Discord
Changelog
Overview
Thay is a nation built for war - either with itself or with others. Monsters and creatures of all races form the vast legions and personal armies of the Thayan rulers. When not engaged in bloodshed, these troops often sat idle, itching for a fight of some sort. If one didn't come quickly enough, they ended up rioting among themselves. To keep this violence from overflowing into the rest of the population, the Red Wizards set up a regular series of gladiatorial games. Since then, slaves, orcs, gnolls, other violent humanoids, and even some despised volunteer gladiators known as Auctorati have been pitted against one another in blood matches for the enjoyment of ever-growing crowds of spectators.
Gladiatorial games, known as munera, have become an important part of the public spectacles staged by autharchs, tharchions, and zulkirs and are now an integral part of Thayan society.
Arena Combat
While true glory in the arena can only be found by those committed to the life of a Thayan Gladiator, many Thayan legionnaires, adventurers, and even Red Wizards test themselves against their peers within the arenas of Thay. This is allowed and even encouraged to ensure the fighting forces of Thay remain focused and well trained.
Every arena has magical warding around it which enforces match rules, and as a result they are one of the few guaranteed ways in a realm of treachery and deceit that a 'fair fight' will occur. Each arena has an Editor who explains the use of his arena and allows others to speak with him about setting the rules for the next arena match. Often these rules are set by he who is sponsoring the games, but in simple matches or practice fights, those who are fighting can set their own rules. They affect a multitude of options such as the ability to cast spells, use items, fight with certain equipment, and even determine whether or not the match will be to the death.
Before beginning any officially sanctioned match, the Editor of the Games requires one of the combatants to pay tribute to the honor and glory of Thay and the Red Wizards by proclaiming Morituri Te Salutant or Those who are about to die salute you.
Thayan Gladiators
A gladiator is an armed combatant who entertains audiences in Thay in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, monsters, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators are volunteers, known as Auctorati, who chose to take on the status of a slave for the monetary rewards or the fame and excitement. Anyone who volunteers to become a gladiator is automatically infamis; a person of ill-repute beneath the law and by definition not a respectable Thayan citizen. Most are despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and segregated even in death.
Any wishing to take the dishonorable path of becoming an Auctorati eventually find their way to the Ludus Magnus outside Eltabbar. Alternately, those already captured as slaves may be able to prove their fighting prowess to the Ludus Magnus Doctore in the Slave Pens of Thay, and as a result also become gladiators of the Ludus Magnus.
Regardless of how one becomes a gladiator, all eventually dream of one day becoming notorious enough to fight, and perhaps die, on the sands of the magnificent Colosseum of Thay.
Thay is a nation built for war - either with itself or with others. Monsters and creatures of all races form the vast legions and personal armies of the Thayan rulers. When not engaged in bloodshed, these troops often sat idle, itching for a fight of some sort. If one didn't come quickly enough, they ended up rioting among themselves. To keep this violence from overflowing into the rest of the population, the Red Wizards set up a regular series of gladiatorial games. Since then, slaves, orcs, gnolls, other violent humanoids, and even some despised volunteer gladiators known as Auctorati have been pitted against one another in blood matches for the enjoyment of ever-growing crowds of spectators.
Gladiatorial games, known as munera, have become an important part of the public spectacles staged by autharchs, tharchions, and zulkirs and are now an integral part of Thayan society.
Arena Combat
While true glory in the arena can only be found by those committed to the life of a Thayan Gladiator, many Thayan legionnaires, adventurers, and even Red Wizards test themselves against their peers within the arenas of Thay. This is allowed and even encouraged to ensure the fighting forces of Thay remain focused and well trained.
Every arena has magical warding around it which enforces match rules, and as a result they are one of the few guaranteed ways in a realm of treachery and deceit that a 'fair fight' will occur. Each arena has an Editor who explains the use of his arena and allows others to speak with him about setting the rules for the next arena match. Often these rules are set by he who is sponsoring the games, but in simple matches or practice fights, those who are fighting can set their own rules. They affect a multitude of options such as the ability to cast spells, use items, fight with certain equipment, and even determine whether or not the match will be to the death.
Before beginning any officially sanctioned match, the Editor of the Games requires one of the combatants to pay tribute to the honor and glory of Thay and the Red Wizards by proclaiming Morituri Te Salutant or Those who are about to die salute you.
Thayan Gladiators
A gladiator is an armed combatant who entertains audiences in Thay in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, monsters, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators are volunteers, known as Auctorati, who chose to take on the status of a slave for the monetary rewards or the fame and excitement. Anyone who volunteers to become a gladiator is automatically infamis; a person of ill-repute beneath the law and by definition not a respectable Thayan citizen. Most are despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and segregated even in death.
Any wishing to take the dishonorable path of becoming an Auctorati eventually find their way to the Ludus Magnus outside Eltabbar. Alternately, those already captured as slaves may be able to prove their fighting prowess to the Ludus Magnus Doctore in the Slave Pens of Thay, and as a result also become gladiators of the Ludus Magnus.
Regardless of how one becomes a gladiator, all eventually dream of one day becoming notorious enough to fight, and perhaps die, on the sands of the magnificent Colosseum of Thay.