In Belah'dia, the sword was deemed the arm of paladins, and the peasantry were forbidden from carrying them. During the War of the Sisters, however, Ul'dah and Sil'dih both increasingly needed men to fight, and had no choice but to hire Hellsguard and Highlander mercenaries. As more and more inhabitants of Ul'dah came to wield blades, displays of skill became a commonplace sight. From these humble beginnings was the grand gladiatorial tradition born.
At the outset, only captured enemies and criminals took to the bloodsands, but as the practice became a part of Ul'dahn culture, free men joined in the fray in search of riches and fame. An organization of fighters arose, based upon a spirit of mutual prosperity. Not only did it provide aid to wounded gladiators, but organized others to fight in their stead, and provided some stipend after they retired. The group eventually opened its doors to the public, and became the Gladiators' Guild.
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