Icons of the Arena: A Gladiatorial Arena TTRPG Overview

 Icons of the Arena

A project that I have been working on for some time as I continue my writing and game design journey. I have hopefully found a niche that I can fill with this supplement I'm developing. With it, I believe it is about time to start playtesting the game to get it developed further. I am also hoping I can point folks to this post who are interested to give them a pitch of the game here.

Art by Ash

I certainly do not want it to be misconstrued as a strictly combat focused product. I think that this may have been the case when I was intending to run it at a local convention a few weeks ago. Icons of the Arena is intended to be a blend of both action, downtime, and roleplaying in equal measure, giving players power and control while at the same time, providing the GM with a framework for further adventure and collaborative storytelling.

Furthermore, this is the TL:DR of this post:  Icons of the Arena is focused on spectacular yet ferocious combat in an arena filled to the brim with bloodthirsty spectators, with warriors vying for their adoration and personal glory.

Project Roadmap

I view this project as my first major foray into TTRPG writing and design, and I am treating it as such. Here is what I intend to eventually have developed for this project:

• A core set of rules
• A fully fleshed out city setting to run it in
• Setting and game specific character options for 5e
• Options for implementing the supplement in different systems.

Icons of the Arena Outline

I think a "meta-overview" of gameplay would serve well in communicated exactly how the game will play. Often TTRPGs can be confusing in this sense. The rules are there, the story, setting, theme and tone, but it can be difficult to gauge at first glance how it will play. Blades in the Dark has a wonderful single page spread that accomplishes just that. As a GM and player I really appreciated seeing the game structure at a macro level.

This framework is what I designed Icons of the Arena around. I imagine eventually I will find someone with much more artistic talent than I to create a similar image, or I will do some gruesome photoshopping to depict how Icons will run. For now, I shall use words. I imagine these words will change in the future

Gameplay will progress as follows:

1. Before the bout: Preparation, roleplaying, decision making
2. The Bout: Combat, theatrics, combat focused roleplaying
3. Payout: Rewards, consequences, decisions
4. Downtime: Roleplaying, pursuing projects, open ended.

The process will then repeat itself once the players are ready to enter the arena once again. The intent of the game is to provide enjoyment for all types of players. Obviously the central focus is the combat, but I want to provide times for roleplaying and opportunities for showmanship and other aspects of the tabletop roleplaying game space. 

I draw a lot of inspiration from Blades in the Dark but that game is just so  well designed and written, that I can't help myself. I imagine in the end, it might even become a Forged in the Dark game or a supplement of Agon, but I am hesitant to delve to deep into that ruleset quite yet. D&D still has a firm grip on my heart, but it is loosening as time goes on.