[PF-1e] The Dragonfire Tournament

[Thirteen]

Hook Once every hundred years the benevolent dragon Montem Ignis hosts a tournament over five short days, in which he does not sleep so as to observe the mortal warriors far and wide spill blood in his name. Sixty-four teams are invited to participate, their selections overseen by the lead knight of Montem Ignis, called the Dragonfire Knight, and the ruling family of the land who handles the mundane affairs of the dragon's kingdom while he sleeps. Such a tournament draws crowds from throughout the continent, young and old. Most will only have a single chance in their lives to witness a tournament, and only the smallest handful of warriors participate, battling for the chance to pluck their fill from the hoard of Montem Ignis - whatever they can carry out is theirs. Such is the wealth of Montem Ignis. Such is the wealth of a dragon. It is the night before the tournament, and the hall of warriors is filled not only with the participating teams, but hundreds of men and women here to view the match. It is believed everyone has arrived to participate, until the Dragonfire Knight, Dominus Helward Lapis, throws open the doors to the hall, his shadow looming behind him. He is a grizzled knight who has fought many battles in the name of his liege, and more than a few are glad he cannot participate. In the silence of an interrupted dinner his voice booms throughout the hall. The tournament is a team short. Montem Ignis does not wish to spoil the tourney, so he calls upon those whom come to watch to risk entering. The stakes are not light - death awaits those who fall in the coming days. The crowd will lust for blood, and you must spill it, be it yours or those who stand against you. In five days, only four champions will remain living to claim their share of Montem Ignis' lair. I ask more of you. The other teams know each other, and have fought before; you are strangers. You know nothing of each other, not even your names. Do you dare risk your life in a stranger's hand for the tourney? I shall choose the four to complete this final team. Your entry fee will be paid by my hand. Your sponsor shall be a dragon. What say you? Who is worthy?

Greetings; I am Thirteen. I have been participating in both Play-By-Post and Tabletop for a handful of years, but this is my first time on this website. I joined some time ago but the holiday's pulled me away from the world. However, I'm looking at many months of freedom to post regularly, and decided on this game to run, despite applying for another. Perhaps another time for that project. Instead I present to you the Dragonfire Tournament, a combat heavy game that also allows for intimate role-play. This game is loosely adapted from the Pathfinder Module The Ruby Phoenix Tournament, without the trappings of Golarian. Little is defined outside the tournament setting, giving the players the ability to invent what they want.

I'm aware of the shortcomings of PBP combat, and have dedicated myself to making each bout of blades and whisper of magic unique. Having run this at my table, I look forward to the unique richness PBP can bring to it, describing the combat, carnage, and characters in ways no other medium can communicate. To apply, simply answer the call of Dominus Helward Lapis in-character, using 1500 words or less. Convince him your character is worthy. Convince me you can write. Do not break third person, and do not bother listing info elsewhere. Your application is a writing sample and nothing else. I give those who dare to enter into pitched battles and deep role-play three weeks to perfect their answer.

I'm not one to hold back in combat, and the odds will be difficult from the beginning. A level of Pathfinder knowledge is necessary to compete, but I'm not against bringing new players into the fold - just be prepared to learn. I'm here to answer technical questions. If you're unsure on the class or race you have in mind, ask first. I look forward to seeing what you create. My only limit is that multi-classing is limited to 3 classes. Good luck!

[Thirteen]

The Details:

• First-party materials only, must be able to back up claims with link or book name+page
• Revised Action Economy will be used
• Wound Thresholds will be used
• Applications close in 3 weeks
• Multi-classing limited to 2 classes
• Level 13, standard GP, Point-Buy 17
• Posting: 3-4/week, and more always welcome
• Will be taking 4 players
• Race Builder is allowed, 10 points
• Skill Unlocks will be used
• Revised Poison rules will be used
• Stamina will be used, non-magic characters gain the Combat Stamina feat for free
• No Leadership feat, Cohort, or followers
• If unsure, ask

I'm considering Active Spellcasting (scroll bottom) but am unsure, and would appreciate input from those who are regular magic users.

Player	Character	Status
Adorios		Undecided
Coeur de Lion		Interested
Xildur	Jergan	Complete?
SonofSamWich		Tentatively Interested
rngrbob	Kyrill Graystone	Complete
Nevrend		Interested
Snarguffle	Atama Gaokashii	Complete?

[Adorios]

Not sure if I'll ultimately apply, but I think there are two pressing questions: are you looking for a balanced team (i.e. a spread of classes), or will you be picking the best applications regardless of what they are? Also, are there any limitations as to material (SRD only, psionics yes/no, race limits, advanced class/race)? Would you be open to someone doing the Paizo Racebuilder? Limits on Race Points spendable?

[Thirteen]

All good questions, and an unsaid reminder to decide on a gp as well. I'll add that and more to the bullet list as I go along tonight, figuring exactly what rules I want to use for this iteration of the game. I'm only just delving into Pathfinder Unchained and Occult, for instance.

Hard to say on the first, I think balance is important but not at the expense of writing ability. Since the characters will be discovering their companions' skills and abilities on the fly, balance is perhaps less important. However, it'll be a short game if the team I select fails to function together.

To the second, I'm not a fan of psionics but may be won over by Occult classes - or convinced by a good write-up. I try not to limit, though first-party materials are a must. I'm confident I can challenge anything you can think up. Race Builder is allowed at 10 points, spent any way you want.

[Coeur de Lion]

I have played my fair share of Pathfinder in the past, but have never used some of those variant rules you have listed! I will check them out, but the tournament concept is pretty cool.

I imagine there is/will be some kind of draw set out for the 64 teams It would be good to see whom the selected team might face and give the team the chance to scout out their upcoming opposition. Also, would the draw be seeded, or is there no way of really knowing and it is luck of the draw as to who you get as an opposing team?

[Kaji]

Oh! At last, a game using the Revised Action Economy! (See my post) I'm very much interested in trying this out in a game.

Questions before I decide whether to apply:

1. My character will not kill. He can still knock people out with nonlethal damage. Would that still be sufficient to win?

2. Will you consider the Fractional Base Bonuses variant rule?

3. If I don't use the race builder, what races may I choose from (Core, Featured, Uncommon and others)?

4. Will the team be battling humanoid NPCs only?

5. Reviving dead characters - is it done and how?

6. Rest and healing between fights - how is it done?

7. Posting frequency - an indication of yours and what you expect from players would be great.

EDIT - Added: 8. What is the arena like? What terrain does it belong to?

[Thirteen]

@ Lion - The draw is seeded, but because the game is based upon a PF module, the enemies are mostly pre-generated - I'll tweak as necessary, of course. The characters will definitely have a chance to check out the opponents of the later encounters, but day one will be a surprise.

[Thirteen]

Originally Posted by Kaji

Oh! At last, a game using the Revised Action Economy! (See my post) I'm very much interested in trying this out in a game.

Questions before I decide whether to apply:

1. My character will not kill. He can still knock people out with nonlethal damage. Would that still be sufficient to win?

2. Will you consider the Fractional Base Bonuses variant rule?

3. If I don't use the race builder, what races may I choose from (Core, Featured, Uncommon and others)?

4. Will the team be battling humanoid NPCs only?

5. Reviving dead characters - is it done and how?

6. Rest and healing between fights - how is it done?

7. Posting frequency - an indication of yours and what you expect from players would be great.

1. The dragon demands blood spilled, so know that the losers will be executed or enslaved later. Or maybe not know it. Or find some other way to satisfy his lust. Your choice.

2. I'll read up on the rule.

3. Anything first-party.

4. No.

5. With magic.

6. There is time to heal between fights but spells will be tracked. Rest comes at night. There is 1-2 main rounds each day and also optional bonus challenges that offer immediate rewards to be claimed - if you want to risk tangling with some monsters. Those challenges could mean the difference between winning and dying later on, but will be optional.

7. 3-4/week, and more always welcome

[Kaji]

With 1. unfortunately I will not be able to apply. Too bad - I was looking forward to playing under the Revised Action Economy. Oh well~ You guys have fun!

[Coeur de Lion]

Originally Posted by Thirteen

@ Lion - The draw is seeded, but because the game is based upon a PF module, the enemies are mostly pre-generated - I'll tweak as necessary, of course. The characters will definitely have a chance to check out the opponents of the later encounters, but day one will be a surprise.

Appreciate the quick reply and I am glad it is seeded and not have the group blown apart by a nasty matchup on day1 Consider me interested.

[Xildur]

I am interested.

What do you think about Cohort and Followers (from Leadership Feat), Familiar and Animal Companion?
Are they also fight together with characters?
Are they considered separated entities or same as equipment?

[Thirteen]

No Leadership feat, and no Cohorts or followers. That goes for your opponents, too.

Familiars and animal companions are allowed and can fight with you. You can also buy animals. Everything you purchase comes out of the starting gold.

[SonofSamWich]

I'm posting a tentative interest here. I'm not familiar with the variant rules, such as action economy and stamina, but if I have time to sit down and study it a bit, I might go ahead and apply.

[rngrbob]

 

"I do dare to risk my life for this tournament, so I pledge my blade and magic to this tourney sir." Kyrill Graystone, the male Half-elf Blade bound Magus 6/Wildblooded Sage bloodline Sorcerer 7, informs the grizzled knight, raising his right hand. As he stands up from his spot at the table he was sitting at, to get Dominus' attention. So Kyrill could enter the tournament. Where he was enjoying the days festivities with in the Warriors Hall of the dinner that was provided for all, and well as came to watch the tournament that will be held during the next several days. Kyrill's dark brown hair is short, his eyes are deep blue and his goatee is neatly trimmed. Kyrill's is in his early thirties and dressed in a blue shirt, brown leather armor, khaki pants, brown boots and a red hooded cloak. Though despite what he dressed in, to some he looks like a human, while to others he looks like a elf. Do to the fact of his pointed ears gives away Kyril's true linage.

Both Kyrill's spellbook and long sword is proudly displayed on his belt, located on the left side. "I believe to be worthy of this tournament, sir knight." Kyrill informs the grizzled grim knight, Sir Dominus. Looking at him, though not directly to upset or offend the knight to do the fact of his apparent reputation for serving the aforementioned dragon, who arranged the tournament and the battles that Dominus waged for the dragon. Out of respect to both the knight and dragon liege, the host of this tourney and Kyrill's eventual sponsor. He waits for any other volunteers to take up the offer that was issued. So he can get to know them before the tourney begins. "The name is Kyrill Graystone, though you can call me Kyrill." He says. Kyrill looks towards the other volunteers when they call out to join the tournament, seeing who he might fight beside, with in the arena.

[Tiax]

Considering this is arena combat, are characters pushed to be flashy and put on a good show?

Spells like invisibility are extremely useful, but can cut down on the excitement of a fight.

What are the limitations of the battlefield--is it a bad idea to damage the arena inadvertantly through spells like (god forbid) earthquake? How about flight, or even tunneling?