Post by zipp on Apr 16, 2008 18:14:52 GMT -5
The other thread I'm leaving up to be used for sign ups and character creation. This will be the official rules thread. If this tournament goes off well, I'll probably hold it again with the same rules (tweaked of course, based on what happens this tournament). So this thread will continue to have usefullness.
INTRO
So first off, forget everything you know about the old fighting tournaments. None of those rules will be returning (though some linger in spirit). Rather than the classic rock paper scissors tournaments, this one is focused more on writing.
In this tournament, opponents fight by writing descriptions of their moves, counters, specials, etc. They are actively engaging another opponent in what is essentially a writing contest, though it is tailored so that anyone can fight and win, regardless of writing skill, language control, and experience.
What is really tested is your creativity and ability to think on your feet.
BASICS
First, a sign up list will be posted and players will give their characters special moves and weapons. Once sign ups are closed, players will be paired off (in the case of uneven numbers of fighters, there can be three way fights, this will be described later on). Each round, everyone will fight. At the end of a round, remaining fighters will be paired off again.
When a fight begins, opponents will be writing posts against each other. Each fighter gets to write ten posts, taking turns posting. Posts have to be between three and five sentences long.
Fighters exchange posts this way until both have made ten posts.
Example: Beowuuf and Ghost Bear are fighting. Beowuuf makes first post:
"Beowuuf calmly unsheathed his sword and taunted Ghost Bear: "You really should've stayed at the monastery today. I hear you're behind on your paperwork." Then he rushed forward, drawing the blade back for the strike."
Ghost Bear responds:
"Ghost Bear smirked at the Vakeros' words. He knew the beast man was trying to get him off gaurd. He had long progressed past such petty ruses, though. As Beowuuf drew near, he easily sidestepped his blade and drove his quarterstaff into the small of his back. Then, for good measure, he sent a psychic blast at him."
Of course, there's more to the fights than that.
Before each round of the tournament, players will have to choose their fighting style. This means choosing a list of words that will be posted each round. These words are each secretly assigned a point value (some are positive, some are negative). When players make their posts, they have to incorporate these words into the posts in order to try and gain points. Of course, the trick is they don't know which words are good, and which are bad, nor which are worth the most points. Fighting styles will be discussed in more detail later.
Finally, players also recieve points based on spectator approval (again, see later). Though this amount of points is never enough to ensure a player victory, they can make a difference in a close fight.
At the end of ten posts, a player's secret tally is totalled by me, and the winner gets to make the final winning post of the fight.
FIGHTING STYLES
The fighting styles are the heart of this tournament. Each round there is posted three lists of words, each list being a different fighting style. Each style differs slightly in it's scoring and use, as descibed below. Also, the words given with each style will reflect that method of fighting (so power words could be "forced" or "madly" while speed words could be "jabbed" or "quickly"). Each style also differs in how many words can be used per post.
Note that words can be used in any tense. So if your list has "jab" as a word, making the word jabbed or jabbing will count as using the word.
POWER STYLE
This list has less words to choose from than the other lists, but the words are assigned more drastic point values. This means a good choice of words can easily give you the advantage, but a bad choice can send you spiralling into an early grave.
8 words
high points
Every post, a minimum of 1 word and a maximum of 2 words from the list have to be used.
SPEED STYLE
This list has more words than the other lists. but the words are assigned smaller point values. That means that players choosing this style will have to incorporate more of the words into their posts if they want to acrue points, but they have less danger of getting wiped out by a couple bad word choices.
15 words
low points
Every post, a minimum of 3 words and a maximum of 6 words from the list have to be used.
TRICKSTER STYLE
This style is more complicated than the other two and includes phrases as well as words. The six words on the list change value based on what style your opponent has choosen. The five phrases are situation specific and will be in response to some kind of special, weapon, or other specific attack. Finding a situation where the phrases can be used can be difficult.
While the TRICKSTER STYLE is harder to use than the other two styles, it also provides potentially the greatest gain at the least threat. A bit of luck and a careful choice of words can make this the most powerful of the styles.
6 words, 5 phrases
variable points
Only 1 word can be used each post, but the phrases have no limitations (except that they must make sense)
SECRET WORDS
Each round, there are secret words not posted that, if used unknowingly by a player, grants them many points. There are also common words in this secret list that lose players miniscule amounts of points (usually very common words like "and" and "then").
Also, the players are given a clue at the beginning of the round as to what the positive secret words are, such as PLACE, or FAMOUS PERSON, or UNIQUE WEAPON.
SPECTATOR APPROVAL
Spectators are an important part of this tournament, giving viewers the chance to change the final decision of a fight.
Each round allows spectators to vote, determining crowd favourites. This has an impact on final points assigned each fighter. Votes are made in the polls attached to the fights. Vote in as many fights as you wish. Fighters can also vote, though good etiquette demands they hold to their honor and not vote for themselves.
Each vote recieved gains a fighter 3 extra points. Feel free to play favourites based on class, or to reward fighters for particularly creative fights.
TRIPPING
In the case of run on sentences and comma overuse, I will be the ultimate judge of what constitutes a full sentence, and will make any changes. If a sentence doesn't make sense or seems too much of a stretch in an attempt to include words or gain points, a "trip" may occur.
A trip is some disaster that strikes a player during their attack, such as a trip, or an dropping of their weapon. If a player trips I will write a brief post describing it, and they will lose points.
WINNERS
When final points are announced, the winner is sent a PM and told to end the fight. They then get to make the final post as long as they like. In the case of a tie, the members will enter a final face off, that will be described if the event occurs.
THREE WAY FIGHTS
In a three way fight, the game is played exactly the same, though note that where the Trickster style is concerned, it is important to note which opponent (or opponents) your attacks are targetting. You can target multiple fighters in a single post.
CREATIVE LISCENSE
These are your characters. As long as you stick to the above rules, you can make them fight in whatever manner (whether realistic or spectacular) you see fit. Your posts can explain just how badly your opponent is hit by your attack (in some cases you may even want to present your opponent with a situation that is hard for them to write themselves out of). Your character can fight as dirty or as clean as they want. Be creative and fight well!
Added rules:
Ruling: as per the request of the participants, this tournament will be treated somewhat more realistically than the others. I do not want to limit the creativity of the writers. Just write as fits your character. Remember that realisism is a comparitive value. This is a fantasy setting, after all, and we are playing characters that have super human abilities. At the same time, try to respect that setting and the limitations of your character.
One rule that cannot be broken is that your posts cannot describe fatal blows or the loss of limbs (unless they are your own). Blades and abilities can connect, blood can be shed, and fighters may come out of this tournament scarred for life. Depending on your character, you may even try to slip in a fatal blow into one of your posts, but if Morgan catches you, the consequences will be dire.
Furthermore, you can post results of your attacks, but you cannot make attacks for your opponents.
Gems: As explained, each of you has five gems. You can use them whenever you wish during the tournament, but never two in one post. Also, once used, a gem is lost for the rest of the tournament.
As stated, the gems allow you to go beyond the normal bounds of realism that have been set for this tournament FOR A SINGLE POST. In game terms, what this means is that, when used, you are allowed to increase the sentence maximum of that post from five to seven. You also get to increase your style word maximum by two for that post (so if you have the speed style and use a stone, you get to write 7 sentences and a maximum of 8 style words). After the post, these values return to normal.
Each stone is activated by a special phrase that has to be in your post. The attack you make in that post must be centered around the power of the gem you activated. The special power lasts for a single post. These things are given below:
Blue- Unleashes magical potential inherent in all the denizens of Magnamund. Magic users activating the stone will find themselves able to briefly cast magics of unheard of power, while those with psychic abilities will find they can dominate the minds of others. A mind blast using the stone’s power could very well prove fatal to all but the most hardened warriors. Even someone without any magical aptitude will find themselves suddenly able to cast spells as if they were a Grandmaster.
Activating phrase: “You rip the blue stone off the bracelet and crush it in your hand, feeling it’s energies flow into you.”
Red gem- Removes physical limitations. Fighters activating the red gem will find themselves able to jump fifty feet in the air, move blindingly fast, punch holes through steel, lift a thousand pounds... classic superhuman stuff. But no x-ray vision.
Activating phrase: “You grip the red stone tightly and speak the power word, your hand feeling like it’s fire.”
Green gem- Imbues their weapon with the power of the gods. The weapon changes based on the fighter. Some will their quarterstaff suddenly able to strike with the power of thunder and lightning. Others will find their sword leaves their hand, suddenly sentient, and tears into the enemy. Even those who use their hands to fight will experience effects, such as the growing of claws or multiple arms, or even the ability to burn an opponent with a single touch. There’s no telling what will happen.
Activating phrase: “You rip the green stone off the bracelet and hold it to your weapon until it dissolves.”
Yellow gem- Allows the user to briefly alter their appearance, metamorphing into another more powerful form, which they can use to devastate opponents. One might turn into something monstrous, something to rival the Darklords. Or they may become a scion that radiates pure power.
Activating phrase: “Holding the yellow stone up to your head, you close your eyes and concentrate until you feel your body begin to ripple and shift.”
Purple gem- Calls down the wrath of the heavens to strike your opponent. The essence of the gods themselves are tied to the purple stones. Using them calls for a direct interference of the gods in the tournament. Needless to say, the results are impressive.
Activating phrase: “you hold the purple stone above your head and call out the power word loudly, feeling immense power emanating from the stone.”
Note that the activation phrases do not have to be posted word for word. You could be replaced by “I” or “Beowuuf,” for instance. It’s the action that’s important. Furthermore, they do not count towards the sentence limitations.
Interuptions: Just so you know, I may occasionally step in and make a post of my own in the middle of a fight. This is completely arbitrary. No one will recieve points from this post, but it may alter the situation of fighters. For instance, someone’s weapon may break, or the arena itself may shift and change.
Golden Rule: Just a quick reminder here. As far as the style words and phrases are concerned, you do not have to use the given tense of words. For instance, if the speed style has the word “jab” in it, it is okay to write the word as “jabbed” or “jabbing.”
INTRO
So first off, forget everything you know about the old fighting tournaments. None of those rules will be returning (though some linger in spirit). Rather than the classic rock paper scissors tournaments, this one is focused more on writing.
In this tournament, opponents fight by writing descriptions of their moves, counters, specials, etc. They are actively engaging another opponent in what is essentially a writing contest, though it is tailored so that anyone can fight and win, regardless of writing skill, language control, and experience.
What is really tested is your creativity and ability to think on your feet.
BASICS
First, a sign up list will be posted and players will give their characters special moves and weapons. Once sign ups are closed, players will be paired off (in the case of uneven numbers of fighters, there can be three way fights, this will be described later on). Each round, everyone will fight. At the end of a round, remaining fighters will be paired off again.
When a fight begins, opponents will be writing posts against each other. Each fighter gets to write ten posts, taking turns posting. Posts have to be between three and five sentences long.
Fighters exchange posts this way until both have made ten posts.
Example: Beowuuf and Ghost Bear are fighting. Beowuuf makes first post:
"Beowuuf calmly unsheathed his sword and taunted Ghost Bear: "You really should've stayed at the monastery today. I hear you're behind on your paperwork." Then he rushed forward, drawing the blade back for the strike."
Ghost Bear responds:
"Ghost Bear smirked at the Vakeros' words. He knew the beast man was trying to get him off gaurd. He had long progressed past such petty ruses, though. As Beowuuf drew near, he easily sidestepped his blade and drove his quarterstaff into the small of his back. Then, for good measure, he sent a psychic blast at him."
Of course, there's more to the fights than that.
Before each round of the tournament, players will have to choose their fighting style. This means choosing a list of words that will be posted each round. These words are each secretly assigned a point value (some are positive, some are negative). When players make their posts, they have to incorporate these words into the posts in order to try and gain points. Of course, the trick is they don't know which words are good, and which are bad, nor which are worth the most points. Fighting styles will be discussed in more detail later.
Finally, players also recieve points based on spectator approval (again, see later). Though this amount of points is never enough to ensure a player victory, they can make a difference in a close fight.
At the end of ten posts, a player's secret tally is totalled by me, and the winner gets to make the final winning post of the fight.
FIGHTING STYLES
The fighting styles are the heart of this tournament. Each round there is posted three lists of words, each list being a different fighting style. Each style differs slightly in it's scoring and use, as descibed below. Also, the words given with each style will reflect that method of fighting (so power words could be "forced" or "madly" while speed words could be "jabbed" or "quickly"). Each style also differs in how many words can be used per post.
Note that words can be used in any tense. So if your list has "jab" as a word, making the word jabbed or jabbing will count as using the word.
POWER STYLE
This list has less words to choose from than the other lists, but the words are assigned more drastic point values. This means a good choice of words can easily give you the advantage, but a bad choice can send you spiralling into an early grave.
8 words
high points
Every post, a minimum of 1 word and a maximum of 2 words from the list have to be used.
SPEED STYLE
This list has more words than the other lists. but the words are assigned smaller point values. That means that players choosing this style will have to incorporate more of the words into their posts if they want to acrue points, but they have less danger of getting wiped out by a couple bad word choices.
15 words
low points
Every post, a minimum of 3 words and a maximum of 6 words from the list have to be used.
TRICKSTER STYLE
This style is more complicated than the other two and includes phrases as well as words. The six words on the list change value based on what style your opponent has choosen. The five phrases are situation specific and will be in response to some kind of special, weapon, or other specific attack. Finding a situation where the phrases can be used can be difficult.
While the TRICKSTER STYLE is harder to use than the other two styles, it also provides potentially the greatest gain at the least threat. A bit of luck and a careful choice of words can make this the most powerful of the styles.
6 words, 5 phrases
variable points
Only 1 word can be used each post, but the phrases have no limitations (except that they must make sense)
SECRET WORDS
Each round, there are secret words not posted that, if used unknowingly by a player, grants them many points. There are also common words in this secret list that lose players miniscule amounts of points (usually very common words like "and" and "then").
Also, the players are given a clue at the beginning of the round as to what the positive secret words are, such as PLACE, or FAMOUS PERSON, or UNIQUE WEAPON.
SPECTATOR APPROVAL
Spectators are an important part of this tournament, giving viewers the chance to change the final decision of a fight.
Each round allows spectators to vote, determining crowd favourites. This has an impact on final points assigned each fighter. Votes are made in the polls attached to the fights. Vote in as many fights as you wish. Fighters can also vote, though good etiquette demands they hold to their honor and not vote for themselves.
Each vote recieved gains a fighter 3 extra points. Feel free to play favourites based on class, or to reward fighters for particularly creative fights.
TRIPPING
In the case of run on sentences and comma overuse, I will be the ultimate judge of what constitutes a full sentence, and will make any changes. If a sentence doesn't make sense or seems too much of a stretch in an attempt to include words or gain points, a "trip" may occur.
A trip is some disaster that strikes a player during their attack, such as a trip, or an dropping of their weapon. If a player trips I will write a brief post describing it, and they will lose points.
WINNERS
When final points are announced, the winner is sent a PM and told to end the fight. They then get to make the final post as long as they like. In the case of a tie, the members will enter a final face off, that will be described if the event occurs.
THREE WAY FIGHTS
In a three way fight, the game is played exactly the same, though note that where the Trickster style is concerned, it is important to note which opponent (or opponents) your attacks are targetting. You can target multiple fighters in a single post.
CREATIVE LISCENSE
These are your characters. As long as you stick to the above rules, you can make them fight in whatever manner (whether realistic or spectacular) you see fit. Your posts can explain just how badly your opponent is hit by your attack (in some cases you may even want to present your opponent with a situation that is hard for them to write themselves out of). Your character can fight as dirty or as clean as they want. Be creative and fight well!
Added rules:
Ruling: as per the request of the participants, this tournament will be treated somewhat more realistically than the others. I do not want to limit the creativity of the writers. Just write as fits your character. Remember that realisism is a comparitive value. This is a fantasy setting, after all, and we are playing characters that have super human abilities. At the same time, try to respect that setting and the limitations of your character.
One rule that cannot be broken is that your posts cannot describe fatal blows or the loss of limbs (unless they are your own). Blades and abilities can connect, blood can be shed, and fighters may come out of this tournament scarred for life. Depending on your character, you may even try to slip in a fatal blow into one of your posts, but if Morgan catches you, the consequences will be dire.
Furthermore, you can post results of your attacks, but you cannot make attacks for your opponents.
Gems: As explained, each of you has five gems. You can use them whenever you wish during the tournament, but never two in one post. Also, once used, a gem is lost for the rest of the tournament.
As stated, the gems allow you to go beyond the normal bounds of realism that have been set for this tournament FOR A SINGLE POST. In game terms, what this means is that, when used, you are allowed to increase the sentence maximum of that post from five to seven. You also get to increase your style word maximum by two for that post (so if you have the speed style and use a stone, you get to write 7 sentences and a maximum of 8 style words). After the post, these values return to normal.
Each stone is activated by a special phrase that has to be in your post. The attack you make in that post must be centered around the power of the gem you activated. The special power lasts for a single post. These things are given below:
Blue- Unleashes magical potential inherent in all the denizens of Magnamund. Magic users activating the stone will find themselves able to briefly cast magics of unheard of power, while those with psychic abilities will find they can dominate the minds of others. A mind blast using the stone’s power could very well prove fatal to all but the most hardened warriors. Even someone without any magical aptitude will find themselves suddenly able to cast spells as if they were a Grandmaster.
Activating phrase: “You rip the blue stone off the bracelet and crush it in your hand, feeling it’s energies flow into you.”
Red gem- Removes physical limitations. Fighters activating the red gem will find themselves able to jump fifty feet in the air, move blindingly fast, punch holes through steel, lift a thousand pounds... classic superhuman stuff. But no x-ray vision.
Activating phrase: “You grip the red stone tightly and speak the power word, your hand feeling like it’s fire.”
Green gem- Imbues their weapon with the power of the gods. The weapon changes based on the fighter. Some will their quarterstaff suddenly able to strike with the power of thunder and lightning. Others will find their sword leaves their hand, suddenly sentient, and tears into the enemy. Even those who use their hands to fight will experience effects, such as the growing of claws or multiple arms, or even the ability to burn an opponent with a single touch. There’s no telling what will happen.
Activating phrase: “You rip the green stone off the bracelet and hold it to your weapon until it dissolves.”
Yellow gem- Allows the user to briefly alter their appearance, metamorphing into another more powerful form, which they can use to devastate opponents. One might turn into something monstrous, something to rival the Darklords. Or they may become a scion that radiates pure power.
Activating phrase: “Holding the yellow stone up to your head, you close your eyes and concentrate until you feel your body begin to ripple and shift.”
Purple gem- Calls down the wrath of the heavens to strike your opponent. The essence of the gods themselves are tied to the purple stones. Using them calls for a direct interference of the gods in the tournament. Needless to say, the results are impressive.
Activating phrase: “you hold the purple stone above your head and call out the power word loudly, feeling immense power emanating from the stone.”
Note that the activation phrases do not have to be posted word for word. You could be replaced by “I” or “Beowuuf,” for instance. It’s the action that’s important. Furthermore, they do not count towards the sentence limitations.
Interuptions: Just so you know, I may occasionally step in and make a post of my own in the middle of a fight. This is completely arbitrary. No one will recieve points from this post, but it may alter the situation of fighters. For instance, someone’s weapon may break, or the arena itself may shift and change.
Golden Rule: Just a quick reminder here. As far as the style words and phrases are concerned, you do not have to use the given tense of words. For instance, if the speed style has the word “jab” in it, it is okay to write the word as “jabbed” or “jabbing.”
