Chapter One: The Life of a Slave

[eldritchknight]

Pavek, seeing Gazzija make a pact with the humans against the elves, moves so he is standing behind Baako and Balderac, and swings his massive fist at the elf in front of Baako.

Attack

Move W until behind Baako and Balderac, and attack the elf in front of Baako.

[Trogdor]

Initiative

Round 3 Initiatives: Pavek 20.5, Balderac 20.4, Horth 20.3, Baako 20.2, Gazziija 20.1, Group Four 16, Group Three 13, Group One 12, Group Eight 10, Group Seven 1

Italics indicates a character has gone.

Code: Select all

MAP 
|...|...|...|...|...|M3c|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|E1e|...|h3a|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|E1c|...|H3b|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|Baa|Bal|Hor|Gaz|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|Pav|Pav|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|Pav|Pav|...|...|...|...|...|G4a|G4a|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|G4a|G4a|M4b|...|...|...|...|...|...|
    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
        |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
        |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
            |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|G7a|G7a|...|
                |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|G7a|G7a|...|
                    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|D8a|...|...|
                            |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|H7b|E7c|
                                    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|M8d|...|
                                        |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|

E = elf   D = dwarf   H = human   h = half-elf   M = Mul

For Pavek, the fight has finally reached an ideal point for him. He has a shield of allies in front of him, all of whom are short enough for him to attack over. He takes a step to the side so that he's behind Baako and Balderac, giving him the best shot, and then takes out the injured elf in front of him with one blow.

Roll

move/attack E1a - roll 21 (hit) - 12 damage; E1a goes down.

Balderac is not so lucky. In his mind and in his heart he knows that this could literally be a fight for his life. But still he finds it hard to gang up on the elf. He knows that the elf wouldn't hesitate to gang up on him - he'd already done the same to others. But still it was hard to go against a lifetime of habit.

The dwarf yells to his companions not to interfere, hoping to even the playing field. But as he readies a blow, he can't help but see that the elf has not taken him at his word. The elf still wastes his attention on Horth, and Baako and Pavek, not trusting that they won't attack. And so, at the last minute, Balderac pulls his blow and the moment to strike is lost.

Roll

Will save for Honor of the Duel rolled 7 (fail) - that's even with his focus bonus. No attack possible, though I'll let you fight defensively.

[Wayloss]

Horth waits the split second for baako to bring down the elf infront of balderac... He bob's and weaves waiting for his opportunity.

OOC

Color post

[Eanwulf]

Baako growls, infuriated at his nimble adversary. He then lets forth a savage roar and once again charges the elf.

Action

Attack E1c. If he falls in combat then take my 5 ft. step N.

[Trogdor]

Initiative

Round 3 Initiatives: Pavek 20.5, Balderac 20.4, Baako 20.3, Horth 20.2, Gazziija 20.1, Group Four 16, Group Three 13, Group One 12, Group Eight 10, Group Seven 1

Italics indicates a character has gone.

Code: Select all

MAP 
|...|...|...|...|...|M3c|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|E1e|...|h3a|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|E1c|...|H3b|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|Baa|Bal|Hor|Gaz|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|Pav|Pav|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|Pav|Pav|...|...|...|...|...|G4a|G4a|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|G4a|G4a|M4b|...|...|...|...|...|...|
    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
        |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
        |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|
            |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|G7a|G7a|...|
                |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|G7a|G7a|...|
                    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|D8a|...|...|
                            |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|H7b|E7c|
                                    |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|M8d|...|
                                        |...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|

E = elf   D = dwarf   H = human   h = half-elf   M = Mul

With a growl, Baako leaps at the elf, grabbing onto an arm and biting down, drawing blood before the elf is able to shake him off. For his part, the elf looks angry. But in his eyes you can see a hint of fear. As his companions fall, he can see his chances of escaping the work pits disappearing faster than a desert mirage.

Seeing this fear, Horth and Gazziija act.

Roll

attack E1c: roll 23 (hit), damage 4 (still subdual - the description of drawing blood is just for effect)

[TetNak]

Gazziija decides it is time to do something. The bird is not an overly violent creature, but he knows something must be done to save all their lives of meaningless labor day in and day out. He steps forward and swings as hard as he can toward one of the elves, in fact the on Baako recently attacked.

Action

Move NW: Attack ELc

[Wayloss]

Horth notes the elf is faltering and fear is in his eyes. He snaps a quick jab at the elf hoping to catch him when he is distracted by Baako.

Action

Attack e1c

[Trogdor]

Horth steps forward and with a simple jab, knocks the elf in front of him to the ground. The elf's final look is one of betrayal and rage. Having worked so hard to gather a gang of elves around him who would do whatever he said, he still sees his one hope '€" getting out of the slave pits '€" slip from his grasp.

Roll

Attack E1c. Roll 21 (hit). 6 damage

Gazziija, looking to finish things as quickly as possible, steps in front of Horth and attacks the remaining elf. His foe dodges the claw that swipes in front of him, but gets clipped by Gazziija's beak, which leaves a thin line of blood on the elf's shoulder.

Roll

Move NW/Attack E1e (E1c is down). Roll 14/20 (miss/hit). 2 damage

The other three slaves near you then close in on the elf, raining blows down upon him, but failing to take him out completely. For his part, the elf goes on the defensive, making a few half-hearted attempts to connect with one of his enemies, but mostly looking to keep himself upright.

The other fights are going along a similar pattern. Clearly you are down to the good fighters '€" or at least the good fighting teams. And the templars know this. They allow a few more seconds of fighting before they sound the drum again. A few blows land after the drum, but very quickly the fighting stops. You look around and see that a little over forty slaves remain upright.

'œThat was terrible,' the chief templar says in a voice that seems practiced in giving criticism. 'œYou'll have to do better than that if you hope to survive in the arena.' He shakes his head and laughs a cynical laugh. 'œBut since we need more gladiators for the games, I guess you'll have to do. I expect half of you may end up back here before long. But there just might be a couple of you that won't screw up too badly.'

He takes a few steps towards the gate. 'œFollow the arena overseer,' he gestures to a mid-ranked soldier, 'œand do what he tells you to. Any resistance, any attempts to escape, and you'll look back with fondness on your days in here.' And then without a backward glance, he makes his way through the gate.

The soldier he gestured to, a stout dwarf with a whip hanging from his belt, shouts to get your attention. 'œThrough the gate,' he yells, 'œand follow me. We're already late for training, and from the looks of it, you need it bad.' He too turns and walks out, obviously used to having his orders followed.

Then, in an almost unreal moment, the victorious slaves begin to file out the gate, the envious stares of the other slaves burning into you as you pass. A few of the fallen try to follow, but the templars put a quick end to that. And soon you have put the work pits behind you. You're all still slaves - the guards who surround you serve as a constant reminder of that '€" but now you are no longer simple laborers. You've moved up to the ranks of the gladiators, where at least you have a fighting chance for survival.

So ends Chapter One.

OOC

Well, that dreary chapter is finally over. Sorry it took so long. I'll get the new chapter posted soon, which I promise won't be as depressing. Exp to come.

Feel free to post final reactions, etc. before I lock this chapter down.

[Vardaen]

Balderac is still on his feet, somehow, he's not sure how actually. However its good enough to get him out of the pits and he doesn't ask questions of how or why at this point. He leans on his team mates, moving slowly, but keeping his head held high, and proud at this moment. Its a start. His plan to escape slavery has begun, and for the moment he will relish the upgrade in status and not dwell on the rest of the bad. He gives the downed elves a smile and wiggles his fingers at them, and then files out with the others.

[eldritchknight]

Pavek smiles at the thought of once again fighting in the gladiatorial arenas, and walks prodly from the pits to his new home, looking forward to making a name for himself anew in the arenas.

But I am not alone this time, he thinks to himself. I have friends, a family of sorts, to look after, to protect. I am no longer alone.

He smiles down at Balderac leaning upon him for support, and for the first time in his life, he is happy.