How things work in the Arena

The most important thing following the creation of your character is the creation of your tactics. The DM runs each Gladiator battle according to the tactics of the two opponents. If the tactics aren’t complete, the DM fill in the blanks according to what tactics are mentioned and any other information provided on your character, or, if nothing else, what the DM thinks you would do in the situation.

Your tactics can be as detailed or as general as you wish. Whatever you choose will have some degree of impact to your outcome. Here are some examples of combat tactics:

Jimbo, fighter: Jimbo will run into melee as quickly as possible (either through Run, Double Move, Charge or Move). He will use his long sword whenever possible. He will use Power Attack to maximum effect unless his opponent is heavily armoured. If the opponent is heavily armoured, he will not use Power Attack. If he is disarmed, he will use his battle axe (first) or punching dagger (second). If he cannot enter melee for some reason, he will use his javelins.

Greedo, Kobold Sorcerer: Greedo will avoid melee if at all possible. He will stick with Magic Missiles or his light crossbow for ranged attacks. If forced into melee, he will use Shocking Grasp. If he loses half or more of his hit points, he will find a way to get out of melee (eg., cast Expeditious Retreat or just Run) and use his ranged attacks from as far away as possible.

These are just very brief examples of tactics. You can specify what tactics or spells you prepare against enemies of a particular race, alignment or class, and you can also take into account some of the details of the Arena (below).

In order to assist you in your tactics, you will need to know a few other things about the Arena:

· The arena is shaped like a stop sign squished at its sides. The north, east, south and west sides are 40 feet long. From north to south is 120 feet, from east to west the arena is 100 feet. Thus, the angled walls between each main side are 50 feet long.

· The walls are 10 feet high and made out of superior masonry. The audience sits all around the top of the walls, in stadium seating.

· There are four entrances to the arena – 10-foot gates in the middle of each 40 foot wall. The entrance which you will come through is determined by Ultrann before the battle; your character will not know which entrance they will come through.

· There is a 10 foot diameter, 10 foot deep pit in the arena. It is located near the west wall, northern half. Use it or avoid it according to your tactics.

· There is a 10 foot diameter, 10 foot high masonry pillar in the arena. It is located near the east wall, southern half. Use it or avoid it according to your tactics.

· There are four weapons found in the middle of the 50-foot angled walls between each side. On the west-north wall there is a club; on the east-north wall there is a long sword; on the west-south wall there are 5 shortbow arrows and 5 longbow arrows; on the east-south wall there are 5 light and 5 heavy crossbow bolts. Use them or ignore them as you please.

· The arena is well lit, but not enough to penalize creatures that are susceptible to daylight.

Click here for the Arena layout.

Click here for a more detailed example of tactics.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING MAGIC

There is a strong anti-magic field (of sorts) surrounding the entrances to the arena. No spells or magic items can be prepared or activated prior to entering the arena. Thus, plan your tactics accordingly.
Sorcerers and wizards can have familiars. They can be brought into the arena or left in the preparation room. If you choose the former, and if they die, you will be without another familiar for a year and a day. In the latter case (leaving them in the other room), you will still retain those familiar benefits that are due to proximity within 1 mile.
All spells can be used in the arena, but there are restrictions or drawbacks to their use. If you use spells that summon creatures or if you have your familiar engage in combat, you may not gain as much experience points from the combat. If you use a spell or manoeuvre that renders your opponents helpless (but not stunned, prone, etc..), you can attack your opponent but you are not allowed to perform a coup de grace.

Please send your tactics to Ultrann (in RTF format) along with your character sheet. You can revise your tactics after every battle if you wish, but don’t be too late about submitting them!

What about death and experience points? Good questions! If you are killed in the Arena, you will be Resurrected by Ultrann's holy minions. You "live" to fight another day. But live or die, you get experience points and a cash reward for your gladiator fights. Thus, after a few battles you will be 4th level and can add new skills, abilities, etc.. And so on and so forth.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Ultrann.

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