From: 910252m@ace.acadiau.ca (DWAYNE ALLAN MACKINNON)
Subject: Re: Input wanted on a combat scenario
Organization: Acadia University
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 01:13:12 GMT

In article <68760012@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM> moursund@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM (David_Moursund) writes:
>From: moursund@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM (David_Moursund)
>Date: Tue, 13 Oct 92 13:02:16 PDT
>Subject: Input wanted on a combat scenario
>
>A situation, which I would like opinions on:
>
>High level elven fighter/mage/priest is beset by his enemies.
>Enemies know that he is powerful fighter/mage/priest.
>One enemy in particular, a brawny fellow with some brains, knows
>  that this elf is a *serious* threat in the magic department, and
>  also probably better with a sword than Mr. Brawny.
>Mr. Brawny convinces one of his allies to _Enlarge_ him.  Now he is
>  a 12' tall Mr. Brawny.
>Mr. Brawny also has himself _Hasted_.
>When Mr. Brawny and the elf meet, Mr. Brawny manages to get his big,
>  meaty hands on the elf, suffering some damage from the elf's weapon
>  in the process.
>Mr. Brawny picks up the elf, and starts shaking him like a rag doll, and
>  smashing him against the floor and walls. 
>The elf, in some trouble, whispers the command word of a magic item he
>  carries, and flame strikes himself and Mr. Brawny.  (Both, however,
>  currently have some degree of fire resistance, so this tactic is of 
>  limited effect.)
>Mr. Brawny gets one big hand around the elf's throat, and starts throttling
>  him, meanwhile continuing to slam him around in a most unpleasant manner.
>
>Questions:  Put yourself in the elf's place; what can you do to escape
>  this situation?  While being strangled, will spells with a vocal 
>  componant work?  Will being strangled and flung about, is it possible
>  to concentrate enough to cast spells?  Do you just curse yourself
>  for not casting _Stoneskin_ and _Vocalize_ on yourself before you
>  went to engage your enemies?  How many rounds can you live while being
>  subjected to this abuse?  Can command words be spoken while you are
>  being strangled?  Should you pull a dagger, and try to stab the 
>  gigantic musclebound oaf who is beating the stuffing out of you?
>  Your weapons are poisoned, but you have already seen this brute 
>  withstand this poison when he first attacked you.
>
>  Now put yourself in Mr. Brawny's place; you actually managed to get
>  the drop on your enemy, and so far have kept him from casting any
>  of his devastingly powerful spells at you.  His armor seems almost
>  impervious to attacks, so you decide to just manhandle him.  How
>  can you keep him from attacking you?  Should you try to pull his
>  head off?  You know that your ass is grass if he gets a chance to
>  unload on you?  You also are fairly certain that his weapons are
>  poisoned, and you are not sure that the protective measures you
>  have taken will stand up to this poison.
>
>dm
>
>
Okay, let's go at it one by one.

The elf's perspective:

1) In the 2nd edition wrestling rules there are rules for breaking a hold. 
Use them.

2) No way.

3) Not a chance in hell.

4) Definitely.

5) I'm not sure, but the length of time before he goes unconscious depends 
on the h.p. per round damage of a stranglehold. Remember, wrestling damage 
is 75% temporary.

6) No, not without breaking the hold.

7) Sure, why not???


Mr. Macho's perspective.

1) Maintaining the stranglehold is a good way to keep him from casting 
spells. As for the weapons, since you have this guy lifted off the ground in 
a stranglehold, try to get a colleague to hold his arms still or something. 
Better yet, hold him still for a second and let a thief backstab him!!!!!

Hope this is of use.

DMK
Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada.