The Sands

About

Throughout Annexea, fighting pits, pugilism rings, and other arenas, are present in nearly all cultures, mostly underground, and quasi legal. Anyone who thinks they have the skills to be a fighter, or owns ferocious animals that might be pitted against others for sport, may try their luck at wagering on the outcome of such matches.

Fighters and spectators refer to the collective arenas, pits, and simple outdoor rings as The Sands, as most fighting circles have a layer of sand on the ground to soften the impact of falls, and soak up any shed blood.

History

Person on person violence is seen as part of life in most cultures, but in The Sands it has become a spectator sport. Oft times the participants do not hold a particular grudge against each other, unless they have faced off in the past and there is some bad blood between them. Some locales have fighters toss in their purse as a means of self-backing, but most fighters are sponsored by some financial backer covering the wagers against their fighter.

Legality

In most civilized lands, duels and sometimes common brawling, are prohibited as a matter of keeping the peace. Organized fighting as a sport has no official recognition by any government, so it is skirting the line between brawling and duels. If outside of public eye, they are overlooked, or tolerated. Often the very persons responsible for enforcing such laws attend these fights themselves to try a wager. In general, there are no laws against fighting itself, or gambling on the outcome.

Advertising

Advertising bouts or locations is usually just by word of mouth, although some pamphlets may circulate for a new venue that is opening and hoping to catch the eye of interested parties.

Rules

Individual pit keepers may make rules as they see fit. Also the fighters themselves may agree on how far the fight goes, what moves are allowed or forbidden. Most people can't read, so writing such down wouldn't serve. Any fighter who takes a fight to far, or breaks said rules will be censured, and denied access to the sands in all but the most despicable of pits. Ones reputation as a fair fighter means a lot amongst those engaging in such bouts. Fighting dirty is typically seen as a lack of skill and honour. Being barred access would cover many venues, and getting blacklisted is career ending for fighters.

Persons

Galen Silaj (pit fighter)

Vocias (retired fighter)

Stories

Fight (fifty word fantasy)