Inspiration wanted: Collosseum contestants

[Eunostus]

Hello everyone. I run a desert-themed campaign and my players (party of 4: lore bard, moon druid, ancients paladin and open hand monk, all lvl 5) have just arrived in a town and will be taking part in a large competition in a collosseum. They will be competing as a group, so they'll be facing off against other groups of 4. I'm looking for ideas for competitors. So far I have:
- Necromancer and his reanimated minions
- Circus troupe (strongman, lion tamer, clown, acrobat/knife thrower)
- Orc war party
- Thri-Kreen hunters
- Old veterans wanting to relive their glory days
- Pirates (captain, two sailors and an enlarged parrot)
- Professional gladiators (armed with nets and tridents)

Does anyone have some other ideas for fun teams? I'd love to hear some! Thanks in advance.

[The_Jette]

Question: Is this going to be a battle to the death; or, until yielding? Or, will there be some kind of "magic" that prevents people from dying, and causes unconsciousness only?

[Eunostus]

The players haven't asked for the rules yet, but I'm thinking until K.O., so lethal attacks are against the rules. Also, in the middle of the arena will be a fountain with a statue of Ares. Players can drink from the fountain to gain a small boost (regain HP and/or spell slots), depending on how well they've fought.

[Waffle_Iron]

Four Tortle Shadow Monks

A red barbarian, blue amazon, green elf, and yellow wizard

A four man band of Bards, each a different college, with a singer, lyreist, flautist, and drummer

Four elementalists, a monk, Druid, sorcerer, and eldritch Knight, each a different element.

Four assassins. The arena appears empty.

[The_Jette]

Three Genasi Monks that have taken vows that forbid them from revealing their names. They refer to each other by their heritage; namely Earth, Wind and Fire. They also have a dog, named Dog, as their fourth.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Four assassins. The arena appears empty.

http://i64.tinypic.com/2ptz5w5.png
http://i65.tinypic.com/2d1r4hx.png
http://i65.tinypic.com/2wolkw7.png
http://i66.tinypic.com/mlknd4.png

[Regitnui]

A LG Minotaur named Granrios Stoutskull who is best bash buddies with a warforged/golem named Forge.

[Ninja_Prawn]

a large competition in a collosseum.

...you know, does the competition have to be a fight? This sounds like a perfect opportunity for some siegeball (http://mfov.magehandpress.com/2016/11/siegeball.html)! Expanded rules here (http://mfov.magehandpress.com/2017/11/siegeball-actions-and-arena-rules.html).

Also 'colossus' only has one 'l' in it. :smalltongue:

[Regitnui]

...you know, does the competition have to be a fight? This sounds like a perfect opportunity for some siegeball (http://mfov.magehandpress.com/2016/11/siegeball.html)! Expanded rules here (http://mfov.magehandpress.com/2017/11/siegeball-actions-and-arena-rules.html).

Keeping a note on this. Sounds like something the benevolent prince in my campaign might want to replace the blood sports in her town with.

[Unoriginal]

A Lamia knight in plate armor with a Jackalwere squire (armed with a quaterstaff).

A surprisingly well-mannered and smart hill giant.

Two Ogre monks and their hobgoblin teacher.