The Arena Efreetum

The Arena Sabam is the westernmost arena in the sabban, and it is the larger of the two arenas. It charges from 2cp to 10gp for entrance and mandatory wagers. Its main arena floor houses a chariot track, and the Sabam has five races at highsun on the 4th, 16th, and 28th days of each month. While the norm are gladiators in two-wheeled chariots behind teams of horses, other animals are sometimes used for entertainment or combat value. A capacity crowd flooded the arena to see a “race” between two charioteers and their behir- and hippogriff-drawn chariots (and it took only a moment for the race to become the carnage they had paid to see). As it costs money to attend this arena, the lowest level seats are the cheapest, followed by the uppermost seats at the top of the stadium. The central two levels are the prized seats, the second level exclusively reserved for qayadin ranked military officers, sabbalads, and higher ranked dignitaries. The winning charioteers are always given a chance for freedom. They must race their chariot at top speed past the syl-pasha’s seat, and if they can catch a coin thrown by the pasha (or a designate) during their mad race, they are freed (and often hired into the syl-pasha’s household as a chariot driver).

The easternmost arena gained the nickname the Efreetum by the Qysar Shoon II after its many entry pillars carved like towering gouts of flame. The arena showcases combats among captive monsters, gladiatorial slaves, and wild animals of all sorts on the 10th day of each month and on each of the holidays (Midwinter, Shieldmeet, Greengrass, Midsummer, Higharvestide, and the Feast of the Moon). All classes of people attend the Efreetum, as it charges no admission. Where it makes its money is its tradition: All attendees “vote” on who should win the battles by flinging coins at the combatant they wish to see defeated (and throwing more expensive coins serves to add to one’s social status when noticed). As expected (and desired), the constant stinging of coins excites and angers most monsters and animals, distracts many gladiators, and also provides dangerous ground upon which to tight. At the end of a day’s battles, the ground within the arena is covered in coins and gore, making the last battle of the day particularly treacherous. In general, the Arena Efreetum has never seen a day of games draw in less than 3,200 gold pieces in coins of all denominations and origins. The gladiator'’s chance to be freed is to catch three silver (or better) coins on the fly, and then defeat his opponent to present the coins before the syl-pasha'’s vizar (who must be in attendance whether the syl-pasha is or not).