Training I
Everything has a beginning. That's what Marcus Flavius Lanista tells himself as he watches the only two gladiators his family owns train against opposite sides of a striking post. The
doctore in charge of their training barks with every movement - this one's footing is wrong, that one's got a limp wrist...these men could kill, sure, but they weren't yet killers.
Men are machines of war however, and it didn't take too long for the vigorous training to begin to take effect. As Fabulosa was getting a more public fight the doctore focused on improving his skill and it shows.
Secundius V: 2 >
4FabulosaV: 3 >
5A: 3 >
5S: 6 >
12The Games I
The Gambling DenPublius Flavius Lepidus wasn't too fond of the Gambling Den, but didn't quite hate it, either. Sure, it smelled, it was dirty, the people were filthy, and the conversation was often dull, but the
entertainment was captivating. Dancers, games, and fighting all under one roof. Still, if it wasn't for family business he'd likely never had walked in willingly. He led Ferreus Secundius Alternis by his manacled hands to a holding cell along with a couple of the den's enforcers before joining the growing crowd around the fighting pit.
Ferreus is put in the cell and allowed to equip himself with the items brought in for him by his owners. Opposite the gate that was locked behind him is a heavy looking door. A muffled voice penetrates through it, but not enough for Ferreus to hear. He stands close to the door deep in thought.
His mind brought him back to the clear night in Capua where he'd snuck into the wrong villa. It was funny, really. He thought the place was empty, and indeed it had been. For quite a while, too. A pair of thugs had the same idea and were lucky, or unlucky for Ferreus, enough to come in after him. He was bent over a chest of old clothes when he was hit in the back of the head. He came to hog-tied and thrown in the back of a cart outside. It was mostly a haze, but he did remember being sold through a number of people in rapid succession before eventually being brought to the forum block.
A "fugitive" they called him. Even when he argued against it nobody cared enough to look into his claims. Ferreus gritts his teeth and as if on cue the door drops forward while a sharp stick pokes him in the back and into the arena.
A crowd of faces smeared in dirt, blood, food, and fluids roars in anticipation of the fight. Across from Ferreus stands a hungry-looking man dressed in loose rags and holding a club and what barely amounts to a shield. He's twitchy, nervous, and afraid. Ferreus silently shakes his head. His own people are worse than animals, lusting for spilt blood. They wanted this man butchered? Right then. That's what they'd get.
Ferreus walks confidently toward his opponent who takes a step back before weakly raising his arms to defend himself. The fighter swings his club downward and Ferreus meets it with his thyreos and a portion snaps off with a
crack. The man lashes out again, this time from his left to right. Again Ferreus brings up his shield to block it, and again a piece breaks off. Ferreus throws the thyreos at his opponent and forces him to flinch and recoil momentarily. Ferreus uses this opportunity to step in and grab the fighter's club arm while thrusting his gladius into his belly. It bites in, but only part-way before Ferreus pulls the sword back out. Adjusting his grip on the man, who's fear-filled eyes lock with his, Ferreus supports his weight while stabbing again. And again. And again. Each time the man cries out and each time the crowd's reaction grows more negative. After a dozen thrusts Ferreus lets the man fall to his knees and collapse onto his side. The crowd boos vigorously, but Ferreus ignores it as he throws his gladius to the ground and stops off, leaving a mutilated mess behind him.
The Flavii promised the Den a good fighter and indeed they delivered.
[Refund: + Fame Token]Thanks to some well-placed coin Ferreus' victory also nets the family some wealth.
[Victory: + Fortune Token]Ferreus Secundius Alternis has also left an impression among a couple avid fans of bloodsports. Some of them have even begun to call him
Ferreus the Butcher.
The Forum ArenaMarcus Flavius Ebrius and Marcus Flavius Lanista had traveled to the forum for two similar reasons: to
make sure this family venture was going to be worth it, and to
prove this family venture was worth it. Fabulosa was delivered to the arena by cart ahead of time and so the father and son had time to themselves to discuss things while traveling. By the time they arrived at the arena themselves it was near time for the fight to begin.
Ebirus follows Lanista to the pen Fabulosa is currently held in. His gear sits just out of his reach, stuck to the ground by a stake and chains.
"Fabulosa," Lanista speaks, "Do us proud today. It is an honor to fight in front of the crowds."
"Then why don't you, Roman?" the Carthaginian hissees.
Lanista responds with a laugh, "I am simply not made for it. But I
do know how to make people rich. And even if wealth is meaningless, the freedom it might buy..."
Lanista trails off, turns, and walks away. Ebirus follows close behind, barely masking a look of approval. He'd seen the Carthaginian falter for a brief moment, a hard shell pierced by silver tongue.
"He should fight willingly for the time being," Lanista began speaking his thoughts aloud, though he fully intended for his father to overhear, "However once he finds out how expensive he was..."
Fabulosa stands at the gate between a pair of high wooden bleachers, flanked by a pair of armed guards. He straightens himself and stands tall as he waits for the editor to announce his entrance.
"Today we have a fine fight to start things off! Our generous friends the Flavii have graced us with an offering of their very own. Introducing...
FABULOSA!"
The guards open the gate and Fabulosa struts in. He lets out a loud belly laugh and gestures to the growing crowd. As he begins to pull cheers from them Fabulosa shoots the crowd a smile and they
lose it.
"But wait!" the editor, a short greasy-looking man [I just realized I was picturing Danny DeVito, so just saying Danny DeVito works], begins shouting over the crowd once more, "We also have been granted the pleasure of an offering by House Gavros! Enter...
Ambiorix!"
A hush falls over the crowd. House Gavros is a fairly ruthless family, and their stock was known to mirror that. As the gladiator enters, his silvery, splendid manica draws the eye immediately. The gladius seems up to standard but his scutum is showing clear signs of wear and tear. He roars from between mangled teeth and charges before the editor announces the start of the fight.
Fabulosa steps forward and away at the last moment when Ambiorix thrusts. Fabulosa attempts to trip Ambiorix as they pass but he hops over the shaft of the hasta. They turn and face one another, Ambiorix crouched and poised to attack while Fabulosa leaves his guard down and somewhat exposed. Fabulosa raises his spear arm and thrusts at a downward angle toward Ambiorix' exposed chest but is met by the blade of his gladius. The two circle one another. After a few moments Ambiorix makes his move, stepping in while swinging his scutum to bat away Fabulosa's hasta then attempting to bring his gladius down on Fabulosa's head. Fabulosa manages to bring his shield up in time to stop the blow, and the two lock eyes for a brief moment before Fabulosa cocks his head back and slams his forehead into the bridge of Ambiorix' nose. The gladiator reels back, dropping his shield to clutch his nose as he spins, eyes clutching shut as tears well in their corners.
Fabulosa laughs again and raises his arms, inciting the crowd into a frenzy once more. He slams the butt of the hasta on the ground a series of times as Ambiorix recovers. The gladiator charges with another roar, hands and lower face stained by his own blood. He launches a quick series of strikes that leave Fabulosa's shield ruined, but before Ambiorix can penetrate his defenses Fabulosa counterstrikes, kicking him back and stabbing him in the left shoulder. Ambiorix steps back as his arm hangs limply and for a moment gazes at his wound, bringing his sword hand up to it and poking it with his pinky. He then comes at Fabulosa with a fury once more. Fabulosa discards what little remains of his shield and uses his hasta in both hands to block the incoming attacks. Blade bites into shaft but Fabulosa is able to parry the blows and strike Ambiorix in the nose again, this time with the hasta shaft.
The blow leaves Ambiorix stunned as he rocks back on his feet briefly. Fabulosa steps up to Ambiorix and headbutts him again. Ambiorix falls backward with barely a sound as Fabulosa cocks his head standing over him. After a few moments Ambiorix regains his senses and roars while trying to swing up at Fabulosa from the ground. The tip of the hasta shatters Ambiorix' teeth, passing through the back of his throat and pinning him to the ground, lifeless.
Fabulosa certainly has potential as a crowdpleaser. Word travels fast around Rome, and his name is upon some lips!
[Victory: +Fame Token]Ebirus has also managed to pull together additional funds to aid Lanista in his endeavors.
[Victory: +Fortune Token]By donating our extra food to local temples we have hopefully gained favor with the gods.
[Reward: +Fate Token x2]----------------
With two victories in hand it is time to begin expanding business. First the family must decide which upcoming games they will participate in in the
Planning Phase. The games are as follows:
Back Alley Pit1.
Unbooked v.s.
UnbookedGambling Den Requires Token to Enter1.
Gladiator v.s.
Unbooked - Reward:
1 Fortune Token,
1 Fame Token2.
Gladiator v.s.
Unbooked - Reward:
3 Fortune TokensForum Arena1.
Gladiator (V4/A4/T8/S7) and
Unbooked v.s.
Unbooked - Modified 1v2
2.
Gladiator (V6/A10/T8/S9) v.s.
Unbooked - Standard 1v1
3.
Unbooked and
Unbooked v.s.
Unbooked and
Unbooked - Standard 2v2
IT IS NOW THE PLANNING PHASE.
GM NOTE: DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS A RELATIVELY SIMPLE DECISION TO MAKE DURING THIS PHASE, YOU WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO PROPOSE TOKEN-UTILIZING ACTION PLANS FOR THIS PHASE AS WELL. ULTIMATELY THIS MEANS THE ACTION PHASE BECOMES UNIQUE ONLY IN THAT YOU RECRUIT DOODZ AND GET LOOTZ. ALSO KEEP IN MIND YOU CAN DECIDE TO ASSIGN FAMILY MEMBERS TO SPECIFIC ACTIONS IF YOU WANT, AS WELL AS ANY GLADIATOR COMPANY THEY MAY HAVE FOR SOME REASON.
Basic Familial Household: Has all the basic needs required to support a large family, even if some of that "family" are Gladiators. Provides 3 Food.
Basic Ludus: A courtyard and Gladiator housing that many might consider worse than prison. Has a Standard Trainer (provides No Bonus) and a single Wooden Training Post (provides No Bonus).
Ferreus Secundius Alternis, Roman Fugitive - V4/A6/T4(Gladius)/S4; Roman, Merciless
-Right Arm: Gladius[6]
-Left Arm: Thyreos[1]
-Body: Rags
-Limbs: Cloth Wrapping[1]
Fabulosa, Carthaginian Spy - V5/A5/T5(Spear)/S12; Carthaginian, Paranoid, Quick
-Right Arm: Hasta[5]
-Left Arm: Thyreos[1]
-Body: Rags
-Limbs: Cloth Wrapping[1]
Weapons
Roman Gladius[6]: A 70cm long sword with a 55cm blade. Almost impossibly sharp, sturdy, and lethal. Perfectly balanced and maintains it's edge.
Hasta[5]: A 2m long spear with a wooden shaft and iron head. Strong and sharp.
Shields
Thyreos[1]: A flimsy shield made of multiple bound pieces of wood. Could perhaps take a couple hits before falling apart.
Armor
Rags: Body "armor". Does Nothing.
Cloth Wrappings[1]: Arm and leg "armor". Old torn strips of clothing. Comes in various degrees of staining. Provides minimal benefit but is largely nonrestrictive.
Flavian Training: +1S/-1A, can exceed 6.
Roman - +1 Technique (Gladius) Training. Can exceed 6.
Merciless - 50% chance of killing opponent, more likely to quickly finish off opponent.
Carthaginian - +1 to Technique (Mounted) Training. Can exceed 6.
Paranoid - Loyalty losses are more severe.
Quick - +1 to Agility Training. Cannot exceed 6.
Auroros, Soldier turned Slave Trader (Status: Neutral, Owed Favor)
Marculus Malleus, Metalworker (Status: Neutral, Owed Favor)
Food: 3 (2/3 Used)
Tokens:
Fortune x2
Fame x2
Fate x3
Gaius Flavius Sophos (Deceased)
Gaius Flavius Immodesta (Deceased)
Marcus Flavius Laudis (Deceased)
Lucius Flavius Locuples (Deceased)
Marcus Flavius Ebrius (Alive, Well)
Titia Aelia Pecuniosia (Alive, Well)
Marcus Flavius Lanista (Alive, Well)
Caeso Flavius Mensa (Alive, Well)
Publius Flavius Lepidus (Alive, Well)
Pyrinikos of Abdera (Alive, Well)
Author
Topic: Blood of Champions - House Flavius (Action II) (Read 4979 times)