>From: Stephen Rennell <steve_at_...> > >Last night my players ended up in a 5 way horse race. Lots of preparation, >scoping out the competitors, getting advice... It was quite a lot of fun.
Neat contest. And I like what you did, and Bruce's suggestion as well. I'd have done something a bit non-standard, myself. The highest bidder goes after another character, essentially stating that they want to get ahead of this individual. If they win, they get out to lead, and if they lose they stumble on the starting line, or whathaveyou. Then each character just "attacks" another just like in any other extended contest. Winning a round means gaining comparative advantage - the character that loses points is falling behind. Yes, behind everyone, becasue each character is being considered in relation to the others. That is, a failure to keep up with one is a failure to keep up with all.
The only change that's neccessary is to drop the transfer rule, and make them just normal losses of the same amount. Much like original HW.
Example:
Five characters A through E each with 30 AP. The number after the name in
parenthesis are the running scores.
Round 1:
- A(30) vs B(30) bid 15. B wins witn a total victory, and A is left behind
by everyone else as his attempt to spur his horse on hard at the line goes
awry and the horse pulls up lame.
- D vs B bid 12. D wins minor and gets ahead of B(18).
Order at end of round 1: E and D in first, C in second, B in third, and A
DNF.
Round 2:
- D vs B bid 4. B wins and makes up some ground on D(26)
Order at end of 2: D in first, E in second, C in third, and B out of the race trailing to the rear.
Round 3:
- C vs E desperation bid 15. C wins, and catches up with E(9).
Order at the end of 3: E and C tied for first, with D just behind (and B way back of the pack).
Round 4:
- C vs E bids 10. E wins, and C's horse (-1) can't take the strain and slows
to a trot.
- D vs C bids 7 (NPC can't bid more). D wins x2, and leaves the others in
the dust as he crosses the finish line.
The cool thing about this is that you can't just "pick on" the small guy. Sure the pack may leave him behind, but then you still all have to contend with each other. Yeah it favors the best ability a tad, but I don't think it's problematic.
Mike
Powered by hypermail