Emirikol First Blood

[subplotkudzu]

One thing we ran into during the first official set of duels in the Emirikol game was that duels to first blood in D&D - if you count any loss of HP as first blood - are based way too much on initiative. Therefore I'm recommending we use the nicely flexible concept of hit points to instead work with fractions of the character HP. 

First Blood is actually 'drawn' when the character has taken over 1/3rd (round up) of his HP total. Since Cyble has 10 HP she actually gets cut or bloodied once she's taken more than 4 points of damage. Deitrich, with 17 HP isn't actually cut until he's taken more than 6. This might not mean much now, where a single hit with a sword is enough to take a 12 HP character past their 4 point first blood, but it would have extended Hiram's fight with his 18 HP opponent past that first rapier touch.

Second Blood, or the desire to fight "until one is well blooded, disabled, or disarmed" is generally set at taking more than 2/3rds of your HP (round up). Cybele is well blooded once she's taken more than 7 HP of damage, Deitrich can hold out until he's at more than 12 points taken. This is the level of fighting Melas and his adversary were engaged in, which means his critical hit was needed to push the fellow up over the 2/3rd HP mark. 

Fighting to the death is often considered 'concluded' once once of the opponents is at 0 HP. Of course, the terms of the duel can stipulate that no healers be present at the match but can be called later, which gives you a pretty narrow window between 0 HP and being dead. Unless it is specifically stated in the terms of the duel that one of the duelists will not leave the field alive it is ungentlemanly to strike an opponent who's already down (and such a duel is technically illegal anyway). 

Does everyone agree that this makes sense? I'm looking for something that's workable and not complicated.

Comments

[brianrogers.livejournal.com]

Also, and I know that this one may be my fault, but Improved Initiative is a one time only deal.

Yes, you had mentioned that it could be layered at the game. I didn't know one way or the other so I was taking your word on that. Apparently it can't (just double checked myself).

If you're not going to kick about the flat footed rules being changed for a fight then I'll defer on it, since you're the PC would would be most hurt by it. Well, the other PCs might all be a lot of hurt on it if I kept them and then had those halfling rogue duelists attack... if you're willing to take a hit for the team it work out better for the PCs in the long run.

If we remove flat footedness and let you pick stances up front we can get some skill into AC during the fight in several ways which will help. I'm still concerned about the fact that HP have absolutely no bearing on battles to 'first blood', which seems awfully silly when you get up to higher levels. Any thoughts on that?

[ladegard.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to take that hit, at least in the dueling arena. Remember my claim that this is a fairly ritualized form of combat. In situations that aren't so formalized, the flat-footed rules may still apply. As for HP, I'm not sure. I still think that the reduced hit points, such as they use in Babylon 5, is probably a good way to keep combat dangerous and make levels less important as regards to the ability to absorb damage.

[brianrogers.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree that this shoould only apply to the formalized duel - get back iin the dungeon or even a good taven brawl and flat footed is in full force.

For those not aware, Tom's suggestion is everyone getting their first level HP (or perhaps their CON as HP) and then getting a set small number per level after that to keep HP low even as levels go up. Sorcerers would probably get 0, rogues and bards 1, clerics and aristocrats 2 and fighters 4, with CON modifiers.

This would of mean needing to find ways to boost ACs, but it could be done.

Any thoughts on this?