Escaped Slaves from Katapesh?

[Zelda Marie Lupescu]

So, I have a concept for two characters where their background is that they were slaves forced to fight in the arena, but when they were put against each other in a fight to the death, they both refused and escaped together.

Problem is, I'm having trouble coming up with exactly HOW they would have escaped such a scenario. Anyone have suggestions, or is this idea not doable?

[Val'bryn2]

Not all gladiatorial combat was in an arena. They could have been shot full of arrows, and left for dead as the caravan rolled on.

[Zelda Marie Lupescu]

Val'bryn2 wrote:

Not all gladiatorial combat was in an arena. They could have been shot full of arrows, and left for dead as the caravan rolled on.

Yes, but Katapesh has an arena (The Grand Coliseum), which is where they are from.

[Starglim]

After they refused to fight each other, the arena master ordered a terrifying beast released to destroy them, but instead it decided the mass of spectators looked tastier, broke down an arena wall and went on a rampage. They slipped out in the confusion.

[UnArcaneElection]

Zelda Marie Lupescu wrote:

Val'bryn2 wrote:

Not all gladiatorial combat was in an arena. They could have been shot full of arrows, and left for dead as the caravan rolled on.

Yes, but Katapesh has an arena (The Grand Coliseum), which is where they are from.

Alternatively, they refused to fight, and as punishment were crucified and used for target practice, and then left for dead . . . and then in the night, somebody or something cut them down. Whoever saved them could be a complete mystery (totally unseen), or could have offered them a Faustian bargain in the process . . . .

[Andre Roy]

A variant could be that they were beaten up near death by the arena guards/slave-masters and dumped in the desert to die.

[Val'bryn2]

Katapesh has an arena, but not all fights need to occur in it. Imagine, if you will, a merchant caravan, bringing slaves to the arena, meeting a rival and declaring he had brought the superior stock. It's natural an impromptu spectacle would be set up, leading to tge refusal. I like the crucifixion in this, as a natural warning to other slaves not to rebel.

[justaworm]

High level wizard rescued them and replaced them with stand-ins that bore their (illusory) faces. It was good enough to fool their pitmasters and the crowds would never know.

Now, the wizard requires their services as payback. It could be for good, with a new lease on life. Or, it could be for illicit services that the wizard doesn't want to be involved in.

[Alayern]

Plenty of deities/near deities wouldn't mind messing with the arena.

Milani would incite rebellion.
Cayden Cailean would give them the bravery (and/or foolhardiness) to fight for their freedom.
Desna could have given them dream-visions of how to escape.
Lamashtu could have summoned a beast to set them free and/or otherwise harm their captors in a way that provides an escape.

A lot of the chaotic or neutral near-deities (Empyreal Lords, Demon Lords, Protean Lords etc) could have their own reasons for setting them free/causing an event that they could use to escape.