This stone arena is the site of gladiatorial games, animal combats and spectacular circuses. The fighting is generally non-lethal, though accidents (and deadly rivalries, deal making and bribery) can happen. Being a Gladiator is the surest way to fame and stardom in Port Nyanzaru, even more than the Dinosaur Racers, the best becoming rich celebrities, statues of the greatest champions adorn the walls of the Coliseum. Among these statues, is
Ekene-Afa, one of the current
Merchant Princes, who first earned fame and renown in the arena.
Events are held most afternoons, though certain shows are held after sundown that make use of fire breathers, torches, light shows etc. On most days can be found qualifying games, consolation bouts and smaller events. On holidays, lavish events would be held, extravagant shows and colossal bouts of the greatest beasts, tigers, velociraptors, captured undead. Heroic reenactments of great battles performed by gladiators, major championships and tournaments too. The Coliseum also acts as a staging for the largest of Port Nyanzaru's
Dinosaur Races.
The Arena is run by Arena Master
Gutsac Gritz.
Bartha acts as Arena Enforcer, and
Rhed Rhag serves as Beastmaster. the three have a fierce reputation, of each being more cantankerous and unhinged than the other.
Arena Events
Gladiator Combat
Most frequently, Gladiators, or other combatants who fancy their luck, take place in combat bouts against each other or various beasts and monsters that the Arena has sourced. Commonly small one on one fights would pass the time during the breaks between bigger events, occasionally these solo battles would feature more famous gladiators or especially promoted grudge matches.
The grander events feature teams of Gladiators or the occasional adventuring group looking to impress, and they'll take on all manner of collected beasts, many obtained from Chult, sometimes species from the mainland. Special exhibition matches are sometimes set up between opposing teams.
Typically Gladiator combats amongst each other fight until a knock out or yield, and though serious injury may occur, healers are on hand. Sometimes in the melee one competitor will go too far and land a killing blow, or finish a yielding opponent, and as much of an exciting spectacle that makes, such competitors are soon removed from the Arena and jailed until they can reimburse the fallen gladiators family and sponsors, and potentially cover resurrection costs of those more renowned fighters. Sometimes a grudge match will occur in which a fight to the death has been sanctioned.
Joust
The most prestigious event in the Arena is usual the joust events, where competitors can show their skills in mounted combat and animal handling. These tournaments attract the most attention and betting, most residents of Port Nyanzaru will have their own favoured riders that they'll follow the career of, and the more successful a rider, the more sponsorship and influence they gain. Prizes for the tournament victor is can often incoporate custom made and enchanted gear, and invitations to dine with Ekene-Afa.
The competition itself is simple, though the finesse and skill some of the riders display creates an exceptional weave of beast, spear and rider. The goal is to unseat the opponent. Causing severe bodily harm to a rider or mount is actually considered a weak performance, even dishonorable, the point being to best the opponent through skill and technique, not cutting them down like a common Gladiator brawl. As such, weapons are modified to favour blunt tipped lances, hooked clubs and whips. Some riders maintain the same mount over time and form bonds with these creatures, a trusted fighting pair.
Archery
A more recent addition to the Arena games, after the introduction of longbows from the mainland proving they could out-range traditional Chultan bows, provoking friendly competitions with newcomers to the city. The competition adapted from simple target firing into more of a spectacle and skill challenge. Competitors are mounted upon the howdah of larger beasts like Triceratopses, which walk a circuit around the Arena, within which many wooden targets are placed, but also mounted on moving dinosaurs, swinging from the legs of Pteradons etc. Archers have a complete circuit within which to fire as many arrows as they like, scoring points for accuracy, and losing points or even being disqualified for striking the animals themselves (or other competitors).
Entrants have diversified since the original bow competitions, competitors may bring any ranged weapons they chose, sometimes mages are invited to special magic based rounds, their target hits being more difficult to count than arrows and bolts.
Egg Chasing
The Egg Chase is a traditional Chultan sport that has lasted centuries. The basic premise is two teams competing for the grand prize of the dinosaur egg that forms the objective of the contest. They must retrieve the egg from the center of the Arena, and bring it to the opposing end, without it breaking. Teams may block, trip, tackle or otherwise hinder the other team in any way they like, so long as everything remains in non-lethal moderation - weapons are not permitted.
The Egg Chase is a crowd favorite due to its history and accessibility to everyone from all walks of life. The prize eggs often fetch a good price, provide a prestigious meal, or can be raised by the victors should they chose. Many amateur teams compete, to the loud applause of the common folk in the Arena, as their frenzied antics and plays create mayhem.
Pterodactyl Ptag
Although designed as another non-lethal sport, Pterodactyl Ptag (sometimes known as "Arial Snatch" or "Kui'Detch") can often be one of the more dangerous events for its participants. Teams of three will take to the sky within the arena, upon Pterodactyls, one member of each team will be carrying their flag, which the other team has to try to obtain, thus winning the contest. In addition, each pterodactyl has three tags on its legs, and when all three have been snatched off or lost, that rider must land and exit the game. Another popular option is simply unseating an opposing rider entirely. Weapons are generally so cumbersome when riding the pterodactyls that most don't take anything more than a club, whip or sling, though the objective is to hamper or unseat opponents, not kill, and damaging the Pterodactyls can result in fines. Spellcasters also form part of many teams.
Healers wait expectantly below, ready to stabilise anyone who takes too much of a fall, though broken bones are almost a guarantee, and in particularly rough bouts, they may not get to someone in time if otherwise occupied (or hired specifically for one team). Richer teams may have extra mages hired prepared with feather fall spells.
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