Gladiators of Zirnakaynin PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

The PCs are slave gladiators in the famed Drow city, fighting to survive and win glory (and perhaps, eventually, freedom) in the arena, whilst becoming embroiled in the intrigues of their drow masters between bouts. Skewed a lot towards the 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' TV show style and pseudo-Roman gladiator styles.


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Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

yeah, there was that :(


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Should've stayed put and let it come to us. Amateur mistake.

And I was operating under the assumption that Lorelei acted before me in initiative.


It has pounce. Letting it come to us doesn't really help either.

I considered that as an option too. =P


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Was bending over and letting it have its way with us an option? ;p


Hrm. I missed that one.

That option might have included less biting.


I've got a couple of busy days coming up starting tomorrow, so feel free to DMPC Kyzrak if I don't manage to post.


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

I wonder if we'll have a chance to heal in between fights... I think it's about time Nathrae tried to befriend Dala. XD

Incidentally, Lorelei, if you CdG, you can make a Performance Combat check...

The Exchange

Segovax has a raging AC of 10... he's designed to get hit. That the hydra missed him at all is statistically less probably than it missing Narsius (stated to be a defensive type in-game) multiple times.

If you guys are honestly asking what you could have done better against the hydra, then I'd suggest taking a look at how the other two groups approached their fights. Readying attacks works wonders against things prone to charging (including pouncing)... pity none of you are hoplomachus or retiarius (brace is a wonderful feature), but it's still solid tactics.

Can dancing lights distract a hydra... it has the IQ of a cat... what do you think? (Less likely to be a distraction if someone's sticking a blade into it at the time, of course...).

A hydra's CR 4 straight from the book, but that's just a base CR - that's the CR if it mugs you whilst you're wandering through a temperate swamp... If you know you've got a fight, haven't expended any of your resources, have ample time to pre-cast spells, can't be ambushed, and are in a nice open arena where your superior speed is a distinct advantage... it's a lesser challenge...

Not to mention the fact that there was plenty more resource and information available if the characters had gone looking for them pre-fight... everyone chose not to do anything - which is fine, of course, but doesn't mean that time couldn't have been put to better use (although, to be honest, I was more worried about the guys fighting the amphisbaena - which has considerable more AC than a hydra, and you basically die if it bites you, it's that poisonous - not finding out about it beforehand and getting hold of the antitoxin its handlers had with them...).


The hydra is significantly more dangerous than the amphisbaena.

Readying really doesn't do anything against a pouncing creature that will one-round anything it charges.


Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

Well, we will just call this learning experience for the next time.


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7
Quote:
A hydra's CR 4 straight from the book, but that's just a base CR - that's the CR if it mugs you whilst you're wandering through a temperate swamp... If you know you've got a fight, haven't expended any of your resources, have ample time to pre-cast spells, can't be ambushed, and are in a nice open arena where your superior speed is a distinct advantage... it's a lesser challenge...

To be honest, I have to agree with Segovax.

A CR 4 hydra is designed to be a challenge for a party of four PCs at level 4 who've been created under a 15-point buy system. Pitting it against a team of level 1 characters, even if they have a speed advantage and a level playing field, is likely going to result in four mulched PCs. Five attacks per round, even after a charge, tends to add up.

Quote:
Not to mention the fact that there was plenty more resource and information available if the characters had gone looking for them pre-fight... everyone chose not to do anything -

-which we never got any indication we were allowed to do until now.


I don't know that Segovax would have even if he'd known it was an option. Scouting the encounters feels very contrary to the gladiator spirit of the campaign.

Even with foreknowledge I can't say I'd have any ideas what to bring. Brace weapons don't help. Some entangle scrolls to keep it from charging combined with ranged firepower might work but I imagine we'd still have a hard time overcoming its fast healing with bows.


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

in true dwarven fashion, Ivan charges forward, tempting fate without so much as a bat on an eye. lol.


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

welp, lets hope the snake lady misses my AC16....


On a related subject:

1) Does being defeated during the beast fight disqualify us from the main events?

2) Did Segovax's busty fan witness that fight and how did she react? =P

The Exchange

I can't say that being second guessed and having my GMing insulted makes this fun... not sure when (if) I'll post again... maybe after I've slept on it. Sorry.

Sczarni

Male Halfling Summoner 1 | AC: 15/12/14 | HP: 10/10 | F +1, R +1, W +4 (+2 vs fear, +4 vs mind-affecting from good outsiders) | CMB -3, CMD 8 | Init +1 | Perc +2

I'm no stranger to challenging encounters. A CR 4 against a party of level 1's isn't out of the question-- sure it'll be challenging, but not impossible. Frankly I'm with ProfPotts, I'm not a fan of when people complain about encounters being too difficult-- that's what makes the game fun! I once pitted my players against an encounter I was pretty sure would slaughter them (and it did) for story reasons, and most of the encounters I built myself (I was running an AP) were at least two above their APL. Because as a player, I prefer fights that are really difficult.


This is a great game and I was definitely hooked after those first couple scenes. I apologize if any of our comments came off as second-guessing or insulting. I believe that was at least partly due to some misplaced expectations on our end.

For better or worse I’m still excited to see what comes next.


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Likewise.


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

I never questioned ye GMing :(

I mean, my first PbP character got killed from a cr 1/3 dire rat because it critted and did max damage. It was hilarious.

I prefer fights where one of two things happen. If its mobs, steamroll them so the party feels like they are a cut above the rests, bosses IMO should leave the party at the edge of there seats surviving by the skin of there teeth.

I don't think it was a second guessing of GMing, more of a grumbling they got beat by what they think was an unfair opponent. While I think it was a hard fight. Its the arena. Its supposed to be exciting and well. Dangerous.

Now hush up ye durned blubbering stones and jus tell ye people how ye took several hydra bites, and not only lived but managed to kill it ;).


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

BTW, the base Hydra would need to roll max damage 3 times to down segovax in one round.


Female Half-Orc Witch (Scarred Witch Doctor) 1; HP 13/13; AC 11/ T 11/ FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3; CMB +1, CMD 12; Per +1, Init +1; Speed 30 ft;
Enlarged, Mage Armor:
Init + 0; AC 13/TT 13/FF 13; Ref +0; CMB +2, CMD 12

Just to weigh in, being a "naive" player I don't have an encyclopaedic knowledge of CRs or monster capabilities, so I don't have expectations - it definitely nakes playing much easier. My [i\]character[/i] acts according to its knowledge, and I never consider anything fair or unfair. Adventuring - fair? Life - fair? A gladiatorial arena is designed to be unfair. I guess I'm also a grognard who had arbitrary match-ups, save or dies and traps that killed indiscriminately.

I'm warming to this game completely ProfPotts - and really enjoying both the Performance combat, the debauchery and politicking of the drow and the emerging character bonds snd personalities. You have made a great concept very enjoyable.


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

So... think we should put out a call for a new GM?


Anyone know a DM that would be interested that could do this game justice?


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

YAY! Welcome back GM! :D

The Exchange

Okay, I'm going to give this another try, although to be honest it's tough to muster the enthusiasm at the moment...

I shouldn't have to state any of the following, but just to try to avoid future upset:

Please try to remember that the 'don't be a jerk' rule applies when you're relating to GMs as much as when you're relating to others.

Don't attempt to 'back seat GM'. If you want to GM, then go run your own game.

If you don't like my GMing, then please just leave, don't feel the need to slag me off... it hurts, considering the effort I try to put into this thing, and I've no incentive to keep running the game if I'm not having fun too...

When I make a GM statement about this game, it is not an invitation for argument. If you want to argue the toss, there are plenty of other places on this site designed for you to do that - flat-out declaring I'm wrong when I make a GM statement (designed to help the players, no less...) about this game isn't appropriate.

Try to pay attention. The fact the gladiators were to fight beasts as well as other gladiators has been there since the recruitment thread. The hydra's size was explicitly stated (and even compared to an elephant to emphasize the point...). The players were offered the chance to have their characters do stuff before they entered the arena, and I even had an NPC exit the room to go place bets just to make it clear the sort of freedom they had...


Female Half-Orc Witch (Scarred Witch Doctor) 1; HP 13/13; AC 11/ T 11/ FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3; CMB +1, CMD 12; Per +1, Init +1; Speed 30 ft;
Enlarged, Mage Armor:
Init + 0; AC 13/TT 13/FF 13; Ref +0; CMB +2, CMD 12

Okay fair enough PP.

We are all here to enjoy ourselves, and not offend, insult or deride. I don't think any harm was meant.

As to paying attention:

We may be paying attention, and still not have our characters act on what we as players pay attention to, or misunderstand what we as players perceive, or decide that our characters misunderstand what they perceive.

Try to have compassion for our failings. As I said in my PM - Morituri te salutant…


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Well, if the gladiatrix thing doesn't pan out, maybe Nathrae will have better luck here... XD


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

Hey.... This might work.


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

atta' boy Ivan, make the rolls when they really count ;) haha.


I don't suppose there are some devotees of Baphomet around.

This whole thing (gladiator bloodsport) seems like it'd be right up their alley.

Edit:

Also, how do we go about spending our prestige?

Sczarni

Male Halfling Summoner 1 | AC: 15/12/14 | HP: 10/10 | F +1, R +1, W +4 (+2 vs fear, +4 vs mind-affecting from good outsiders) | CMB -3, CMD 8 | Init +1 | Perc +2

By the way, I'm going to GenCon next weekend so from Wednesday to Sunday I won't be posting much. I'll try to do one per day though.


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

He he. Ivans looking good now huh lory.


Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

Only by comparison. :P


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Trust me, it's not much better for me either... :p


Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

I don't know, there is only one wolf, but three druegar.....

How about we just agree to hate Kyzrak? :)


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Yep. Sounds good. :)

The Exchange

There are followers of Baphomet around, actually. There's representatives of all the Demon Lords worshipped in the city somewhere in the tunnels under the arena, and although Baphomet's not one of the most popular (none of the Twelve Houses hold him as patron) he's got his fans... not least because he's a sometime lover of Socothbenoth himself...

As for spending Prestige - that's a player, rather than a character, action. So you spend it on what you want, and that leads to the desired results manifesting in-game... in other words, just say what you want to spend it on, and I'll let you know what happens.


Awesome!

I don't really have a good grasp of what the 'backstage' area looks like but would it be possible for Segovax to seek one of them out? Should I just RP looking for them?

Rutting Nathrae in public was one thing but playing sub to halflings is another.


Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

Rutting halflings would be a lot easier on my vajayjay.

The Exchange

Sorry - should have noted an 'Edit' on that bit about Prestige I answered above...

But yes, the priestess of Socothbenoth will happily direct Segovax to where the followers of Baphoment hang out, if he wants... and the halflings were just there to tie Seg down... after that if was open season on his 'buns of steel'... ;)


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

Kinda wish I knew that before I submitted to the wolf...

Oh well.


He’s not that kind of Sex Symbol. =P

It is interesting how different Kyzrak and Segovax’s Symbolness is being responded to by the NPCs. I wonder when Adindra is going to make an appearance.


Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

Lorelei actually worship's Socothbenoth's sister Nocticula. Her main objection is just being on the receiving end of things.


M Dwarf Drillmaster of the Order, Rough, gruff and blunt. He is a harsh and boisterous dwarf and expects much from new recruits. Often earning their ire for a time.

Will post later but for now. No way in hell is Ivan hanging around dark dwarves. He will be leaving. Spend a prestige to name sure the poor sod he is carrying is healed?


Lorelei wrote:
How about we just agree to hate Kyzrak? :)

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful! *tosses hair and is given a L'Oreal contract*

...Okay, so I'm old.


Female Undine Cleric / 4 || Init: +1 / HP: 23/23 // AC: 14 / FF: 13 / Touch:11 / Saves: F: +4, R: +2, W: +8

Bite me Fabio. :P

Sczarni

Male Halfling Summoner 1 | AC: 15/12/14 | HP: 10/10 | F +1, R +1, W +4 (+2 vs fear, +4 vs mind-affecting from good outsiders) | CMB -3, CMD 8 | Init +1 | Perc +2

Because he's worth it.

The Exchange

Remember that the Prestige stuff is listed in the first post of this thread.

Just to make it clear, you can't spend Prestige for effects to magically manifest mid-encounter (so you couldn't, for example, blow 1 Prestige to gain a cure moderate wounds spell cast on you out of nowhere in the middle of a fight) - they're a game mechanics way of assessing the benefits of the character's growing populatrity as a gladiator (in general) and a member of Loscivia's familia gladiatoria (more specifically). They're player rather than character controlled, because they technically allow stuff beyond a character's in-game control, but in a lot of situations it's appropriate to role-play character requests and the like... just backed up with player spent Prestige. For example:

A character could ask Pharnox for healing, and the player spend 1 Prestige for a cure moderate wounds casting. Then I'd post something along the lines of Pharnox paying for the casting out of his own pocket.

or...

(Equally valid) The player could spend 1 Prestige for a cure moderate wounds casting, and just leave it to the Fates (or, well, me...) as to how it comes about. That could result in Pharnox just paying for the character to be healed, or a fan donating a healing, or a like-minded priestess taking sympathy on the character, or... well, whatever, really (but always down to being a result of the character's fame as a gladiator, in the end).

So they're a player spent resource, but they can be guided (not controlled) by character actions. In the first example above, even though the character requests healing from Pharnox, when the player spends the point it may not turn out that way: maybe Pharnox would still refuse, but a sympathetic guard overhears and offers a potion of cure moderate wounds instead, commenting on how impressive the character's last bout was... something like that.

I hope that makes it clearer? I do tend to forget that some people aren't as used to systems like this as I am... sorry.

As for Nathrae's 'liason'... she can still back out at this point... I've not posted anything counter to that yet...


Spray: 1/1|Demoralize: 1/1|Female Drow Black-Blooded Oracle of Shadows 2|HP: 13/13|AC: 19/13/16|SR: 8|Saves: +0 Fort, +3 Ref, +2 Will (+2 vs. Enchant, -2 vs. Evil)|Init: +3|Perc: +7

One question, though--if I were to back out, would I lose my roll to gather info?

If not, I'm definitely considering it... but on the other hand, maybe Nathrae would go through with it anyway.

Because:

1) She's still stinging from such a decisive defeat in the ring; a part of her feels she deserves this as a punishment.

2) She's also kinda stupid. Odds are, if someone told her it's the only way for her to get healing, she'd probably believe them.

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