The Imperial Arena was a competitive arena that brought the finest warriors from all around the Jade Empire to test their might and skills in front of large audiences for renown and vast amounts of silver. The Arena was an area for which the Lotus Assassins would look to recruit potentials, specifically to the Executioners.
Layout
The first floor of the temple held the tables for bets in the Arena fights, as well as a merchandise stand for items pertaining to several fighters competing in the Arena.
The first room of the second floor was the Heart of the Empire Tavern. The next two rooms were where several noble class citizens of the Imperial City would watch the Arena fights. They also held a kitchen in the back. A man named Gambler Daoshen held a dice game there.
The next room was the competitor's area. Here, the competitors and champions would mingle and wait to participate in matches from Qui the Promoter. Dr. An would be the area to offer healing and enhancements for competitors. A stairway led down to the Creature Pens, which kept the creatures that could be used for various rounds.
The final room was specifically for whoever ran the Arena, as well as a private office to conduct business.
Divisions
The Arena was divided into four divisions for fighters to compete in, each with a champion: preliminaries, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each division had different numbers of rounds, depending on the skills of the fighter. For each round won, the fighter received a certain amount of silver, and it would increase the further the fighter progressed. After a enough rounds were cleared, Qui would arrange a championship match.
When fighters became Silver Division Champion, the Lotus Assassins would approach these fighter to swell their ranks, specifically the Executioners.
Arena Champion
The ultimate fighter who won his or her way to the top and cleared the Gold Division was given the prestigious honor of being the Arena Champion. There have been several who have held the title:
- Kai Lan the Serpent
- Black Whirlwind
- Raging Ox/The Ravager
- The Last Spirit Monk
If a former Arena Champion chooses, they can exercise a rematch clause to take on the current Champion.
Management
The Arena is run by the society know as the Guild. Kai Lan, a former Arena Champion, retired from fighting and became a leader of the Guild and assumed management of the Arena. His enforcer was Lucky Cho, who would see that Qui ran things smoothly and picked only the best to fight.
Qui the Promoter saw to the signing on of new fighters and the fights that went on for each Division. He would only deviate or add new fights if Kai Lan or the Guild requested, or if he wanted to help the fighter gain more renown.