From: ccoprdj@prism.gatech.EDU (Jorge Diaz)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Input wanted on a combat scenario
Date: 14 Oct 92 17:55:41 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

In article <68760012@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM> moursund@hpcvnb.CV.HP.COM (David_Moursund) writes:

[Description of fight and events leading up to it deleted.]

>Questions:  Put yourself in the elf's place; what can you do to escape
>  this situation?

Very little.  The elf is screwed.  He's basically in the situation I'm
in if I get in a fight.  I'm a little guy.  I can defend myself and even
fight, as long as the other guy doesn't get a hold on me.  If that happens,
I'm f**ked, just like your elf. :-)

> While being strangled, will spells with a vocal componant work?

No.  Nor can he move, so spells with an "S" component won't work either.
And he probably can't get to his material components, so he's basically
screwed. :-)

> Will being strangled and flung about, is it possible
> to concentrate enough to cast spells?  

No.  He might be able to get away with a command for an item.

> Do you just curse yourself
> for not casting _Stoneskin_ and _Vocalize_ on yourself before you
> went to engage your enemies?

A little late for that, I think.

> How many rounds can you live while being
> subjected to this abuse?

This abuse would obviously have to do some damage.  You can live as long
as you don't run out of hit points.  I'd have the damage go up every round
(maybe 2 points, then 4, then 8, then 16, etc)....

> Can command words be spoken while you are
> being strangled?

A single word, maybe.

> Should you pull a dagger, and try to stab the 
> gigantic musclebound oaf who is beating the stuffing out of you?

In real life, yes.  But not in D&D.  A dagger won't do much good (unless
the poison affects him).

> Your weapons are poisoned, but you have already seen this brute 
> withstand this poison when he first attacked you.

That's not a good choice.  So, what would I do?


Well, first priority is to try and get away from him long enough to
cast a spell or use an item...   How?

Well, there's very few things you can do.  First thing I'd try would be
to get to his face.  Pushing your thumbs into his eyes, bashing his nose
in with the hilt of your dagger, anything that would *blind* him would
be a good start.  There's always a chance that he'll let go.

If not, you could always try a head butt. :-)

But like I said, the elf is in a world of hurt.

> 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. 

This is good.  If he's not stupid, he should be able to kill the elf.

> His armor seems almost
> impervious to attacks, so you decide to just manhandle him.

That sounds like a good idea.  If you can get his helm off, you're in
great shape.  You can even beat his head in with it. :-)

If not (I'm assuming he's wearing one), you can just grap the helm and
start swinging him around by it.  There's a very good chance that you'll
snap his neck.

If he doesn't have one, even better.  Break his neck if you can.
Do the things I mentioned for the elf.  Gouge his eyes out.  Hard to cast
spells when you're blind an screaming in pain.

> How can you keep him from attacking you?

That's easy. :-)  Break his arms.  Then he can't fight *or* cast spells.
Break his collar bones, to.  Limits arm movement and hurts like hell.

> Should you try to pull his head off?

No, pulling a head off is much more difficult than twisting his neck.
(He's just an elf, right?  They're pretty scrawny ;-)  At least, if he
doesn't have a Constitution of 20 he is ;-).

> 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.

Exactly.  Do what I've mentioned, and he won't get a chance to use his
weapons or spells.  If you can get one of his poisoned daggers, even better.
:-)

-- 
Jorge Diaz                       | "I want you to remember, Clark... in all
Georgia Institute of Technology  |  the years to come, in your most private
Office of Information Technology |  moments...my hand at your throat.  I want
ccoprdj@prism.gatech.edu         |  you to remember the one man who beat you."