Questions about the Contest

[Vizon]

Since the topic "What you want to see" is more about storyline/characters, I thought there should be a thread for general questions about the contest/setting.

Timeline has already been established in "What you want to see" as well as the intelligence of the pigs (similar to dogs) and Nire's perspective on other lynx/wildcats being gladiators.

Additional questions I might begin with are:

How exactly are beasts "recruited?"

How secret is the crater?

Do birds partake in the games and if so, how do they keep them from flying away?

Might a beast volunteer to be a gladiator? Is there any monetary gain for volunteers?

[Zevka]

Short Answers:

- Most of the gladiators are slaves that Nire purchases from slavers and corsair ships for the express purpose of training them and putting them into The Crater. Prior combat training and experience
Is a plus, but not a necessity -- The Crater has in-house trainers and provides enough training to give even an inexperienced combatant the basics of fighting. Nire seeks out beasts who have some spirit/fight left in them, and are reasonably healthy.

- The Crater not only is not secret, it's almost a tourist attraction, with beasts coming from all over the northlands to watch fights and bet on the outcomes. Ticket prices vary widely, with the costliest tickets being on scaffolding layers closer to the ground -- and the action. Also, sometimes visitors will buy successful gladiators and retain them as bodyguards or Horde warriors. Likewise, crowd favorites are sometimes freed by Nire.

- Nire does not rule the land or settlements near The Crater, and is not a warlord or ruler n the normal sense. He runs The Crater for profit and pays off local warlords to leave him alone.

- Avian gladiators are rare, but not unheard of. Nire has a hunting falcon that can chase down birds that try to fly away. However, many Crater regulars think bird fights are less interesting than regular ones.

- Sometimes, beasts do volunteer as gladiators. Although dangerous, being a volunteer gladiator pays reasonably well, and is also an opportunity for fame and exposure. A successful volunteer may be more in demand as a soldier, better able to defend themselves, etc.

[Vizon]

Thanks for clarifying that, Zev. That helps a lot. So should we all assume that whatever characters we come up with were somehow enslaved before they were put into the arena?

[Zevka]

Generally, yes. As I mentioned, there are a few volunteers every once in a while, but my overall idea was that the slaves in @And Look Damn Good Doing It" include the cast and a good supply of NPCs.

[Vin]

A couple questions:
First, what's the rule on child fighters? Is that a thing that occurs?

And I'm curious? the Long Patrol has been dissolved at this point, right? About how long before the contest was that? (A generation? More?)

[Airan]

A couple questions:
First, what's the rule on child fighters? Is that a thing that occurs?

And I'm curious? the Long Patrol has been dissolved at this point, right? About how long before the contest was that? (A generation? More?)

Can't answer the first question of course, but I can answer the second. If this contest is taking place before Atlas has been installed as Badgerlord of Salamandastron, then the Long Patrol should still be a thing, speaking the Waverunners weren't formed until after he took over and Blade became a threat. Though they shouldn't have a badgerlord commanding them during this time.

[Istvan]

Are we going to get to see the names of submitted apps? I'm looking forward to the customary guessing

[Vera Silvertooth]

Are we going to get to see the names of submitted apps? I'm looking forward to the customary guessing

Yes, I have been wondering the same thing!

[Zevka]

THE long Patrol is still the Long Patrol at this rage. Atlas and Blade haven't show no up yet. As for kits as fighters...Nire allows it, but only if the child fighters are capable of posing a credible threat. Nire is a showbeast, and a completely one-sided, easy fight does not make for a good show.

[Tooley Bostay]

Are we going to get to see the names of submitted apps? I'm looking forward to the customary guessing

Yes, I have been wondering the same thing!

Put me down as a third who's curious to see the names. Always fun to guess. =)

[Airan]

I know the deadline for apps is on the 14th at 11:59 PM. But which time zone will you be using?