Okay, I've edited a whole bunch of world info into the first post. It's very much a work in progress, and open to change and further detailing if a lot of people really don't like something.

I'll be off and on for the next few hours, but I'll try to check in occasionally to answer any questions or concerns anyone has.

@Estella Looks awesome! I'm just wondering whether all the beast races have the same level of cognition and understanding, or are some more 'beastly' than others, so to speak?

Also, I know you mentioned that mages can bring our characters back to life after every battle, and I have a few questions about that if you don't mind! First, how does the revival process work? Do we die permanently if it isn't done fast enough?

Further, why would mages bother bringing back lowly fighters that haven't yet proven their worth or value? Surely it would make more sense to focus on bringing back well known fighters who bring in paying spectators, and attract the eyes of wealthy nobles, otherwise mages are expending their energy on random peasants left right and centre.

Also it sort of removes a bit of the unique cultural identity of some of the realms. For example, the way you described Markoth made it same as though arena combat isn't as big a deal there, and as such wouldn't mages be more rare there as there isn't as much need for them? Torguren as well possibly, as being a warrior culture couldn't it possibly be seen as weak to just be revived after losing to an enemy?

To sort of address some of these possible problems (Warning: unsolicited opinion incoming) I was thinking it may possibly be a good idea to vary the presence of mages at some of the fights. So for example, if we are fighting in a certain realm, or aren't as well known, there's a higher chance we won't be revived because there isn't a willing mage around. Later on it could possibly be that, given you mentioned in the OP about being drawn into politics, someone who opposes us somehow tampers with the fight (maybe by bribing a mage not to revive us, or something more hostile) in a way which could result in permanent death. Just a suggestion as I think it could add some more tension during fights and create some interesting RP.

(You are of course, as the all-powerful GM, perfectly free to ignore all this).

@AngryBadger Really good points, thanks for the feedback! Let's see here...

The beast races are quite varied in terms of intelligence, for sure. A dryad for instance has way more cognitive ability than a minotaur. The only thing that really groups them is that they're few in number (compared to humans) and have an appearance that is for the most part inhuman.

The revive mechanic is definitely the trickiest thing to nail down here. I almost don't want to have it, but then we'd be forced to win literally every fight without losing anyone, or the fights otherwise have to stop before anyone can be killed. To be playing a fresh-faced, inexperienced team, I don't know if I could believe that. So instead I'm taking this very "gamey" mechanic and trying to make it fit in the universe, which I probably haven't done the best job of.

I might do more of a write up on it, but the gist of the process is that the runic enchantments on each arena are capable of restoring any fighters to the physical state they were in before they entered the arena. This is done for all fighters after the match is done, not just the dead, so it heals the wounded, too. It does need to be done somewhat quickly, probably... fifteen minutes or so after death is the limit?

And the mages that work the arenas are paid quite well for it, nor is it too exhausting for them. Even small-scale tournaments don't allow just anyone to enter, so they're only reviving teams that have earned their entry one way or another. There are probably other events without any reviving (watch these ten slaves try to fight a pissed-off minotaur!) but I figured all of the matches between established teams would have it.

Unless, of course, circumstances mess with it. Runes can be damaged to become ineffective either on purpose or by accident, which can complicate things. Mages can be bribed or threatened. People of other lands might refuse to revive foreigners, or a specific beast race. And we will definitely get into conflicts outside of the arena as well. And those are always going to be life-or-death.

As for Markoth, I may need to take another thought for it. It was the last realm I thought of, and in all likelihood it would be the last one we'd end up visiting. I should probably make sure the arenas are more important there as well. Not every mage is involved in the arenas, though, plenty do devote themselves to other things. I just tried to keep the focus of my description there, since it's most of what we'll be dealing with.

Again, though, thank you for all the feedback, I really appreciate it.

Definitely interested!

@VoiD Glad to hear it :)

I'm gonna go sleep now, but my goal for the weekend is to have the OOC and character sheet ready, so people can start sending in characters.

@Estella

Quite interested in this! Loved Gladius growing up!

I actually am quite fine with the revive system since it mimics the reality concerning gladiators in the Roman Empire. Gladiators were highly trained professionals, similar to modern day athletes, and it took a lot of money to train fresh recruits. So, outside of Hollywood movies, most gladiator matches didn't end with a fatality, and if they did, it was usually because a sponsor paid for a lethal match and reimbursed the lanista for his losses. I feel like, in this universe, its likely you'd want to revive any fallen gladiators after a match since its cheaper on time and money, otherwise you might end up bankrupt from having to keep replace your fighters. Really, there's a whole host of reasons you'd want to keep the same people, unless they're constantly failing to be worth anything at all.

@EstellaThanks for the detailed answers, pretty much answered every question I had. More excited for this than ever!

@Viciousmarrow My man! I'm glad to see you're back and kicking. Hope you and Lovely's move wasn't too crazed. Its been too long, now I'm really looking forward to this.

Progress update: added capitals and religions to the realms, and finished the CS, which I'll make available once the OOC goes up. I'm going to make sure my character is finished before I do that, but with any luck that'll be sometime later today.

@Estella
Just want to throw it out there, I want to play as a minotaur. Just thought you fine folk should know.

Right, I should mention that with the number of people that have shown interest, if everyone makes a character, I just won't be able to accept everyone, even if some people are taking non-gladiator roles. If a lot of people make beast race characters those one or two spots will be especially tight.

Definitely make what you want to make the most, but just be aware that I probably can't take everyone here, and maybe be open to trying something else if the first idea doesn't work.

@neogreggory And that's totally directed at everyone, not just you, haha. I'm open to having a minotaur on the team if we can make it work.

I was also thinking of playing as a non-human, specifically an undead, I think it poses an interesting challenge what with not being able to speak etc. I also have a pretty good tragic back story for them.

i will be an alternate. if someone drops out, tag me in with a PM

The OOC is up. Have at it. I'm going out tonight, but I'll check occasionally from my phone for questions, which I will answer once I get back. I'll review characters as they come in, but probably won't officially accept any until most of the people who have shown interest have had a chance to write something up.