The Pit Games
This is a widely held sport/punishment that has taken hold through all of Aenerion and beyond. From minor independent games in small towns to the world renowned great tournaments held in the largest of cities amongst thousands of adoring fans. Many slaves have won their freedom and gained riches and titles in the arena, far more have failed though. Free-people can also compete in this violent sport, through lust of money, power, honour, and even just the desire for fame; as anyone who can survive a grand tournament are met with praise and untold riches.
Those who are forced to fight must either win their freedom through a grand tournament, a lifetime of bloodshed in smaller arenas, or exceptional feats of heroism and bravery against insurmountable odds; thus gaining a Seal of the House of Darvish. This honour can only be granted by the king, lord or noble who has sponsored the game in which any of these feats were accomplished. "Brand Glad" are often bound to a trainer or master who is often themselves bound to a lord and are marked as such by a brand that is burnt into the skin upon purchase or enslavement. Salt is rubbed into the wound and bandaged to form a stark scar that can easily be seen; while this takes place, wizards are employed to create anti-magic seals upon the recipients to ensure that the brand cannot be healed by Magic away from prying eyes. Their are many varied designs of brand but they are always applied to the sternum or chest of the recipient. One is freed by a lord having a selected member of their retinue cut off the brand and use high level healing magic to repair the wound to a near perfect state, such magic is uncommon and this ritual is considered a very high honour.
Even those who are bound to a master enjoy a reasonable lifestyle outside of the arena. They are fed well and enjoy modest comforts in the barracks. People who have chosen to be apart of the games are free to come and go at their pleasure, although permanent residence in training arenas is always left open - for those that choose the path of the pit - as many choose this as a lifestyle and profession in it own right. Separate barracks are used for those that choose to fight and those that bear the brand.
Serfs who are destined to become brand glad are often bought from auction and enter into a sponsorship with their master, who pays for the branding, board at the training pits and any other expenses that owning gladiator may incur. Sometimes sponsors will loan gladiators to other pits and games if they are sought after and well established fighters almost guaranteed to generate crowds and the income that follows them.
Those who are forced to fight must either win their freedom through a grand tournament, a lifetime of bloodshed in smaller arenas, or exceptional feats of heroism and bravery against insurmountable odds; thus gaining a Seal of the House of Darvish. This honour can only be granted by the king, lord or noble who has sponsored the game in which any of these feats were accomplished. "Brand Glad" are often bound to a trainer or master who is often themselves bound to a lord and are marked as such by a brand that is burnt into the skin upon purchase or enslavement. Salt is rubbed into the wound and bandaged to form a stark scar that can easily be seen; while this takes place, wizards are employed to create anti-magic seals upon the recipients to ensure that the brand cannot be healed by Magic away from prying eyes. Their are many varied designs of brand but they are always applied to the sternum or chest of the recipient. One is freed by a lord having a selected member of their retinue cut off the brand and use high level healing magic to repair the wound to a near perfect state, such magic is uncommon and this ritual is considered a very high honour.
Even those who are bound to a master enjoy a reasonable lifestyle outside of the arena. They are fed well and enjoy modest comforts in the barracks. People who have chosen to be apart of the games are free to come and go at their pleasure, although permanent residence in training arenas is always left open - for those that choose the path of the pit - as many choose this as a lifestyle and profession in it own right. Separate barracks are used for those that choose to fight and those that bear the brand.
Serfs who are destined to become brand glad are often bought from auction and enter into a sponsorship with their master, who pays for the branding, board at the training pits and any other expenses that owning gladiator may incur. Sometimes sponsors will loan gladiators to other pits and games if they are sought after and well established fighters almost guaranteed to generate crowds and the income that follows them.
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