The Pit of Black Death
is the official arena of Urik. By all accounts, it is
also the most brutal arena in the Tablelands. The
arena is made from an ancient obsidian quarry pit
and still contains plenty of obsidian on its floors
and walls. The countless obsidian shards and fine
glass dust are constantly fused by templars with
spells to create razor-sharp glass jutting out
everywhere, that encompasses the entire perimeter
of the arena. Templars are also known to create large jagged
obsidian pillars called the Staves of Hamanu,
which are several feet thick and create razor sharp
protrusions used by combatants to push their
opponents into. The Staves of Hamanu range from
five feet to fifteen feet in height. A combination
of the fused obsidian glass and the unforgiving heat
of the sun create an almost unbearable heat that
causes the temperature to rise 10 to 20 degrees
higher than normal, reaching its height during the
midday sun. The heat is such, that it can burn
flesh with a touch.
The pit also is notable for requiring every spectator
to stand for the entirety of a match. There are no
seats.
When king Hamanu occasionally attends he
also stands alongside his templars for the entirety
of the combat.
Just across from the Pit lies the arena compound,
a multi-level brick structure that is the receiving
area for all competitors, slaves and monsters slated
for combat in the Pit of Black Death. Within this
large compound are several cages which are made
of iron and can hold powerful creatures as large as
a mekillot and as tall as a giant. In addition, there
are underground rooms that connect with the arena
where creatures and gladiators prepare, or are held
until they participate in the games. Templars and
other specialists skilled in magic or beast handling
from the bureau managing the arena are always
present.
The Code of Hamanu mandates that all betting
of more than 10 ceramics occur through the king’s
gambling house located in the first level of the
compound. This is in part to ensure bettors meet
their obligations, but also so that the city gets to
tax all the transactions. Attempts to circumvent
this process usually ends in forfeiture of all
winnings to the king’s treasury. This of course is
subject to the vigilant templars working the arena
zone, who apply the king’s laws in varying degrees
of efficiency depending on how well they are
compensated.