The Arena Contest in
Korgarr
- By KM Mika
Garr held a contest recently, where the players
were invited to take a crack at developing the arena in Korgarr City. Seven
entries were received, all of them well thought out, each taking different
angles. The hardest part about judging them was the fact that some, especially
the top three, were very close in quality. There were three judges: KM
Mika, KM Nemesis, and GM Megalith. None of us voted the same, as we were
all searching for different aspects. However, we have found a winner, who
is Kartach (a strait-forward dwarf in the grand city of Korgarr).
Two runner-ups were selected as well, who are Raiha (a creative delfae
in the Depths), and Mudd Stoneshaper (a proud dwarf in the Depths).
All three did excellent jobs, and will be rewarded in character. So, without
any more babbling from me, here is the winning entry!
-by Kartach
The Arena was constructed not long after the
race war. Soon after the end of the war the many dwarven warriors who came
home found life to be somewhat boring compared to living life during the
war. They became restless and began to get into trouble. At first this
was tolerated but as time went on and the ex warriors became more disruptive
the king was forced to take action. He ordered the construction of the
Arena. The construction of the Arena itself kept many a dwarf out of trouble
as this was one of the greatest dwarven constructions projects ever attempted
The arena floor encompassed the area of almost two football fields and
was ovular in shape. The stands around the arena floor were constructed
to hold as many as 60,000 dwarves at a time. These stands were constructed
of the finest granites and marbles that could be found in the area . The
result was a highly functional yet very beautiful arena. There are several
entrances for spectators and two larger entrances one on each end of the
oval for participants in events held and moving in and out larger equipment.
Beneath the seats lay the support facilities needed to operate the arena,
and included 3 fully equipped forges, two leather working shops, several
first aid stations for those who might be injured, Barracks for guards
and those who would fight in the arena as well as many other smaller support
services. As soon as the Arena was completed the king ordered that a series
of tournaments be held throughout the year. The tournaments were held once
every other month and included several different classes including hand
to hand combat, small group engagements as well as siege engine construction
and demolition. Prizes were awarded to the winners of each tournament.
Usually large sums of Gold , gems, other precious materials or artifacts.
With the start of these tournaments the disturbances
by the dwarven warriors decreased to a tolerable level. Since the King
had no wish to start blood feuds between his people combat in the tournaments
was to first blood and not to the death. That is not to say that entry
into the tournament was by any means safe. Although safety was always a
concern accidental death or maiming was not unheard of. The tournaments
would culminate during a special tournament of grand champions held once
every ten years in remembrance of the great war. This tournament was only
open to the champions of the tournaments over the last ten years. The reward
to the winner of each class was awarded a place in the nobility. Over time
the King found that the tournaments provided a great form of entertainment
for the people and a way to help maintain combat skills among the general
populace during peace time. If war ever came the arena could be quickly
turned into a combat training school for military units. The most prestigious
of the tournaments are the hand to hand combat and construction /demolition
tournaments. The cost of these tournaments is paid for via combination
of entry fees by the contestants, spectator fees for those in the stands
and fees for other events held in the arena that were not related to the
tournaments.
While not in use during a tournament or closed
for repairs from the last tournament the arena was used for a variety of
uses. These included plays, Holiday festivities, Special events for visiting
dignitaries etc. Dwarves who participated in a tournament are held in high
regard by their peers. Many of the tournament winners enjoy the same celebrity
that a modern day movie star would. Time went by and the frequency of the
tournaments lessened with more importance being placed on the tournament
of champions every ten years. Currently Tournaments are only held three
times a year. As the price for renting the arena for a play fair or other
event other than a tournament has risen greatly over the years the Arena
currently sits empty and unused much of the time between tournaments with
the exception of a large fair or play every now and then. It is rumored
that there are hidden tunnels and passageways that run underneath the stands
and floor of the arena left over from the time when it was constructed
The king and organizers of the tournaments strongly deny this. Yet odd
things have been seen to happen in and around the arena. People disappearing,
strange flashes of light that have no discernible source.
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