Not being able to paint at the moment I decided to actually play some games.
Here's a quick report for a Habet Hoc Habet game using 54mm minis. Didn't last long but was quite good fun.
I'll being doing the same thing with Blood on the Sands (Thraex vs Murmillo) to see how it goes.
Celadus the Thraex and Spartaks the Murmillo stood facing each other across the sacred sand of the arena. Both men had yet to prove themselves outside the training grounds of the Ludus and the crowd called for blood. 
Both gladiators are rated novice so only draw 2 cards each for initiative.
Celadus draws a 9 of clubs and a 3 of spades whilst Spartaks draws an ace of diamonds and a 4 of hearts. Spartaks draws an extra card for the ace, a Jack of hearts.
Spartaks goes first with the Jack of hearts.
With a bellow the Murmillo suddenly broke into a run, leaping towards the Thraex and bringing his gladius crashing down upon Celadus. The thraex brought his parma up deflecting the blow but almost broke his arm in the process! The blade bit deep into the small shield but failed to penetrate it. Celadus reeled back as a second blow barely missed his head. The crowd erupted at the brutal display of power from the young Murmillo.
Celadus shifted his footing and brought his sica around in a wide arc in an attempt to get around the Murmillo’s scutum but it bounced harmlessly off the heavy shield.
Spartaks stepped in and lunged with his gladius barely missing the young thraex whilst Celadus, seeing an opening struck at the Murmillo’s leading leg. The blade struck home, glancing of Spartaks’ bronze ocrea.
Spartaks elected to use an “all-out” attack with gave him a bonus to hit as-well as a greater chance to cause damage. Rolling a 7 to hit he easily struck Celadus, whilst the thraex failed to parry with a roll of 4! Rolling the location came up with a “5” which indicated the left arm ( luckily his shield arm) with a total damage of 6. The shield has a save of 4+ which was easily made and absorbed 5 damage with one point injuring Celadus’ left arm.
Trying to press his advantage Spartaks used the “Ace” to make another attack but rolled badly ( a “4”), missing his mark.
Celadus acted on the 9 of clubs rolling an “8” to hit whilst Spartaks parried with his scutum with a “6”. Celadus rolled a 3 for damage and even with the sica’s +1 damage vs shields failed to penetrate.
Spartaks acted on the 4 of hearts and again missed his mark with a roll of “5”.
Celadus acted on the 3 of spades rolling a “7” to hit whilst Spartaks fails his parry with a “3”. Rolling a “2” for location indicates the left leg. Spartaks makes his armour save with a “7” and Celadus only managed 3 damage which fails to penetrate.
At the end of the first round the Murmillo had accrued 3 Fatigue and 1 Popularity whilst the Thraex had accrued 1 Fatigue.
Spartaks drew a 5 of clubs and a 3 of diamonds and Celadus drew a King of spades and a 4 of clubs.
Celadus acted first on the King of spades.
Celadus shifted his grip on his sica and lashed at the right side of the Murmillo. Spartaks was caught off guard and the blow slid past his shield, slicing deeply into his manica. The force of the impact sent him off balance, his own elbow striking himself in the ribs, forcing the air from his lungs.
A roar went up from the crown as the Murmillo gasped for breath.
Spartaks swung wildly with his gladius but cut nothing but air, the Thraex easily avoiding his blow.
Sensing that victory was close, Celadus brought his sica down in an attempt to finish the Murmillo. Spartaks caught the flash of the blade as it streaked down towards his head and brought his scutum up with all of his strength. The sica struck the metal boss of his shield and sparks flew as blade was almost jarred from the Thraex’s hand.
With the Thraex off-balance, Spartaks brought his gladius around in a low arc, throwing all of his strength behind it. The blade struck home, slicing deep into Celadus’ thigh, sending the Thraex crashing to the sand.
A cry of “Habet, Hoc Habet!!” went up from the crowd. Celadus acted on the King of spades rolling a natural ”10” with his sica, a critical hit!!! Spartaks failed to parry and was struck in his right arm. Spartaks made his armour save but unfortunately Celadus rolled poorly for damage ( only a 3)which failed to penetrate Spartaks’ manica. Because this was a critical hit, the actual damage is applied to the armour, reducing its defence from 4 to 1. Rolling on the critical hit table resulted in Spartaks being “Winded” and only able to move at half rate for this and the next round.
Spartaks acted on the 5 of clubs and totally missed Celadus rolling a 2 to hit.
Celadus acted on the 4 of clubs and missed his strike with a roll of “5”. Spartaks, however, rolled a “10” for his parry which is critical parry. This caused “actual” damage to the attacking weapon. Spartaks rolled a “4” for damage , reducing the defence of Celadus’ sica from 6 to 2.
Spartaks acted on the 3 of diamonds rolling an “8” to hit, whilst Celadus rolled a measly “4” to parry. The location rolled was Celadus’ left leg. Celadus failed his armour save and took 6 points of damage.
As this reduced the original health in that location to “0” with one strike it was deemed a “Mighty Blow”. The effect of this was to only be able to crawl and only be able to take 2D3 actions until he passed out! He rolled managed to roll a total of “5”.
At the end of this round Spartaks had gained a total of 6 Popularity and 1 Fatigue whilst Celadus had gained a net total of 2 Popularity and 1 Fatigue.
Spartaks drew the 6 of spades and the 3 of hearts and Celadus drew the Jack of diamonds and the 5 of hearts.
The Thraex’s heart pounded in his chest as he lay looking up at the towering form of the Murmillo. He could see his own blood rudely splashed across Spartak’s shield, the roar of the crowd beating his head like waves. He knew that to show fear could tip the crowd and would mean his certain death. Pulling upon all the reserves of strength he could muster he rolled onto his side and struck out at the Murmillo’s un-armoured leg. The effort was futile and his blade failed to strike home. The crowd roared their approval at his show of courage with calls of “Mitte!”
Celadus let his sica slip from his hand and slowly raised his fingers…………. Celadus acted on the Jack of diamonds, attempting to strike the Murmillo whilst prone. He missed, but still counted as using an action whilst having received a “Might Blow” so gained 1D6 Popularity.
Seeing the writing on the wall he surrendered and threw himself on the mercy of the crowd.
Celadus rolled his “Appeal to The Crowd” ( Rolling 67) and was spared to fight again.
This particular match didn't last long but it was the first I have actually recorded blow for blow. I have had varying results from protracted slugfests to a decapitation in the first round!!!!
As I said, I will run and record some matches of Blood on the Sands and see how they go.
Regards
PM
August 04, 2011, 01:18:13 PM
