<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/hPcIqCb.jpg?1)</div><br/><strong>City of Zakar<br/>Summer</strong><br/><br/>Throughout the city people were in revelry and had been for hours with the sun finally reaching midday in the sky.  The festivities had started before the sun had even risen to be seen above the city's walls with many wishing to get their fill of this day of celebration.  The Emperor had decreed only slaves could be compelled to work this day, but for many owners even slaves had been granted a day of rest with so many freemen businesses closed.  The continuous work upon the new fleet of ships in the drydocks and wet docks had ceased when the sun sank below the horizon the evening prior, as had the work on expanding the ten meter high white washed outer walls.  Beyond the walls themselves the tent city that had sprung up on the plains around the city had been the first to rouse from the night.  What had at first been ramshackle towns for day laborers coming to the city following word of work had since exploded into a city in it's own right when rumors had spread that the city's Emperor would grant incredible boons to mercenaries and adventurers found worthy.  With the great war between Zakar and the Coalition having died down mercenaries flush with coin had assembled themselves on the plains near the three great gates into the city and let their soldiery loose upon the city's brothels and taverns.  Naturally the camp followers had come with them and set themselves to work.  That morning the city's and church's brothels had set out their slaves into the street free for use on this day, even as those freemen who chose to work were only just preparing their stalls and carts for the day's festivities.<br/><br/>As the sun had risen ever more people turned out into the streets, even as the white washed city became sweltering with a miserable heat baking naked skin as easily as the ovens of the hawkers produced dishes for the celebrants.  Such inconveniences were minimally heeded, at best seeking shelter under the numerous awnings in the plazas of the city or having purchased or rented slaves hold umbrellas and carry fans to bring some relief.  It was a day of exuberance and near the Temple of Alaya it was easy to find those willing to serve their superiors, it was not a day to be missed out on.  Throughout the city there was celebration with most focused around the many plazas, but for the half moon shaped city the epicenter of these celebrations was in the Grand Plaza.  Catty-corner to the four arenas of the city was an immense plaza over 100 meters by 100 meters.  While the upraised Temple to Maighastar, surrounded on three sides by the horseshoe Temple to Alaya, was regarded as the city's true center this plaza just a brisk walk down the city's main thoroughfare was regarded by many as it's cultural and economic hub.  Banks and gambling dens sat shoulder to shoulder in the shade of the arenas and was often the site of slave auctions when someone particularly worthwhile was up for bid.<br/><br/>Fights to the death had become a rarity some time ago and were now more for personal cause than for show but still events of all sorts took place in the four arenas, from theater shows to chariot races to gladiatorial bouts.  There had been several such events had already been held this day, slaves or even freemen fighting for show or purses but strangely on this day of celebration they had been ended when the Emperor had left to a raised and fully covered platform at the center of the plaza.  Now, finally, many wondered if the reason for festivities would finally be revealed.  A curious crowd was gathering, taking rest and purchasing midday meals and drinks from vendors.  For those who could afford it, even ice was brought up to chill beverages from storage down beneath the city.<br/><br/>Without forewarning the covering over the platform suddenly dropped, the white sheets fluttering in the still air.  The noise of the plaza, down to the murmuring ceased as a wave of quiet spread out from the platform.  People could see now that the platform had several layers to it, the lower layers seeming to have stalls with slaves, gold, weapons, and materials in them.  One seemed to even hold a single model ship.  At the top of the platform was the Emperor himself, flanked by guards and priests.  Some among the crowd pointed out that the high priests to both Alaya and Maighastar were present.  The three only known to be together for the grandest of announcements and had not been seen in public since the declaration of the caseation of hostilities.<br/><br/>One priest in light robes stepped to near the platform and began to speak, his voice booming out, enhanced through some magical means, "The coming week shall be one of great rewards.  All alive who wish to may compete for the great prizes our city has assembled for them and the greatest prize our god has revealed to us.  Before the Rend there was another continent, a sister to our own.  She still exists and can be reached by sale.  Maighastar has revealed to us this continent's existence and the route to it.  In the coming week we will hold competitions to earn the right to go forth and seize these lands for yourself, for Zakar, and for Maighastar.  The truest and greatest domination of our time.  For those who succeed you many bring any with you who desire to come with you, and you shall also be awarded boons to aid you in founding these lands for yourselves, slaves, magical weapons, resources.  Anything that can be loaded onto a ship may be won.  You may enlist yourself at any of the arena entrances.  No competitions are compulsory and four shall be held at once so none may enter them all, anyone can enter all they desire, or none they desire.  Risk and reward in equal measure."<br/><br/>The priest stepped back from the edge, signaling to a slave to bring him something to drink, seemingly as an end to the announcement.  It was quiet for a moment and few moved even as the sign-up stalls were brought out.  To sail across the ocean in a ship to a never before encountered continent and create a new city was a tall task for anyone.  Only after a few baited moments did the first seem to go and investigate the first challenges and competition, strong looking adventurers and mercenary captains.  Word began to quickly cross the city to all corners of it and beyond of the announcement and the apportunity.  It was a saying in Zakar that even those new the city were bound to hear, that the world had few true masters, and most freemen were slaves too afraid to admit their truth.  As the gaze of the Emperor swept across the crowd, those who did not step forward towards the competition and challenge felt this pierce into their bones.  Some in attempting to meet this gaze even fell to their knees and quietly prayed to Alaya.<br/><br/>For those who did see what the competitions were it was an interesting array, a chariot race with javelins, a grand melee, a fight against an unknown monster with the crowd awarding points to favorites, and an obstacle course that would likely require magic.  Little information provided and no information on future events.