Pelor's Gauntlet

Distance, Endurance, and Stamina

A huge element of Pelor's Gauntlet is the footrace. Each day, PCs will have to run a 5k race while dealing with various obstacles. The track is divided into 4 legs. Race legs also have a DC which relates to all Stamina Checks, Challenge Checks, and Track Encounters which occur within each leg.

To simulate running long distances players will make a Stamina checks to progress down the track. Stamina checks are d20+CON modifier. After rolling, players report it to the GM who multiplies the result by 50 to calculate how far each PC made it down the track in. The GM then reports the average distance.

If the PCs covered enough distance to arrive at the next Obstacle, then they stop racing and enter the Obstacle. If they failed to reach the next Obstacle, they may face a Track Encounter before continuing the footrace.

Scoring Points

Just like in other competitions, all teams earn points as they progress through Pelor's Gauntlet. Teams gain points based on how fast they ran each leg of the footrace and based on how well they handled Obstacles. There are also daily Trial Awards, which are awarded daily, and Grand Awards which are given out during the Closing Ceremony.

During Trials, the Trail Master will occasionally announce the current points for competing teams. There are magic mirrors installed in Garpan's Retreat, the Longhouses, the Jymnas, and teh Fan Zone which display current scores as well.

Teamwork

PCs are participating in Pelor's Gauntlet as a team, so it makes sense that they should be able to rely upon each other for help and support during Trials. Each player begin each Trial with a Teamwork token. Players may use these tokens during a Race Encounter or during an Obstacle in order to help their teammates handle whatever situation they are facing. This feature combines elements from Help action and Player Intrusions.

Players can use their Teamwork tokens during every Trial or bank them for future Trials. They regain their Teamwork tokens after each long rest and can bank a max number of Teamwork tokens equal to half the size of the party rounded down. However, players can only use 1 token per leg of the race or during each Obstacle. GMs may decide to further limit the use of Teamwork tokens.

Dynamic Competitors

Relationships with other competitors and their teams can pay a huge role in the PC's experience at Pelor's Gauntlet. PCs may build friendships, grudges, or even romances during their Trials or during downtime.

Ninety-six competitors are selected to participate in Pelor's Gauntlet and while they won't face every team on the track at the same time, chances are high that PCs will face off against every team multiple times over the course of the week.

1. During a Trial

PCs may interact with members of other teams during Race Encounters or while going through an Obstacle. There are examples below.

• As Karl rounds the corner, he notices that Dani Frano from the Green Valley team is surrounded by a pack of hyenas. She looks to him and pleads for help.
• Syrah runs into a flustered Plagnos, a member of the Raknor team. He's been stuck trying to climb over the wall for a long time and is on the verge of quitting. Plagnos eyes Syrah as she approaches the wall.

In both of these examples, the PCs could interact with members of competing teams in positive or negative ways (or could ignore them, though in many cases this would lead to a negative relationship). Depending on how the PCs decide to resolve these issues, those decisions may lead to boons in the future or come to haunt them.

2. During Downtime

PCs may interact with members of other teams during downtime between Trials. There are examples below.

• Joni walked up to the bookie and placed a bet on the next Trial. Lucky for him, the Blue Devils came through with flying colors and he one a sizeable amount. The racer sitting on the bar stool next to him, Gerti on the Redshell Team, wasn't so lucky. She turns to him with a sneer
• While stretching in Training Zone, Alban noticed that Cori from the Griffon Graves Team was using heavy weights on the bench press without a spotter.

Again, both of these examples showcase how the PCs could interact with members of competing teams in positive or negative ways. Depending on how the PCs decide to resolve these issues, those decisions may help or hurt their own team's chances in the future.

Time of Day and Weather Effects

The daily events of Pelor's Gauntlet are divided into 3 Trials, which take place throughout the day. The players will know ahead of time their schedule of Trials. The high priestess of Pelor reveals this as part of the Ritualistic Blessing, which takes place as part of the Opening Ceremonies.

Because Concourse of Trials is an open-air track whoever is running down the track also has to deal with the weather. Weather effects are flavored based on the season. These effects may last the whole Trial or may only occur during certain legs of the Trial. Weather may also effect crowd dynamics.

Daily Downtime

Obviously the daily Trials are the main focus of this adventure; however, players do have many options during downtime between events. The grounds of Garpan's Villa, where all competitors stay during Pelor's Gauntlet, is made up of several different areas where PCs can interact with excited fans, political fixers, opportunistic merchants, and their fellow competitors among various other NPCs. Examples of downtime interactions will be listed in the section about Garpan's Villa.

While many of the downtime interactions won't have long lasting consequences for players, the results of others may greatly influence their odds during the Trials. Of course, some of these interactions may last longer than others and PCs would do good to remember to get enough sleep between Trials so that they are in top shape for their next events.

Playing Games

Games should be identified by the related attribute. GMs can find inspiration for games in these links: games, more games, and here, here too.

1. Feats of Strength: To win these games players must rely on their strength and constitution to get them through. Examples: Arm Wrestling, Caber Toss, Drinking Contests.
2. Matches of Wits: Masters of these games rely on intelligence and wisdom to defeat their opponents. Examples: Card games, Chess, Go.
3. Games of Skill: Players rely on dexterity to get them through these games. Examples: Target shooting, CrumbleSpire, Five Finger Fillet.
4. Artistic Faceoffs: These events are less games and talent showcases during which players rely on their Charisma to woo the crowd. Examples: Stand-up Comedy, Breakdancing, Rap Battles.

Players would perform a series of contested checks using the attributes listed above against NPCs to determine the winner. PCs would have a chance to try and get a read on their opponents through insight or perception checks. They could also try and bluff them through Persuasion and intimidation checks. PCs and NPCs could also try to cheat which would include deception or sleight of hand checks.

Dynamic Crowds and Gaining Favor

Not everyone who's watching Pelor's Gauntlet has the same definition of entertainment. Some are there for the spectacle, others come for the blood, some just want to see a good show. The following table shows a sample breakdown of the fans cheering from the sidelines.

Each of these groups respond differently to the actions they watch during the Trials. By performing certain actions during Race Encounters or Obstacle, PCs may gain favor with a certain fans. PCs can also win favor with fans by socializing with them during downtime. When a PC gains favor with a group, they may be rewarded in a few ways. The following table provides some examples.

Hit Dice and Short Rests

Hit Dice function differently while competing on the Concourse of Trials versus downtime.

Long Rests

Long Rests are 6 hours in this module. All competitors must take a full long rest between Trials if they wish to start the next Trial at peak Stamina and Endurance. Those who do not get enough rest between Trials will not be able to include their CON modifier during Stamina and Endurance checks.

Alcohol

Mixing alcohol with athletes often leads to volatile situations and at Pelor's Gauntlet that tradition still holds true. Having a few drinks might give PCs an edge in certain activities and drinking a competitor under the table might impress fans. In both of these cases, there's risk and reward. An obvious risk is that drinking lots of alcohol leads to restless nights and hangovers which will affect how teams perform in the Trials.

GMs can find inspiration for drinking mechanics in these links.

Romance

Just as in other well known athletic championships, romantic entanglements abound during Pelor's Gauntlet. These relationships have consequences on and off the track. GMs can find resources for spicing things up in these links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art by Unknown (Found via Pinterest)

The Setting

The Pelor's Gauntlet takes place every year, alternating summer and winter sessions, in Arpan. Arpan sits in the mountains of northern Calimshan and is home to around 10,000 regular residents. That number nearly doubles during the week of Pelor's Gauntlet, when 50 athletes, their retinues, and their fans from lands far and near flock to the city. Enterprising merchants, plotting underground agents, and politicos from Calimsham and other nearby nations use the festivities as a cover for intrigue.

Arpan can be a very interesting place to explore, but each the events of Tyr's Judgement, Mystra's Cicle, and Pelor's Gauntlet are centered in special locations scattered around Arpan. Tyr's Judgement takes place in a battlefield on the far outskirts of the city, whereas Mystra's Circle is held in the Caliban Tower in Arpan's central district.

Competitors in Pelor's Gauntlet are based in Garpan's Villa and face off against each other at the Concourse of Trials. These are located just beyond the city gates.

Concourse of Trials

The Concourse of Trials is where all Trials take place during Pelor's Gauntlet. Each Trial lasts three hours and the course is reset between Trials. The Obstacles for each Trial are the same all day; however, the order may be rotated during the reset. Obstacles are removed overnight and new ones are added to the Concourse each morning.

The Concourse track itself is 5000 meters which includes all Obstacles. In order to keep things interesting (and competitors from clustering too much), half of the teams involved run the course East to West, while the other half runs it West to East.

While many of the Obstacles take place in pocket dimensions or inside small buildings, the track itself is completely uncovered. This means that whoever is running down the track also has to deal with the weather.

The Festival Program

Pelor's Gauntlet takes place over a seven day period and the agenda for each day is as follows.

The Closing Ceremony

During the Closing Ceremony, Elin Dadre will thank everyone who took part in Pelor's Gauntlet for their daring and effort in facing the Trials. He'll highlight specific examples of bravery, honor, strenght, and wits.

Next Keira Flarenoc will reveal which teams earned the Grand Achievements. Finally, she'll announce the winners of the Giant's Trophy (2nd place) and the King's Trophy (3rd place). After presenting those teams with their trophies before the crowd, she'll welcome High Councilman Woodin to the stage.

High Councilman Woodin will present the honors to the winners of the Dragon's Trophy (1st place). He'll then make a closing speech again thanking everyone. He'll then invite all three winning teams and their sponsor to a private audience and give them their material rewards. These rewards are discussed in a later section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art by Neal Hanson

The Obstacles

Below are sample Obstacles for GMs to use to create Pelor's Gauntlet Trials. While many of the Obstacle are more physical in nature, many are more intellectual in nature. GMs are encouraged to use at least 1 of the more intellectual Obstacles in each Trial so that players using Intelligence or Wisdom based characters feel as though their abilities will help the team in Pelor's Gauntlet. Pelor's Gauntlet includes 3 Obstacles per Trial so this list contains enough for five days of Trials.

PCs will have to perform 4 Challenge Checks in order to get through the Obstacle.

Remember: only one character's full journey will be highlighted during each Obstacle. However, other players aid them during this time. The highlighted player may also encounter NPCs along the way.

King of Swing

After climbing up a 4m wall, Teams must cross to the next platform via a series of steady rings which hang 15m above a pool of icy water. Once they get to the next platform, competitors grab must grab a rope, swing over a pile of jagged rocks, and smash through a wall to complete the obstacle.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Use rings to swing to far platform and smash through a wall and exit the course.
• Risks: Swaying rings, icy water, jagged rocks, dense wall

Tower of Ladders

Teams are faced with a what looks like a huge unlit, but somehow smoking, bonfire. In fact, it is a multitude of ladders stacked haphazardly over a smoking pit. The at the top of the the ladders (50m), is a platform with a stack of tower shields and a half pipe slide which links back to the race track. Teams must race through the ash and smoke, crossing over and up various ladders, until they ride a shield down the slide.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Climb to top of ladder tower and slide back down to the exit.
• Risks: Unven ladders, stinging and disorienting smoke, open slide

Electro Masher

Teams must crawl 200m through the mud as an electrified grate slowly descends from above. The grate is angled in such as way that as competitors progress, they have to push deeper and deeper into the mud to avoid getting zapped.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Crawl and slide through mud until getting to the exit.
• Risks: Slippery and choking mud, electrified grate, crushing weight of grate

Giant's Beard

Teams are faced with a daunting 200m climb up and down this massive, triangular Obstacle. The bottom third of each side is a wooden wall with the narrowest of handholds. The rest is a knotted mess of netting. Aside from having to deal with vertigo from the climb, there are many assassin vines hidden among the nets. Any competitor who tries to cut this Obstacle short by choosing to climb across the short sides rather than going over the top will have to deal with a group of gargoyles.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Climb up and over the obstacle.
• Risks: Narrow handholds, unsteady and unbalancing netting, vertigo, gargoyles

Wyrm's Gullet

Competitors find themselves in the bottom of a dank, slimy pit. Looking up they can see light pouring out of tunnels in the ceiling. The ceiling is roughly 15m high and each tunnel is 5m from end to end. Every tunnel has covered ropes hanging down for competitors to climb. They should be careful though as there are several surprises lurking in this pit. The sludge they are standing in is actually made of various weak jellies. As soon as anyone grabs a rope, water starts pouring out of the tunnel above and shooting randomly from small jets in the walls of the pit. The jellies react very favorably to water and being to rapidly expand. They will eventually crush anyone who cannot escape to the surface in time. Competitors also need to be mindful of what they grab onto as some of the slime covered ropes are actually roper tendrils.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Grab a rope and climb out of the pit.
• Risks: Crushing and expanding slimes, burst of water, hungry ropers

Art by Rhineville

Spider's Web

To cross over the next platform, competitors must navigate a suspended maze made of spiderwebs. 15m below them sits a giant spider in the center of perfectly made web. He's waiting for any competitor who is unlucky enough to fall from above and into his home. The strands of webbing across the the top of this Obstacle are strong enough for most competitors to balance on multiple strands without breaking them; however, some strands are sticker or more brittle than others.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Navigate the webs to cross the gap and make it to the next platform.
• Risks: Disorienting webs, brittle old webs, hungry spider

Fire and Ice

Competitors must swim their way through icy waters, avoid the mating dance of fire elementals, and navigate a series of huge rotating columns in this Obstacle.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Cross over both rotating columns and get to the exit.
• Risks: Freezing water, rapidly rotating columns, aggressive elementals

Clockwork Madness

Teams must find their way through a maze of gears and pipes, all the while avoiding steam mephits and hypercooled blasts of air.

• Primary Focus: Physical
• Objective: Sprint through the course and get to the exit.
• Risks: Grinding gears, annoying mephits, chilling blasts

Crystal Path

Teams will have to find a safe path across a grid of marked tiles to get to the next platform. A set of 4 multi-color crystals float over a pedestal in the center of the room and there are 9 circular mirrors arranged evenly around the walls of the chamber. The real action happens as soon as competitors step on the tiles. Each tile is marked with one of 12 symbols. The list below provides details of each crystal whereas the table explains what the symbols do. GMs should feel free to come up with other symbols.

Art by Steve Prescott

1. Red Crystal: Ray of Sickness
2. Blue Crystal: Ray of Frost
3. Yellow Crystal: Ray of Stink
4. Green Crystal: Ray of Grease

Symbol	Effect
1: !!	Activate or Deactivate Red Crystal
2: )(	Activate or Deactivate Blue Crystal
3: $X$	Activate or Deactivate Yellow Crystal
4: /+\	Activate or Deactivate Green Crystal
5: >&<	Turn mirrors on north wall
6: >~<	Turn mirrors on east wall
7: >%<	Turn mirrors on south wall
8: >@<	Turn mirrors on west wall
9: /!!\	Pit Trap DC 12
10: }#{	Pit Trap DC 12
11: $#$	No effect
12: @&@	No effect

• Primary Focus: Intellectual
• Objective: Cross the grid and get to the exit.
• Risks: Crystal beams, pit traps

Lucy's Riches

Competitors must assemble a multi-part key in order unlock the door at the far side of this room; unfortunately for them, the room is slowly filling with hallucinogenic gas. The key parts are scattered among the hundreds of chest spread throughout the room but not all chests are what they seem. Many are trapped, many are mimics, and many a simply illusions.

NOTE: If PCs inspect the walls of the room, they may be able get clues as to which chests to avoid or which contain the parts to the key. There are enough parts to make several keys.

• Primary Focus: Intellectual
• Objective: Assemble the key and use it to open the door.
• Risks: Hallucinogenic gas, trapped chests, hungry mimics

Golem Tamer

Competitors find themselves in an underground tunnel with a magic infused grate blocking the exit. In the center of the room, an unmoving, broken golem lies on slab. It's missing two limbs, which can be found down corridors branching off from the main tunnel. The first limb is at the bottom of a deep, dark pool of water. The other is stuck in a thick spiderweb.

Once they put the golem back together, it will lash out at them and chase them around the tunnel. It's fists are the only thing which will damage the grate.

• Primary Focus: Intellectual
• Objective: Rebuild the golem and get it to smash the magic barrier.
• Risks: Drowning, angry spiders, golem attacks

Mirror World

Competitors are trapped in a Hall of Mirrors and must make their way out by identifying the three portals hidden among the mirrors. Many most of the mirrors are just that; others are mimics ready to strike.

• Primary Focus: Intellectual
• Objective: Use the hidden portals to complete the Obstacle.
• Risks: Disorienting reflections, hungry mimics, broken glass

Sky Pyramid

As soon as competitors enter this structure, it starts floating upwards. At the top of the pyramid lies the kings coffin and inside it are belts of featherfall. Unfortunately, PCs will have to find the Rod of Command in order to open the coffin and retrieve the belts. The rod is hidden somewhere inside the treasure room which can be accessed through various hallways or hidden doors. Competitors will have to fight through hypoxia as the pyramid rises in the sky and they'll have to watch out for scorpions and asps as they search the treasure room.

• Primary Focus: Intellectual
• Objective: Use the Rod of Command to open the King's Coffin and retrieve the Belt of Feather Fall to complete the Obstacle.
• Risks: Disorienting maze, stinging scorpions and asps, hypoxia

Myconid's Garden

To escape this dank maze, competitors will have to eat shape altering mushrooms while avoiding, shriekers, jellies, and assassin vines.

• Primary Focus: Intellectual
• Objective: Use the mushrooms to get through a series of tunnels and make it to the exit.
• Risks: Poison mushrooms, Blaring Shriekers, grasping assassin vines

Art by William O'Connor

The Race Encounters

Beasts

1. Herd Animals

A large group of herd animals (30-40 animals) are released on to the track as soon as the competitors clear the first Obstacle. These animals are not particularly aggressive but are easily startled and are trying to exit the course as quickly as possible. These animals will not purposely target competitors but they will not go out of their way to avoid them either. PCs will have to pay attention in order to avoid getting caught in the middle of a stampede.

Examples: Bulls, Buffalo, Elephants, Horses, Goats, etc

2. Predators

A small group of predators (5-10 animals) are released on to the track once competitors clear the final Obstacle and are on their way to the finish line. These animals are very aggressive and will target small groups of competitors. PCs attacked by these animals will have to fight them off before continuing the race.

Examples: Lions, Crocodiles, Wolves, Panthers, Bears, etc

Members of Other Teams

As mentioned previously, relationships with other competitors and can and will impact the PCs' experiences during trials. There are 96 total competitors selected to face the Trials, and over the course of the week, PCs will build relationship with many of them during downtime and during Trials. During Trials, PCs will encounter other competitors on the track as well as when dealing with Obstacles.

Examples: Grudges, Calls for Aid, Romantic entanglements, Dirty tricks, etc

Weather and Environmental Issues

Depending on the severity of the weather, competitors may encounter a range of dangerous situations. Other environmental issues may include various forms of track destruction or other issues.

Examples: Lightning strikes, Tornadoes, Heavy rains, Blizzards, etc

Other Risks

As mentioned before, activities and relationship pursued during downtime may influence events during trials. GMs are welcome to generate other risks as well.

Examples: Assassinations, Theft, Assault, etc.

Meet the Competition

As mentioned throughout this guide, there are 50 total competitors invited to take part in Pelor's Gauntlet. Its up to GM to determine who the NPC competitors are, which teams they are a part of, and how many teams there are total. There are few tools below to help GMs generate these NPCs and their Teams but these are just recommendations.

Attitudes and Mindsets

Team Attributes

Determining team attributes will help GMs create real competitors for PCs to vie against. Sample tables below provides examples. GMs are welcome to expand on these.

Team Names

Team names could be tied to sponsors or the background of the team or generated randomly. The table below provides some examples.

Art by atomiiii

The Leaderboard

Teams are scored based on how they perform during the Trials. During Trials, the progress and scores for each team are displayed on magic mirrors flown around the Concourse by mephits. Similar mirrors are located in the Longhouses and in the Jymas. Overall scores for Pelor's Gauntlet are displayed in Garpan's Retreat.

Putting it All Together

Obstacle Scoring: PC Team

Only one PC is highlighted (remember Cinematic Initiative) during each Obstacle and it's their actions which dictate the team's overall score for that Obstacle.

Obstacle Scores: PC Team

Yellow Jackets	Obstacle	PC Spotlight	DC	Challenge Checks				Points
First Trial	King of Swing	Joni	12	21	20	8	8	4
	Electro Mash	Syrah	14	26	24	17	11	5
	Lucy's Riches	Alban	16	20	17	12	5	3
	Obstacle Points							12

The Yellow Jackets put together a respectable showing during while facing the Trials during Day 1 of Pelor's Gauntlet, taking 12 points between three Obstacles.

Obstacle Scoring: NPC Teams

Since Wonder Bread and the Roman Candles are NPC teams, GMs can track their points and progress in a much looser manner than for the PC team. GMs roll a D4 to determine how well NPC teams fared during Challenge Checks as they faced down each Obstacle, being sure to include details from the Team's Primary Focus.

d4 Result	Points
4	2
3	1
2	1
1	0

Obstacle Scores: NPC Teams

Team	Obstacle	Type/ PC	Points per Challenge				Points
Wonder Bread	King of Swing	Physical	2	2	0	0	4
	Electro Mash	Physical	2	1	2	1	6
	Lucy's Riches	Mental	1	1	2	0	4
	Obstacle Points						14
Roman Candles	King of Swing	Physical	0	2	1	2	5
	Electro Mash	Physical	2	1	1	1	5
	Lucy's Riches	Mental	2	1	2	1	6
	Obstacle Points						16

Wonder Bread started off strong, scoring 14 points while overcoming Obstacles during their First Trial.

 

 

The Roman Candles started off earning 16 points during their First Trial, making them the top team for Day 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art by WotC

Race Scoring: PC Team

GMs calculate PC team scores by averaging the number of Stamina Checks per PC and then looking at the table on page 12.

Race Scores: PC Team

Yellow Jackets	Leg	Distance	Number of Stamina Checks				Points
			Characters
			Karl	Syrah	Alban	Joni
	1st	1000m	2	4	3	2	2
	2nd	1500m	3	4	5	2	2
	3rd	500m	2	4	4	2	1
	4th	500m	2	4	2	2	2
Race One Points							7

Race Scoring: NPC Teams

Race scoring for NPC teams is also much looser than for PC teams. GMs roll xd6 (x is the number of team members) and take the average and add the Team's Skill Level bonus to determine how many points NPC teams scored during each leg of the race.

NPC Race Scoring Formula

Score per Leg equals Av(xd6)+ Skill Level

where x equals the number of team members

d6 Result	Points
6	4
5	3
4	2
3	2
2	1
1	0

Race Scores: NPC Teams

Team	Race Legs	Distance	Race Roll	Skill Level	Leg Points
Wonder Bread	Leg 1	1000m	3	0	2
	Leg 2	1500m	4	0	2
	Leg 3	500m	2	0	1
	Leg 4	500m	2	0	1
Race One Points					6
Roman Candles	Leg 1	1000m	3	0	2
	Leg 2	1500m	4	0	2
	Leg 3	500m	3	0	2
	Leg 4	500m	2	0	1
Race One Points					7

Wonder Bread started off slow, scoring 6 points while racing during First Trial.

 

The Roman Candles took 7 points during their First Trial.

Trial Awards

Award	Team	Point Value
Crowd Favorite	Yellow Jackets	2
Perfectly Balanced	None	0
Legs of Iron	None	0

While the Yellow Jackets were the Crowd Favorite no team earned any other awards on Day 1.

Daily Trial Scores

Team	Obstacles	Race	Awards	Total
Roman Candles	16	7		23
Yellow Jackets	12	7	2	21
Wonder Bread	14	6	0	20

While the Roman Candles and Team Wonder Bread performed much better during the Obstacles, the Yellow Jackets did their best to win the hearts of the crowd while also matching pace with the Roman Candles during the footrace. In the end, the scores were close. The Roman Candles came out on top with 23 points, the Yellow Jackets were in second place with 21 points, and finally, Wonder Bread closed out with 20 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art by Ivan Troitsky