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15:17, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Arena of the Warhoon.

Posted by JeddakFor group 0
Patterson Brood
NPC, 7 posts
Tue 22 Sep 2020
at 01:11
  • msg #85

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

Patterson gives the red man no reprieve as he launches an immediate attack but somehow the gladiator manages to block all but a mere scratch.

20:08, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 30 using 4d20 with rolls of 1,10,13,6.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent + 1 Momentum for Create Opportunity
- 3 successes

20:09, Today: Jeddak rolled 16 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,2.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 2 successes, Patterson hit

20:10, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 12 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,1,3,4.  Patterson dmg, Heavy Blade + 1 Momentum for Roll Extra Damag
- 1 damage


unfortunate damage rolls given spent 2 Momentum, se la vi
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Tue 22 Sept 2020.
Nantas
player, 48 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Tue 22 Sep 2020
at 20:58
  • msg #86

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

Nantas:
[OOC: time to spend all Momentum that I have to roll extra damage. Hem... how much Momentum do I have?]

Hmmm, Turn 5 (msg 74) you were up to 2 Momentum, you'd lose 1 point at the end of the Turn (down to 1), and then you just gained another in msg 83.

By my count you have 2 Momentum available currently

{OOC: so, what do I need to do to maximise my damage now?]

Just like what I did with Patterson above.  Spending 1 Momentum allows for Roll Extra Damage, as listed in the References thread's 1st post:

quote:
Roll Extra Damage
After succeeding on an attack, but before you roll for damage, you can spend Momentum to roll extra combat dice. Each point of Momentum spent provides 1 bonus combat dice.


So instead of just rolling 2 d6 for your sword's damage you can roll 1 more for each Momentum spent.  It's no guarantee you'll get more damage but definitely increases your odds.

EDIT: Hey, don't you have the 4 -Armed for War talent (something like that).
If you didn't use any other talent in your attack above you can use it and it think it grants you an extra Momentum if you generate one

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Tue 22 Sept 2020.
Nantas
player, 49 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Tue 22 Sep 2020
at 23:03
  • msg #87

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

In reply to Nantas (msg # 86):

[OOC: 00:02, Today: Nantas rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,4,6.  damage.
Not a very lucky roll, but it should deal two damages to my opponent]

Jeddak
GM, 52 posts
Threat: 5
Wed 23 Sep 2020
at 12:41
  • msg #88

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

The Warhoon ignores the lick of Nantas' blade instead swinging his spearpoint low to try to get under the greenman's guard.
07:34, Today: Jeddak rolled 16 using 2d20 with rolls of 15,1.  Warhoon Gladiator vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- D2 attack, just enough successes to hit


Nantas defend vs a single success

Meanwhile the red gladiator charges Patterson with a savage cry.
07:36, Today: Jeddak rolled 7 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,4.  Red Gladiator vs Patterson 12-/6-.
- D3 attack, Patterson will try to negate the hit and extra success

07:39, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 15 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,2.  Patterson Defend vs Red Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 2 successes, attack is negated

The sudden move surprises the Earthman but he able to sidestep the rush (barely)
Demetrius Esper
player, 43 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 8/6/8
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Wed 23 Sep 2020
at 16:55
  • msg #89

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

Demetrius looks around and sees his fellow earth-human closest. He springs forward, flies head over heels from his unwieldy and powerful legs, but pushes off from the ground with his hand, flying forward and flipping himself upright, trying to bring his blade across the body of the remaining red-skinned gladiator...

Move and attack Patterson's foe--one success. If he fails to block, deals 2 damage and 2 Injuries from the blade.

12:49, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 5,5,4,4 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 5,5,4,4.  Damage, if that hits: 2D blade, 2D unarmed.
12:48, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 12,16 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 12,16.  Attack the red gladiator: 13/6.


12:22, Today: Jeddak rolled 30 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,16.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 0 successes, Red Gladiator takes 2 Stress

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:23, Mon 28 Sept 2020.
Nantas
player, 51 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Wed 23 Sep 2020
at 21:11
  • msg #90

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

[OOC:  22:11, Today: Nantas rolled 26 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,10.  defence.
Daring 9, Passion 4, so it should be just the success that I needed to deny the attack - shall I roll for disarm, now?]


Go for it
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:21, Wed 23 Sept 2020.
Nantas
player, 52 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Thu 24 Sep 2020
at 20:42
  • msg #91

Re: Arena of the Warhoon - Turn 6

[OOC: 21:41, Today: Nantas rolled 9 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,6.  quick disarm.
Four successes! The Warhoon is disarmed again!]


The Warhoon's spear sails across the arena floor; far beyond the green man's reach.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Mon 28 Sept 2020.
Jeddak
GM, 54 posts
Threat: 5
Mon 28 Sep 2020
at 17:40
  • msg #92

Arena of the Warhoon

The remaining red man drops to the floor of the arena, unable to rise.  The Warhoon faces Nantas empty-handed once more but makes no move to retrieve another weapon.

"I will not continue this spectacle only to continue to be made a fool but neither will I beg.  Strike then and end this.  I tire of amusing this crowd."  He spreads his four arms wide, providing his chest for Nantas' blade.

The gladiators are defeated and you have won the day.  But you know it will only mean a return to your cell.  Blood hot from combat you burn to escape from the Warhoon but logic tells you that this is not yet the time and patience is required...

Nantas, what do you do with the Warhoon?
Nantas
player, 53 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Mon 28 Sep 2020
at 20:57
  • msg #93

Arena of the Warhoon

Nantes, without a word, attacks swiftly with his blades.

[OOC: if you need a roll, here it is: 21:56, Today: Nantas rolled 19 using 2d20 with rolls of 15,4.  attack roll.]

"You already had your opportunity to surrender."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:58, Mon 28 Sept 2020.
Jeddak
GM, 56 posts
Threat: 5
Mon 28 Sep 2020
at 23:28
  • msg #94

Slave Pen

The Warhoon lies dead, never flinching from Nantas' blade as it splits his heart in twain.  The crowd above cheers and laughs long in the green man fashion at the bloodshed and slaughter.  Guards move into the arena and order you to drop your weapons and move back toward the pens where you have been kept.  Assuming you comply the four of you are herded to a large cell where 6 other prisoners also reside.  As the gate closes one of the guards tosses a jar of salve into the pen with you and it is a scramble to fight off the other prisoners and secure it for your use.

"Have you witnessed this concoction yet?" Patterson asks Demetrius, "Absolutely amazing.  Could have saved a lot of good men on the line if we'd had access to its like.  Rub some on your cuts."

You may not have even realized half the places you bled during the struggle but each disappears in a matter of minutes once the miracle salve is rubbed over the spot.  As all but Aeryn's wounds are minor the remainder of the jar is used upon her injuries.  Patterson seems concerned that there will not be enough but the red woman waves him off, "It will do and a lesson for dropping my guard on a foe not yet dead.  But this one is like you, Patterson, from Jasoom," she points to Demetrius though he understands little of the words as yet, "and unless I am wrong this one is neither Warhoon nor Thark or any clan I recognize," she nods to Nantas.

"Tell us then how came you to the tender care of the Warhoon."

Patterson and Nantas can appreciate the sarcasm of her words though they are lost on Demetrius.  But Patterson quickly translates to his fellow Earthman and the four of you sit back, relax from your recent struggle, and have an opportunity to know one another.

Relate your tale as you see fit.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 23:29, Mon 28 Sept 2020.
Nantas
player, 54 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Tue 29 Sep 2020
at 20:01
  • msg #95

Slave Pen

Nantes' independent eyes keep looking around as he relates his story in brief: "My name is Nantas and I come from the Tilnak Tribe. There are perhaps 500 warriors in my tribe and they need to avoid open conflict with the much larger Warhoon Tribe if they want to survive. For this reason they sold me to the Warhoon, into slavery... and death.
In fact, nobody in my Tribe expects me to go back alive, but I like wielding swords and, if I can survive and return, I will be welcomed as a great warrior and I will have a high status in my Tribe...
Anyway, chances are I will die on the arena."

Nantes doesn't seem upset about this. He is speaking as a normal, matter of fact, and not as a matter of life or death for him.
Demetrius Esper
player, 46 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 8/6/8
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Thu 1 Oct 2020
at 02:19
  • msg #96

Re: Slave Pen

Jeddak:
"Have you witnessed this concoction yet?" Patterson asks Demetrius, "Absolutely amazing.  Could have saved a lot of good men on the line if we'd had access to its like.  Rub some on your cuts."


Demetrius takes the material and rubs it on his few cuts and bruises. "I don't think the fellow even nicked me," he says. "These are mostly from the trip over." He then steps back and watches.

His eyes dart carefully between speakers as they lapse into Martian. This was pointedly unexpected, this sudden language barrier. He didn't know why he expected everyone on Mars to speak a language he understood, but there it was.

quote:
Patterson and Nantas can appreciate the sarcasm of her words though they are lost on Demetrius.  But Patterson quickly translates to his fellow Earthman and the four of you sit back, relax from your recent struggle, and have an opportunity to know one another.


Demetrius shares his tale. He was the son of rich parents in New York City. He decided he was going to study archaeology and did so at the best program in the world in China. There, he encountered Wang Wei, an archaelogist and physicist with a peculiar ambition: to head to Mars to search for signs of civilizations!

Professor Wang had encountered the writings of one John Carter and was convinced that the stories were true. All of Earth's three attempts to reach Mars ended in failure as peculiar energy bursts in the planet's atmosphere took down the spacecraft headed there. Wang, therefore, tried to harness the power of the human mind to transport oneself across space. Demetrius became Wang's assistant and intended first pilot; he trained for years to make himself fit for the journey, just as an astronaut would.

The pair planned things to perfection and even conducted a successful attempt to teleport Demetrius a short distance with gear. The great day came and things were arranged. Demetrius slipped into a dark sleep, as on the test journeys....but woke up naked and alone on the Martian landscape.

"Some of these fine folks then found and bound me, and hauled me here. Before I knew it, here I was with you, Patterson. Now, your turn: how did you come to be in this spot?"
Nantas
player, 58 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Thu 1 Oct 2020
at 22:03
  • msg #97

Re: Slave Pen

In reply to Demetrius Esper (msg # 96):

[OOC: which language are you speaking?]
Patterson Brood
NPC, 9 posts
Fri 2 Oct 2020
at 00:38
  • msg #98

Re: Slave Pen

Patterson will relay Demetrius' story to Nantas and Aeryn and likewise any questions back should they be asked of the newcomer.

"Myself, I served in the USMC 21st in action along the Pacific Redline.  We'd hit the beach and made our initial checkpoint, the enemy resistance was intense.  Other units were stalled up on the sand and couldn't link up.  Next thing we knew we were overrun.  We'd gone hand-to-hand but they just kept coming..."

Patterson nods, almost to himself before concluding, "I think I died there.  Just a vague memory of laying on my back looking up at the sky, a blur of shapes...then colors I'd never seen before.  Then I woke up here."

Shaking his head he returns to the present, "After that it was a lot like your experience," he motions to Demetrius, "In a matter of days I'm tackled by these Warhoon while asleep and brought to these pens.  I've been here almost three weeks.  You're the first Earthman I've seen but thanks to my new friend Aeryn here of the Helium Royal Navy I'm given to understand that our lot does show up here from time to time"

OOC: at this point Demetrius wouldn't understand the Barsoom language but thanks to being partially telepathic it will come relatively quickly.  But not yet so if the two of you need to converse
without Patterson you can describe it as pantomiming or simple words or such

This message was last edited by the player at 23:46, Fri 02 Oct 2020.
Nantas
player, 59 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Fri 2 Oct 2020
at 20:31
  • msg #99

Re: Slave Pen

Nantas is very impressed: "Interplanetary travel is very rare..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Sat 03 Oct 2020.
Jeddak
GM, 60 posts
Threat: 5
Fri 2 Oct 2020
at 23:41
  • msg #100

Re: Slave Pen

"Yet perhaps not as rare as it once was," the red woman cautions, "All know of John Carter, who came to Barsoom long ago and did rise to become Prince of Helium, saved all life on the planet when the atmosphere plant failed, disappeared and eventually returned to cast down the false goddess Isis.  A handful of others may be familiar, Ulysses Paxton, Diane Nash, Manoj Naravane, but, yes, visitors from Jasoom were unheard of before Carter and appeared less than one a decade after he arrived."

Patterson relates Aeryn's words to Demetrius as she continues, "Since John Carter's second disappearance, including our beloved princess Deja Thoris and the Thark jedak Tars Tarkas, there are those of us of the Navy who have been charged to maintain a constant vigil.  We scout the most remote recesses of Barsoom for any sign of our prince and princess in the hopes that they will re-appear just as John Carter did once before."

"But as the years have worn on this has proved more and more dangerous.  The bonds between nations with John Carter forged have stressed, strained and oft-times shattered as new leaders replace old and their peoples strain under the dwindling resources of our dying world.  Once allies now fire on our flyers without hesitation, let alone the always savage tribes such as these Warhoon.  We have lost many and it seems I may be added to that number if our captors have anything to say about it."

"But I came to this region because rumors said that one resembling a Jasoomian had appeared.  This was the fifth such rumor I have hounded and I know that others of my unit have had their own trails to follow.  Most scouts find nothing but to date a pair of Jasoomians have been returned to Helium and found refuge.  But some few scouts have found bodies that match none of the known Barsoomian races."

"The signs of Jasoomian appearances continue to increase but what becomes of most we do not know.  Nor can we say that all rumors are true, nor that we hear of all to arrive.  Perhaps many find themselves thrust into dire situations such as this and are not prepared."

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:42, Fri 02 Oct 2020.
Nantas
player, 60 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Sat 3 Oct 2020
at 14:20
  • msg #101

Re: Slave Pen

Nantas minimizes: "This is not such a dire situation... these are things that do happen... but I can understand that, if you're not prepared, it can be difficult to accept... My Tribe survived for long time, with this kind of deals..."
Demetrius Esper
player, 49 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 8/6/8
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Sat 3 Oct 2020
at 23:10
  • msg #102

Re: Slave Pen

Demetrius nods at Patterson's words. "Your experience is like most, then. You were drawn here by accident. We were trying to replicate the situation that pulled you here. The interesting thing is that you and I seem to be out of sync in time. I wonder if my friend factored that into his calculations..."

He stops and looks over as the red-skinned woman mentioned John Carter several times. He couldn't quite follow what she was saying, but he recognized the reference. He turns back to Patterson. "So, based on that woman's mention of Carter, John Carter was a figure of some importance to these people?"
Patterson Brood
NPC, 10 posts
Sun 4 Oct 2020
at 20:04
  • msg #103

Re: Slave Pen

"Exposed a planet-wide religion as a fraud apparently," Patterson shrugged, "It was tradition that when anyone reached the age of 2000, if you can believe it, or they'd just come to the end of their rope, they'd hope in a boat and float down a river to an underground sea which was supposed to be the Martian heaven.  In fact it was all a lie, just a means of control by a couple other hidden Barsoomian races.  On top of that, these races were in turn also victims of the grand leader.  Carter exposed it all and went on to forge alliances between most of these races that brought a peace never known.  Members of the Red, Green, Yellow and Black races all working together, as Aeryn tells it, though I've yet to see a Yellow or Black."

"Damn thing is,"
Patterson shrugs, "apparently that peace it wasn't strong enough to outlast him by much."
Aeryn Arj
NPC, 5 posts
Sun 4 Oct 2020
at 20:23
  • msg #104

Re: Slave Pen

"No," the scout shakes her head, "a millennia of history and hatred could not be overcome in so short a time-span.  Old angers and mistrust quickly reappeared, and while John Carter might have been proof against their attacks his successors were not.  Even his own children could not turn back the tide that swelled as the years passed with no word of our Jeddak and Princess.  And soon as famine, drought or other hardships arose it was all too easy for the races and cities to fall back upon the old ways."

"Still,"
she nods, "the lessons were not forgotten by all.  My Jedwar remembers and did gathered together others within the Navy and merchants to maintain lines of communication with like minded groups throughout Barsoom.  While these remain we may yet rebuild those bonds in a manner strong enough to withstand a temporary hero."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Sun 04 Oct 2020.
Demetrius Esper
player, 50 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 8/6/8
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Wed 7 Oct 2020
at 23:16
  • msg #105

Re: Slave Pen

Demetrius listens to Patterson as he translates for the red-skinned woman. He stands and bows to her, favoring her with a smile. "Noble sentiment, and appreciated. I hope we can work together toward such things."

He turns to the walls. "The immediate problem, though, is how to get out of these pens. Any ideas?"
Jeddak
GM, 61 posts
Threat: 5
Thu 8 Oct 2020
at 03:21
  • msg #106

Re: Slave Pen

Demetrius Esper:
He turns to the walls. "The immediate problem, though, is how to get out of these pens. Any ideas?"


Upon Demetrius' question the four ponder but there is no sure answer available.  The cage itself is vastly reinforced and defies the Earthmen's strength which seems strange to both Nantas and Aeryn.  Demetrius feels certain he could spring the lock itself but there is no clear path of exit and the regular pattern of the guards shows little gaps in which an alarm would not be raised.  Patience, though it is miserable, is clearly required...

The days stretch into more than a week.  You begin to understand the rhythm of the pens, when the guards will pour the milky-colored gruel from above, when teams will come to select slaves for the arena, and when the lights dim for the night's rest.  Thrice you are taken to the arena, once together but other times in pairs or even alone.  You return victorious and will no wounds so great that the precious Martian salve tossed in as spoils of victory cannot assuage.

Though the damnable Warhoon offer no opening for escape you have a wide view of the pens and each other to share tales with.

What do you focus on during these days of captivity?

What question do you ask one of your cell-mates?

Additionally, make a D2 Empathy+Reason test to determine if you notice anything interesting during this period.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:23, Thu 08 Oct 2020.
Nantas
player, 61 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 4/9/9
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Thu 8 Oct 2020
at 20:12
  • msg #107

Re: Slave Pen

"The easiest way out of here is to keep winning on the arena!... This tells you something about the most difficult ways out of here..." Nantas' independent eyes keep looking around and you are not sure if his mouth is having a sarcastic smile between the tusks...

[OOC: 21:09, Today: Nantas rolled 21 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,18.  Empathy 3; Reason 4. - two successes?]
Demetrius Esper
player, 51 posts
Mom: 0 | S(C/F/I): 8/6/8
A (C/F/I): 0/0/0
Thu 8 Oct 2020
at 23:45
  • msg #108

Re: Slave Pen

Demetrius is far too busy adapting to his new environment to worry about much of anything else. He focuses on two things: learning something of the new language of Mars from Patterson, and trying to make conversation with the captivating red-skinned woman. Not perhaps a romantic, he at least can tell an opportunity for a dalliance later if he plays his cards right.

19:44, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 19,14 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 19,14.  Empathy + Reason.


Any successes?

Negative, that's 0 successes.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Sat 10 Oct 2020.
Jeddak
GM, 62 posts
Threat: 5
Tue 13 Oct 2020
at 01:08
  • msg #109

Re: Slave Pen

Time passes, one day flowing into the next until two weeks are gone and you become accustomed to the events of slavery.  You wait, you fight, you bleed, you return to your pen and heal only to repeat the same sequence of events again and again.

To the pragmatic Nantas this is unsurprising; your Warhoon masters enjoy the spectacle and revel in the bloodshed. His skill with a blade is known and soon the stands chant his name when he strides into the arena.

As an Earthman, Demetrius is overwhelmed at first but he adapts surprisingly fast.  Patterson demonstrates the dual vocal and telepathic communication, first with Aeryn and then introduces Nantas to his fellow Jasoomain.  These are baby-steps but Demetrius is a quick study and soon able to make simple needs understood to his cell-mates.

On day number 19 since your captivity Nantas recognizes a red martian ship dock upon the local terminal which returns approximately every 5 days.  By now the duelist's name is known among the slaves and his victories spread his fame.  2 Thark captives confirm that the ship is seen regularly though they can only say that a red Martian female is known to command it.  Nantas notes when the ship departs and believes it is in the general direction of the city of Zodanga.

Demetrius practices to hone his Martian telepathy, finding Aeryn a patient partner.  The red Martian woman proves to be a pragmatic companion; curious of the ways of Jasoom and surprised by any stories of lack of want or need.  Living upon a dying world in its twilight  has made her curious but suspect of any fancy tales of excess; oft times only shaking her head and remarking on the unimagined luxury of green fields or bountiful harvests.

On the 23th day Patterson is not returned to the pen where you dwell.  You see him housed a short ways away for a few hours, then let out under heavy shackles and guards.  Nearly two hour later a beautiful red Martian woman strides through the slave pens and halts briefly outside your bars.  You hear the word Jasoomian as the confers with the Warhoon next to her, motioning to her companion who passes a coin purse to the green man without pause.

Patterson does not return but Nantas notes the flyer leaves an hour later.

Two days later, you along with Aeryn are herded into a giant, three story covered wagon drawn by 2 huge thoats under heavy guard.  Your Warhoon captors hand you over to the care of a rough looking bunch of Red Martians whom Aeryn quietly identifies as slavers.  As before your cage is reinforced and you sit in the heat while over a 100 other slaves and a great deal of cargo are also loaded.  Then, with a mighty groan, the giant wheels of the vehicles turn and there is only the heat and the sway of the wagon.

The story will continue in the Counting Padans to Zodanga thread
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