"Get that stage ready before show time!"
"And where in Rovagug's ass is my pesh latte?!?!"
"Make sure the gates to the beast pens don't stick in the desert arena like they did last season."
"Hmm... seems the first match will be a Monster Slayer match in Trapped Ruined Plains..."
"Think they'll be ready for that right out the door?"
"Depends, I got off the phone with the Bonegrinder's agent. You know, that red-headed succubus that bargained so well last season? Well, anyway, she's saying two of the team may refuse to show this season based on ethical disputes (whatever that could mean for a CE team!), and another two are demanding renegotiated pay since they've learned that Direct Connect are getting better pay, despite their higher level. Sigh. I swear. Remember the good old days when all the gladiators were slaves or debtors?"
"If the Bonegrinders renege on this season, we'll either have to replace them with an existing team, reorder the matches, or hire on new talent. Perhaps hire two new teams, and send them in on the Monster Slayer match. Probably a massacre without the Bonegrinders, but could spike the ratings early if we can find a way to drag it out..."
"Talk to Kalir and see what he thinks, then get back to me in a day or two. We still have time."
"Okay boys and girls, the debut match of the Bonegrinders and Plan C, in a new joint team Monster Slayer match will take place in the Ruined Arena.... with TRAPS!"
"Even though we strive for to keep things fresh each year with new innovations, the the concept of the Ruined Arena remains the same. There are four starting gates where players and monsters will enter by random determination, and the ruins have a variety of elevations and obstacles. The traps are deadly as always, with a few creative new variations this year."
'The monsters were going to be a surprise, but it seems somebody let the cat out of the bag... quite literally! The Bonegrinders and Plan C will have to survive a pride of ravenous lions, spotted lions, and a rare flightless manticore!"
"With both teams suffering from the losses of their veteran players, they are both relying on up-and-coming new talent. Do they have what it takes?"
The Announcer then goes on a tangent about each player, giving a brief bio interspersed with soundbytes from their interviews at the party.
Then, a hologram-like magical terrain map manifests in the viewing room, detailing the Ruined Arena.
Over the next two days you all train harder than most of you are used to. Ezendra proves to be a tougher leader than Tulrok in terms of her expectations, and she's obviously the keener strategist, but Tulrok's brute fighting style, dirty fighting, and guerilla tactics prove to be just as effective. The mock combats leave you all bruised, and better experienced for it.
Zayle and Guttersnipe advocate stealth, sniping, ambushes, and speed, Ezendra preaches about group tactics and utilizing terrain to your advantage, and Tulrok insists drawing out your quarry into direct confrontation or stabbing it in the back when it is not looking is the way to go.
Regardless of the bickering, everything they have to teach you is valuable.
After the training bouts Jun Yu raises a hand and waits paitently until the leader takes notice of him. "I wish to know what our plan for this bout is. Should we not pair up to watch each others backs? Or do we try and find everyone to form a larger fighting force?"
Ezendra speaks to Jun Yu, loud enough for all to hear. "Based on the terrain we have a few options. With lions we do not want to split up too much, and aside from the manticore, we'll not have any ranged threats to worry over. So, we stick with our groups as much as possible so as not to get picked off until we can reach a defensible position."
"Of course, those of you going with Tulrok will follow his orders. We've agreed to head for high ground, so we'll need to figure out where to go, and what route to take once we have the maps before the match. It's likely that the high ground will be near the center of the arena. I'm going to let Zayle take his own route there, as I trust his judgement, the rest of you try not to break off unless I tell you, and yes, you'd do best to stick with a partner."
Tulrok chimes in. "Based on the crappy image on the portalview, it seems there will be lots of highground, but the two largest sections would be best. I think I saw a canyon-like ravine in one, and water surrounding the other. Both can be used to our advantage. We'll know more tomorrow. Whoever goes with me will break into two squads. One led by myself with you three, the other by Thinky and Cowboy, with the other new kids. Guttersnipe will also be his own agent. I couldn't tell him what to do if I wanted on the field. It's why I keep him around."
"Aye, stickin' together an' outta sight'll be the best plan against th' big cats." He looks around at the big folk, trying to decide who would make a good flanking partner.
Listening to the plan for Plan C, Vidor looks over the image of the arena. Thinking for a moment, he says, "I am think in the center is a good place to be drawing them. Fighting back to back with missile men highest will be allowing them to fire down beast while we hold them in water. Difficult for attacking men on steps. Manticore sound like problem and need handling first. Smarter than lion and meaner too."
Thinky chimes in. "What of that ruin in left center. If we funnel cats into ravine, we can hit them from above easy."
"If needed I can wind my way through the beasts and attack the beast upfront before it is able to attack us at range. But I would need another to be able to cover me while the rest handled the main line." Jun Yu shrugs considering.
Here are the team splits:
Bonegrinders
Tulrok Bonegrinder, Team Leader (orc thug rogue 3, invulnerable rager barbarian 4)
Guttersnipe, Runner (goblin ranger 1, barbarian 1, sniper rogue 4)
Thinky Skybones (orc witch 5)
Cowboy (minotaur rogue 1)
Dark Arrow (orc two-handed ranger 4)
Sir Snarl (half-orc cavalier 4)
Arkol (hobgoblin fighter 5)
*Braegan Longclaw ('half-elf' barbarian 2, guide & skirmisher ranger 3)
*Jack Cross (human crossbowman fighter 2/sniper rogue 3)
*Vidor Varkony (human cad fighter 5)
Plan C
Ezendra Garrow, Team Leader (human rogue 3, fighter 4)
Lieutenant Zayle, Runner (martial artist monk 3, infiltrator ranger 3)
*Jhock "The Reaper" (half-orc invulnerable rager barbarian 5)
*Yark Flayschildren (orc invulnerable rager barbarian 5)
*Dumb Karl (half-elf thug rogue 5)
*Twang Slugbitter (goblin fighter 5)
*Jun Yu of the Black Serpent (human master of many styles monk 5)
*Crugonk "the Beaster" (half-orc beast cavalier rider 5)
*Mandra and Khan (catfolk skirmisher ranger 5, leopard animal companion)
*Ebenadar (halfling maneuver master monk 5)
Jack is the model of an apt student during the training sessions, at least he tries to act like one, depending on who's barking orders at him he tries to emulate what he perceives are their wishes, growling and charging ferociously for Turlok, nodding sagely at Ezendra's lectures and jumping hoops and loops for the lot of them. Really he's just trying to keep everyone pleased, he really doesn't want to go back to the jail.
Looking at the map he keeps silent as the group discussed tactics, looking silently at it, trying to absorb it as best he can.
Jhock listens well, but quietly, going through the practice matches over the few days pretty well. When he looks at the map, and hears what they'll be fighting, he gives a light sigh, but nods. Yes, sticking together would be best. Surrounded isn't good." He cocks his head, pondering for a moment. How many in a pride?"
7/11 Initiatives so far.
Ezendra chuckles a little at Jhock's comment. None of you thought the woman could laugh.
"Jhock, if I knew that I'd have a better plan. I'd say it's safe to assume that there will be at least six lions-probably eight, likely at least two of them spotted lions. And a manticore that can't fly. We have a joint team of twenty fighters, so they may even throw more at us. Regardless, it will not be an easy fight."
"Higher gruond my @§§!" Crugonk shouts out. "That's good for you p#§§*ç§, with bows and ranged attacks. On those crappy pedestals I can't maneuver Murak, and it seems I'm not the only one with a mount here" Crugonk points at Sir Snarl. "More over. We all start further away from the center than the beasts. How many of you can outrun a lion? Traps aside, are you sure to make it there before the animals do?"
Crugonk leaves a couple of seconds for the other to think.
"No matter the path you follow, you will find the cats before the high grounds.
And the big portion on the left? 10 ft. high, how many of us can climb on that faster than a lion?
Me, Sir Snarl, Yark and Jhock can work on the walking Manticore, charge it, hit it hard and we can have it grounded in less than a minute. The problem is to have it where we want, and that is here" points at the south-west corner "Plenty to maneuver and charge. Question are: who can quickly spot traps there? and how do we lure the Manticore where we want without being overrun by the cats?"
Ebe lets a big grin spread across his mouth. "I bet I can." On reflection, you recall seeing him jumping several times his own height during training - though it looked so strange you were sure your eyes were playing tricks on you.
"'s long's the traps aren't magical I c'n spot 'em easy 'nuff."
"What? Jump up to 10 ft high? Yeah I saw you springing around in training, impressive. But one thing is betting money another is betting life. What are you 3 ft? that means that to grab the edge you need to leap 7 ft. then climb on top. This while a lion, that can spring right on top, is chasing you.
What about all the others, with armor and weapons?"
Braegan scrathes at his oily black hair as he thinks, unsurprised when he pulls a bug out.
Jun Yu laughs derisively at Crugonok "You would be surprised on what our brotherhood can do. I would sooner trust the halfling to get out of trouble then yourself weighed down by all that metal."
Ebenadar considers a moment, as if calculating in his head. "In th' 'eat o' battle I reckon I could jump at least 15 feet straight up an' keep running. Anyways, I said so cuz I thought I could run out an' scout, mebbe act as bait b'fore jumpin' up there ta get them where ya want 'em. I didn't 'spect anyone else ta follow me."
Ezendra looks to Ebenadar and quips, "You live long enough, maybe you'll be a Runner one day."
Ezendra speaks to Tolruk aside for a moment, then the call over Guttersnipe and Lt. Zayle.
She then speaks to all of you. "Crugonk brings up a valid point about the open terrain. However, neither Gutternsipe nor Zayle have ever recalled untrapped open terrain. It's possible, but not likely; too easy to catch a Runner that way. If those of you with mounts wish to draw in the lions there, we'll allow it, but we will not risk the entire team for that. We'll send Thinky, Sir Snarl, and a footmen as a satellite to aid you in harrying the beasts, Crugonk, but you'd have to break away from our group to get there-if anyone volunteers you can take one other member with you, but I am not comfortable splitting everyone up like this. You're already on Plan C, too late in the fame to change that. If the monks can jump that high in combat, I want them on higher ground as quickly as possible, preferably with ranged weapons. The rest of us stick to the plan: Tolruk and his crew drive down the middle to draw them off while the rest of us head for the central ruins with the pillars, surrounded by water. The lions cannot charge us easily there, and we can get to the tops of the pillars if it turns sour."
Tolruk pats Crugonk on the back and states, "She don't pick you and you survive, come see me. Should've stepped up sooner."
Zayle speaks up."What of this platform?" He points to the northeastern platform with his cutlass. "Only one easy access point, and not that far of a jump down. At the least it would slow the lions from getting to the top, and it still has pillars."
At this point in time everyone is ushered to a pre-game room several levels below the Arena. From here, all of you will be teleported to your respective starting gates. You all have one hour in-game to review the map and make your plans.
Rolling for Mandra the Shredder and Dumb Karl:
Mandra
Karl
Initiative
Initiative is broken up in chunks for ease of reference, not for pairings. They may change if people delay the first round or two.
* = Player Character
C = Plan C
B = Bonegrinders
*B Jack Cross 24
*C Mandra the Shredder and Khan 22
*B Braegan Longclaw 21
B Arkol 20
C Lieutenant Zayle, Runner 19a
B Guttersnipe, Runner 19b
*C Jhock "The Reaper" 17a
*C Crugonk "the Beaster" and Murak 17b
*C Yark Flayschildren 16
*C Ebenadar 15
*C Dumb Karl 14a
B Thinky Skybones 14b
B Tulrok Bonegrinder, Team Leader 13a
C Ezendra Garrow 13b
*C Jun Yu of the Black Serpent 12
*C Twang Slugbitter 10
*B Vidor Varkony 7a
B Dark Arrow 7b
B Cowboy 5
B Sir Snarl and Sir Stomp 4
Slides his Scythe out, squeezing the shaft as the time approaches. "Sounds good plan." He grins, taking a look at the map. "Just tell me where you want me, and I'll follow. I'm ready to send a few kittin souls to my Lady Death." He says, nodding, waiting for any response, before moving off to the side, taking a few minutes, head bowed as he murmurs a prayer to Pharasma, his Lady Death.
One other consideration:
Certain squares are trapped. Instead of bogging down game play with square-by-square coordinates, I'll instead use my judgement about where you start and end up. If you pass near a trapped square, I'll make a Perception check for you. Then I'll determine what, if anything happens with the trap. This will save time on the forums.
Mandra was grinning to herself as she prepared herself for the coming battle, she was particularly excited as the battle would give her a chance to go up against lions, she'd fought a few of the 'big cats' before but never a lion and DEFINITELY not an entire pride. She was certain this was going to be fun even if she was rather sure that grappling a lion was a rather poor plan, regardless she'd get a chance to pit her claws against that of one of the toughest cats around.
"I'd rather just go at them head on and tear some ass but then again I'm not much of a planner, I'm pretty much in the same boat as the creepy scythe guy though. Point me in a direction and I'll make some dead lions." she said with a grin.
Given his height and ranged weapons, Twang will try to get to the high ground with the others. While running there, he'll drop raw meat as a free action to distract and slow the animals.
Jun Yu turns to his fellow monk and nods to him before turning to the the team leader. "We could carry some rope if anyone has it and then jump up to some highground and lower it down to you letting the ranged fighters get up quicker."
"I'm pretty sure Spotted Lions are generally loners, if anything perhaps a couple of us could lure them away from the pride itself an take them out quickly. There significantly tougher than a normal lion. If anyone likes the idea I definitely want a shot at one." Mandra said giving the group a toothy grin. A fight with a lion would definitely be some fun but with what she knew about spotted lions she was certain that they would be even more of a challenge and thus even more fun to fight even if she was pretty sure fighting it 'solo' was mostly just wishful thinking.
Sense Motive for AC if smaller than normal AC dont use
If melee attack hits roll dmg as normal
If melee attack misses
AOO Retaliatory Attack
dmg if hit
If Retaliatory hits second attack
dmg if hit
If ranged attack and goes through AC use deflect arrow
If ranged attack misses rolls over
I hope this helps sorry again :(
I'll roll if you like, but you only get one immediate action per round. You can use it to either attempt to increase your AC vi Snake Style or use it to make an extra attack against a foe you hit with an AoO due to them missing you.
So, if someone attacks you in melee, you can either spend an immediate action (assuming you've not already used a swift action!) to make a Sense Motive check, or hope they miss so you can retaliate as a swift action after you make a successful AoO.
Ah well normally I will be using it to get better AC lol playing it safe
@Jun Yu: Ok, I'll use that as default. Just pipe in asap if that changes.
And also, just to make sure I'm looking at this correctly, the Bonegrinders are starting in the orange square on the right side of the map?
And what are the chances Braegan could make a last minute purchase and spend his last 100g on two potions of Grease? :)
Sorry for the machine gun posting. I'm on my phone and editing is a pain.
I didn't have any ranged weapons but had just under 2k gold left over, so if it's alright I'd like to buy a light crossbow and 25 +1 bolts for 1053gp
"Jun, tha's a good idea. I got some rope, so first thing I'm gonna sprint straight at th' platform, jump up, an' tie a rope t' the pillar." He takes one of his ropes out and ties knots in it at even intervals for easier climbing.
I go with Ezendra so we can team up on lion and stab in the soft bits? Also, I have magic scrolls. Don't always work good, but I make big fog cloud or silent illusion picture for emergency. Just make signal and I do magics. Also healy wand, not powerful, but good to stop dying.
@Braegan: Potions are fine. Combat hasn't started.
@Ebenadar: Sure thing.