Pole Climbing

In the interest of kicking things off, I am posting the combat scenes.

If you are all interested in finding out who (if anyone) got to the top, we can do that here.

This seemed the fairest way to do things without delaying any further.

The only inevitable conclusion is; at the end you are all in a pile at the bottom for the start of combat.

Yes, there can be no greater beginning to my legend.

So then... looking at Climb Checks we have a DC of about 20.

the pole is knobby, just a tree trunk that's been stripped of it's bark. But it is a bit smooth as well, sanded the bigger projections down to keep it from being too easy. But then again, after the first five feet or so you can wrap your arms around it and shinny. It isn't elegant, but it is upwards progress. So I'm going with a base of 15 with +5 for slippery. You, of course, cannot take ten under the current situation. And anyone moving too slow or methodical became the target of mudballs during the day.

But your real hazard is the other climbers. You've got two serious lumberjack types and a drunk townie. Drunk isn't going to be much of a climber, but he's got a decent grip and feeling no pain.

After a moment or two of scrambling, who has a grip on who, so to speak

Dice Roll: 1d20+3
d20 Results: 4 (Total = 7)

Grom Grapple

Dice Roll: 1d20+4
d20 Results: 5 (Total = 9)

Noshu Grapple

Dice Roll: 1d20+1
d20 Results: 2 (Total = 3)

Woodsman 1 Grapple

Dice Roll: 1d20+2
d20 Results: 20 (Total = 22)

Woodsman 2 Grapple

Dice Roll: 1d20-1
d20 Results: 11 (Total = 10)

Drunk Grapple
These are, of course, CMB checks

Grom currently has a significant advantage. He can choose to have that mean he has a clear escape from others for the moment and make a climb check. Or he can choose to have a headlock on someone and prevent them from climbing at all.

Noshu and Woodsman 2 are in a tie, a significant enough lead over the others that I will allow Noshu the choice; either she has removed the Drunk from the contest by what ever means she desires, or she is climbing just below Grom.

Persons 'tossed out' will require one full round to recover and get back into the mudpit.

Climbing the pole will require five successes. Two failures in a row means you slid back one 'success' of your climb. Two successes without anyone else succeeding means you are out of reach for being pulled down.

Current Standing :
Grom has a chance to climb or have superior grapple on one other contestant of his choice.
Noshu has a chance to climb or have a superior grapple on the Drunk.
Woodsman One is being tossed out of the contest by his friend
Woodsman Two is choosing to remove what he sees as his major opponent, his friend the other Woodsman, and I will post the results when Grom and Noshu make their choices.
The Drunk is currently staggering towards the half naked chick that is mud wrestling

And, of course, if Grom chooses to toss someone out for a round then I will adjust.

In the mad scramble and tussle, the half orc Grom takes a decided lead, gripping the pole in his arms and shinnying up it. He is still within reach of the other contestants.

Noshu is just beneath the half ork. Closer to the ground, she has to worry about (a) someone grabbing her from behind and (b) if the half ork may lose traction and slide down into her.

Alleana vaults over the drunk, uses one of the woodsmen as a stepping stone and leaps up onto the pole. She gets a good height, but the slippery tree trunk nearly slides from her grasp. After a moment of doubt, she ends up with a firm grip, and nearly nose to nose with the half ork.

Down below, Woodsman One is propelled out into the crowd and will spend the next round getting to his feet. Woodsman Two turns his attention to the contest. The Drunk makes a leap for Noshu's waist to pull her off the pole. Surprisingly to all, mostly the Drunk, he manages to get a grip around her waist.

Drunk CMB vs Climbing Barbarian:
Dice Roll: 1d20-1
d20 Results: 16 (Total = 15)

Grom Climb:
Dice Roll: 1d20+7
d20 Results: 14 (Total = 21)

Noshu Climb:
Dice Roll: 1D20+7
d20 Results: 3 (Total = 10)

No modifiers for armor.
ERS : I don't think you put in the Class Skill Bonus for your skills learned.
Y'all can make your own climb rolls from now on.

Reaching the Top requires five successful climb checks.
DC 20 to move up
DC 15 to not slide down
DC 10 to not fall off

At the end of the first round
Grom and Alleana are 'nose to nose'
Noshu has been grabbed by the Drunk and cannot climb until she gets rid of him
Woodsman One is out for the next round
Woodsman Two is on the ground.

Noshu lets out a squawk of indignation and shoves the drunk away with her legs.

Alleana
Alleana cluctched onto the slippery pole and attempted to continue

Dice Roll: 1d20+6z
d20 Results: 11 (Total = 17)

climbing (17) but found it difficult to make purchase on the greased pole. Luckily, she had her legs wrapped tightly around it and while she did not go upwards, she also did not go downwards.

Looking down she saw the tussling going on below, glad for the time it bought her.

Looking across at the half orc, she grinned at him and winked 'Come here often?' she said cheesily while looking for a way to get up higher.

Grom's eyes widen as he recognizes the pretty girl. "Nope first, good ta see more of you Alleana." Using nails/claws he attempts to move above this old acquaintance. Seeyousoon climbing (16)or not.Gives her a tusky grin.

Noshu kicks out against the Drunk townie; both of them coated with mud makes his grip tenuous at best. He stumbles backwards and falls on his tuchass to the amusement of the crowd. Woodsman One manages to get to his feet and reenter the contest. His friend is having better luck, Woodsman two makes a jump for Grom's leg..... and fails miserably.

Options : Grom & Alleana can continue climbing or choose to kick at Noshu. Noshu can resume climbing attempt or grab for either of the targets above.

Woodsman One is 'out' for this round. Drunk is 'out' for this round. Woodsman Two chooses to try and pull Grom off the pole.

Wood Two CMB Check:
Dice Roll: 1d20+2
d20 Results: 3 (Total = 5)

Reaching the Top requires five successful climb checks.
DC 20 to move up
DC 15 to not slide down
DC 10 to not fall off

Grom = 1 Success
Alleana = 1 Success
Noshu = 0 Success
Wood 1 = 0 Success
Wood 2 = 0 Success
Drunk = 0 Success

Once you are 'Two Successes' up, you can no longer be grabbed by people on the ground.

I am still using a basic 'CMB' check for grapple-ish maneuvers. Everyone is more or less 'flat footed'; Dexterity isn't really helpful when you're clinging to a pole.

Grom lift his chin to get a look at the prize. His grin turns to a grimace of effort and concentration, with a slight furrow to his heavy brow. He attempts to push/pull himself up the pole. climbing (19)