An open challenge.

To any and all who wish to test their mettle:

I am always interested in testing and improving my skills and tactics for combat purposes. The better to protect our people and lands from threats domestic, foreign, and extra-planar.

To this end, I offer this open invitation and challenge to you. I shall meet you in the bloodsand pit at the time of your choosing (provided I am online), to do battle on the sands of the desert Arena.

To those who would consider such a contest unfair, I will concede to most handicaps... including, but not limited to: battling a group of opponents at one time, being deprived of magical equipment, or being able to raise no spell defenses before battle begins.

Should you wish to engage me, make your interest known here or within the realm of Aenea. We can discuss what would be acceptable terms for the contest.

In service,

~Crideas Bane

I will decline this one, Sir, as I am sure that there are many cleaner ways of killing oneself.

I am willing to accept this challenge. Please let me know when you are available that we might be able to discuss on what terms we should be combatting.

- Aseph

// Aseph would be more than happy to take up that challenge. The details need to be worked out so that it doesn't become a " who wins the initiative roll' fight.

ooc: I want to see that fight. I do so hope the two fighters will allow spectators!

evilkittenofdoom wrote:I am willing to accept this challenge. Please let me know when you are available that we might be able to discuss on what terms we should be combatting.

- Aseph

// Aseph would be more than happy to take up that challenge. The details need to be worked out so that it doesn't become a " who wins the initiative roll' fight.

The usual 'default' terms I offer are thus:

1. No healing items. The only healing allowed would be via regeneration or your own spells that you cast.
2. No magical renewal, and no spell absorption items.
3. Before combat begins, each participant is allowed to cast up to 3 defensive spells on themself, these may be cast by items, but only if the participant can also cast the spell themself (must be on your class spell list, and you must 'know' the spell).
4. After combat begins, no activated item abilities.

Optional additional terms:

1. No melee.
2. No movement.
3. No Epic spells.
4. No Timestop.
5. No magical equipment whatsoever.

As for timing, weekday evenings might be best (EST).

~Crideas

(OOC: The 'initiative roll win' is usually staved off by the 3 defensive spells term. If you pick the right ones, it usually won't end that fast. Timestop can allow for an uninterruptible combination to end the duel, hence optional term #4.)

Angel of Death wrote:ooc: I want to see that fight. I do so hope the two fighters will allow spectators!

Me too! I'll bring the popcorn!

I'll bring the Completely Aenean Marvelous Eternal Remote Aftersight device..... The CAMERA.. lol ...

If this lasts up to 5-10 minutes, I hope to see it on youtube. If less, then those rules may need some adjustment.

Elhanan wrote:If this lasts up to 5-10 minutes, I hope to see it on youtube. If less, then those rules may need some adjustment.

Duels Arcane rarely last more than a handful of rounds unless the spells of both participants fail to decide the outcome and it becomes a melee slugfest.

While Melee slugfests between spellcasters can be an interesting novelty, but I don't particularly see any repeat value in them. Its like watching angry kindergartners flail at each other

In a Duel Arcane where both participants are of equivalent power and know their stuff, there are usually only 2 outcomes:

1. One participant is caught off-guard by an unexpected or clever tactic and loses quickly.

2. Both participants are too evenly matched and exhaust their resources over a protracted period without a clear victor.

I fully expect the the first kind of outcome, and no, I do not assume the victor will be Crideas.

I am almost hoping that I honestly lose to a superior tactic. It will help me learn, and give me a chance to work more tactical scenarios and develop a solution to a new tactical problem.

That said, I won't be upset if I win, either.

Well said, dave, well said.

//

daveyeisley wrote:.....

While Melee slugfests between spellcasters can be an interesting a novelty, but I don't particularly see any repeat value in them. Its like watching angry kindergartners flail at each other

I nearly fell out of my chair when I read this. It's awesome enough that I have decided to make it my signature for a while.

[/ooc]

Your terms are reasonable. The following is what I propose be our terms for an Arcane Duel.

1. No healing items. The only healing allowed would be via regeneration or your own spells that you cast.
2. No magical renewal, and no spell absorption items.
3. Before combat begins, each participant is allowed to cast up to 3 defensive spells on themself, these may be cast by items, but only if the participant can also cast the spell themself (must be on your class spell list, and you must 'know' the spell).
4. After combat begins, no activated item abilities.

Optional additional terms:

1. No melee. (I don't forsee this being an issue, but just in case)
2. No movement.
3. No Epic spells.
4. No Timestop.
5. No magical equipment whatsoever. (maybe if the first round goes on too long, this may be a good option to settle things)

What's left is to arrange a time and date, and I believe we've acquired enough of a following that it might be good to find a time that can accomodate as many as possible.

( // If you've no problems with it dave, I'd like to get as many people who are interested in watching able to be online for the duel. That being said, so long as you're game for it, I'd like to ask those interested in watching to post the times that they can be online. )

I think Derik would be interested in a melee slugfest with you.

I have suggested only Inventory slotted items; would curb the use of bags of other items. But I dislike PvP, so will remain out of this.

You guys decide on a time and I will try my damnest to be online for it... but as we all know, poor old Rusty's online time at the moment is very very sporadic.... ...

/ooc

The originally-proposed terms seem oriented towards a mage opponent for Crideas. At the very least, Evil Kitten's alterations, or even nearly anything goes (except Timestop), would seem more appropriate for a non-mage opponent.

If Ramana were allowed to use her entire bag of tricks, I'd be interested to meditate upon how she might undo the great Crideas. In the same spirit of it being a tactical learning experience. (Being as there are so few readily-available high-level mage NPCs available to practice upon.)

So, what terms would Crideas consider fair enough for a ranger/rogue/sd opponent? Or generally for a fighter/rogue type. Including the possibility of melee, and movement is essential.

Ramana Jala wrote:/ooc

The originally-proposed terms seem oriented towards a mage opponent for Crideas. At the very least, Evil Kitten's alterations, or even nearly anything goes (except Timestop), would seem more appropriate for a non-mage opponent.

If Ramana were allowed to use her entire bag of tricks, I'd be interested to meditate upon how she might undo the great Crideas. In the same spirit of it being a tactical learning experience. (Being as there are so few readily-available high-level mage NPCs available to practice upon.)

So, what terms would Crideas consider fair enough for a ranger/rogue/sd opponent? Or generally for a fighter/rogue type. Including the possibility of melee, and movement is essential.

[OOC:] Well, I think no matter who is fighting, the restrictions on healing, magic renewal, and spell absorption are more than fair.

As for the defensive spells, I could see how that might hamper a rogue who relies on UMD to get defenses up, and not being able to use items after combat starts would also make UMD kind of pointless, so there might be allowances.

If nearly anything goes for one participant, however, then slapping a Timestop restriction on an arcane caster is a little lopsided, I think. I, personally, would still accept it, but some casters wouldn't be willing unless there were commensurate restrictions on their opponent, and I would understand.

As for your proposed duel with Ramana, I would insist on the healing, magic renewal, and spell absorption terms. Other than that, if I don't get to use Timestop, I would say there would be a limit to trap usage either in the number of traps (like I have limited spells), or in the level of traps used.[/OOC]

Maeglin Dubh wrote:I think Derik would be interested in a melee slugfest with you.

I would agree to it as long as I get to use one of my epic defensive spells

evilkittenofdoom wrote://

daveyeisley wrote:.....

While Melee slugfests between spellcasters can be an interesting a novelty, but I don't particularly see any repeat value in them. Its like watching angry kindergartners flail at each other

I nearly fell out of my chair when I read this. It's awesome enough that I have decided to make it my signature for a while.

[/ooc]

Your terms are reasonable. The following is what I propose be our terms for an Arcane Duel.

1. No healing items. The only healing allowed would be via regeneration or your own spells that you cast.
2. No magical renewal, and no spell absorption items.
3. Before combat begins, each participant is allowed to cast up to 3 defensive spells on themself, these may be cast by items, but only if the participant can also cast the spell themself (must be on your class spell list, and you must 'know' the spell).
4. After combat begins, no activated item abilities.

Optional additional terms:

1. No melee. (I don't forsee this being an issue, but just in case)
2. No movement.
3. No Epic spells.
4. No Timestop.
5. No magical equipment whatsoever. (maybe if the first round goes on too long, this may be a good option to settle things)

What's left is to arrange a time and date, and I believe we've acquired enough of a following that it might be good to find a time that can accomodate as many as possible.

( // If you've no problems with it dave, I'd like to get as many people who are interested in watching able to be online for the duel. That being said, so long as you're game for it, I'd like to ask those interested in watching to post the times that they can be online. )

[OOC] Glad you like the crack about impotent flailing.

As to your selected terms - I don't see any huge problems, but unless one or both of us is far more crafty than I think we are, I believe we may be in for a long first round. I would be happy to find myself incorrect here, though.

One of my 'trademarks' from early on with Crideas was using a careful strategy of custom items and upgrades for making him close to impervious to non-epic magic. He can still be wounded by some spells, but not many.

Unless I have missed something, it is unlikely he could be disabled or rendered helpless long enough to be slain by such, though I admit it is still in the realm of possibility and I would be surprised and amused if you pull that off. Indeed, even your Aseph may have defenses along the same lines

Still, in the interest of experimentation, we can go with that for the first round and if it ends up being a stalemate, then we can either remove the defenses, or allow epic spells (and yes, there are ways to defend oneself from epic spells like the Destroy seed).

Would be cool to have a big turnout, but we better deliver something entertaining, or we may have some bored and/or dissatisfied spectators.

OOC: So, I wanted to revisit this one... I am still open to any and all comers.

Kitten, are you still around and still interested? If so, we should settle on a day (at least a weeks notice) for everybody to come watch.

@Ramana - any time you would like to duel, just let me know/catch me in game.

OOC: I'm actually too afraid, lol. The moment you have truesight, Ramana loses her prime advantage.

But sometime when I have more space to think about it, like this winter, I might think up a strategy.

Oh, oh dear.

Until Raenye's AT LEAST an epic level, I'm gonna stay out of this. Although... I agree with Eric and Angel of Death... I'll take all the screenshots needed to prove that this was epic!

Nothing to be afraid of. You learn by getting beat down.... trust me.... thats the only reason I ever learned how to be a Wizard.... a whole honking load of failures, embarassments, and trips to the great hall.

Aye, Dave is right on the head with that one, I still make a LOAD of trips to the great hall myself, even ol' Ray gets the stuffing beat outta him on occasion (Good old Crideas has given him a few whippen's as well along the way, all good natured of course )

One of my prouder moments in Aenea was being part of a small team that at least appeared to make Aurora flee. Just flee; not die. This, plus all the puns used along the way seemed to give Barnabas some 'street cred' at the end of event. Good times!

Elhanan, did that event involve Chuck E. Cheese?

Eric of Atrophy wrote:Elhanan, did that event involve Chuck E. Cheese?

heh! Whether or not this is a serious inquiry, I am unable to recall names; never a strength of mine even w/o the stroke. But what I do recall is that we had to agree not to have any AoE spells involved, and Barnabas was fully loaded with Dispels, Breaches, and Mords. I believe we all got a chance to go one-against-one for a bit, as well as some combined action against her. Was quite pleased when the Mords kept removing a few of the Drow Queen's defenses, and we managed to weaken her, but she escaped before any real chance of death could be inflicted.

Indeed, this is a serious inquiry. There was an event where Aurora was dead-set on killing poor old Chuck (surely you've seen him - the cheese merchant next to Sal's in Campton). Was a very amusing time for all involved. But I can't remember who all was there, save Aurora and Chuck. Hence the question!

Nope; not the droid you are looking for. I do recall at my amazement over watching the versatility and durability of this evil female Sorcerer character vs a small group of Aeneans; much like seeing a Bizarro version of Crideas.

Makes me fondly recall the "grand melees" we had once upon a time... Every man for himself, anything goes (alliances included), last man standing.... Ahhhhh.... Good times

Maybe Aurora will return soon. As I understand it, Manny is actively pursuing a machine to play on ...