Barsoom is dying. Howsoever the peoples of that planet struggle, their world hurtles inexorably toward its terminus. Such conditions breed harsh weather and harsher men and women. Yet, unlike the disparate nations of our Earth (Jasoom), in those circumstances most dire and testing, a majority of Barsoomians cleave to honor rather than raw savagery.
Ah, but there is savagery — vast gulfs exist between those living in the towering spindles of Helium and those eking out an existence in oppressive slums and dangerous wastes, where the wise go heavily armed, and slavery is routine. It is in these deplorable, latter conditions the player characters begin their first venture into this beautiful but deadly landscape.
As we begin our adventure, the fearsome green Martians known as the Warhoon have captured you and are forcing you to fight for sport and amusement in their legendary pits. There is not a moment’s breath to worry over death, for, even now, you are pushed out of your pens into the stark Barsoomian sun.
Piercing sunlight lanced down into the bloody sand from the circular opening of the arena. Cheering Warhoons cried their bloodlust into the hot day's dying light. The gladiatorial arena was at least seventy feet deep. It was sheer and unclimbable without inviting attacks from the Warhoons above. A dome made from the bones of some great, unnamed beast formed a cage atop the pit.
This place was unusual for such Warhoon pits, which were usually uncovered to afford a better view of their captives’ demise, a fact that any Barsoomian native with experience with the green horde would know.
However, there was no time for speculation, as a group of gladiators advanced to the
Arena Center. Among them were four capable warriors — two red Martians and two Tharks. They charged without mercy as the captors closed the gates to the pens behind the newcomers, cruel and hateful laughter on their tongues.
"Fight," the guard shouted from behind the closed gate,
"or die on your knees!"
In the sand, along the
Arena Edge and covered in blood and gore, laid a pile of swords and daggers. Among the diminished weapons were several newer additions. There were precious few seconds left to grab armaments. The first spear was already in flight, headed straight at the newcomers.
Scene Details:
Adversaries: Two Tharks and two Red Martians (armed and dangerous)
Allies: A Jasoomian male, and a Red Martian woman
Luck: Players begin with a number of Luck points equal to their lowest attribute
Zones [Ranges]: if you are in same Arean Section [Near], Adjacent Section [Away], Non-adjacent Section [Far], Arena Dome [Far]
Special: Spend 2 Momentum or Threat to have the Human or Red Martian ally distract the enemy, or intervene on your behalf.
The Gladiators are armed with swords and daggers. They stay within the Center zone where two groups of throwing spears are stuck in the sand, point down. The Red Martians are going to grab the spears and hurl them at the newcomers. The weapons lying in the dirt are in Immediate range to you; these are a collection of swords, daggers, and pole arms. Each player character has time to grab one weapon of their choice. Any core equipment a character possesses is found here as well unless it doesn't make sense. In which case, that player gets +2 momentum.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:37, Sat 18 July 2020.