Myridos the Gladiator

First Impressions

Large handsome human, tip-top physical condition, armed with gladius, shield, javelin, and quite possibly other stuff. Medium armour. Speaks Lunar with a strange accent [Brolian - barbaric land on fringes of Empire]. Very controlled, military-style bearing. Not an aggressive man, but seems very confident & In Control. Watches Lunars with a cautious eye.

Referee Only

Modelled on Spartacus, the escaped gladiator who led a slave rebellion in the Roman Empire. Myridos hates the Empire, though not individuals. Extremely brave and loyal to friends. Whilst escaping, he (and other gladiators) massacred their Lunar owners and there is a whopping price on his head. The Imperial Governor is desperate to catch him before the Emperor hears of him. Thus the PCs may find themselves being closely questioned and investigated if they associate with Myridos.

Myridos was the star gladiator at the arena, the victor of almost a hundred fights. He was worth a great deal and his fame had spread to the Heartlands. Women vie for his attention (sorry, PCs) and even Rune Lords are very polite to him. Note that as a gladiator, he had no chance to progress to Rune level (especially as he's an Orlanthi!) but he's as hard as a initiate can be.

The other escaped gladiators look to him as a leader. He has a strong sense of honour and did not like the way the others slaughtered their owners' families, whom he views as largely innocent. He is drilling more discipline into them as they prepare for their long trips to their homelands. Many rumours are circulating about him: the Lunars think of him as a monster, who wants to murder their children whilst slaves look to him as a kind of liberator. He feels trapped by responsibility!

Character Traits

Typical Catchphrases

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Statistics

19-20 (Head):     7 hp / 7 ap          STR 17

16-18 (L. arm):   6 / 2                CON 18

13-15 (R. arm):   6 / 2                SIZ 16

12    (Chest):    8 / 5                INT 16

9-11  (Abdomen):  7 / 5                POW 19

5-8   (L. leg):   7 / 2                DEX 17

1-4   (R. leg):   7 / 2                CHA 20 / PA 17

Total hit points: 20

Skills

• Perception skills: 85%
• Manipulation: 75%
• Knowledge: 75%
• Stealth: 80%

Attacks

Note: he is a master of over a dozen melee weapons. These are the ones he happened to be carrying when he escaped. His preferred combat style is lightly armoured limbs (for maneuverability) and net, knowing this invariably works against heavily armoured foes. He can fight Thracian style (heavy armour) as well as Retarius, though.

• SR3 Gladius 150% (165%) attack 120% parry; d6+1+2d4+Bladesharp 3; 20 hp
• SR8,12 Natural Attacks170%, twice/round
• SR 8 Medium Shield (+ bash)80% attack, 140% parry; d6+2d4 damage
• Javelin 100%; d10+d4

Damage bonus is 2d4.

Defense is 55%! (RQ3 Dodge is 120%)

Spells (Magic Points: 18, + 10 in Bound)

His Master wanted to protect his investment...

• Healing 2 (6 if you allow it)
• Bladesharp 3
• Protection 3
• Countermagic 2
• Demoralise
• Dispel 1
• Mobility

Special Abilities

• As a gladiator, he is "immune" to pain. In game terms this means he is not affected by shock (loss of limb, etc); fatigue has little effect on him; his fighting style can switch to all-out attack if necessary to take advantage of an opening, he doesn't hang back because it's dangerous.
• He has heard of every trick your players have dreamt of and cannot be surprised.
• He has more tricks than you can imagine. Sand in the eyes, manoeuvring to get the sun behind him, unexpectedly kicking his friend's opponent instead of his own, closing inside the reach of an enemy's sword and biting his throat out, jostling to break a spellcaster's concentration, casually insulting an opponent's wife to enrage them...
• Weapon skills of over 100% allows splitting of attacks.
• A gladiator is trained to take advantage of the critical first second when an opponent isn't sure whether you mean to attack them or not, or whether they really want to attack the gladiator. Lightning reactions and total commital usually lead to landing the all important first blow, all else being equal.
• Due to his total lifestyle of fighting, I have used the RQ3 convention of skills greater than 100% even though he is just an initiate.

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