Arena of Cinder
The Arena of Cinder looms majestically in its own secluded dimension, accessed by a portal that has been a constant in the town center of Evencroft for as long as anyone can remember. Its presence has woven itself into the town’s identity, an ancient fixture shrouded in mystery, compelling people from all corners of the land to come, watch, and fight. Built in the style of a grand Romanesque coliseum, the Arena is a marvel of towering stone arches, intricate carvings, and robust columns. The stone walls, weathered yet unyielding, give testament to countless battles, while sweeping staircases lead spectators to terraces that curve around the perimeter in elegant arcs. Each entrance archway is adorned with insignias and motifs that pay homage to its divine patrons: Luthos, Amalar, and Sein.
Encircling the arena floor is a magical barrier, a shimmering bubble of faintly glowing energy that hums with an otherworldly resonance. This barrier not only ensures the safety of those outside but is also the medium that reshapes the battleground within. At a whim, the once-flat arena transforms, filling with landscapes as varied as the fighters who enter. Sometimes, it becomes a desolate, war-torn plain, littered with shattered weapons and crumbling fortifications, where echoes of past skirmishes seem to linger in the air. At other times, it becomes a burning desert, where shifting sands and relentless heat test a warrior’s endurance, or an icy tundra that drains strength with its biting cold.
However, the Arena doesn’t limit itself to the terrains of the material world. Some battles take place in mystical realms, such as the Infurnus—a twisted landscape of blazing rock and rivers of molten lava reminiscent of the Nine Hells, or the Etherwilds—a surreal and verdant plane where nature itself seems to be enchanted, filled with bioluminescent plants, ghostly wildlife, and an air of enchantment. For fighters inside the Arena, each of these landscapes feels real—the heat of the Infurnus scalds, the thorns of the Etherwilds scratch and cling, and the roar of unseen armies haunts the war-scarred fields. Yet for spectators, the magic only offers a partial reveal, as if they’re watching through a window into another world. This view, like a living screen, renders a fractured, cinematic perspective of the battle within, heightening the sense of awe and mystery.
The Arena’s seating is divided into two main sections. The first is the expansive general area, where commoners, nobles, and travelers alike gather. This crowd pulses with energy, as voices rise in cheers, gasps, and sometimes hushed awe at the spectacle unfolding before them. While rowdy at times, there’s an unspoken reverence for the fighters and the dangers they face.
On the opposite side of the arena floor, three towering thrones stand elevated, distinct from the general seating and imbued with a divine presence. The thrones are masterpieces of stonework, each carved to reflect the essence of its patron: Luthos, the goddess of divinity, whose throne glimmers faintly with celestial light; Amalar, god of war, whose seat is engraved with symbols of strength and endurance; and Sein, god of peace, whose throne bears the calming, intricate patterns of harmonious design. These seats remain empty much of the time, yet spectators often feel as though unseen eyes watch from them. The thrones are treated with awe and respect, not only for their connection to the divine but as silent witnesses to the valor and struggle that define each battle.
Champions of the Arena, those who have proven their worth within its shifting grounds, hold a special place in its legacy. However, they rarely linger to watch the fights of others. Upon earning their glory, champions vanish as mysteriously as they arrived, leaving behind only stories and legends of their exploits. The Arena of Cinder offers no explanation of where these warriors come from or where they go; they arrive to fight, to reclaim their lost glory, and then disappear, as if called by the Arena itself. This secrecy adds to the mythos of the place, making each battle feel not just like a test of strength and skill but like a chapter in an endless saga written by the gods themselves.
To those who step into the Arena of Cinder, it is more than a battleground—it is a place of transcendence, where they face both the world’s fiercest landscapes and the limits of their own spirit. And to those who watch, it is a portal to wonders and dangers that can only be glimpsed within these hallowed walls.
Type
Monument, Large
Parent Location
