Calling All Writers!

[Nate]

Thanks Kreegan, I'll try and get the additional skill sentences into the game in the near future. The green skill sentences would be candidates for easy additional text as well. I.e. block, armour penetrations, etc. If you need a list of them let me know. The gladiators entering the arena could be cool. I wonder if it would be more interesting to somehow allow the player to choose their entrance from a collection of sentences or something like that which allows them to create a semi-custom intro. I've often wondered if players would be interested in somehow customizing the fight text themselves. Since the game is a text based game and doesn't offer all the nifty customizable options that other games have. The main issue I could see with this is quality control and foul language usage etc. A first step though would be canned intros like you are creating.

EDIT: Here are the green sentence categories right now:

Block = A shimmering field of blue light surrounds GLADIATOR2's armour!
Armour Penetration = GLADIATOR1's weapon screams as it bites deep!
Kill = An ominous column of red and black mist shoots down upon { GLADIATOR1 }!
Life Protection = A brilliant golden light surrounds { GLADIATOR1 }!

[Kreegan]

Here's something for the green skills:

Armour Penetration:
Alternative 1: GLADIATOR1 effortlessly drives his/her weapon directly through GLADIATOR2's armour.
Alternative 2: GLADIATOR2's armour fails to provide any protection against the extraordinary strike.
Alternative 3: The weapon of GLADIATOR1 blurs strangely and meets no resistence from GLADIATOR2's armour.
Alternative 4: GLADIATOR1's weapon goes right for GLADIATOR2's flesh like a hungry predator.

Block:
Alternative 1: An invisible barrier gets in the way, breaking the attack of GLADIATOR1.
Alternative 2: GLADIATOR1's weapon astonishingly bounces off the very air in front of GLADIATOR2's armour.
Alternative 3: As if it has suddenly become alive, GLADIATOR2's armour turns into an impenetrable obstacle.
Alternative 4: GLADIATOR2 looks amazed after his/her weapon is repelled by a mighty force.

Life Protection:
Alternative 1: GLADIATOR2 looks confused as a mysterious power causes him/her to drop his/her weapon right before he/she could deliver the death blow.
Alternative 2: GLADIATOR2's muscles are suddenly paralyzed when he/she tries to finish GLADIATOR1.
Alternative 3: A golden barrier deflects GLADIATOR2's weapon high in the air when he/she tries to kill GLADIATOR1.
Alternative 4: A maginificent cone of light moves GLADIATOR1 to safety just before GLADIATOR1 could strike for the last time.

Kill:
Alternative 1: The Blood Gods themselves force GLADIATOR2's weapon into the flesh of the unworthy GLADIATOR1.
Alternative 2: GLADIATOR1 is suddenly engulfed in white-hot flames, turning him into a screaming torch.
Alternative 3: A horrifying sound coming from the very fabric of the world fills the ears of everybody on the arena right before GLADIATOR1's body explodes into thousand pieces.
Alternative 4: Blood-red light illuminates GLADIATOR1 as a final verdict and the Enforcer commands GLADIATOR2 to execute it.

[Nate]

As many you will have noticed, the new sentences Kreegan created are now live in the game. Please join me in thanking Kreegan for his help. Anyhow else who is interested in helping out, you are welcome anytime.

Good luck in the Pit!

-Nate-

[Nate]

Anyone can offer new sentences for any that have already been listed above. In addition we could still use more for the following:

Signature Move: Disarm
Signature Move: Sweep
Signature Move: Blind

For the whip
Entangle: Disarm
Entangle: Sweep

For the above, it is possible they are not successful, so keep that in mind. That is why they usually read like:
"{ WarriorName } looks to sweep { TargetName } with one of { WarriorHis } signature moves!"

Moving forward please use the following tags:

Names:
GLADIATOR1 = { WarriorName }
GLADIATOR2 = { TargetName }

Gender:
GLADIATOR1 Him, His, He, Himself = { WarriorHim }, { WarriorHis }, { WarriorHe }, { WarriorHimself }
GLADIATOR2 Him, His, He, Himself = { TargetHim }, { TargetHis }, { TargetHe }, { TargetHimself }


Other tags you can use in your sentences:

Weapon:
GLADIATOR1's weapon = { ActiveWeaponName }
GLADIATOR2's weapon = { TargetActiveWeaponName }

Race:
GLADIATOR1's race = { WarriorRace }
GLADIATOR2's race = { TargetWarriorRace }

If you need access to something else let me know and if there is already a tag for it I'll let you know, and if not I can try look into adding it.

Good luck in the Pit!

-Nate-

[Stormcloak]

Thanks Kreegan and Nate!
FWIW, I also like the idea of custom "stock" intros to choose from for your gladiators

[Apoca1ypse]

Whip sig move disarm:

A loud crack rings out across the arena as { WarriorName } tries to strike the hands of { TargetName } with { WarriorHis } { ActiveWeaponName }.

{ WarriorName } seeks to ensnare { TargetName }'s { TargetActiveWeaponName } and pull it to the ground with { WarriorHis } { ActiveWeaponName }




Whip Sig move Sweep:

{ WarriorName } seeks to tangle up the feet of { TargetName } with a well aimed strike from { WarriorHis } { ActiveWeaponName }.

The crowd gasps in anticipation as { WarriorName } tries to use { WarriorHis } { ActiveWeaponName } to pull the feet out from underneath { TargetName }



Generic sig moves

Signature Move: Disarm

{ WarriorName } seeks to ensnare { TargetName }'s { TargetActiveWeaponName } and cast it aside with { WarriorHis } { ActiveWeaponName }

{ WarriorName } strikes the hands of { TargetName } in an attempt to get { TargetHim } to drop { TargetHis } { TargetActiveWeaponName }



Signature Move: Sweep

The crowd cheers as { WarriorName } tries to kick the feet out from underneath { TargetName }.

Members of the crowd cringe as { WarriorName } kicks the side of { TargetName }'s knee in an attempt to drive { TargetHim } to the ground.



Signature Move: Blind

In { WarriorHis } signature sneakiness, { WarriorName } kicks sand into the eyes of { TargetName } in an attempt to blind { TargetHim }

{ TargetName } cries out in disgust as { WarriorHis } kicks sand into { TargetHis } eyes.

While their weapons are locked, { WarriorName } uses the opportunity to spit some coughed up blood into the eyes of { TargetName } in { WarriorHis } signature visceral fighting style ***not happy with this one

While their weapons are locked, { WarriorName }'s visceral fighting style comes to the fore, as { WarriorHe } uses the opportunity to spit some coughed up blood into the eyes of { TargetName }



Some for kills, if possible? Blood for the Blood God(s)! am I right?

{ WarriorName } maniacally roars in triumph as { TargetHe } tears the head off of { TargetName }'s battered corpse

{ WarriorName } dedicates his victory to the Blood Gods by ending the life of { TargetName }, sending gore across the arena sands.

{ TargetName }'s body is rent asunder by { WarriorName }, who proceeds to pose over the now ruined corpse

The crowd cheers as { WarriorName } eviscerates { TargetName } before the Enforcer can end the fight.

{ WarriorName } holds { TargetName }'s severed head towards the sky as an offering to the Blood Gods

[Stormcloak]

Here's a few more canned entrances, on top of the couple Kreegan did...

Gladiator1 emerges to the thunderous applause of the crowd and purposefully takes up his position. Standing perfectly still, he does nothing except glare with intent into the eyes of his opponent. The cries from the spectators soon die down from the lack of flourish… they know Gladiator1 means business and that this will get ugly.

Gladiator1 enters the theatre of blood and kneels down on the sands. Bowing his head, he grabs a handful as he whispers a prayer to The Blood Gods. He then rises and looks off to the distance… there has been a shift in the winds…

Gladiator1 arrogantly struts into the arena amidst the hisses and catcalls from the audience. He sneers at them with a rude gesture which seems to only enflame them more.

Gladiator1 pushes his handlers out of the way and plants himself in the middle of the arena. Snorting heavily, he clangs his weapon off his shoulder and with a deafening cry raises his arms to the sky as he turns around to meet the approval of the crowd.

Gladiator1 runs onto the field to meet the fanfare and adulation of his fans. He pulls off his helmet to display his beaming smile, blows them a kiss, and bows to the crowd.

The door rises, and Gladiator1 is sitting on the bench meticulously sharpening his weapon. He looks out to the arena and screaming fans and rises, putting on his helmet to meet them and face the unfortunate individual before him.

Gladiator1 walks onto the field with a perfectly choreographed display of movement and pattern with his weapon, as he strikes at imaginary foes with practised precision and grace. He finishes with a salute to the Grand Stand, and shoves his weapon into the sands as he defiantly faces his enemy.

[Adoede]

I've often wondered if players would be interested in somehow customizing the fight text themselves. Since the game is a text based game and doesn't offer all the nifty customizable options that other games have. The main issue I could see with this is quality control and foul language usage etc. A first step though would be canned intros like you are creating.

That would be very cool....

[Adoede]

Here are some suggestions for spicing up the Parry/Dodge texts:

Critical Parries:
1) Nate's Broadsword rings as it deftly intercepts the attack!
2) With a subtle shift in his stance, Nate masterfully positions his Wall shield to negate the attack!
3) Nate forcefully shoves the strike aside with a dismissive grunt!
4) Nate's Epee flashes back and forth as he skillfully deflects the force of the blow!
5) Summoning the will of the gods, Nate absorbs the full force of the blow and stands unmoved!

Critical Dodges:
1) With lightning quick reflexes, Nate snakes out of harm's way!
2) Nate contorts his body in an impossible display of balance as the attack sails harmlessly by!
3) Nate's body is a blur of motion as he dances his way around the attack!
4) Opponent looks like he's moving in slow motion as Nate easily ducks under the path of the attack!
5) Nate thoroughly outmaneuvers Opponent leaving his opponent striking at air!
6) Opponent watches incredulously as Nate runs up the arena wall and leaps over the attack!

[Adoede]

Finally had a chance to edit a fight to show what I thought it might look like to add more detail of the initiative battles going on to add more color to the fights:
Initiative texts are added in red...

R O U N D 1
>> BLOODY LADY SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 1
>> SERAPH MITHROS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 1

Sparks fly as the gladiators fight for the initiative!
SERAPH MITHROS quickly seizes on an opening to attack!
SERAPH MITHROS runs uncontrollably back and forth.
SERAPH MITHROS tries to injure BLOODY LADY.
SERAPH MITHROS's ANCIENT TRIDENT OF THE BLOOD GODS tastes victory and inflicts massive injuries on BLOODY LADY's upper arm! (+305 Damage)
BLOODY LADY's arm might never fully heal!!! *** Serious Injury ***
Resisted Can Not Defend Effect!

>> SERAPH MITHROS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 3

Weapons clash as the fighters engage with deadly intent!
BLOODY LADY seizes the initiative and moves to strike!
BLOODY LADY jumps and skips around SERAPH MITHROS.
BLOODY LADY lunges, her ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS moving with deadly accuracy.
BLOODY LADY looks to hamstring SERAPH MITHROS! (-Hamstring-)
The blow to SERAPH MITHROS's outer thigh lands with beastly force! (+198 Damage)

BLOODY LADY looks at the crowd as she whirls around the battle field.
BLOODY LADY seeks to slash her adversary.
BLOODY LADY tries to fake SERAPH MITHROS out with a few twirls of her weapon! (-Feint-)
BLOODY LADY smiles after the magnificent hit to SERAPH MITHROS's knee! (+202 Damage)

Weapons cross as the combatants fight for the advantage!
BLOODY LADY's ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS is a blur of steel.
Freakish slash to the back of SERAPH MITHROS's leg almost removes it about mid thigh...blood sprays from the wound like a fire hose! (+204 Damage)
Resisted Must Defend Effect!

SERAPH MITHROS looks at his body and notices he has taken a few hits!

Sparks fly as the gladiators fight for the initiative!
SERAPH MITHROS makes a decisive move to attack!
SERAPH MITHROS moves furiously trying to gain the advantage.
SERAPH MITHROS charges forward, his ANCIENT TRIDENT OF THE BLOOD GODS stabbing with lightning quick speed.
SERAPH MITHROS aims for BLOODY LADY's front leg..
Cyclopean strike spears BLOODY LADY in the ankle and nearly rips her foot off! (+317 Damage)
BLOODY LADY drops to one knee after the shot!

BLOODY LADY bursts out aggressively to take control of the match!
BLOODY LADY attempts to strike from the ground.
BLOODY LADY tries to carve into her adversary with her ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS.
SERAPH MITHROS twists away but is caught with a hard slash to the leg! (+32 Damage)

R O U N D 2
BLOODY LADY almost gets up onto her feet, but gets kicked back down!
Blood continues to pour from SERAPH MITHROS's body!!!

Sparks fly as the gladiators fight for the initiative!
The gladiators circle one another hungry for a weakness to exploit!
SERAPH MITHROS pounces on an opportunity to strike!
SERAPH MITHROS moving with awesome speed makes a swift lunge with his ANCIENT TRIDENT OF THE BLOOD GODS.
With a beastly thrust BLOODY LADY's lower arm is mangled as the weapon enters and is then retracted! (+172 Damage)

BLOODY LADY has taken some slight damage from this fight!

BLOODY LADY wills herself to regain the initiative!
BLOODY LADY moves around on the ground looking for an opening to strike.
BLOODY LADY lunges forward, thrusting with her ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS.
The sight of blood cheers the fans as the blow hits SERAPH MITHROS in the Achilles tendon! (+52 Damage)

Weapons cross as the combatants fight for the advantage!
SERAPH MITHROS catches his opponent off-balance and moves to attack!
SERAPH MITHROS hurtles uncontrollably back and forth.
SERAPH MITHROS looks to an off handed strike to deal damage.
SERAPH MITHROS counter attacks.
SERAPH MITHROS looks to hamstring BLOODY LADY! (-Hamstring-)
A shimmering field of blue light surrouds BLOODY LADY's armour! (-Block-)
BLOODY LADY's armour protects her!

The gladiators trade blows as they seek to wear down one another’s defenses.
BLOODY LADY presses through her opponent’s defenses!
BLOODY LADY moves around on the ground looking for an opening to strike.
BLOODY LADY whips around with her off hand.
BLOODY LADY moves at SERAPH MITHROS with an unsteady shield bash.
SERAPH MITHROS is filled with power! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
BLOODY LADY goes for SERAPH MITHROS's calf and connects with her ANCIENT TOWER SHIELD OF THE BLOOD GODS creating tiny wounds. (+3 Damage)

R O U N D 3
BLOODY LADY yells in frustration as she looks for an opening to stand!
SERAPH MITHROS has some pretty nasty cuts and bruises on his body!!
SERAPH MITHROS is no longer affected by Hamstring

SERAPH MITHROS bursts out aggressively to take control of the match!
SERAPH MITHROS dances and skips around BLOODY LADY.
SERAPH MITHROS overtakes BLOODY LADY and seeks to jab his opponent.
A shimmering field of blue light surrouds BLOODY LADY's armour! (-Block-)
BLOODY LADY's armour protects her!

SERAPH MITHROS takes a step back to catch a quick breather.

BLOODY LADY sees an opportunity to strike.
BLOODY LADY attempts to strike from the ground.
BLOODY LADY looks to cleave SERAPH MITHROS.
Mighty slash rips a chunk out of SERAPH MITHROS's right leg! (+59 Damage)

Sparks fly as the gladiators fight for the initiative!
Sparks fly as the gladiators fight for the initiative!
SERAPH MITHROS seizes the initiative and moves to strike!
SERAPH MITHROS charges uncontrollably to and fro.
SERAPH MITHROS moves off a riposte and strikes with his PRIMEVAL KNUCKLE DUSTER OF THE BLOOD GOD.
SERAPH MITHROS is aiming at BLOODY LADY's leading leg.
SERAPH MITHROS lands a strike on BLOODY LADY's shoulder creating crippling wounds! (+162 Damage)

Weapons cross as the combatants fight for the advantage!
BLOODY LADY wills herself to regain the initiative!
BLOODY LADY tries to attack from the ground.
BLOODY LADY makes a clumsy attack with her ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS.
BLOODY LADY's ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS is intercepted with a well placed block.

BLOODY LADY tries to attack from the ground.
BLOODY LADY attempts to cripple SERAPH MITHROS.
An unimpressive injury occurs on SERAPH MITHROS's forearm. (+24 Damage)

R O U N D 4
BLOODY LADY can't find an opening to stand!
Open wounds continue to bleed on BLOODY LADY's body!!!
Open wounds continue to bleed on SERAPH MITHROS's body!!!
SERAPH MITHROS is no longer affected by Strength of the Crowd

SERAPH MITHROS sees an opportunity to strike.
SERAPH MITHROS moves off a block and attacks with his ANCIENT TRIDENT OF THE BLOOD GODS.
A massive wound is opened on BLOODY LADY's foot! (+175 Damage)

>> BLOODY LADY SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 5
BLOODY LADY has a lot of wounds on her body!!

BLOODY LADY presses through her opponent’s defenses!
BLOODY LADY moves around on the ground looking for an opening to strike.
BLOODY LADY's timing is off, but she attacks with her ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS anyway.
BLOODY LADY is aiming at SERAPH MITHROS's trailing leg.
Small slash to SERAPH MITHROS's inner thigh removes several curly hairs. (+25 Damage)

SERAPH MITHROS makes a decisive move to attack!
SERAPH MITHROS makes a poorly timed attack with his ANCIENT TRIDENT OF THE BLOOD GODS.
BLOODY LADY's armour protects her from the attack!

BLOODY LADY bursts out aggressively to take control of the match!
BLOODY LADY attempts to strike from the ground.
BLOODY LADY closes on SERAPH MITHROS and seeks to slice her opponent.
BLOODY LADY's ANCIENT SABER OF THE BLOOD GODS connects with SERAPH MITHROS's upper calf inflicting freakish injuries! (+94 Damage)

SERAPH MITHROS can't take much more of this beating!!!

BLOODY LADY howls as her finishing blow is intercepted by the Enforcer!
The victor is showered in cheers!
The fight lasted 37 seconds!