Bread & Circus: Fame, Blood, and XP

Bread & Circus: Fame, Blood, and XP

Glory is fleeting, but the games are eternal.

In the Djem-Ka Arena, warriors fight not just for survival, but for power, spectacle, and the favor of the gods. Bread & Circus is a gladiatorial RPG supplement that takes you beyond the simple clash of steel—where Renown and Notoriety shape a warrior’s fate, and the politics of the arena are as deadly as the fights themselves.

What’s Inside?

• A New XP System. Level up through Renown & Notoriety, forging a legend or becoming a monster of the sands.
• The Arena Hierarchy. From the  Melek Qart to the Mahar Eshkar, power extends far beyond the sand.
• The Roar of the Crowd. Influence your fate by playing to the spectators, manipulating promoters, or cheating the system.
• Campaign Hooks & Optional Rules. Rivalries, betrayals, and the ever-present threat of forced retirement.

Missing Players? The Games Must Go On!

Not everyone made it to game night? No problem—the arena never sleeps! Bread & Circus is perfect for running a side campaign when only part of your group shows up. Let the present players step into the Djem-Ka Arena, fighting for glory, survival, and the roar of the crowd.

• Short, intense gladiatorial battles—no need for long prep.
•  Run quick one-shots or build a rival stable of warriors.
• The sands are always waiting. Are you ready?

Will you fight for glory or survival? Will you rise to rule the arena, or be forgotten in the sands?

Get Bread & Circus now and carve your legend into the arena. 

 Designed for use with the Shadowdark RPG but easily adapted to most OSR games.