Arena: Troll Hunter vs. Gnoll Band

Arena: Troll Hunter vs. Gnoll Band

In this installment of the arena, we decided to try a "one versus many" scenario - a troll hunter versus a band of two gnoll warriors and two gnoll slave-takers (marked with purple dots on the map). 

Second 1

Troll Hunter: We assumed that both parties arrived to the arena ready, so the troll has his SM+1 javelin ready. He throws it at one of the gnoll warriors. Range penalty is -5. (Rolls 6 vs. 10). The gnoll tries to dodge. (Rolls 14 vs. 10). That's a failure. The troll rolls damage. (Rolls 7 on 2d+1). As the gnoll is armored with DR 3, only 4 impaling damage goes through and transforms into 8 points of injury. This is a major wound, so the gnoll rolls against HT. (Rolls 6 vs. 11). No knockdown ensues. The gnoll is at 3/11 HP.

Gnolls: All four gnolls retreat to upstairs to the wooden construction behind them to gain high ground.

Second 2

Troll Hunter: The troll takes a step forward and readies his SM+1 Reach 3 great axe.

Gnolls: The gnolls arrange themselves along the edge of the platform.

Second 3

Troll Hunter: The troll moves 6 yards forward.

Gnolls: Gnoll slave-takers Aim (they have large nets ready). Gnoll warriors do All-Out Defense (Double).

Second 4

Troll Hunter: The troll moves again, approaching the wooden platform.

Gnolls: Gnoll slave-takers throw their nets at the troll. The platform is 3 yards tall, and so it the troll, so the Firing Downward "range bonus" does not matter here. The first gnoll slave-taker makes his throw. (Rolls 11 vs. 15). The troll deems parrying suboptimal, because his great axe is unbalanced, so he opts to dodge. (Rolls 9 vs. 10). The second gnoll slave-taker makes his throw. (Rolls 12 vs. 15). The troll dodges with a penalty for multiple dodges. (Rolls 11 vs. 9). That's a failure, so he is ensnared now. Gnoll warriors move downstairs and get behind the troll.

Second 5

Troll Hunter: To free himself, the troll must either succeed at three DX-4 rolls or destroy the net with claws or teeth. The net is a diffuse object with HP 21, so it's going to take a while to destroy. The troll drops his axe to have both his hands free and avoid getting an additional penalty and rolls against DX-4. (Rolls 7 vs. 9). That's the first success, he is somewhat disentangled.

Gnolls: Gnoll slave-takers perform All-Out Attacks (Long), stabbing with their shortswords at the troll's skull. They do not get a bonus for their elevation, but the troll gets a -3 penalty to defend. (Rolls 13 vs. 7 and 14 vs. 7). Both miss. Gnoll warriors do All-Out Attacks (Determined) to swing their axes at the troll's neck from the back. (Rolls 15 vs. 11 and 10 vs. 11). One axe connects, and the troll gets no defense. The gnoll rolls damage. (Rolls 5 on 2d-1). The troll has DR 2, so 3 damage goes through and transforms into 6 injury. The troll lacks High Pain Threshold, so his next roll to free himself will be penalized.

Second 6

Troll Hunter: The troll regenerates 1 HP and tries to free himself. (Rolls 12 vs. 5). That's a failure. He cannot do anything else.

Gnolls: Gnoll slave-takers move from upstairs and surround the troll with their warriors. One of them does this as a Move and Attack. (Rolls 12 vs. 9). The shortsword goes wide. The gnoll warriors hack into the troll's neck again as Telegraphic All-Out Attack (Strong). (Rolls 10 vs. 11 and 10 vs. 11). That's two hits. The gnolls roll damage. (Rolls 10 on 2d+1 and 8 on 2d+1). These attacks deal 16 and 12 injury, respectively. That's two major wounds, and an additional HT roll for the troll to stay conscious, because he dropped into negative HP. (Rolls 6 vs. 13, 16 vs. 13, and 12 vs. 13). The troll is knocked down and stunned. After that we decide that the gnolls successfully manage to hack the stunned, ensnared, prone troll into pieces.

Afterword

This was a very interesting fight. I was controlling the troll, and I was expecting to win here. I have never seen the nets in action before, but now I see how strong they can be.