Bloodlust: The Arena

*this is based on a book I read recently.*

plot: In the Domains of the Chosen, magic is power.

For those born with the Gift, this power comes with a heavy price. Those with magic are seen as living weapons of mass-destruction that must be controlled at all costs, due to their role in the Reckoning, an apocalyptic war that still scars the land. To keep their magic, they must take up the path of the Gladiator, and earn their freedom by fighting for the bloodthirsty crowds that both adore and abhor their kind. It's a harsh life, but those favored few who become champions hae a chance to join the ranks of the immortal and exalted Chosen. So idealistic young Gifted struggle with the brutal realities of the arena, wondering if they will ever have a chance at glory.

Fresh from training an unlikely group forms the nexus of a team of Gladiators destined for greatness. Together they will shed their blood, challenge nightmarish monsters, and strive to survive the deadly trials of the Great Games. And yet, none of this could prepare them for the challenges that await them outside the arena, where powerful forces seek to contol those who would become champions. If they are to survive and prosper, they must do so by writing their fortunes in the sand of the arena with blood, spell, and steel!

But what price victory?

Spoiler

Gladiator Teams are made up of five different types of fighters. Stratego, Sword, Shield, Shiv, and Spell.

Stratego- This position belongs to the team strategist and tactictian. The guy who never stops thinking. Generally solid fighters who outhink their opponents, go anywhere do anything types. As the planner, they are also often the team leader. More then anything it's a Stratego's job to corral his team-mates into a cohesive whole. They work well under pressure but can stumble if things don't go as planned.

Sword-Almost always the point man in a fight. Sword's have strong offensive magics and are capable warriors. But they are reckless, often heedless of danger. Highly independent they can sometimes forget about their team mates in the heat of battle.

Shield- The defence to Sword's offence. A good Shield is always ready to backup his comrades in a pinch. They have great stamina and endurance and a high tolerance for pain, allowing them to take a charge head on and barely move. They tend to be cautious and hesitant to jump right into a mess.

Shiv- Shiv's are generally considered sneaky and underhanded. They'll often use magic to enhance their physical abilities or to hide their passage. They love to get up close and personal for their kills. But more often then not, a Shiv's number one concern is looking after their own skin.

Spell- Spell's specialize almost completely in magic and are almost always hopeless when it comes to physical combat. They are still trained with weapons but prefer to rely on magic. Unlike other Gladiators who rely on rote abilities, a Spell can tailor his powers to the situation, within reason.

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Rules: Rules are the same as usual no god-moding no killing off characters without permission. Etc, etc... There are ten slots in all on two teams of five.
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Character: Please followe this Character profile.

Name-
Age-
Gender-
Race- (This is a fantasy storybook after all.)
Position-
Appearance-
Personality-
History-
Physical Abilities-
Magical Abilities-
Other-
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Team 1: Lions
Stratego- Camulaeus: Talia Greil
Sword- Sylverdawn: Rydan Fayrlane
Shield- RedBird: Micah Varnex
Shiv- LoyalHeart: Angel Raziel
Spell- TickSeed: Tallulah “Tulah” Keziah

Team 2: Scorpions
Stratego-
Sword-
Shield-
Shiv- Redfang18: Niran Neptune
Spell-

*If anyone has better suggestions for team names, feel free.*

Name- Talia Greil

Age- 23

Gender- Female

Race- Human

Position- Lions - Stratego

Appearance-

Spoiler

Personality- Ruthless and fearless, Talia tackles any challenge with a level head and an unrelenting, quiet, determination. She prefers to lead by example, and focuses solely on leading her team to victory, preferring to avoid talking about the reason they have to fight. She does not show much emotion, but she understands it, and is a master of pep talks. In combat she prefers to wield the group like an ax, commanding strong, reliable attacks. However, like when using an axe, if the the first blow misses, it's hard for her to adjust and swing again.

History- Talia grew up as the sole offspring of a prostitute and a Gladiator champion. She and her father never met, but she heard of his exploits from the satisfied patrons of her mother, in the early bits of the morning before they left. She was quiet from the start, and watched over her mother's emotions with a cold indifference. As she aged, the self-loathing her mother buried deep within her came bursting out, and in these moments of sorrow and anger, Talia rose to the occasion and calmed her mother down. She knew from a very young age that she was Gifted, and tried to hide it from everyone except the ruthless interrogators.. Eventually, her mother lost this knowledge too in her madness. Talia watched as her own mother lost all sense of awareness, and sank into a pit of insanity not even the most arousing of Talia's speeches could alleviate her from. This was due to not only her hatred of her profession, but the idea that the only kind of life her only daughter could have was one of bloodshed and unavoidable death. Given no choice, Talia ended her mothers contract with her brothel with a few words and some axe play, then left her in the care of the clergy. She then focused all her attention on becoming a victorious Gladiator, so that she could live and prove her mother's worries wrong, to the small secret hope that it would cure her of her madness. Some small part of her hoped to finally meet her father- Fergus "The Flame" Greil - but she quickly learned that he had died over six years ago. She became a part of a new team of Gladiators -the Lions, and contributed her sharp mind to the role of Stratego.

Physical Abilities- She is an incredibly strong person, despite her appearance, and she is able to whip her poleax around with a frighteningly accurate vigor. She is not supreme in her agility and overall speed, but she has high endurance, and makes up for her lack of backflips by barreling through the obstacles others jump over.

Magical Abilities: Magical fire is her life blood, and she wields it like a second skin. At a the merest thought, flames roar around her in a white-hot armor, and can be funneled through concentration into powerful blasts. Most commonly, she keeps it close to her person, to burn up any arrows or other projectiles that might come too close.

Other- Her father was a Shield for a former team, utilizing similar fire-based powers. In his time, he was moderately famous.

*Great profile, just one problem. All children in the Domains are tested for magic three times a year. And if by some miracle they succeed in concealing their magic, it's a crime punishable by death. Treason of the highest order. There's no way the law would let an unregisterd Gifted just walk up and introduce themself. A bit like putting your neck in the noose.*

Name- Rydan Fayrlane
Age- 19
Gender- male
Race- Avariel/human hybrid (winged elf)
Position- Lion Sword

Appearance- http://c2.api.ning.com/files/FFpYGBNdyv ... Winged.jpg

Personality- Headstrong, proud and independent, with a terminal case of curiosity. Rydan has zero respect for authority and it will likely take a few good thumps to get him to fall in line. He thirsts for glory as much as freedom and wants desperately to make his parents proud. He wears the mask of a cocky warrior but deep down he's a young man, with a young man's insecurities. Raised in the campus of magic his entire life, without even the few brief holidays a Gladiator in training is permitted, Rydan is clueless about the outside world and he knows it. Rydan has a soft spot for children and small animals. Fiercely loyal once you earn his respect.

History- The son of one of the few immortal Chosen couples. Rydan's parents are both hundreds of years old. Almost unheard of, the few Chosen children are always incredibly Gifted, and mortal. As the laws of the Domains dictate Gifted children are not raised in the outside world. The moment he was born Rydan was enrolled in the Gladiator's College, the school where all young Gladiators train, and he never left until graduation a month ago.
His entire childhood has been one of ruthless preperation for the Games. Because Rydan knows the odds are stack against him. Despite their talents, not a single Chosen child has ever made it through the Games alive.

Physical Abilities- Well among other things Rydan has a pair of jet black wings. However since he won't reach his majority until he turns twenty-five he is only capable of short flights. In combat he favors the twin sword style and his blades are an odd cross between a rapier and a scimitar. Swift and agile, capable of incredible acrobatic feets both on the ground and in the air. Rydan is a versatile warrior who has fout countless practice matches. But like most Swords he has a tendency to get in over his head. Rydan moves like a cat, all lithe grace.

Magical Abilities- As a Chosen child Rydan's magic developed in two different directions. He has inherited the weather magic of his father's race and often uses it to harness lightning, as for wind and water he's still mastering those. He also has an affinity for life magic which allows him to read the minds of monsters and beasts and to heal wounds even more swiftly then the body of a Gifted already does.

Other-Rydan is going to need some help from his team mates, considering how naive he is about the outside world.

Name- Angel Raziel

Age- 17

Gender- F

Race- (This is a fantasy storybook after all.) Human

Position- Shiv

Appearance- She is a short girl, her hair is black and her eyes a stormy gray. her nails are given a blood red and dark blue pattern, like one would be red the next would be blue. She would wear a dark blouse and half jacket with a pair of solid black skin tight jeans. She has a sunglasses, if stared into in sunlight you can see in her eyes.

Personality- Angel is Shiv, shes a "go with the flow" kind of girl. In which she sticks back and watches her teammates do all the fighting for her. She doesn't show off her powers in public, she prefers to use them in private. She's a clever girl when she wants to be, and when she does she normally looks smarter than the Stratego. If shes forced to step up and fight, then she'll try to wait it out for when all her teammates are knocked out or dead. With her sword slinged on her back she picks and chooses who the best target to humiliate the most out of the enemy team.

History- Angel grew up with no champion father or mother, matter of fact she grew up in a family of Masters. A family that would devote talents to a certain area of skill, her mother was a master of stealth and strategy. How to "Kill stealthy", her father was a master of weapons and survival. They had a single daughter who had inherited reflexes, strength and base knowledge of there masters. But not one person in the family has magic, until now. Angel is the first in the family to have magic, the first in the family to become a gladiator, first to have magic. Except, Angel wasn't a team player and was easily considered a Shiv because of this, and how fitting that the offspring of a Master of Stealth and Strategy. And a Master of Weapons and Survival, yet doesn't have the motivation or the care in the world to actually fight.

Physical Abilities- Physically shes fast and furious, has the greatest overall speed and reflexes of her team. But has the least amount of motivation to win the games, and finally in battle she is the prime example of what a "Master" of the Raziel family is.

Magical Abilities- She has three, Clocking, a powerful shockwave, and the ability to temporarily absorb someone elses power. The one she absorbs is completely random.

Other- She has a rather large sword, a pair of sunglasses, and finally a fake plastic gun that looks VERY real.

Name- Micah Varnex

Age- 17

Gender- male

Race- Mostly human, but has some Fae blood from a few generations back.

Position- Lion Shield

Appearance- Micah is tall and lithe, courtesy of his Fae heritage, with flaming red hair and blue eyes. He is very pale, but also covered in freckles. His hair is shoulder length, but he keeps it tied back almost all of the time. Although he is somewhat scrawny, he is quite strong. He generally wears sturdy, light-weight clothing, comfortable boots and an old leather long coat that belonged to his deceased father.

Personality- Despite the terrible situation he lives in, Micah is a generally positive person. He's always there for his friends and does whatever he can to look after them, both in and out of the arena, even though many of them are older than him. He always tries to look forward, and never dwells on the past. The only part of his past life he hangs onto is his dad's old coat. He can be sarcastic occasionally, but is almost always upbeat.

History- From the very beginning, it was clear that Micah had magic. He was always getting into trouble around the house and neighborhood, levitating things, making them disappear, general stuff like that. His ather tried to cover it up, but the first time Micah was tested, it was obvious and he was taken to Gladiator training. His father died when he was thirteen of a consumptive disease, and he never knew his mother, as she died in childbirth. He has been training as a Shield for a very long time and has yet to fail at saving his team members.

Physical abilities- For his Sizemore he is incredibly strong and can wield a broadsword with ease, although his weapons of choice are two short swords or a bow. He can run for long periods of time without tiring.

Magical abilities- He has two main powers, telekinesis and the creation and manipulation of illusions. He can move objects up to the size of a large boulder with his mind, and can create almost any illusion you can think of.

Other- up for love

Alright we just need a Spell and then we're good to go. Those who wish to form the Scorpion team can come in as the story progresses.

Sorry about the misunderstanding in my profile earlier - I'll edit it accordingly

Name- Tallulah “Tulah” Keziah
Age- 17
Gender- F
Race- (This is a fantasy storybook after all.) Elven
Position- Lion Spell
Appearance-

Spoiler

http://weheartit.com/entry/31479189

Tallulah has extremely long hair that is firmly coiled atop her head when in the arena. She also has very pale skin that has the look and temperature of snow. Due to her elven nature, Tulah is much smaller than her teammates, barely reaching five feet.

Personality- Tallulah is a very guarded quiet person, she operates mostly on the principle of only speaking when spoken too. She is polite, and behaves in an aristocratic manner. She has a habit of having internal conversations and arguments with herself. She likes the cold, and is know for her poker face.

Despite this, Tulah’s emotions tend to swing back and forth, this is noticeable in her tone. Despite her iciness Tulah warms up to people very easily, although she doesn’t show it. She’s feels insecure, mostly due to her being very young and completely inexperienced compared to the others. more than willing to speak her mind if she has too, but the lack of verbal communication has made her eyes sharp and perspective.

History- Tallulah parents were low ranking elven nobles due to their affinity to ice rather than plants. Tulah was raised and groomed by her parents, in order to improve their family’s standing. As a noble, Tulah had always had an affinity for ice magic, but it wasn’t til her first test that she realized how strong her

capabilities really were. Instead of a ladies finishing school, Tulah was sent to be trained. Her preference still leans towards ice related spells, but her range is much broader now due to training. Tulah hopes to succeed as a gladiator and give her family the standing she was born to give.

Physical Abilities- Tulah as a spell and a royal, is very frail and fragile. However, due to years of dance and archery lessons, Tulah is quick on her feet.

Magical Abilities- Due to her nature as both an ice mage and spell, Tallulah has very sharp, honed magical abilities. She prefers to use her natural inclination of ice manipulation but is skilled in other areas as well. Her weakest ability is manipulation of plants.

Other- Up for love

*Alright let's get this thing on a roll.*

Rydan:

Ry stood in the Gladiator's Gate, concealed from the crowds that filled the Campus Arena. This was his first real fight and was very important, not least because afterwards he would leave the Campus grounds for the first time in his life. It was also the day he would choose his team, or it would choose him.

Fifteen students were particpating in the match, but only five would Graduate and become gladiators. The match was simple, all fifteen gladiators would enter the Arena. The fighters needed to form a team as quickly as possible and fight the other teams, because only one team would walk through the Gate of Victory.

"I'm sorry young master, your parents..." The grizzled former gladiator gazed at his student. Few people had a family situation as complicated as Rydan's.

"Are busy governing their Domains, I know Olus." Rydan smiled softly and drew his swords as the crisp sound of trumpets pealed through the arena."You better get to the stands old man. You wouldn't want to miss watching me win." He called over his shoulder as he stepped through the gate and onto the white sands of the pit.

Angel Raziel

I slung my sword onto my shoulders as I walked forward, my mom and dad would be watching me as I fought in these games. I had been taught everything about survival and weapons and ways to kill thanks to my mom and dad, but I had my own way of killing. I soon overhear some cocky guy talking big like he had the games won already, fat chance. I had a one and five chance of coming out alive, chances only go down when a teammate was killed.

"What a drag." I said aloud.

I soon lean against a wall as I looked at some other person, I smiled as I wanted to freak somebody out. I took out my plastic gun I had in my pants and pointed it at the closest persons head, and waited for them to notice me. Soon he turned his head and looked at me seeing the gun.

"Bang, bang." I said boringly after a few seconds.

Tallulah:

I had been standing near the dark haired boy, considering whether to ask for an alliance. Maybe it would be best to see his class and capabilities before approaching. My eyes are half lidded, feeling sleepy from the heat. I had spent my entire life so far in the coolness of my native north, and was having a hard time adapting. This grogginess disappeared when I turned to see a girl raise a gun up.

I raise my finger slightly to form a shard of ice before flicking it, pinning the girl’s gun to the wall. “Perhaps the dark haired Miss should focus more on protecting herself, and less on playing with toys.” I suggest. I didn’t think I was impolite with my request, but the girl did not seem happy with me. I glance briefly at the ground.

"I am sorry for breaking your toy, it was rude of me. As an apology, would you mind adopting me as your spell?” I bow a little, no need to be impolite. I thought it might please the girl to have a noble submit to her, but she only scowled at me. I frowned slightly, and decided it would be best to follow the dark haired girl into the areana. I had the feeling that having my back to this girl was not a good idea.

|Talia|

The sand crunched underneath my armored boots as I strode into the arena. Immediately, I scanned the entire stadium, assigning roles to people who looked like they could fit the part. To my left a dark haired girl leant against a wall, a scowl on her face. Behind her, another girl with much lighter hair looked like she would be blown apart by the wind. Judging by the icy steam rising from her fingertips, and the obviously plastic gun slowly thawing out from the wall, she was an Ice Mage. It would be wise to join with a Spell early, I thought, so that I could protect her long enough for her skills to come in handy later. The other girl in front of her looked too slim and small to be a Shield, so I took the inquisitive approach.

"You- sunglasses" I said. She looked at me with scorn.
"What's it to you?"
"Sword or Shiv?"
She cocked an eyebrow and stood up. She breathed in, as if she was smelling me, before summoning my trademark flame armor around her. My face remained impassive as I said "So if your'e a copycat, your probably not much of a Sword. I could use a Shiv"
"And a Spell?" the fragile girl trotted up, seeming to be eager in finding a team. I didn't blame her- she wouldn't last long without a Shield to protect her while she prepared her Spells.
"Sure" I replied, "But first I'll need to know both of your names"

Spoiler

Please note that Angel has to touch the character in order to use there power, which provides limeted acess to there powers unless she remains in constant physical contact.

Angel Raziel

"Angel of the Raziel family." I said.

"A member of the Raziel family? First time I ever saw one come to the arena." She said.

"It's because I'm first in the family to have magic, unlike the other members in my family." I said.

I release the magic of the flame armor and use whats left to thaw out my gun, last thing I needed was to buy a new one. I wasn't exactly poor, but I had this fake gun for most of my life. Losing it would be like losing a part of my childhood, last thing I wanted to happen. Looking this woman over, I could tell already that she would be the leader to lead the team. I cared little for what happened in the team, I made my way out into the sun. Other's were joining up and we were running out of options, I was running out of mates to join up with.

Tallulah-

I curtsy slightly to the woman as I introduce myself, what can I say old habits die hard. “Tallulah Keziah, heiress to the tribe of the elven north, milady.” The woman smirks and smacks me firmly on the back. I try my best to keep from toppling over.

“No need to be so stiff, I’m definitely no one’s ‘lady’ little miss Tulah.” She seems good natured enough, if a bit rough around the edges. I think rubbing my back a little, maybe I should mention my name isn’t exactly Tulah. I suppose it doesn’t matter much.

Angel (what an ironic name for her.) seems not to care either of us, and just goes back to her wall. Funny how she doesn’t seem interested in the hands she has decided to put her life in, yet is upset over a little toy. I’m sure once I get to know her, we’ll get along swimmingly.

“Right then, Miss… Talia. I will assume you will act as our Stratego?” I inquire, and she replies in the affirmative. I look about the arena a bit nervously; everyone else already seems to have their teams in order. The last thing I needed was to have the fighting start without protection. “I think, it would be a very good idea to find a shield for me, before we are to engage in battle, yes?”

Rydan:

"Those three didn't even notice me dissapear on them. Guess they never had formal training." Rydan thought, surveying the scene from where he perched overhead on the high wall that protected the audience, raven wings spread wide for balance.

A movement caught his attention and Rydan turned his head. Spying Mort and Bald sneaking up on the trio. The brutes were longtime rivals of his and Rydan knew for a fact they had formed their team before the match even began. Rydan pointed his sword at the sand in front of the duo. Thunder cracked as blue-white lightning flashed across the space and sent a cloud of sand exploding into the air.

Flaring his wings Rydan stepped off the ledge landing silently behind the power. He flung an arm over each boys shoulder. The friendly gesture was somewhat ruined by the sabres he held at their throats. "Now, now, you two know it's not nice, or safe, to attack a group of women gladiators." He tsked, grinning devilishly at the trio that had whirled around at his lightning strike. "Ladies." Rydan greeted them. "Looking for a Sword?"