gloranthan gladiators

[Nick Brooke]

See also the Maya and Mexica. Corn goddess imagery can be horrifying. And the Lunars aren’t “just” the Romans, or late-stage Capitalism: they have potatoes and socialism, after all!

[Erol of Backford]

9 hours ago, Nick Brooke said:

they have potatoes and socialism

I just read the Potato thread and so will add there... there is always another thread or something missed in the Guide. You guys think of everything...

Edited December 3, 2023 by Erol of Backford

[jajagappa]

On 12/2/2023 at 4:13 AM, Akhôrahil said:

could easily see something that’s not the MOLAD but inspired by the format. Like modern Olympics to the classical ones.

It's called practice for the real MOLAD - if you're chosen, and you're not ready, ... 💀

On 12/2/2023 at 5:19 AM, Joerg said:

I would be astonished not to find a Kargan Tor athletics arena in his City of Wonders.

It's noted in the Guide, p.251 on the City of Wonders: "The Whirlwind Bowl is empty now, and no contests fill it with cheering spectators."

At least pre-1616, this would have been a very popular place there, and quite likely recreated many of the famed contests of Kargan Tor.

(Doesn't show up on Greg's old City of Wonders map, but that's not complete either.)

[French Desperate WindChild]

5 minutes ago, jajagappa said:

many of the famed contests of Kargan Tor.

 

So famed that I don’t know them 😛

do we know something about them ?

[jajagappa]

4 minutes ago, French Desperate WindChild said:

So famed that I don’t know them 😛

do we know something about them ?

Two examples in Arcane Lore, p.99: the Battle Rage and the Mighty Blows.

Further references on p.100-102: another test is for the Berserkergang Path (or simply to gain one of the Parts of the Bull)

"At the court of Kargan Tor, Urox engaged in contests with the God of War with special powers as the prize. Urox won some and lost some and in the end came out with the abilities we know as Berserkergang."

"Anyone bearing arms under whom the bridge creaked impresses the guardian, and he freely admits such a person to Kargan Tor's Court. To those not bearing arms, he states "This court is for warriors. You may not pass."..."

"The Court Of Kargan Tor: A large courtyard filled with warriors practicing their arms. Humakt greets his visitors from a large simple wooden throne at the court's center."

[soltakss]

On 11/27/2023 at 1:45 AM, Erol of Backford said:

Slightly off topic but would the Lunars have feed humans to animals in the Monster Coliseum for entertainment and if so would they have been from anywhere pending who was at war with them at the time?

Why not? There could be a mythical component, re-enacting a mythical contest.

On 11/27/2023 at 1:45 AM, Erol of Backford said:

Seems to me the Lunars, especially those relating to the blood corn or Shargash would always be interested in getting the blood?

One of the many good things about the Spartacus TV Series was that the Gladiatorial Events could be religious rites, so Spartacus winning an event caused rain that broke a drought. This would work in Glorantha, too.

On 11/27/2023 at 1:45 AM, Erol of Backford said:

On 11/22/2023 at 2:12 PM, French Desperate WindChild said:

Is it only a show or a religious sacrifice?

Guessing its for both and more depending on where the combat is being conducted and how, the participants?

Definitely both, in my Glorantha.

The Ten tests can be seen as a form of Gladiatorial Contests, for example. I vaguely remember the Red Emperor rocking up to kill Sheng Seleris' nephews in their go at the Ten Tests, and also a version where the contestants were permanently killed, for the first time, which caused the spectators/families to be most put out.

[Grievous]

I was thinking of Gloranthan/Lunar gladiators today (having just watched the trailer for Gladiator II obviously) and was wondering whether they're done more as mundane sporting events or as religious observances (or por que no los dos)? That is, if there is a stronger religious component, than are these actual Heroquests and how fantastical does the average gladiatorial contest get? Just throwing around a few RP, you're bringing in the gods to the arena. Then, potentially on a good (holy) day with strong competitors, we might actually see gods duking it out. That is an interesting direction to think about and would make gladiators pretty interesting... I'm just wondering if this kind of thing is a deliberate direction the Lunar Empire would go.

[David Scott]

15 hours ago, Grievous said:

I was thinking of Gloranthan/Lunar gladiators today (having just watched the trailer for Gladiator II obviously) and was wondering whether they're done more as mundane sporting events or as religious observances (or por que no los dos)? That is, if there is a stronger religious component, than are these actual Heroquests and how fantastical does the average gladiatorial contest get? Just throwing around a few RP, you're bringing in the gods to the arena. Then, potentially on a good (holy) day with strong competitors, we might actually see gods duking it out. That is an interesting direction to think about and would make gladiators pretty interesting... I'm just wondering if this kind of thing is a deliberate direction the Lunar Empire would go.

There's a gladiatorial arena in Furthest called the Moirasseum, sacrifices to Hon-eel take place there. Perhaps there will be something on it in the upcoming Dragon Pass book.

[Nick Brooke]

23 minutes ago, David Scott said:

There's a gladiatorial arena in Furthest called the Moirasseum, sacrifices to Hon-eel take place there. Perhaps there will be something on it in the upcoming Dragon Pass book.

As noted earlier in this thread, you can read loads about the Moirasseum in Furthest: Crown Jewel of Lunar Tarsh, inc. illustrations of ten different types of gladiator.

[Jens]

Sadly the Lunars likely never had large enough fleets or naval battles to hold naumachia, but perhaps Belintar held some celebratory staged naval battles in Mirrorsea Bay.

[jajagappa]

7 hours ago, Jens said:

perhaps Belintar held some celebratory staged naval battles in Mirrorsea Bay.

Seems like a definite possibility, particularly after Dormal's ventures.

[Joerg]

On 7/13/2024 at 7:47 AM, Jens said:

 perhaps Belintar held some celebratory staged naval battles in Mirrorsea Bay.

Rather than just a public spectacle, there may have been competitive exercises on ships that reached at the end of their life cycles.

No idea whether participants would be honored elites proving their mettle or whether slacking crews would be given a chance to improve their skills through serious combat experience. Or possibly both.

 

 

[Simon_Bray]

As Nick Brooke says

"As noted earlier in this thread, you can read loads about the Moirasseum in Furthest: Crown Jewel of Lunar Tarsh, inc. illustrations of ten different types of gladiator." I am sure the Dragon Pass book will also contain some exciting stuff about maize and blood, but it won't contain illustrations of ten different types of gladiators!

Simon

Edited August 5 by blackyinkin