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The Gauntlet
hosted by LAP
((OOC NOTE: All images
on this page borrowed from the movie, First Knight,
the original inspiration for creating this RPing activity.))
History and a New Beginning:
With the decision to include the Gauntlet in Nouvelle Aube's first Festival of Beltane, a barrier was erected,
cordoning off the area that was to house the massive obstacle course. Curtains
were hung at a height of eight feet, blocking everyone's view of the
construction of this mammoth machine. It was not until the actual opening of
the festival that anyone other than the Festival Guardians could finally glimpse
the object that would test the dexterity of those who dared attempt a running.
It stood twenty
feet tall at its highest point and eighty feet from start to end. The platforms
were easily six feet from the ground. Hay was scattered in great piles twenty
feet out from the structure, for those less fortunate in their attempt. Beneath
the platforms were great gears, used to start the pendulum effect that would put
and keep the Gauntlet in motion.
The Gauntlet has since become a nemesis for thousands of
people who've attempted to best the machine. With the exception of a few
brave souls, it has forever triumphed and remained... The Gauntlet.
And so it was for years, the Gauntlet testing those brave or
foolish enough to try every Beltane for year upon year as well as appearing
every now and again when the public clamoring for it compelled Kyral Laithe,
it's owner and creator to roll it out and set it's mighty gears in motion once again.
From the moment the Sunhaven had first step foot upon it the Beast, as she took
to calling it, it fascinated and compelled her to answer it's challenge. So it was with mixed feelings that she
received the letter from Kyral giving her complete and total ownership of the Gauntlet.
Sadness and longing for a friend who had taken a major turn in her life's path,
and also elation that the Beast which had captivated her attention for so many
years would run again.
Some work was needed after it's arrival for the Beast had sat
idle and neglected for almost a year A massive refitting was in order,
new leather and sawdust for the dodge balls, polishing and
sharpening the steel blades and the axes, and the replacing different belts and gears in it's
underbelly, methodically going through the machine from top to bottom to assure every piece of it was in perfect order. Also redone was the proctor's seat, it had been reinforced and
widened, and upholstered as well, after all the proctor spent many hours sitting
there watching the Beast defeat person after person, with only the rare
individual besting it and reaching the far platform.
But where to establish the Gauntlet, now that it's refit was
completed? There was a perfectly suitable field adjacent to the
Solar
Eclipse Tavern, and that field had the added benefit of being less than a mile
from the Brakala Hospital, should a participant encounter extreme injury.
So it was decided. Besides, many seemed to do better after they'd had a
few drinks so having the Beast housed adjacent to the tavern seemed perfect for
all concerned.
____________________________________________________________
Description:
At the base
of the Gauntlet, helpers wait to aid in fitting padding on those who wish it.
It is highly recommended, as there is no less than a six foot drop if you should
falter. You should also note that the blades used in the Gauntlet are authentic
and rather sharp. Padding is highly recommended.
Stage
One: Rotating Platform
After
climbing the steps to the initial platform, you are faced with a rotating
platform. It is roughly ten feet long and one foot wide. The beginning is
almost stationary, with the end rotating in a three foot circle, thus moving the
platform up, down and to the sides more as you move along it. Two dexterity
checks ((4+ on 1d20)) are required to successfully make it onto the platform at
the other end.
Stage
Two: Dodgeball
With only a
two foot "stable" platform, you are forced directly into the next stage. The
first obstacle is a rotating bar with three "arms" on it, flattened lengths of
wood similar to an oar. Great balls of cowhide, filled with sawdust, rotate on
four-post spindles beyond the arms. They are staggered on either side of the
platform, thus allowing them to cover the same space in some areas. In this
fifteen foot section, there are four such rotating obstacles as well as a
two-foot drop in the platform. Two dexterity checks ((7+ on 1d20)) are required
to successfully make it onto the platform at the other end.
Stage
Three: Piercing Blades
Again, there
is only a two foot "stable" platform between the two stages. Stage three is ten
feet long, atop a platform with many slits in it. Through the slits rise blades
of varying lengths, shoving up in a thrusting manner. Two dexterity checks
((10+ on 1d20)) are required to successfully make it through the blades to the
next platform.
Stage
Four: Pendulum Axe Blades
In the final
stage, great pendulums swing from the frame overhead. On the end of each of the
pendulums is a massive axe head. The axe heads are different in size and shape,
but none are dull. Extreme dexterity and cunning is needed to time your passage
through this twenty-five foot section of the Gauntlet. Three dexterity checks
((13+ on 1d20)) are required to successfully make it through the pendulum
blades. Upon the third successful check in this stage, you can congratulate
yourself on expert navigation.
You've just
run the Gauntlet.
____________________________________________________________
(( This role-play activity was created and developed by
the player of Kyral Laithe and as such given
specifically and solely to the player of TheLdyDes.
Please do not imitate, copy, or simulate this event. Contact
theldydes@aol.com if you are
interested in having the Gauntlet appear at a function or event you are
planning, and LAP would gladly oversee its use. Thank you.))
Rules:
-
There is a 25 QC entry
fee for each attempt at the Gauntlet and an individual is limited to 4
runs per night,
unless otherwise stated by the owner or her representatives.
- All participants
will roll dexterity checks using 1d20. A successful check allows the
participant to continue. Please wait for dexterity checks to be called
for. Do not just roll randomly.
- All participants
will be allowed three saving throws. Saving throws will use 1d10 and
are successful on a roll of 8-10. A successful saving throw allows
the participant to "catch" him/herself and continue. One saving
throw is allowed per failed dexterity check. No doubling or tripling
the rolls (i.e., no saving on failed saves).
- Please keep things
realistic and don't simply "fly over" the obstacles, break or
smash your way through them, or climb across the
top frame. To successfully navigate, you must go through
the stage, not over or under it.
- The queue keeper
must be contacted to sign up and participants will be called in the order
in which they appear on the queue keeper's list.
- A proctor will be
provided for the duration of this event on each night it is scheduled.
No one other than the assigned proctor can oversee this event or submit
results.
Clean runs: A clean run is a run in which the
participant completes their run of the Gauntlet without using any of their
saving throws. As this is an extraordinary accomplishment, special
note and awards will be presented to any participant achieving a clean
run.
____________________________________________________________
Laurė Anor Provinces
01.23.08
Running the Gauntlet
[ AIM Room ]
From 8:00 PM EST until ??
November
'07 Awards:
-
The first successful run earns 2,000
QC.
-
Completing Stage
Three earns 150 QC.
-
Completing Stage
Four earns 1,000 QC, completing a clean run doubles that to 2,000 QC.
Various sandwiches, snacks, and drinks are being provided free of charge
compliments
of
Smokehouse Meats & Cheeses,
Dreamweaver's,
Preludio, and
Haunted Valley Brewery.
Champions:
New Wall of Champions
first finisher:
LEIF ARENDAL of LAP - clean run
March '07
Nouvelle Aube's Wall of Champions
[ pre-2007 ]
Run Records:: [
03.24.07 ]
[ 03.25.07
] [ 05.30.07 ]
[ 07.24.07 & 07.29.07
] [ 11.17.07 ] |
