Vek convo

"Well...this surprise has caused us lot of changes. First, Veksdale looks like the day after Woodstock. Trash, empty buildings, people walking around confused. All the Amber forces are gone; either recalled to amber or such. Or here. So I told Hamax to sweep up the place. Empty the buildings. Tend the garden.who knows what power was left behind when the pattern uprooted but its potent. No one goes in the walls that were built around it. Right now the dale folk are cleaning and planning for winter."

2

Vek, leans back, makes sure you both have drinks. He lays out a tray with a few thin urala cigars. He pulls out a big one for himself and lights it.

"I've talked to Benedict, which means I sat and listened to him. Spatchi and her 300 troops have moved in. He bought as much of the property around here as he could. Amber's treasury is unlimited it seems. But he admitted the grounds of the Ludus are your's and mine."

"Here is where we stand. The Ludus had 24 students including Tulcar and two senior instructors. They all consider themselves students. He was the only Gladiator. Ludus Vek mainly trained Warriors. They then moved to Gladiator Schools or retired. They didn't have staff to train gladiators. We left them that way.

So 24 students. 60 people including wives and children. Wives generally got hired for cooking ,cleaning, and other duties. That's how its worked for 200 years. They have fought and done guard.

Tulcar has told me that he has 256 old timers and nearly 500 retired members that contribute to the ludus upkeep. Go to fights as fan,and such.200 fighters and 170 staff willing to return in our hour of need. Some are 90 years old. Some 120 even. The oldest retired as a rank gladiator, was Ludus leader for 40 years. He is 198, we trained him, and he will probably replace tulcar. His name is Drax Jotrik. He is currently on the board of the Red Wardogs , a lycanthrope warband. Mostly a social group of 90 or so who get together and drink. the youngest is 68."

He chuckles and puffs. "I talked to them in a long time zone here to secure their loyalty. So I sent 370 ludus loyalist, and 70 Red Wardogs to Vulsara to get some regeneration. In two days we will have them back.

numbers

" Here are our fighting numbers :

• 24 Warriors of the ludus.
• 300 pattern guards.
• 70 Wardogs
• 12 Bone warriors. I got Benedict to send them to Rasak. All would have tested as Gladiators any way.
• 200 oldtimers. 28 of these are gladiator rank.

"*Not bad. For the next 3 days as we negotiate with the Council of the wing or the various wizard's towers, or who ever; Random left us protection: Benedict, Bleys, Gerard, Wyndham Feldane and a dozen top elites. A couple of wizards like Fiona and Ares Colbries. We should be ok.

guard outfits

Benedict went to a merchant at New wall and dropped amber gold on him deep. The result is new guard outfits. Not for arena use of course. Full harness rigs including leg belts and clamshell greeves. Boots. And Mithril vorpel collars. They are to be worn by anyone on guard duty. Or when they are off duty exploring the city. It will increase our street cred.

"The council of independent police groups has taken our application to join. That gets us police powers for any one in the guard rigs."

He taps his cigar. "I had little to no say in any of this. I was lucky I got 30 people sent to Rasak and the colors and items in the guard outfits. Oh, all our people are officially part of the Amber military."

"So that's been my day. Long Time space interviewing elderly people and meeting merchants at New Wall. I've heard more talk from Benedict then in all my time with him before. Support staff needs to be sorted our. Living space. Luckily the ludus has a lot of space and we'll be taking over our neighbor's place soon. A lot of quick changes."

"How's the family taking it? I spoke to Zeek and Jaxson. Both want to join the ludus. That's up to you. I support it. Jaxson is tougher then he looks. Anyway..."

206 staff