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Targus nods to Marcus as if to say "No worries about the bolt." then steps forward and takes a good dwarven swing with his axe, while trying not to actually kill Marcus.

(OOC at this point Targus is a bit confused. He is smart enough to know combat fighting from "touch" fighting and these are in fact his friends so he's planning on going at this like a "touch" game for the first few rounds until things work themselves into a rhythm.)

It's hard to know what Elena is up to. Given what you know of her, she is:
- off to the pub. She's often disgusted by cheap theatrics such as this.
- off to the pub. She's been intensely interested in the whereabouts of the mercenary companies lately.
- getting ready to plant her sword in someone's ribcage. Actually, more likely an arrow. She detests hand-to-hand combat.

PM with details on the way

Jandolar wrote:Targus nods to Marcus as if to say "No worries about the bolt." then steps forward and takes a good dwarven swing with his axe, while trying not to actually kill Marcus.

(OOC at this point Targus is a bit confused. He is smart enough to know combat fighting from "touch" fighting and these are in fact his friends so he's planning on going at this like a "touch" game for the first few rounds until things work themselves into a rhythm.)

Your concern for one another is touching, but you really shouldn't worry about inflicting damage. It is fully understood by both the participants and spectators that injuries are all part of the ceremony. The initiation is not just a test of skill; it is a rite of passage in which a big part of the challenge is to face up to, and overcome, fears, injuries and difficult circumstances. It's character-building stuff that will serve your characters well as they take their places as adults within the community. Kareena, the healer from the Temple to All Deities, is on hand to aid the fallen and fatalities are extremely rare.

Also, winning the ceremony is a prestigious accolade. Some of your characters will have dreamt of being circle champion from a very young age.

Blazeguard wrote:Filibert's jaw drops and he looks about wildly whilst scrambling backwards crab-like.
As he gathers his wits about him, he loads his crossbow and fires a shot at Marcus.

The crowd are warming to Filibert and his all-action approach. Because of his diminutive stature he seems to have assumed the status of plucky underdog. A small section of the spectators even start chanting "Fill - i - bert, Fill - i - bert, ..."

Assuming the crossbow was pre-loaded at the start of the ceremony ...

Target percentage = base missile weapons skill (42%) + DEX ability bonus (+10%) + short range modifier (+10%) + Marcus's armour modifier (-40% for AC19 due to Marcus's Shield spell) = 22%. Blazeguard rolls ... 21% - hit! For 5 damage.

The quarrel from Fillibert's crossbow thuds into Marcus's thigh. First blood to the halfling - the crowd goes wild!

Meanwhile, simultaneously ...

Jandolar wrote:Targus nods to Marcus as if to say "No worries about the bolt." then steps forward and takes a good dwarven swing with his axe, while trying not to actually kill Marcus.

Target percentage = base melee weapons skill (46%) + STR ability bonus (0%) + Marcus's armour modifier (-25% for AC16 due to Marcus's Shield spell) = 21%. Jandolar rolls ... 91% - miss.

Marcus neatly sidesteps the dwarf's clumsy swipe.

Updated tactical map ...
Elena and Marcus act simultaneously to complete the round ...


Elena: HP 16/16; MP 13/17; XP: casting. *** Invisible ***
Filibert: HP 28/28; MP 1/1; XP: missile weapons.
Marcus: HP 7/12; MP 11/12; XP: casting. *** Shield activated until Round 9 ***
Targus: HP 17/17; MP 19/21.

The initiation is not just a test of skill; it is a rite of passage in which a big part of the challenge is to face up to, and overcome, fears, injuries and difficult circumstances. It's character-building stuff that will serve your characters well as they take their places as adults within the community. ...
Also, winning the ceremony is a prestigious accolade. Some of your characters will have dreamt of being circle champion from a very young age.

And then there's some characters who a bit arrogant and feel such antics are unbecoming of civilized races. (Un)fortunately for those characters, they have friends who will happily sign them up to participate in such antics -- possibly for character building, and possibly as an excuse to wrestle with her.

Woe wrote:
And then there's some characters who a bit arrogant and feel such antics are unbecoming of civilized races. (Un)fortunately for those characters, they have friends who will happily sign them up to participate in such antics -- possibly for character building, and possibly as an excuse to wrestle with her.

Elves are icky to wrestle with but they do buy good beer when they don't know it's on their tab.

"OOWWWW!!!" yells Marcus as the quarrel lodges itself in his thigh. In pain and surprise he swings his warhammer at Targus.

OOC: Sorry, didn't realize it was my turn.

jcm wrote:"OOWWWW!!!" yells Marcus as the quarrel lodges itself in his thigh. In pain and surprise he swings his warhammer at Targus.

Target percentage = base melee weapons skill (30%) + STR ability bonus (0%) + Targus's armour modifier (-10% for AC13) = 20%. jcm rolls ... 86% - miss.

Unbalanced by the shooting pain in his leg, Marcus is some way wide of the mark.

Initiative for Round 5
Elena: 7
Filibert: 6
Marcus: 5
Targus: 0

Elena is first out of the blocks this round ...

Elena PMs something about invisible tankards.

Next!