Tiberius's Story (Arena)

[[sage]]

You arrive at Bethla Arena, with Barensia. It's a grand site indeed. A large palace, with several stadiums surrounding it. You can see all sorts of people around. Some training, some wandering, some chatting. The surrounding land is beautiful too. Lots of green, a river, lakes, etc.

A robed man walks up to you, wearing a pendant with a sword, showing that he is an Arena Official.

"Welcome. I assume you are here to compete in a qualifying match, in order to compete in this season. I will need your name and the name of your second."

Barensia: Barensia Pulchra.
You respond with your name.

"Good. Keep this envelope. It has your number and your 3 opponents numbers. Don't open until instructed. " He hands you a white envelope. "It's estimated we have almost 1000 gladiators trying this season in this area. Report over there for further instruction." He says, pointing.

You report where he points to, Barensia walking beside you.

"Isn't this exciting Tiberius? I've always loved these games. Thanks for picking me as your second."

Before you can respond, a young woman walks to the front of the crowd and starts hushing it.

"Welcome all gladiators. I am Arialla Riyas. I am the head official of this arena, and I am here to explain the rules of the game, of scoring, the season and everything you will need to know before you can begin your qualifying match.

First of all, the season starts with Area qualifying matches. You will fight with a fellow gladitor. You have three matches to qualify the season, and 2 victories, or a score of 200 or higher in one match will automatically qualify. So if you're two matches down, fight to please, not to win. In these games, going down in style can give you Victory by points even if you don't actually win.

After you qualify, there will be a time period where you must try and place among the top 10% of this arena by the month deadline, they will go on to regionals, then district, then finally the nationals. Regionals lasts 1 month to place within the 10%, District lasts two weeks. The Nationals is a massive tournament. The top 10 will be allowed to compete in the World Tournament to determine who is the Arena Champion.

There are two forms of Victory in this. Point and KO. KO's count, but a high point score is infintely more valuable. Points come from crowd reaction and the judges.

Do not piss off the crowd. The judges tend to be harsh on scores. Although the 5 judges score from 1-100 each, their scores range around 20 on the average. Only one Gladiator in history has ever scored over perfectly, and maybe another half a dozen over 490. Crowd Score is also very valuable, primarily because there is no maximum.

The other reason scoring is important, is because our facilities are more generous and willing to sell to those who earn more points. You may trade in points (overall score is still kept track of though) for money or to get training.

There are some rules that need to be covered.

Showmanship is a must. These games are to put on a show for the crowd. Exaggerate, make speeches while fighting, be dramatic. The crowd will love you if you are a showman, even if you aren't the best fighter.

Draws. A draw occurs if one player wins by KO and the other wins by points. It will count as a draw and 1 win in the category won.

The seconds don't fight. Thus, it is illegal to attack them, and will cause immediate forfeit from the match. You also may not attack your opponent while he is talking to them. The judges typically lower your score if you use your second more than once. They feel it was bad item management on your turn or some such.

If you wish to end the fight prematurely, you may surrender by placing your weapon down, bowing your head and waving to the opponent, the designated sign of surrender in these games. It doesn't usually go over with the crowd though, they prefer gladiators to fight it out to the end, but its your decision if you do or not.

Betting on other fights, and your own is allowed. You may set any outside stakes on a fight you wish.

That's about it. I'll let you get to your first qualifying match. The envelopes you received earlier, open them. The numbers chosen are based on estimations of your qualities as a fighter based on any previous experience you have. Lower numbers may not signify bad skill, just rather that you haven't fought publically before.

You are listed as number 625. You're opponents are 811, 263 and 497. 811 is first.

After several minutes of searching, you find your opponent. It's a young man around 20. He has a pole axe in hand, and a crossbow at his side. His second is a boy of about 14.

"Greetings" he says. "I am Razz, this is my younger brother Hans."

Barenzia says "I'm Barenzia, Tiberius's second."

He nods. "Let's head to the stadium. We're apparently in Stadium 5.

The four of you walk there. A large crowd is assembled. You can see the panel of judges on the far wall. One of them stands up.

"Welcome numbers 625, Tiberius and 811, Razz. Your fighting will be in a forest, you will be set approximately 20 paces apart. Do you have any questions about anything. If no, just say ready.

Razz says "I'm ready.

You ready?

[Your post was weirdly broken, so I fixed it up. Don't worry, I didn't change anything. --PT]

[ April 05, 2005, 04:33 PM: Message edited by: Prince Toad ]

[Prince Toad]

Ready. I'll take out my javelin.

[[sage]]

Razz
HP: 700/700
MP: 0/0

vs

Tiberius
HP: 450/450
MP: 250/250

Razz moves towards you, uses Leaping Slash, than defends.

(remember results are after both players post)

[Prince Toad]

I'll throw the javelin, draw my sword, and move towards him.

[[sage]]

Razz begins his move towards Tiberius. Razz does a leaping slash, attacking him with his poleaxe in midleap. Tiberius tosses the Javelin (60 damage), hitting him midleap, but not sticking. Tiberius draws his sword as Razz's attack hits Tiberius on the left shoulder (85 damage) Razz gets ready to defend.

Javelin is lying on the floor behind Razz.

Crowd Favorite: Razz, low applause.
Razz: HP: 640
Tiberius: HP: 365|MP: 250

----
Round 2

Razz attepts to tumble around attack, then attacks, choosing to follow if enemy retreats. Razz uses Showman Stance.

[ April 05, 2005, 07:38 PM: Message edited by: Marth ]

[Prince Toad]

Use Pila Alba, then move back to see if he's baited. If he is, spring forward and use Feroci Proelo; otherwise, roll right and defend.

[ April 05, 2005, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: Prince Toad ]

[[sage]]

Razz stands ready. Tiberius casts Pila Alba (130 damage), which hit Razz mid tumble. Razz stays on one knee, seeing Tiberius back up, and follows, attacking with a downward right slash (70 damage) as Razz is attacks with Feroci Proelo (80 damage.

Crowd Favorite: Tiberius, High Applause
Razz: H: 430
Tiberius: H: 295 |M: 175

Razz goes into offensive Stance A, and attacks twice, slashing once, then slashing back, across the chest area. choosing to follow enemy if he withdraws.

[ April 05, 2005, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Marth ]

[Prince Toad]

I'll hit Defensive Stance A, try to dodge, then circle around him and use Feroci Proelo.

[ April 05, 2005, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: Prince Toad ]

[[sage]]

Tiberius begins to circle around as Razz makes his first move. Razz makes his first slash, Tiberius tried to dodge, but gets grazed (30 damage). Tiberius attacks enraged with a thrust as Razz sweeps his pole axe back (15). Tiberius is in too close and he only gets smacked with the pole as he stabs Razz enraged (100 damage)

Crowd Favorite: Tiberius, Fair Applause.
Razz: H: 330
Tiberius: H: 250 |M: 175

Razz goes into Defensive B, and tries to withdraw to safe range. He chooses to Parry all attacks if followed, do a sweep if he makes it to successful attack range or only one attack comes, and to use his pole axe like a staff if he can't withdraw

[ April 05, 2005, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Marth ]

[Prince Toad]

**** that. Offensive Stance A, charge, two Feroci Proelo's. (Ferocibus Proelis, if you wanna get technical.)

[ April 08, 2005, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Prince Toad ]

[[sage]]

Razz tries to withdraw, but Tiberius follows up furiously, getting in two extremely powerful hits, Razz is not able to parry either. (75/75)

Crowd Favorite: Tiberius, Fair Applause.
Razz: H: 180

Razz does a desperate charge, straight forward using pole extended in both hands in front to push, in Offense Stance A. He also decides to dive to the side if Attacked.

[Prince Toad]

I'll throw two Pila Alba spells into the air, one right after the others. They should hopefully make a fancy arc and come hurtling down into him. I'll move back as he does so as not to get pushed down, but I'll try to stay within his guard.

[[sage]]

He runs forward, as you toss the spells into the air, and move back. He nearly overruns you, but the spells arc back down and hit him, finishing him off.

Crowd Favorite: Tiberius: Very High Applause.
Razz: HP: 0

Victory by KO to Tiberius!

Offense: 5|6|4|9|7
Defense: 2|1|1|0|1
Efficiency: 4|4|4|4|4
Style: 7|5|5|6|8
Misc: 4|4|4|4|4
Total: 22|20|19|23|24

Crowd Score: 45.
Judge score: 108
Total: 153

Loss to Razz.
Offense: 3|3|4|5|2
Defense: 2|2|3|2|3
Efficiency: 2|2|2|2|2
Style: 6|4|4|6|7
Misc: 4|4|4|4|4
Total: 17|15|17|19|18

Crowd Score: 3
Judge Score: 86
Total: 89

Victory to Tiberius by Score.

Overall Victory to Tiberius!

You need 1 more match to qualify for the season. Are you ready?

[Prince Toad]

Yeah, sure. I'll take that ether along, though.

[[sage]]

The scenery returns back to the Stadium, the audience is cheering wildly for you.

Razz: "Nice match. Couldn't do a damn thing once you closed in. Ah well, perhaps I'll have better luck next time.

He walks off. Barensia walks up and hugs you.

Barensia: Congratulations on your first Victory Tiberius. Here comes your second opponent.

A young woman in a brown cloak walks up to you. She looks to be about 17 and is half a foot shorter than you. A younger girl, about 15 walks behind her, appearing to be her second. The girl in the brown cloak is carries a quarter staff in hand, and a quick breeze reveals a dirk on her belt underneath her cloak. She says to you.

"Nice match, I finished mine quite a bit earlier than yours, so I had time to catch the end of it. You had that guy as yours halfway through, and he looked much bigger and tougher than you. Ah well. I look forward to our match. My name is Alice by the way."

A judge steps forward.

"And now, begins the Round 2 matches. Your Arena will be in a snowy field, with a single hill as the only real scenery besides a few trees. Begin!"

You are transported to the location he specified.

Match 2
Alice
HP: 400
MP: 300

vs

Tiberius
HP: 450
MP: 250

Alice begins runs towards the hill, which is to her left and your right. She casts fireball, and chooses to do a diving roll if any attacks come her way.

[ April 05, 2005, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: Marth ]

[Prince Toad]

I'll do the same as her, pretty much. Run towards the hill, dive and roll out of the way of the fireball, and cast Pila Alba.

[[sage]]

Alice runs for the hill, casting fireball as she does. Tiberius avoids the direct hit of the fireball, but it explodes (75 damage), sending him careening, and he doesn't make the landing. He casts Pila Alba (90/90, and Alice attempts to roll, but the spears hit her, stopping her midroll. The two get up onto their feet.

Crowd Favorite: None, Fair Applause.
Alice: H: 220 |M: 250
Tiberius: H: 375 |M: 175

Round 2

Alice downs a tonic, and keeps running, using her second action to run for the hill.

[ April 05, 2005, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: Marth ]

[Prince Toad]

I'll ready my javelin, throw it at her legs, and keep running.

[[sage]]

Alice runs, drinking a tonic, and sprints forward faster, leaving you behind. You try and throw your javelin at her, but it falls short, sticking into the snow. Alice arrives at the foot of the hill.

(you're about three runs from the base of the hill)

No applause.
Alice: H: 400 |M: 250
Tiberius: H: 375 |M: 175

Round 3
Alice runs to the top of the hill, casts fireball twice.

[ April 05, 2005, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Marth ]

[Prince Toad]

I'll run backwards and to the left, and throw two Pila Alba.

[ April 05, 2005, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: Prince Toad ]