CGR2 - The Complete Gladiator's Handbook

Convict
Whether convicted of a crime, or merely accused by a
templar, the result is always the same-the accused is
branded a criminal. The consequences are imprisonment
and slavery. The unfortunate convict either spends the
remainder of his life at hard labor, or battles for survival in
the arena. For some, the arena is the better choice. Convicts
have nothing to lose and only time to gain.
The convict is a hybrid of fighter and rogue. Convicts
gain certain thieving abilities while in prison. They fight,
earn experience points, and follow levels as a gladiator
(Warrior). Saving throws are made according to the more
favorable class (either Rogue or Warrior). A Strength of
15 and a Dexterity of 15 are required.
Role: Crimes or the whims of their enemies have forced
these gladiators into the arena. Convicts are essentially
slaves, sent to the arena for only one purpose—to provide
as much entertainment as possible before they die. In some
cases, arena combat is used to execute death sentences.
Lenient templars may sentence a criminal to the arena for
a period of years, or to a specific number of games.
Secondary Skills: Convicts may take any secondary skill.
These are the skills they learned before imprisonment.
Weapon Proficiencies: Convicts begin with a specialization
in a one-handed melee weapon of their choice. Their
selection is, however, limited to daggers, blackjacks, and
concealable weapons. This specialization is derived from
skills they learned while trying to stay alive in captivity.
The convicts’ weapon proficiencies are those of rogues
and are restricted by the rogue character class. They may
not specialize in any other weapons.
Nonweapon Proficiencies: Bonus Proficiencies: (Rogue)
Jumping (Warrior) Weapon Improvisation. Recommended:
(General) Bargain, Heat Protection.
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Equipment: If convicts begin the game while incarcerated,
they may buy armor but not weapons. Convicts may
also purchase any nonmagical items before play begins, at
the discretion of the DUNGEON MASTER
(DM). After play begins, they pay market price (see
Special Notes) for any new item until they are either
placed in the games or they escape. If a convict begins the
game outside of prison, equipment is purchased normally.
Special Benefits: Part warrior, part rogue, the convict
gladiator is the best of both. The convict is a multiclass
character. Convicts may learn any three of the Rogue
Thieving Skills (found in the Player’s Handbook and
Dragon Kings). Once the three skills are chosen, they may
never be changed. Racial and Dexterity adjustments
apply. New skills may not be learned unless the kit is
abandoned. Following their imprisonment, they go off into
the world, taking the skills they learned. For every level of
experience obtained, the convict gains an additional 10%
in any one thieving skill used since earning the previous
level.
Special Hindrances: Convicts are branded or tattooed
before being placed in the arena; frequently their hair is
dyed as well. Everyone in the stands knows the crime of
the convict gladiator. Some cities even tattoo patterns on
the convict’s face, in bright colors that can been seen from
a distance. Others brand a crime token on the face or
upper body.
Since both are permanent, it is difficult for a released
convict to find employment anywhere in the region.
These marks make any escaped convicts easy to locate in
a crowd. Unfortunately, freed convicts may be wrongfully
rearrested if they chance to be in the same area where a
crime has been committed.
Wealth Options: If the accused is wealthy enough, the
guards or templars may be bribed for special favors. Not
dyeing the hair or not tattooing the accused are possibili-