The Toahfen Battle System

Much like the Dessaron Battle System, the Toahfen Battle System exists to both satisfy crowds and help end conflict between races without real bloodshed. Unlike the Dessaron system though, the Toahfen contains one single, gigantic arena – the Iolen Arena, which utilizes altered Deitic technology to manipulate the arena’s environment.

The Iolen Arena is situated in the center of Iolonarium, the Cassid territories of Portalia. It consists of a 7km square box carved out from the Lesinar Mountains, the bottom of which has been quarter-filled with a viscous metal-water mixture, then filled up further with mud. A huge mesh covers the entire arena, followed by a second mesh 30cm underneath the water-metal-mud surface. This mesh allows for the control of the landscape within the arena, by using magnetic fields to manipulate and shape the landscape. Objects such as trees are planted in such a way that landscape manipulation does not affect their placement, and bodies of water are added as needed to create variation.

What actually generates the power to run the Iolen Arena is a heavily guarded Cassid secret, although Deitic technology is certainly involved, and many Vohra also took part in its construction. It takes two weeks in order to finish a single manipulation. Because of this, the arena is only changed once every two months. The arena was built by the Great Elyssian Media Corporation, one of the bigger companies in Cassid economy, along with backing from the majority of the members from the Maza, primarily as a place to train soldiers for the Cassid, Vrekan and Vohran armies, but has also become popular as an alternative to the Dessaron Battle System during the winter months when the Dessaron Arena is closed for repairs.

While the Dessaron Battle System and its arenas focus on intense battles and structured game modes, the Iolen Arena is designed to simulate survival, tactics and thinking on one’s feet. The arena is generally used to test beings in large, free-for-all combat, with each participant acting solo. All combatants are given a PHAM (Protective Health Assistance Monitor) device, which has been altered to immediately teleport combatants out of the arena and into Cassid medical bays to the north, the second their health levels become critical. They are also given backpacks with basic supplies, consisting of a knife, a lighter, two bottles of water, a blanket, 3m of rope and their weapon of choice. Artificial Health Meters are not included in the PHAM devices, in order to increase suspense.

Competition normally takes the form of survival within the arena, and combat. Combatants must take each other out and survive as long as they can. When numbers start to dwindle, the walls of the arena start to close in, forcing combatants closer together. The winner is the last being standing.

Rules are very similar to the Dessaron Battle System, although elemental powers and magic are not allowed in combat with others. Telepathy is not allowed. Thropes are strictly forbidden from entering competitions in the Toahfen Battle System.

Viewing matches is done via aerial drones, which stream footage into large cinemas in Iolonarium, as well as directly to many entertainment channels of the Elyssian Media Corporation. Beings can also visit the arena in person and spectate along the southern edge or even control their own, hired drones.

The Toahfen Battle System is soon to be opened up to team battles, with teams of up to 6 members. Similar rules will apply, although teams will be able to use low-level elemental powers, and telepathy will be allowed among team members only.