The Realm - The Arena

Here is where you will find a list of rules that apply to the Arena.

All characters used for the Arena should be newly created, First Level characters, either created strictly for Arena play, or characters that were created for Avagon play.
Magic Items are not allowed to be used in the Arena for 1st and 2nd level characters.
Any 1st or 2nd level character caught using magic items prior to reaching 3rd level will forfeit their match and lose all existing Fame Points to date. (The key to this rule is that you must be CAUGHT! The GrandMaster of the Arena does random checking within the Arena for magic items. If your match is one of the one's checked, then this will be the punishment. If your match isn't checked, hey, you just got a little helping hand!) You can also forfeit your match and current Fame Points if you are 3rd level or above, and you use items above +3 or items that are not only Armor or Weapons. Again, you have to be caught for this rule to take place.
At 3rd level, characters can start using magic items (+3 or lower) within the Arena. These items must be either Armor or Weapons. (During adventures within the Arena, any magic item is usable, unless otherwise stated by GM. The limit is only placed on actual scheduled Arena fights.)
At 3rd level, characters may ask or be asked to join a House of Fighters. Before this time, they may have some dealings with the different Houses, but will rarely be asked to join a House.
At 6th level, characters may form their own Houses, and campaign for eligible characters (3rd or higher, lower levels need permission from GM) to join their Houses.
If a character creates a House, they may spend Fame Points to enlist the services of NPC fighters.
Rulers of Houses earn a new level of Fame Points, based on how their fighters do within the Arena.

Fame Point (FP) Rules:
Fame Points are earned as follows:

Submission Matches

For each evenly matched win, you earn a 1/2 FP.
For each win that you are outmatched, you earn 1/2 FP + 1/2 FP per 2 levels of difference, rounded down. (i.e. You are 1st level and you beat someone that is 5th level. You would earn 1 1/2 FPs.)

Death Matches

Surviving Death matches brings almost instant Fame, especially if this is how you spend your career in the Arena. Survivors of evenly matched Death matches earn 2 FPs per win.
For each Death match win that you are outmatched, you earn 2 FPs + 1 FP per 2 levels of difference, rounded up. (i.e. You are 1st level and you beat someone that is 5th level. You would earn 4 FPs.)

HouseMasters Fame Points
Once a character decides to become a HouseMaster, the rules for Fame Points change a bit. Also, it is possible for a HouseMaster to continue fighting in the Arena as a representative of their own House. Again, this will change the Fame points rules slightly as well. If a character is going to become a HouseMaster, they need to decide upfront if they are going to continue to fight, or just stick to running the House. Once that is decided, the following things can happen:

If a character is becoming a full time HouseMaster, all of their current FPs is converted to usable House FPs. This is done by halving the amount of FPs the character currently has, rounded down. (i.e. 51 character FPs would become 25 House FPs.)
If a character is going to continue to fight as a representative of their own House, they need to decide how much of their current FPs they are going to convert to HouseMaster FPs, and use the conversion formula above to do so. From this point on, they will have two FP amounts to keep track of individually. After the initial conversion, HouseMasters will not be able to convert any more character FPs as House FPs.
Once a character has House FPs, they may spend some of these FPs to enlist NPC fighters to fight for their House. They must spend 5 FPs for the initial NPC, and +3 FPs for each experience level above 1st. (i.e. A 3rd level NPC would cost 11 FPs [5 for initial + 6 {3 per level over 1st.} = 11 FPS.] These NPCs will be rolled up by the GM, with input from the HouseMaster on types of class, race, weapons, fighting styles, etc.
HouseMasters must be careful to watch the balance of their FPs, for they can never have more fighters than half of their FPs, rounded up. (i.e. The HouseMaster above that has 25 FPs could have 13 fighters in their House, prior to any costs for NPCs.)

HouseMasters earn more FPs using the following rules:

HouseMasters gain 1 FP per evenly matched win for their House, and 2 FP per unevenly matched wins for their House. It doesn't matter if it's a Death match or Submission match. A win for the House is a win for the House.
HouseMasters that continue to fight for their Houses win both House FPs and character FPs for their wins. Again, they will not be able to convert anymore character FPs to House FPs.

Becoming A New HouseMaster
So, you think running a new House is going to be easy? You get to sit back, have others fight for you, and rake in some cash and fame, right? Wrong!! When you decide to run a House, you have a whole new world to deal with. You have to establish relationships, good or bad, with the other established Houses, Underground Temple, and the Underground Shops. This alone, will not be easy, since you will be the new kid on the block. The other Houses will take some time before they even decide you are a real House. The Temple won't start giving you discounts for healings until you've got a few fighters under your House Banner. Also, you have to deal with Vallek personally. This alone is worth staying in the Pits and fighting Death matches until you retire! But, it has to be done. You have to represent your fighters and try to get them the best fights you can. You also need to decide if your House will require a membership fee? How about benefits to belonging to the House? Will you pay for all healings for your House? Just the winners? They pay for their own healings? Will you replace or upgrade weapons and armors? Not to mention, where is the money going to come from. Membership fees are starting to sound good aren't they? But if fees are too high, why should they join? Perhaps money from bets on fighters? Now you're taking a risk with the future of your House. What about negotiating with new prospects to your House? How will you compete with the established Houses? What will make you unique and standout as a House to belong to? Still there? There's a lot for you to think about, isn't there? Good luck on the new House! From the look in your eye, you'll need it!