Anyone for a lovely Arena of Death?

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Paraicj · #1 Post by **Paraicj** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:24 pm

Your blood pounds...

The grating in front of you allows the noise through. The baying of the blood-crazy crowd sets your heart thumping. Adrenaline flows. You are ready. You were born ready...

The smells, the sounds, the chinks of light shining through the portcullis, all combine to send you into a near-frenzy of bloodlust. Your opponent is out there, you hear the fickle mob crowing his name.

Not for long.

When this is finished, there will only be one name they are crying.

Yours.

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So, anyone interested in an Arena of Death tournament? A simple 16-man (or woman!) knock-out. 250pts max per entrant.

Rezephua rules. http://z13.invisionfree.com/Rezephua/in ... howtopic=5

These rules were updated in August 08.

Banned/modified items: http://z13.invisionfree.com/Rezephua/in ... howtopic=4

Gaze of the Gods will give a 4+ ward save only on a roll of a 6. So, 6+ on a 1, 5+ on a 2-5.

-----------------------------------

Other rules:
No mounts of any kind. This is a Colloseum. You don't get a horse.

No Daemons , no Dryads, no Plague Monks, no DE assassins. The first 2 as they're not of this plane, The 3rd as it's not an army book character. The last because it's a unit upgrade.

Killing Blow follows the D2 + (starting wounds – 2) rule: it has a 50% chance of killing outright, and a 50% chance of reducing you to one wound. It still ignores armour.

No missile weapons are allowed.

No spells of any kind (including Gut Magic, Incantations and bound items) can be cast in the arena. Sorry Warrior-Mages! The arena owners allow magic items, but are justifiably concerned about the use of actual magic.

Challenges will only be allowed after the first round.
---------------------------

PM me the stat-line, race-specific rules and the types and rules for the equipment of your character. I only have the HE and Orc books, so might miss the haterd or WS8 your boy is supposed to have!

Also, add what you'd like to do as a Bretonnian (Pray or not), or other choices, such as Black Orc weapon choices.

Once I have 16 (or 8, if there's little interest) characters, I'll draw them at random against eachother. I'll roll them off, and write up some blood-soaked fluff for each battle.

Putting your name on the list to reserve a place is not enough. The first 16 finished characters will be the ones who get in. Again, sorry, but I find it fairer that way.

Add any questions you have to your entry.

So, sign up if you want to write your name in blood in the history books!

Prince_Asuryan · #2 Post by **Prince_Asuryan** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:42 am

I'm up for it.

Could I just say that DE assassins were agreed to be usable characters, and barded horses are valid mounts. Just some thoughts.
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Anyway. Regardless of whether or not you follow this ruling, my entry is below:

Around the Old world, certain names are spoken in hushed tones, either through respect, such as the Emperor Karl Franz, or fear, such as Nagash. Cheif among those spoken with fear are the assassins - Shadowblade the Dark Elf, and Sknitch - the Deathmaster. These assassins are fear throughout the realms, for they strike without warning, and leave no trace of their presence, expect the cooling body of their victim.

In the New World, and in Rezephua though, these names are less well known, and are not heard. However, a new name is on the lips of the citizens of the city - Nahaz Eshil, the shadow.

No-one knows when he came to Rezephua or why. Some say it was to escape retribution from a betrayed employer. Other suggest more darker motives. All that is known for now is that he has arrived, and his body count is rising. He started on the streets, in anonymity. Then, if the rumors are to believed, he joined, at least partially, the ranks of the house Velano. The mysterious killings in Rezephua are being put to his name, and those dying are becoming more high ranking. Soon, the name Nahaz is likely to become as feared as that of Shadowblade or Sknitch.

Appearance: Nahaz is of Estelian descent, and has darkly tanned skin. Most of his body in swathed in a long black cloak. All that is easily visible is his face, which is often also covered by a bandanna across his mouth. Nahaz is very slight, which belies his great strength, with muscles honed over many years.

Nahaz fights with throwing knives and a pair of short swords. Sharpened to a fine edge, and coupled with the assassins ability to find the chinks in the strongest armour, these blades slice through armour and skin with equal ease.

Introduction: Nahaz stalked into the vault, wondering what was happening. He didn't work exclusively for the Velano, so when work came to, it was usually by courier. This was the first time he had been summoned. As he walked through the dim light, his hands rested carefully on the hilts of his twin swords, whilst his eyes took in his surroundings. He was convinced this would be some kind of trap.

But as the light rose, and his surroundings became more apparent, his eyes widened, and his mouth formed into a silent 'O'. He was standing in an arena.

---------------

Nahaz Eshil - The Shadow (Counts as High Elf Prince)

Lightening Reflexes (counts as Armour of Caledor, Vambrances of Defence):A supremely skilled assassin, Nahaz can snatch arrows out of flight and dodge blows that would kill a lesser man. To capitalise on this, he wears no armour, all the better to dodge the attacks of his opponents, and so far his speed and agility have kept him alive

2+ armour save, with a re-roll, 4+ ward save.

Trained Killer (counts as Speed of Asuryan, Great Weapon): Trained in Estilia, or Tilea, no-on really knows, but Nahaz is one of the best assassin's in the world, though not quite on par with Shadowblade or Sknitch. But he is still able to attack without notice, striking before his opponent can even draw his blade. His precise blows are able to avoid all but the strongest of armour, his blades finding the chinks in his opponents defence.

Always strikes first, +2 strength

Overall:

Offensive - ASF, 4 WS7 S 4(6) Attacks

Defensive - 2+ re-rollable armour save, 4+ Ward Save

Total: 242

Andruillius · #3 Post by **Andruillius** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:36 am

The Colosseum. He had been there before, though that was many years ago. Barely, he had survived against opponents that now would have been trifles. He remembered it with disgust; he had been weak. The Witch King should have killed him then, many years ago.

But now he was strong, and feared. Khelieth the Elf-flayer, they called him. His hatred for the Ulthuan kin burned strong, so strong he had been at the forefront of every army he had led against them, even when doing so was regarded as reckless and dumb. But he had survived every time, and his reputation had grown. Now, as one of the Dreadlords, he served only the King and Queen, and only when he was given direct orders. Khelieth was a free elf. Therefore he would seek death, or glory, until one of them took him.

Khelieth the Elf-flayer:

Dark Elf Dreadlord

Armour: Armour of Darkness
Hundreds of years in battles with the High Elves have perfected Khelieth's armour and his use of it. Blessed by the Covenant, it is pitch black, seemingly not reflecting light at all, making it difficult or impossible for the striker to discover a weak spot or joint.

Talisman: Black Amulet
The Amulet. It is his pride jewel. A huge, greyish gem hidden under his armour, with a daemon bound inside it, forced to protect the wearer from harm. Since he found it on a raid in the Southern Lands, Khelieth has barely received a scratch, and Assassins hardly dare try to strike him anymore.

Weapon: Great Weapon
Khelieth uses the same Draich that he received as an Executioners in Har Ganeth. Twice has it been reforged, everytime with a new, stronger joint. Many Asuryans have been decapitated with this weapon.

Total points: 241.

Paraicj · #4 Post by **Paraicj** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:50 pm

Could I just say that DE assassins were agreed to be usable characters, and barded horses are valid mounts. Just some thoughts.

Yup, I was aware of both these things. I just don't want a unit upgrade specifically built for killing characters in the arena, and I've always thought a Barded Steed in any kind of arena is a little foolish. Others can think differently if they want.

First 2 characters are in, nice work!

assimilation · #5 Post by **assimilation** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:07 pm

All Orcs love to fight, Drugh loves it more. All Orcs are big, Drugh is bigger. Fighting is what he does, fighting is who he is. Terrifying does not begin to describe him, and those that do not flee at first sight of Drugh, come to learn why he is called Skullcruncher.

Drugh Skullcruncher

Black Orc Warboss

Bloodfrenzy (Basha's Bloodaxe, Warboss Imbad's Iron Gnashas)
It is not the Waaagh! that drives Drugh to fight, but something deeper that pulses through his veins. The skulls of his opponents, so juicy, so tempting, so ripe for crunching. The desire to feel them crack between his jaws, hear the sounds as the bone breaks.

+1 Strength in first round, Frenzy conferring D6 attacks extra, Frenzy can't be lost. Killing Blow.

The skull platter (Enchanted Shield)
Not only is this chunk of metal with funny symbols all over it good for carrying uncrunched skulls around the battlefield, sometimes it can stop the incoming blows

+2AS

Heavy Armour

Overall:
Offensive 4(+D6), WS7 S5(6 first round) KB attacks
Defensive 3+AS
Total: 246points

Paraicj · #6 Post by **Paraicj** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:31 pm

Looks good Assimilation. That Bloodaxe is nasty!

Cenyu · #7 Post by **Cenyu** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:53 pm

It's one of the items whose value rises disproportionally in an AoD since its side-effect (bearer can't join unit) doesn't matter.

Allerion · #8 Post by **Allerion** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:54 pm

two elves, dressed in armor not seen since the days of aenarion, walk up to the lists, helmets in hand. the blond elf steped forward, and after listening to the instructions of how to enter, signed his name on the piece of paper thrust in front of him. a quick glance by the attendent revealed his name written in a flowing, elegant scritp:

Malleron Longlance

after signing, Malleron entered the arena. The remaining elf shook his head, muttered something, and entered the arena using a doorway using the entrance marked "SPECTATORS"

Malleron Longlance:

High Elven Prince

Armor of Caledor
As a member of an elite unit of dragon princes before the fall of aenarion, Malleron wears near-impenetrable dragon armor said to be forged by Vaul himself.

The White Sword
Designed to battle daemons, the sword can hack through virtually anything the bearer wishes

Guardian Phoenix
A small pendant in the shape of a phoenix dangles from Mallerons neck. Blessed by asuryan, the phoenix provides a small amount of protection

Overall:
Offensive: ASF, 4 WS 7 S4(6 w/ white sword), KB

Defensive: 2+ AS, 5+WS "immunity" to flaming attacks

240

[edit] put "immunity" to flaming attacks in, figured i should, even though we all know AoC provided it

assimilation · #9 Post by **assimilation** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:44 pm

And with KB, I'm hoping that I should be able to get a few first round kills in.

#10 Post by **Ruerl Khan** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:53 pm

Cenyu wrote:It's one of the items whose value rises disproportionally in an AoD since its side-effect (bearer can't join unit) doesn't matter.

Yep, and one of the reasons the Rezephua rules does'nt really work as well as intented, the points of an item is designed from the intent of a battle, so keeping an item wich is cheap because of a drawback that does'nt matter, at an unmodified points cost is just silly.

I -assume- that since P_A uses the rules for a high elven prince, that he also gets the drawbacks when fighting against a dark elf? ie. that he gets to be faced by rerolls to hit every single turn when faced by a dark elf.

Cenyu · #11 Post by **Cenyu** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:04 pm

Ruerl Khan wrote:Yep, and one of the reasons the Rezephua rules does'nt really work as well as intented, the points of an item is designed from the intent of a battle, so keeping an item wich is cheap because of a drawback that does'nt matter, at an unmodified points cost is just silly

We try to keep the list of changed items as short as possible, banning/altering only the most broken items in the game for our AoDs. An Orc with the Blood Axe is fearsome but most of the time lacks proper defense to last against a quicker opponent. And yes, hatred etc. is used.

Prince_Asuryan · #12 Post by **Prince_Asuryan** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:11 pm

Ruerl Khan wrote:
Cenyu wrote:It's one of the items whose value rises disproportionally in an AoD since its side-effect (bearer can't join unit) doesn't matter.
Yep, and one of the reasons the Rezephua rules doesn't really work as well as intended, the points of an item is designed from the intent of a battle, so keeping an item which is cheap because of a drawback that doesn't matter, at an unmodified points cost is just silly.

There are VERY few items like that. Generally, I find that the majority of items are very nicely balanced. As Cenyu said, we keep altered items to a minimum. And some items loose their use - like the TK item that transfers wounds, and KB is less effective. You win some, you loose some.

I -assume- that since P_A uses the rules for a high elven prince, that he also gets the drawbacks when fighting against a dark elf? ie. that he gets to be faced by rerolls to hit every single turn when faced by a dark elf.

Correct. The fluff is just a way of getting some background and storyline into the loose fluff of Rezephua. I'm using HE rules, so I have to take the downside. The main reason he's a HE is it's the only book I have generally.

DarkTyrany22 · #13 Post by **DarkTyrany22** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:48 pm

I'll play... guess I'll just edit this post when I'm done.

Paraicj · #14 Post by **Paraicj** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:02 pm

Bob threw in a character (Well, he gave me 4, but I'm not that desperate yet!). No points costs, but I can't imagine Bob got it wrong. Did he?

Bob von Stabstein

Vampire Lord

M 6 WS 7 BS 5 S 5 T 5 W3 I7 A4 LD 10 SV 6+

Sword of Kings - Killing Blow
Nightshroud - Enemies lose all bonuses when attacking (specified as Charges, any charge bonuses, and Always Strikes First) and their initiative is reduced to 1.
Infinite Hatred - Hates everyone every round.

NoOoDLe · #15 Post by **NoOoDLe** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:04 pm

Assuming all the equalizers we use at Rezephua's count here too...

Tombking w/ Great Weapon, Armour Of Ages, Golden Anhkra, Vambraces Of The Sun

Probably my most lethal combos

Fluff will come later as I don't like the fluff I currently have for this dude.

Paraicj · #16 Post by **Paraicj** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:30 pm

If you add what the items do, character stats, points costs and things along with your fluff, I'd be grateful.

TK get +25pts, but can't go over 100 for items. Same as Rezephua.

DarkTyrany22 · #17 Post by **DarkTyrany22** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:27 am

What is your ruling on Flaming attacks vs. Dragon Armor/Armor of Caledor? Weapon is reverted to a normal weapon of it's type? No damage can be dealt?

Prince_Asuryan · #18 Post by **Prince_Asuryan** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:42 am

DarkTyrany22 wrote:What is your ruling on Flaming attacks vs. Dragon Armor/Armor of Caledor? Weapon is reverted to a normal weapon of it's type? No damage can be dealt?

Yes. That's the rules generally, though at the arena master's discretion you can fight with a hand weapon I believe - as if you fight with you're hands. That's normal Rezephua, but Paraicj may rule something else.

Paraicj · #19 Post by **Paraicj** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:50 pm

Haha, P_A, He gives a choice of 2 options and you say "Yes"? Priceless!

DarkTyranny, The rules for DA mean no damage is taken. Obviously flaming attacks are good if you draw a regenerator (or TK, they're flammable, right?

), but if I use the normal rules, they are useless against most HE builds...Hmmmm.

I'm gonna say it reverts to a normal weapon of its type. As in, loses all magical bonuses. So a flaming Halberd that does d3 wounds (for example) becomes a halberd, no flaming, no extra wounds.

If anyone thinks this is vastly unfair (i.e., the extra couple of points for DA or AoC should mean immunity), give me a good argument. Otherwise Flaming Weapons are disadvantaged but not nullified by DA.

Cenyu · #20 Post by **Cenyu** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:56 pm

Applying the normal TT ruling for Dragon armour is unfair since it would create auto-win situations. Your decision is valid and I endorse it.

Prince_Asuryan · #21 Post by **Prince_Asuryan** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:35 pm

Paraicj wrote:Haha, P_A, He gives a choice of 2 options and you say "Yes"? Priceless!

Yes, yes, we all make mistakes

I meant to say that you deal mundane damage with a hand weapon.

Spiked-Lord · #22 Post by **Spiked-Lord** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:21 pm

Please may I enter? I types it all out nut my iPod Internet deleted it, I will rewrite romoreow. Please save me a pace

Andruillius · #23 Post by **Andruillius** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:47 pm

Cenyu wrote:Applying the normal TT ruling for Dragon armour is unfair since it would create auto-win situations. Your decision is valid and I endorse it.

I'm gonna win this AoD and I endorse this message.

NoOoDLe · #24 Post by **NoOoDLe** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:35 am

I felt like writing some cheezy fluff so... Here it is. Sorry for lame fluff I'm to busy with other things to put effort in it sadly.

Name: Ahriman

Description: Ahriman goes around as a tall figurine covered in ragged black cloth. No one really knows who he is or what he is and even if he is a he or rather an it. Whenever someone looks underneath the deep hood of this dormant entity they usually have a story to tell that they will never tell cause at that point the scythe falls for them. In some regions of the Old World he is called Bringer of the Blight for the things he caused in the region.

Wielding the darkest magicks that linger in this realm Ahriman fights all who stand before him with a conjured scythe symbolic for the one wielded by the reaper. It crackles with pure negative energy. Wings of darkness seem to carry this being across the battlefield. It is said that who ever defeats this being has to pay in blood for what he has done.

Exactly what Ahriman's motives are to kill whom he kills or attend to arenas are unknown. Some say he harvests souls for one of the great forces of the four. Others deem he does it because he can. No one knows for sure. It's doubtable whether Ahriman knows himself.

Background: Most of Ahriman's history is obscured by unbelievable age and the fact that no one ever finds something to write down about him without being slaughtered. Some records tell he has been around since the dawn of time. Reappearing throughout the entire history to take the lives of some and leave others behind.

Theories about his origin are that he is a being that escaped from the the realm of chaos when the great gates collapsed. Others say he is one of the lesser stargods that descended from a nearby dark sun.

Again. No one knows for sure. Most do good just to stay out of his way since this menace has gone through countless ages without being defeated.

Bringer Of Blight:

Code: Select all

M Ws Bs S T W I A Ld
4  6  4 5 5 4 3 4 10

Frayed Robes These ragged black robes have a purely cosmetic purpose of creating a fearsome and mysterious outer shell for this being of darkness that lurks underneath. They have a particularly nasty habit of catching fire.
Flammable

Damnation It is said that if this being is killed it drags his victim down with him. There is a lot more truth about this statement then one could think.
The Curse: The character responsible for the destruction of Faust must immidiatly take a Ld test, if failed the character will suffer D6 wounds that can't be saved by any means.

The Invaluable Darkness The pure darkness lurking beneath the ragged cloth outer shell is seemingly indestructible. It endures so many batterings by blade, spike or any other weapon that only the bravest of heroes fight their way through it.
Armour Of Ages: Counts as Heavy armour, +1 Wound to the wearers profile.
Golden Ankhra: 4+ Ward Save

The Scythe Behind the appearance of this sinister looking scythe hides the massive power of it's wielder.
Great Weapon: +2S, Strikes Last

Eternal Entity Without fear or remorse. Ahriman will fight anything that thinks it can stop him.
Undead: Fear, Immune To Psychology

Night Eternal Eternal night seems to engulf anyone that strikes at Ahriman. It's really just an incantation but Ahriman loves to let his victims believe he really controls night and day. His victims cannot help but to become slightly slower cause most cannot adapt to the new surroundings.
Vambraces Of The Sun: The opponent has -1 attack.

271pts total

Spiked-Lord · #25 Post by **Spiked-Lord** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:26 am

Right here I go, this is the first thing like this i have ever done so i have a few questions, firstly what killing blow rule are we using? and secondly do we use a dice server to do this online?

Anyway please can we get a list of people playing in the opening post so I know what im up against.

All my builds were taken so im trying something new.

Frunir Atelar, The Swordmaster (high elf prince)
Frunir is a fairly new swordmaster, graduating from the white tower a mere century ago he once saved the High Loremaster's life in battle and was rewarded with magical kit. He is now eager to rise to the rank of bladelord and is more eager to prove his skill at arms. Through the arena of death he wants to prove his worth to the masses!

Equipment

The White Sword: His first gift from teclis, this is a sword that is as light as a twig but hides terrifying power. Two Hands, +2 Strength, Killing Blow.

Helm of Fortune: The second of his great gifts this looks like an ordinary helmet. But is it? 6+ Armour save, Armour saves rerollable.

Guardian Phoenix: His third gift is a little beast of fire flaps around to wearer getting in the way of what would surely have been death blows. 5+ Ward.

Dragon Armour: Normally reserved for the Elite princes he was given a set as the last gift of teclis gratitude. May he never be slain by breath again! 5+ Armour, Immune to fire, flaming attacks and all breath weapons.

Frunir Atelar
M5 WS7 BS6 S4(6) T3 W3 I8 A4 LD10

Killing Blow,
Always Strikes First,
Valour of Ages,
4+ Rerollable Armour
5+ Ward
Immune to fire, flaming attacks and breath weapons.
249 Points

On a last note what killing blow setup are we using?

DarkTyrany22 · #26 Post by **DarkTyrany22** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:55 am

Paraicj wrote:Killing Blow follows the D2 + (starting wounds – 2) rule: it has a 50% chance of killing outright, and a 50% chance of reducing you to one wound. It still ignores armour.

Spiked-Lord · #27 Post by **Spiked-Lord** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:04 am

ok thanks

Andruillius · #28 Post by **Andruillius** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:35 am

Spiked-Lord wrote:
Anyway please can we get a list of people playing in the opening post so I know what im up against.

What, you're gonna change your character based on who you're gonna face?

Paraicj · #29 Post by **Paraicj** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:16 pm

Ha, no he's not. That's his character now!

The dice rolling will all be done by me Spiked Lord, so I'll just be using plain old dice.

I'll put all the entered characters into the play thread once I have enough for a tournament, but not going to put them up on this one, too lazy. They're all available to see if you scroll through, which you have done, as you said your other builds have been taken.

We now have 7 entrants confirmd, with DT22 and Arondight writing others up. I'll give this sign-up a couple more days to see if we reach a big number. Probably not though.

Nooodle, good character, very cheesy. But...

Damnation It is said that if this being is killed it drags his victim down with him. There is a lot more truth about this statement then one could think.
The Curse: The character responsible for the destruction of Faust must immidiatly take a Ld test, if failed the character will suffer D6 wounds that can't be saved by any means.

So, your character dies, but the other might die too? What's the normal ruling on that?

Lethalis · #30 Post by **Lethalis** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:00 pm

Am I the only one who spots an unacceptable numerical difference between the stated amount of points granted to each contestant and the given points cost by NoOoDLe for his character? Or have I misjudged how far 'cheesy' goes here