Black Blob: As darkness spell.
Web: As web spell.
Rubble: Difficult Terrain
Blue Squiggle: Malfunctioning Portals. Takes a person to the next portal, going clockwise, counting 1d4. Side depends on 1d2 (1: left/top; 2: right/bottom).
Orange Circle: Dread portal to nether realms. Don't go in here.

Tristram starts in blue, Penny starts in red.

Tristram appears in the arena immediately prepares for battle. Flexing his well-toned body he tries a few practice swings with the chain, leaving the greatsword in its scabbard for now.
This arena is new to Tristram and fighting the tiefling in it will probably be very hard. He focuses on the task at hand and waits eagerly for the gong.

Penny, I know I have the upper hand in being slightly more experienced, but know that I will try and defeat you with all my might and wit!

The challenge is issued!

Prep Round 1:
  [Free]
  [Move]
  [Standard]

Prep Round 2:
  [Free] Knight's challenge: assign Penny
  [Move]
  [Standard] ready chain

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 0
  Damage Dealt: 0

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 8 rounds

Penny had seen Tristram fight and she also heard all the stories from his frustrated opponents and she wouldn't let herself get into the same mess she vowed. Entering the arena Penny's eyes narrowed and she looked at the chain swinger, assessing if this fight would go any different from those before. Casually she opened a small copper cap on the pommel of her heavy flail, a small metal ball behind a wide wire mesh came into view. Penny allowed herself a smile, now came the part that would become a surprise to Tristram, crossing her arms before her chest the urban ranger intoned a brief prayer to Beshaba which was answered with a short glow on her legs and feet. The tiefling took her longbow into her hands and knocked an arrow before she calmly touched the ball in her heavy flail, causing shadows to gather around her making her form less distinct to the unaided eye.

"Beshaba's luck to you, too!" Penny called out accross the arena, ready to fight...

Prep Round 1:
  [Swift] Open cap on heavy flail pommel.*
  [Move] Draw longbow
  [Standard] Cast 'Surefooted Stride' [Spell Compendium, p. 216)

Prep Round 2:
  [Free] Knock an arrow
  [Move]
  [Standard] Cast 'Darkness' into metal ball inside flail's pommel.

Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 17 (13)

  Damage Taken: 0
  Damage Dealt: 0

Effects:
 - Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.

Final position: B2

* wiremesh, ball and cap as well as swift action was ok-ed by DM North.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:46, Wed 17 Aug 2011.

Tristram sets off at a light trot, his speed and agility not in any way hindered by his armor. Entering the first portal he executes a series of jumps across the arena before finally ending up where he wanted: close to Penny.

Round 1:
  [Free] Luck has nothing to do with it.
  [Move] Double move, executing a series of jumps, finally ending up in C10
  [Standard]

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 0
  Damage Dealt: 0

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 6 rounds

Final position: C10

OOC: You can check the dicelog for details on the jumps. I basically went around the arena 1,5 times, counting entering the portal as 5' of movement.

Round 1:
  [Free] Drop bow.
  [Move] Draw potion.
  [Standard] Drink potion 'Enlarge'.
  [free] 5ft step to A/B 3/4.
  [free] Draw heavy flail as part of movement. - 10ft reach now.
  [Swift] Close cap on flail (Darkness contained).


Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 17 (13)

  Damage Taken: 0
  Damage Dealt: 0

Effects:
 - [Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes - off atm.]
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.
 - Enlarged, 10rds.

Final position:  A/B 3/4

Tristram nods as the tiefling expands. You are evening the playing field; good.. The he moves just within reach and attacks.

Round 2:
  [Free]
  [Move] Charge to B6
  [Standard]Attack (21) PA -4/+8, damage 18

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13) (-2 1 round from charge)

  Damage Taken: 0
  Damage Dealt: 18

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 5 rounds

Final position: C10

"Fun." Penny groaned when Tristram slammed his chain into her. "Why do I always get into trouble with guys who are more experienced than me?" she asked herself sarcastically, then wrapped her flail around Tristram's left foot...

Round 2:
  [Move] tbd. - will determine when outcome of trip is clear. 5ft step to A/B 4/5
  [Standard] Trip touch 22, trip 20 (+4 size +4 improved trip +4 strength)
  [free] Follow up attack if tripped... Disarm: 29 (+4 prone +4 size +4 two-handed).

Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 15 (11)

  Damage Taken: 18
  Damage Dealt: 0

Effects:
 - [Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes - off atm.]
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.
 - Enlarged, 09rds.

Final position:  A/B 4/5
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Wed 17 Aug 2011.

OOC: No corner unless I'm mistaken. Just a free fall into lava, no?
Btw, is your AC still 17 after getting large?

Rolls:
STR check against trip: 12, falls prone.
AoO against disarm attempt: 16 (+2 from bracers of opportunity, -4 from being prone), damage 19

Disarm opposed attack roll: honestly, I have no idea how to work this. Does all penalties apply (i.e. power attack reduction, being prone, etc)?

Total damage: 37

ooc: I saw that and corrected it already and yes, all P/a penalties etc. stack for attack rolls. Do you really get +6 TAB while being prone? I hate your character. And I knew I shouldn't engage him because he's level 5 and he has more equipment than Penny :(

And having to move diagonally, then straight again means you cannot charge.

OOC: Ok about the charge, no problem. My opposed roll is 20, so fail (-4 from being prone, -4 from PA, +4 from 2-handed weapon).

About the AoO: +5 BAB, +3 STR, +1 weapon, +1 knight's challenge, +2 Bracers, -4 prone, -4 PA. Arrgh! Missed the +2 from the (non-existing) charge... So +4 to hit. Which means I miss. Great.

Ok, I'm on the ground and disarmed.

ooc: Which means I get to live another round :P

Penny closes in with you, that's all for this round.

Tristram suddenly finds himself lying on the ground. As Penny closes in he tries to strike back, but the chain misses narrowly, and moments later he is unable to hold on to the chain as the heavy flail strikes the weapon out of his hands.

This is embarrasing... the knight says, before standing up, bracing for impact as he does so knowing very well how exposed he is.
Back on his feet however, he suddenly has his greatsword in hand, the large weapon almost leaping out of its scabbard. Then he strikes, but the sword swings wide.

Round 3:
  [Free] Draw greatsword (lesser crystal of return)
  [Move] Stand (provoke AoO)
  [Standard] Attack (9) miss

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 0
  Damage Dealt: 18

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 4 rounds

Final position: B6

Penny had not expected the knight to re-arm himself so quick, so her attack went wide. Ducking the greatsword the tiefling brought her three-balled weapon around Tristram's leg again, pulling hard ...

Round 3: AoO 17 - miss. (+4 Deft Opportunist, +4 prone)
  [Move]
  [Standard] Trip touch 14, trip 20 (+4 size +4 improved trip +4 strength)
  [free] Follow up attack if tripped... 19, damage 15pts+2 favored enemy, human.
  [Swift] Open cap.

Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 15 (11)

  Damage Taken: 18
  Damage Dealt: 17?

Effects:
 - Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes -
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.
 - Enlarged, 08rds.

Final position:  A/B 4/5

Once more, Tristram is unable to resist the tug and finds himself on his back. Unable to defend himself efficiently, he is hit by the heavy weapon leaving him breathless for a moment. Still, he gets back on his feet, and strikes back, once again missing wildly. Torm have mercy... he groans in frustration.

Round 4:
  [Free]
  [Move] Stand (provoke AoO)
  [Standard] Attack (9) miss

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 17
  Damage Dealt: 18

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 3 rounds

Final position: B6

The tiefling saw the opening in Tristram's defenses and struck. Again the spiked balls found the vulnerable area of his armor and slammed into his side, leaving mean puncture marks.

Penny was still hurting from the initial blow the knight had scored and she knew another such hit would most likely destroy her. Still she needed to take the human down or she would lose the third bout in a row. Not an enticing prospect. Casually she closed the lid on the shadows and exposed herself in the lights of the arena again. This time, she decided to go more carefully about it, moving defensively and attacking his right leg this time. A sharp tug showed what the knight was made of...

Round 4: AoO 32 - 14+2 fav.enemy. (+4 Deft Opportunist, +4 prone)
  [Swift] Close cap.
  [Standard] Trip touch 25 (nat.20), trip 18 (+4 size +4 improved trip +4 strength)
  [free] Follow up attack if tripped... 22, damage 16pts+2 favored enemy, human.
  [Move]

Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 15+3=18 (11+3=14) / Combat Expertise -3 TAB/ +3 AC (dodge)

  Damage Taken: 18
  Damage Dealt: 33pts. +18?

Effects:
 - [Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes - off atm.]
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.
 - Enlarged, 07rds.

Final position:  A/B 4/5

This time the knight is able to find his footing in time and stands his ground. Moving his feet he tugs a little at the flail, but not nearly enough to threaten to unbalance Penny. Swinging his greatsword at her with considerable force, the Tiefling still is able to avoid due to her change of style. Tristram notices the defensive posture and wonders how much that will hurt her offence.

Round 4:
  [Free] STR check (20), stay on feet. Opposed STR (4) no way.
  [Move]
  [Standard] Attack (17) miss

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 33
  Damage Dealt: 18

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 2 rounds

Final position: B6

OOC: Another near miss... of course. I only have 50% or better chance to hit you so why not. ::grumble::

Ranger and knight were trading blows but this time none of them managed to score, Penny noticed, thankful for having kept vigil against the vicious chain of her oponent.

She tried again but her attack hit the ground rather than anything tangeable. Frustrated she opened the cap on the pommel, her lips a tight line, and shadows surrounded both combatants again.

Round 5:

  [Standard] Trip touch 6 (nat.1) wheee... :(
  [free]
  [Move]
  [Swift] Open cap.

Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 15+3=18 (11+3=14) / Combat Expertise -3 TAB/ +3 AC (dodge)

  Damage Taken: 18
  Damage Dealt: 33pts.

Effects:
 - Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.
 - Enlarged, 06rds.

Final position:  A/B 4/5

Oh, for the love of Torm! comes Tristram's frustrated cry as he once more misses the elusive Penny.

Round 4:
  [Free]
  [Move]
  [Standard] Attack (12) miss

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 33
  Damage Dealt: 18

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 1 rounds

Final position: B6

"Seems like Beshaaba is playing games with us, sir knight!" Penny said sarcastically when she, too, drove her weapon into the dirt.

Round 6:

  [Standard] Trip touch 7 (nat.2) lol - you are not alone ;)
  [free]
  [Move]
  [Swift]

Status:
  Initiative: 9
  AC (Touch AC): 15+3=18 (11+3=14) / Combat Expertise -3 TAB/ +3 AC (dodge)

  Damage Taken: 18pts.
  Damage Dealt: 33pts.

Effects:
 - Darkness 20ft (20% miss chance for concealment), 4 minutes
 - Surefooted Stride, ignored Difficult Terrain, 2 minutes.
 - Enlarged, 05rds.

Final position:  A/B 4/5

The knight hops up slightly to avoid the sweep of the flail, timing it perfectly. The miss of the heavy weapon seems to unbalance Penny slightly, giving Tristram an opening. Like the seasoned gladiator he is, he thrusts forward the large blade, finding a gap in the armor and feeling it penetrate deeply into the flesh of the ranger.

Round 6:
  [Free]
  [Move]
  [Standard] Attack (19) hit, hit? (85) yes, damage (18)

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 19 (13)

  Damage Taken: 33
  Damage Dealt: 36

Effects: Bulwark of defence (threatened squares treated as difficult terrain)
Vigilant defender: DC for tumbling past/over increases +1/lvl (+5)
Shield block (+1 shield AC) vs Penny
Knight's challenge: +1 attack & damage vs Penny, 0 rounds

Final position: B6

OOC: Guessing this is the final round of this fight. Good show, and well done in keeping Tristram having to act like a simple fighter. That said, he does so quite well mostly due to PA, and an insane amount of hitpoints. In that respect he will always have an advantage in melee vs a ranger. Maybe Penny should have kept her distance instead (casting longstrider for example)?

Yes, it's over. Very funny, you cut off my way of retreat, to the left there was a lava pit and a jump without 20ft start is not smart for her. If she passed you you would have gotten an AoO and tripped her. How could she keep her distance? You have anklets to teleport, Penny only has the start-up items. Her AC sucks, so you're always going to win. *shrugs*

You relied on tripping, which is good, but should have used the combat expertise from the start. Every point of AC you add deducts a couple of damage points due to less PA damage.
The dangers of the arena is hardly my fault as you chose it :-)

I don't have much gear, and zero self-healing capacity, and would honestly have won without any. The lesser crystal of return is a great investment though.

Your first hit was a 21, and it was in a round that I wasn't fighting. I can only use combat expertise with the Attack action, not when drinking a potion or whatever else. It was just two hits that took me out. And your character relies on tripping too, mostly. You were lucky the portals brought you close to Penny, not away. I had planned on putting a few arrows into Tristram before closing in - but that was for naught.

I should have taken a step back though, capitalizing on reach when you didn't have. I had planned to do that this round, which she didn't experience. Oh well... Penny sucks.

In reply to Penny Dreadful (msg #23): she most certainly does not! She's just not built for a slug-fest against a knight. As for the portals they would likely have brought me close no matter what. Jumping across a 10' chasm is close to trivial for Tristram.
Tristram actually doesn't rely on tripping: he's not strong enough (or big). It was somewhat useful against the goblins though.
If you had stepped out of reach you could have attempted to disarm with impunity the second time since the greatsword doesn't grant reach. Penny is already a much better tripper than Tristram. Have you considered the Horizon Walker PrC for her? It would fit her well.

Actually no, Horizon Walker has some nice tricks but I am heading a different route. She's an urban ranger with urban tracking, but I'm going to invest in two levels wilderness rogue for Track, Run and survival so she can eventually take the Bloodhound PrC. I think I'm going to take the Power Attack feat when she becomes level six.

As I mentioned: I had planned to step away this round, I just didn't want Tristram to get out of her reach without an AoO.