Arenas of Carboth
Built in 146 AC by the early Eldorian lords as means of entertainment, the Arenas have evolved in both architecture and use over the centuries. Originally a single, oval shaped building with a sand floor surrounded by grandstands, they were first used for nobles and officers of Eldoria on assignment in Carboth. Bouts included boxing, fencing, and even horse racing. Some events occured between soldiers and others between the nobles themselves. As exciting as the events were, the betting on them was the nobles' true passion.
As time and the boredom of the nobility wore on, they tried to find ways to diversify the entertainment. They began to pay common soldiers and mercenaries to battle with blunted weapons. Eventually, some made their livings in the arena, becoming known as gladiators. Desiring more pay, the gladiators themselves suggested that the sharpened blades be used, though battles would still be fought to submission. This invariably lead to serious injuries and even some deaths but in the nobles' eyes the gladiators knew the risks. Popularity soared and soon the grandstands had been replaced by stone benches that rose into the sky. At first only 10 rows were constructed but with the games becoming more popular, the nobles continued building upward.
It was only after the Dharja began to fight for the freedom of Carboth that the games in the arena's took a dark turn. After retaking the city from Dharjan forces, Imperial Legion generals rounded up as many known "terrorists" as they could and marched them into the arena, the only space in the city large enough to hold. With food short during the war, the generals decided it was best to make an example out of the Dharjan's rather than feed them and therefore unleashed a pair of hungry lions in the arena, killing dozens before their hunger was sated and beginning the practice of executions the arena.
Even after the return of the city to the Dharjan'shan, the Arenas and their games persisted. The Emirates used the Arenas much in the same manner as the Eldorians, both with paid gladiators and to execute criminals. Seeing how much the crowds loved the violence matches between paid gladiators that ended in death, they began the practice of condemning criminals to the Arenas. Instead of execution, they would face combat in the Arenas. Should any win 10 matches, they would be pardoned.
Eldoria again took Carboth and the popularity of the arenas soared. As the need for combatants increased some started selling slaves to the arenas to supplement the ranks of the criminals. Again, attendance rose and the stone benches - now over 50 deep and fifty feet in total height, we rebuilt into two tiers - the lower sections with individual seats and the upper tier simply benches - to accommodate the crowds. The shape has evolved, as well, as the Arenas are no longer a single oval but three overlapping circles, allowing both for more spectators and more interesting options for combatants.
Today games are held every Kingsday. All gambling is now organized by the Brotherhood of Thieves, of course, who consider the games one of their most lucrative ventures. Professional matches, criminal matches, and matches against beasts are all commonplace. Many professional gladiators take up matches to the death against hapless slaves and criminals. When these gladiators lose, the greatest payouts occur. Criminals and slaves alike live in the dirty cells below the Arenas. Conditions are deplorable, enough so to have incited some of the largest riots in history.