Arena of Ages
Arena of Ages Rules version 0.10
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Arena of the Ages, where many brave heroes have fought not only to win prizes, but to hone skills and eventually reach levels unsurpassed by their competition! This arena is open to ANY NUMBER of players allowing for a multitude of skills and combating abilities!
This does NOT mean that our wizards and the like are left out, oh no! This is even open to them as they can be the most deadly opponents in the right arenas! Now before you begin to venture forth, there are a few rules to abide by while here:
Requirements
To play in the Arena of Ages you need:
- The current version of TOS+
- An active subscription to the Community Forum
How to create your gladiators:
Each gladiator is rolled using the 5d6 method, dropping the lowest two and assigning as per normal. All stats are to be rolled using the Invisible Castle roller. On that site, you can register a free account - try to use the same name as your forum nickname if possible.
Here is about what you need to do to roll your Gladiator:
| Doing Rolls on Invisible Castle | |
|---|---|
| Section | What to enter |
| Name | The name of your Gladiator |
| Campaign Name | AoA Gladiators |
| Number of Rolls | 6 |
| Dice | 5d6.minroll(2).takeHighest(3) |
| Notes | Your School Name: Roll # out of 3 |
You will do the above THREE times and pick the one that is BEST suited for your character. Save ALL the HTTP:// in the Notes section of TOS+ for your Gladiator.
Once you have your Gladiator ready, Post It here and include an icon/token/image for your Gladiator also. Look to the RPTOOLS.net contributor gallery for ideas. Really any image will do though.
System Used
There are going to be two separate areas set up. One for the Pathfinder system, and one for D&D 3.5. You can play in both; however you have to create two separate schools for each of them. Currently, we play only 3.5 Characters until TOS+ v3.0 is made public and the rules have been hashed out.
Books
Presently, you are allowed to use the content of the System Reference Document, which matches the content of TOS+.
Starting Gold
As per your Class - use the average value.
Alternate/Optional Rules
Flaws and Traits are allowed for use as of 11/6/09 and existing Gladiators are allowed the option to take Flaws and/or Traits if desired. A Gladiator is allowed no more than 2 flaws and/or 2 traits at start up.
Spellcasters
A special note on spellcasting gladiators. In regard to what spells this gladiator has available to his/her use, the submission to the Judges and the forum may exclude spells from the file. Spells allowed are strictly limited to those built into TOS+ and the SRD. No other sources are allowed, as no other sources are allowed to other gladiators.
At a time that a spellcaster is challenged by, or challenges, another Gladiator, caster or not, this spellcasting Gladiator MUST be sent to the Presiding Judge of said match with spells included. Failure to do so will result in no spells available for that match.
Gladiator Schools
A gladiator school may only have 1 gladiator to start out with. When the school has successfully raised a gladiator to 5th level, that school may then have up to 2 gladiators. After a school has a 10th level gladiator, they may have up to 3 gladiators. After a gladiator reaches 15th level, that school may then have up to 4 gladiators. You may retire a gladiator at any time in their career; however, you can only recruit/create 1st level gladiators!
Once a school has been set up, the player of this School will be needed to make a blank post. To do this, just enter Reserved in the post body. This will be for the player to track item changes and purchases, and maintain a history of this.
Gladiators
When a gladiator reaches level 20, they have become a legend in the arena. At this point, a Gladiator has his/her last chance to retire with pride. When this gladiator has reached 21st level, he/she now becomes a Master of his/her School and is able to recruit Level-Adjustment gladiators. This starts out with +1 LA races. For each 21st level gladiator a school retires, the allowed level adjustment increases by an additional +1. For example, if a school has retired 3 21st level gladiators, they may recruit +3 LA races. However, a LA gladiator is treated as being of the level indicated in the ECL for the purposes of challenges.
Keep this in consideration when getting to this point.
A Gladiator of 21st level is no longer a competing Gladiator.
CHALLENGES
HOW to issue a Challenge
Once a school has been established, and it has a gladiator, you are free to challenge any gladiator from any school. A challenge may be issued to any gladiator of equal level or higher...though you may not challenge a gladiator more than 2 levels higher than you (even if you think you can take them!) To issue a challenge, a PM MUST BE SENT to the one being challenged AND the Moderator AND a post of the challenge must be posted in the Challenges Sub-forum. The challenged has 5 days from this PM and posting to respond. Only after a challenge has been accepted does the opportunity for a Judge open and thus step forward to run the Match. Prior to challenging a gladiator, you are encouraged to talk with them about who you are going against. In all fairness, both parties MUST at least give basic information such as weapons and armor and level and the like.
Conditions may be declared, by challenger and/or challenged, but once the match begins that's it. All conditions are set. None is a condition that all arenas default to as specified by the particular arena.
How to REPLY to a Challenge
When you have been challenged, you have several options. If the gladiator who challenged you is of equal level, you may choose whether or not you accept the challenge. If the gladiator that challenged you is of lower level, you MUST fight them. A gladiator CANNOT challenge an opponent of lower level then he/she is. In either case, the person BEING challenged gets to choose the arena to fight in.
In general, all bouts are fought until one gladiator has fallen (negative hit points). In some cases, a gladiator may continue fighting until -10 hp (such as with the diehard feat). The gladiators do not die and are automatically restored to full health at the conclusion of a match. This also includes Familiar/Animal companions and such.
If you are challenged and do not respond to that challenge within 5 days and do NOT have viable reason, it will be classified as a LOSS against your school. [under revision]
If this happens repeatedly (max 3 times), your gladiator will impose a -1 penalty to attack, damage, saves, skills, and initiatives until the opposing gladiator wins (ie...Glad 1 vg Glad 2, no response from Glad 2 for 5 days = -1 penalties for Glad 2 until they win a duel). This effect STACKS with other penalties/spells. [under revision]
After 3 consecutive non-responses to challenges, the gladiator will be removed from the game.
If you accept a challenge and DO NOT post within the 2 day validation you will be given a foul. Having a foul means your Gladiator has a condition (fatigued, etc.) applied to him/her for 1 (could be 2) rounds. If you foul consecutively, or foul three times in one match, the match is "Forfeit by Foul", and your opponent gets a win and 50% of the prize for that match. Note that some games will require a Private message to the DM, as your position is hidden from the other. [under revision]
Number of Matches at One Time
A single Gladiator may, if he chooses, be in more than one Match Fight. This Gladiator may also refuse a challenge if he is already in a Match Fight, with no penalty to the Gladiator or the school. A Gladiator may be in no more than 3 Matches at any one time.
For spells with material or focus components, as in the rules governing spells and their components, the caster pays for components of value and must track them. If a caster is in more than one Match Fight, the caster MUST choose which match what components of value are available in.
A Death Match
A 'Death Match' is a battle to the death. A battle to the death must be agreed upon by both gladiators prior to beginning the bout. If a gladiator has died, they may be resurrected if that gladiator has the money to do so. However, True Resurrection may never be used. If the gladiator is level 4 or higher, then each time they die, they incur a -1 level penalty.
Rewards
A note on rewards. A Gladiator will receive all rewards due after every match to enable the ability to make purchases for upcoming matches.
Winner's Reward
The following amounts are in gp. Look up the winner's level and the loser's level to determine the winner's earnings.
| Winner's Level | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | ||
| Loser's
Level |
1 | 200 | 350 | 450 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 338 | 600 | 788 | 900 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 500 | 900 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 1,250 | 1,688 | 2,000 | 2,188 | 2,250 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 2,250 | 2,700 | 3,000 | 3,150 | 3,150 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 3,500 | 3,938 | 4,200 | 4,288 | 4,200 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 5,000 | 5,400 | 5,600 | 5,600 | 5,400 | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 6,750 | 7,088 | 7,200 | 7,088 | 6,750 | ||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 8,750 | 9,000 | 9,000 | 8,750 | 8,250 | ||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 11,000 | 11,138 | 11,000 | 10,588 | 9,900 | ||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 13,500 | 13,500 | 13,200 | 12,600 | 11,700 | ||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 16,250 | 16,088 | 15,600 | 14,788 | 13,650 | ||||||||||||||||
| 13 | 19,250 | 18,900 | 18,200 | 17,150 | 15,750 | ||||||||||||||||
| 14 | 22,500 | 21,938 | 21,000 | 19,688 | 18,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| 15 | 26,000 | 25,200 | 24,000 | 22,400 | 20,400 | ||||||||||||||||
| 16 | 29,750 | 28,688 | 27,200 | 25,288 | 22,950 | ||||||||||||||||
| 17 | 33,750 | 32,400 | 30,600 | 28,350 | 25,650 | ||||||||||||||||
| 18 | 38,000 | 36,338 | 34,200 | 31,588 | 28,500 | ||||||||||||||||
| 19 | 42,500 | 40,500 | 38,000 | 35,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| 20 | 47,250 | 44,888 | 42,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Looser's Reward
This table is the amount that the looser gains after a match. Lookup the Winner's level to see how much the looser gains from that lost match. Note: This comes to 50gp x the Winner's Level
| Winner's Level |
Looser's Award |
Winner's Level |
Looser's Award |
| 1 | 50 gp | 11 | 550 gp |
| 2 | 100 gp | 12 | 600 gp |
| 3 | 150 gp | 13 | 650 gp |
| 4 | 200 gp | 14 | 700 gp |
| 5 | 250 gp | 15 | 750 gp |
| 6 | 300 gp | 16 | 800 gp |
| 7 | 350 gp | 17 | 850 gp |
| 8 | 400 gp | 18 | 900 gp |
| 9 | 450 gp | 19 | 950 gp |
| 10 | 500 gp | 20 | 1000 gp |
Reward for other Situations
In a Match where a Gladiator who actually refuses the challenge (according to the rules) Pays nothing.
In a Match where a Challenge has been made, but no answer has been received (according to the rules) then the challenger receives 50gp for his time spent waiting.
With a Match in progress, concerning a Win by Forfeit (according to the rules), the winner receives 50% of the prize value.
Vacation / Away
If you are going out of touch for more than a few days, please indicate this in the ABSENT thread on the forum so that way you will NOT be penalized and your school will be put on hold until AFTER you return!
Validation and Judging
If a judge is gone for a length of time that is double the time of the validation process (ie 2 day validation = 4 days gone), then another judge, at the request of the players, may be used for the time frame of that challenge.
Benefits are Rewarding
By Judging a Match, a Judge will be rewarded. Only a player participating in the arena may be a Judge of a Match. All Players may Judge. By Judging a match, that player chooses the gladiator of his school if his/her school has more than one gladiator as the announcer/MC of the Match in question.
Limit in Matches
As of right now, there will be a limit of three (3) matches at one time permitted per Judge and in a case where more than one Judge is offering his/her time, the Judge with the Lowest Matches Judged gets the match.
Rewards are as follows
A judge receives 100gp x Match Avg. Level. (EX. the match is a 2nd level vs a 3rd level, 100x2.5=250gp)
This gold goes only to the gladiator Judging the match. This is NOT being paid to the Judge's school. This gladiator my do as he/she wishes with this as long as it only benefits that gladiator.
A judge who misses two (2) validations, as per the rules above, and is replaced gets nothing. The Judge who then takes over gets the payout instead.
A Judge who announces his/her absence may call for a replacement and will then receive a payout split with the replacing Judge based on the point in the match where the split occurs.
THE ARENAS
There are several Arenas to choose from and more are added from time to time. Please consult the Map Area on the Community Forum to view available Maps!
Movements
When moving around the Arena, please indicate the square you have moved to by using the grid coordinates..ie "I have moved from 1A to 3B." The ARENA LAYOUT thread has several arena layouts, however they are ALL based upon the TYPICAL arena unless otherwise shown or noted.
Combat within the Arena
Combat in the Arena is based on the Rules of the SRD (or Core Rule Book for Pathfinder RPG).
Arena Options
(NEEDS REVISION - Admin)
A person who is being challenged may select one of several arena types for the bout. The arena types are as follows:
- Typical: Standard Arena (50x120x50)
- Burning: 1d6 fire damage per round, Fire spells gain +1 ECL
- Wetland: Movement Halved, Water spells gain +1 ECL
- Forest: Movement Halved, +10% concealment
- Clouds: +1 ECL to Air spells, 15% chance knocked prone (air currents)
- Fire Plane: +3 ECL to Fire spells, 4d6 fire damage/round
- Water Plane: 25% chance to take 2d6 suffocation damage, +3 ECL to Water Spells
- Earth Plane: 15% chance earthquake (4d6 damage), +3 ECL to Earth spells
- Air Plane: Falling unless flying, no dex bonus, 3d6 dmg/round (high winds), +3 ECL to Air spells
- Shadow Plane: 5% chance of hitting a stone (DC 35 or die)
- Light Plane: Regenerate/gain 5 HP/round. If 10 hp over your initial, DC 30+1/hp or explode
- Limbo: Arena changes every 5 rounds
A notice will be posted in the ARENA ANNOUNCEMENT area to let you know which arenas are open. If enough people request one, there can be 2 of each arena, but as it stands now, there is only ONE of each EXCEPT the typical arena which there are 5.
RANKING SYSTEM
There are 4 different levels for each rank. Everyone starts out at D-Private. Once you gain a level, you would then become a D-Sergeant. Once you hit D-Major (level 5), you become a C-Private at level 6 and so on and so forth. All of the benefits listed below STACK and are in addition to any bonus granted by leveling!
Progression
Each and every level is attainable by earning Victory Points.
1 Win = 2 VP
1 Loss = 1 VP
3 Wins gain 1 level, while 6 Losses gain a level.
D LEVEL
- Level 01: Private - None,
- Level 02: Sergeant - +1 to any ONE skill
- Level 03: Lieutenant - +3 HP
- Level 04: Captain - +1 to AC (Deflection)
- Level 05: Major - +1 to any ONE stat
C LEVEL
- Level 06: Private - +2 to ATK/DMG or ECL
- Level 07: Sergeant - +2 to either ATK or DMG
- Level 08: Lieutenant - +2 to Initiative
- Level 09: Captain - +2 to ALL Saving Throws
- Level 10: Major - +2 to any ONE stat
B LEVEL
- Level 11: Private - +3 to ATK/DMG or ECL
- Level 12: sergeant - +3 to any ONE skill
- Level 13: Lieutenant - +6 HP
- Level 14: Captain - +3 to AC (Deflection)
- Level 15: Major - +3 to any ONE stat
A LEVEL
- Level 16: Private - +4 to ATK/DMG or ECL
- Level 17: sergeant - 5/- Resistance
- Level 18: Lieutenant - +4 to Initiative
- Level 19: Captain - +4 to ALL Saving Throws
- Level 20: Major - +4 to any ONE stat
Gold Ownership
Gold is owned by the Gladiator who has earned it - not pooled in the school coffers. You cannot transfer gold (or equipment) from one of your gladiators, to another one.
Prize for Leveling
When a Gladiator levels, he gains additional gold above what he receives from participating in matches. This amount will be awarded by the Moderator once a Gladiator has accrued 6 Victory Points.
| Level | Award | Level | Award |
| 2 | 200 gp | 12 | 15,000 gp |
| 3 | 400 gp | 13 | 20,000 gp |
| 4 | 600 gp | 14 | 25,000 gp |
| 5 | 1,000 gp | 15 | 35,000 gp |
| 6 | 1,500 gp | 16 | 45,000 gp |
| 7 | 2,000 gp | 17 | 55,000 gp |
| 8 | 2,500 gp | 18 | 65,000 gp |
| 9 | 3,000 gp | 19 | 75,000 gp |
| 10 | 5,000 gp | 20 | 100,000gp |
| 11 | 5,000 gp | - | - |
MAGIC
Magic cannot be cast prior to the fight. Each gladiator goes through a 'de-spell' prior to such. Psionic characters cannot start out as already psionically focused. (ref)
For classes that must memorize spells, please PM me or the judge you’re memorized spells prior to beginning the bout. Also, if anyone is playing a wizard, please keep track of your spell book in your character sheet.
In all arenas, Summon Natures Ally / Summon Monster can be used; however it is the normal stats for the creature summoned. It is up to the judge of that challenge to determine whether or not any feats (such as Augmented Summoning) take hold for that particular creature. After all, if you are going against a druid or a decently thought out wizard, you should expect something else to come up!
Invisibility
If you are invisible by means of natural abilities, you may PM to let me know your movement in the arena, as to keep your opponent from knowing your location. If, however, you are combating me, then I will designate an alternative person to keep track of your movement.
Animal Companions / Familiars / Rebuking
Animal Companions/Familiars are allowed within the confines of the arena and act as normal, however summoning a horde and then rebuking to take control of them will not be allowed if the total number of their HD is greater than HALF your level rounded down.
The player may choose to give the animal companion new feats and skills if he rears the animal himself. The warbeast template cannot be applied to an animal companion. Ability scores are set, no playing around with point buys. No flaws for animal companions. No fleshraker dinosaurs!!!
TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
(pending modifications) Each month there will be a tournament of champions. During this time, none of the participating schools can be challenged. Each school will then create a new gladiator of a set level for this tournament. Once they are complete, these new gladiators will battle to become number 1!
These gladiators are TEMPORARY; you do NOT get to keep them!
Other tournaments will come available as we progress!
GOLD
The gold that you win can buy you numerous items, as per the book allowed to your School. Aside from the standard/magic items that you can get from the SRD, there are specialized items that can be purchased that are posted in the ARENA ITEMS thread. Many more things are on their way! As we play test this system, I am sure you will be surprised! So keep your eyes open!