Gladiator IV - The fights begin!

[Skanky Burns]

In some timezones, perhaps.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
In some timezones, perhaps.

Yes, all the ones that matter.

[Skanky Burns]

I'll take that to mean the timezones of people playing this game.
/me sharpens axe

[DrSpike]

/me is not scared of big girl's blouses who even refused to fight at all in the competition.

[Skanky Burns]

Quite the spin you are putting on things. One takes a break for a single round of the competition and suddenly its a refusal to fight?

[Theben]

Oh, a refusal to participate is now "takes a break"? Ever consider a career in politics?

[Skanky Burns]

Nah, I get caught way too often.

[Spaced Cowboy]

[begin bad impression of Ross from "Friends"] He was on a break! [end bad impression of Ross from "Friends"]

[J Bytheway]

Semi-final 2, round 1

In the arena, behind the scenes, the organisers are having problems:

"What's going on here! The crowd is screaming for blood, and the gladiators have all vanished!"

"Erm... I'm not really sure... Can't we appease their bloodlust with some of the standard fare - feeding christians to lions, or something?"

"Hah! We don't have any lions left, remember? The last lot we tried to feed to them turnied out to be martial arts experts. That was quite a mess, but very impressive to watch... Anyway, we don't have time to stand around here reminiscing. Go find those gladiators, quick!"

A slave runs up, and pants "Excuse me, but both contestants for the second semi-final have been located, and they're ready to begin."

"Only two of them? What about the other semi-final?"

"No, sorry, we still can't find them. We think they may have snuck out with the gladiators who didn't make it to the semis. They were visiting an inn... but we can't find out which."

"Fools! We were supposed to be starting both of the fights at once. Ah well, anything is better than nothing - get them out into the arena."

Later, from the commentary box:

"And now, we come to the semi-finals of the thrilling Gladiator competition.

"In this semi-final, we have the two contestants who drew for second place. Allow me to introduce them to you once more:

"The Doctor, shunning armour, needs only his Rapier Wit and startling intellect to perform. Our reigning champion, and a veteran of the contest, he is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

"Facing him, we have Theben, touting a more traditional balance or arms and armour, including a shield rumored to render him immune to the effects of taunts - perhaps he hopes that this protection will extend to the Doctor's Wit? Theben defeated the Doctor at their last encounter, but neither is a strong favorite in this fight, so the only way we're likely to find out who's best is to watch and learn.

"Let the battle begin!"

Both contestants begin the fight cautiously, circling defensively for some time.

Eventually, Theben tries a weak strike at the Doctor, who deflects it aside with ease.

In an aside to Drogue, who is also in the commentary box: "Oh dear, perhaps this isn't better than no fight at all - I hope it gets more exciting or we might lose the crowd completely..."

Both gladiators took no damage have 120HP remaining.
I'll accept orders for round 2 now. I don't see any reason to run both fights at the same rate.

So, a slow start - I see the semis are likely to be rather different from the previous fights.

Don't take my comments about wanting more blood personally - it's not me, but we have to please the crowd, right?

[Skanky Burns]

Right.

[Theben]

Patience. The 1st round is usually a defensive probe. Besides, you don't want it over right away, do you?

[J Bytheway]

Originally posted by Theben
Patience. The 1st round is usually a defensive probe. Besides, you don't want it over right away, do you?

Like I said, it's not me, it's the crowd. I can be completely patient .

[Theben]

Re: Semi-final 2, round 1

Originally posted by J Bytheway
They were visiting an inn... but we can't find out which."

This sounds like a job for Skanky!

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Theben
Besides, you don't want it over right away, do you?

He doesn't listen when his girlfriend tells him that. What makes you think he'll listen to you?

[Theben]

Now, now, be nice...