DM Caleth |
Day comes to Vel Daeroth. You cannot tell, of course, locked as you are in the bowels of the great arena, sent here to die on the sand by the dragons who have enslaved you. It could be worse though, you could have been sent to the mines beneath the city to labor in the heat and the dark until the conditions brake you. At least in the arena you get to see the sun occasionally, and the best gladiators from the arena are accorded a degree of freedom and recognition above any other slave. If you survive long enough you may earn that for yourself.
You have only been here for three days, not long enough to have fought, only to be categorized and assessed, but you know that your first fight will be soon. Already the guards are bringing cages of creatures for the games, giant wolves from the south, lizards from the east and even stranger jungle beasts from the isles of the north all sent to kill and die in the arena.
You are in 20'x20' stone cells. Kjolmar, Orion and Erie share a cell and Quodak, Moredrel and Krathok are in an adjacent cell.
Through the small window in your cell you can see only a large, low ceilinged, pillared room where the guards and arena attendants are organizing a bewildering variety of weaponry on wooden tables. The cages of animals and monsters are in the shadows at the far end of the room. The guards appear to be preparing to equip the fighters for today's event.
Orion Snow |
A large well muscled human with white skinned stands to look out the window at the table of weapons. As he moves his skin seems to have a strange, but fleeting, sheen to it. He stands roughly six feet tall with small horns on his head that sweep back. Most odd about his appearance is a pair of large wings protruding from his back with small finger-like protrusions at the peaks. Presently he has them draped over his shoulders much like a cloak. These " wing fingers" are presently interlocked a few inches below his adams apple holding the wings in place much like a clasp would on a true cloak.
Still looking out the window he speaks in Xaidan,
Erie |
The elven woman paces restlessly in the cell, muttering to herself. Che bel lo stato di cose. Sono incarcerati con selvaggi e ho perso il mio arco. Questa non è una buona giornata!
Looking around she appears to address her cellmates, Heeft een van u weten wat we kunnen verwachten? Kunt u zelfs begrijp mij?
Upon hearing Orion speak, she exclaims, Ach! Nie możemy dzielić się językiem! Cóż to za zwolnieniem! Mam nadzieję, że ta sama dla was, człowieka.
Krathok |
The half-orc sharing your cell stirs from his rest and rises to a squat, putting his back to one corner of the cell. His eyes steadily track the cell taking in his fellow cellmates, though he doesn't speak.
You can see that he is large for a half-orc, and the visible parts of his body show a myriad of scars that you think were made by a lash. His demeanour is quite calm, and you can sense some depth hiding behind his eyes.
Quodak Milner |
The sleek, young man slumps against the wall of his cell.
"Wydaje się, że ludzie wiedzą, mój ojczysty język. Jakie to szczęście, że mogę przynajmniej być w stanie rozmawiać, zanim umrę. W każdym razie, nie sądzę, że już wystarczająco przygotowany bestie. Wziąłem niektóre z tych rzeczy, według mnie, " now motioning to the jungle beasts," i choć mogą przyjmować niektóre kary, nie powinno być problemem. Miejmy nadzieję, że wszyscy żyją wystarczająco długo, aby wolność, czy to wydane lub podjęte. Powodzenia wszystkim. "
If he is not already, Quodak will psionically focus. It takes 6 seconds, and just requires concentration. It won't do anything for a while, but it helps him keep his Mind in order, as far as he is concerned. It's sort of a mental training, for him. He has done so since he found out about his power. Once he picks up a blade skill that uses it, it's going to be like a "Oh, I can use it to do that?" kind of moment.
Erie |
Perception to see how many guards are nearby, what race(s) they appear to be, and to try to overhear their conversations: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Also, can you describe the layout of this cell block?
To all in the cells, she says quietly but firmly, "Czyż jest tak defeatist! Ja "polować wielu z tych bydlęta, a także mogą zostać pokonany i outsmarted równie dobrze jak wszelkie inne bydlę. Być inteligentne, trzymać razem w celu uniknięcia przy czym ganged aż po lub odizolowane, a my mogą nosić ich w dół, przy założeniu tych," and here she sniffs archly, "przełomowym patrz pasuje do nadania się z nami broni. Ponadto, może on być rozsądne jest wprowadzenie sobie samemu. Może pani zaproszenie mnie Erie."
DM Caleth |
I'll make a map of what you can see from outside your cell.
Quodak Milner |
"Mogę dźwięku w dół, ale jestem naprawdę swędzenie do walki. Choć broni byłoby miło, wezmę em na ten czy inny sposób. I nie mogła być znacznie od myśliwego w moim pokoleniu, ale już wzrosła w znakomity zabójca gdy unarmed.As długo, jak długo jesteśmy miły, miło cię poznać Erie. Idę przez Quodak imię".
Kjolmar Greyhelm |
The squat, barrel-chested man with whom you share a cell eyes you both with a nervous edge, then looks with a gleam in his eye at the weapons rack. He gives a quiet scoff and mutters under his breath,
"Heimskur, heimskur, heimskur. Ég næ þessar heimskur menn og heimskur eðla húsbónda þeirra líka. Bara bíða. Horfa á þá renni upp einu sinni og sjá hvað gerist."
He spits angrily at the ground and stands up, moving to the front of the cage and addressing the nearest guard.
"Þú þarna, hverju ertu ekki láta mig út úr þessu fordæmdur búr svo að við getum séð hver er betri, ha?"
Moredrel |
A short somewhat scrawny man slumps against the outside wall of the cell as he has done whenever left in peace since he was thrown in here.
He keeps his eyes down and says nothing, apparently given over to despair. Those in his cell may have noticed that he is watching the door and the guards outside.
He looks up and focuses a little when Quodak speaks but says nothing.
Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 for anything about the guards or the cellblock, particularly anything they're saying. I don't really expect anything beyond what Erie got, but it's what he'd be doing.
Also, what does he know from being brought in? In terms of planning an escape. Once we get out of the cells, how were we brought in? How large a settlement? How well guarded outside of the immediate area?
Finally, my familiar is a fox, so not easily concealable. I'm assuming he's been following since my capture and is lurking about outside somewhere trying to find a way to get to me. I won't be able to regain spells until we get back together, but I should still have the ones I'd prepared. This could be a problem.
DM Caleth |
Vel Daeroth is the only city in the world, populated by dragons and half-dragons and their human slaves. The arena is in the west section of the city and on one of the main avenues which leads to the walls.
The guards, at a signal from the half-dragon overseer, move to open the cells. Each door is approaches by three guards, one to open the door and two with their swords out, making it clear that you are extremely expenable in the grand scheme of things. The Half-dragon issues instructions and the guards are thoughtful enough to provide a translation in Camthi. Vrachiona ton eato sas me o, ti opla kai panoplies pou epithymeite. Ooios thetei ena cheri tha sfachtei.
He indicates the tables, which are covered in an assortment of weapons and armor. One table has ranges weapons, a shortbow, javelins, a sling and daggers. The second table has meele weapons, a shortsword, club, battle-axe, a warhammer and a longspear. The third table has six sets of leather armor and two light shields. All the weapons are made of bronze.
Kjolmar Greyhelm |
Kjolmar snarls at the half-dragon, gnashing his teeth together and spitting out,
"Og þú ert ljót sonur Karta."
However, he realizes he has little choice here, and moves to the tables. He reaches for the short sword and a set of leather armor.
DM Caleth |
Kjolmar Greyhelm |
The squat man attempts to put on the armor but it isn't fitted to a man of his proportions. He struggles against it for a few seconds in vain, then throws it back on the table, his face red and scowling.
"Ekki þú hefur einhverjar brynja sem er ekki stór fyrir horaður api?"
DM Caleth |
Seeing that you have availed yourself of the basic equipment provided for you, the half-dragon issues more instructions. The guards again provide a translation into Camthi. Eán eíste exoplisménoi , baínei kaneís ston anelkystíra na artheí epáno sto dachtylídi . An epivió̱soun tha trofodoteítai kai endechoménos dotheí éna idio̱tikó kyttáron
The human guards proceed to prod you along until you are all squeezed onto the wooden platform at the far end of the room. Then two of them begin cranking a nearby wheel, and a tangle of gears and ropes lift the mechanism upwards, heading towards the light of the arena.
DM Caleth |
The lift rises up onto the level of the arena floor and the first sensations you have is of blinding light and the roar of the crowd. The arena itself is an enormous circle of bloody sand, ringed by tall walls leading up to where the spectators sit. You probably had no idea that things this big were even considered buildings before now. There is a narrow band of seating for humanoids closest to the sand. Beyond that the arena is ringed with massive carved stone columns in several concentric rings. On the tops of these columns lounge dragons of all colors, watching the proceedings with a wide range of interest. Beyond these pillars the delicately carved towers where the draconic elite live rise high into the sky, caging you in on a massive scale.
In the very center of the arena, a circle of tall wooden stakes has been erected to mark out a smaller area for small scale combat. Guards armed with long spears prod you into this circle. As you enter you see attendants dragging off the bodies of three unfortunate combatants and a lion. Across from you in the circle stand two armored humans with halberds, two orcs clearly just arrived from the reaches of the south and a man with lank black hair who has the look of a Northerner about him.
Kjolmar Greyhelm |
Kjolmar brandishes his sword, preparing for the fight. He looks up to the dragons, hesitates a moment, then shouts, "Þú eðla vilja fá það sem kemur til þín!"
He gnashes his teeth, then turns to the rest of the group and gives a halfhearted grin. He reaches up to slap Quodak on the shoulder and remarks, "Jæja, við skulum hafa á það þá!"
Orion Snow |
Kjolmar brandishes his sword, preparing for the fight. He looks up to the dragons, hesitates a moment, then shouts, "Þú eðla vilja fá það sem kemur til þín!"
** spoiler omitted **
He gnashes his teeth, then turns to the rest of the group and gives a halfhearted grin. He reaches up to slap Quodak on the shoulder and remarks, "Jæja, við skulum hafa á það þá!"
** spoiler omitted ** [/QUOTE
Not understanding the words, but getting the gist, Orion smiles a bit. He likes the dwarf already.
DM Caleth |
After a moment and at a signal from a red dragon sitting atop the most prominent pillar, a deep horn blast sounds and the crowd goes as close to silent as you have heard them, waiting for the bloodshed to begin.
Roll Intitiative
Arena Map
The pit in the center is the opening of another elevator like the one you came up in. The barriers are low barricades. They count as difficult terrain, but can be ignored while moving with a DC 15 Acrobatics check.
Moredrel |
Moredrel mutters "Net zo goed een manier als elke om te sterven, denk ik." as he steps a little close to Krathok.
Then more loudly, "Ek sal jou terug kyk, as jy kyk na my."
Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Kjolmar Greyhelm |
After a moment and at a signal from a red dragon sitting atop the most prominent pillar, a deep horn blast sounds and the crowd goes as close to silent as you have heard them, waiting for the bloodshed to begin.
Roll Intitiative
** spoiler omitted **
Arena Map
The pit in the center is the opening of another elevator like the one you came up in. The barriers are low barricades. They count as difficult terrain, but can be ignored while moving with a DC 15 Acrobatics check.
The url was omitted for me, I only found it once I tried to quote.
Quodak Milner |
When my turn comes up, I will 5-foot step to I 15, Manifest my mind bolt as a move action, and attack as a standard. I will be attacking the orc in H5, using Deadly Aim, -1, +2
To hit:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Damage:1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Well, that wasn't very good damage, was it? Anyway, if it matters, the damage is Slashing.
As Quodak steps forward, a dense heat haze forms around his hands, and a projectile seemingly made of steam is launched at the orc. It has an easily distinguished, guillotine-like blade.
Krathok |
Hearing Moredrel speak Orcish Krathok grins toothily
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
I can't see the map at work, so I hope Caleth is alright with me qualitatively describing my actions and movement.