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groundrules) wrote2022-02-12 01:25 am
groundrules) wrote2022-02-12 01:25 am
arc vii assignments
Friends, countrymen and Ephesians — CTRL + F your character's name to find out their mod-assigned Arc VII arrangements!
Players who didn't submit role preferences weren't given a mod-assigned character role, but are welcome to create one — you can have any civilian affiliation you want, outside of roles in politics or infiltrating Messalina's camp.
Please get in touch if your character assignment doesn't work for you, and we'll figure something out!
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GLADIATORS
GLADIATORS
✘ Characters are brought into the arena as enslaved captives from Ephes' recent conquests or professional gladiators from abroad, seeking to make their mark in the citadel (player's choice).
✘ The keeper of the main gladiatorial arena is Laetio, who imposes a strict training regimen, preparing fighters for teamed or solo combat against demonic beasts, magic or each other.
✘ Above all, gladiators are expected to put on a show, meaning you may need to throw a fight or dramatically extend one to gain public approval.
✘ The crowds idolize well-performing gladiators and take guidance from them on what to eat, wear, or even how to vote.
✘ Gladiators reside in the barracks and are very seldom allowed out. Popular fighters receive invitations to noblemen's fetes, as well as luxurious gifts from their adoring fans.
MO RAN
PERSONA
'The Heavenly Pillar,' 'He Who Skewers the Heavens' — the only renown spear fighter who only ever seems to carry a spear into the arena, while fighting with a sword.
STATUS
A handsome young man with a disturbing number of young girls for his adoring fans. They expect him to act mercifully, nobly and elegantly. Booed by some crowds for being 'a pretty boy.' Receives a wealth of fan mail and dainty gifts. Laetio often instructs Mo Ran's enemies in the arena to make sure not to harm his face.
EMILIA
PERSONA
'The Fury,' 'The Little Death' — renown as a vicious witch who revives her enemies only to kill them again...!
STATUS
A celebrated show-stopper. Laetio keeps her appearances for only the finest performances and charges top coin for her performances. The arena is heavily warded ahead of her fights to prevent magic from oozing out into the stands. She is dressed in all black for her performances and made up in stark, dark colours to resemble a fury. Some say she embodies the Chained God.
XIE YUN
PERSONA
'The Lone Wolf' — a young man who embodies the spirit of a godly animal, believed to be an ancestral wolf.
STATUS
He is given a wide berth in the barracks, as Laetio and other gladiators speculate he is feral and could at any point go berserk. Rumour says he has torn up other gladiators with his mere fangs and claws! Laetio dresses him in furs for his performances and tends to have him appear during evening games. He is encouraged to howl at astral bodies and exaggeratedly portray animal, especially lupine behaviors.
BENEDICT FOX
PERSONA
'The Holy Man' — a man modesty and piety, who supposedly dedicates his victories to the god who speaks to him alone.
STATUS
Kind, mannered and gentle priest of a barbaric or lost religion that Ephes finds at once unimportant and exotic. Believed to exude an aura of contentment. Several other gladiators come to him with questions of the life beyond. The only gladiator to receive a regular and gradually increasing donation from the temple guilds.
BUCKY BARNES
PERSONA
'The Tired Man,' 'The Grandfather' — the ancient soul of a war veteran, reincarnated in the youthful flesh of a gladiator.
STATUS
Believed to house the spirit of an old general who once stood against Ephes, now returned for retribution for his demise at war. He gets a mixed reception from (fellow?) war veterans who spectate gladiator battles — some clap for his alleged war experience, others boo his enmity of Ephes. He receives the choicest cuts during meals and the finest accommodations in the gladiator barracks, on account of his 'age.' Other gladiators often volunteer to make themselves of service to the old Grandfather .
BUCKY BARNES
PERSONA
'The Tired Man,' 'The Grandfather' — the ancient soul of a war veteran, reincarnated in the youthful flesh of a gladiator.
STATUS
Believed to house the spirit of an old general who once stood against Ephes, now returned for retribution for his demise at war. He gets a mixed reception from (fellow?) war veterans who spectate gladiator battles — some clap for his alleged war experience, others boo his enmity of Ephes. He receives the choicest cuts during meals and the finest accommodations in the gladiator barracks, on account of his 'age.' Laetio does not ridicule him and calls him 'sir.' Other gladiators often volunteer to make themselves of service to the old Grandfather .
CAL KESTIS
PERSONA
'The Red Ruin' — a notorious pyromaniac.
STATUS
Believed blessed by a fire god, or perhaps descended of one. Never allowed near a torch in the gladiator barracks, but perpetually armed with one — and his choice of weapon — in the arena. He must cross through a wall of flames whenever he makes his entrance into the arena for a match, wearing fire-repelling wards. Far too many kids want to be him and ask his autograph.
ALLISON HARGREEVES
PERSONA
'The Lady,' 'The Beauty,' 'The Siren.'
STATUS
Believed a former concubine who fell into bloodlust and killed the man who betrayed her with another lover in a jealous rage. Her 'iconic' weapon is an allegedly poisoned dagger, although Laetio only ever wets it with a tranquilizing toxin, for fear of losing too many good gladiators during her fights. Has a vocal and generous following among women spectators, who believe she stood up for loyalty. These women often imitate her outfits and hairstyles.
WEI WUXIAN
PERSONA
'The Peanut Cracker,' 'The Nutcase' — who once allegedly castrated his opponent... with his fierce bite in the arena, before finishing him off!
STATUS
His signature move is marketed as being a well-placed kick. To feed into the anticipation, Wei Wuxian's opponents in the arena are most often men given to wear strikingly red loincloths. The adoring crowds — including a large number of women — throw peanuts down at him to encourage him. Portrait makers advertising his matches never seem to get anywhere close to his likeness.
LAN MANDRAGORAN
PERSONA
'The Lover,' 'The Half Heart' — who once fell in love with the spouse of a nobleman and was cast down into the arenas as punishment for his audacity.
STATUS
Lan presumably now fights to regain his freedom and seek out the patrician's now banished spouse, so that they might be reunited. Always introduced into the arena by maudlin songs. Exceptionally popular among young spectators. Paid handsomely and frequently invited to the nobility's parties, where men and women vie to shift his focus from his long lost love to them. The subject of at least three ballads (one good, two mediocre). To be likened to 'Lan Mandragoran' is considered to be the peak of romantic loyalty.