Gladiators

[Renenutet]

Here is a place to discuss the opening of the gladiators, and to ask any questions you may have.

[Lizzie]

Perhaps if we could "retcon" just the name itself - from currently existing "persons using the term Gladiator to describe themselves" and change it to "Arena Champions" or "Arena Fighters"... and they would be people who fight -against- Gladiators for prizes and fame.

[BadSkeelz]

I wouldn't dwell on it too much. If staff thought it was a problem they should have spoken earlier with those behind the current Arena activities. I think any attempt to retcon or police the "correct" term will just be a distraction from what should be a fun role.

Game on!

[Exen44]

Damn, I wish I didn't already have a character. I have a great fascination with gladiators so this is like my dream character. If I could, I'd store my current character in a heartbeat if it just meant I could unstore him when that character died. Unfortunately, I know the rules of storage, so I know that isn't an option. A damn shame, though. I'm really going to regret missing out on this.

At least I can always apply for 2nd PC Gladiators. Isn't the same, but it's something. Perhaps one day another opportunity like this one will come along and I'll be able to take advantage of it.

[whitt]

Perhaps if we could "retcon" just the name itself

I thought the existing fighters, at least the few who are still around, were called Free Gladiators and Aspirants right from the beginning?  So no need to retcon?

[azuriolinist]

Holy moly. This is exciting.

I imagine this is mainly for peakers, though? Still. This is super great to see! Can't wait to see it rolling.

[Harmless]

The full-time-PC gladiator roles would require the ability to show up to RPTs, which I lack. Hope more slave roles come out, though, I've been waiting for them.

[Melkor]

Would 2nd character gladiators need 100% peak-time availability?

Also, would applying for a gladiator role count as one of our 3 annual spec applications?

[Exen44]

Would 2nd character gladiators need 100% peak-time availability?

Also, would applying for a gladiator role count as one of our 3 annual spec applications?

I can't answer the first question but as for the second one, no. I don't think it will since I believe those are separate. If you look through the requests, you can see that special applications and role applications are different.

Edit: After reading the topic again, I doubt you'll need 100% peak-time availability since it is specified that it is a part time role for arena events. Of course you'll need a staff member to confirm this.

[Armaddict]

Just wanted to pipe in here that playing gladiators for events was a blast, and a good way to pack some action into your roleplaying if you're in a less action-oriented role.

Will the part-time gladiators only be logging in for events, or will they be 'responsible' for being training partners for the full time roles?

[Exen44]

I actually have a question for the staff as well.Will there be another opportunity to become a gladiator of this sort? I realize that you probably don't know but what I'm asking is whether or not there's a possibility there will be in the future or if this is meant to be a one time thing.

Eventually some of these gladiators are bound to die (just like every character in Armageddon), which will leave a gap if this gladiator thing is something you mean to expand open further with regular sorts of these characters or even go as far as to have more than three at a time. And I'm hoping by the time that happens, I will get a chance to apply for full time Gladiator PC.

Anyway, that's my question.

[Armaddict]

Also, my input on the response from ATS:

The differences here are that gladiators are always slaves.
Gladiator is the sum total of what a gladiator is. It is not a part time gig.

Honestly, gladiators in Arm has always been a death-oriented experience.  Very rare was the case where you were instructed to have mercy and non-death-oriented matches; in my opinion, that arrangement was a way just to get the Arena involved without players having to feel like their character was on a knife's edge about death in order to encourage participation.

I don't think that those non-death-oriented events need to end, but I don't think participants should have anywhere near the 'prestige' of an actual gladiator, either.

[Malifaxis]

Idea:

Briefly shift the "oh you're new, lets sponsor you to the Byn" response to "oh, you're new, lets pair you with a gladiator for a match and pit you both against a pair of elves and tgen sponsor you to the Byn."

For me, one of my most tense and amazing Arm experiences involved the Arena as an early account experience.  While I was already in love with the game at that point, having that experience hooked me like nothing else.  I still get misty-eyed when I see the arena bells message pop up.

I think pairing with a glad would be a good choice, as it lets the noob get some combat training time and also highly increases the odds of survival.  I think MOST glads with some training could handle 2 of those elves, so it definitely gives the appearance of tension with a minimum of risk, and also introduces one of Allanak's core concepts in a vibrant and in your face way.

[Malifaxis]

.... drunk in Paris.  I kinda combined the Glad thread with a lubricated concept from the Acts of Publicity thread.

Anyway... I don't want to delete the post but don't know what to do with it.  Gonna go back to my morning wine.

[Hauwke]

I personally look forward to interacting and competing against these new full time gladiators. It will be good to see one or two of them truly excel in their job and become actually famous with good reason.

[Renenutet]

Perhaps if we could "retcon" just the name itself

I thought the existing fighters, at least the few who are still around, were called Free Gladiators and Aspirants right from the beginning?  So no need to retcon?

This is my impression as well.

[Refugee]

I just want to say how awesome I think this is!

[Renenutet]

I will try to answer all your questions later today. Meanwhile, I want to explain that this is meant to be a permanent addition to the Allanak clans.

(And it's going to be THE BEST CLAN EVER!)

[Armaddict]

(And it's going to be THE BEST CLAN EVER!)

I dunno.  It's a great fluff clan, but it really doesn't contribute much in way of combating staleness and providing natural, flowing 'unf' to the game.

Unless you have this clan in natural competition with other clans somehow.  While fun, this should probably be coming with the opening of other clans/military groups with actual interests, or, in lieu of that, a Tuluki faction (much like the rebellion of old).  That is, of course, assuming you were wanting to add more content to the game vs more social meeting places/events.  We have a lot of the latter.  The former is what's suffering.

Edit:  Don't get me wrong, I love this, and enjoy the games and playing the PC's.  But it's not 'meat' in the stew, it's more broth, which can be bland unless you have enough meat 'n taters to flavor it up, i.e. Competing clans, sponsored matches, and outside interests with a real plan to be interested in winners.

[Renenutet]

You are correct about the issues it does not address. However, with luck, player buy in and imagination, it can be an excellent source of intracity conflict.

[lairos]

I have seen LOTS of threads full of people asking about Gladiators or for second PC's for something right up this alley. I love that this is being brought back to life and in a way that adds many routes of conflict and fun. For those second PC's who will get to be involved without having to worry about losing their current character will make things a lot more interesting.

All in all this is bringing life to something that has been more virtual and gives players a chance to play SLAVES again which is rare.

[Delirium]

If no one apps the muscular, cleft-chinned man, I will be disappointed.

https://youtu.be/Pa0lMzaljTk

[Saiseiki]

From a new player's perspective, this is an interesting approach to a fairly pervasive institution in fantasy settings (as well as RL Antiquity).  Looking forward to seeing how it plays out IG, and in interacting with what is essentially a new caste, PC-wise.  Lots of potential for different RP - slave, but respected, and physically tough. 

[Rathustra]

[Rathustra]

(And it's going to be THE BEST CLAN EVER!)

I dunno.  It's a great fluff clan, but it really doesn't contribute much in way of combating staleness and providing natural, flowing 'unf' to the game.

Unless you have this clan in natural competition with other clans somehow.  While fun, this should probably be coming with the opening of other clans/military groups with actual interests, or, in lieu of that, a Tuluki faction (much like the rebellion of old).  That is, of course, assuming you were wanting to add more content to the game vs more social meeting places/events.  We have a lot of the latter.  The former is what's suffering.

Edit:  Don't get me wrong, I love this, and enjoy the games and playing the PC's.  But it's not 'meat' in the stew, it's more broth, which can be bland unless you have enough meat 'n taters to flavor it up, i.e. Competing clans, sponsored matches, and outside interests with a real plan to be interested in winners.

The Armageddon kitchen isn't a single track - this clan, this role call - it's all been pushed by Renenutet themselves since day one. They've been working on it for a long time while everyone else on staff have been preparing the other stew ingredients.

[Delirium]

[650Booger]

can anybody think of a reason to app any main guild other than Warrior?

[Renenutet]

can anybody think of a reason to app any main guild other than Warrior?

You may find that this quickly becomes a non issue!
!!!!

[Riev]

can anybody think of a reason to app any main guild other than Warrior?

Codedly, I can think of a few combinations that, while maybe not able to win in a straight 1v1, will certainly survive long enough to put on one damned good show.

If you're talking someone who can fight 12 gith gladiators and come out on top, well, that's something different. These sound more like "social" gladiators whose job is to entertain, like a bard, only their flute is a dagger and the music is the steaming blood as it hits the sands.

[John]

I'm not apping due to reliability issues. But I'll certainly be doing my best to provide buy in and support with my interactions with the gladiators themselves!

[Armaddict]

The Armageddon kitchen isn't a single track - this clan, this role call - it's all been pushed by Renenutet themselves since day one. They've been working on it for a long time while everyone else on staff have been preparing the other stew ingredients.

"You ungrateful bastard!" XD

I didn't mean for it to come off that way, moreso trying to continue to push in positive directions.  I in no way, shape, or form think this is bad (and I think it will be fun!), just expressing hopes that it will move in those areas where this broth gets -meaty!-.  A 'don't stop here, this can build into good things, as long as you don't expect this to become the substance of the stew', if you will.

[Rathustra]

The Armageddon kitchen isn't a single track - this clan, this role call - it's all been pushed by Renenutet themselves since day one. They've been working on it for a long time while everyone else on staff have been preparing the other stew ingredients.

"You ungrateful bastard!" XD

I didn't mean for it to come off that way, moreso trying to continue to push in positive directions.  I in no way, shape, or form think this is bad (and I think it will be fun!), just expressing hopes that it will move in those areas where this broth gets -meaty!-.  A 'don't stop here, this can build into good things, as long as you don't expect this to become the substance of the stew', if you will.

Sorry if I came across as slamming you over this - I was trying to allay your fears - I had interpreted your comment as being "this isn't meaty, if only there had been more meat!". There is meat (of a sorts?) - as well as the meat that's in the Gladiator plot - it's all sliding down the chopping board.

Have we slaughtered this analogy yet?

[Rathustra]

[Armaddict]

Have we slaughtered this analogy yet?

Not until we get some half-giant stew, fresh from the arena loss. 

[Akariel]

Have we slaughtered this analogy yet?

Not until we get some half-giant stew, fresh from the arena loss. 

#Byn2017

[Is Friday]

"No history of unpredictability".

DISQUALIFIED.

[Seeker]

can anybody think of a reason to app any main guild other than Warrior?

You may find that this quickly becomes a non issue!
!!!!

This tidbit.   Four exclamation marks, too.

[Feco]

Neat!

I'm assuming this is what that armor submission request was for

[Renenutet]

Neat!

I'm assuming this is what that armor submission request was for

Correct.

[Exen44]

I will try to answer all your questions later today. Meanwhile, I want to explain that this is meant to be a permanent addition to the Allanak clans.

(And it's going to be THE BEST CLAN EVER!)

Did I miss something? Because I still have the following question:

I actually have a question for the staff as well.Will there be another opportunity to become a gladiator of this sort? I realize that you probably don't know but what I'm asking is whether or not there's a possibility there will be in the future or if this is meant to be a one time thing.

Eventually some of these gladiators are bound to die (just like every character in Armageddon), which will leave a gap if this gladiator thing is something you mean to expand open further with regular sorts of these characters or even go as far as to have more than three at a time. And I'm hoping by the time that happens, I will get a chance to apply for full time Gladiator PC.

Anyway, that's my question.

[Renenutet]

Yes, we intend for the this clan to be permanent.

[Exen44]

Yes, we intend for the this clan to be permanent.

Alright, thank you.

[Jo]

Awesome concept, and a great way to implement it.

You're not going to please everyone of course; I, however, love the idea (even if a role like this isn't suited for me).

GJ!

[WanderingOoze]

'Be the first kid on the block to try out a brand new main guild. '

[Lizzie]

Sounds awesome. New guild, new clan, all wrapped up in one. Looking forward to eventually seeing the help file on it (I appreciate that it's not already public yet - IG discovery should have first dibs on it!)

[surveyvon]

This is objectively hype. Looking forward to seeing these PCs in game.

[Malken]

Feh!

[John]

I foresee a flood of <insert new guild name here> once it's mad3 available to the general player base.

[Renenutet]

It's gladiator specific.

[Hauwke]

I was literally about to post that exact same thing Ret, was going to say pretty sure it will be gladiator specific.

[WanderingOoze]

It's gladiator specific.

Damn. Now I'm really bummed I can't try out the role right now.

[Hauwke]

You can always store bro :p

[Exen44]

You can always store bro :p

Damn, I wish. I'd do it in a heart beat if I could unstore him afterwards when I wanted. Gladiators are the best. But apparently it's meant to be a permanent edition to Armageddon, so at least I'll be able to apply when my character (inevitably) dies. Because Armageddon.

[Barsook]

Makes me wonder if another main guides will come also.

[azuriolinist]

Like, say, a raider main guild?! Archery, watch, subdue, sap... Eeep.

That said, the mention of this new gladiator main guild has me hyped. I will definitely app for this, but after my current character, maybe. I'm trying real hard not to spend all of my waking hours on Arm, dammit.

[Armaddict]

Are the non-permanent gladiator pc's also this new main guild, or are they following the standard 'warrior with 3 skill bumps' of before?

[ChibiTama]

So, how would one go about applying for a gladiator 2nd PC? Are there any special requirements? I apologize in advance if this was already explained somewhere.

[Renenutet]

Just send a request for future pc. For clan check Allanak Gladiator.

[Renenutet]

Are the non-permanent gladiator pc's also this new main guild, or are they following the standard 'warrior with 3 skill bumps' of before?

They will be Guild Gladiator.

[Riev]

Makes me wonder if another main guides will come also.

MFW the "Main guild changes" end up being "we made a Gladiator Guild!".

[Renenutet]

Um...
We made the gladiator guild in the context of the plan to open this clan. We made the clan in the context of filling a couple of specific needs in Nak and the idea that players would enjoy it. Clearly I cannot guarantee fun, but that was the intention

I promise you Riev this was not me thinking up ways to screw people out of new main guilds.

[Riev]

Um...
We made the gladiator guild in the context of the plan to open this clan. We made the clan in the context of filling a couple of specific needs in Nak and the idea that players would enjoy it. Clearly I cannot guarantee fun, but that was the intention

I promise you Riev this was not me thinking up ways to screw people out of new main guilds.

LOL That wasn't the intention, I just was tickled at the idea of this over-arcing "We'll be making a change to the Main Guilds soon" turning out to be "we're adding in a clan-restricted main guild for Gladiators!"

I understand that ISN'T the big change, and this introduction of something pretty CORE to Allanaki Culture finally having staff support and a role in the game will be really good for the game. More things for Houses to insure with the Guild, more targets to 'hurt' nobles who aren't playing fair, deception, intrigue, shit if there is actual betting that doesn't result in "this guy has been around 2 RL months longer, so he's going to win" I'd be pretty down for it.

I have nothing bad to say about the Gladiator changes, but the idea that main guild changes are coming, and when one does (albeit UNRELATED to those changes), its a clan-restricted role, akin to saying "We're adding a new Main Guild for Templars, enjoy playerbase!", its a little funny.

[Renenutet]

Good, we're still friends, you and me, Riev.

[Rathustra]

Um...
We made the gladiator guild in the context of the plan to open this clan. We made the clan in the context of filling a couple of specific needs in Nak and the idea that players would enjoy it. Clearly I cannot guarantee fun, but that was the intention

I promise you Riev this was not me thinking up ways to screw people out of new main guilds.

LOL That wasn't the intention, I just was tickled at the idea of this over-arcing "We'll be making a change to the Main Guilds soon" turning out to be "we're adding in a clan-restricted main guild for Gladiators!"

I understand that ISN'T the big change, and this introduction of something pretty CORE to Allanaki Culture finally having staff support and a role in the game will be really good for the game. More things for Houses to insure with the Guild, more targets to 'hurt' nobles who aren't playing fair, deception, intrigue, shit if there is actual betting that doesn't result in "this guy has been around 2 RL months longer, so he's going to win" I'd be pretty down for it.

I have nothing bad to say about the Gladiator changes, but the idea that main guild changes are coming, and when one does (albeit UNRELATED to those changes), its a clan-restricted role, akin to saying "We're adding a new Main Guild for Templars, enjoy playerbase!", its a little funny.

I'm taking notes for next April 1st.

[lairos]

I'm taking notes for next April 1st.

Next there will be Mindbending Gladiators who you watch in rapture as they stand there in front of each other until one just falls over. We will also implement Gemmed Gladiator matches...watch out for that random lightning bolt!

Love that there is a new guild for this!

[HammerofJericho]

I love this idea. And I'll definitely be looking to try my hand at it at some point.

[Rathustra]

I'm Rathustra and I am all about Gladiators. Ask me anything about the role, the application process and the delicious mint chocolate I recently bought on sale.

It might not be immediately apparent but this is probably one of the lushest clan openings (re-openings, I guess?) for a while. Rene's constructed a slew of rooms, NPCs and objects to facilitate every aspect of Gladiator play - from the rewards the finest champions of the circled square get to enjoy, to the ways in which these SPORTS ENTERTAINERS can be a useful tool for their owners and associated players.

Not only is the role a distillation of the often desired 'combat role' concept, but it is a slave role that is set to just work(tm). Rene's found creative and engaging ways to get around the classic pitfalls of playing a slave PC - you're not restricted to an empty room. You're not beholden exclusively to the creative abilities of the PC nobility and templarate. The role empowers you to do the cool things that gladiators do on your terms.

Similarly, the opening of secondary PCs offers a way to make a 'flavour PC' with meat on its bones - you can be the scumbag heel, the dejected unfortunate or the aspirant hoping to claw their way out of the pits. All while enjoying your primary PC. The lack of applicants to play secondary PC gladiators is a shame as it solves the age old problem of "I want to play X but my current PC is so much fun!" Guess what - you can play that PC now and turn up to play a gladiator on off days. You can die over and over again and focus on making the death as awesome as possible.

We've gotten a lot of questions via requests about the roles, but very few applications. I think there's some misconceptions that might be helpful to dispel.

~ Timezones and availability:
We expect nothing more than what players currently achieve with regards to RPTs. Have you ever been able to show for a get together with other PCs, or a plot with the leaders of your clan? Do you manage to attend most of such engagements you're invited to? You are a prime candidate!

~ I've had bad experiences with staff in the past. I worry that the 'unpredictability' clause excludes me:
Not at all. As a producer-once-but-admin-now I feel safe in saying that you should probably just ignore the clause. Put in an application whether you're a staff pet (we'll keep the waterslides running while you're in the role) or totally reviled (we promise not to load piles of HG soldiers into the arena while people are watching). If you've got a cool concept we want a cool gladiator. Cooladiator.

~ I'm not sure if my concept fits:
Put in a request with the concept and let us know that you're interested. Worst case scenario we will suggest ways to make it fit what we're looking for.

~ But I want to play an elf/half-giant/dwarf/breed:
Currently we're only accepting these lesser races for secondary PC gladiators. Throw us your disgusting demihuman concepts for the meat grinder!

~ But I want to play a breed/mantis/braxat/rantarri/gortok:
Well, such a badass role should go to people who've shown us they're bomb ass gladiators - primary or secondary PC!

~ But Rathustra I can't play in any clan group other than yours!
It's OK. I think gladiators are cool enough to be honourary indies.

[RogueGunslinger]

Is it possible for a secondary gladiator to survive to the point of becoming one of these shining star popular gladiators?

[Renenutet]

Certainly not by winning. But I don't think we have ruled in or out the possibility of someone responding to a role call and asking to play their secondary gladiator full time. It's not a question we can answer yet, because we haven't had the conversation yet.

[Malken]

Oh crap only one day left to apply. I don't suppose you could extended it until Friday?? 

[Iiyola]

Goddamnit Arm. Why now?

[Cind]

I kind of want a secondary gladiator pc, but I think I'm going to want it more later on. Does that make any sense?

Is there a helpfile for what types of person are "allowed" to become mighty weapon-wielding gladiators? I know the British in WWII allowed crazy people if they proved themselves competent enough not to throw a grenade into the mess hall. I would think the Arena trainers would be less forgiving.

Is the amount of fame given to a gladiator a direct result of the rp of the pc world and/or how available they are for matches? Or is the virtual world's love of them a part of it too? I kind of want to know how predictable their rise to stardom is going to be.

[Renenutet]

I will consider any Friday apps, yes. If you guys want a couple more days I can extend the deadline til Sunday.

[Renenutet]

We're working on a gladiator helpfile. Send a request for the documentation.

[Exen44]

Seeing as this clan is meant to be a permanent addition to Armageddon, how will one go about applying to become one of these gladiator superstars in the future once the role call is over? Will it be classified as a 'special application'? Or will there be another role call sometime in the future?

Edit: Or will it be closed off to people with a certain amount of Karma?

[Renenutet]

There will be rolecalls. This role will not require karma to play. (But yeah, I think an ability to handle the role will be weighed.)

[Exen44]

Ah, alright. Well, here's hoping I won't have a character when the next role call comes around! Or at least not one I'm too invested in.

[The Lonely Hunter]

I just want to chime and and say that this looks awesome. I have played gladiators, combat slaves, and non-combat slaves and I am ecstatic to see this sort of thing come back. I hope that this leads to perhaps one day making slave roles viable again as well but even if not...jump on this, folks! Being a slave in Zalanthas isn't doom and gloom like many would have you believe. Zalanthas slaves are like commoners...but better! They know they have food, water, shelter, and perhaps even luxurious other commoners will never know.

One of my favorite all time roles was a Byn slave many years ago (who actually became a Sergeant)!

But I digress so back on track - the way that the staff are describing these gladiators sounds like tons of fun so don't miss your chance! I can't wait to interact with them on some level.

Edited to remove a link.

I am TLH and I endorse this message.

[deathkamon]

I was wondering something else about gladiators. Is every single gladiator bred in Allanak, or are some of the gladiators made as non-bred (i.e.: Captured)?

[nauta]

Contentious thought: what if we eliminate the word 'slave' across the board much as we did 'sandwich'?  Call them servi/servae or something made up but Zalanthan. 

Objection: That's not practical.  Reply: Fine. 

Objection: Why? Reply: Zalanthan slaves are quite different from slaves circa 15th-19th century and, presumably, different from other instantiations of the concept in human history.  Using the Latin 'servi/serva' would at least get us in the semantic ballpark's parking lot.  Using a made up term altogether would put is in the ballpark.

Objection: Who cares?  Reply: I dunno, liberal sensitivities. 

Objection: Don't tell me what to do! Reply: You could start by removing the term from the documentation with a search and replace, and allow players to continue using the term in the game if they like.

[ghanima]

Contentious thought: what if we eliminate the word 'slave' across the board much as we did 'sandwich'?  Call them servi/servae or something made up but Zalanthan.

You'd have to retcon the use of the word and pretend it's never been a word used before (which it has). You'd have to retcon a stretch of 11 rooms named the Road of Slaves and pretend it's never been named that (which it has). You'd have to retcon any book if it's been written on the topic of slavery (which it has) and give it whatever fancy new word that means the exact same thing. And you'd have to comb through countless documentation on Borsail if there is any use of the word slave in it (which it has in abundance).

I'm pretty much ok with the use of the word slave myself. Adding policy upon policy to police the English language doesn't make a better defined game world in my opinion. It just makes it more bogged down with overly complicated policies. If you wanted some new term (like your servi/servae example) to replace the existing one, I'd say make a push for that IC rather than imposing it through documents that appear over night.

[Exen44]

Contentious thought: what if we eliminate the word 'slave' across the board much as we did 'sandwich'?  Call them servi/servae or something made up but Zalanthan.

You'd have to retcon the use of the word and pretend it's never been a word used before (which it has). You'd have to retcon a stretch of 11 rooms named the Road of Slaves and pretend it's never been named that (which it has). You'd have to retcon any book if it's been written on the topic of slavery (which it has) and give it whatever fancy new word that means the exact same thing. And you'd have to comb through countless documentation on Borsail if there is any use of the word slave in it (which it has in abundance).

I'm pretty much ok with the use of the word slave myself. Adding policy upon policy to police the English language doesn't make a better defined game world in my opinion. It just makes it more bogged down with overly complicated policies. If you wanted some new term (like your servi/servae example) to replace the existing one, I'd say make a push for that IC rather than imposing it through documents that appear over night.

Basically this. Although it's a nice idea, implementing it would be a pain.

[ghanima]

Although it's a nice idea, implementing it would be a pain.

It's a nice idea for a game world that hasn't been released yet and is currently being designed. Zalanthas already has a history though. Let's keep it as it is and let any future changes be done via the IC world as much as possible.

[Cind]

I was wondering something else about gladiators. Is every single gladiator bred in Allanak, or are some of the gladiators made as non-bred (i.e.: Captured)?

Its considered far more feasible for breeders to have slaves bred and born to make them loyal from the start, unaware of what freedom/personhood feels like, have them be of Allanak, etc. rather than capture someone who may be immediately of combat/breeding/heavy labor age, but harbors thoughts of freedom, making it back home, vengeance, etc. Might be other reasons I'm unaware of.

Another thing about slaves in Zalanthas is they and no one else considers them to be real people. They are highly valuable possessions, best taken care of well so that they are fit to serve you. That's part of why good gladiators are so well taken care of. They put a lot of time and money into those guys, and they give a lot back in return if happy enough to keep working.

EDIT: Another thing, being a slave practically guarantees your food, water and safety, so long as you work hard and aren't extremely unlucky.

As extremely valuable possessions (there's a line graph somewhere, with healthy adult and mul humans being worth the most) most owners aren't going to mistreat their slaves, but I've seen whip scars in the game enough to think that they do get punished for some indiscretions, although I don't know how serious they'd have to be. Unwanted pregnancy maybe, I'm sure that'd get a beating.

[Feco]

I was wondering something else about gladiators. Is every single gladiator bred in Allanak, or are some of the gladiators made as non-bred (i.e.: Captured)?

Its considered far more feasible for breeders to have slaves bred and born to make them loyal from the start, unaware of what freedom/personhood feels like, have them be of Allanak, etc. rather than capture someone who may be immediately of combat/breeding/heavy labor age, but harbors thoughts of freedom, making it back home, vengeance, etc. Might be other reasons I'm unaware of.

Another thing about slaves in Zalanthas is they and no one else considers them to be real people. They are highly valuable possessions, best taken care of well so that they are fit to serve you. That's part of why good gladiators are so well taken care of. They put a lot of time and money into those guys, and they give a lot back in return if happy enough to keep working.

EDIT: Another thing, being a slave practically guarantees your food, water and safety, so long as you work hard and aren't extremely unlucky.

As extremely valuable possessions (there's a line graph somewhere, with healthy adult and mul humans being worth the most) most owners aren't going to mistreat their slaves, but I've seen whip scars in the game enough to think that they do get punished for some indiscretions, although I don't know how serious they'd have to be. Unwanted pregnancy maybe, I'm sure that'd get a beating.

I worry you're painting too rosy a picture here.  One that doesn't fit the setting, and one that certainly doesn't fit reality.

Slaves are certainly mistreated in the most disgusting of ways -- NPCs and room descriptions make this abundantly clear.

That's the part that makes the gladiators so interesting.  The "best" of them are provided something like immense wealth, but at the end of the day they're still considered someone's property --
property that's been physically and mentally abused since birth (likely).

That's not to say your average Zalanthan has it good, but let's not go thinking we play in this world where being a slave rulez and you only get beat if you deserve it.