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==Description==
==Description==
The Arena is and large oval, bowl-shaped stadium.  It holds eighteen{{csb|WoG|70|Gem of the Flanaess}}{{csb|TAB|98}}{{cite dungeon|128|36}} to twenty thousand attendees.{{cite lgj|5|9}}  {{quoted text|Seating occurs in 12 banks of
The Arena is and large oval, bowl-shaped stadium.  It holds eighteen{{csb|WoG|70|Gem of the Flanaess}}{{csb|TAB|98}}{{cite dungeon|128|36}} to twenty thousand attendees.{{cite lgj|5|9}}  {{quoted text|Seating occurs in 12 banks of 1,500 seats each. All the seats offer splendid views of the field....there are three types of seats for sale. The majority of the seats are high in the tiers and sell for 1sp per day. The lower seats closest to the action sell for 1gp a day.  The 500 most expensive seats are situated in the section nearest [the Director's] Palace.  These seats are cushioned, shaded, and well-staffed by vendors; they sell for 50gp a day.|{{cite dungeon|128|36}} }}  The expensive seats are centered along the northern long side of the oval of the Arena, beside the Director's box.  The Director's Palace is just outside the Arena adjacent to the north wall (and connected by secret, private tunnel),
1,500 seats each. All the seats offer splendid views of the field....there are three types of scats for sale The majority of the seats are high in the tiers and sell for 1sp per day. The lower seats closest to the action sell for 1gp a day.  The 500 most expensive seats are situated in the section nearest [the Director's] Palace.  These seats are cushioned, shaded, and well-staffed by vendors; they sell for 50gp a day.|{{cite dungeon|128|36}} }}  The expensive seats are centered along the northern long side of the oval of the Arena, beside the Director's box.  The Director's Palace is just outside the Arena adjacent to the north wall (and connected by secret, private tunnel),


== Events ==
== Events ==

Revision as of 09:45, 27 April 2025

Greyhawk Site
Free City Arena
The Arena, illustrated in the Age of Worms Overload by John Gallagher (2005).
General information
Type:Civic stadium
Location:Free City of Greyhawk
Demographics
Owner:Director of the Arena, overseen by the Lord Mayor and Oligarchs
Organizations:Guild of Gladiators, Wrestlers, and Professional Combatants
Miscellaneous
Services:Sports, fighting, competitions

The Free City Arena is a large coliseum and center for civic activity in the Clerkburg district of the Free City of Greyhawk, hosting events including gladiatorial combat, holiday celebrations, and sporting events.

Description

The Arena is and large oval, bowl-shaped stadium. It holds eighteen[1][2][3] to twenty thousand attendees.[4]

"Seating occurs in 12 banks of 1,500 seats each. All the seats offer splendid views of the field....there are three types of seats for sale. The majority of the seats are high in the tiers and sell for 1sp per day. The lower seats closest to the action sell for 1gp a day. The 500 most expensive seats are situated in the section nearest [the Director's] Palace. These seats are cushioned, shaded, and well-staffed by vendors; they sell for 50gp a day."[3]

The expensive seats are centered along the northern long side of the oval of the Arena, beside the Director's box. The Director's Palace is just outside the Arena adjacent to the north wall (and connected by secret, private tunnel),

Events

Gladiators in action in the Free City Arena. (AoWO 2005). Art by John Galagher.

"In addition to sport and gladiatorial combat, the Free City Arena sees action as a home to militia and city watch drills. countless open-air performances. musical concerts. and holiday celebrations. At least once a year. guild wizards seal the field's two entrances with walls of force and flood the playing field allowing for simulated naval battles that draw observers from as far as Nyrond."[4]

Twice a month (fortnightly), day-long lethal gladiatorial matches are held.[4]

History

In the early third century CY, the arena was built by Ponjes the Bull (the first Lord Mayor of Greyhawk) as a means of trying to slake the "Oeridian thirst for bloodsport."[5] In the late fourth century CY (c.390s CY),[2] the arena was "restored and expanded" because it had largely become ruined.[5] The joint effort between then-Lord Mayor Zagig Yragerne and the Grey College[2][6] used only the best stonemasons and architects for the restoration,[5] creating a place for "student assemblies, spotting events, pubic entertainment, and so forth could be held."[2]

After Zagig Yragerne disappeared in 421 CY, the Directing Oligarchy changed the operation of the Arena, and no longer permitted lethal combat.[4] In 590 CY, however, Lord Mayor Gasgal reversed this ruling, as an attempt to better deal with overcrowding in the City's workhouses.[4] Lethal combat was always de rigeur in other privately-owned venues such as The Pit (a gladiatorial establishment in the Free City) [7]

There was a horrid attempt at mass murder in 595, involving releasing a gargantuan worm-like monster created by Kyuss (an ulgurstasta) in the Arena. Though it was stopped, the conspirators planned on sacrificing the thousands of spectators in the audience to Kyuss.[8] The then-Arena Director, Loris Raknian, was involved in the plot. He fled for his life, escaping and later being found in the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk in the Tower of Zagig.[9]

Geography

The Arena sits on a small rise, approximately 30ft tall. The Arena itself is several stories tall and has a service level in the hill beneath it.

People

Resources

Rumors and legends

See Also

See also:

  • Loris Raknian—former Director of the Arena
  • Auric—Noted previous Champion of the Arena's annual "Champion's Games"

Maps

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.70, Gem of the Flanaess.
  2. ↑ a b c d The Adventure Begins (1998), p.98.
  3. ↑ a b Dungeon #128 (Nov 2005), p.36
  4. ↑ a b c d e Living Greyhawk Journal #5 (Jul 2001, published March 2002), p.9.  
  5. ↑ a b c Living Greyhawk Journal #4 (May 2001), p.4.  
  6. ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.70, Gem of the Flanaess.
  7. ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.67, Folks, Feuds, and Factions.
  8. ↑ "The Champion's Belt". Dungeon #128 (Nov 2005), p.30-62
  9. ↑ Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk (2007), p.156-157.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess 70, 71
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, Living Greyhawk Journal #2 4
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, Living Greyhawk Journal #4 6, 9
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, Living Greyhawk Journal #5 1, 8, 9, IBC
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 32
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, The Adventure Begins 59, 98
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, War Captain's Companion Boxed Set: Book 1 37
Free City Arena (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, WGA1 Falcon's Revenge 15
Free City Arena, Grand Box of the Lord Mayor (City of Greyhawk) Building Arena, The Adventure Begins 98
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