Pit Schools

These institutions are one of the two foundations on which the famed sport of Pit Fighting is built upon. Outsiders often times mix them up with the other, the Pit Guilds, yet the two see to entirely different functions in the matter.
For every Pit Guild there about twenty, or twenty-five Pit schools to choose from in one city. Some Schools are made up of ten students, others have a hundred and they all practice different styles of Pit Fighting.

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The part of the Pit Schools is to physically and mentally train their students to be quality Pit Fighters. Sometimes candidates find their way to the Schools seeking fame and a chance to display their abilities but most Schools dislike waiting for a chance meeting and much rather prefer to hold auditions from time to time to fill their ranks with fresh meat.
Some candidates are genuinely interested in learning this famed combative sport. Most likely they have a favourite pit fighter and want to be like him.
Many come from troubled backgrounds filled with violence which may include abusive parents, living in bad neighbourhoods, or simply being orphans of war. These seek to learn to defend themselves and their loved ones better in the future.
There are just as many bullies waiting in line, who simply enjoy tormenting those that are smaller and weaker than them. These come in hopes of advancing their tactics but more often learn humility under the tough love of their masters. The majority flees in shame
The audition is just the first test. Depending on the School's methods, usually, a good 30-40% passes, only to be reduced further to about 5% in the following rosters. In a world of raw, unarmed combat, going easy on the candidates is not an option. This is the future that lays before them and it is better to give them a taste of it as early as possible.
At the dawn of Pit Fighting, each School taught only one fighting style, usually, the one that was native to where it was if it had one. Today, the masters may take their knowledge to foreign lands, or may even join existing Pit Scools, thus allowing them the benefit of teaching different styles.

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Those that seek to establish a Pit School must also go through the same hearing as the masters of a Pit Guild in which they must display their knowledge concerning the overall rules of Pit Fighting. Having a background in this field means a great advantage, but it is not a requirement.
They are also not expected to have a building of any kind to house their training sessions, in fact, many of the most famous Schools do not have such a place to this day and take their practices to the countryside, or the more abandoned parts of their home city. What they are expected to have are at least five tutors and five physicians.