Free City Arena
| Free City Arena | |
|---|---|
 The Arena, illustrated in the Age of Worms Overload by John Gallagher (2005). | |
| General information | |
| Type: | Civic stadium |
| Geopolitical | |
| Region: | Free City of Greyhawk |
| Government: | Director of the Arena, overseen by the Lord Mayor and Oligarchs |
| Demographics | |
| Races: | Varies |
| Languages: | Varies |
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 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."[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
"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 390s CY, the arena was built as a joint effort between then-Lord Mayor Zagig Yragerne and the Grey College as 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]
There was a horrid attempt at mass murder in 595, involving releasing a gargantuan worm-like monster crated 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.[5] 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.[6]
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 & Legends
See Also
See also:
- Loris Raknian—former Director of the Arena
- Auric—Noted previous Champion of the Arena's annual "Champion's Games"
Gallery
Maps
-
The City of Greyhawk boxed set, art by Diesel, 1989. -
LGJ #2, art by Denis Tetreault, 2001. -
EttRoG, art by Mike Schley, 2007. -
The City of Greyhawk boxed set, art by Valerie Valusek, 1989. -
Dungeon magazine #128, "The Champion's Belt", art by Rob Lazzaretti, 2005.
External Links
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.70, Gem of the Flanaess.
- ↑ a b The Adventure Begins (1998), p.98.
- ↑ a b Dungeon #128 (Nov 2005), p.36
- ↑ a b c d e Living Greyhawk Journal #5 (Jul 2001, published March 2002), p.9.
- ↑ "The Champion's Belt". Dungeon #128 (Nov 2005), p.30-62
- ↑ 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 |