Sage Mountain is holding a PvP gladiator contest at 4 convention events coming this summer. We are using this play by post thread to play test the contest. All are welcome to join. As we get pairs of players to face off we will begin those matches. When a character looses they are eliminated and will move on to a second version of the play test. 

Version one: characters get a long rest between matches.

Version two: characters get no rest between matches. 

To join our thread and play create a character and either PM the character or email it to sagemtnarena@gmail.com. We ask that characters not be posted so as to maintain the mystery of each characters stats.

Character creation rules:

Ability scores use point build rules. No rolls.

5e dungeons and dragons players handbook and Dm's guide plus DnD beyond content shared in the campaign link it is allowed.

However let's not use  Critical Roll and UA content....JMO

Players create a 5th level character.

Players have 1,300gp starting to purchase weapons and gear.

Each player gets a bonus feat.

Magic items: each player may choose 3 common, or one uncommon magic item. This is not in addition to the uncommon item recommended in the DMG, but rathers choice of one uncommon or 3 common items. This is bonus gear and does not count against your starting gold. 

Once your character is created and emailed or PM announce your arrival to the thread by describing your character as you walk up to the arena registration table. Be as far as dramatic and descriptive as you like. Have fun with it.

I look forward to playing with everyone and welcome everyone's questions and input for the play test.

The ability to buy a Very rare item by giving up  a level is completely unbalancing  - something a Character shouldn't see until 15th+ now available by sacrificing a  level?  And in an Arena type dual?  A staff of power at 4th level?  An Oathbow?     I can save you the playtesting.....

I was wrestling with the same thoughts. What are your thoughts on the 10,000 gp starting gold and skip the level trade idea all together. Then players are capped at only accessing up to rare items.

Definitely appreciate everyone's input. My goal is to create an attractive PVP duel environment with the most options for creative characters to be able to bring surprises to the arena, and not have it just be the same series of characters trading dice rolls.

At the events 1st,2nd,and 3rd place win gift certificates to their game shop of choice.  So I do want to also keep a good balance to the rules.

DMG for LVL 5  High Magic Tiers of play gives 510-750gp + one Uncommon magic item + starting gear.  This would translate to 1100 to 1300 gp. 

I think even Rare items are much for this level.  If you see how the arena's have been done here there is a random prize at the end of each round that was typically an uncommon item.  I would hesitate to allow players to a choose a rare item or better  - there are so many that can just break a dual.  

That is good information for me to consider. What are your thoughts on a mechanic for possibly getting an extra feat with the gold allowance? 

He, just tuning in;

I think you should mostly decide for yourself what kind of characters you would want in tour arena. Because according to your current rules you can have almost an infinite amount of common items. So maybe you would want to chance the monetary value per rarity time. An  character I was looking into was: https://ddb.ac/characters/47334610/1KqcN6 which gives to many magical options already.

Just putting my 2 cents in here... I would never email yu a character to a gmail account, just for starters. If you want people to join this, i would suggest having them PM you here or post in this forum.

For the rest, I'd just give out a set amount of gold, a set starting level, and then let people make their characters accordingly. Allowing feats, extra magic items, etc, is going to unbalance the game, and make things hard to manage.

I have played in a campaign where every character got a free feet.  It was ok.  I wouldn't allow more than the one recommended uncommon item at start...

I like the character. You do bring up a good point in the shear number of common items that could be had. That does get very unruly.

As for mostly deciding on what I want for the game rules for myself, if I was just running a game for myself and for a small group of friends I would take that view. I am generally all about the DM setting the stage for the game.  In this case because I am crafting an event for around 100 participants who are paying to be part of a convention, and the arena is a contest for prize money, I decided to run this play test and get input from a wide range of players. As one of the co-founders of Sage Mountain Camping, we are striving very hard to have our roleplaying themed campground be built on a strong foundation of creative collaboration. All of the Game Masters that are running adventures are given as much creative license as possible, and we very much welcome suggestions and critique.

We truly want the arena to be one of many events that get people excited, and an event that helps draw in the crowd. I do truly welcome and appreciate everyone who is willing chime in with suggestions, and their two cents. It does help us build a better event.

I am very curious to know why you feel that way about emailing in a character. Is it email in general, would you feel different it was a business email such as arenachar@sagemountain.com email vs the @gmail which is generally considered a personal email. Truly just curious as making sure I keep all of our participants feeling comfortable is important to us.

I hadn't thought about the PM, which does accomplish the same goal of basically registering the character so I can make sure matches do stay honest, but keep the mystery of what your opponent's stats and skills are. So if PM is better for most people that is something easily changed.

I am definitely considering this as an option. Or something very similar. I am very interested in continued feedback from players.

Character creation rules have been updated. 

Completed characters can now be Sent via Private Message.

pm sent

Just a note on building characters  - you can't presort on DND beyond for things like spells and feats which are limited to DMG and Players Handbook for this from the Character builder  - it makes these harder to check....I"m building one now and have to go back and change feats and spells.....Many spells and feats aren't available if the restriction is for these only.....

Also  - the items must be purchased from the money allotment or are they in addition?

The magic items are in addition to the gp allotment.

Question. I am reltively new to dnd beyond. Is making a character using dnd beyond like you are doing a free resource, or would the content you are creating with be from a paid portion of dnd beyond. My reason for limiting to players handbook and dmg is so everyone who joins are all creating from equal resources. If the material you are using is free to anyone, I would dnd beyond as an allowed resource.

It's not free, however if you create a campaign and share what content you have anyone can use it.....If you create a campaign I can share content....

If it opens up options for other sources I would also be willing to share content. I own everything on this site, so likely that would mean any one would have access to all sources.