Bloody Halo (Gladiator rp, restart)

[Amaranis A'daragon]

(Literally stealing this from the rp I posted before, but seeing as how I made it, I think ill allow myself to do so. XD Also, removing magic for now, unless someone messages me saying they wish to use it.
I'm considering this game STILL a work in progress.)


Man has always craved conflict. The last great war between the legions of Imperia and the barbarian hordes of Nordaugh. These two nations clashed almost endlessly, trying to destroy each other. After the final clash, with both sides suffering tremendous losses did a Valkyrie appear, and warn them that their actions would lead to destruction. It was there that an uneasy truce was formed, and both sides withdrew.

However, the craving of combat never went away, and thus the gladiator games were formed. Schools from all the lands would compete and prove a great outlet for Man's darker desires.

Are you a prize fighter seeking to make a name for yourself? A soilder trying to keep your skills sharp? A convict who would rather fight than face the noose?

[Setting]

This world is broken up into four major nations: Imperia (Roman empire), Nordaugh (Viking esqu Norway), Windward Steppes (Mongolia), and the Southern Expanse (Egypt). Your character can originate from any of these places, but must explain why they decided to join a Imperial school (All characters will be a part of the same school, but may be made to fight each other in the arena for practice or actually competing.)

Cities of Imperia

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Belfort - Legion garison turned city bordering Nordaugh.
Caltha - Biggest and most prosperous city in Imperia. Gladiators from all nations strive to compete here.
Cro Beska - Home to the beastmen of Imperia, infamous for their savage games and treatment of the losers.
Orgus - City built into the side of a volcano, famous for its hot springs and arena built in the eye of the volcano.
Pirgos - Considered the best place for any school to get started, typical Imperial town.
Syrna - One of the two major port cities, also know for it's arts and fine imports.
Trikata - The other major port city, known for its fishing and slave trading past.

Towns of Nordaugh

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Fluich - Typical town in Nordaugh, the arena is typically a pigs pen in the off season.
Mordare - A city filled with mysticism, the arena is inside the skeleton of a dead dragon.
Orin - The city the Barbarian king resides, where his best warriors and gladiators train.
Roanor - Town opposite of Belfort on the Nordaugh side, known for it's Imperial 'imports'.
Sloan Forest - Borders a mostly unexplored forest, Galdyr witches appear here to compete on occasion.
Vargen - Highest and coldest arena in the land, said to be watched over by the spirit of a fallen Valkyrie.

Settlements of the Windward Steppes

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Altahrun - A city built around ancient ruins, mainly used for historical reenactments.
Ononhaar - A city mainly made of temporary structures, known for their great archers.
The Wastes - A traveling city ripe in Nomadic tradition, rarely will you see it in the same place twice.
Yuset - The only really permanent city in the Steppes, borders Imperia.

Towns of the Southern Expanse

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Akar An - Main city and capital of the Expanse.
Qaa Rah - Little more than a oasis with a few structures, known for its beast fights.
Saraa Izel - Main trade city and port of the Expanse.

[Classes and combat]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Combat will be d20 based, while damage will vary based on weapon and stat factors (i.e greatsword > longsword > dagger). If you are defeated in the arena, you will either be teleported out by a healer (if seriously injured), or you can be further humiliated by your opponent (i.e. stripped down, defiled, etc).

Classes
(Going to try and implement this now)
Classes are broken down into Light, Medium, and Heavy. That said, it forms a triangle of strengths and weaknesses. Light >Heavy, Heavy > Medium, Medium > Light.
Logic behind this: Light fighters are highly agile, making them harder to hit and faster to react. Medium has more balanced out stats, and heavy is just a upfront brawly tank. This means you have an advantage, but does not necessarily mean you will win.
(NOTE: I will be including your first feat if you choose a specific class. If you choose none, you are considered a medium character with no stat bonus, but may choose any feat you like.)

Light classes: (+2 to initiative, +1 Dex. Wears light armor.)
Bandit: A rogue who focuses on flanking enemies, hitting people where it hurts. [Feat: Dirty fighting]
Archer: Focuses on hitting people who are far away, very bad in close range. [Feat: Weapon training - Bows]
Dervish: Fast striking, elusive close range fighters. [Feat: Dual wielding, no prerequisite]
Gungnir: A javelin using fighter who throws from medium range, but can attack close range if needed. [Feat: Weapon training - javelin]
Secutor: A light fighter who excels in pissing off their opponent, and drawing the eyes of the crowd. [Feat: Taunt or Seductive, choose upon taking the class]

Medium classes: (+1 to 1 physical stat, +1 to a mental stat. Wears medium armor.)
Legionnaire: A rank a file soldier who works best in a group. [Feat: Shield Training or Weapon Training - 1 one-handed weapon, choses on creation]
Barbarian: The most prominent type of fighter in Nordaugh, the anger in them fuels their strength. [Feat: Toughness or Rage]
Murmillo: A real crowd pleaser. They love to hear the crowd as much as the crowd loves to see them. [Feat: Showmanship or Seductive]

Heavy Classes: (+2 to Con, +1 to Str, -2 to Initiative. Wears Heavy armor.)
Centurion: Commanders of the fighting forces in Imperia, known for their martial prowess. [Feat: Weapon training - 1 type of heavy weapon, or Power Attack]
Samnite: Hulking masses of muscle who do their best to break their opponents. [Feat: Grappler or Armor Training]


30 points to spend, maximum 10 in a single stat, even after class choices. Feats will be gained every odd level.
Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha.

Feats
I will be accepting suggestions for these. As you put points into the same feat, it will cost more, but become more powerful.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Weapon Training: +1 to hitting with the chosen weapon.
Toughness: Bonus hp each level. +2 hp per level when it is taken.
Shield Training: Ability to use a shield. Start off not being able to use one.
Taunt: Anger your opponent, excite the crowd. Makes the opponent more likely to attack you, but gives you a +2 rep if you beat them.
Showmanship: Increases your reputation gain after a win. +10 reputation on a win, -5 lost on a loss.
Armor Training: Affects how well you move in your armor. Upgrades the armor you are able to wear, and reduces the penalty to moving in heavier armor.
Seductive: More likely to have an opponent try to defile you than kill you. +2 to defile vs. knocking out.
Rage: -1 stat bonus to dex, +2 to damage.
Dual Wielding: Pre-requisite : Weapon training - Ability to wield a 1 handed weapon in each hand, - 3 to hit with both, ×2 attacks.
Swift Strikes: Attack twice with your weapon, 3/4 damage, rounded down.
Power Attack: -2 to hit, +4 to damage.
Dirty Fighting: Use a underhanded technique (throwing sand, flashing, etc), chance to stun your opponent.
Grappler: +2 to attempts to pin your opponent, and all maneuvers against your opponent while they are pinned (except attacks).

Weapons

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Weapons are distributed based on how the classes play. Example: A bandit usually uses a dagger, and therefore would not be usually able to wield a heavy weapon or two handed weapon, but can learn to through customization.
Light weapons: Dagger: 1 d4 + Dex, piercing.
Light axe: 1 d4 + Dex, slashing.
Light mace: 1 d4 + Dex, blunt.

Medium weapons: Long sword: 1 d6 + Str, slashing.
Short sword: 1 d6 + Dex, slashing.
Hand axe: 1 d6 + Str, slashing.
Mace: 1 d6 + Str, blunt.
Rapier: 1 d6 + Dex, Piercing.

Heavy weapons / Two handed weapons
Heavy spear: 1 d8 + Str, piercing.
Maul: 1 d8 + Str, blunt.
Great sword: 1 d8 + Str, slashing.
Great axe: 1 d8 + Str, slashing.

Ranged:
Bow: 1 d6 + Dex, piercing. Range: 20-60 feet.
Javelin: 1 d6 + Str, piercing. Range: Melee - 30 ft.

Armor

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Armor will mitigate some of all damage done to the character, and be limited by size. Armor training makes it so you can reduce the penalties on wearing heavy armor, and give the lighter classes the ability to upgrade their defenses.

Light armor (-1 to damage taken from all types.)
Light chainmail: -2 taken from slashing.
Light Leather: -2 taken from blunt.
Cloth: No damage reduction, but generally made more risqué, making it easier to remove or flash your opponent. [Will add bonuses later]

Medium armor (-2 to damage from all types.)
Chainmail: -2 from slashing.
Leather armor: -2 from blunt.
Padded cloth: -1 from piercing, easy to remove like cloth armor.

Heavy armor (-3 to damage from all types, -5 to movement range.)
Heavy chain: -2 from slashing.
Plate mail: -2 from blunt, -1 from slashing, another -5 movement.

Experience + leveling
You start off needing 10 exp. Every level you go up, it resets to zero, and you add 5 till next level. Participating in a arena or show will give you 1xp, defeating a opponent will grant 2 xp, and certain other acts or achievements will vary.

Reputation: All characters start off with 0 reputation, having either been new to the arena or shamed in the past. As you gain more reputation, people will start talking about you, maybe earning you a discount at the shop, or people throwing gifts at you as you leave the arena. If your reputation goes negative, people will insult you, shops may refuse to sell to you without bribing, and you will have to do more demeaning things to get your reputation back up.

(Any input or suggestions can be posted here, or pmed to me.)

[Amaranis A'daragon]

Character sheets


Character:
Name:
Age:
Description: [Image or written]
Class:
Str:
Dex:
Con:
Int:
Wis:
Cha:
Feats:

Background:

[Reaver]

Keep trying to beat Katherine, Exalted. I could use the entertainment.

Name: Katherine Romundia of Belfort
Age: 26
Class: Centurion

Appearance:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Katherine.jpg (134.89 KiB) Viewed 1754 times

Str:9+1
Dex: 7
Con: 6+2
Int:3
Wis: 2
Cha: 3
Feats: Power Attack

Katherine grew up in Belfort as the daughter of one of the garrison officers. Constantly being around soldiers on the frontier of society, she quickly grew accustomed to their coarse language and crude behavior. However it was from them that she learned martial training. They were soldiers used to fighting off raiding parties and outlaws and taught her tricks that had helped them survive. She was taught that a shield could save your life more times than your sword could take lives, but a true warrior was one that was willing to wade through the blood to spill more blood with powerful strikes. She built up the muscle and strength necessary don the heavy armor of a Centurion and wield the weapons of their trade. Her life was good on the frontier, at least until her father fell out of favor with his superiors and was punished along with his entire family. Left penniless and homeless, Katherine quickly put her skills to the test, attempting to hire herself out as a bodyguard and if needed, an "escort". She became familiar with the underworld as she was forced to do more and more worse things to survive, becoming familiar with murder and intimidation. Then one day she left, leaving it all behind in search of a better life, one where she could gain money and fame in a more honorable fashion. She had heard tales of gladiators preforming for the emperor's pleasure as a kid from the soldiers so she decided that was a place suited for her skillset.

[Amaranis A'daragon]

Kinda the same on my side, though its more of a 'do I want to be a player in my own rp, or just make him a npc character'. I think it went well last time, but here are things to consider. XD

[Nobudi]

Name: Wren
Age: 19
Description:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Class: None
Str: 7
Dex: 7
Con: 3
Int: 3
Wis: 5
Cha: 5
Feats: Grappler

Background: All Wren knew was that she was abandoned as a babe to die in the wilds surrounding Imperia. It isn't quite clear on how she survived, but only that she did. She was eventually caught around the time she was 11, after killing livestock from outskirt villages with her bare hands. It took an entire squad of men to chase her down and drag her back kicking and raging back into civilization, where she was eventually sold into slavery in the town of Orgus. She was then given the moniker "Wren", as a fighting slave, she used her once diminutive stature to fell opponents larger and stronger than her. She wasn't expected to live very long, but her way of life had taught her to survive, and that she did. She grew up, learning from the other fighting slaves the points of civilization that she did not experience due to her childhood. Her handler eventually sent her to a fighting school in hopes of taming or even breaking her.

Edit: What's the main use of Int and Wis in a setting such as this?

[VintageBass]

Name: Megaira
Age: 34
Description:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Class: Secutor

Stats
STR: 2
DEX: 6
CON: 2
INT: 6
WIS: 6
CHA: 8

Feats
- Seductive

Background: Megaira used to be a bit of a name in her little community as someone who would visit eligible men and give them some comfort when their wives, loved ones or any significant other is away. Thing is, she loved to mess around with them, spending days and night making them eating out of her hands and other places, while once the job is done she returns home with a large sum of money jingling at the side of her hips. All while doing this when she's a committed woman herself, having grown sick with the lack of passion they had when they got married and want to seek some thrill in teaching some young bachelors and suitors how to properly love the woman they enjoy being with. Eventually she got caught in the act, exposed wide open and is arrested right on the spot with no clothes on, along with escaping death from her angry husband brandishing a knife and, literally, stabbing her in the back. Twice. Hearing about this deal, she find this to be a great opportunity, being able to have sex with anyone while being watched by a large crowd cheering for her (when they're more rooting for her to die)... sounds like she found her calling!

[exalted]

Ahem....

Character:
Name: Æsa
Age: 19
Description:


Class: Barbarian

Str:7
Dex: 10
Con: 6
Int: 3
Wis: 2
Cha: 4

Feats: Rage

Background:
Æsa came from a prideful family, her father a Jarl of a village close to Vargen. Lacking sons, her father treated her as such, teaching her to fight and keeping her beside him during his business. The one virtue he constantly instilled in her was that their family did not kneel, they had fought to get what they had and would fight to keep it, even in the face of certain destruction, for that is when one is most dangerous.

When the Barbarian King raised his armies once more to clash with the legions of the Imperia, her father answered the call and as she was now of age, Æsa joined him. As the fighting lulled and the Valkyrie appeared to demand truce, her father refused to yield, demanding the slaughter continue for it was the only way he knew. The Barbarian king turned on her father and had him killed on the spot, in front of Æsa who was sold into Imperia slavery as reparations.

When it became clear to her new owner that her temperament would not be conducive to a bed slave he sold her to a gladiatorial school.

[Amaranis A'daragon]

(Dammit Lonna! Seems Exalted is a wee bit of a Archer fan. XD And eff it, I'm making a new character. So far, the characters posted are good.)

Character:
Name: Danverous 'the Great' Ammulus
Age: 25
Class: Murmillo
Description:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Str:5
Dex:6
Con:6
Int:4
Wis:4
Cha:7
Feats: Showmanship

Background:
Danverous, if that is his birth given name, is a man who wants nothing more than to be rich and famous. He spent his youth trying to best all of the other kids at whatever they did, from fighting to racing to academics. However, once he reached his teenage years, he found the approval of women to be more to his liking rather than the scorn of the other 'men'. So, in the city Orgus, Danverous made his debut. He took on anyone who would challenge him, and challenge they did. However, his fame was short lived, as one of the boys he picked on grew up to be a professional soldier, while Danverous was used to fighting rabble who could barely tell the sharp end of a knife from the hilt. He was soundly beaten, and all of his bluster was reduced to ridicule as he left the arena.

Not being one to let this go, Danverous decided to go even bigger: he used all of the money he gained to start his own, small gladiator school. That way, he could gain even more fame (and maybe honor) as others fought for him. He doesn't let his one loss get him down. After all, he could still fight.

[Amaranis A'daragon]

Placeholder for my cs. Probably in 24-48 hours.

Edit: What's the main use of Int and Wis in a setting such as this?

Sorry, missed this question. Mainly, they will be used as the base of a counter roll against the mental attacks, like Taunt and Dirty Tactics. You know, figuring out that it is an obvious ploy to draw your eye instead of finishing off that weakling in front of you, or 'Hey, why is that woman pulling her shirt off right here?'

So, as an example: Dirty Tactics - Throwing sand: Dex vs Int (See if they are smart enough to cover their eyes)
Taunt: Cha vs Wis (See through the taunt)

[cliffracer]

Name: Ian Macarthur
Age: 22
Description: Ian is a tall and pale-skinned man with very-rufflable orange hair and sharp green eyes. Despite being as lithe-looking as he is, he's not especially coordinated with anything but his hands, but he at least has some solid (if unrefined) muscle to take hits from lots of heavy lifting. Ian seems mostly out of place in a gladiator's arena, having soft expressions and having a kind voice. "Under the hood," he's got a very modest eight inch dick and is clean shaven.
Class: Secutor
Str: 2
Dex: 3
Con: 5
Int: 10
Wis: 5
Cha: 6
Feats: Seductive (possibly out of virtue of being very nonthreatening)

Background: Ian is an accountant from Roanor, most of his early life being dedicated to education while being preened for his job by his mom. He was pretty good at it, able to perform most calculations quite quickly and bearing good endurance for the odd times where he had to haul cargo, volunteering to or otherwise. Through and through, Ian was a kindhearted and diligent worker. Most people wouldn't assume he would be the sort of person who would be arrested for mass fraud and several accounts of forgery. Ian swears to the sun and back that he didn't commit the crimes he was accused of, but between testimony from honored witnesses and a large amount of evidence against him, he would be found guilty.

Ian was forced to become a gladiator, as his only other option was imprisonment for a very long time. The choice was a very difficult one for him to make, but in his mind if he was able to gain enough respect, he would have the chance to find a way to build a case for his innocence. Ian clings to a code of nonlethality as a way to help himself feel like he's still innocent of his crimes, though he'd hardly hurt anything unless he was forced... which he is.

[CondorBoH]

Oh boy, violence


Character:
Name: Astarte
Age: 28
Description:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/2446562

Class: Dervish

Str: 3
Dex: 8 + 1 = 9
Con: 6
Int: 4
Wis: 5
Cha: 4

Feats: Dual Wielding

Background:
Once upon a time, Astarte was a bandit. She and her band of marauders would strike at travelers crossing the Sourthern Expanse. It was a hard life, but it was something. One day, the band's leader planned an attack on a particularly large merchant caravan. A big score, and the caravan had half the guards something this size should. It looked like an easy target, though Astarte had her doubts. The doubts soon became realized when the attack began, as there were many more guards hidden among the wagons. To put it simply, the bandits were slaughtered and scattered. Astarte herself was one of the few who were smart enough to surrender and was captured. Instead of being executed, she was tossed into the fight pits at Qaa Rah to fight man and beast until they killed her. If she didn't do well enough, she would be thrown into the pits unarmed and nude.

She lasted long enough that the fight-masters were impressed. Astarte was offered a place in a gladiatorial school, on the condition that she not try to escape. While the masters did say she would be truly free if she did well enough... she really doubted that. The fights were good, fun sometimes. The attention was better and at least she didn't have to worry about skulking around in the sands for the rest of her life.

[Reaver]

Yea, I can't wait either

[cliffracer]

Badabing, edited my post with my sheet.

[Amaranis A'daragon]

I'm going to wait until those who put placeholders up actually post their sheets, and then I'm going to make the rp. Ooh boy.

[Nobudi]

Dropped my sheet.

[KnightVanilla]

Name: Maiza Algera
Age:21
Description:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Class: Bandit
Str:5
Dex: 9 +1
Con:5
Int: 7 +2
Wis:3
Cha:1
Feats:Dirty Fighting: Use a underhanded technique (throwing sand, flashing, etc), chance to stun your opponent.

Background: Bandit was a simple term for the young Maiza that grew up in violence. Where in order to survive you won no matter what the means... That's how the Marauders of the Windward Steppes lived. Take advantage you can get and never take a fight you can't win. Pride was in every victory, but survival was always a gift of retreat. Shame would never befall the Marauders as Maiza grew to spot and adapt to the situation. When it came time for her first raid she was to follow the lead of a newly appointed captain to the boss. What they mustered was a quick hit and run on a guarded caravan pulling out the rewards of many slaves as they hauled off the goods to be sold into the nearest market for their benefit. Unfortunately for the Marauders fortune did not seem to favor their good job as the slavers had brought with them very sizable battalion upon her encampment. A good portion of the Marauders died with Maiza being captured for slavery... initially intended to be sold as a pleasure slave, but was resold as a to a gladiator school.

The events that took place for such a thing to happen follow in this order. After being sold as a pleasure slave, Maiza attempted to offer herself up to a couple of gaurds. The over eager men fell for such a ploy as the bandit girl had went for a low blow one the first guard and threw dirt in the second guards eyes. Stunning them both long enough for her to draw the weapon of the first guard and pin him down with her foot on his throat. The encounter ended once the rest of the guards were able to subdue her as she was re-labeled to be sold as a gladiator.

[Amaranis A'daragon]

Alrighty then. Ill go ahead and make the rp soon. I'm glad this got so much interest, and hope I live up to all of your expectations.

[exalted]

[Reaver]

You're crazy if you think Katherine won't lay hands on Aesa, shackled or not. It feels a little too early for fighting though :p Oh well

[GoodnightNinja]

Any way to join as a non-combatant? Something akin to a medic, or a slave girl for a patron who runs a stable of gladiators?