Slam Ball
"That was the play of the tournament, Gred! We haven't seen the like in decades!"
"The obvious comparison would be back in '65, Fode. That was when the great Jace Kruger scored by baiting the Maw to strike and effectively riding the debris from the ground over the flame wall and directly in front of the third ring."
"And what a play that was, Gred! Our rising star Ben Wagner, in his first time qualifying for the full games, has laid down a score for the ages. Evading the ogre by leaping to the top of the column, timing the ogre's strike so that the column would be knocked over, letting him clear the acid flow and approach the second ring, and then the throw over the towering form of Franz Kruger. I think we'll be talking about this kid for a long time!"
"That we will, Fode. The ball is back in play, and it looks like Franz has the inside line to scoop it up. Ben's taking a risk, attempting to evade the black tentacles to approach the ball - he's slipped through, and has a clear shot. Mandrake Bauer, the old workhorse, is making a play, leaping through the firewall to cut in closer. Franz and Ben are in the center ring, both approaching the ball. Ben comes up with it, and pushes straight through, dodging around Franz. Franz and Mandrake collide, and Ben has gained precious time while they begin their pursuit."
"I can't believe it, Gred! He's got it! He's got it! He's-"
"Oh, that is unfortunate. He didn't see the ooze, and plunged right into it. Full body, he's not coming out of that."
"You hate to see it, Gred, a promising career set back like that. Well, they're going to reset the ball and send a couple of priests out to collect Ben, so we're going to take a quick break."
History
Slam ball began as a simple game, with two rings on stands, a ball, and two competitors attempting to score. A need for more players caused the game to expand, and the nature of the Stone Goliaths kept it as every player for themselves. Extra rings were added to increase scoring, and the size of the arena increased. The total number of players in a game was eventually capped at 20 in order to ensure that scoring was still possible.
The sport followed this rough pattern for nearly 100 years, until the Great Game changed it forever. A game was being played in Gracewold, and most of the town was there to watch. Whether it was an intentional attack or the noise of the game drew them, three bulettes burst up in the middle of the field, directly beneath the ball carrier. The ball carrier went down, and the ball flew loose. As the bulettes set upon the players, the way the players reacted set the tone for the game for the next 100 years. Charging goliaths rammed the bulettes, dispersing them, then continued with the game. They dodged the monstrosities, or leapt on their backs to get an advantage in retrieving the ball. Eventually, one bulette was killed, the others driven off, and the crowd was more excited than any before.
Different stadiums began to create different hazards to amp up the excitement, and the game became much more about goliath versus environment than goliath versus goliath. While the players would still scuffle when attempting to get the ball, it is a minor part of the game.
Execution
Slamball is played on a 150'x150' field. In each corner is a ring on a post, which are the goals for the game.
There are no teams, and up to 20 players compete at a time. The goal is to score in each of the four rings by passing the ball through the ring. The first five players to complete this goal proceed to the next round, while the rest are eliminated. When the last five players remain, they compete in a final round, and order of completion determines the final standings.
To start the game, players start 75' from the center of the arena. The ball is placed in the center, and a bell is rung to start the contest. In a preliminary match, magic and weapons are forbidden, but otherwise no holds are barred in the competition. In hazard matches, magic and weapons are allowed, but not to directly harm opponents.
Components and tools
The slamball itself is boar's bladder, inflated and tied off. The ball is traditionally made from the bladder of the boar being roasted for the tournament, but in the larger tournaments they have changed to bladders wrapped in leather to standardize them more. These are made in advance of the tournament.
The rings are three feet inner diameter, about four inches larger than the ball. They are on posts, with the bottom of the opening 10 feet above ground.
Hazards are venue dependent, and change often.
Game Rules
If players choose to compete in the games, it must be clear that it has the possibility of being deadly, even for high level characters. Instant death events are possible, with appropriate saving throws at DC20 to survive. This is not a competition for the timid.
Slam Ball is conducted as a series of skills challenges. Initiative will be rolled, and the first player will attempt to score. This consists of a challenge to get the ball, and another to score, appropriate to the hazards within. The player chooses the method for traversing the field and suggests a skill roll to go with it, and if the DM agrees, the DM sets a DC and the attempt is made. If the player succeeds at getting the ball, they attempt to score. If they fail at scoring, they retain the ball, and the next in initiative attempts to get the ball from them. If they succeed, the next in initiative attempts to get it from the center of the field.
Once a player completes all four of the goals, they leave the competition. The first five to leave advance.
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