Community Spotlight ~ Gladiator Games

With Release 8 around the corner, and PvP on everyone’s mind, I thought it would be a great time to check out one of the first Fighting Tournaments to rage through the hearts and minds of New Britannia… the Gladiator Games.  I had a chance to chat with the Battlemaster, Torniquet TheWarSworn, and he had lot’s of great information about the Gladiator Games and what he envisions them becoming.  But for those of you interested in participating… well, I figured you would want this bit up front. 

A call to all fighters PVE and PVP! If you would like to participate in the “Gladiator Wars” please send me, Torniquet TheWarSworn, a short background about your character and why you are the greatest fighter! That way, I can start doing spots for you guys on Avatars radio with interviews and commercials, to build your titles up and create a following! I look forward to hearing from you all! please only send me messages with your characters name (not forum unless they are the same) and why he/she is the greatest fighter of all time!

–include your character name (not forum but in game name)
—what city if any you are from (in game)
–a brief description why you are a contender!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled interview…

FireLotus:  If you were an NPC in Shroud of the Avatar, how would describe yourself?

Torniquet TheWarSworn: I would be a Paladin type character named Torniquet TheWarSworn, always wielding my battle hammer, war hammer, or great axe. I would be the type that would stop and help someone along the way on my travels, if they were being attacked or Pkd, I would cast my heals on them and do whatever i could to help the less fortunate, or average player. A Pk’s worst nightmare, i would hunt them down relentlessly! I love hunting PKrs! I invite the challenge of others!:) People would come to me, to train in battle. I would be the humble character, that all would remember as the “good guy” the helper, and a person you would want on your side. I would be a business man, running “The Gladiator Wars/games” with contacts throughout the realm. Always ready to go on an adventure even if death would be imminent. “Torniquet TheWarSworn”, will be my in game name.

FireLotus. Tell us a little more about the Gladiator Games.

Torniquet TheWarSworn: What im trying to set up would be a great way for other players to be involved in something that makes them part of the environment, and brings the essence of challenge for all PVP and PVE alike! Will will start this event 8 months after the game goes live,(The first “Gladiator Wars” will be held in the town of “Vengeance”) so people, towns, and guilds have a chance to work with their fighters.

There will also eventually be an event called “Gladiator Wars”.  This will be a grand tournament comprised of 20 fighters. moving up the standings until there are 2 left then the one Main event.

The prices to attend would be reasonable and only with in game money. Challengers would have to pay a fee to participate, It gives all the players, towns, and Guilds something to immerse themselves into like never before in a game. Creating Heros. and Champions.

All cities that i hold the competitions in will get 10% of the take for admission.

The “knock out” would be basically a duel, HP depleted your down but not dead, still waiting to hear how all that combat is going to work. I dont want a death or killing to cost the individual virtue loss etc…

Perks — Avatars Radio (www.avatarsradio.com) will be running commercials for vendors as well as the event, and we will have exclusive interviews with the fighters to hype themselves up for the battle as well as live coverage with commentary from Amber, and Myself and other guest hosts. (that will be exclusive to “Gladiator Wars” only.)

Here’s the rules and other thoughts on the types of matches we can host, and it will be set up accordingly unless otherwise changed (which will be known before anyone enters into a match)

• The ring – no looting, no karma/virtue loss, and possibly a place the player can go when hes, OOOOooOo’ed in the arena or in one of the rooms in there.
• Outside ring – players watching wont be able to attack or heal outside the arena in the viewing areas.
• Gladiators – Each player town and guilds pick 5 or less of their best fighters (which will be town events) i could run the arena there, or the town owner can run it. either or.
• Gladiators – anyone PVP or PVE can participate, going back to flag when fight is over to their original flag.
• Coliseum of some sort – where 3 v 3 can fight and monsters dropped in during, to fight the fighters.
  or 3 vs 3 competition no monsters (so supporting role classes can get involved) or 3 vs 3 mage battle all magic!
• Obstacles – Maybe put some obstacles in the arena as well, so you could jump off, dodge around, maybe have trap doors that shoot up spikes randomly, or fire, or wall spikes! I can think f many ways to make it more interesting!
  (depending on what the SoTA allows)
• Challenge Bracket – 20 fighters, going up against each other until there are 2 left for the Main Event. (10) 3 v 3 matches team (10) 3 v 3 Mage matches We’ll hold matches weekly or bi- weekly.
• Betting – Betting is suspended for now (feel free to bet amongst yourselves) until we have worked that more.
• Town/Village/City – 10% of take for entrance fees, and entry fees for the fighters to fight, will Go to towns holding the events when i am running it (this is where the towns, and people can come into play as sponsors for their fighter)
• Vendors – I will set up a booth for crafters to sell their wares, and Taverns can run the refreshment and food. They will be spotlighted at the event as well.
• Prizes – for the main fights when it gets down to top 10, i will buy add-ons as prizes for the winners, possibly a lot for the champion, maybe a house, possibly monetary earnings (in game money, based on how much i can afford) :))
• Avatars Radio – Amber and I will be doing exclusive “Gladiator Wars” live coverage of the matches, and commentating.  We’d also like to have guest commentators, commercials for the matches, interviews with the fighters to do interviews as well on the radio.
• Different towns and businesses can sponsor fighters as well.

We’ll have prizes for the winners of matches! Just so all know based on wins of top tiers, and such i will be giving out add-ons for prizes. and/or in game gold. depending on what i can personally afford I hope everyone gets into this event, invite your friends.

Other possibilities in the future is to add 3 vs 3 battles as well, probably consisting of a 10 slot tier, 10 of the best teams throughout the lands. The nice thing about a 3 vs. 3 match is it also gives support classes a chance to jump in! If you feel you would like to participate  We could also have Mage only battles, where magic users could demonstrate their prowess with a wand.

FireLotus: Why do you think the Gladiator Games will be fun and exciting for Shroud community?

Torniquet TheWarSworn: It will give PVP and PVE a chance to fight against each other with nothing to lose but dignity. It gives the players a chance to roll play their characters as Gladiators or Warriors. It can also really build a sense of community just like sporting events do; Cities, Towns, and Villages will want to support their champions and promoting the event, as they and they will get a percent added to their economy.

Fighters will have a chance to showcase their characters (bragging rights) in commercials on www.avatarsradio.com and become legends in the world of Novia for their fighting skills. Vendors will have a chance to showcase their wares, as well as have commercials on www.avatarsradio.com, too.  So it really can be something a lot of people can get involved in.

FireLotus. What are YOU as a player most looking forward to in Shroud of the Avatar?

Torniquet TheWarSworn:  I personally look forward to the interactions with other players (whether bad or good!) I dont really like crafting stuff so this will be my “crafting niche”. I look forward to training other players how to fight in the arena (possibly open an arena fight school) at my house, free of charge!

I look forward to Adventuring in the game and exploring all the areas.

I have been a follower of Richard Garriott since UO first came into being, Ive played it before Trammel came around, and have learned stuff the hard way in the game! (“oOoooing”) I am also looking forward to the Combat aspect of the game, whether its PVP or PVE.

I guess i would say I’m just looking forward to the finished product! I cant wait to grow with this game like i did with UO, and spend irresponsible amounts of time playing! (Energy drinks work well, when you’ve been playing all night and have to go to work in a few hours! LOL) I want it to be as interesting, and time consuming as it can possibly be!

Torniquet TheWarSworn (aka blaquerogue) looks forward to seeing everyone in the game, and running this event for all to enjoy!