One of my players requested a gladiator fight in Kelmarane and I think it sounds like a great idea. They have just defeated Old Bonegrinder, the Mamba, and the peryton, cut a deal with Undrella and rescued Felliped. They haven't encountered any gnolls yet, but know of the existence of Kardswann and have seen Kezurkian from a distance. They have the key to the north gate as well.
They will probably be entering the battle market soon and I would start with having more gnolls than is listed. There are supposed to be 29 total. 2 will likely be killed when they storm the gatehouse, 1 is the bartender, 4 in area 7, 4 in area 12,and Ugruk on the platform leaving 17 left assuming they maintain their luck avoiding random patrols.
I haven't worked anything out, yet, but I have some idea of what might be fun and feasible. I am posting here fishing for more ideas as well as putting the idea out there for those GMs who might want to try something like this.
I was thinking that in the bar area would be a few off-duty gnolls drinking it up with the bugbears. PC's will walk in, get a few dirty looks but that would be about it. They would remain unmolested, but one of the gnolls will send word to Kardswann that strangers are in there mist. If they do get on the stage, Kardswann will address them as written, but many more gnolls and other spectators will begin to congregate, filling the arena and taunting the PCs calling for fights. If they don't go on stage, then a group of gnolls led by Ugruk will accost the PCs and direct them to the stage to meet with Kardswann, with all of the taunting a congregating of spectators.
One of the PCs is an exgladiator that goes by the name Mustafa the Fist, and I figure I'd start off by having loads of crossbows pointed at the heroes holding them hostage as Mustafa faces of against Hurvank the Strangler. Mustafa is a monk/fighter (brawler) and might be enlarged at the time so I think it will be awesome.
That is about as far as my imagination has taken me at this point. I really would like ideas in how to fill the crowd. How big should I make it. Races of spectators and so on. The challenge is to make Kelmarane more populated than originally intended, but still sparse enough that a group of adventures can guerrilla warfare there way through the place.
Thanks for any tips/advice.
Edit: BTW, I gave Hurvank a level of Tetori monk just for the extra pain.
Hurvank's stats:
HURVANK THE STRANGLER
CR 4 (XP 1200)
Male ogre tetori monk 1 (Bestiary 220)
LE Large humanoid (giant)
Init + 1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception + 9
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (+ 2 Wis, + 1 Dex, + 6 natural, –1 size)
hp 41(5d8+ 15 + 1 f.c.)
Fort + 9, Ref + 3, Will + 7
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee unarmed strike + 7 (1d8+ 6)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 12 Con 17, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 7
Base Atk + 3; CMB + 9 (+ 12 grapple); CMD 19 (22 vs. grapple)
Feats Improved Grapple(m), Iron Will(1), Imp. Unarmed strike(m), Stunning Fist(m) (DC 14 1/day), Intimidating Prowess(3), Imp. Natural armor(5)
Skills Climb + 7, Perception + 9, Intimidate + 10
Here is what I have come up with the modify the events of area C3. Battle Stage
Use this instead of the box text where Kardswann calls out the bounty on the characters corpses. I am going to assume that there is going to be healing going on after fights. I am writing this for my specific groups.
Kinto bin Rabin is one of the Sawfish boys from the Dungeon magazine #135 adventure "Funeral Procession." The PCs killed his brothers during this first adventure where Garavel hired them to prove their worth.
Hakim took the "Finding Haleen" trait so I thought it fitting he fights her.
Melaku will be a 4th level wizard at this point, so I think he can take on a gnoll in melee. He also is the moldspeaker.
“Enough!” Kardswann yells. “I tire of your disruption. It is time that this battle stage be put to use.” The chieftain raises both arms into the air. “Honored guests,” he roars. “I offer you a chance to leave this battle market with your hides intact! But you’ll have to earn it.”
During any fight, if a character casts a spell during the fights, Kardswann yells out “That’s cheating, don’t do it again.” However, he won’t begrudge a minor Bless or Mage Armor.
Fight 1: Kardswann points to Zedric, then to one of the many warriors in the crowd hanging out in the “fighters” section of the bar. “You,” And you. 100 gold to the winner.” The warrior happens to be Kinto bin Rabin who jumps to the stage and points at Zedric. “You, who have killed my brothers,” he levels his gaze on all of the PC’s. “Prepare to meet your makers.” There is no waiting for Kardswann, or any other official to start the fight. The second Hakim takes the stage Kinto attacks. If Kinto makes use of the Vanishing Trick (eliciting the rebuke from Kardswann), and if he gets an opportunity, doesn’t hesitate to throw a dagger at the PCs who are watching the fight.
“Bravo, bravo!” Kardswann claps and laughs, whomever wins. If Kinto wins he will perform a coup de gras on Zedric unless he is stopped. There are no repercussions for PCs who rush onto stage to stop a murder. Kardswann just laughs at the exchange. The fallen Templar claps, regardless of the outcome. “Ah, Hurvank. I’m glad that you are here. See that big guy.” Kardswann is staring at Mustafa, sizing him up. “I think I heard him say something about his mother. 200 gold for the winner.
Fight 2: Hurvank the Strangler barrels up onto the stage from the bar almost immediately and points to Mustafa. “Get up here, little man!”
“I guess it is true. The bigger they come, the harder they do fall. Well done good sir’ he says to the victor. “How about a change of pace. You there, magey-type. Get up on stage and show us you are good for something more than just hocuses and pocuses. This should be fun to watch. How about 125 gold to the victor.” He then points to one of the gnolls lounging around in the bar. “You, uh. Uh, Hurgrafuk. Get your ass up here and take this guy on.” He turns to Melaku, ”You. I’m betting on you!”
Fight 3: A typical gnoll takes the stage and attacks Melaku immediately.
“Well, now. That was fun. Let’s see, let’s see. Haleen, my current champion. Where are you?” She saunters through the crowd and sways onto the stage. “Which of these heroes would you like to take on?” She scans the PCs, looking at each one, sizing them up. Finally, she settles on Hakim and winks. “The cute one. Up, up man. Let’s see what you are made of?”
Sense Motive 21 to sense Kardswanns uncomfortableness after seeing Tempest in action.
Fight 4: Haleen doesn’t fight to kill Hakim. She makes use of dirty trick and disarm more than attempts to damage. At some point she will attempt to engage in a grapple and whisper in Hakim’s ear. “Hey Little Bro, been awhile. He plans on killing you regardless, you know. Look up.” At this point, Kardswann has slipped away to do his preparations as described in the book.
Give the PC’s a Perception check to notice Kardswann leaving, as well as gnolls moving into attack positions. After Haleen communicates with Hakim, she suggests they strike first, drawing a dart and launching at the nearest gnoll if Hakim agrees. If he doesn’t, Ugruk shouts out in gnoll the 500 gp bounty for PCs corpses. Most of the crowd understands gnoll and immediately rush the stage, fighting each other in the process of trying to reach the PCs.
Round 1: The bar, area around the stage, and anyone seated in the balcony erupt into action. One thug accosts each PC and NPC that is with them. Use footsoldier from the gmg. Any PCs who dispatch the thugs in the first round aren’t attacked by anyone else, but may notice the bugbears hurrying to finish their drinks and scramble for weapons.
The rest of the fight goes as it is laid out in the book.
Played it tonight. We all had a lot of fun. About 5 straight hours of combat ending with Kardswann getting his hand crushed with a crit card and dying from the Con damage hit point loss.
The group is the following; Paladin, ranger, wizard, rogue, cavalier and cleric.
They have used alot of time studying Kelmarane from distance with spyglasses and sneaking closer and closer. Fighting the ultimate gorilla style. Sneaking from house to house and using traps, disable spells and alike - simply not to be spotted.
When they reach the Battle Market. The ranger sneaks closer. He spots the goblin in the entrance - and snipes him out with a critical hit.
The whole group sneaks up to the door and the corpse. And inside they hear music, cheering and a human merchant walking by the hall, not seeing them.
They decide to hide the body and walk inside as costumers.
The cavalier, paladin and rogue waits in the hall. The rest of the party walks in. They see alot of gnolls, goblins, merchants and the bugbears.
The wizard and cavalier walks up to the bar. They meet the old bartender and the bugbears which they talk with for a while.
The wizard beings to make aggresive talking towards one of the bugbears. They talk about bravery and the bugbear intimidates at the wizard, claiming that he is far braver than the young Delsir (the wizard).
The bugbear tells about a challenge for the wizard. And the wizard tells that he knows the bravest of all man - Gaul! (the cavalier).
Gaul watching this scenario from a little distance gets nervous. The bugbears beings to yell about "A new challenger - who wants to defeat Hurvalk - the champion of Kelmarane!"
The gnolls beings to cheer. The goblins begins to make bets. And everything begins to heaten up.
A goblin servant takes the cavaliers hand and guides him to the arena floor.
And there Gaul stands. All alone on the floor, not knowing what really is about to happend, while everyone is cheering.
As the situation reachs its qlimax, Hurvank comes out from his quarters and everyone cheers even more. And Hurvank reaches the stage.
The goblin stands beetween them. The tall brave Gaul and the huge savage-like ogre. He yells "FIIIIIGHT!!" and jumps down the stage.
And the ogre charges the cavalier.
The fight is fast and Gaul defeats Hurvank with a solid critical with his Falchion. As Hurvank falls down the stage with blood pumping out of his deep wounds - complete silence hits the battle market.
From the balcony Kardswann appears and with his strong solid voice, he breaks the silence:
"Hah-hah-hah-haaah..
So you have defeated the great Hurvank? How brave you are. How strong you must be. But you are not even close to perfection. My spies have eyes. My spies have ears. I know - that it is you and your friends that have killed my patrouls, murdered my innocent pets and now you stand here before me.
Tell me, brave Gaul, What is it - that you want?"
Gaul looks up at him, (and he has the "reclaiming your roots-trait). And Gaul yells back.
"I am here to free my city! And I will defeat anything that stands againts my will!"
Kardswanns bursts out in laugher again:
"HAH-HAH-HAAAH-HAAAAAAH! - HOW BRAVE!
Free customers of Kelmarane. I, Kardswann, brings you an offer.
You can live at Kelmarane free of charge and trade without taxes - to the end of eternity and 100 gold pieces, to everyone who wants to accept my offer..
Get rid of theese intruders. Kill everyone of them. Bring me their heads!"
The doors to the battle market slams in. Locked and closed.
The whole battle market REALLY heats up now. The gnolls pick up their spears and howls. The bugbears draw their maces and clubs.
From the first floor gnolls get closer and draw their javelins. Gnolls run down the stairs with axes and shields. The goblins runs into their shop. And as everything now really reaches the qlimax, and the group is totally spread out and the room filled with 50-60 enemies.
That was cool. I think that is how the fight with Hurvank should be. When I played it Yousef my half-orc rogue with the Catch-Off guard feet was grappled by the ogre. At the time, either the GM was being liberal with the use of the feat, or was just as mistaken about how it was as I was. So basically Hurvank grabbed my character in a bear hug, and I had to decide if it was worth it to try and break out of the grapple or just go for it and hope I outlive him, so Yousef dropped Tempest (which was a falchion), pulled out a crowbar, and went to town on Hurvank's face. Every round, Yousef took the grapple damage, but was dealing 1d4+2d6+2 damage with some lucky hits (the GM allowed the sneak attacks due to flat-footed). Finally Hurvank dropped and Yousef had about 1 hp left. It was awesome.
Edit: I just looked it up, Yousef was enlarged as well and Hurvank had a druid transformed into a wolverine biting his ankles.
Thank you. I'll account to how it went for my group.
The PCs:
Zedric ben Omar: Cleric/Sohei 3/1; staff fighter w/crane style
Melaku Selliulerae: Air Elementalist 4; uses SGG words of power
Mustafa the Fist: Fighter (Brawler) 2/Monk (Hungry Ghost-Sacred Mountain-Master of Maneuvers) 2; former gladiator
Hakim Fedi: Archaeologist 4; whip tripper
The gladiators:
Hurvank the Strangler: Ogre Tetori Monk 1
Kinto bin Rabin: Ninja 3 and out for revenge against the PCs
Haleen: Cad 4
Here's how it went down:
After rescuing Feliped, defeating Old Bonegrinder and The Schir (I used the +44 jump check not the 3.75 acrobatics update to make it more fun) the group holed up in the mansion and started planning for how to proceed. They still had most of their spells and had healed up to full. Zedric decides that they should just take to the streets and head up the main thoroughfare announcing their awesomeness and intent to challenge the champion in the battle market.
So they head up the streets with Feliped announcing the mightiness of Mustafa until they encounter a random patrol and announce their intentions. Instead of attacking, the gnolls lead them through the gate, past Andrus' corpse. At this point Feliped starts to lose his nerve and Hakim takes over. They meet Jank, who leads them to the stage. I made sure to FILL the battle market with gnolls and disreputable humans using every gnoll paper mini I had. Hurvank and the bugbears eyeballed Mustafa the whole way in.
Mustafa stayed off stage while Zedric parlayed with Kardswaan, saying he would pit Mustafa against anyone Kardswann who dared. Of course, this fight was to put 'The Fist' vs 'The Strangler.' This bout went pretty much as a WWE match would with Hurvank grappling and body slamming Mustafa, who would break the grapple or punch using Belier's Bite causing bleed damage. This went back and forth for about 5 or six rounds with each getting the upper hand every other round until Mustafa landed the killing blow and Hurvank dropped, eventually bleeding out.
Kardswann loved it then called for another fight with Zedric, who was caught by surprise. When I had Kinto walk out to the stage and showed the picture, the players recognized the reoccurring enemy and loved it. Kinto won initiative and immediately used the vanish ability to set up a sneak attack against Zedric, but blew the role. This battle was actually determine by bad vs good rolls, with Kinto scoring a nasty triple damage critical hit (we use the crit deck) knocking Zedric out cold and then proceeding with a coup de grace. Of course, this is not in the spirit of the game, so Mustafa charged the stage and blasted Kinto good who proceeded to try and escaped but ended up getting knocked into the market stalls and bleeding out.
More applause from Kardswann. He now wanted to see his champion fight. The players were surprised that it wasn't Hurvank, and Hakim made a "oh poop" when Haleen casually took the stage and called him out. She got in close, informing Hakim that Kardswann planned on killing them anyway, and that they should take the gnolls by surprise.
I forgot to mention that Melaku cast message on everyone, so they all started to gear up for a brawl.
Then Haleen said "Now" and threw a dagger at a gnoll. Hakim proceeded to trip gnolls. Mustafa started punching things. Most of the humans were non-combatants so panicked and ran towards the exit. The human mercenaries attacked and the bugbears started chugging their drinks. Zedric, Haleen, and Hakim took on bugbears and Melaku cast Obscuring Mist on the stage.
After 3 rounds, the bugbears finished their drinks and went to join in, but Zedric cast Calm Emotion on the bugbears so they took advantage of the hiding bartender and grabbed more booze. They proceeded to drink for about 4 more rounds while Mustafa mopped up the mercenaries and the rest took out the waves of gnolls. I had all off duty gnolls present so this took many rounds.
The calm emotions eventually wore off, so the (now very) drunk bugbears joined the fight with the staggered condition. They didn't do much harm and were mostly comic relief.
Finally Kardswann gather his gnolls and joined the fight. I reflavored his fly speed as insane jumping, so I had Kardwann join by jumping down from the 3rd floor and attacking Haleen while Ugruk and the other gnolls blocked off the exits and the archers started shooting at the enlarged Mustafa.
Zedric announced that maybe they should try and escape after seeing Kardswann's damage output, but Hakim said "I think we can take him." Immediately after that, Kardswann leap-charged Hakim and dropped him to negative hps with an axe to the chest.
For the rest of the fight, they cleared out some gnolls and used smoke sticks to impede vision in the stairs to the second floor. A summoned dog helped drag Hakim to safety while Feliped healed him and Zedric channeled. Eventually they picked off the remaining gnolls, Mustafa and Zedric tag teamed Kardswann, and finally Hakim rejoined the fight, scoring a critical hit doing Con damage and taking Kardwann out.
All in all, this went from 6:30 until about 11:15. Fun, fun, fun.
