I was just thinking, what would be decent rules for generic gladiatorial combat that would support any level of play and any campaign?
I'm running Greyhawk and players are wishing to fight in Istivin's Circus.
After a long consideration, I was thinking about the following rules:
FIGHTS
- After stepping on the arena no spells, activations, command words and change or adjustment of equipment is allowed. Gladiator must perform a strict ceremony instructed to him in advance and may only act freely after a signal for the fight is given
- Gladiator must stand 30 ft away from any opponent when "get set" signal is given
- After a signal to fight a gladiator may act freely, in accordance of rules
- During the first round no spell may be used that would affect any opponent
- Fights are either to first blood or to death/surrender
- Championship fights are never fought to first blood
- Gladiators are not permitted to leave the arena during the fights
- Gladiator who prevents an opponent from retaliating in any meaningful way for more than 3 consecutive rounds (such as flying or incredibly high damage reduction) shall be warned. Fight will be paused for 5 rounds and then restarted
- Any unsportmanship behaviour which severely bores the audience leads to a 5 round pause and a warning to boring gladiator. Fight is then restarted
- Two warning lead to disqualification
- All gladiators must follow the instructions of referee at all times or receive a warning or direct disqualification
EQUIPMENT
- In total of five magical items are allowed. Full description of the items must be given in advance to the referee. No artifacts are allowed.
- Even though summons etc. are allowed, only previously agreed amount of combatants must be present during a fight signal. No more, no less.
WINNING
- Surrender is signaled by raising two fingers (free action). After that a surrendered gladiator must stay put and inactive (getting up from prone is not allowed) and wait instructions from referee. No one is allowed to harm surrendered fighters unless instructed otherwise by referee.
FIGHT TIME
Fights last two minutes unless agreed otherwise. Unless there is no surrender, death (or drawn blood) after that time, fight is declared as a draw.
I'm running Greyhawk and players are wishing to fight in Istivin's Circus.
After a long consideration, I was thinking about the following rules:
FIGHTS
- After stepping on the arena no spells, activations, command words and change or adjustment of equipment is allowed. Gladiator must perform a strict ceremony instructed to him in advance and may only act freely after a signal for the fight is given
- Gladiator must stand 30 ft away from any opponent when "get set" signal is given
- After a signal to fight a gladiator may act freely, in accordance of rules
- During the first round no spell may be used that would affect any opponent
- Fights are either to first blood or to death/surrender
- Championship fights are never fought to first blood
- Gladiators are not permitted to leave the arena during the fights
- Gladiator who prevents an opponent from retaliating in any meaningful way for more than 3 consecutive rounds (such as flying or incredibly high damage reduction) shall be warned. Fight will be paused for 5 rounds and then restarted
- Any unsportmanship behaviour which severely bores the audience leads to a 5 round pause and a warning to boring gladiator. Fight is then restarted
- Two warning lead to disqualification
- All gladiators must follow the instructions of referee at all times or receive a warning or direct disqualification
EQUIPMENT
- In total of five magical items are allowed. Full description of the items must be given in advance to the referee. No artifacts are allowed.
- Even though summons etc. are allowed, only previously agreed amount of combatants must be present during a fight signal. No more, no less.
WINNING
- Surrender is signaled by raising two fingers (free action). After that a surrendered gladiator must stay put and inactive (getting up from prone is not allowed) and wait instructions from referee. No one is allowed to harm surrendered fighters unless instructed otherwise by referee.
FIGHT TIME
Fights last two minutes unless agreed otherwise. Unless there is no surrender, death (or drawn blood) after that time, fight is declared as a draw.
