[@Estella] Looks awesome! I'm just wondering whether all the beast races have the same level of cognition and understanding, or are some more 'beastly' than others, so to speak?

Also, I know you mentioned that mages can bring our characters back to life after every battle, and I have a few questions about that if you don't mind! First, how does the revival process work? Do we die permanently if it isn't done fast enough?

Further, why would mages bother bringing back lowly fighters that haven't yet proven their worth or value? Surely it would  make more sense to focus on bringing back well known fighters who bring in paying spectators, and attract the eyes of wealthy nobles, otherwise mages are expending their energy on random peasants left right and centre.

Also it sort of removes a bit of the unique cultural identity of some of the realms. For example, the way you described Markoth made it same as though arena combat isn't as big a deal there, and as such wouldn't mages be more rare there as there isn't as much need for them? Torguren as well possibly, as being a warrior culture couldn't it possibly be seen as weak to just be revived after losing to an enemy? 

To sort of address some of these possible problems (Warning: unsolicited opinion incoming) I was thinking it may possibly be a good idea to vary the presence of mages at some of the fights. So for example, if we are fighting in a certain realm, or aren't as well known, there's a higher chance we won't be revived because there isn't a willing mage around. Later on it could possibly be that, given you mentioned in the OP about being drawn into politics, someone who opposes us somehow tampers with the fight (maybe by bribing a mage not to revive us, or something more hostile) in a way which could result in permanent death. Just a suggestion as I think it could add some more tension during fights and create some interesting RP. 

(You are of course, as the all-powerful GM, perfectly free to ignore all this).