Though, the Waiteri tribes protest the new technology of the Septimontiums, they do not shun them. In fact, Sept citizens are permitted to join the Waiteri tribes (and sometimes a Waiteri will leave the tribes to join the Septs). To join a tribe, an applicant must reject the new technologies but must also pass a simple combat test; life in the Wasteland is difficult, so new members must show they have a strength.
Adams opened the fight with an immediate move to the center of the platform to gain ground. Hodon timed the swing of his heavy mace perfectly as he moved to meet Adams, striking Adams' leg with a fierce stroke! Adams' leg went numb and he fell on his back grasping his leg which gushed blood from a gaping wound. His leg would not last long, but neither Adams nor Hodon could quit. One or the other must be forced off the platform to finish the rite.
Adams showed no pain but he knew the end was near. Hodon easily out-maneuvered a slower Adams and attacked hard. The large spikes of Hodon's mace slipped under Adams' arm guard and into his belly pulling the Waiteri warrior painfully off the platform and to the ground. Adams tried to lift his head, but he was too weak. Hodon passed the test, but Adams' wound was mortal.
Just before he died, Adams realized he had been defeated, but in defeat, he knew the tribe had gained a new member. There was honor in his death because a stronger warrior would take Adams' place and help ensure the tribe's survival.
As is tradition with the tribes, new members would be given a proper Waiteri name. There was no longer Hodon of Rubikon; that name died when Adams fell. Now, there was only Harold of Waiteri Smith.
Very cool. I have a question about the rules, however: does movement have any effect on the game? It seems in AAR's I've seen that the miniatures just move up to each other and then the dice to the rest.
ReplyDeleteGreat fight!
ReplyDeleteMovement isn't much of a factor except in larger combats in larger arenas, or if you're trying to step back out of a fight to catch your breath.
ReplyDeleteYou do throw a lot of dice, but there are still choices to be made. Your choices center more on strategy -- do I go for an all-out attack or do I try to whittle down my opponent? Do I try to knock him down now to gain the advantage or do I go for a killing stroke? My arm is weak so do I drop my shield and switch weapon hands or do I still need that extra protection?
Some of the choices are also made when you first create your fighter. Is he savvy? Is he strong? Is he fast (used in maneuvering for attacks, not how fast he can move from area to area)? What weapons does he carry (which may affect how you fight your matches)? There are also tons of "signatures" (traits) to help fine tune your fighter.
I also like the game because the mechanics can control a non-player fighter. In fact, some of the more interesting AARs on my blog were between two opponents I let the game control while I watched (and rolled the dice for them.)
I'm not a fan of dice games, but this is still my favorite gladiator game, and certainly the solo game I play the most.