It is a cold, foggy morning. You wake up in your favorite alleyway (yes, all of you fine readers in the same alleyway) and pry yourself out of the mud to find the following posters all over the wall. They must have been posted overnight, but are already faded with grime, stains, and graffiti.
Since you're still reading, you have probably decided either to either watch, or join the fun. If you're joining, just tell your name and a little bit about yourself- since this is only the open competition, you don't have to be specific, we'll get into that if you survive for a little bit. For now I'll just let you imply what skills you should have bonuses to. Everybody gets one gold piece, equivalent to 10 silver (sp) or 100 copper (cp), because you're alley bums. However, for everyone who pays their gold piece to get a ticket to watch the show, the contestants get 10 cp- so post if you're watching. There will be no limit on how many people are in for the open competition... except the natural limit imposed by the dungeon's traps and monsters.
Also, feel free to roleplay a little- aside from bickering about who will be on what team, you can take an action around town before entering The Pit if you'd like. Like stealing from a store- if you can risk it.
Here's what you can buy. I'll let you do your own accounting and just randomly check if you're cheating. Everything has stats. Hidden stats.
The NDL stalls are shoddy, portable, three-walled things set out in the mud of the town square. They aren't supposed to be there, but the guards look afraid to ask them to move.
NDLŽ Weapons: They're shiny, but they look like they're made of several pieces that don't quite fit together.
Club (1sp), Dagger (1sp) Throwable, Sword (2sp), Spear(2sp), Greataxe (4sp), Bow(2sp) Comes with one free pack of 50 arrows, 1sp per pack.
NDLŽ Armor: The leather bindings at all the joints are tearing a little.
Leather(1sp), Iron (3sp), Magical Robe(4sp), Wooden Shield(2sp)
NDLŽ Apothecary: If you get any "chunky chewables", just spit 'em out.
Healing (5sp), Cure Poison (4sp), Miracle (2cp), Bogwater Brandy (5cp), Resist Magic (2sp)
There are a number of local stores. Most of them are two-story buildings with a storefront on the bottom floor and a home on top. Architectural quality varies widely.
Hendrick's Blacksmith: Hendrick specializes in Horseshoes. His metal is good, but his weapons are not elaborate.
Dagger (3sp) Throwable, Sword (6sp), Javelin (1sp) Throwable, Imported Katana (4gp)
Armor: Leather (5sp), Iron (9sp), Steel (15sp), Shield (4sp)
Ye Olde Apothecary: Worryingly, it's actually called that.
Healing (8sp), Clairvoyance (1gp), Immunity to Poison (4sp), Strong Whiskey (8cp), Bomb (6sp) Be Careful!
General Store: Inexpensive everyday goods, as well as a few slightly seedy items. If something that isn't listed would likely be here, you can ask for it.
10 foot pole (1sp), Lantern (3sp), Caltrops (2sp), Lockpick (5cp), Rope (1sp), Shovel (1sp), Pickaxe (1sp)
Arcane Library: Most Arcane Libraries are tall, carefully guarded towers into which only the powerful and reputed may enter. This one more resembles any small book store, complete with a quirky store owner, except this one can shoot fire from his hands. Rather tastefully, the alleys between this building and the others are extra wide, paved with stone, and free of flammable materials.
You may describe any spell you want. The level determines its potency. Your spell-casting capability determines how likely a spell is to misfire, with cantrips having no chance to misfire and the other levels being mostly safe for casters of their appropriate level. Casting high level spells is rewarding but dangerous.
Cantrip (3sp), Basic (8sp), Advanced (13sp), Powerful (3gp), Master (Caution Military Use Only)
Scrolls are one-use and half price! Cantrip (15cp), Basic (4sp), Advanced (65cp), Powerful (15sp), Master (Caution Military Use Only)
Ironhoof Stables: Here, horses are bred for climbing into the dangerous mountains between here and the capitol.
Horse (12gp), Cart (15sp), Carriage (5gp)
Firearms Storte: A rather imposing building, built after the style of a manor. Chances are they won't even let you in, but you can look in the window. Only very wealthy and distinguished people fight with guns. You aren't sure why they call it a "Storte".
Pistol (300gp), Rifle (500gp), Bullets (1gp each) ball wad and powder all bundled in a cloth, 1-Pound Cannon (500gp) heavy, but still easily portable without a horse. Intended for naval use.