Barroom fight prizes! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barroom fight prizes! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Divokej
08-18-07, 03:53 AM I'm running a tournament for barroom fighting and I wanted to give out items in addition to cash prizes. I've got a long time to go before they'll win anything. (My people take forever to do something; last session was purely focused on robbing a church. 4 hours. Robbing a church. It had two doors. In the entire building. 4 hours. It was amazing. I love my group.) So I looked at the mundane item list (not the magic one, I'm running low magic item campaign. I know completely insane.) and I didn't see anything that jumped out at me. So I decided to give prizes that would be more memorable than useful. You know mementoes. Even though at least one of my characters will sell. (I love this character. He hoards money like no one else then spends it at the drop of a hat. He bought an entire roast boar at the last inn we visited and he bribed a goblin 50 gp to follow the god of another character.)
So, I'm curious as to what items you guys (not trying to be gender exclusive but using guys in the androgynous sense. I'm not entirely sure that androgynous is the word I want. Gender-neutral perchance.) would like to receive if you won a bar fight competition.
P.S. This idea is not loosely based on a Terry Prattchet idea at all.
P.P.S. You might be wondering why I am posting this on the Player thread. Simple, you would know what you want better than a DM would.
P.P.P.S. Hey, Wizos, am I allowed to do this or is the player thread strictly realted to player centered issues?
DrStalker
08-18-07, 08:49 AM Low magic? How about a silver plated tankard that improves (slightly) the taste of anything drunk from it.

Magic item, or the power of suggestion? Either way, a lot of people are prepared to punch other people to get it!
Prator_the_Legendary
08-18-07, 09:11 AM Mmm, low magic, eh?

Out of curiousity, do you own Dragon Magazine issue 358? That issue contains an article on how to "upgrade" masterwork weapons and armor with special qualities. For example, "Razor-Sharp" weapons deal an extra point of damage if they are of the slashing type. "Environmentally Designed" armor gives whoever wears it a bonus to saving throws vs. heat or cold.

Alternately, you can try giving them various alchemical items that don't require magic to make. Tear-gas canisters aren't so hard to make...
DrMorganes
08-18-07, 01:32 PM The sort of items you hand out should be somehow appropriate to the patron sponsoring the event. Ferinstance, if the owner of the tavern is the sole sponsor, he may not have the resources to offer much except some prize money, free food and drink for a month, the right to stay in a room for free for a year, etc.

If this tourney has been going on for a long time, its reasonable to expect that perhaps some other sponsors have thrown in something for prizes. I like the idea of the silver-plated tankard. Masterwork weapons (who can't use +1 to hit?) or masterwork leather armor from the local weapon/armor dealer.

If you have some sort of exotic sponsor, alchemical items would be appropriate. There's a host of them in Complete Adventurer in addition to those presented in the Player's Handbook. However, the items should fit into general use categories: smokesticks, sunrods, keenear powder, healer's balm, etc. Things like quickspark, quickflame, or ghostblight would be offered up only if this contest draws adventurers from a wide area.
Divokej
08-18-07, 03:39 PM No, I don't have that article. But I can make something like it.

As for the silver tankard, that's a pretty neat idea. And really it's just low magic item. A house has a monopoly on making magic items (aside from scrolls and potions) so people are less likely to give out magic because it's more exspensive. (And they're level one so magic would be rare anyways.)

So how's this: silver tankards all around for the first win, then the next time they win masterwork or alchelemical items of some sort.
ChimericPhase
08-19-07, 12:04 AM Give some one a pig.

I'm completely serious. Unless your group is so stolidly practical that all they'd do is kill it, give them a pig. See what creative things they come up to do with it. Alcohol needs to be involved.

Goats work too.

... the tankard idea is cool too :mumbles:
DrStalker
08-19-07, 01:39 AM Give some one a pig.

You know, that sounds like a pretty big deal for a prize in a small village. A grown pig has a huge amount of meat on it, enough to feed a family for a while.
Andorxor
08-19-07, 01:53 PM - The teeth of the losers as a chain
- A autograph of a famous bard
- A kiss from the local beauty
- A barrel filled with beer
- A puppy
Divokej
08-19-07, 06:12 PM That pig idea is awesome. One of my characters wanted to buy a roast boar. But I think I'll give it to them live. And it's a pretty big city so no worries.

They're already being bought drinks by the losing team, and we'd have to find a boy to kiss most of them.
bloodtalon
08-19-07, 07:39 PM how about 2 belts one for women and one for men
very big buckle that says "WWE champion"
would be funny

or have it that they have a choice betwenn X amount of gold or entrance to the next level of the tourny in another town.
if the keep on winning they get to go to a huge touny for free in front of the king/queen for something real nice
Divokej
08-19-07, 08:18 PM Bloodtalon, you're crazy. Crazy like a fox! I approve.
ArgulFraster
08-20-07, 01:36 AM Go for the completely ridiculous. "BOB THE FIGHTER! AS OUR GRAND FINALIST, YOU HAVE WON..."

Insert any number of ridiculous game show prizes here-from "A NEW WAGON!" to "A BOX OF FOOD PREPARATION! (ingredients and everything but heat and a box not included.)" Even have a big-chinned halfling announcer. Ham it up as much as possible.

Alternatively, have fun enchanting items with Prestidigitation. A Heated Mug Of Non-Alcoholic Ale, for example (color, flavor, and firefinger.) Or a "Dyson's Orb Of Cleaning" (clean._
Divokej
08-20-07, 02:15 AM I'm trying to run a serious campaign. Which is a bad idea since I'm lifting so MANY things from Terry Pratchett. Oh well, at least I'm not giving them dwarf bread. (But if I did, they'd have +4 against sharks. Eh, eh?)
ArgulFraster
08-20-07, 01:26 PM I'm trying to run a serious campaign. Which is a bad idea since I'm lifting so MANY things from Terry Pratchett. Oh well, at least I'm not giving them dwarf bread. (But if I did, they'd have +4 against sharks. Eh, eh?)

Serious and Terry Pratchett should not be spoken in the same sentence. Not even "I'm a serious Terry Pratchett fan." Use something else.

And Dwarf Bread is fun to use. I've got to make a Terry Pratchett campaign to loosen my stodgy brother up. All he ever plays is dwarves and he's always serious. Give him a vorpal pita, I say.
mycroftb
08-20-07, 07:18 PM Give some one a pig.

I'm completely serious. Unless your group is so stolidly practical that all they'd do is kill it, give them a pig. See what creative things they come up to do with it. Alcohol needs to be involved.

Obligatory "He's not Spider-Pig anymore, he's Harry Plopper."

As for other ideas, mundane equipment with the year, place, event, and winner's name engraved or sewn on it?

Backpack
A case with flint and steel
Bedroll/blanket
Belt buckle
Badge or other pin-on
Case with small pot of ink and a few quills
Set of whetstones
Custom-fitted weapon scabbard or quiver
Eleven foot pole
Musical instrument
Shaving kit with small mirror, razor, and soap

Would probably work well for runner-up type prizes. For added value, show it at the tavern for one (1) free mug of ale per night for the rest of the year at participating locations. (Tavern owner might have a cousin or two also in the tavern biz, conveniently located in the next town or two the PCs stop at)

Nothing extremely useful, but could be quite memorable if played right.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Divokej 08-18-07, 03:53 AM	I'm running a tournament for barroom fighting and I wanted to give out items in addition to cash prizes. I've got a long time to go before they'll win anything. (My people take forever to do something; last session was purely focused on robbing a church. 4 hours. Robbing a church. It had two doors. In the entire building. 4 hours. It was amazing. I love my group.) So I looked at the mundane item list (not the magic one, I'm running low magic item campaign. I know completely insane.) and I didn't see anything that jumped out at me. So I decided to give prizes that would be more memorable than useful. You know mementoes. Even though at least one of my characters will sell. (I love this character. He hoards money like no one else then spends it at the drop of a hat. He bought an entire roast boar at the last inn we visited and he bribed a goblin 50 gp to follow the god of another character.) So, I'm curious as to what items you guys (not trying to be gender exclusive but using guys in the androgynous sense. I'm not entirely sure that androgynous is the word I want. Gender-neutral perchance.) would like to receive if you won a bar fight competition. P.S. This idea is not loosely based on a Terry Prattchet idea at all. P.P.S. You might be wondering why I am posting this on the Player thread. Simple, you would know what you want better than a DM would. P.P.P.S. Hey, Wizos, am I allowed to do this or is the player thread strictly realted to player centered issues?
DrStalker 08-18-07, 08:49 AM	Low magic? How about a silver plated tankard that improves (slightly) the taste of anything drunk from it. Magic item, or the power of suggestion? Either way, a lot of people are prepared to punch other people to get it!
Prator_the_Legendary 08-18-07, 09:11 AM	Mmm, low magic, eh? Out of curiousity, do you own Dragon Magazine issue 358? That issue contains an article on how to "upgrade" masterwork weapons and armor with special qualities. For example, "Razor-Sharp" weapons deal an extra point of damage if they are of the slashing type. "Environmentally Designed" armor gives whoever wears it a bonus to saving throws vs. heat or cold. Alternately, you can try giving them various alchemical items that don't require magic to make. Tear-gas canisters aren't so hard to make...
DrMorganes 08-18-07, 01:32 PM	The sort of items you hand out should be somehow appropriate to the patron sponsoring the event. Ferinstance, if the owner of the tavern is the sole sponsor, he may not have the resources to offer much except some prize money, free food and drink for a month, the right to stay in a room for free for a year, etc. If this tourney has been going on for a long time, its reasonable to expect that perhaps some other sponsors have thrown in something for prizes. I like the idea of the silver-plated tankard. Masterwork weapons (who can't use +1 to hit?) or masterwork leather armor from the local weapon/armor dealer. If you have some sort of exotic sponsor, alchemical items would be appropriate. There's a host of them in Complete Adventurer in addition to those presented in the Player's Handbook. However, the items should fit into general use categories: smokesticks, sunrods, keenear powder, healer's balm, etc. Things like quickspark, quickflame, or ghostblight would be offered up only if this contest draws adventurers from a wide area.
Divokej 08-18-07, 03:39 PM	No, I don't have that article. But I can make something like it. As for the silver tankard, that's a pretty neat idea. And really it's just low magic item. A house has a monopoly on making magic items (aside from scrolls and potions) so people are less likely to give out magic because it's more exspensive. (And they're level one so magic would be rare anyways.) So how's this: silver tankards all around for the first win, then the next time they win masterwork or alchelemical items of some sort.
ChimericPhase 08-19-07, 12:04 AM	Give some one a pig. I'm completely serious. Unless your group is so stolidly practical that all they'd do is kill it, give them a pig. See what creative things they come up to do with it. Alcohol needs to be involved. Goats work too. ... the tankard idea is cool too :mumbles:
DrStalker 08-19-07, 01:39 AM	Give some one a pig. You know, that sounds like a pretty big deal for a prize in a small village. A grown pig has a huge amount of meat on it, enough to feed a family for a while.
Andorxor 08-19-07, 01:53 PM	- The teeth of the losers as a chain - A autograph of a famous bard - A kiss from the local beauty - A barrel filled with beer - A puppy
Divokej 08-19-07, 06:12 PM	That pig idea is awesome. One of my characters wanted to buy a roast boar. But I think I'll give it to them live. And it's a pretty big city so no worries. They're already being bought drinks by the losing team, and we'd have to find a boy to kiss most of them.
bloodtalon 08-19-07, 07:39 PM	how about 2 belts one for women and one for men very big buckle that says "WWE champion" would be funny or have it that they have a choice betwenn X amount of gold or entrance to the next level of the tourny in another town. if the keep on winning they get to go to a huge touny for free in front of the king/queen for something real nice
Divokej 08-19-07, 08:18 PM	Bloodtalon, you're crazy. Crazy like a fox! I approve.
ArgulFraster 08-20-07, 01:36 AM	Go for the completely ridiculous. "BOB THE FIGHTER! AS OUR GRAND FINALIST, YOU HAVE WON..." Insert any number of ridiculous game show prizes here-from "A NEW WAGON!" to "A BOX OF FOOD PREPARATION! (ingredients and everything but heat and a box not included.)" Even have a big-chinned halfling announcer. Ham it up as much as possible. Alternatively, have fun enchanting items with Prestidigitation. A Heated Mug Of Non-Alcoholic Ale, for example (color, flavor, and firefinger.) Or a "Dyson's Orb Of Cleaning" (clean._
Divokej 08-20-07, 02:15 AM	I'm trying to run a serious campaign. Which is a bad idea since I'm lifting so MANY things from Terry Pratchett. Oh well, at least I'm not giving them dwarf bread. (But if I did, they'd have +4 against sharks. Eh, eh?)
ArgulFraster 08-20-07, 01:26 PM	I'm trying to run a serious campaign. Which is a bad idea since I'm lifting so MANY things from Terry Pratchett. Oh well, at least I'm not giving them dwarf bread. (But if I did, they'd have +4 against sharks. Eh, eh?) Serious and Terry Pratchett should not be spoken in the same sentence. Not even "I'm a serious Terry Pratchett fan." Use something else. And Dwarf Bread is fun to use. I've got to make a Terry Pratchett campaign to loosen my stodgy brother up. All he ever plays is dwarves and he's always serious. Give him a vorpal pita, I say.
mycroftb 08-20-07, 07:18 PM	Give some one a pig. I'm completely serious. Unless your group is so stolidly practical that all they'd do is kill it, give them a pig. See what creative things they come up to do with it. Alcohol needs to be involved. Obligatory "He's not Spider-Pig anymore, he's Harry Plopper." As for other ideas, mundane equipment with the year, place, event, and winner's name engraved or sewn on it? Backpack A case with flint and steel Bedroll/blanket Belt buckle Badge or other pin-on Case with small pot of ink and a few quills Set of whetstones Custom-fitted weapon scabbard or quiver Eleven foot pole Musical instrument Shaving kit with small mirror, razor, and soap Would probably work well for runner-up type prizes. For added value, show it at the tavern for one (1) free mug of ale per night for the rest of the year at participating locations. (Tavern owner might have a cousin or two also in the tavern biz, conveniently located in the next town or two the PCs stop at) Nothing extremely useful, but could be quite memorable if played right.