D&D, Arena's, and hack and slash... [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D, Arena's, and hack and slash... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Revil
04-17-07, 09:31 PM A long time ago, one of my D&D friends came up with a simple D&D one shot game. The characters are captured as slaves and forced to fight in an arena as gladiators. It was fun, we had a good time, so good in fact, that we have decided to turn it into a full-fledged campaign.

We are hack'n'slashers....for D&D anyway. We are currently in the grips of a thrilling World of Darkness adventure that has us RP'd out. When it comes to killing things, you can't get better than D&D's system.

The group has decided that I should lead this next campaign. Why? Because the original creator of this idea has become a bit burnt out on DMing. I get the position by default, cause its my turn. ^-^

Here is the system as we have it worked out so far. The party, is not actually a party, in fact, the group is supposed to be fiercely competitive as their lives depend on it. XP is not a shared thing except by those that deal damage to the monster. Kill-stealing is a viable option, though not one that is encouraged...characters are PK'd that way. You also gain XP by doing performing certain stunts in the arena...whether flourishing your weapon to the ooo's and ahh's of the crowd (a Perform(Flourish) skill given to all classes), or tripping, disarming, bull-rushing, fienting, or even humiliating your opponent (such as taking a -4 on your attack roll to do non-lethal damage to your opponent). The XP you gain from each of these 'points' is determined by a Cha roll made at the end of an event...for those that survive. This is to impress the crowd, which lets you learn more....supposedly. XD

For the campaign, I've added another dimension to this set-up to make it not so predictable. There is going to be a small world available for the PC's to roam around in, as the arena they are trapped in was greated by Demi-Gods for their own perverse amusement. This world is inspired, mechanically, by games such as World of Warcraft **remember this game is all about the hack'n'slash** as there will be 'instance' dungeons for them to run through for items and experience. The story for these instances will be light and easy to sift through.

Characters will be poor throughout most of the game, earning little gold or items of true power. Those most be earned through the flames of combat! No dragon hordes to collect (except in instances!) and such. The only way to really gain magic items is to have them crafted by the Crafter's Guild in the main arena town. This will be done by collecting certain items from the world and giving them and the weapon to be enchanted to the Guild.

The thing I need the Wizards.com community to assist me with is coming up with fun and interesting ideas for different events!

A few we have already include:

Standard Capture-the-Flag: characters must retrieve the flag from the enemies base. This is a co-operative event, so it w000000ill be shared XP. Other points are awarded as normal.

Hop'n'Skip: Tall platforms are raised above the arena floor containing either objects to collect or creatures to kill. The arena floor contains powerful monsters out to kill the characters. This is a competitive event so XP is not shared.

Onslaught!: Characters are assigned to protect an object (or in some cases a person) from wave after wave of monsters. Co-operative event so XP is shared.

Ambush: Characters can choose either defense or offence. Defense moves an object from one end of the arena to another. Offense is allowed to lay traps and surprise the defense team in attempting to steal or destroy the object. Co-Op event.

Labyrinth: Characters are placed at various spots within an arena and must make their way out while trying not to draw the attentions of a very powerful monster looking to pummel them. First toon to the center alive wins!

Siege!: A fortress is built into the center of the arena and characters can choose to either defend or assault it. Assaulters must raise their flag in the fortress center within 50 rounds to win. Co-Op event.

I need more events, so the variety will keep this hack'n'slash from boring too quickly. After all, I want them to face the hellwyrm in the final dungeon! I mean...who doesn't want to play the Hellwyrm v. PCs?
taradusis
04-17-07, 10:22 PM BOARDERS AWAY-arena is flooded and party must use galleys?Perhaps rafts with poles being used to knock people off?UP THE ROPE-a group of ropes is attached to the ceiling,players must climb up,get prize,and return without being knocked onto ground.TUG OF WAR-a rope is strectched over a pit of snakes,opposed str.checks to pull other team off balance.
taradusis
04-21-07, 02:26 PM Blind-luck...party is blinded,with a blindfold or helmet without eye slits.Players are given padded clubs.This is supposed to be comical,a type of slapstick.
sabrewolf
04-22-07, 12:02 AM Heh.. interesting ideas, some of wich i might put to use, myself.. :P

But for an equal share, some ideas for my own arena-like campaign (still in stand-by mode)... and a few extra random bits:

- Death... only a nuisance:
If it was created by demi-gods, (or gods, archwizards..) death may not be much of an issue, A person may or may not loose a level when they are brought back - that can be ignored as the impact on that gladiator´s wealth and prestige may be enough of a price. People may be brought back hours latter or days latter, with little or no cost to the ressurrectors.

- Guilds, training and mini-battles:
In a competitive place, though true friendship is hard or inexistant, groups might take up form. in rome it could be seen as the "types" of gladiators and their weapon/tactic selection. Now, if the combats include more then simple clash of blades, that is things like magic, monks, magic itens and weapons, then groups may vary more both in numbers and kind: Battle mages specialized in an element/school, warriors spetialized in certain tactic (powerfull attacks, two weapons, big weapons, shield use, speed..) and the like.
Another thing in such aspect would be internal competitions for group members to prove their worth and/or ascend inside the group, gaining acess to better training (feats, spells..) or itens... Inter-guild battles is also possible, with prises being a bonus and/or greater status to the wining warriors or the winning group as a whole. Combat of that kind may take place regularly, between alike guilds for a smal advantage and/or between too different/oposed guilds for a breater advantage/symbol/prize.

- Different grounds:
Some of your ideas call for a change in the arena floor. Yet what if the arena is magical in nature and adjusted in shape, size and difficulty by the leading group (who organize the events) to better fir each event? Magical ilusions may serve as huge monitors and scrying devices as cameras, thus allowing for very large arenas (well fitting big events or high level battles); The ground may be changed to show some terrain feature (rocky/montainous, swampy, jungle-like, sand, ice, flooded/lake or even mixed parts).. or maybe there are more then one arena bessides the main one and the gladiators are teleported to their entrances (terrain arenas, fortress, mazes, complexes..)

- Adjusteable nature... becoming the fittest for... survival??
Like magical itens you said that will need special itens to be gathered and brought to a specific NPC, another such run, but with the goal not being an iten but a change of character. Maybe it´s a pre-req for greater, higher level combat and you must be part of a specific race/guild/flag, or maybe it´s part of the price to belong to some guilds. Thing is, the goal of such a quest can be a ritual to change the race of a gladiator and/or apply a template... Thus, being part of the Griffins, the Werewolves or the Firemages can be a little more then just a name and a fancy flag.. :D

- Grafts ?
Good for prizes as unbreakable/unstealable itens. Though may seem weird to the crowd...

- Followers and jobs:
More of an option for the interested player, the gladiator may atrack fellow warriors as followers/disciples, or take a role in paralell as beast tamer, weapon/armor smith, spetialized arcanist... or even apply for arena-related helpers: builders, planers for some events...

Ideas.. Ideas... wich i hope that helps. ;)
RoninFrosty
04-22-07, 07:06 AM I had a *****in' arena setup once...I don't remember everything I had in there, but do remember that not everything in an arena need be combat based. Foot races, archery contests, and the like can all make for good arena events. Though allow me to speak from experience the benefits of putting some sort of barrier between the glads and the audience if you do allow archery :weep: .
EvilDeathBee
04-22-07, 07:21 PM I played an arena style game with my group once or twice, and found it to be great for filler to level up before the next campaign level. We used the crowd as well. Keeping them happy kept the party in money, and they might throw things into the arena. The way we played it was all roup activities, but I really lke the competitive ones. I may implement some of these in my next game, if you have no qualms about it.
taradusis
04-23-07, 04:48 PM Weird prizes?You could use the arena to start campaign mini-adventures.A pegusus with its wings strapped down is released into the arena.Several competitors are given lassos or bridles,first person to subdue the pegasus gets to keep it?Works with other mounts as well.What happens if Spoilsport tries to whip animal or other competitors with his capture tool?Gladiators compete to be new husband of widow who's home is infested with monsters?local church offers to cure one person of anything,everybody with a sick child or spouse signs up for the match,PCs hear some heartbreaking stories,do they throw the match or help some poor slob to get a lifesaving cure for his child?A form of immortality is the prize.RANDOM THOUGHTS

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Revil 04-17-07, 09:31 PM	A long time ago, one of my D&D friends came up with a simple D&D one shot game. The characters are captured as slaves and forced to fight in an arena as gladiators. It was fun, we had a good time, so good in fact, that we have decided to turn it into a full-fledged campaign. We are hack'n'slashers....for D&D anyway. We are currently in the grips of a thrilling World of Darkness adventure that has us RP'd out. When it comes to killing things, you can't get better than D&D's system. The group has decided that I should lead this next campaign. Why? Because the original creator of this idea has become a bit burnt out on DMing. I get the position by default, cause its my turn. ^-^ Here is the system as we have it worked out so far. The party, is not actually a party, in fact, the group is supposed to be fiercely competitive as their lives depend on it. XP is not a shared thing except by those that deal damage to the monster. Kill-stealing is a viable option, though not one that is encouraged...characters are PK'd that way. You also gain XP by doing performing certain stunts in the arena...whether flourishing your weapon to the ooo's and ahh's of the crowd (a Perform(Flourish) skill given to all classes), or tripping, disarming, bull-rushing, fienting, or even humiliating your opponent (such as taking a -4 on your attack roll to do non-lethal damage to your opponent). The XP you gain from each of these 'points' is determined by a Cha roll made at the end of an event...for those that survive. This is to impress the crowd, which lets you learn more....supposedly. XD For the campaign, I've added another dimension to this set-up to make it not so predictable. There is going to be a small world available for the PC's to roam around in, as the arena they are trapped in was greated by Demi-Gods for their own perverse amusement. This world is inspired, mechanically, by games such as World of Warcraft remember this game is all about the hack'n'slash as there will be 'instance' dungeons for them to run through for items and experience. The story for these instances will be light and easy to sift through. Characters will be poor throughout most of the game, earning little gold or items of true power. Those most be earned through the flames of combat! No dragon hordes to collect (except in instances!) and such. The only way to really gain magic items is to have them crafted by the Crafter's Guild in the main arena town. This will be done by collecting certain items from the world and giving them and the weapon to be enchanted to the Guild. The thing I need the Wizards.com community to assist me with is coming up with fun and interesting ideas for different events! A few we have already include: Standard Capture-the-Flag: characters must retrieve the flag from the enemies base. This is a co-operative event, so it w000000ill be shared XP. Other points are awarded as normal. Hop'n'Skip: Tall platforms are raised above the arena floor containing either objects to collect or creatures to kill. The arena floor contains powerful monsters out to kill the characters. This is a competitive event so XP is not shared. Onslaught!: Characters are assigned to protect an object (or in some cases a person) from wave after wave of monsters. Co-operative event so XP is shared. Ambush: Characters can choose either defense or offence. Defense moves an object from one end of the arena to another. Offense is allowed to lay traps and surprise the defense team in attempting to steal or destroy the object. Co-Op event. Labyrinth: Characters are placed at various spots within an arena and must make their way out while trying not to draw the attentions of a very powerful monster looking to pummel them. First toon to the center alive wins! Siege!: A fortress is built into the center of the arena and characters can choose to either defend or assault it. Assaulters must raise their flag in the fortress center within 50 rounds to win. Co-Op event. I need more events, so the variety will keep this hack'n'slash from boring too quickly. After all, I want them to face the hellwyrm in the final dungeon! I mean...who doesn't want to play the Hellwyrm v. PCs?
taradusis 04-17-07, 10:22 PM	BOARDERS AWAY-arena is flooded and party must use galleys?Perhaps rafts with poles being used to knock people off?UP THE ROPE-a group of ropes is attached to the ceiling,players must climb up,get prize,and return without being knocked onto ground.TUG OF WAR-a rope is strectched over a pit of snakes,opposed str.checks to pull other team off balance.
taradusis 04-21-07, 02:26 PM	Blind-luck...party is blinded,with a blindfold or helmet without eye slits.Players are given padded clubs.This is supposed to be comical,a type of slapstick.
sabrewolf 04-22-07, 12:02 AM	Heh.. interesting ideas, some of wich i might put to use, myself.. :P But for an equal share, some ideas for my own arena-like campaign (still in stand-by mode)... and a few extra random bits: - Death... only a nuisance: If it was created by demi-gods, (or gods, archwizards..) death may not be much of an issue, A person may or may not loose a level when they are brought back - that can be ignored as the impact on that gladiator´s wealth and prestige may be enough of a price. People may be brought back hours latter or days latter, with little or no cost to the ressurrectors. - Guilds, training and mini-battles: In a competitive place, though true friendship is hard or inexistant, groups might take up form. in rome it could be seen as the "types" of gladiators and their weapon/tactic selection. Now, if the combats include more then simple clash of blades, that is things like magic, monks, magic itens and weapons, then groups may vary more both in numbers and kind: Battle mages specialized in an element/school, warriors spetialized in certain tactic (powerfull attacks, two weapons, big weapons, shield use, speed..) and the like. Another thing in such aspect would be internal competitions for group members to prove their worth and/or ascend inside the group, gaining acess to better training (feats, spells..) or itens... Inter-guild battles is also possible, with prises being a bonus and/or greater status to the wining warriors or the winning group as a whole. Combat of that kind may take place regularly, between alike guilds for a smal advantage and/or between too different/oposed guilds for a breater advantage/symbol/prize. - Different grounds: Some of your ideas call for a change in the arena floor. Yet what if the arena is magical in nature and adjusted in shape, size and difficulty by the leading group (who organize the events) to better fir each event? Magical ilusions may serve as huge monitors and scrying devices as cameras, thus allowing for very large arenas (well fitting big events or high level battles); The ground may be changed to show some terrain feature (rocky/montainous, swampy, jungle-like, sand, ice, flooded/lake or even mixed parts).. or maybe there are more then one arena bessides the main one and the gladiators are teleported to their entrances (terrain arenas, fortress, mazes, complexes..) - Adjusteable nature... becoming the fittest for... survival?? Like magical itens you said that will need special itens to be gathered and brought to a specific NPC, another such run, but with the goal not being an iten but a change of character. Maybe it´s a pre-req for greater, higher level combat and you must be part of a specific race/guild/flag, or maybe it´s part of the price to belong to some guilds. Thing is, the goal of such a quest can be a ritual to change the race of a gladiator and/or apply a template... Thus, being part of the Griffins, the Werewolves or the Firemages can be a little more then just a name and a fancy flag.. :D - Grafts ? Good for prizes as unbreakable/unstealable itens. Though may seem weird to the crowd... - Followers and jobs: More of an option for the interested player, the gladiator may atrack fellow warriors as followers/disciples, or take a role in paralell as beast tamer, weapon/armor smith, spetialized arcanist... or even apply for arena-related helpers: builders, planers for some events... Ideas.. Ideas... wich i hope that helps. ;)
RoninFrosty 04-22-07, 07:06 AM	I had a *****in' arena setup once...I don't remember everything I had in there, but do remember that not everything in an arena need be combat based. Foot races, archery contests, and the like can all make for good arena events. Though allow me to speak from experience the benefits of putting some sort of barrier between the glads and the audience if you do allow archery :weep: .
EvilDeathBee 04-22-07, 07:21 PM	I played an arena style game with my group once or twice, and found it to be great for filler to level up before the next campaign level. We used the crowd as well. Keeping them happy kept the party in money, and they might throw things into the arena. The way we played it was all roup activities, but I really lke the competitive ones. I may implement some of these in my next game, if you have no qualms about it.
taradusis 04-23-07, 04:48 PM	Weird prizes?You could use the arena to start campaign mini-adventures.A pegusus with its wings strapped down is released into the arena.Several competitors are given lassos or bridles,first person to subdue the pegasus gets to keep it?Works with other mounts as well.What happens if Spoilsport tries to whip animal or other competitors with his capture tool?Gladiators compete to be new husband of widow who's home is infested with monsters?local church offers to cure one person of anything,everybody with a sick child or spouse signs up for the match,PCs hear some heartbreaking stories,do they throw the match or help some poor slob to get a lifesaving cure for his child?A form of immortality is the prize.RANDOM THOUGHTS