Rounds 3 and Further: The Final Countdown (cue music)

Round 3

This takes us into seconds 8-12 of this free for all:  six contestants have already left the ring, leaving just ten combatants remaining.

Everyone rolls a d10 and adds the result to their Initiative score.
Julia rolls a "7" which is enough to give her the advantage.

Seeing Trent's distraction of Tom while Brittany cold-cocked him interfered with Julia's sense of fair play (well, a little bit, anyway).  "I need to remedy that," she says to herself.

Julia DEX = 15, Trent DEX = 4.
Roll:  2 + 7 = 9.  She has no trouble hitting him, she just gets no column shifts.
Julia STR = 5, Trent BODY = 5.  Trent loses 1 RAP.
Trent now knows that not only can Julia hit him when she wants to, but that he can get dinged.

Jane is next.
Before the round starts, she remembers Brittany's plan, and she likes it a lot.  A DOUBLE TEAM.
However, she has to wait it out until the very end of the round when Brittany can join her.

Charles is next.
He will attack Jane first, unaware of Jane's plans with Brittany.  That might come back to bite him.  Or come back to bite Jane.
Charles DEX = 12, Jane DEX = 6. 
Roll:  8 + 6 = 14.  A hit, and two column shifts of damange to go with it.
Charles STR = 3, Jane BODY = 5.
Jane takes 2 RAP of damage.  Will she make Charles pay for it at the end of the round?

Stacy is next.
She remembers Jane's "DOG PILE" comment and says, "Dog pile? You mean CAT PILE!"
Stacy DEX = 15, Jane DEX = 6.
Roll:  9 + 6 = 15.  Three column shifts of damage.
Stacy STR = 5, Jane BODY = 5.
Jane takes the full 5 RAP of damage, and is dragged out by Nemec.

Mack is next.  "How did this room start getting so empty?"
He decides to take on Karen.  "Hey, Candy Disher!"
Mack DEX = 7, Karen DEX = 6.
Roll:  7 + 7 = 14 DOUBLES!
Roll #2:  5 + 6 = 11.  25 total.  Six column shifts of damage.
Mack STR = 3, Karen BODY = 8.
Mack's damage is "All + 2".  5 RAPs of Damage.
Nemec whistles a shocked Karen out of the field.  "This is BULLSHIT," Karen mutters.  "The next time I see you, Mackenzie, wear your cup!"

Tiffany is next.  She knows her best chance of advancing is taking out opponents on a similar level.
She goes after Brittany.  "Eap!"
Tiffany DEX = 6, Brittany DEX = 7.
Roll:  8 + 7 = 15.  She needs a 13 to hit Brittany, so she only gets two column shifts.
Tiffany STR = 2, Brittany BODY = 6.
Brittany takes 1 RAP of damage.  "You fight like a tiger, but you hit like a princess."

Trent is next.  He tries to figure out how he can distinguish himself. 
"Hey Brit!  Double team?"
Brittany smiles. 

Tiffany is now facing Brittany AND Trent.  Two opponents.  (It is now Brittany's turn.)
Brittany DEX = 7, Tiffany DEX = 6.  But the problem is that Tiffany has to defend each attack at minus one column shift.
Roll:  5 + 9 = 14.  Uh oh.  Brittany didn't even need the double team.  Two column shifts.
Brittany STR = 3, Tiffany BODY = 2.
Damage:  "All + 1 ".  Tiffany takes 4 RAPs of damage and is sent packing.
Another win for Brittany/Trent.  Trent distracts them, Brittany whacks them.

Round 4

Only six combatants are left:  Julia, Charles, Stacy, Mack, Trent, and Brittany.

Stacy is first.  Summing up things quickly, she splits the combatants into the serious, non-serious, and "other" group.
Mack is in the "other" group.  That's the group she attacks first.
Stacy DEX = 15, Mack DEX = 7.
Roll:  4 + 9 = 13.  Two column shifts of damage.
Stacy STR = 5, Mack BODY = 6.  Same category, so the damage will be dropped by one.
Mack takes 2 RAPS of damage.  Stacy hits him, but he's lucky enough to have fallen backwards so fast she couldn't double-tap him.

Julia is next.  She's not done with Trent.  Really, he shouldn't have lasted this long.  Just needs to land a solid hit.
Julia DEX = 15, Trent DEX = 4.
Roll:  8 + 5 = 13.  Now she gets the hit and two column shifts.
Julia STR = 5, Trent BODY = 5.  Trent loses 3 RAP this time.  He is still standing, but barely.
As Julia breaks off to reposition (she remembers David Allen: "don't stand around with your mouth open gathering flies"), she thinks, "Lucky boy."

Charles is next:  "I've got to be very careful about who I attack."
He takes on Stacy, since Stacy doesn't seem to have been hurt yet and has barely broken a sweat.
Charles DEX = 12, Stacy DEX = 15.
Roll:  1 + 1 = 2.
1 + 1 is the "snake eyes" of the game.  ACTION AUTOMATICALLY FAILS.
Stacy just giggles. "Silly!" she said.  That embarrasses him more than anything.

Mack is next.  He just chuckles and attacks Charles, watching his botched defense.
Mack DEX = 7, Charles DEX = 12.
Roll:  1 + 3 = 4.
It's just as ineffective. "Ahem," Charles chides.

Brittany is next.  She and Trent have exchanged glances.  Team attacks are the only way they have a chance.
So the Brittany/Trent team goes after Mack.  He groans.  Each attacker gets one column shift to the left to hit.
Brittany DEX = 7, Mack DEX = 7.
Roll:  3 + 4 = 7.  Mack barely dodges out of the way.
Trent DEX = 4, Mack DEX = 7.
Roll:  7 + 2 = 9.  Mack steps out of that one, too.
"Oh," Mack thinks.  "That's how it's going to be, huh?"

Round 5.

We now just have Stacy, Julia, Charles, Mack, and Brittany + Trent.

Julia is first.  Figuring that Brittany + Trent is really just "Brittany+", she attacks Brittany.
Julia DEX = 15, Brittany DEX = 7.
Roll: 8 + 3 = 11.  One column shift of damage.
Julia STR = 5, Brittany BODY = 6.  Normally 1 RAP of damage, but due to a "same category" with Brittany having the higher value, we subtract one.  0 AP of damage.
Julia hits Brittany, but she takes the shot, lands flatly on the ground with head-up, and bounces back up to Julia's surprise. 
"Didn't know she could do that being so top-heavy."

Stacy gets an idea.  "Brittany!"
Brittany grunts.
"I'm joining in!"
"Yes!"   Now we have a Stacy/Brittany/Trent team.

Charles is up next.  He doesn't want to take on three people at once.  Julia will be enough.  "She can hit you, but she can't hurt you."
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll: 10 + 8 = 18.  He only gets three column shifts as Julia's hard to hit.
Charles's STR = 3, Julia's BODY = 8.
Charles deals 2 RAP of damage to Julia and knocks her mouthpiece out of her mouth.  Surprised isn't the word for it.

Mack is next.  He thinks that Stacy/Brittany/Trent will be unbeatable. Maybe he can do some damage to Stacy before he loses.
Mack DEX = 7, Stacy DEX = 15.
Roll:  10 + 10 = 20!  HOLY SHIT!
Roll #2:  10 + 8. 38 points.
Stacy, looking for non-verbal signals from Brittany and Trent doesn't see Mack's once-in-a-lifetime Floyd Mayweather shot with six column shifts!  It won't beat Brittany's whalloping of Tom, but it will go on the Legion Highlight Reel.
Mack STR = 3, Stacy BODY = 6.
Damage is "All + 3".  Stacy takes 6 RAPs, is hit so hard she just sits down, and Nemec whistles her out.

"Well," Brittany thinks, "shit."
Only three targets left: Julia, Charles, and Mack.  They had decided on Charles, so the plan continues, even though Stacy is out of it now.
Charles knew this might be coming, but can't stop it, having to fight both from the front and from behind.
Brittany DEX = 7, Charles DEX = 12.
Roll:  8 + 3 = 11.  A good attack, but Charles has the DEX to duck it even handicapped.
Trent DEX = 4, Charles DEX = 12.
Roll:  4 + 4 = 8. Doubles.
Roll #2:  7 + 1 = 16.
Trent's got a lot of heart.  But Trent vs. Charles is a lot like Tom vs. Julia.  Unlike the latter, it's not as hard for Trent to lay a hand on Charles, but even with the column shift he needs a lot of help.  Trent is realizing now that his real role is as a distraction.

Round 6

Only Julia, Charles, Mack, Brittany, and Trent are left.
Julia swears, "Chuck, Mack? Let's thrash these assholes."
Brittany and Trent look at each other.  This won't be good.  Not at all.

Julia, Charles, and Mack all team up.  Brittany and Trent team up.
Attacks pool to lowest initiative in both groups.  So Julia/Charles/Mack goes first.
In honor of Trent's courage, J/C/M will agree that it's Brittany, then Trent.  Brittany has to take two OV column shifts.

Julia DEX = 15, Brittany DEX = 7.
Roll:  6 + 5 = 11.  The standard column shift of damage.  Brittany just takes the shot again, and Julia swears.
Charles DEX = 12, Brittany DEX = 7.
Roll:  5 + 9 = 14.  Charles gets the hit and two column shifts
Charles STR = 3, Brittany BODY = 6.  Brittany takes 2 RAP of damage.  "EAP!"
Mack DEX = 7, Brittany DEX = 7.
Roll:  7 + 7 = 14.  DOUBLES!
Roll #2:  8 + 9 = 17.  31 points total.
Brittany takes 2 RAPs of damage.  "Eap!"
Mack STR = 3, Brittany BODY = 6.
Damage:  "All + 4".  Mack delivers 7 RAPs of damage.  He hit Brittany even harder than he hit Stacy. Brittany is removed from the fight for her safety.

This now leaves Trent against three of the baddest Legionnaires around. 
"Mack," he said.  "Get ready!"
Mack gets ready - and then Trent attacks Charles in a near-futile effort of distraction.
Trent DEX = 4, Charles DEX = 12.
Roll:  5 + 9 = 14. 
It was a wasted effort.  Trent realizes he should have hit Mack.  Charles is too fast.  It's probably the last mistake he'll make.

Round 7

Only Julia, Charles, Mack, and Trent remain.
Three of the four look at each other.  They're still committed.  Poor Trent.

Julia DEX = 15, Trent DEX = 4.  She'll hit, the question is how hard?
Roll:  8 + 1 = 9.  Well, it's a hit anyway. Not Julia's best day.
Julia STR = 5, Trent BODY = 5.
It's only 1 RAP of damage, but it's all that she needs.  Nemec takes Trent out before he is pummeled.

Charles and Mack look at each other.  "Fuck valor," they think.  They join forces now.  Julia defends at minus one column.
Mack goes first, since he had the second-highest initiative after the dice roll.
Mack DEX = 7, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  3 + 8 = 11.  Nice try, but no biscuit.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  2 + 1 = 3.  He completely mistimed that punch.
Julia smiles.

Round 8

This is the time that, if it were a real fight, someone would retreat.  But this is a training exercise, so there will be no retreating.

Julia still remembers her failed MULTI-ATTACK from Round 1, so she'll take Mack single-handedly.
Julia DEX = 15, Mack DEX = 7.
Roll:  10 + 10 = 20.  THE CROWN OF AWESOMENESS ROLL.  Oh, this can't be good.
Roll #2:  1 + 1 = 3.  Mack wishes she had rolled the 1 + 2 first.
Total:  23 points.  Five column shifts.
Julia STR = 5, Mack BODY = 6.
Even subtracting one, we just go to "All + 1" damage.  Mack takes 6 RAPs and hits the ground.
"Yes!" Julia thinks. "I've been waiting for that punch all day!"

The problem is Charles.  No one has laid a hand on him all fight.  And he's fresh, and he's ready to fight, too.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  6 + 8 = 14.  One column shift of damage.
Charles STR = 3, Julia BODY = 8.
No effect.  Julia got hit, but it wasn't enough to slow her down.

Round 9

The final conflict. 
Julia is first, and since the gap in Inititative is 8 points in Julia's favor, rolls of 3 or better on her round will give her the advantage.
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.
Roll:  4 + 5 = 9.  Hit but no column shifts.
Julia STR = 5, Charles BODY = 14. 
No damage.  Julia, to her chagrin, has discovered what Brittany now knows - hitting Chuck is like hitting a wall.

Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  7 + 6 = 13.  One column shift of damage.
Charles STR = 3, Julia BODY = 8.
No effect.  Charles now has the same problem.

Round 10

Julia thinks about what her options are.  She figures that in a straight up battle?  She loses.  Charles will just shrug off any damage.
Therefore, she tries a CRITICAL BLOW.  Julia takes a two column shift penalty.  But if she lands the shot, Charles takes a three column shift penalty in defense.
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.  Normally, she needs a 9 to hit, now she needs a 13.
Roll:  10 + 4. 
Julia drops, spins, and delivers a Mule Kick to Charles.  She gets one column shift for the hit and three more shifts for the Critical Blow.
Julia STR = 5, Charles BODY = 14.
She actually manages to deliver 1 RAP of damage to Charles.  She had hoped for more.

Charles goes with a standard attack.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  6 + 2 = 8.  No hit.  Julia can now try again.

Round 11

Julia thinks, "well, in for a penny...."
Another CRITICAL BLOW attempt.
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.  Needs a 13 or better to make CRITICAL BLOW.
Roll:  7 + 1 = 8.
She tries to sucker him with another Mule Kick, but he's ready for it this time.

Charles returns a standard attack.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  8 + 5 = 13.  Hit.  He gets a hit and a column shift.
Charles STR = 3, Julia BODY = 8.
Same result as last time. No damage.

Round 12

Nemec is looking at her watch.
Julia will attempt another CRITICAL BLOW.  She's 50-50 on these.
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.  Needs a 13 or better to make CRITICAL BLOW.
Roll:  4 + 8 = 12. 
Julia tries an upward shot to the chin, and misses it by about a centimeter.

Charles figures he will need a CRITICAL BLOW to stop this fight.  He could try a DEVASTATING ATTACK, but with the difference in DEX, he figures he'd never land it.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.  Normally, it takes 13 on a roll for him to hit, but this time?  It takes 18.
Roll:  6 + 2 = 8.
He tries a chin strike as well, but he's not as practiced as Julia, who instantly parries it.

Round 13

Julia, figuring that she'll be out of options, tries a DEVASTATING ATTACK.
Now, instead of two column shifts, she needs four to hit.
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.  Needs a 18 or better to make DEVASTATING ATTACK. (Pray for doubles, Julia.)
Roll:  3 + 6 = 9.
Against an unarmed thug, the guy would be in the hospital.  Against The Chameleon, she doesn't even land her shot to the rib cage and almost topples over.

Charles knows he has to go for a CRITICAL BLOW.  The intensity and futility of this fight is picking up.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.  He needs 18 or better for the blow.
Roll:  4 + 3 = 7.  He think he's got Julia, but she's seen similar attacks dozens of times.  She's glad he's not as accomplished.

Round 14

Julia will attempt another CRITICAL BLOW. 
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.  Needs a 13 or better to make CRITICAL BLOW.
Roll:  3 + 6 = 9.
It's been a long time since Julia had to fight someone with this kind of agility, and it's very frustrating.

Charles returns a standard attack.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  2 + 6 = 8.  They're both getting tired.

Round 15

Julia will attempt another CRITICAL BLOW. 
Julia DEX = 15, Charles DEX = 12.  Needs a 13 or better to make CRITICAL BLOW.
Roll:  4 + 1.  She curses herself.

Charles returns a standard attack.
Charles DEX = 12, Julia DEX = 15.
Roll:  3 + 6 = 9.  Charles starts to wonder if this fight will ever end.

....

At that time, Nemec blows her whistle.

"Okay, this is over now," she said.  "If you were allowed to use advanced fighting techniques, or had a baseball bat, or something, maybe this fight would be over.  But I'm calling it a draw.  The two co-champions are Julia Carlyle and Charles Ruttheimer!"

Julia said, "I'll take the tie."
Charles said, "We're the fastest people here, I think."

Stacy says, "Not the fastest.  I'm faster than you, Chuck."
Julia says, "Yeah.  Maybe not the fastest, but  Charles, you're the least punchable.  Jesus, what the hell are you made of, anyway?  I'm trying to fight some Michelin Man."
Charles changes into the Michelin Man. "Getting TIRE-d?"

Everyone boos.

"For the way he took out Karen, Stacy, AND Brittany - a trifecta that will go down in history - Mack Mackenzie win the Golden Gloves Award."
Everyone applauds except Karen.
(Note:  if the spending of Hero Points were permitted, this would be a different fight.  Karen and Mack might have a rematch.)

"And the 'Money Shot' award goes to Brittany Taylor for her hit on Tom Sloane."

More applause.

"The Edward Packenham Award for the Most Futile Attack was Tom's attempt to hand a punch on Julia."

Everyone ooos.  Tom resolves to add combat training after he builds up his endurance.

"And finally the Uncommon Valor Award goes to Trent for lasting as long as he did."

Trent smiles, everyone applauds, and Brittany yells, "Gooo-OOOOO TRENT!"