Broad Axe Tavern Background - the Arena

From: scorpion@titan.rice.edu (Vernon Lee)

Date: Thu, 26 Oct 1989 15:19:04 +0000

Ghlerhovvlen Arena

The goddess of civilization and law, Tione, let it be known to her priests
in Ghlerhovllen that to help contain the rowdy adventurers, an Arena
should be opened.  Thus when entrepreneur Johnson Waters proposed it, its
building was approved.

One of the weekly major events is the trial combat.  Adventurers caught
red-handed in any crime may elect to undergo trial by combat rather than
accepting the judge's decision.  The arena employs several Judicial
Champions who are the medieval equivalent of the district attorney's
office.  They are quite skilled and rarely lose, although it happens often
enough that betting is usually quite brisk.  These combats are not to the
death unless the judge (who attends these combats) directs the Champion to
finish the guilty party.  Killing the Champion is frowned upon.

An organized sport known as Stoneball [this was once called "Blood Bowl"
but since it's not the same as the product of that name, I've changed the
name] is played in the fall.  During the rest of the year there are
organized scrimmages.  The home team is known as the Pit Slime, and other
teams have names like Green Tigers and Irrestible Swarm.

Fighters' School

Loosely associated with the Arena is the local Fighters' School.  The
monthly fee for use of the Fighters' School equipment is 100gp.  This pays
for use of hacking dummies, use of the weapons, sharpening and
straightening specialists, armor repairs, instructors' advice, checking
out weapons, and many other things.  The Fighters' School is a good place
to meet people looking for a strong sword-arm or two.  One can also stay
at the Fighters' School for a small fee of 5sp per night, if you're a
member.  Members can buy armor and weapons at the school at a discount, as
well.

If you haven't paid membership dues, you can use the facilities for 10sp
per hour (1/2 gp per hour), plus extra fees for checking out weapons and
armor or for attending classes.  Also, non-members pay 3gp per night for
sleeping accommodations.
"Let's not go into a piranha-like feeding frenzy every time somebody
 mentions drugs."  -  John Glenn

Vernon Lee (scorpion@rice.edu)

References

Broad Axe Tavern
jdp@PacBell.COM (Jerry D. Pierce)
Mon, 16 Oct 1989 15:29:25 +0000
Re: Broad Axe Tavern
gabai@paul.rutgers.edu (Steven Gabai)
Thu, 19 Oct 1989 18:58:43 +0000