For a moment Alex thought he stepped into ancient Greece. He also realized that it looked familiar. The stone pillars and designs reminded him of the tunnel he had walked through just a day before. The designs and art on display was more colorful and polished compared to the worn down and cracked stone from the tunnel. He walked forward and admired it as he followed the other caravan members.
Alex followed the hallway and was quickly ushered out into the main city. A towering obelisk stood in the square. Around it were several water fountains. Benches lined the side as people walked about often hurrying to their destination. He marveled at the astonishing synthesis of Greek and Roman architectural designs. Looking around some more he decided that he would explore the city a bit more before settling down somewhere to make plans. This place was going to be where he lived for a while he suspected, so he needed to know more.
Walking on, he passed the agora, or marketplace. The bustling center was dotted with vendor stalls, where traders, their calls reminiscent of another era, sold their goods. Delicacies filled the air with tantalizing aromas, as bakers displayed their fresh bread, meats, and cheese, alongside other vendors who offered an array of fruits, spices, and finely crafted jewelry.
To his right, a majestic temple rose. The structure was an awe-inspiring mix of styles he had only seen in pictures. Its mighty marble columns stood tall against the azure sky, supporting a triangular pediment filled with detailed sculptures depicting mythological scenes. A sense of serenity enveloped the place, inviting one for a moment of contemplation. Their images showed fighters of many different races fighting against great monsters. Each of the Tower’s paths was represented on its sides.
Further down the path, he found the specialty shops. Everything he could need as a Tower climber was presented through the windows. Whether it was new armors, potions, or tools they could be found inside. Alex looked closer and noted the increase in price on this new floor. A few items were listed below a thousand Tower Points. Some were at the ten-thousand-point range and didn’t seem like they were the most expensive one could find. Alex whistled realizing his point total was back to being meager and that he would need to grind some points and levels soon to build up his power once more.
Next, Alex found himself at the fighter’s guild headquarters and near it he was sure to find the headquarters of the other guilds. He noted a reminder to himself that he would need to visit the mage’s headquarters soon. Alex had changed a lot since his first visit. Attached to the fighter’s guild was an open-air gym as well as a track. Even in the early morning a few people exercised inside the walled off area.
Finally, as Alex neared one of the city's edges, he saw a large Colosseum-like structure, an imposing amphitheater that was capable of hosting grand gladiatorial games. Its elliptical shape and tiered seating, built of stone and concrete, bore a striking resemblance to the original Colosseum of Rome. From its highest seats, one could enjoy a panoramic view of the city's skyline, with all the architectural gems it had to offer. Around it were statues similar to the Temple. Warriors were posed in stone mid battle. They wrapped around the entrances towering over those who dared to enter.
Alex turned away from the colosseum for now noting that large banners hung vertically from either side of the entrance. It seemed to be enchanted as the text changed as he read it. The coliseum advertised an upcoming tournament one whose start date was in a week.
“This must have been the deadline that the Seeker’s announced.” Alex realized.
He read further on realizing that the entry deadline for the solo part of the tournament was the day before the event. The group had a deadline of ten days and the duo’s in two weeks.
“I need to find out more and then apply for the tournament.”
Alex set out in search of more information about the tournament. He guessed that somewhere in the vicinity of the colosseum there should be an office or a building where all the administrative tasks related to the games would be carried out. He decided to start his search there.
As he was walking, he noticed a large building just next to the colosseum. It was a grand structure, with stone-carved ornamental arches and columns, its facade adorned with frescoes of mythical beasts and valiant warriors. Its proximity to the colosseum and the grandeur of its architecture led him to believe that this might be the place he was looking for.
Stepping through the massive wooden doors, Alex was greeted with a bustling scene. The hall was filled with people of all kinds, discussing, arguing, or queuing up in front of several counters. Banners and posters hung on the walls, depicting scenes from previous tournaments, victorious gladiators, and spellbinding moments of magic and battle. One could feel the excitement in the air, an electricity that seemed to permeate the place.
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At the center of the hall, there was a massive circular counter with several officials seated behind it. He realized that they were a new race of people that he had never encountered before. Their short statures didn’t quite fit the description of dwarves, and few had beards. The officials were gnomes similar in height but not as wide. They were busy interacting with people, answering questions, or filling out forms. Alex surmised that this was where he needed to go.
Navigating his way through the crowd, Alex reached the counter. The official behind it was a skinny gnome, his slender arms covered in tattoos of magical symbols. He had a stern look, but his eyes showed a glimmer of kindness.
"I need information about the upcoming tournament," Alex said confidently. The official studied him for a moment and then nodded.
"Very well, young man," he said, reaching under the counter to pull out a thick booklet. "This has all the information you need to know about the tournament: the rules, the prize pool, the levels, everything. Read it carefully. It also cannot leave this building. Return it here when you are done so that others can look through its contents as well."
Alex took the booklet and thanked the official. He then found a quiet corner and started to read through the booklet. The booklet was split into four sections one for each of the groupings. There was a portion for the singles tournament, the duos tournament, one for the five-man grouping, and a final competition running concurrently for all crafter’s and their sub paths. He turned to the solo’s section and began.
“Rules: The first and most important rule is no killing blows. You will be docked points for intentionally accidentally your opponent and directly doing so will be cause for disqualification. All injuries can and will be healed otherwise. The second rule is the limits on items. They must be obtained through your own personal wealth, efforts, or luck. This will be verified when you enter. There is no limit to what you can or cannot do to win. Do your best and show off when possible. The final rule regards the betting house. You cannot bet on your matches. If you are found to have violated this rule you will be banished from the city and banned from all betting houses on the floor. Do not try to get around this rule.”
Alex turned to the next section. “Structure of the Single’s Tournament: The Single’s tournament will be the first event showcasing individual climber’s skill over their path and other’s. The event will start with a group showcase to reduce the number of participants. Then the 128 remaining people will duel in a winner’s and losers bracket until the end. Matches will run concurrently with several slotted a day for eight days.”
“Prize Pool: Eight through Fifth place will receive 20000 Tower Points each. Fourth place will receive 50000 Tower Points and a custom weapon. Third place will receive 50000 Tower Points, a custom weapon or item, and a 2-hour time slot with a path master of the floor. Second place will receive 100000 Tower Points an equipment enhancement scroll and a 4-hour time slot with a path master of the floor. First place winner will receive 150000 Tower Points an ability enhancement scroll and a 6-hour time slot with a path master of the floor.
“Half-time Events: It is to be expected that participants will level and improve their skills between the matches that occur. When you check in you must state if you have grown in level and by how many levels. If you do not update your information with the colosseum officials you may be disqualified.
“In between the first and second tournaments will be an auction. The same auction will continue in between the second and third events. They will have items and resources needed for every path and for every level that the third floor supports. More information will be provided at the start of the auction. Make sure to bring plenty of Tower Points.”
Alex closed the booklet taking it all in. “I need to do well in this tournament. The prizes would be amazingly helpful. The earliest arrivals to the third floor were only a bit more than a week ago. They can’t have gotten much higher than the second floor maximum of 25. Though I am not sure about that. Regardless I am primed to succeed and have entered the floor early enough that I could at least make a good showing. With the winnings from the tournament, they could help boost my power to face Rich. In fact, it is likely that he has already applied to the tournament. If I am lucky then I will face him in the arena.”
Alex stood up from his spot and tucked the booklet under his arm. The room was still quite busy with more people coming inside as the morning light was starting to fill the city. He wandered up to the same official that had given him the booklet and placed it on the counter.
“So, what do you think? Will you be signing up for one of the tournaments? All?” asked the man.
“I don’t have the group ready for the five-man event,” Alex answered. “I’ll submit myself for the Single’s tournament. I need to level up some more but perhaps I can have a good showing.”
“There is indeed a bit of luck in who you get faced off against and who ends up being eliminated early. If you will put your hand on this device it will register your status with the coliseum.”
The official place a small orb on the counter. Alex followed the instructions and placed a hand on the orb. A moment later his name, path, and level were displayed by the device.
“Level 23,” the official noted. “You will definitely want to get that up a bit. You new too?” Alex nodded. “It is a bold move heading straight for the coliseum, but I suppose that it is one of the most notable and striking structures in the city. I would suggest you do a few things. First you look dead tired and should check out the inns on the floor or more realistically go back to the first floor and sleep there. You will find that prices have grown of course but so has the value of everything you do here. When you are back you can start leveling up with some of the groups. I won’t berate you on how you should spend your newly acquired Tower Points. I’m sure you can handle that. Anyway, I’m distracting myself. After you rest, which you will want to do, then you should head back toward the main square and to the north of where the path guild halls are you will find the Office of Dungeon Affairs.”
“Dungeons?”