Gladiator Fights
as Highgate expanded after the Long Night, the Merchent guilds needed a way to control violence and still make a profit. thus, the re-introduction of an ancient sport was used to do exactly that.
History
as Highgate grew and recovered from the Long Night, it faced an increasingly high criminal violence issue among the poor. hiring mercenaries to enforce order was costly, as was instituting a city guard who could possibly come to hold the Guilds themselves accountable for the laws they broke. instead the solution was found by looking backwards, and creating a number of fighting arenas around the city, including smaller pits and cages in taverns where it was perfectly legal for two combatants to beat, maim, and kill one annother all the while lacing the city's coffers with coin. of course this hadn't reduced violent crime entirely but it had a significant impact, especially as the City allowed more violent and dangerous races such as Ravan Drow, Wurdgrym dwarves and even Orcs into their walls.
Execution
one need simply approach a tavern owner, or fight manager to request the use of a fighting arena. rules are different for each location, as some owners do not allow for death in their establishments. combatants are rewarded with a purse for entertaining the crowd, as many patrons gamble on various aspects of the fight, all done through the Taverns staff.
Components and tools
any designated area can be considered a gladiators circle, a pit of sand or dirt, a large cage, a fully realized and constructed arena, or even a drawn circle on the ground. taverns can often pay off city officals to ignore any saftey issues.
Participants
there are a large number of Highgate citizens who make a living off these Gladiator rings, and have formed a number of Gladiator guilds. on occasion Taverns will have their most popular combatants face off against another Taverns, and sometimes rare and exotic beasts as well.
Observance
in Taverns anyone can watch a brawl free of charge, though often entry to the gambling room where these events are held requires payment. fights at a sanctioned arena where more advanced bouts are held cost more, and have more interesting fighters and beasts.
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