The Arena Town
No matter where you turn in Gruungrad, you are likely to see a brawl. Whether it’s two people arguing at a bar, or two bitter rivals start a duel of honor in the streets, fighting and combat have a huge presence in the town. You can hear the crowd’s loud cheers that echo out of the arena. The people walking past you are always discussing the last fight they saw, or the rumors of who they heard is going to be featured in tonight’s rumble. The smell of cooked, slightly burnt meat is mixed with the scent of dry blood and sweat.
Gruungrad is said to make the toughest warriors in the land. It is a place of honor, and your honor is determined by who you have beaten in battle. The arena is the centerpiece of the town and drives the dreams and livelihood of almost everyone living in Gruungrad. Even people who are not directly involved in the fighting thrive off the arena. They might prepare weapons for the combatants. Maybe they sell food in the stands for spectators to enjoy. Or they might be clerics that help heal the fighters after the battle. It is clear that fighting is what drives the town to operate.
Traits
Races: Orcborn, Dwarf, Aaracokra
Best Stats: Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, and Wisdom
Common Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Cleric
Government Type: Meritocracy based on strength
City Environment: Top of cliffside
Alignment: Chaotic
History
Gruungrad was a settlement established by orcs. Humans from the nearby settlement of Crownworth were extracting the natural resources of the region to the detrimental effect of the orcs. In retaliation orcs began to send raiding parties after humans to dissuade them from entering. This erupted into a series of wars and conflicts that lasted centuries. Eventually the humans had cast a huge curse that rendered the orc population infertile. The birth rate suddenly dropped to almost zero. orc druids were eventually able to find a way around the curse. However orc children born after this period had different physical characteristics, and could no longer reproduce with older orc generations. These new orc children were named the orcborn.
Orcborn today enjoy fighting for their honor and glory in the arenas of Gruungrad. They still look to their ancestor orcs for guidance, and keep maintaining the traditions and culture of the orcs.
The dwarves in Voldhor are great smiths, but many never see their weapons put to great use. Some dwarves long for more than just creating amazing weapons. They want to see just how deadly and potent their weapons are in practice. These kinds of dwarves starting moving to Gruungrad, renowned for the ferocity of its arena. Their the smiths could finally see warriors in actions with their finely crafted weapons, though some dwarves preferred to jump into the arena to get a taste of the action themselves.
While most aarakocra are carefree and easy going, some do prefer the taste of victory in battle. Gruungrad was a safe place to explore this interest in the glory filled arenas. Certain aarakocran druids also prefer the environment around Gruungrad. The beasts and plants found their are unlike anywhere else in the realm. These druids feel compelled to spend time in this dangerous environemnt.
Ability Scores: +2 points between Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, and Wisdom
Skills: Proficiency in the Athletics, Intimidation, or Acrobatics skill.
Powerful Build: You count as if you were one size larger for the purpose of determining your carrying capacity.
Aggressive: As a bonus action, you can move up to your speed toward an enemy of your choice that you can see or hear. You must end this move closer to the enemy than you started.