Belisarius
First Post
Something to keep in mind - Roman gladiatorial combat was actually a form of theatre.
Participants would be costumed as heros/villains/enemies from some great myth or legend, and the arena was a stage with props, trapdoors, terrain features, special effects etc.
Double the above for the Coliseum, which was the largest and most lavish ampitheatre ever built, with entire sub-levels to house the machinery to operate the props.
Don't have the PC fight just another Dire Bear, have the PC dressed as some great hero of game-world history, and the bear is representing some great monster of legend.
"Success" in pleasing the crowd in a venatione ("beast-fight") depends on Perform, Knowledge (history/religion) and other skills as much as on combat ability.
Much more interesting to run that way than a straight-up fight on bare sand.
"Blood in the Arena: the spectacle of Roman combat" is a great reference.
Participants would be costumed as heros/villains/enemies from some great myth or legend, and the arena was a stage with props, trapdoors, terrain features, special effects etc.
Double the above for the Coliseum, which was the largest and most lavish ampitheatre ever built, with entire sub-levels to house the machinery to operate the props.
Don't have the PC fight just another Dire Bear, have the PC dressed as some great hero of game-world history, and the bear is representing some great monster of legend.
"Success" in pleasing the crowd in a venatione ("beast-fight") depends on Perform, Knowledge (history/religion) and other skills as much as on combat ability.
Much more interesting to run that way than a straight-up fight on bare sand.
"Blood in the Arena: the spectacle of Roman combat" is a great reference.
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