Though called the Raven, this arena is based on the Edger Allen Poe
story The Pit and the Pendulum. An indoor arena, the Raven is kept
at a lower-than-usual illumination level, giving it an eerie feeling fitting
for one of Poe's stories. Copies of Poe's works are sold alongside typical
autodueling fare at the Raven, both in book and cube form. An AADA-sanctioned
arena, the Raven is open from March to October and is part of the Atlantic
Armor Circuit.
An informal club called The Ravens meets regularly
at the arena. Comprised of duelists that have won at the arena, the club
holds meetings on a weekly basis to swap stories and have drinks. Those
duelists that have survived a fall in the pit make up a special group in
The Ravens called the 'Never-mores'. What sets these duelists apart from
the others, apart from surviving the pit, is their vow never to fall into
the pit again.
Arena Notes:
Due to the low-light conditions, there is a targeting penalty of -1
for all weapons fire. The use of radar and infrared is prohibited.
The outer walls are 15 feet high and have 50 DP.
Gates have 10 DP, and will open when rammed. Pits are 45 feet deep and
is cleaned out on a daily basis.
The Pendulum - this device may either be a giant
blade (30 feet long, 8,000 lbs, 100 DP) or a metal ball (1/2" diameter,
4,000 lbs., 50 DP). They swing at 60 mph, going in a line as indicated
on the arena map. Starting at a height of 2" above the arena floor, the
Pendulum lowers 1/4" per swing until reaching a height of 1/4". The Pendulum
may be allowed to lower until it hits the arena floor or locked at a certain
height for the duration of a duel. Trenches on either side of the arena
allow the Pendulum to keep swinging. Being hit by the Pendulum is figured
as a collision, using the damage modifier based on the Pendulum's weight.
Defenses:
Four autocannons are mounted in universal turrets, one in each corner.
Schedule:
Monday - Practice
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Challenge Night
Thursday - Amateur Night
Friday - AADA Divisionals
Saturday - Special Events
Sunday - Team Night
Special Events:
Execution Night - A local criminal convicted for a capital crime is
tied down at the center of the arena. The Pendulum blade is used to execute
these criminals, or they may be dispatched as part of an arena event. Execution
Night is usually held on Halloween.
Beating the Blade (or Ball) - The duelist must cross the arena four times by way of side and center paths while the Blade is in motion. A time limit may be set to liven things up. Prestige is doubled.
Never More - All gates are closed, locked, and barred with heavy obstacles. Gates will remain closed until there is one duelist left in the arena. Anyone attempting to leave the arena beforehand will be shot at by the arena defenses.