Brainstorming.

[xigbar]

I'll be DMing a group soon, and in my game, the world economy is based largely on gambling and betting on things like major sporting events. The arena is highlight of very town. Arena scour the world for valuable item they show to the public hoping to gain the next match competing for it. In other words, magic items are rarely come across in the actually adventures, and the PCs will have to compete for them. Most of the time, they'll just be competing against typical gung ho bandits looking for glory or spoils, but the arena hires powerful warriors to be the holders of more valuable prizes. First, I'm looking for ideas on how to manage such a large event as this, and second, any cool ideas for the more powerful warriors? One idea I'm particularly looking at is an enemy based on Dullahan, from myth and videogame fame.

 

[HoboGod]

Well, you'll want to ensure that these events pit MULTIPLE combatants against the challenges of this arena. There's nothing more difficult than having one-vs-one combat in a four person role-playing group. Also, don't worry too much about the powerful warriors your players must fight. Try to think about ways to get your players to enjoy the gladiator life as much as they enjoy being a gladiator. Do beautiful women throw themselves at your PCs? Are your PCs the talk of the tavern? Do common folk make gossip of what your PCs do in their free time? Do your PCs have rivals?

As for the challenges themselves, any monster can be an interesting battle if you have total control over the bizarre. For example, you might be having your PCs fight a fire elemental in the arena, but the arena has been transformed into a methane-rich swamp. Small explosions occur randomly in a 10ft radius. Each round, roll 2d6-2 to determine how many explosions went off that round, then use another random number generation to determine how close the explosions get to the players. If you're using miniatures, it's rather easy. Another example, you might be having your PCs fighting a group of orcs on an ever changing chaotic landscape. The positions of your PCs, the orcs, and various terrain that grants cover or blocks line of sight are randomly shifted at the end of each round. Additionally, everyone must make DC 12 Concentration checks to take any action and casting a spell requires a DC 15+spell level Concentration check as well as a DC 12 Concentration check.

 

[xigbar]

I was in fact planning to use creatures, although there are a large number of ideas for NPCs I had, and the story will possibly involve one of the stories key enemies competing for the same prize. Anyone got ideas for Dullahan?

 

[xigbar]

Bump, huge wave of new threads today.

 

[Jeffrie]

I like the story. Can i place a continent base on it in my new campaign world, the Feywold? (post #20)

 

[xigbar]

I like the story. Can i place a continent base on it in my new campaign world, the Feywold? (post #20)

Certainly! None of this is going to be copyrighted or anything like that.

 

[emoplato]

Well, first describe this Dullahan for us who don't know who he is(I am included). Also give us character levels and any material you are leaving out.

 

[xigbar]

Well, first describe this Dullahan for us who don't know who he is(I am included). Also give us character levels and any material you are leaving out.

Dullahan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dullahan - The Golden Sun wiki - Dark Dawn, Lost Age, guides, and more

 

[HoboGod]

Without saying what challenge rating you'd like this NPC, it's hard to determine character class. Dullahan can probably be a Ghast with Warblade levels who focuses on mounted combat and ride-by attack.

 

[xigbar]

Without saying what challenge rating you'd like this NPC, it's hard to determine character class. Dullahan can probably be a Ghast with Warblade levels who focuses on mounted combat and ride-by attack.

Oh, sorry....High level, but nothing above 20, I doubt we're going epic. In fact, i'll probably him one of the main enemies, so 20th.