remains, a skull here, a thigh bone there, a rusted ancient sword stick up from the grass like a warning to all who would try their hand inside the Arena's boundaries."*
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Entrance into the Arena can be granted only by the Emperor and the Voices, and the Vaults might be even more restricted (there are stories they kill anyone who enters). The Emperor possess the most power over entrance and is able to nullify the whole barrier and allow access freely. Voices also have access, but must use a medallion to open a door of light. No doors or restriction are no leaving once inside.

> *"Galen watched as the two combatants finished their talk, and the Voice of the Council waved the medallion. In response, a line of golden energy etched the outlines of a door hanging in empty space, then golden light filled the rest of the door. Jarith and Thurvishar walked through the light, which collapsed behind them."*
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## Uses

The Arena is used for several events, mostly because within its boundaries there are no laws and no consequences. Killing another in a duel outside of the Arena would be called murder, but inside it is accepted.

### Choosing of the Emperor

The main use of the Arena is its location and embedded magic for the choosing of the next Emperor. When the Emperor is killed (for he can only be killed and will not die a natural death, see: Quur Emperor) the Arena reverts back to its original state. The crown and scepter disappear from the dead Emperor and appear in the center of the Arena, floating mid-air. The force field, a rainbow bubble, appears and blasts any living thing (animal, human, ect) outside of the Arena. Many are notified that it is time for The Choosing by the appearance of the force field and a bright light.

> *"'We knew because inside the Arena, where the contest itself is held, past the great invisible barrier that surrounds it- came a great shining light. It was the light of the Crown and Scepter of Quur...You can believe me, child, when I say men wasted no time spreading the word that the old Emperor was dead.'"*
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When it was time all those interested in becoming Emperor gather, as well as many spectators. As the Emperor can live several hundred years, seeing this event can be rare.

> *"Everyone. Rich, poor, old, young, fat, thin, freemen, slaves, citizens, and foreigners came to the park that very day....Ah, you should have seen it, my lambs. There was barely room to stand in Arena Park-barely room to breathe! There was no rank or status at such a time. Commoners bumped shoulders with High Lords. Guild masters found themselves boxed in by street thugs. Velvet girls were felt up by Ivory District priests! More purses were cut than ever before or ever since."*
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The force field remains in place, and no one is allowed inside until it is time. Then the whole bubble is dropped at once by the Council of Voices for the contest to begin.

> *"No living animal, two-legged or otherwise, could stay inside the boundaries of the Arena until the next contest...The ritual would be as it had always been: anyone who wished to take part would gather; the Voices would lower the barriers; the fighting would begin."*
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Once lowered, there are no rules other than this: the one to fight off all others and to leave the Arena with the Crown and Scepter will be proclaimed the next Emperor. This means it is an absolute bloodbath to reach them.

> *"For thousands of years the Great Empire has chosen its highest ruler in the same way-by contest of blood. They lowered the invisible wall surrounding the Arena, and all those men rushed in to claim the Crown and Scepter-and kill anyone who might seek to claim it first."*
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Whoever fights off all others and leaves with the Crown and Scepter is the next Emperor regardless of race, social or economic status (though Royal Houses likely are not allowed to compete for risk of the curse placed on them), or as it turns out, gender.

### Fighting Duels

One of the more regular uses of the Arena is the fighting of duels. Once one party challenges another they meet at the Arena with a Voice of the Council who is there to witness and officiate (as only he can grant them entrance). Duels are done within the boundaries as there are no rules or consequences for actions done inside (though a duelist who does not keep their word inside is rarely trusted).

> *"Darzin agreed. 'Quite. Even I stick with dueling agreements.' He paused. 'Usually.'"*
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The duel begins with both parties and the Voice reviewing over the dispute and other possible solutions. If none can be had, the the Voice waves a medallion to open a door in the force field to the inside of the Arena. It is described as having a golden light outline and being filled with golden light when opened. The duelist will then either fight or reach some type of agreement. Again, no rules or consequences exist inside, so therefore, if a wizard were to block sound from escaping, they may have the most private conversation (and be free from consequences of it, such as those of a gaesh). Once the duelist are satisfied (if they still live) they simply need to cross back over the boundary, not door required.

### Vaults of Quur

Inside the Arena are several towers which look more like ruins. Their purpose is to store the priceless artifacts, weapons, and treasures of the Empire, and as such can only be accessed by the Emperor themselves. Past treasures have included the star tear diamond necklace stolen by Emperor Simillion from the dragon Baelosh. Thurvishar calls the buildings tombs at one point, but it is unknown if it also a burial spot, though it likely is not for Emperors as they are preserved in the Hall of Heroes at the Palace.

## History

The site of the Arena was original the Imperial Palace of God-king Ghauras, the previous ruler of Quur before the Empire. According to legend Ghauras was killed by Emperor Simillion, and ever since it was outside of any law. How it became the Arena, who created the magical protections, or the vaults, is unknown.

The Choosing of the next Emperor began at the cursing of the Royal Houses (See: History of the Royal Houses) by the Eight Immortals when the original eight Houses killed Emperor Simillion.

1. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, Chapter 17*
2. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, Chapter 62*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *The Ruin of Kings, Chapter 66*
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 *The Ruin of Kings, Chapter 14*
5. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, Chapter 89*