Gladiator Winner's Bracket Round 3 Match 2

[Black Plauge]

Well folks, things are getting tougher. We're down to just 4 undefeated gladiators at the Intermediate level, and two of them are going to lose in just a few short minutes. Who will they be?

That's right, half of the current winners will be entering the loser's bracket tommorow. Will one of them be Lily, the beautiful dancer? Or maybe Wang, the orc with the allies? Will the little Lone Halfling and his trusty companion D. Biscuit lose? Or will the oversized Burning Sand find his way into the braket below?

Well, we're about to find out.

That's right, and there's a twist. Up until now the matches have been in fairly confined subsections of the arena, and the original plan was for that to continue until the very end. The Duke, however, has decided to spice things up. He's ordered the Keepers to set-up the arena for a full arena match, and then order the wizards to maintain a divide through the middle.

That's right folks, for the first time, we're going to see the whole arena used at this level. That means larger obstacles and the menagerie are in play.

How will the gladiators react? Let's find out, shall we?

Near the Keeper's Hut we're looking at the ultimate match-up in big versus small. Burning Sand and The Lone Halfling.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
PP: 29
HP: 75

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S22F5068E.-1/Match%202%20R1.JPG

Burning Sand, The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 1 action. This action is supposed to be for showmanship.

Also post your equipment list and, if different from last round, how the changes effect your stats.

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand walks into the arena, looking about. Seeing the extra room is both interesting, and intimidating...so many places for the little one to disappear to...a difficult match.

He thinks back over his exchange with the arena quartermaster.

"Yes, big glaive...but need new armor. Metal armor bad...he makes metal hurt!"

"um...yes. I think I have some hide armors available."

"No! Burning Sand does not hide! He finds his foes and crushes them! Also fire...too much fire from little one. Need to avoid fire."

"ah...then I have just the thing for you."

Looking once again at the resplendant crimson coat of armor he wears, Burning Sand once again gives a howl of triumph and shifts in form.

Move to Q31

Manifest Claws of the Beast (for 7) and Bite of the Wolf.

Equipment: Large glaive, Red Dragoncraft Scalemail Armor (counts as Light, provides Fire Res 5, is not metal).

[Black Plauge]

SPELLS
Lvl0 DC13 6/day Cure Minor x4, Detect Magic. Read Magic
Lvl1 DC14 5/day Cure Light Wounds, Faerie fire, Nature's Favor (Complete Adventurer p155), Produce Flame, Shillelah
Lvl2 DC15 4/day Brambles (Complete Divine), Flaming Sphere, Heat Metal, Summon Nature's Ally 2
Lvl 3 slots: Hide from Animals x2, Summon Nature's Ally 2
Lvl 4 slots: Warp wood

Items checked out of the armory: spell component pouch, mw leather armor, mw large shield, mw club, saddle etc for riding dog. I really wanted some poison, but couldn't afford to replace any of my five items.

The Lone Halfling sees that Burning Sand is not wearing metal armor. "I wasn't really planning to heat the armor of someone who is about to grapple me anyway."

The Lone Halfling fast mounts and dismounts about a million times, rides to N22 via T22 doing tricks to impress the crowd, then casts "Hide from Animals" on himself and D-Biscuit.

EDIT: Changed spell cast. Originally posted "shillelagh." What was I thinking?

ALSO: What are those critters and where are they tied up to? or are they tied up?.

[Black Plauge]

Initiative:
Burning Sand: 4+2=6
The Lone Halfling: 20+5=25
Dire Wolf: 7+3=10
Dire Lion: 18+2=20

Initiative order: The Lone Halfling, Dire Lion, Dire Wolf, Burning Sand.

Note: The wording of hide with animals is such that if The Lone Halfling designated himself and D. Biscuit as separate targets, then the spell would end immediately since The Lone Halfling would be touching an animal (namely D. Biscuit). However, if he shares the spell instead (which he can do since D. Biscuit is his animal companion), then he and D. Biscuit are considered 1 creature for the purpose of the spell, and I’ll allow it to work around this little problem. Also, the spell would normally hide The Lone Halfling from D. Biscuit, however again, I’m allowing the share spell option to get around this caveat.
Round 1:
The Lone Halfling rides to impress. 3+19=22 vs. DC 25. Fails. Crowd is not impressed.
The Lone Halfling casts hide from animals on himself, sharing the spell with D. Biscuit. Concentration 17+11=28 vs. DC 16 to cast while D. Biscuit moves. Success.

D. Biscuit moves.

Dire Lion is restrained and takes no action.

Dire Wolf is restrained and takes no action.

Burning Sand manifests bite of the wolf and claws of the beast.
Burning Sand moves.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 2d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
PP: 21
HP: 75

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (expires in round 701 or when The Lone Halfling attacks, or when he or D. Biscuit touch an animal)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (shared with The Lone Halfling)
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 82

Dire Wolf:
HP: 112

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S2301C1C1.-1/Match%202%20R2A.JPG

I think the crowd is begining to get bored with The Lone Halfling's riding tricks. They don't seem to be as easily impressed by them as before.

Well, by now we're all familiar with the basics. He's just got to try a little harder.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 2 action.

[Black Plauge]

Disappointed by the lack of applause, the Lone Halfling realizes that he mounted and dismounted too fast for the eye to see. "Need to keep the dismounts in the double digits" he reminds himself. Oh well, the crowd still likes him- and he likes them too, even if they are a bunch of humans.

LH reviews his spell list:
"Flaming...",next;
"...flame", nope;
"...fire", 'fraid not;
"Heat..." uh-uh.
Hmmm. Not exactly balanced. Oh, well. This isn't really supposed to be a spellcasting tournament anyway.

The Lone Halfling tries to redeem himself in the eyes of the crowd, break-dancing on the saddle in an amazing display of horsemanship (Ride skill roll to impress the crowd).

D-Biscuit readies an action to move 30' north away from Burning Sand to H22 if he approaches within 20 feet..

[Black Plauge]

Round 2:
The Lone Halfling tries to impress the crowd with his riding skill. 1+19=20 vs. DC 25. Fails. Crowd is not impressed.

D. Biscuit readies an action.

Dire Lion steps towards Dire Wolf, stopping when his chain is drawn tight.

Dire Wolf steps towards Dire Lion and attacks. 1. Automatically misses.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 2d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
PP: 21
HP: 75

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (expires in round 701 or when The Lone Halfling attacks, or when he or D. Biscuit touch an animal)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (shared with The Lone Halfling)
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 82

Dire Wolf:
HP: 112

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S2303A304.-1/Match%202%20R2B.JPG

Once again The Lone Halfling's riding tricks fail to impress the crowd, but can you really blame them when the get to see two menagerie creatures go at it in a traditional cat & dog fight? I think the Keeper's made a mistake and staked them too close together.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 2 action.

[Black Plauge]

"The hunt begins," Burning Sand snarls. Before, his foes were directly before him...now, he must stalk with patience, hunt with determination, and strike when the moment is right.

"The hunt begins. First, the hunter starts upon the path, slowly following the tracks of his prey, readying for the battle to come."



Move to S25, Manifest Animal Affinity (+4 to Dex) for 3..

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand moves and manifests animal affinity.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 2d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
PP: 18
HP: 75

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (expires in round 701 or when The Lone Halfling attacks, or when he or D. Biscuit touch an animal)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (shared with The Lone Halfling)
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 82

Dire Wolf:
HP: 112

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S2307A653.-1/Match%202%20R3A.JPG

Let the hunt begin!

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 3 action.

[crueldespot]

The Lone Halfling rides D-Biscuit to M26 and attempts to break the dire wolf's chain with his shillelagh. Since he is not attacking "a creature" it shouldn't end his hide from animals spell.

"The bad guy is immune to all my attack spells; breakdancing is out of style with this crowd; the critters weren't let loose like I expected. It looks like my luck in the last couple of rounds is turning on me."

[Black Plauge]

Round 3:
D. Biscuit moves.

The Lone Halfling attacks the chain holding the Dire Wolf. 12+10=22 vs. AC 7. Hits. Deals 4+1=5 damage (max damage). Hardness reduces to 0.

Dire Lion attacks Dire Wolf. 9+15=24 and 17+15=32 and 15+9=24 vs. AC 17. All three hit. Deals 5+7=12, 6+7=13, & 8+3=11 damage.

Dire Wolf attacks Dire Lion. 4+19=23 vs. AC 16. Hits. Deals 7+12=19 damage.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 2d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
PP: 21
HP: 75

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (expires in round 701 or when The Lone Halfling attacks, or when he or D. Biscuit touch an animal)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (shared with The Lone Halfling)
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 63

Dire Wolf:
HP: 76

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S2308F128.-1/Match%202%20R3B.JPG

The Lone Halfling should know better than that. A wooden club vs. a steel chain isn't going to do much. If he wants to free the animals to go after Burning Sand, he's going to have to convinve them to do it for him.

In the mean time, however, the cat and dog fight continues.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 3 action.

[Andorax]

"Or maybe, I can strike NOW!"

With a roar, Burning Sand rushes forward, leaping out to grap ahold of the little halfling.



Manifest Psionic Lion's Charge. Charge to 25N.

Claw attack to grapple. Grapple vs Ride to pull TLH from his dog's back.
Claw attack to grapple, or to pin if I successfully grapple.
Bite attack to grapple, to pin, or to deal unarmed strike damage.
If I pin, I also cover TLH's mouth so that he cannot speak.

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand manifests psionic lion’s charge.
Burning Sand charges, attempting to grab The Lone Halfling and pull him from his mount. Grab 14+11+2 (charging)=27 vs. Touch AC 16. Hits. Hold 2+18-20=0 vs. Ride 18+19=37. Grapple attempt fails.
Burning Sand tries to grab The Lone Halfling and pull him from his mount. Grab 17+11+2=30 vs. Touch AC 16. Hits. Hold 19+18-20=17 vs. Ride 2+19=21. Grapple attempt fails.
Burning Sand tries to grab The Lone Halfling and pull him from his mount. Grab 8+6+2=16 vs. Touch AC 16. Hits. Hold 18+13-20=11 vs. Ride 3+19=22. Grapple attempt fails.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 2d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
PP: 18
HP: 75

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (expires in round 701 or when The Lone Halfling attacks, or when he or D. Biscuit touch an animal)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
Hide from animals (undetectable to animals) (shared with The Lone Halfling)
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 63

Dire Wolf:
HP: 76

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S230CA4DB.-1/Match%202%20R4A.JPG

Looks like Burning Sand wants to give The Lone Halfling a hug. Though I'm sure that's an embrace The Lone Halfling would just as soon do without.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 6 action.

[crueldespot]

"This is going down the crapper," says the Lone Halfling. "Hell, then. I'm at least going to take a hit point or two before he ties me in a knot."

LH casts (defensively) "Nature's Favor" on D-Biscuit.
D-Biscuit bites Burning Sand and then steps to L25.

[Black Plauge]

Round 4:
The Lone Halfling casts nature’s favor on D. Biscuit. Concentration 3+11=14 vs. DC 17. Spell fails.

D. Biscuit attacks. 5+12=17 vs. AC 17. Hits. Deals 5+7=12 damage. This attack ends the hide from animals effect for D. Biscuit and The Lone Halfling.
D. Biscuit steps.

Dire Lion attacks Dire Wolf. 12+15=27 and 16+15=31 and 13+9=22 vs. AC 17. All three hit. Deals 3+7=10, 4+7=11, & 6+3=9 damage.

Dire Wolf attacks Dire Lion. 18+19=37 vs. AC 16. Hits. Deals 6+12=18 damage.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 2d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
PP: 18
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 45

Dire Wolf:
HP: 46

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S230EFE12.-1/Match%202%20R4B.JPG

You know, I think The Lone Halfling has practically given up already. His actions seem only half hearted, and I can't for the life of me see why. As long as he remains on D. Biscuit he's faster than Burning Sand and can out run him. Combine that with some tactical use of terrain, and he stands a chance of winning.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 4 action.

[Andorax]

Snarling, Burning Sand launches into a series of strikes to batter The Lone Halfling into submission by raw force.


Expansion (for 7, free action) into MN 25/26

Full claw/claw/bite attack (strike to subdue), all attacks against The Lone Halfling.

Note for future reference: Notify me via PM and put any stated action on hold if it is either impossible, or extremely unlikely, to be successful. The most recent set of grapple attempts, even on a 20 vs a 1, were impossible to make under the current circumstances.

[Black Plauge]

Note: My apologies on not realizing that last round grapple attempts were impossible. I usually try to contact people if they can’t do what they want to do.

Burning Sand manifests expansion as a swift action.
Burning Sand attacks, striking to subdue. 17+11-4=24 and 14+11-4=21 and 15+6-4=17 vs. AC 21. Claws hit, bite deflected by shield. Deals 13+6=19 and 12+6=18 non-lethal damage.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 9.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 45

Dire Wolf:
HP: 46

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S23205AEA.-1/Match%202%20R5A.JPG

Well, this is a different tactic for Burning Sand, but it seems to be working well.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 5 action.

[crueldespot]

The Lone Halfling will ride D-Biscuit to C32 via K26 as a full-round withdraw action using "defensive riding" a Halfling Outrider class ability that provides +2 reflex saves, +4AC (to 25); mount gets +20move +4AC, & +2will saves.

[Black Plauge]

Round 5:
The Lone Halfling rides defensively.

D. Biscuit withdraws. Because of reach, this provokes an AoO from Burning Sand for both D. Biscuit and The Lone Halfling. Burning Sand attacks The Lone Halfling. 3+14=17 vs. AC 25. Whiffs. Crowd attitude towards Burning Sand worsens 1 step.

Dire Lion attacks Dire Wolf. 1 and 17+15=32 and 11+9=20 vs. AC 17. First claw automatically misses, second claw and bite hit. Deals 3+7=10 & 2+3=5 damage.

Dire Wolf attacks Dire Lion. 13+19=32 vs. 16. Hits. Deals 7+12=19 damage.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 26

Dire Wolf:
HP: 31

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S23247035.-1/Match%202%20R5B.JPG

Well, now we're seeing some tactical movement from The Lone Halfling. He's moved much further than Burning Sand can hope to follow, especially given his currently large size.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 5 action.

[Andorax]

Snarling in frustration at his fleeing opponent, and particularly his inability to catch him as he rode off, Burning Sand launches a series of attacks at the nearby Dire Wolf in sheer frustration.

Full attack against the Dire Wolf.

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand attacks the Dire Wolf. 20 and 16+11=30 and 5+6=11 vs. AC 17. First claw threatens, second claw hits, bite whiffs. 4+11=15 vs. AC 17. Fails to confirm critical hit. Deals 11+6=17 and 7+6=13 damage.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 26

Dire Wolf:
HP: 1

--------------------
Map is unchanged.
--------------------

Well, that wasn't very nice. Burning sand has taken out his frustration on the Dire Wolf instead of his opponent.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 6 action.

[crueldespot]

With a verbal component that is familiar to anyone who has seen "Red Dawn", The Lone Halfling casts "Summon Nature's Ally," Wolverine to G29

"WOLVERINES!"

D-Biscuit readies an action to step 5' and bite Burning Sand once he gets in range.

[Black Plauge]

Round 6:
The Lone Halfling casts summon nature’s ally.

D. Biscuit readies an action.

Dire Lion attacks the Dire Wolf. 15+15=30 and 10+15=25 and 1. Claws hit. Bite automatically misses. Deals 1+7=8 & 5+7=12 damage. Dire Wolf is dead.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Dire Lion:
HP: 26

-----------------------
Map is largely unchanged (Dire Wolf is dead).
-----------------------

Looks like The Lone Halfling wants to tip the numerical odds in his favor.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 6 action.

[Andorax]

Watching the lion warily, Burning Sand slowly circles 'round the beast, trying to keep an eye on both it and on the halfling in the distance.

Manifest Animal Affinity (Strength). Circle counter-clockwise around the lion to the south, remaining out of the lion's reach and getting as far as my single move will carry me. Draw my glaive as I go.

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand manifests animal affinity.
Burning Sand moves, drawing his glaive as he goes.

Round 7:
Wolverine appears. The Lone Halfling has no way of ordering it, so it acts according to the spell description, attacking the closest opponent. Since the Dire Lion is hostile towards The Lone Halfling, it is considered an opponent, despite being neutral in the outcome of the match.
Wolverine moves and attacks Dire Lion. 4+6=10 vs. AC 16. Whiffs. Crowd attitude towards The Lone Halfling worsens 1 step.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Summon nature’s ally (wolverine) (expires in round 14)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Wolverine:
Expires in round 14
HP: 28

Dire Lion:
HP: 26

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S2336A841.-1/Match%202%20R7A.JPG

Well, Burning Sand seems to have gotten himself under control. He's taking care to move around the Dire Lion on his way to resume the battle with The Lone Halfling.

On the other hand, The Lone Halfling's wolverine has focused on what is probably a suicide mission. I know the Dire Lion and The Lone Halfling aren't friends, so the poor animal doesn't know any better, but you'd think that The Lone Halfling would have taken that into account.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 7 action.

[crueldespot]

Initially the Lone Halfling is disturbed. The spell he cast specified that the wolverine should attack his opponents. LH does not oppose the lion. In fact, LH loves the lion. LH plans to complain to the management about this once he enters the afterlife, which should happen shortly.

Oh, well, he shrugs. No point in being bitter. Might as well just roll with it.

"That's right! Go boy! Kill that m*#!$^ f*<@!+&% lion!" he yells, then gets back to work, summoning another wolverine.

Next wolverine to I-31

[Black Plauge]

The Lone Halfling casts summon nature’s ally II.

Dire Lion attacks Wolverine. 1 and 4+15=19 and 9+9=18 vs. AC 14. First claw automatically misses, second claw and bite hit. Deals 6+7=13 & 8+3=11 damage.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 11.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Summon nature’s ally (wolverine) (expires in round 14)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Wolverine:
Expires in round 14
HP: 4

Dire Lion:
HP: 26

----------------
Map is unchanged.
----------------

Hmm... You know, given the Wolverine's reaction, you'd have thought that The Lone Halfling would have used his status as a druid to try and bring the Dire Lion onto his side before trying to bring in more reinforcements.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 7 action.

[Andorax]

Continuing to watch the animals fighting each other, Burning Sand picks up the small wall before him, almost casually, and moves further around the fray.

Pick up 2 1/2' wall, move due east as far as possible.

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand picks up wall and moves.

Round 8:
Wolverine rages and attacks Dire Lion. 12+8=20 and 11+8=19 and 15+3=18 vs. AC 16. All three hit. Deals 4+6=10, 1+6=7, & 2+4=6 damage (max damage on first claw). Crowd attitude towards The Lone Halfling improves 1 step.

Wolverine appears. The Lone Halfling has no way of ordering it, so it acts according to the spell description, attacking the closest opponent. Since the Dire Lion is hostile towards The Lone Halfling, it is considered an opponent, despite being neutral in the outcome of the match.
Wolverine moves and attacks Dire Lion. 10+6=16 vs. AC 16. Hits. Deals 4+4=8 damage (max damage). Dire Lion is dead. Crowd attitude towards The Lone Halfling improves 1 step.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 13.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Summon nature’s ally II (wolverine) (expires in round 14)
Summon nature’s ally II (wolverine) (expires in round 15)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Wolverine:
Expires in round 14
Rage (+4 Str, +4 Con, -2 AC) (duration of match)
HP: 10

Wolverine:
Expires in round 15
HP: 28

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S233BFACD.-1/Match%202%20R8A.JPG

While befriending the Dire Lion might have been a wise move before summoning any creatures, the Wolverines that he's bringing in aren't exactly push-overs. They've taken out the Dire Lion and will now move on to Burning Sand.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 8 action.

[Black Plauge]

The Lone Halfling takes a full defense action.

D. Biscuit takes a full defense action.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 13.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Summon nature’s ally II (wolverine) (expires in round 14)
Summon nature’s ally II (wolverine) (expires in round 15)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

Wolverine:
Expires in round 14
Rage (+4 Str, +4 Con, -2 AC) (duration of match)
HP: 10

Wolverine:
Expires in round 15
HP: 28

---------------------
Map is unchanged.
---------------------

Well, with his wolverines doing the work I suppose that The Lone Halfling doesn't feel its necessary to act.

Burning Sand you have 24 hours to post your round 8 action.

[Andorax]

Burning Sand, seeing the wolverines over the fallen lion, steps towards them and strikes, dumping the wall back into the sand.


Drop the wall. 5' step NE (if I can). Full attack with glaive on Wolverines, starting with the one that is injured, and striking until I hit it once, then attacking the other.

AoO, if granted, against the Wolverines will be with the glaive, will be lethal, and will be against the most injured remaining one (hopefully, the only one).

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand drops the wall, steps, and attacks. 8+14=22 vs. AC 16 (+4 cover). Hits. Deals 14+11=25 damage. Wolverine is killed and vanishes.
Burning Sand attacks. 6+9=15 vs. AC 14. Hits. Deals 18+11=29 damage. Wolverine is killed and vanishes.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 13.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S23500F10.-1/Match%202%20R9A.JPG

Pop! Pop! Burning Sand certianly made short work of those wolverines. I guess there are some benefits to being big.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 9 action.

[crueldespot]

The Lone Halfling wakes up from his little nap. "What?Oh, yeah..the deathmatch..." and summons another Wolverine.

He uses spontaneous casting to trade his "heat metal" spell for "summon nature's ally." Wolverine will appear in E-26.

D-Biscuit readies an action to move 50' in the opposite direction away from B.S. as soon as B.S. approaches within 20'.

EDIT: Changed arrival location for wolverine from D-22 (was out of range).

[Black Plauge]

Round 9:
The Lone Halfling casts summon nature’s ally II.

D. Biscuit readies an action.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 11
HP: 63

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 13.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

--------------------
Map is unchanged.
--------------------

Looks like The Lone Halfling would like to replace his reinforcements that were so quickly dispatched.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 9 action.

[Andorax]

"Stalking, stalking...the little one can't keep this up forever. Track him down, finish him off." The thoughts of a hunter, pursuing his prey. Glaive at ready, he continues towards the halfling.

Burning Sand moves ne, then n for a full move. He the manifests Animal Affinity one more time (for Con).

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand moves.
Burning Sand manifests animal affinity. The increased Con score results in a gain of 16 hp.

Round 10:
Wolverine appears. Since The Lone Halfling has no way of directing it, it attacks the nearest opponent.
Wolverine closes with Burning Sand, provoking an AoO for movment. Burning Sand attacks. 6+14=20 vs. AC 14. Hits. Deals 18+11=29 damage. Wolverine is killed and vanishes.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Animal affinity (+4 Con) (expires in round 79)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 8
HP: 79

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 13.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

http://www.umit.maine.edu/~r.springuel/000D1B33-80000018/000D8446-80000018/S235A6435.-1/Match%202%20R10A.JPG

Well, that's got to be the shortest summons on record. The wolverine barely even got to act before it was cut down. I think The Lone Halfling might want to rethink his location of summons if he's going to continue with that tactic.

The Lone Halfling, you have 24 hours to post your round 10 action.

[crueldespot]

The Lone Halfling will cast summon nature's ally 2, summoning a wolverine to
C33, using spontaneous casting to trade in his memorized flaming sphere.

This kamikaze wolverine trick is working awesome! LH hasn't taken any damage since he started summoning wolverines.

[Black Plauge]

Note: As has been pointed out, my count on Burning Sand's PP expenditure was off. His listed PP remaining now reflects an accurate count.

The Lone Halfling casts summon nature’s ally II.

Status:
Burning Sand:
Crowd Attitude: 8.125 (Appreciated, +1 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Bite of the wolf (2d6+1d8 bite attack) (expires in round 71)
Claws of the beast (two 3d6 claw attacks) (duration of match)
Animal affinity (+4 Dex) (expires in round 72)
Animal affinity (+4 Str) (expires in round 76)
Animal affinity (+4 Con) (expires in round 79)
Expansion (Large, +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 attacks & AC) (expires in round 12)
PP: 2
HP: 79

The Lone Halfling:
Crowd Attitude: 13.75 (Liked, +2 morale bonus attacks & damage)
Non-lethal Damage: 37
HP: 57

D. Biscuit:
HP: 52

--------------------
Map is unchanged.
--------------------

Well, he's going to bring in another one. Let's see where he puts it.

Burning Sand, you have 24 hours to post your round 10 action.

[Andorax]

Lunging forward, Burning Sand takes a swing at the earstwhile halfling.

Advance to GH/3334. If his dog's readied action is still in effect, and he moves before I can attack (though any AoO will be against TLH as well), I will take my second move in the most expedient direction towards where he has moved to. On the odd chance I get an attack AND an AoO, the second one will be for subdual damage (or not taken if the first one downs him).

[crueldespot]

Readied action no longer in effect. Besides, I had anticipated B.S. coming from East or West. Since he is coming straight up from the south, I don't really have an "opposite" direction available.

[Black Plauge]

Burning Sand moves and attacks with his glaive. 20. Threatens. 17+14=31 vs. AC 25 (+4 cover). Confirms critical hit. Deals (18+11)+(17+11)+(18+11)=86 damage. The Lone Halfling is dead. His spell automatically fails because he cannot complete it. Crowd attitude towards Burning Sand worsens 2 steps (+2 critical, -4 killing liked opponent).

Final Crowd Attitude Scores:
Burning Sand: 6.125
The Lone Halfling: 13.75

Ouch. That looks like it hurt.

Those glaive's pack a mean punch when they catch you just right.

The crowd doesn't much like it though. They were really rooting for The Lone Halfling, and while the strike certianly was impressive, they really wanted to see The Lone Halfling continue in the tournament.

Hopefully Burning Sand will be more careful with his next opponent.

Match is over. Burning Sand wins.

[Andorax]

Eyeing the riding dog menacingly, Burning Sand shrugs at the split corpse before him, turns, and heads back to the entrance.