The Pit
by Chasmyr
Located at 8,3
Get the map here.

he Pit is a dive of a different sort. The big attraction is watching some suicidal twerp get his/her/its brains bashed in. The Pit caters to anything that can get itself through the doors. Any one who wishes may enter the ring, but not all that wish to may leave it. All fights are to the death. No magic is allowed in any fight. If psionics are used in a noticeable fashion, they will be assumed to be magic and will be treated as such. Mages, clerics, or psionicists who demonstrate their special skills here will be bloodily beaten and killed by the angry mob that once cheered them on, if they are caught. Any and all bets are made on a frequent basis. Lives are gambled here. Some have even been won.
Description: The lighting here is very poor, but not so poor that infravision works. The only lights are from smoky candles mounted in spill proof lamps about the main and lower room. The barmaids, several sporting scars from previous events, saunter around the room clad in form fitting leather armor. The crowd is obviously of a rougher persuasion. Smoke from the candles, among other things, hides the ceiling from view. There is a strong smell of sewers in here that the pungent scent of unwashed bodies does little to dispel. The only rule here-don't touch the barmaids.
1)Description: This rickety table passes for a bar with an old bookshelf underneath of it. A one eyed orc named Xanthril runs the bar and is capable of mixing most any drink that one could desire from such a low class joint as this. There is a small, round table next to the XXXX wall where he places drinks for the girls to deliver. A row of stools in front of the bar allows some toughs to belly right up to it. A massive battle-axe is embedded in the floor so as to bar entry behind the bar. The floor is chewed up there from excessive use of this nicked and scarred axe.
Referee: Xanthril is a 5th level orcish warrior. He is specialized in the battle-axe, and the two-handed weapon style. Xanthrils battle-axe (currently stuck in the floor) is a battle-axe +2, orcish(this "orchish" weapon enhancement is a racial enhancement. This axe will only work for an orc). Xanthrils only stats that are above average are his STR(18(00)), Dex(16), and INT(14). He will not hesitate to use said battle axe to maximum effect in this room and has been known to throw it across the room to split a human octopus in two who refused to let go of a barmaid. Xanthril is very aggressive about protecting his barmaids. Under the small table is a trapdoor with a ladder going down. This door sees use in the daytime for restocking the liquor supply, and occasional use at night for quick escapes from the city guard.
2)Description: This is the common area in front of the pit. Several benches and trestle tables are tottering here. Most bear the signs of rough use. Small metal drains are in the dirt-covered floor. A 4'-high rickety railing attempts to hold customers back from the entertainment.
Referee: There could be anyone in the crowd. Bets are constantly being exchanged before and during a fight.
3)Description: This is the entrance to the Pit. A tattered, dirty curtain covers the door, preventing outsiders from viewing the gory night entertainment's within. A huge human bouncer stands just inside of the door.
Referee: The bouncer is there primarily to direct would-be contestants to the lower level for entry into the fights. He will also bounce anyone who breaks Xanthrils rule, and anyone else he feels is being a pain in the ass. He will give newcomers one warning and one warning only. After that, he may bounce them into the street, or into the pit for a little "fun".
4)Description: These stairs go down to the lower level, where the pit-fights may be viewed through an iron grating. This level is even more poorly lit than above and those persons with infravision will find themselves quite at home.
Referee: N/A
5)Description: This 30'x30' area is set 2' below the rest of the lower level. A step rises up to an archway in the iron grating that allows access to the pit. The pit floor is covered by a foot and a half of water. Sewer water. An iron grating allows revelers to view the fight on two sides. The other sides are undressed, cut stone. Moss grows on the grating and wall.
Referee: The floor is extremely slick from algae that tends to grow here. Any persons wounded have a 10% chance per wound of getting a serious infection. The infections effects are up to the DM. The grating runs from floor to ceiling and the door into the pit is barred from the outside till a winner is declared.
6)Description: This is the lower level common area and would be completely dark save for a dim light filtering through the pit grating and the grates from the floor above. Some trestle tables and benches are scattered about the room. Occasionally spills from above splash down on the drinkers here from above. Small gutters run across the floor, under the grating, and into the pit. The stench of the sewers is extremely strong here.
Referee: There is a secret door in the north wall allowing access to area seven. It is frequently used by customers who must go to and from through the sewer door.
7)Description: This 10'x20' area has one table behind which a large orcish female lounges. Two walls are made of tapestries, behind which, a dim light can be seen. A loaded heavy crossbow rests on the table.
Referee: The orcish female is Xanthra, Xanthrils sister. She is a 2nd level warrior and is specialized in the crossbow that is resting on the table. She has STR 18(17), DEX(15), and INT(15). She will not hesitate to shot persons trying to come through either secret door without first being allowed to by her. She can operate either door from where she lounges against the wall. These doors open via levers built into the walls.
8)Description: This is are contains several kegs of what smells like a strong mix of liquor and sewer water. A few empty bottles await refilling along one wall.
Referee: This is the liquor locker for the Pit. The floor and walls have mold and moss growing on them.
9)Description: This small room has a pile of rags in one corner, and a small slop bucket in another. Mold and moss grows everywhere.
Referee: This small room is used by members of the House of Greed who make prior arrangments with Xanthril. It is normally empty and unused as it is extremely smelly, and of course, moldy.
DM Notes: There are fights nightly at the Pit. The number and type varies from night to night. It might be man vs animal one night, then animal vs animal or man vs man the next. And so on and so forth. Prizes vary from as little as 50gp to 50,000gp depending on the betting and the value thereof. People have been known to go in free and come out slaves. It is entirely at Xanthril's discretion as to the sort of fight and the stakes.