Barsoom is dying. Howsoever the peoples of that planet struggle, their world hurtles inexorably toward its terminus. Such conditions breed harsh weather and harsher men and women. Yet, unlike the disparate nations of our Earth (Jasoom), in those circumstances most dire and testing, a majority of Barsoomians cleave to honor rather than raw savagery.

Ah, but there is savagery — vast gulfs exist between those living in the towering spindles of Helium and those eking out an existence in oppressive slums and dangerous wastes, where the wise go heavily armed, and slavery is routine. It is in these deplorable, latter conditions the player characters begin their first venture into this beautiful but deadly landscape.

As we begin our adventure, the fearsome green Martians known as the Warhoon have captured you and are forcing you to fight for sport and amusement in their legendary pits. There is not a moment’s breath to worry over death, for, even now, you are pushed out of your pens into the stark Barsoomian sun.

---

Piercing sunlight lanced down into the bloody sand from the circular opening of the arena. Cheering Warhoons cried their bloodlust into the hot day's dying light. The gladiatorial arena was at least seventy feet deep.  It was sheer and unclimbable without inviting attacks from the  Warhoons above. A dome made from the bones of some great, unnamed beast formed a cage atop the pit.

This place was unusual for such Warhoon pits, which were usually uncovered to afford a better view of their captives’ demise, a fact that any Barsoomian native with experience with the green horde would know.

However, there was no time for speculation, as a group of gladiators advanced to the Arena Center. Among them were four capable warriors — two red Martians and two Tharks. They charged without mercy as the captors closed the gates to the pens behind the newcomers, cruel and hateful laughter on their tongues.

"Fight," the guard shouted from behind the closed gate, "or die on your knees!"

In the sand, along the Arena Edge and covered in blood and gore, laid a pile of swords and daggers. Among the diminished weapons were several newer additions. There were precious few seconds left to grab armaments. The first spear was already in flight, headed straight at the newcomers.

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:37, Sat 18 July 2020.

The cacophony of Warhoon cheer, jeers and revelry filling your ears, echoing down into the gladiatorial pit.  Demetrius is shocked to recognize that another Earthman is here before the unknown red woman cries out in words he does not understand but what can only be a warning.   But for Nantas this is all too familiar.  As the pair of red gladiators grab spears and hurl then towards the group and the woman cries, "Beware!" he spies a blade nearby among the pile of weapons left for those who would entertain the Warhoon with their lives.

2 gladiators will throw spears at Nantas and Demetrius (of course).  These are ranged attacks so they'll use Cunning + Reason (11-).  They're at Away range (in the next zone) so it's a D2 challenge to hit either of you.


08:16, Today: Jeddak rolled 18 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,2.  Red Martian Gladiator throw Spear (11-).
- 2 = 2 Successes, 16 = miss
2 Successes = D2 so that's a hit with no extra Momentum

08:16, Today: Jeddak rolled 23 using 2d20 with rolls of 19,4.  Red Martian Gladiator throw Spear (11-).
- 4 = 2 Successes, 19 = miss
2 Successes = D2 so that's also a hit with no extra Momentum

Each of you can attempt to avoid the hit by rolling your Daring + Empathy.  You only need 1 success to cancel the single success they currently have.

The Warhoon gladiators appear to await the outcome of spears, stretching and taking their time to size up these new opponents before closing to engage.

Once you've determined if either of the spears hit you feel free to take your turn.  See Reference thread Action Types table (the 1st one) for list of things you can do during your turn
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:29, Mon 20 July 2020.

22:30, Today: Nantas rolled 19 using 2d20 with rolls of 18,1.  Daring + Empathy = 12.

2 successes from the 1
Nantas has no trouble plotting the path of the spear as it flies towards him.  When it strikes the sand of the arena he is no longer standing there

Nantas please take your turn.  I'll hold the 2 NPCs until players have declared their actions.  NPCs may also follow player orders.  Maybe.  If it fits their nature ;)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:49, Mon 20 July 2020.

It has been, in simple words, the longest two days of Demetrius' Esper's life. Since wakening alonge and naked on the plain sands of Mars, he wandered for a half-day, wondering if he would die of thirst on this bizarre new place. He was relieved at first when rescued--until it was clear that he was no more than a prize to the green giants who found him.

They at least fed him something semi-recognizable as food and gave him odd-tasting water to drink. This allowed him to regain his senses and learn to walk properly. This place seemed to be of lighter gravity than earth, and so his level of strength was proportionately higher here. He did not have much time to contemplate this before being thrown into the arena.

Now, alone in a mad world, Demetrius figured out the next step. He grabbed a sturdy, curved blade--rather like the one he practiced with in martial arts at home--and stood with the blade in one hand, waiting for the others to make their moves...

Grab a blade. Spend round actively defending against enemies' attack, leveraging Thinks Fast on his Feet.

I don't see any maneuver/action like Active Defense; you're basically always actively defending.  You can still move and attack.  The physical attack for that talent is a melee; so I'm assuming you're going to at least Move to Immediate range to one of the gladiators.  Which one?  That talent doesn't preclude you from attacking as well
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:40, Tue 21 July 2020.

Nantas knows that is fate is grim, right now, but there is a chance that the blades eventually will help him conquer his future. He didn't expect anything much different from this situation, so he isn't too upset. He grabs the two closest blades and rushes to engage whoever threw the spear against him in a melee combat.

11:45, Today: Nantas rolled 14 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,2.  attack.

As Nantas charges the gladiators in the center one of the Warhoon steps forward to meet him, blade vs blade!

Melee uses Cunning + Daring by default, for Nantas thats 9+9.  18- you score a success. 9- you score 2 successes.  So with a 12 & 2 that's 3 total successes.  Now let see if the Warhoon can defend against those.  He'll use Daring + Passion to bravely meet your charge.    For him that will be 5 + 4, so he'll get 1 success each time he rolls 9- and 2 successes for each 4-.
02:27, Today: Jeddak rolled 10 using 2d20 with rolls of 6,4.  Warhoon Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9- / 4- .
- Warhoon managed 3 successes, will take no damage


The savage Warhoon parry's Nantas' blade and for a moment the two are locked in place, Nantas staring into the cruel eyes of his savage enemy.

I'll post actions for Aeryn and Patterson tomorrow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:33, Tue 21 July 2020.

With what Demetrius assumes is a curse the red woman looks over the assorted weapons before finally taking a blade of her own.  She calls something to both remaining men before sprinting after the green giant to engage the gladiators.

The green gladiator stands more than twice as tall as the red woman but she never hesitates, with a dive past the giant she springs to her feet and slashes.
With Blade or Bullet - when attacking with melee or firearm use Daring
08:01, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 19 using 2d20 with rolls of 6,13.  Melee vs Green Gladiator, 14-/6-.
- 3 successes

08:03, Today: Jeddak rolled 35 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,19.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Aeryn, 9-/4-.
- 0 successes, Aeryn has 2 more successes than she needed so she gains 2 momentum, she'll reserve both

Swords roll 2 damage die and are Sharp, causing 1 injury for any Effect rolled
08:11, Today: Jeddak rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,5.  Aeryn dmg.
- 1 dmg + 1 dmg & Effect = Green Martian Gladiator takes 3 Injury stress; they don't actually have separate stress trackers like characters do so he just takes 3 stress

The woman's sword draws a thin line of green along the green man's thigh as he completely misses his parry.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Tue 21 July 2020.

"She's right," the man near him admits, thankfully in a language Demetrius undertands, as he quickly moves to take a weapon of his own, "It's kill or be killed here.  No quarter asked or given.  We need to help each other."

With that he sprints after the pair ahead of him.  Demetrius can see the pair of green men engage in battle while the red woman confronts the 2nd.  The Human moves to assist the red woman, hoping to eliminate one of the gladiators probably.

Bounding after her, the man appears to be no stranger to combat.  As the woman goes low he leaps high and takes a vicious swing at the giant.
Heavy Blade - when attacking with melee, roll an extra d20 and if successful do an extra d6 of damage

08:21, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 15 using 3d20 with rolls of 2,6,7.  Melee vs Green Gladiator, 12-/5-
- 4 successes

08:22, Today: Jeddak rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,6.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, 9-/4-
- 1 success, Patterson has 2 extra successes and gains 2 Momentum

For damage, Sword is 2 dice + Patterson's Heavy Blade talent adds another + he'll spend both Momentum gained here for a total of 5
08:24, Today: Jeddak rolled 20 using 5d6 with rolls of 4,5,4,5,2.  Patterson dmg.
- 1-2 = 1 dmg, 3-4's = 0, 5-6's = 1 dmg + 1 effect; Green man takes 5 more stress

Another gash opens on the green gladiator's chest though he makes no cry of pain.

Demetrius stands by the pile of weapons, one in hand, and realizes he must act and act now.

Will give Demetrius an opportunity to finish his turn before I let the 2 green gladiators take theirs.  You still have a Move, Conflict and Speech actions left if you choose to take them.  Turns aren't any fixed amount of time; the combatants are all still whirling and fighting but no major actions take place until each rolls.

[OOC: can I use my QUICK DISARM (GRADE 3) Talent, now?]

Circumstance: When parrying an attack.

When the gladiator attacks and you successfully defend by countering all of his damage (feel pretty certain that will happen though it did surprise me that he actually countered your 3 successes so who knows) THEN you get to roll your immediate Counter-attack.  Nice that that talent doesn't cost you Momentum to use.

I think I actually made 1 mistake already.  Patterson did 5 Stress to the gladiator he and Aeryn double-teamed.  5 Stress in a single attack after target has tried to Defend OR filling the target's stress bar counts as an Affliction.  These guys can only take 2 Afflictions and they're out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:43, Wed 22 July 2020.

Demetrius is shocked as the other human speaks English to him. He nods grimly and runs forward, trying to run as if padding lightly on a rice pad on Earth; even this sends him bounding forward. He leaps into the air, twirling acrobatically as he does; he has his left arm straight in front of him as he brings the blade to bear with his other hand in a classic one-two punch from his bushido training.

Move up and attack the same green martian as the other human and the red martian. One success. If that should be a hit, does 3 damage, plus 2 Injuries (from blade) and whatever effect one gets from an unarmed punch.

21:03, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 6,6,5,3 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 6,6,5,3.  Damages: 2D from blade, 2D from Talent
20:58, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 29 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,16.  Melee attack on green martian #2.</orange>

Green man Defends with Daring + Passion
21:00, Today: Jeddak rolled 20 using 2d20 with rolls of 11,9.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 9-/4-.
- 1 success, he manages to defend Demetrius' attack.

Edit: By the way, great idea prerolling the damage!

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:43, Wed 22 July 2020.

The Wahoon beset by three opponents bellows his rage as his blade manages to catch Demetrius' before his second arcs toward the Earthman.
I'm going to spend 3 Threat to make an immediate Counter-attack vs Demetrius.
My Threat pool drops from 6 to 3.  This guy's about to get his 1st Affliction and I don't know that he'll hit much after that so might as well give him a shot now.
21:20, Today: Jeddak rolled 17 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,16.  Gladiator Counter-Attack Demetrius, 10-/5-.
- 2 successes thanks to that 1.
Demetrius, roll your Defense and see if you can cancel out those 2 successes. You may:
- roll and use your Thinks Fast on His Feet and/or
- burn a Luck point to get a 1 on one die (2 successes) and/or
- choose to use a point or two of Threat just like you would Momentum but my Threat pool gets increased.

Choose and let the struggle continue!


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Wed 22 July 2020.

The second Warhoon engages Nantas with a series of probing attacks, looking for any weakness in the Tilnak warrior's guard.
21:50, Today: Jeddak rolled 26 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,10.  Gladiator Attack Nantas, 10-/5-.
- 1 success, please roll your Daring + Passion or Empathy for Defense

Assuming you get at least 1 success you may use your Talent to immediately Counter-attack


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Wed 22 July 2020.

[OOC: 16:38, Today: Nantas rolled 26 using 2d20 with rolls of 19,7.  Daring 9 Passion 4.
if possible, I use my quick disarm talent]
How many successes did you get?
You get 1 success if you roll below the total of your 2 attributes used for the action: 9+4=13
You get 2 successes if you roll below the lowest attribute used for the action: 4
Looks like you got 1 success to cancel the gladiator's 1 success, so you completely parried his attack.

That matches Quick Disarm's condition: when you parry an attack

Roll your attack for Quick Disarm (Cunning + Daring) and count the number of successes.  You'll need at least 2 successes left after the Gladiator tries to defend to separate him from his weapon.   I went ahead and rolled for the Gladiator already:

07:54, Today: Jeddak rolled 15 using 2d20 with rolls of 2,13.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-
- 2 successes

So he's going to negate 2 successes you generate, you'll need to get a total of 4 successes on your roll to ensure you have 2 left to pull off the disarm.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:04, Wed 22 July 2020.

Demetrius sees the blow coming and twists his body at an angle to try to cut it down. The blow is solid--he will need a little luck to get out of the way....

First, add one point of Doom to add a d20.

Roll one success.

Burn one Luck Point to make one roll of 1 for 2 successes, which give me 3 and allow me to win the contest. If that gives me a point of Momentum, I bank it for the party.

18:42, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 5,19,17 using 1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 5,19,17.  Thinks Fast on his Feet! Daring+Reason, 1 point of Doom.


Use 1 point of Momentum to improve the Quality of my Success and bank one point of Momentum.

EDIT: that should be 4 successes thanks to Luck & the 5 rolled
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Sat 25 July 2020.

Ignoring the slashes he has received so far the Warhoon attempts to cleave the one who had cut him the deepest.

Warhoon gladiator will now make his Conflict action for this turn (his previous was a Counterstrike).  Patterson got a lucky hit, he'll target him

18:12, Today: Jeddak rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 6,16.  Gladiator Attack Patterson, 10-/5-.
- 1 success

Patterson will attempt to avoid the blow using Daring + Empathy
18:14, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 21 using 2d20 with rolls of 7,14.  Defend vs Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 1 success

The Earthman just manages to duck as the giant's blade passes overhead.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:17, Wed 22 July 2020.

In reply to Nantas (msg # 12):

[OOC: 15:37, Today: Nantas rolled 19 using 2d20 with rolls of 17,2.  Quick Disarm (Cunning + Daring) .
Cunning = 9; Daring = 9
Is it the same with Quick Disarm a grade 3?]
Yep, all rolls but damage start off with 2d20.  If you have Momentum in your pool you can add more d20's, you can spend a point of Luck to add a pre-rolled 1 on a d20, or you can add Threat to the GM's Threat Pool and spend each point just like Momentum.

The Grade of your Talents indicates how many benefits you've gotten.  Always use a certain stat, always get an extra d20 or d6 in a certain circumstance, whatever.  In this case, you always get a free Counterstrike to Disarm whenever you successfully parry.  Ordinarily a Counterstrike costs 3 Momentum from your pool so that's a Grade 3 Talent (roughly 1 Grade for each point of Momentum it would take) but thanks to your Talent you don't need to worry about that.

You will still need to generate enough successes to actually pull off the Disarm.  Following the rules for "Send their weapon flying" on p64, 3 Momentum would have it land near an ally while 2 would drop it at the owner's feet.  To me that means 3 successes or 2 successes on test here.  SO let's count your successes:
9+9 = 18- for 1 success : your 17 is 1 success
9- for 2 successes : your 2 is 2 successes

You generate 3 and the Gladiator rolled 2 in his defense roll above, so you end up with a net of 1 success.

Not enough to pull off the Disarm this time but you'll get another chance every...single...time...you defend a melee attack and cancel out all the attacker's successes.  With your stats in Cunning + Daring I expect you'll routinely generate 3 or 4 successes every time so seems like you have a good shot to both successfully parry and then disarm.   We'll see how it goes; random die roller and all.  If you can manage to generate some extra successes and save them in your Momentum pool that will help.


Nantas' immediately tries to slide his blade to the guard of his opponent's and flip the weapon from his grasp but the Warhoon disengages and steps back before beginning to circle, looking for an opening.


This message was last edited by the GM at 13:55, Thu 23 July 2020.

Blades have been crossed and blood drawn!  The throng cheers from above, the pitiless laugh of the Green Men resound through the air as the slaves begin to overwhelm the Warhoon gladiator.  But the battle is only just begin as the Red Men move to grab more spears with which to target their opponents....who are now much closer and presumably easier to skewer!

New turn - reduce all momentum pools by 1 IF you have any in you pool.  I forgot Aeryn had 2 in her pool to start with because her Core Equipment is a pistol and I didn't allow any in this scene.  She's down to 1 now.  Demetrius, let me know what you want to do with your 2 Momentum from the 1st turn now that we counted it correctly.

Your group has the momentum of the battle, you may act first and I'll have all the gladiators go 2nd.



This message was last edited by the GM at 00:57, Fri 24 July 2020.

Demetrius is not highly experienced in fighting giant green men. However, he is very experienced in fighting foes more powerful than he. When the giant green being swings at him, Demetrius ducks under and springs inward toward the giant's rib-cage, where he slices upward. He then uses his remarkable strength to tumble to the other side of the green giant, slashing as he goes.

Use 1 point of banked Momentum + 1 dice from Thinks Fast on His Feet enhanced success to roll Cunning + Daring (13). Four successes! Rolled damage just in case, got 2 damage from the blade + 3 damage from unarmed extra strike + 3 effects. With a blade, that does 2 damage to the Injury Stress Tracker and one effect from unarmed hand, whatever that is.

Waiting to see if I have any Momentum left over from that attack, as I'm guessing the green Martian will Defend.

12:00, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 2,5 using 1d6,1d6 with rolls of 2,5.  Damage from Unarmed Combat Journeyman.
23:20, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 6,6 using 1d6,1d6 with rolls of 6,6.  Damage.
22:55, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 14,5,7,12 using 1d20,1d20,1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,5,7,12.  Attack on green martian+1 banked Momentum + 2 talent.


For the Warhoon...

08:24, Today: Jeddak rolled 9 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,8.  Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 9-/4-.
- he manages 3 successes, 2 for the 1 and 1 for the 8

You've got 1 success to hit, no extra Momentum.
4 - Damage from your sword due to the Effect of blades

Let's give Unarmed attacks the Quiet Effect.  In this particular case that extra Momentum to keep your position hidden won't help much but you still get the 2 points of damage so.....

Warhoon takes 6 Damage.  This:
- Fills his Stress tracker causing 1 Wound Affliction
- 5 Stress in a single turn automatically causes 1 Wound Affliction
He's barely on his feet from his injuries, all his actions with Cunning & Might are an extra D2 of difficulty.  That includes attacking but not defending.

Also added your tracker, adjust as you like


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:08, Sat 25 July 2020.

Nantas simply keeps fighting against his opponent with his twin blades.

11:55, Today: Nantas rolled 34 using 2d20 with rolls of 18,16.  keep fighting!
Cunning 9 Daring 9

Okay you rolled under the total of your Cunning + Daring, none of the rolls were equals or less than your lowest attribute so no extra successes.  2 successes then!

08:39, Today: Jeddak rolled 16 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,8.  Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- And he does the same, just manages to roll under the total for 2 successes

It's a stalemate so far.

The pair of green men are a blur of blades.  The two manage small nicks and bruises but as yet neither has garnered a true wound upon the other.


This message was last edited by the player at 04:47, Mon 27 July 2020.

The Red woman yells something Demetrius doesn't understand but that his fellow Earthman clearly recognizes.  The pair speed on, having inflicted harm upon the Warhoon gladiator they move to engage the Red men before they can bring their spears to bear upon any.

09:08, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 40 using 3d20 with rolls of 16,19,5.  Aeryn vs Red Gladiator, 14-/6-, use 1 Momentum.
- 2 successes from the 5

09:09, Today: Jeddak rolled 21 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,13.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Aeryn, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 1 success from the 8


09:10, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,6.  Aeryn dmg
- Gladiator takes 3 stress
As the gladiator dives for a weapon the woman's blade advises him to do otherwise.

The human bounds upon the 2nd red man...
09:17, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,5,3.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-.
- 4 successes

09:18, Today: Jeddak rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,4,4.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 4 successes, no hit
but his target dives to the side and the blade meant for him finds only the sand of the arena.

Distances:
Everyone is Near all other opponents and allies
Each of you is in Immediate range of an opponent

Waiting on Demetrius to confirm this turn's results before Gladiators take their actions this turn...Done!  Gladiator took even more damage and an extra Wound Affliction


This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Sat 25 July 2020.

The prisoners have left their marks but the Warhoon Gladiators are far from helpless.

Warhoon vs Demetrius, 2 Afflictions
13:34, Today: Jeddak rolled 7 using 2d20 with rolls of 5,2.  Warhoon Gladiator vs Demetrius, 2 Wounds, 9-/4-.
- 1 success since his attacks are at Difficulty 3 now from his Wounds
- Demetrius you need only 1 success to Defend

The large gash left by the Earthman's blade and resulting blood loss hamper the green man but his savage nature knows no relent.  He aims a capable slice at Demetrius' mid-section.

Warhoon vs Nantas
13:38, Today: Jeddak rolled 34 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,20.  Warhoon Gladiator vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- No successes and a Complication from the 20!
- Nantas you may choose to have me remove 2 Threat from the Threat pool OR have your opponent break one of his two blades.  Which do you choose?  I haven't used Threat much yet but that'll start BUT if the Warhoon only has 1 blade and you disarm him he will definitely be at a disadvantage.

The rash Warhoon is clearly frustrated at his poor showing before the crowd so far. He rares back for a mighty strike, a move so poorly executed the duelist is well prepared...

Red Man vs Aeryn
13:52, Today: Jeddak rolled 23 using 3d20 with rolls of 9,10,4.  Red Gladiator  vs Aeryn, 12-/6-, 1 Threat for extra d20.
- 4 successes

Aeryn will defend with Darring + Passion
13:54, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 37 using 2d20 with rolls of 20,17.  Aeryn Defend vs Gladiator, 13-/5-.
- Ouch! No successes and a Complication, that gives me 3 Threat to spend, I'm going to use all 3 for Danger, d6 damage roll for each, it's time for the slaves to taste a little blood

13:58, Today: Jeddak rolled 18 using 5d6 with rolls of 6,6,1,1,4.  Damage to Aeryn.
- 6 Injury will cause 1 Wound Affliction AND fill her Injury Stress tracker, causing a 2nd Wound!

For the complication Aeryn is knocked Prone and will be at a disadvantage attacking until she spends a Movement action to stand up.

The red man ignores the kiss of the woman's steel as he snatches up his spear.  With both hands the gladiator slashes upward with the point of his weapon, tracing a line of red from thigh to shoulder.  With a cry Aeryn topples backward onto the dusty floor of the arena while the stands erupt in cheer.


Red Man vs Patterson
14:06, Today: Jeddak rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,6.  Gladiator Attack Patterson, 12-/6-.
- 3 Successes

14:08, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 2,20.  Patterson Defend vs Red Gladiator, 9-/5-, roll 2d20 this time.
- 2 Successes and a Complication
- Demetrius choose for your fellow Jasoomian's Complications, either 1) add 2 Threat to my pool or 2) Patterson's hand is hit as he swings to parry causing him to loose his weapon and sending it flying into the next Zone thanks to his Earthly Might

14:11, Today: Jeddak rolled 5 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,4.  Dmg to Patterson.
- Patterson takes 1 Stress to his Injury tracker and likely feels very foolish
Having avoided Patterson's swing the Red Man answers with is own jab from his spear.  Misjudging the length of the weapon the Earthman misses his parry and feels the point skim his shoulder


(pending players' decisions regarding NPCs complications)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:19, Sun 26 July 2020.

Demetrius' martial arts training taught him to elevate or spring back from a blow. He has a split second to realize that springing backward in this low-gravity place would result in him crashing into something, so he instead simply falls away from the blade. When he feels himself nearing the ground, he puts his hand down and lightly spins himself around, putting him on a favorable side of the green giant...

Three successes! I'll bank two of those momentum (one of which will drop off this round) and leverage Thinks Fast on His Feet to gain a d20 advantage on the warhoon next round.

13:41, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 1,9 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 1,9.  Cunning+ Reason to Defend.


In case you missed this from previous message above:
- Demetrius choose for your fellow Jasoomian's Complication, either 1) add 2 Threat to my pool or 2) Patterson's hand is hit as he swings to parry causing him to loose his weapon and sending it flying into the next Zone thanks to his Earthly Might

I choose to add Threat to your pool.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Tue 28 July 2020.

Nantas' opponent breaks one of his blades, while Nantas tries removing his other blade as well!

[OOC: 12:49, Today: Nantas rolled 20 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,6.  quick disarm (Cunning + Daring)]

Nantas I'd like you to start counting and posting the number of successes you earn with each roll please.

20:45, Today: Jeddak rolled 11 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,8.  Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- Gladiator get's 3 successes, he keeps hold of his remaining blade
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:46, Tue 28 July 2020.

Both sides now have member's sorely pressed.  The red woman's blood flows as does the green Warhoon's.   The dust of the arena drinks both as it has countless before them and likely will countless after.

You may declare your actions and roll.  Patterson and Aeryn are having a rough time of it with the red martian gladiators.


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:09, Wed 29 July 2020.

Demetrius swings his blade at the Jasoomian, hoping to deliver a mortal blow....

Spend my Momentum on an extra d20, attack the green martian (Cunning+Daring). Rolled a fabulous 5 successes!

If he should beat the Barsoomian's defense, he will do 5 damage, all with his Unarmed dice. I will use all generated Momentum to add more dice in damage, though.

20:29, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 10,8,11,5 using 1d20,1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 10,8,11,5.  Attack the Green Martian (+1 Think, +1 Momentum).
20:33, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 4,4,2,5 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 4,4,2,5.  Damage: blade (2D), Unarmed Combat Journeyman (2D).

20:29, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 10,8,11,5 using 1d20,1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 10,8,11,5.  Attack the Green Martian (+1 Think, +1 Momentum).


19:52, Today: Jeddak rolled 18 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,6.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 9-/4-.
- only 1 success, you generate 3 Momentum from your attack


Then he will spend 3 points of Momentum to deal 3D extra damage for an additional 3 damage and 1 Injury from his sword's Effect.

13:58, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 1,6,1 using 1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 1,6,1.  Extra damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:35, Fri 31 July 2020.

Nantes keeps building up pressure on his opponent with a single blade.

[OOC: 09:43, Today: Nantas rolled 15 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,12.  fight on!
The total roll (15) is below the sum of my Cunning+Might (18)
One of the rolls (3) is below my Cunning (9)
One of the rolls (3) is below my Might (9)
Is it two successes or three?]

Yes but not quite for the reason you had:
- roll below the total of your 2 Attributes - 1 success
- roll below your lowest Attribute used - 2 successes

In this case they both have the same value so a roll of 9 or less counts as 2 successes

I'll have his defense roll a little bit later today, on my phone right now

UPDATE:
20:10, Today: Jeddak rolled 35 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,19.  Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- 0 successes, you hit and generate 2 Momentum!

If you use your Four-Armed for War Talent you'll get an extra Momentum.  You can only use 1 Talent for your conflict action but can use a different one for your defend action.

See References thread on uses for Momentum
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

How about using Momentum for Roll Extra Damage?

Sure. Your sword does 2d6, for every Momentum you spend you add an extra d6.

You may also save Momentum to your personal Momentum pool.  The max you can save is 3 (same as your lowest Attrbute).  At the end of every combat turn you will loose 1 Momentum from your pool.

When you've decided how much Momentum to use roll for damage

So, if I got it right, I have generated 2 Momentum with the attack roll and I can add one more from my Talent.
The damage then should be 2d6 for the basic damage of my blade and 3 X 1d6 for each extra Momentum spent.:
14:23, Today: Nantas rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  +1 Momentum damage.
14:23, Today: Nantas rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  +1 Momentum damage.
14:23, Today: Nantas rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  +1 Momentum damage.
14:22, Today: Nantas rolled 6 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,5.  basic damage.
Does this sound right? Or do I need to roll damage for each of my two blades?

Okay, so you spend all 3 Momentum to increase damage.  Awesome.

Now, how much damage did you actually do? Reference thread has the DAMAGE ROLL (d6) table.  1st column is the result on a d6 and 2nd is the amount of Stress caused.

Please total and add to your post

3 damages + 1 effect?

Exactly.  Swords have the Sharp Quality, they cause an extra Injury Stress when an Effect is rolls.  So you'll do 4 Stress total to the Gladiator.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:38, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

[OOC: step by step I have to digest all this crunch... I hope it will not bother you too much, as it won't be that quick...]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:46, Sun 02 Aug 2020.

Nope it's all good.  I'm still learning this too.

I'll try to have actions for your other two slaves and the remaining gladiators up later today

Demetrius' opponent collapses, nearly cut in half by the killing stroke.

The red woman rolls to her feet, clearly unsteady yet no sign of fear or surrender does she offer.  Appearing to ignore her wounds she launches herself at the gladiator attempting to bypass his longer weapon...

Overcome a Weakness For 1 Luck point a character may ignore the effects of all afflictions for a single Conflict action.

15:16, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 9 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,6.  Aeryn vs Red Gladiator, 14-/6-.
- 4 success

15:18, Today: Jeddak rolled 28 using 2d20 with rolls of 17,11.  Gladiator Defend vs NantasAeryn, 10-/4-.
- 0 successes

Aeryn has 3 Momentum - she'll keep 2 in her pool for now, probably use when defending, spend 1 to increase damage


15:26, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,1.  Aeryn dmg.
- 2 points of Stress

The woman's surge of strength surprises the red man and her sword licks his arm before he can parry with his spear.

Meanwhile Patterson is hard pressed with his own antagonist...

15:30, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 35 using 3d20 with rolls of 2,14,19.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent.
- 2 successes

15:31, Today: Jeddak rolled 19 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,7.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 1 success, Patterson hits, no extra Momentum

15:32, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 6 using 2d6 with rolls of 4,2.  Patterson dmg.
- 1 Stress to 2nd Red Gladiator

15:37, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Patterson gets extra d6 with melee.
- forgot extra d6 for his Heavy Blade talent, Gladiator takes 2 more for total of 3 Stress

but he is only able to nick his opponent, nothing more.

Nantas' opponent swipes with his remaining sword while he looks for another weapon.

15:35, Today: Jeddak rolled 21 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,8.  Green Gladiator vs Nantas, 10-/5-.
- 1 success, Nantas please roll to defend.  Use Daring + Passion or Empathy

Patterson's opponent is unimpressed and strikes back at the Earthman...

15:40, Today: Jeddak rolled 20 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,8.  Gladiator Attack Patterson, 10-/5-.
- 1 success

15:40, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 31 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,15.  Patterson Defend vs Red Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 0 successes, Patterson is hit

15:41, Today: Jeddak rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 3,4.  Red Gladiator damage.
- 0 damage
but hit strike becomes more of a slap that the strong Jasoomian muscles absorb without more than a small bruise.

Aeryn's opponent smells a weakened foe and is ready to deliver the killing blow but the woman moves and dodges fiercly to throw off his approach
Aeryn spends 2 Momentum to Create Obstacle, making the Gladiator's attack D2 instead of D1.

15:45, Today: Jeddak rolled 6 using 2d20 with rolls of 4,2.  Red Gladiator  vs Aeryn, 12-/6-.
- aaaaaand he still hits her with 2 successes, would have been 4 otherwise

15:47, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 28 using 2d20 with rolls of 17,11.  Aeryn Defend vs Gladiator, 13-/5-.
- with 2 Wounds defending is a D3 challenge, 0 successes

15:48, Today: Jeddak rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,6,3.  Gladiator damage to Aeryn.
- Aeryn takes 2 Stress

End of Turn 2 pending outcome of Nantas' defence



This message was last edited by the GM at 01:52, Mon 03 Aug 2020.

[OOC: 09:15, Today: Nantas rolled 25 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,13.  Defence (Daring 9, Passion 4).
What is this? zero successes?
Can I nevertheless roll for quick disarm?]

No, every test is the sum of the two attributes (9+4=13) & the lowest of the attributed (4).

So since 12 & 13 are both =< the sum, they each count as 1 success.

You only needed to cancel the gladiator's 1 success, leaving you 1 extra for Momentum.

Because you cancelled all the attacker's successes, you may use your Quick Disarm

Roll it and good luck!
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:30, Tue 04 Aug 2020.

[CCO: 20:27, Today: Nantas rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 10,12.  Quick Disarm (Cunning 9 + Daring 9).
Not a good roll, this time... one success, but I needed three.]

How many successes did you just get?

What are you doing with that point of Momentum you just generated?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:53, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

[OOC: can I increase the quality of my success?]

I was thinking if Create Opportunity to roll another d20. It's probably supposed to be declared before you roll but I'm fine if you want to use it now. You only need one more success to disarm him.

And, to be clear, you got 2 successes so far.  9+9=18, both die roller under 18.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:05, Thu 06 Aug 2020.

[OOC: 18:57, Today: Nantas rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  create opportunity roll..
Passed by a whisker!]

Lol!  That works

Nantas locks his sword against the Warhoon's hit, there is a moment of straining by both of the giant Green Men, and then with a cry the duelist pivots and twists.   The gladiator's blade sails through the air to land far, far out of reach.
Warhoon gladiator is completely disarmed!

One gladiator has fallen and a second is weaponless (though not helpless).  The momentum swings in favor of the slaves yet one is seriously injured.  Victory is not complete and the smallest error could yet decide the victor.

You definitely have the momentum, you may again go 1st

Feeling he's in advantage, Nantas swings his blades savagely in the direction of his opponent, but then he realises that fighting with blades against an opponent that is fighting with his bare fists is not honourable and he stops suddenly. He thinks for a second, then he takes a step back and shouts: "You can surrender honourably, now. But if you want to keep fighting until the last drop of your blood and die, go and get back your blade, as my honour commands that I don't attack with my blades a disarmed opponent. I will not kill you without honour."

[OOC: hopefully the Warhoon will feel the shame of going and getting his blade across the arena, but, in case he tries some trick, I rolled my next attack: 21:19, Today: Nantas rolled 25 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,12.  keep fighting!
Hopefully this move will impress the public as well...]

The Warhoon gladiator appears confused.  The stands are a loud with the shouts and cries for blood.  On Barsoom such displays as this are nearly unheard of, where quarter is neither asked nor given in battle.  The greenman appears as though to drop to his knees in surrender...but instead flings a handful of arean sand into Nantas' eyes.  As the duelist clears his vision the gladiator will sprint for one of the spears still stuck in the sand.

I'm going to spend 2 Thread to cause a Complication for Nantas.  The sand thrown in your eyes will make your attacks a Difficulty 2 (D2).  You'll need 2 successes to succeed (which you've got) so no Momentum generated.

Roll your 2 die of damage.

Gladiator will use his Move action to reach his weapon in the next zone and his Free action to retrieve it.



This message was last edited by the GM at 02:53, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

Demetrius stares down at the massive green foe that he has felled. He takes a second to process what he's done--D the Giant Slayer!--before he gathers himself and runs toward Patterson's foe. He bounds hand over fist and flies into it with a solid kick that hurts him; his follow-through with the borrowed blade connects but merely bruises the opposing gladiator. He keeps his words to a minimum at the moment, letting his fighting do the talking.

Move to engage Patterson's foe. Two successes; if I beat him, I do 2 damage from the unarmed hit with no effect. If I get a point of Momentum, I spend it on another die of damage that also does no damage. :-p

13:04, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  In case of momentum, extra die for blade.
13:02, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 4,3,1,1 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 4,3,1,1.  Damage: blade (2D), Unarmed Combat Journeyman (2D).
13:01, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 7,7 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 7,7.  Daring+Cunning on Patterson's foe.

21:33, Today: Jeddak rolled 34 using 2d20 with rolls of 17,17.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, Daring+Empathy 10-/5-.
- 0 successes, he'll take 2 Stress from your attack
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:53, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

In reply to Nantas (msg # 39):

[OOC:  21:27, Today: Nantas rolled 9 using 2d6 with rolls of 4,5.  damage.
Did I get this right?
I believe that the honour code is very ingrained in Barsoom, even in the Green Martian culture...]

How much Stress did your rolls generate?

Right, never back down from a challenge, meet your opponent with equal or lesser weapon, etc..  But once you've done that, if they lose they lose.  That includes loosing their weapon.  Books usually mention "quarter is never asked nor given".  Anyway nothing wrong with offering an opponent opportunity to surrender but don't expect they'll do the same. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

As Demetrius engages Patterson's opponent the fellow Earthman looks over confused before declaring, "I'm fine but it's Aeryn that needs aid.  Deal with this calot and I'll try to help her."

With that he bounds toward the other red gladiator and swings a heavy downward stroke...
21:21, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 32 using 3d20 with rolls of 14,11,7.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent.
- 1 success

21:22, Today: Jeddak rolled 18 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,15.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 2 successes, dodged
but the red man dances back and Patterson's blade finds only the sand of the arena.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

Aeryn grits her teeth and charges into the fray
2 Wounds, hitting Gladiator is a D3 test.
Spend 1 Luck for Bonus d20 - rolled a 1 for 2 successes

21:38, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 31 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,17.  Aeryn vs Red Gladiator, 14-/6-.
- 1 success combined with those from Luck get's the necessary 3 to hit

21:39, Today: Jeddak rolled 23 using 2d20 with rolls of 4,19.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Aeryn, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- gladiator counter's Aeryn's attack
but as with Patterson the foe anticipates the attack and is ready to avoid it.

Meanwhile Demetrius' opponent tries for a sudden, swift strike...
21:41, Today: Jeddak rolled 36 using 2d20 with rolls of 17,19.  Red Gladiator  vs Demetrius, 12-/6-.
- 0 successes
but the attack is clumsy and never comes close
This message was last updated by the player at 02:47, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

Patterson and Aeryn's opponent sneers at the feeble attacks and decides to show the newcomer the lesson he was in the middle of teaching Aeryn...
21:43, Today: Jeddak rolled 26 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,18.  Red Gladiator  vs Patterson, 12-/6-.
- 1 success

21:44, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 17 using 2d20 with rolls of 11,6.  Defend vs Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 1 success, parried
but Patterson is able to parry the blade before it can taste flesh.

The Warhoon gladiator faces Nantas again, weapon now once more in hand, and gestures for the Tilnak to come and face him.

End Turn 3



This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

The battle is in full swing, you can feel the rush of the blood in your veins and the labor of your breath.  Your opponents show no signs of relent.  Victory or death, there is no other options in the arena of the Warhoon!

Nantas looking for you to count total Stress from your damage roll in msg 41 above.

And have at them!

[OOC: the damage rolls should give one damage and one effect. The effect may be Increase Quality of Success or perhaps Roll for Extra Damage... Two stress?]

The Effect on a damage die is related to the weapon's Quality which, for blades (swords/spears), is Sharp. Sharp causes an additional Injury Stress.  See Weapon and Equipment Qualities table in References thread.

But yes, 2 Stress is the result.  Warhoon gladiator has 6 Stress now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:03, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

In reply to Nantas (msg # 46):

[OOC: so I got the stress right (1+1). Surprising for me! :)
How about the Effect? what's the best option in this case?]

Again, the Effect is dependent upon weapon being used.  Swords have Sharp which will cause 1 extra Stress when Effect is rolled on damage die.

Those other things you listed, those come from spending Mometum, not rolling a 5-6 on damage die.

And speaking of Effect - I asked about this on Modiphius forums and apparently not everything will has an Effect.  Swords, spears, pistols all do.  But if you use a weapon that doesn't have a declared Attribute (hand-to-hand for instance) then there's no Effect that can occur.
 Some Talents in the other books add Attributes for Hand-to-Hand combat but without something like that you'd just get the base Stress.  Same if you used an improvised weapon (broken table leg).  This goes to further show how weapons are generally superior but not by an insurmountable margin.

Edit: Sharp.  Swords have the Sharp quality, not Shape.  Darn autocorrect.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:12, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

[OOC: right.... so you also deal a sword damage without the Sharp effect... OK.]

Nantes charges his vile enemy swinging wildly his double blades.

[OOC: 12:53, Today: Nantas rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 9,13.  Cunning 9 Daring 9.
Three successes?]

Yep!

EDIT: geez, I don't recall why I didn't bother to roll gladiator's defense at the same time I posted previously.

12:12, Today: Jeddak rolled 16 using 2d20 with rolls of 2,14.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- 2 success, you hit with no extra Momentum, roll damage for your sword
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:14, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

Demetrius mentally shrugs at Patterson's rebuke. Sorry, never been a gladiator before in my life. I'll have to look that up in the manual later. He is almost surprised at the red man's ineptitude. So much of his training in fighting was about using the force of others' attacks against them that he almost counted on some competence. He circles and tests the man's defenses, slashing at the fellow's left side....

Attack: one success, no momentum generated. If that somehow hits, does 3 Stress, no effects.

08:17, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 1,4,2,3 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 1,4,2,3.  Damage, if that hits: 2D blade, 2D unarmed.
08:15, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 14,9 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,9.  Attack on red man 13/6.

12:15, Today: Jeddak rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,10.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 1 success, red martian parries

The gladiator sneers at Demetrius' probing attack....but his glance back to the crumpled form of his fellow gladiator tells a different tale.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:17, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

[OOC: 21:18, Today: Nantas rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,2.  damage roll.
Two damages plus one effect = three damages?]

Heck yeah, you got it!  Aaaaaaand, that make 9 Stress for him which fills his Stress track and gives him a Wound.  From now on any tests with Cunning or Might are Difficulty 2 (require to 2 successes instead of 1).  Will affect his ability to attack but not his defense (since that's Daring + Empathy or Reason for hand-to-hand).

And speaking of...I'll try to get the rest of the actions for this turn out now
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:23, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

The Earthman presses the attack, hoping to keep the gladiator focused on him and no Aeryn...
17:34, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 24 using 3d20 with rolls of 12,6,6.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent.
- 2 successes

17:35, Today: Jeddak rolled 30 using 2d20 with rolls of 10,20.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 1 success and a Complication - hmmmm, Red Gladiator's grip on his sword is fouled, increase all actions by 1 Difficulty until next turn

17:42, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 10 using 2d6 with rolls of 5,5.  Patterson dmg.
- 4 Stress to Red Gladiator, spent extra Momentum on dmg but no extra Stress
landing a light blow
This message was last edited by the player at 23:40, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

The red woman strikes high as Patterson thrusts low, trying to overwhelm their opponent
17:50, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 7,17.  Aeryn vs Red Gladiator, 14-/6-.
- miss
but the weakness from her wounds slow her reaction; allowing the gladiator to avoid Aeryn's blade.

The gladiator facing 2 opponents decides that the woman should be laid low...
17:54, Today: Jeddak rolled 14 using 2d20 with rolls of 10,4.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Aeryn, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 3 successes

18:04, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 9 using 2d20 with rolls of 7,2.  Aeryn Defend vs Gladiator, 13-/5-.
- D3, 1 success

18:06, Today: Jeddak rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,5.  Red Gladiator damage.
- 4 dmg to Aeryn, spend Momentum to increase dmg
and blood flows from his next strike upon Aeryn Arj


Demetrius' opponent decides to strike quickly after seeing how the Earthman delt with his last opponent..
18:34, Today: Jeddak rolled 2 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,1.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 12-, 6-.
- well he's not &^@Q*$ around, 4 successes!
Demetrius roll to defend vs 4 successes!


The green gladiator appears far from capitulation...
18:36, Today: Jeddak rolled 11 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,10.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- D2 so 1 success

Nantas roll to defend vs 1 success
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:56, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

If the red man is not messing around, neither is Demetrius. He sees a well-aimed blow headed his way; rather than dodge it, he sticks out his off-hand at an appropriate angle and deflects the wielding arm up so that the blow is high; Demetrius is then able to parry and shove the man down, setting up the Earther's counter-strike...

+1 to the Threat pool for an additional die, and I got it--4 Successes in defense! Courtesy of Thinks Fast on His Feet, I'll gain another d20 on my next action against this guy.

22:28, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 14,9,3 using 1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,9,3.  Cunning+ Reason to Defend, 15/7, +1 Threat.


NOTE: Attack with Cunning, Defend with Daring.   No change to total number of successes, nice
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:06, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

[OOC: 23:33, Today: Nantas rolled 29 using 2d20 with rolls of 9,20.  Daring 9 Passion 4.
One success?]

1 Success and a Complication (thanks to the roll of a 20)

Hmmmm...how about

The green gladiator is desperate, his fellow Warhoon already dead and so far he has been completely ineffective against this slave.  Nantas is unprepared for the fury of his attack and though he manages to parry the incoming blade his own swords are crosses and locked in a struggle of might against the gladiator's blade...

Roll Might + Daring, Reason or Empathy (your choice) to extract yourself from the poor position.  D2 challenge so you'll need at least 2 successes.  If you fail the Warhoon maintains his superior leverage/position and your next attack will also be a D2 challenge
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:06, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

The battles are fierce but have reached a momentary stalemate.  Which side will falter first?  Or with they both simply annihilate one another until none are left standing?

Looking for that D2 challenge roll from Nantas (Might + Daring/Reason/Emapthy your choice) to see if his coming conflict action will also be D2 or just a D1 challenge.

Declare your actions when you are ready

In reply to Nantas (msg # 56):

[OOC: 08:58, Today: Nantas rolled 33 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,17.  Might 6 Daring 9.
I'm afraid I didn't get out of the unfavourable position..]

No worries, it just a temporary little complication, gone after this next action
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:22, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

While locked in an unfavourable position by the desperate Warhoon, Nantas strikes back.

[OOC: 09:01, Today: Nantas rolled 32 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,16.  Cunning 9 Daring 9.
Two successes]

Thanks to that unfavorable position this was a D2 challenge, so your 2 successes were enough to count for a hit with no extra Momentum.

08:23, Today: Jeddak rolled 12 using 2d20 with rolls of 10,2.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- 2 successes, gladiator manages to parry

Nantas extracts himself from the standoff but isn't quite able to land a blow on his opponent while doing so.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:27, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

[OOC: 19:15, Today: Nantas rolled 17 using 2d20 with rolls of 15,2.  Quick Disarm.
Three successes?]

Nantes removes also the spear from the hands of the Warhoon! He is again unarmed!

We'll hold this until the Warhoon attacks
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

Demetrius smirks at his opponent and slashes up and high at the fellow. He follows with a swift kick at the fellow's side. He is as much trying to keep the fellow off-balance than anything else so that he can eventually deal a death-blow to the alien man.

2 Successes. If that should hit, total of 3 Stress on the fellow, no Effects.

17:27, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 3,1,1,1 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 3,1,1,1.  Damages: 2D from blade, 2D from Talent.
17:26, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 15,19,2 using 1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 15,19,2.  Attacking Red Martian foe +d20 for ThinksFast, 13/6.

20:08, Today: Jeddak rolled 17 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,5.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 12-, 6-.
- 3 successes, parried
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:09, Sat 22 Aug 2020.

Patterson redoubles his efforts to become the red man's sole target.
Add 1 Threat for extra d20
19:55, Today: Jeddak, on behalf of Patterson Brood, rolled 29 using 4d20 with rolls of 9,1,8,11.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent + 1 Threat.
- 4 successes

19:56, Today: Jeddak rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 15,9.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 1 success, Patterson has 2 Momentum

19:59, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 16 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,3,4,5.  Patterson dmg, +2 for 2 Momentum.
- 2 Stress, enough to give him his 1st Wound
It is a wild attack, and the gladiator manages to avoid most but not all of the strikes.

Watching for an opening the red woman attempts to thrust just as Patterson pulls back, if only to offer the gladiator no reprieve.
20:04, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 28 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,15.  Aeryn vs Red Gladiator, 14-/6-.
- D3 challenge due to Wounds so miss
But she is slowed by blood loss and unable to mount an effective threat

The green man fights with desperation...too desperate. His swings are wild and the duelist is prepared
20:12, Today: Jeddak rolled 25 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,13.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- no successes
With a easy twist Nantas strikes the weapon from his hand and sends it flying some distance away.
Using your defense roll, green gladiator is disarmed once more

Demetrius and his opponent can find no opening in each's defense but neither will relent.
20:15, Today: Jeddak rolled 17 using 2d20 with rolls of 4,13.  Red Gladiator vs Demetrius 12-/6-.
- Demetrius defend vs 2 successes

Meanwhile Patterson and Aeryn's opponent is far from finished.
20:17, Today: Jeddak rolled 2 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,1.  Red Gladiator  vs Patterson, 12-/6- D2.
- um, okay, 3 successes.  wow

20:18, Today: Jeddak, on behalf of Patterson Brood, rolled 21 using 2d20 with rolls of 12,9.  Patterson Defend vs Red Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 1 success, Hit + 2 Threat

20:20, Today: Jeddak rolled 14 using 5d6 with rolls of 2,4,3,2,3.  Dmg to Patterson, extra Threat spent for Danger.
- Patterson takes 2 Stress, really bad roll

It is a slow struggle of attrition but the slaves appear to retain the upper-hand.  But can they keep it?

Fight or die.  Your choices are simple

You may declare your actions.

Demetrius still need your parry to last attack

Nantes gave a chance to his opponent to ask for mercy and surrender. Now he will keep pushing him to the end.

[OOC: 18:08, Today: Nantas rolled 25 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,12.  Keep attacking! Might 9 Cunning 9.
Only two successes...]

18:46, Today: Jeddak rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 15,7.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- only 1 success, you hit, no extra Momentum

The Warhoon tries to leap back as Nantas swings but it not fast enough to avoid the blade...
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:47, Mon 24 Aug 2020.

The pattern continues, though Demetrius hopes to break it with the next exchange; this time, his blade flashes quickly, parrying blows even as he steps to the left of the foe, giving him a good view of the red man's flank...

2 successes, so successful defense. Thinks Fast on His Feet, bonus d20 to Demetrius' next action against the foe.

20:51, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 19,3 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 19,3.  Defend: Cunning + Reason 15/7.

Excellent, please continue with your attack for Turn 5
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:42, Wed 26 Aug 2020.

In reply to Nantas (msg # 66):

[OOC: 12:22, Today: Nantas rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,5.  damage.
That should be two damages + one effect = three damages?]

Perfect
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:41, Wed 26 Aug 2020.

Patterson waves Aeryn back as he keeps the pressure on the red man.
07:44, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 20 using 3d20 with rolls of 1,6,13.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent.
- 3 Successes

07:44, Today: Jeddak rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,8.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 1 success, Patterson hits + 1 Momentum

07:46, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,5.  Patterson dmg.
- 4 Stress to Gladiator
The gladiator is forced to give ground against the assault

The red woman moves back and tries to tend to her wound...
Attempt to recover Injury Stress

07:56, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 34 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,18.  Recovery Injury Stress, Might + Reason, 11-/5-, D3.
- 0 successes, failed
But with little to work with she is unable to do much to staunch the blood from her wound

Demetrius wastes no time, swinging hard at the man's flank and drawing blood. He springs back, ready for anything, the momentum of the battle swinging his way!

Four successes! Damage will be 4 plus 1 Injury from the effect from the blade. If I get any Momentum from that, I'll bank it.

17:13, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 3,6,6,2 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 3,6,6,2.  Damage: blade (2D), Unarmed Combat Journeyman (2D).
17:12, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 14,2,4 using 1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,2,4.  Latest attack on Red Man + Thinks Fast1, 13/6.


19:33, Today: Jeddak rolled 8 using 2d20 with rolls of 5,3.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- believe it or not he parried your attack, 4 successes

Swords flash in a blur, to quick for any to follow.  When the combatants part both remain unscathed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:35, Thu 27 Aug 2020.

The Warhoon is slowing, the signs of the struggle clear for Nantas to read.  His attack is easily avoided
09:01, Today: Jeddak rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 6,18.  Green Gladiator vs Nantas, 10-/5-.
- D2 to attack with Wound, only 1 success so miss
Nantas you may ignore the miss or roll your parry to see if you can build some Momentum.  Just know there's always possibility you'll roll a 20 for a complication...

Demetrius' opponent glances to and fro, recognizing the tide turns against he and his.   Desperate to turn the tide he attacks suddenly but recklessly, telegraphing his intention to the Earthman.
09:06, Today: Jeddak rolled 26 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,13.  Red Gladiator vs Demetrius 12-/6-.
- And another complete miss
Demetrius same choice as Nantas.  Roll Defense for Momentum or no?

Patterson has the full attention of the remaining gladiator, leading him in circles as the pair struggles and easily avoiding his strokes.
09:08, Today: Jeddak rolled 14 using 2d20 with rolls of 5,9.  Red Gladiator vs Patterson 12-/6-.
- Also D2 attack due to Wound so miss

09:10, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 10 using 2d20 with rolls of 4,6.  Patterson Defend vs Red Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 3 Momentum to bank

Geez, all 3 complete misses 

[OOC: defence roll:
16:25, Today: Nantas rolled 22 using 2d20 with rolls of 11,11.  Daring 9 Passion 4.
Two successes, my defence was effective.

I'm a bit confused by the fact that the Warhoon is now completely without weapons and it is not clear to me where this advantage shows off in the rolling... is it visible just when he rolls for damage if I'm hit?]

Assume he attempted to grapple you or otherwise strike you rather than just running again.

Had he hit he would have only rolled 1 die for damage and any Effect would have been ignored

You generate 2 Momentum from your roll.  You'll lose one at the end of the turn but will have the remaining 1 available next turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:24, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

[OOC: new round?]

After avoiding easily his opponent's attack, Nantas attacks him again: he won't give him quarters!

[OOC: 17:34, Today: Nantas rolled 12 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,4.  Cunning 9 Daring 9.
Four successes?]

Yes 4 successes!

18:18, Today: Jeddak rolled 12 using 2d20 with rolls of 11,1.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-.
- 2 successes, you hit and gain 1 Momentum bringing you to 2 total
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:19, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

Demetrius easily side-steps the man and literally steps to the fellow's side. Time seems to slow as Demetrius takes in the situation; a counter-move enters his mind and he prepares to spring like a great cat upon its prey....

Rolling to Defend, got 2 successes for 2 Momentum. Banking them, will let one roll over to next round. Thinks on His Feet also applies, so I get an additional d20 to my next attack on the fellow.

15:05, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 7,16 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 7,16.  Rolling to Defend: Daring+Reason 14/7.


You'll have 1 carry over to Turn 5, attack when you are ready
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

Patterson offers his opponent the same respite that the man had Aeryn, hammering strike after strike upon the fellow.
17:16, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 40 using 4d20 with rolls of 5,11,20,4.  Patterson Attack Red Gladiator, 9-/4-, Heavy Blade Talent + 1 Momentum for Create Opportunity.
- 3 successes and a complication...Patterson was too eager in his attacks and will not be as ready to defend (D2 to defend vs Red Gladiator)

17:18, Today: Jeddak rolled 28 using 2d20 with rolls of 14,14.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Patterson, Daring+Empathy 11-/5-.
- 0 successes!

17:21, Today: Jeddak rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,6,5,1.  Patterson dmg, Heavy Blade + 1 Momentum for Roll Extra Damage.
- Gladiator takes 6 Stress & an automatic Wound (5+ Stress taken at once)
The red man's guard is no match for the enraged Earthman.

Aeryn sinks into the sand and continues to focus on her wounds.
Attempt to recover Injury Stress

17:24, Today: Aeryn Arj rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,5.  Recovery Injury Stress, Might + Reason, 11-/5-, D3.
- 4 successes - Aeryn recovers 1 Stress and spends the Momentum generated to recover a 2nd point of Stress
She manages to cinch one of her wounds closed with her harness, gritting her teeth against the momentary pain.

[OOC: 23:43, Today: Nantas rolled 3 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,1.  damage.
Two more damages for my enemy... how does he look? is he shaken by all these hits? Is it a good time to spend extras to add more damage?]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Tue 08 Sept 2020.

Demetrius's legs, which feel now in this strange environment like coiled springs of iron, straighten, shooting him over his foe's head like a bullet. He brings his blade around and he twists his body, slashing at the red-hued fellow with his blade and pummeling with his off-hand....

Spend my Momentum. Gain 5 successes! Normal damage is 5 Stress + 1 Injury (from blade's Effect). Will spend additional Momentum gained to add more dice of damage!

14:53, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 5,1,1,2 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 5,1,1,2.  Damage: blade (2D), Unarmed Combat Journeyman (2D).
14:52, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 14,3,7,6 using 1d20,1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,3,7,6.  Attack w/1 Momentum and Thinks Fast, 13/6.

22:17, Today: Jeddak rolled 28 using 2d20 with rolls of 9,19.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 12-, 6-.
- only 1 success, you hit and gain 3 Momentum

From his Momentum, we gain 2 more Stress and 2 more Injuries.

20:25, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 6,6,3 using 1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 6,6,3.  3 extra damage from Momentum.


This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Thu 10 Sept 2020.

Nantas deals the treacherous Warhoon a glancing blow across his calf as the gladiator moves too slowly.  His opponent's eyes are desperate, looking to Nantas and then to the unsympathetic watchers above.   The duelist recognizes when the gladiator accepts his fate.
Gladiator looks discouraged.  He knows his end is near.

The red man is completely unprepared for the Demetrius' unconventional maneuver.  When the Jasoomian lands he sees the end of his blade is red with blood and the gladiator grips the shoulder of his sword arm.
5 Stun causes automatic Wound, Gladiator's actions including Cunning and Might are now 1 Difficulty higher

The gladiators of the Warhoon are in dire straights.   Nantas' opponent runs once more, this time to a nearby spear which he retrieves and readies to face the duelist.

Demetrius opponent is clearly bothered by the slash to his shoulder but his attack still comes swiftly.  The Earthman is easily able to move the blade aside.
19:31, Today: Jeddak rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 19,5.  Red Gladiator vs Demetrius 12-/6-.
- Gladiators attack is at D2, so 2 successes are just enough to hit  Gladiator has 2 wounds, is at D3 and misses

Demetrius defend against a single success

Patterson's foe falters badly, the slashes and blood loss clearly taking their toll.
19:33, Today: Jeddak rolled 25 using 2d20 with rolls of 19,6.  Red Gladiator vs Patterson 12-/6-.
- Gladiator has 2 Wounds and is at D3 to attack, requires 3 success to threaten with a hit but only managed 2

Patterson will roll defense but due to previous Complication will be at D1 instead of D0
9:36, Today: Patterson Brood rolled 13 using 2d20 with rolls of 10,3.  Patterson Defend vs Red Gladiator, 9-/5-.
- 2 successes, Patterson gains 1 Momentum

I'll hold for Demetrius' parry before starting Turn 6.

UPDATE: Demetrius Momentum spend for extra damage adds another Wound to his opponent, meaning the attack above misses.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:50, Thu 10 Sept 2020.

[OOC: OK]

The merciless laughter of the Warhoon indicate that the onlookers sense the end is near for the gladiators.  Earthmen might think it cruel to laugh at death and suffering, and they would not be wrong to ascribe these traits to the Green Men of Barsoom in general (and the Warhoon most of all).  For the natives of the red planet this is expected and given little regard.

Go then and finish this, for the only exit from the arena is by the blood of your opponent.

Posting so you won't have to wait while I am traveling tomorrow.

Demetrius you may still parry the gladiator's missed attack from turn 5 if you choose to try to generate more momentum.  You will loose 1 at the end of turn 5.  You may only carry over as much as your lowest attribute (3 I believe)

You both may make you turn 6 attacks when ready. 

Demetrius side-steps and steps on the red man's blade. He grabs the arm, twisting it so as to cause the pain from the wound to lance up the man's side and then slashes quickly for the fellow's throat...

I choose to defend, succeeding in gaining 2 Momentum. I lose one as we carry over into round 6. I spend my one Momentum and Thinks Fast on His Feet to attack; I gain 2 successes. If that hits, the foe takes 5 damage with no additional effects.

08:21, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 2,1,6,6 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6 with rolls of 2,1,6,6.  Damage: blade (2D), Unarmed Combat Journeyman (2D).
08:21, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 19,8,11,17 using 1d20,1d20,1d20,1d20 with rolls of 19,8,11,17.  Attack w/1 Momentum and Thinks Fast, 13/6.
08:19, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 10,9 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 10,9.  Rolling to Defend: Daring+Reason 14/7.

The red man drops his sword from the pain of the twisted blade.  There is nothing to stop Demetrius' weapon from striking home upon his unprotected throat.  The gladiator's is dead before his body lands upon the arena floor.
20:26, Today: Jeddak rolled 32 using 2d20 with rolls of 16,16.  Red Gladiator Defend vs Demetrius, 12-, 6-.
- complete miss on the parry, Gladiator takes 6 Stress for another automatic Wound - Dead
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:35, Fri 11 Sept 2020.

The Warhoon already missed his opportunity to surrender and Nantas keeps pushing him until the end.

[OOC: 21:44, Today: Nantas rolled 13 using 2d20 with rolls of 11,2.  keep attacking!
Three successes...]

Nantas slips easily past the longer weapon and strikes the Warhoon.
20:36, Today: Jeddak rolled 18 using 2d20 with rolls of 6,12.  Green Gladiator Defend vs Nantas, 9-/4-
- 1 success

Gladiator is only able to negate 1 of your successes, you hit and gain 1 Momentum.  Roll your damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:40, Fri 11 Sept 2020.

[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
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Tue 22 Sept 2020.

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.

{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.

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]

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 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.

[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.

[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.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.



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?"

In reply to Demetrius Esper (msg # 96):

[OOC: which language are you speaking?]

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 is very impressed: "Interplanetary travel is very rare..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Sat 03 Oct 2020.

"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 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 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?"

"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."

"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 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?"

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.

"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 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.

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