A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine. Though you had no choice in the matter, you’ve fought for the entertainment of the masses for the majority of your life. The bloodsport is all you know.
Enslaved as a bloody entertainer you dreamed every night of either the horrors you witnessed in the arena or the freedom you could some day earn. After countless victories, many close calls, and hordes of gold your master finally granted you the rudis, the wooden sword of a freed gladiator. Rudiarius, he called you and set you on your way with a relatively small portion of the earnings, your rudis, and your favored weapons and armor.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Performance, Intimidation
- Tool Proficiencies: A dice set
- Languages: Common, Undercommon
- Equipment: An inexpensive but unusual weapon (one of your choice), [Tooltip Not Found], and a pouch containing 150 gp, [armor]chainmail [/armor], a rudis (wooden sword of freedom)
You can always find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your performance makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Suggested Characteristics
Successful gladiators have to be able to capture and hold an audience’s attention, so they tend to fight with flair or brutality. Whether it’s witty quips or 100 creative ways to dismember your opponent, you know how to rile a crowd up.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I know a story relevant to almost every situation. |
| 2 | Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip. |
| 3 | Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension. |
| 4 | I love a good insult, even one directed at me. |
| 5 | I’m a bit of a showman, I know what the crowd likes. I may give it to them or I may not. |
| 6 | I’m haunted by the horrors I was forced to commit agains friends and enemies in the arena. |
| 7 | I’m the best at what I do. Fair fight or not, I’ll take on the lot of ya. |
| 8 | The arena had an upside, fame. I never turn down free ale or other pleasures my renown has earned me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I used to fight for survival, now I fight for others’ survival.(Good) |
| 2 | Everything has its purpose. I may have my freedom, but I’m still bound by the laws of society. (Lawful) |
| 3 | My rudis is a symbol of my freedom. I do what I want, when I want. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | My bloodlust was never satisfied in the arena, the world is my arena. (Evil) |
| 5 | My freedom is mine and your freedom is yours. Leave me be. (Neutral) |
| 6 | A fight is a fight, show me your worth with action not words. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My rudis is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love. |
| 2 | Someone stole my precious rudis, and someday I’ll get it back. |
| 3 | I want to be famous, whatever it takes. |
| 4 | I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that person’s. |
| 5 | I will do anything to prove myself superior to my hated rival. |
| 6 | I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’ll do anything to win fame and renown. |
| 2 | I’m a sucker for a pretty face. |
| 3 | I murdered my only friend in the arena just to survive and wish I would’ve let kill me instead. |
| 4 | I once went into a frenzy and tore a mans throat out with my teeth, I fear I may lose control again. |
| 5 | I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. |
| 6 | Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends. |
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