Difference between revisions of "Fighting pits of Meereen"

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[[File‎: Marc_Fishman_the_mortal_art.jpg‎ |The Gates of Fate at the entrance of the [[Daznak's Pit|Great Pit of Daznak]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|350px|right]]
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[[File‎: Marc_Fishman_the_mortal_art.jpg‎ |The [[Gates of Fate]] at the entrance of the [[Daznak's Pit|Great Pit of Daznak]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|350px|right]]
The '''fighting pits of Meereen''' have been a part of the city of [[Meereen]] since it was founded and are far famed across the world.
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The '''fighting pits of Meereen''' are [[fighting pits]] famous across the world.{{ref|ADWD|2}} They have been part of [[Meereen]] since the city was founded.{{ref|ADWD|2}}
 +
 
 
==About==
 
==About==
Known [[fighting pits]]:
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The [[Daznak's Pit|Great Pit of Daznak]] is the biggest and most extravagant in the city, while others include the [[Pit of Ghrazz]], the [[Golden Pit]], and many smaller ones.{{ref|ADWD|52}}
*'''[[Daznak's Pit|Great Pit of Daznak]]''' - the biggest and most extravagant in the city
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*'''[[Pit of Ghrazz]]'''
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The combats are considered to be profoundly religious in nature, a blood sacrifice to the gods of [[Ghis]]. To the Meereenese the ''mortal art'' of Ghis is not mere butchery but a display of courage, skill, and strength most pleasing to the gods.{{ref|ADWD|2}}
*'''[[Golden Pit]]'''
 
The combats are considered to be profoundly religious in nature, that is, a blood sacrifice to the gods of Ghis. To the Meereenese the ''mortal art'' of Ghis is not mere butchery but a display of courage, skill and strength most pleasing to the gods.  
 
  
Victorious fighters are pampered and acclaimed and the slain are honoured and remembered - their names are graven on the Gates of Fate amongst the other fallen. For a criminal condemned to die upon the sands the pits represent judgement by battle, a last chance to prove their innocence.
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Victorious fighters are pampered and acclaimed and the slain are honored and remembered - their names are graven on the [[Gates of Fate]] amongst the other fallen.{{ref|ADWD|11}} For a criminal condemned to die upon the sands the pits represent judgement by battle, a last chance to prove their innocence.
  
The pits draw trade to the city and fill its coffers with coin from the ends of the earth. It is said that all men share a taste for blood, a taste the pits help slake. In that way, it is argued, they make Meereen more tranquil.   
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The pits draw trade to the city and fill its coffers with coin from the ends of the earth. It is said that all men share a taste for blood, a taste the pits help slake. In that way, it is argued, they make Meereen more tranquil.{{ref|ADWD|2}}  
  
It is customary for Meereen to claim one-tenth of all the profit from the fighting pits, after expenses, as a tax. Foreign sailors visit the pits to amuse themselves while they wait for their ships holds to be filled.
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Meereen customarily claims one-tenth of the pits' profits as a tax.{{ref|ADWD|2}} Foreign sailors visit the pits to amuse themselves while they wait for their ships holds to be filled.
  
 
== Recent Events ==
 
== Recent Events ==
===A Storm of Swords===
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
After taking Meereen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has 163 of the [[Great Masters]] impaled on spikes in [[Daznak's Pit]].{{Ref|aSoS|57}}  
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After the [[siege of Meereen]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has 163 of the [[Great Masters]] impaled on spikes in [[Daznak's Pit]].{{Ref|aSoS|57}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
Daenerys, Queen of Meereen, closes the city's fighting pits, which causes the value of pit shares to plummet. [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] takes advantage of the cheap prices and soon owns most of the pits in the city.{{ref|ADWD|2}}
 +
 
 +
Hizdahr has an audience with the queen six times to plead that she re-open the pits, unsuccessfully arguing that by re-opening the pits Dany would show the people of Meereen that she respects their ways and customs.{{ref|ADWD|2}} The queen considers collecting one-tenth of the revenue, rather than one-tenth of the profits after expenses. The seventh time Hizdahr brings with him seven well-known pit fighters, [[slaves]] previously freed by Daenerys.{{ref|ADWD|2}} The pit fighters give her practical reasons as to why they want her to re-open the pits so that they can risk their lives on the scarlet sands. With the exception of [[Missandei]], Dany's councilors also promote the advantages of reopening the pits.{{ref|ADWD|11}}
  
===A Dance with Dragons ===
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In order for peace Dany marries Hizdahr and allows the fighting pits to be reopened.{{ref|ADWD|43}} To celebrate the peace between [[Yunkai]] and Meereen, Daenerys and her new husband attend the re-opening of [[Daznak's Pit]], where Dany is [[Poisoned locusts|almost assassinated]]. During the fighting, her dragon [[Drogon]] appears, descends into the pit, and she flies away on him.{{ref|ADWD|52}}
Once installed as Meereen’s ruler Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] closes the city’s fighting pits.  This causes the value of pit shares to plummet.  [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] grabs the cheap pit shares up with both hands and soon owns most of the fighting pits in Meereen.  
 
  
Hizdahr has an audience with the queen six times to plead that she re-open the pits, he argues that by re-opening the pits Dany would show the people of Meereen that she respects their ways and customs.  Six times she refuses to have the pits re-opened.  The seventh time Hizdahr brings with him seven well known pit fighters.  Even Dany's own people will give her no rest on the matter,
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After [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] are unleashed upon the city the [[ruling council of Meereen]] herd animals into Daznak's Pit, the [[Golden Pit]], and the [[Pit of Ghrazz]] in order to feed them and keep them sated. The two dragons prove to have a taste for mutton, returning to Daznak's Pit, which is full of sheep, whenever they grow hungry.{{ref|ADWD|70}}
{{Quote|[[Reznak mo Reznak]] stressed the coin to be made through taxes.  The [[Green Grace]] said that reopening the pits would please the gods.  The [[Shavepate]] felt it would win her support against the [[Sons of the Harpy]]. “Let them fight,” grunted [[Strong Belwas]], who had been a champion in the pits.  Ser [[Barristan]] suggested a [[tourney]] instead; his orphans could ride at rings and fight a melee with blunted weapons, he said, a suggestion Dany knew was as hopeless as it was well-intentioned.  It was blood the Meereenese yearned to see, not skill.  Elsewise the fighting slaves would have worn armour.  Only the little scribe [[Missandei]] seemed to share the queen’s misgivings.}}
 
During their audience with her all seven pit fighters give Dany practical reasons as to why they want her to re-open the pits so that they can risk their lives on the scarlet sands.  Dany tells them she will consider all they have said.
 
  
In order for peace Dany eventually marries Hizdahr zo Loraq and the fighting pits are reopened. Dany can see the fighting pits from her terrace; the small ones dot the face of Meereen like pockmarks while the larger are weeping sores red and raw. 
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==Quotes==
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{{Quote|[[Reznak mo Reznak]] stressed the coin to be made through taxes. The [[Green Grace]] said that reopening the pits would please the gods. The [[Skahaz mo Kandaq|Shavepate]] felt it would win her support against the [[Sons of the Harpy]]. “Let them fight,” grunted [[Strong Belwas]], who had been a champion in the pits. Ser [[Barristan Selmy|Barristan]] suggested a [[tourney]] instead; his orphans could ride at rings and fight a melee with blunted weapons, he said, a suggestion Dany knew was as hopeless as it was well-intentioned. It was blood the [[Meereen]]ese yearned to see, not skill. Elsewise the fighting [[slaves]] would have worn armor. Only the little scribe [[Missandei]] seemed to share the queen’s misgivings.{{ref|ADWD|11}}}} - thoughts of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
  
To celebrate the peace between [[Yunkai]] and Meereen Daenerys and her new husband attend the re-opening of [[Daznak's Pit]].  There, Dany is [[Poisoned locusts|almost assassinated]], her dragon [[Drogon]] appears, descends into the pit, and she flies away on him.
 
  
After [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] are unleashed upon the city the [[ruling council of Meereen]] heard animals into [[Daznak's Pit]], the [[Golden Pit]] and the [[Pit of Ghrazz]] in order to feed them and keep them sated.  The two dragons prove to have a taste for mutton returning to Daznak's Pit, which is full of sheep, whenever they grow hungry.
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{{quote|The small ones dotted the face of [[Meereen]] like pockmarks; the larger were weeping sores, red and raw.{{ref|ADWD|52}}}} - thoughts of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
{{references}}
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{{references|2}}
[[Category:Terms]]
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 +
[[Category:Fighting pits|Meereen]]
 
[[Category:Places in Meereen]]
 
[[Category:Places in Meereen]]
[[Category:Fighting pits|Meereen]]
 

Revision as of 15:14, 29 June 2016

The Gates of Fate at the entrance of the Great Pit of Daznak - by Marc Fishman ©

The fighting pits of Meereen are fighting pits famous across the world.[1] They have been part of Meereen since the city was founded.[1]

About

The Great Pit of Daznak is the biggest and most extravagant in the city, while others include the Pit of Ghrazz, the Golden Pit, and many smaller ones.[2]

The combats are considered to be profoundly religious in nature, a blood sacrifice to the gods of Ghis. To the Meereenese the mortal art of Ghis is not mere butchery but a display of courage, skill, and strength most pleasing to the gods.[1]

Victorious fighters are pampered and acclaimed and the slain are honored and remembered - their names are graven on the Gates of Fate amongst the other fallen.[3] For a criminal condemned to die upon the sands the pits represent judgement by battle, a last chance to prove their innocence.

The pits draw trade to the city and fill its coffers with coin from the ends of the earth. It is said that all men share a taste for blood, a taste the pits help slake. In that way, it is argued, they make Meereen more tranquil.[1]

Meereen customarily claims one-tenth of the pits' profits as a tax.[1] Foreign sailors visit the pits to amuse themselves while they wait for their ships holds to be filled.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

After the siege of Meereen, Daenerys Targaryen has 163 of the Great Masters impaled on spikes in Daznak's Pit.[4]

A Dance with Dragons

Daenerys, Queen of Meereen, closes the city's fighting pits, which causes the value of pit shares to plummet. Hizdahr zo Loraq takes advantage of the cheap prices and soon owns most of the pits in the city.[1]

Hizdahr has an audience with the queen six times to plead that she re-open the pits, unsuccessfully arguing that by re-opening the pits Dany would show the people of Meereen that she respects their ways and customs.[1] The queen considers collecting one-tenth of the revenue, rather than one-tenth of the profits after expenses. The seventh time Hizdahr brings with him seven well-known pit fighters, slaves previously freed by Daenerys.[1] The pit fighters give her practical reasons as to why they want her to re-open the pits so that they can risk their lives on the scarlet sands. With the exception of Missandei, Dany's councilors also promote the advantages of reopening the pits.[3]

In order for peace Dany marries Hizdahr and allows the fighting pits to be reopened.[5] To celebrate the peace between Yunkai and Meereen, Daenerys and her new husband attend the re-opening of Daznak's Pit, where Dany is almost assassinated. During the fighting, her dragon Drogon appears, descends into the pit, and she flies away on him.[2]

After Viserion and Rhaegal are unleashed upon the city the ruling council of Meereen herd animals into Daznak's Pit, the Golden Pit, and the Pit of Ghrazz in order to feed them and keep them sated. The two dragons prove to have a taste for mutton, returning to Daznak's Pit, which is full of sheep, whenever they grow hungry.[6]

Quotes

Reznak mo Reznak stressed the coin to be made through taxes. The Green Grace said that reopening the pits would please the gods. The Shavepate felt it would win her support against the Sons of the Harpy. “Let them fight,” grunted Strong Belwas, who had been a champion in the pits. Ser Barristan suggested a tourney instead; his orphans could ride at rings and fight a melee with blunted weapons, he said, a suggestion Dany knew was as hopeless as it was well-intentioned. It was blood the Meereenese yearned to see, not skill. Elsewise the fighting slaves would have worn armor. Only the little scribe Missandei seemed to share the queen’s misgivings.[3]

- thoughts of Daenerys Targaryen


The small ones dotted the face of Meereen like pockmarks; the larger were weeping sores, red and raw.[2]

- thoughts of Daenerys Targaryen

References and Notes