25.25 The Battlearena and the Chetwood.

The concept of the 'arena' is used in Avalon to signify a gladiatorial area, with set limits, generally a little self-contained region whose express purpose is combat (be it player versus player or between legions). The battleisle is a version of the 'arena' concept (see HELP BATTLEISLE) but Avalon has two specific arena spaces that are commonly used by deities and citizens alike - for competitions, for quests, for fight practice, for challenges and group combats within sets of locations - the Battlearena and the Chetwood. While in the Battlearena, which is accessible to mortals (via the city Quest Master and Justice Ministerm, or a guild's Master and Head Tutor) equipment depletion is suspended and experience loss likewise ceases. Check out HELP COMPETITOR for information.

Access to the Battlearena is gained via the Rock Pinnacle, where a great spirit gateway is opened by the Quest Master/Justice Minister or Guildmaster/Head Tutor at times when a combat contest or group fight practice/masterclass is to be carried out. The arena-starter in charge also declares COMPETITOR status (or removes it) and defines any special rules for the arena.

To get from Avalon to the distant island on which the arena is held, one simply enters the gateway at the rock pinnacle. This will whisk you across the Southern Seas, to an 'Audience Chamber' location. In the Audience Chamber it is possible to watch everything in the arena, so it is a perfect place for spectators and teachers to watch the competitors.

From the Audience Chamber there is an OUT exit which takes you into the arena itself - the self-contained microworld in which depletion of equipment and loss of experience is protected and all melee abilities work. It is a near-complete simulation, therefore, of combat in Avalon itself. The arena remains open and the gateway linking Avalon to the arena locations remains in place until whoever opened it subsequently declares it closed.

The Chetwood arena is accessible only by the deities and tends to form part of broader gemquests or worldwide competitions. See HELP QUESTMASTER for info on the Quest Master role and commands (Justice Ministers may wish to review this helpfile too) and HELP HEADTUTOR for info on the guild's head tutor and command-set (Guildmasters may review this for commands pertaining to the arena).

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