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:
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 site. Here is about what you need to do:
Name: Gladiator Name Campaign Name: AoA Gladiators Type of stats: d20 Dice: 5d6.minroll(2).takeHighest(3) Notes: Include the Roll number (i.e. Roll 1 of 3) and your School
You will do the above THREE times and pick the one that is BEST suited for your character.
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
Books
(pending decision)
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!
Gladiators
When a gladiator reaches level 20, they have become a legend in the arena. At this point, they are encouraged to retire and live a life of luxury. When a school retires a 20th level gladiator, that school may then recruit Level-Adjustment gladiators. This starts out with +1 LA races. For each 20th level gladiator a school retires, the allowed level adjustment increases by an additional +1. For example, if a school has retired 3 20th level gladiators, they may recruit +3 LA races. However, a LA gladiator is treated as being of the level indicated in the level adjustment for the purposes of challenges.
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 3 levels higher than you (even if you think you can take them!) 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.
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. 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. Due to such, your gladiator will gain ZERO gold and exp. The side that challenged and did not get a response will gain 50 xp and 5 gp. [under revision]
If this happens repeatedly (max 3 times), your gladiator will impose a -1 penalty to attack, damage, saves 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 time TWICE, you will AUTOMATICALLY LOSE. Note that some games will require a Private message to the DM, as your position is hidden from the other.
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
(pending)
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 Judge
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.
THE ARENAS
There are several Arenas to choose from and more are added from time to time.
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.
Arena Options
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!
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
MONEY
(this is under revision) If the gladiator wins, then they will get 200 gp, if they lose, they get 1/10th (20 gp). In addition to that, each time they gain a level, they will also gain the following, including the benefits from the above ranks (note that if you lose a lot and level up, you do not gain the gold):
lvl 2: 200gp 3: 400gp 4: 600gp 5: 1000gp 6: 1500gp 7: 2000gp 8: 2500gp 9: 3000gp 10: 5000gp 11: 10000gp 12: 15000gp 13: 20000gp 14: 25000gp 15: 35000gp 16: 45000gp 17: 55000gp 18: 65000gp 19: 75000gp 20: 100000gp
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 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!