Registered Member #223
Joined: 3:05:42 am GMT 08/26/04
Posts: 1317
wrote ... Ritual combat is found amongst all races and cultures of Faerûn. Even the elves, with their veneer of civility, indulge their baser instincts for the shedding of blood, though they would make sharp distinction between the duels of the nobility and the pit fights held in Athkatla. For some peoples, these styles of combat are a method of diplomacy, a meeting of champions to settle disputes of politics or theocratic matters. For others, it is a grand spectacle to keep the masses in check, distractions from the dreary existence of the commoner.
For orc-blood, the Triumph of Blades is more often a prelude or catalyst to war. It stirs the blood-frenzy, and calls the eyes of the gods to bear witness to the slaughter upon the sands, that the victorious may be blessed to greater acts of violence. Pacts of loyalty are tested and forged between tribes for the coming grand conflict, and old grudges brought out to be soaked in new carnage. It is none the less a sacred time, where the barrier between realms grows thin, and divine endowment but a scarlet soaked victory away...
From Of Orc Rites and Revels, by Grazak the Learned.
The time had come, as the horns of war sounded and the great armies began to marshal across the island. Ralzok had measured warriors on both sides, and found them strong in body and conviction. Both sides sharpened their blades, but the waiting had begun to tell on the many warriors stationed in their towers and behind grand barricades. There needed to be something more, to draw out the champions, and sharpen the focus of the gods upon the coming war. The Triumph of Blades was as suitable a thing as the half-orc knew, a howl to war and all the glory that could be heaped upon the victors, a salute to supreme skill and strength to echo across the region.
Of course, there would be some slight changes to the tradition. He knew that the humans would not appreciate the finer gestures, like the devouring of the fallen, or the slave bouts that were often the opening to the vicious games. He had no shamans, that would urge on orgiastic rituals and ceremonies, and in truth that was for the best, for many of the potential combatants here were as far from good breeding stock as could be imagined. Many of the creatures would likely want to place wagers, and the standard blood-based beverages and foods would be less palateable to the humans.
War-song sought the location, the trickiest matter of it all. The legendary place known as the Fray, though now Ralzok believed it was also the title of the event. No one knew where it was, and there were only rumours as to past participants. War-song would find it though, of that Ralzok had no doubt. She was a keen hunter in her own way, and the glory of the Triumph would elevate them both. She and Borag could help him maintain control, a necessity when so many strong killers were stuffed into the same space, and roused with the splash of blood on the sand.
To spread the word was of equal importance to finding the venue, though greatly simpler. This human city was very modern, as things went, and the clever monkeys had a few of their letter-pressing machines. Grand invitations could be made, and there were humans desperate enough to go anywhere on the isle for the right coin, to deliver by hand.
With his grand list in mind, the Trophy Hunter trudged west, towards the Split Rock lands. He would have little time to himself soon enough, and he planned to spend it well in the company of such... strong warriors.
Registered Member #223
Joined: 3:05:42 am GMT 08/26/04
Posts: 1317
Ralzok wrote ... We cannot find this mythical Fray. War-Song has searched among the highest and lowest of the human city, but none will speak of it, either out of ignorance, or perhaps a well measured respect or fear of the owners. Borag and I have searched the width and breadth of the isle, and there were many places that may be suitable for the clash of arms... but War-Song had another suggestion, a stage grander than the untamed wilds. All she required of us, was a proper downpayment, a gesture of commitment to the violence that the hosts would demand in our contest. The wretches who swear to Bane were more than willing to donate ample bodies to the cause, and in one of their subcommanders, we found the appropriate sacrifice necessary to open the way. A venue secured, the next step is to spread the word...
Across the isle, vibrant posters spring up, amid both the bright markets of the common folk and the shadowy dens of scum and villainy. The blocky letters of the common tongue, the savage slashes of orcish glyphs and the delicate script of elven runes are all present, bearing more or less the same message. Though in many places they have been placed by a bonded and uniformed member of the Couriers Guild, some eyewitnesses recall hulking half orcs, covered in the barbaric looking armour that is favoured by their uncouth kind.
To Those who would consider themselves Warriors You are invited to attend the first Fight Party of the isle of Thain, to meet your Fellows in a contest of steel and martial prowess! None shall be turned away, and a guarantee of safe conduct is promised to all for the duration of the contest; the only blood spilled shall be upon the sands. Be you all warned, to those that would desire to attend but not test their mettle, that the price that may be demanded of you is not set by the hosts but by the Gods, and cannot be avoided if invoked. For those who are strong of spirit and conviction, be present at the rising of the next blood moon at the circle in the hills south of Steinkreis. Glory awaits you, in the eyes of your fellow competitors and under the gaze of the Gods!
wrote ...
THE RULES (OOC)
Don't break the rules. If you break the rules, you are subject to immediate ejection from the tournament grounds.
Before each battle, the combatants, under the cover of darkness, have 5 rounds of preparation. The combatants may cast their spells to prepare, but may not attack each other. Once the darkness has lifted the combatants are free to engage.
Save versus death effects (Implosion, Finger of Death, Death Arrow, Weird, Wail of the Banshee, Vorpal Weapons, etc) are prohibited.
Mages are allowed to use any and all other spells save these: Time Stop, all Bigby Hands save the Interposing Hand, Power Word: Kill, Power Word: Stun, Black Blade of Disaster
Clerics are allowed to use any and all other spells save these: Heal, Mass Heal, Greater Restoration, Word of Faith
Paladins are allowed to use any and all abilities and spells save these: Lay on Hands
The following spells/abilities are not allowed by any class or class combination: True Strike, Tensers Transformation, Improved Expertise, Fighter PrC level 20 attacks
All herbs, stimulants, Gold Chest items (barring the new equipment items) and healing potions are strictly prohibited during matches.
Exhibition bouts that may waive any or all of the above restrictions may be negotiated between characters, but are subject to availability of time for the event.
(The event will be hosted on Saturday, March 10 2017, around 8pm GMT; meeting place will be the Crossroads Hilltop. If you are interested in attending as a combatant, please PM me (barakka) so that we can begin putting together the brackets! And yes, I stole these rules from Corlupi.)
Hundbert Registered Member #293
Joined: 1:22:43 am GMT 10/06/04
Posts: 3106
Agneta rose, smiling, from this morning's prayer. She had heard it in the whispers she received from the Lords of Battle; Tempus was pleased with the offerings of Clan Bloodstar. The people of Thain had joined their divine chorus, cheering and applauding as each competitor took to the sand, and echoing the still louder acclamation whenever one stood victorious. Agneta had been overjoyed to find herself upon the plains of Warrior's Rest, surrounded by those she hoped she might one day call battle-sisters, and it was with memories of that day foremost in thought that she and Ralzok, the one called Trophy Hunter, planned the next games.
New fliers posted about the isle wrote ...
SEEKING STRATEGISTS AND TACTICIANS!
Clan Bloodstar brings to Thain the second installment of the glorious and most honoured Fight Party! See yourself to new heights when you take victory in the Games of the Red Knight! Let us show the heavens that Thain's gladiators are unmatched masters of tactical warfare as we sing praises to the Lady of Strategy!
Are you steadfast Rook, champion Knight, or brilliant Bishop? The Red Knight would witness your cunning and guile overcome opponent and pluck victory from their bewildered grasp!
Submit your team for this challenge to Ralzok of Clan Bloodstar, the Trophy Hunter, for inclusion in the second Bloodstar Games! Glory to you, brave warriors, glory for Clan Bloodstar, glory to gods above!
The fliers hung in Raven's Watch, the Steinkreis Market square, upon the bulletin board in the Trade and Tackel. Agneta tacked one near every gathering place she knew of, and handed a few to Ralzok, Benny, and Borag to do the same. Last flier in hand, she picked her way through the barricades at Crater Lake. Her sword sheathed at her hip and her bow across her back, she strode purposefully, disarmed, to the forward guard of the Fort itself. "All are welcome, who possess courage and cunning." she said softly to the hawk-helmeted Vandal as she pressed the flier deliberately into his hands.
The last of the posters dispatched, she turned from the fort, placing the familiar winged helmet over her head, covering her eyes. A new Fight Party would mean new champions, and Agneta vowed to be the one who would find them. What better task could the future battle-maiden pray for?
Hundbert Registered Member #293
Joined: 1:22:43 am GMT 10/06/04
Posts: 3106
((The OOC Stuff:
Date for Fight Party 2, The Enfightening, is not set yet. What IS set, however, is the format! Please private message Barakka with a team you would like to register. There's some flexibility with the team structure because obviously not everyone would fit the same mould, but you're going to want to bring a spellcaster, something like wiz/sorc/druid/cleric for your Bishop, a big defensive character (shield optional!) for your Rook, and the Knight is a bit of a wild card. Dual-wielders, archers, trackers, etc. this is where you guys fit in. Example teams of current players to give you an idea (not actually registered teams...Yet!) : Vaurin - Rook, Rhandum - Knight, Razylim - Bishop Rita - Rook, Kana'ti - Knight, Narade - Bishop Dace - Rook, Elohiir - Knight, Maynard - Bishop
If you do not have a team of 3 but are interested anyway, please again private message Barakka with your character and their desired role, and he and I will work together to try to place you on a team of other players in a similar situation. Fight Party 1 was a roaring success due in large part to the willingness and cooperation of our players here on Thain. Let's make Fight Party 2 even bigger!))
Hundbert Registered Member #293
Joined: 1:22:43 am GMT 10/06/04
Posts: 3106
((OOC Bump! Date for this event is tentatively set for Saturday, May 19, 2018, at a similar time as before, around 8:00PM GMT. I know this is a long way off, but if you know for sure you can attend, and want to attend, I'd encourage you to PM Barakka sooner rather than later! If you can't attend that week, and want to attend, PM him similarly! We can potentially move this time if it does not work for a large number of folks. Thank you!))
Registered Member #223
Joined: 3:05:42 am GMT 08/26/04
Posts: 1317
The first great event had been held on the eve of war, with blood running hot, and feuds old and new smoldering in the flames of the conflict. In the short days after, a great army had been broken, and a city half-ruined, both sides suffering significant loss. Since then, the conflict had been reduced to a series of skirmishes and raids, as the Raven Pact and the Steinkreis Alliance began to truly fortify their territories. Blockades and staging points were raised and then tested, blood watering the ground where defenses were found to be lacking. Such a time of heightened bloodlust was perfect, the battle-thrill already a blaze that would become an inferno with the slightest fuel. This, then, was when the Bloodstar gathered, and set in motion the great scheme.
Overnight, next to recruitment posters, tax proclamations and missing servants notices, the colorful advertisements are pasted and pinned once more, announcing the second of the Fight Parties, more Bloodstar Games to bring glory and prestige. For those who are known to frequent certain places, those who competed with honor in the first of the games are given further special invitation, to once again attempt to seize that lofty pinnacle of champion.
To those that would consider themselves Warriors.. Clan Bloodstar once again invites you to Fight Party, wherein you may meet your Fellows in a test of prowess and cunning! As the first did pay homage to Tempus, Lord of Battle, so this time do we honor Red Knight, Lady of Strategy. Unlike the first, where you were pitted against each other in single combat, here you are called upon to assemble a unit of three, composed of the following; a stout warrior, skilled in arms and defense, a member capable of calling upon some measure of the arcane, divine, or otherwise, and a comrade whose possesses skills beyond just strength of arms. The Knight, the Bishop, and the Rook, in honor of the Lady, will all strive towards a single goal, against the teams assembled by other champions and sponsors.
Should you find yourself unable to gather suitable comrades, fear not! All will be welcome, and teaming for individual contestants may be made as best can be accommodated. Gather upon the hill of the standing stones between the Crossroads and Steinkreis upon the blood moon, to be taken away to spectacle you have before only imagined.((This event will be held Saturday June 2, at approximately 1130 PDT))
wrote ...
THE RULES (OOC)
This is a team-based event. While any combination of three characters can participate, it is strongly advised to put a team together based on the criteria listed above. Individual entries may be assigned teams, or placed into the arena alone and forced to band together with other individual entrants.
If there are not enough teams submitted, and as many people show up intending to compete as the previous Fight Party, the format will be changed, and all will be subject to both delays regarding format change and the penalties of the new format, one of which will be a severe uptick in the degree of difficulty. YOU ARE WARNED.
The following rules apply to both PvP and PvE for the event
Save versus death effects (Implosion, Finger of Death, Death Arrow, Weird, Wail of the Banshee, Vorpal Weapons, etc) are prohibited.
Mages are allowed to use any and all other spells save these: Time Stop, all Bigby Hands save the Interposing Hand, Power Word: Kill, Power Word: Stun, Black Blade of Disaster
Clerics are allowed to use any and all other spells save these: Word of Faith
True Strike, Tenser's Transformation, and Divine Favor are only permitted if you can cast them from your spellbook.
Epic Healing Skill Items and Gold Chest items (barring the new equipment items) are strictly prohibited during the event.
These rules may be edited prior to the event on the basis of stakeholder feedback.
Registered Member #23933
Joined: 6:13:12 pm GMT 05/15/15
Posts: 480
OOC Post:
I will be coming but don't have a team. My characters:
Jora - Pure ftr. Beefcake. Asshole Benny Deepdale - Pure Monk. High AC, tonnes of utility. Omari - Pure Sorc. Zero damage, all CC. Quinlan - Pure Druid - Melee Monster, can also play healer. Urist Wiretones - Pure Bard, bulky utility.
[ The Island of Thain ]
Best Party is a Fight Party
