JoeBlank
Explorer
I am considering running a side campaign for my regular group, and am intrigued by the idea of a gladiatorial campaign, such as the one mentioned in Dragon #303. That campaign is run as a lunchtime game at Paizo.
So I am looking for advice and suggestions, either in general or pointing me towards published products that might help. The goal is a side campaign to be run when everyone can't show up for our regular game. I figure adventures will consist primarily of an arena combat or tournament and so most will be completed in one game session. I want things to be flexible, allowing players to swap out characters if there is something different they want to try.
The Paizo campaign has some roleplaying elements to it as well, with backstory concerning the handlers, teams of combatants and such. I may get into this, if the players express interest. Otherwise, this will simply be a smackdown opportunity.
Materials already consulted:
Dragon #303
Fight Club on WoTC's web site
Tournaments, Fairs and Taverns
Should I get the Dungeon issue which works as a companion to Dragon #303? I know there is an adventure in that issue, but is there useful info for a gladiatorial campaign? And is it worth the $12 ($10 back issue price from Paizo plus #2 shipping)?
Another concern is mentioned in Dragon #303: limited-use abilities, including spells, are increased in power in a setting where there is usually only one combat per day. A barbarian would always rage, and a spellcaster would not worry about saving spells for the next encounter. One way around this would be to have a day-long tournament, but I envision each combat being a stand-alone event for my purposes. Any other advice on how to account for this problem?
The same problem will apply if I allow magic items (this will probably be very limited) and the players want to create single-use PCs. A limited-use magic item becomes a great buy if you don't mind using it up in one day.
On magic and treasure: this would be extremely limited, but may become one advantage to playing a recurring gladiator. There may be prize money, which a handler could share with the gladiator, to use to purchase better equipment. A victor might get to take the possessions of his foes.
Most likely the PCs will be either slaves, criminals (trial by combat), or freemen who pay an entry fee.
As I am starting to ramble, I'll stop here and see if anyone has any thoughts or advice. If the folks at Paizo want to tell us a little more about how their campaign is actually run (house rules, character creation, etc.) I would be very grateful. Thanks.
So I am looking for advice and suggestions, either in general or pointing me towards published products that might help. The goal is a side campaign to be run when everyone can't show up for our regular game. I figure adventures will consist primarily of an arena combat or tournament and so most will be completed in one game session. I want things to be flexible, allowing players to swap out characters if there is something different they want to try.
The Paizo campaign has some roleplaying elements to it as well, with backstory concerning the handlers, teams of combatants and such. I may get into this, if the players express interest. Otherwise, this will simply be a smackdown opportunity.
Materials already consulted:
Dragon #303
Fight Club on WoTC's web site
Tournaments, Fairs and Taverns
Should I get the Dungeon issue which works as a companion to Dragon #303? I know there is an adventure in that issue, but is there useful info for a gladiatorial campaign? And is it worth the $12 ($10 back issue price from Paizo plus #2 shipping)?
Another concern is mentioned in Dragon #303: limited-use abilities, including spells, are increased in power in a setting where there is usually only one combat per day. A barbarian would always rage, and a spellcaster would not worry about saving spells for the next encounter. One way around this would be to have a day-long tournament, but I envision each combat being a stand-alone event for my purposes. Any other advice on how to account for this problem?
The same problem will apply if I allow magic items (this will probably be very limited) and the players want to create single-use PCs. A limited-use magic item becomes a great buy if you don't mind using it up in one day.
On magic and treasure: this would be extremely limited, but may become one advantage to playing a recurring gladiator. There may be prize money, which a handler could share with the gladiator, to use to purchase better equipment. A victor might get to take the possessions of his foes.
Most likely the PCs will be either slaves, criminals (trial by combat), or freemen who pay an entry fee.
As I am starting to ramble, I'll stop here and see if anyone has any thoughts or advice. If the folks at Paizo want to tell us a little more about how their campaign is actually run (house rules, character creation, etc.) I would be very grateful. Thanks.
