Crossing into Sonotra – Encounter – CftD 8

This encounter is designed to be the 8th encounter in the “Chalice for the Devourer” beta testing Adventure. It can also be adapted to for a generic chase across a rope bridge.

Overview

Type: Battle Map

Players are chased by waves of Wolves and Werewolves until they cross the rope bridge

Location: wildland (Game Hills)

Outline:

• Introduction
• Action
• Post Action (“Chalice for the Devourer” Adventure)

NPCs:

• Allied:
  • Expulsior Tome
• Neutral
  • Joseph Cartage
• Hostile
  • Wolf
  • Werewolf

Location

Map should be large and (35+x25+) with a river canyon on the left side. The river is about 80′ down and should be 15 squares wide. A rope bridge prop should extend the length of the river. No significant space is needed on the far end of the bridge.

Introduction

Our heroes have survived (or avoided) the wreckage of their transportation and are about to cross the river into the Sonotra Mountains.

Players should place their pieces as they wish along the far end of the map, should be 15-20 squares from the rope bridge.

Expulsior Tome and Joseph Cartage will place themselves in the middle of the party.

A rickety rope bridge extends across the river alongside where the rail bridge used to be. The gremlins had apparently constructed it to tear down the rail bridge and block rail traffic.

As they approach the bridge, they hear the howling of wolves approaching, then a howl with deeper sound and causing a terror in their souls. Players take 1 tear damage and will take and additional 1T damage for each round they do not move toward or over the bridge until they reach the other side.

Action

Once all players are 10 squares from the edge of the map, the first wave of wolves/werewolf arrive. These waves will continue and grow in size until the players cross the bridge. Each new wave will spawn 1 round after the last creature from the previous wave is downed.

Wave 1 – 3 Wolves, 1 Werewolf

Wave 2-5 + 1 Wolf

Wave 6 + +1 Werewolf

Expulsior Tome and Joseph Cartage will run (2+1+1) to the bridge and move at 3 squares per round across the bridge unless player interaction or bridge condition motivates different action.

Rope Bridge Peril – When players reach the bridge, each character crossing the bridge must make a care check of 1 action point per square moved. Moving 2 squares requires 2 action points or will add 1 action point to the bridge peril.

The bridge will lose 1 of its support ropes each 4 Action Points of Peril. The ropes will fail at the origin side.

Effects:

1 Rope Lost

• Fear effect for not moving toward or across the bridge increased to 2T per round
• Only 1 square of + movement allowed per round

2 Ropes Lost

• Fear effect for not moving toward or across the bridge increased to 3T per round
• No +movement allowed

3 Ropes Lost

• Fear effect for not moving toward or across the bridge increased to 4T per round
• Each square moved along the rope bridge costs 1T and 1S

4 Ropes Lost

• Any player on the starting side may expend 10S and be reduced to 5T to run and jump to grab the falling bridge
• Any player on the bridge must make a 3S vigor check or pay the same penalty to hold on.
• Players holding on to the bridge must expend 2S per square of movement to climb the bridge to the top. A rope may be thrown by players at the top that will allow them to split that Sweat expense.

Players may cut the ropes at the far end of the bridge to keep the wolves/werewolves from cross. It is a 1S check to cut each rope with a sharp item. If the players don’t come up with this, have Expulsior Tome suggest it.

Post Action

Once all players, the Expulsior and Joseph Cartage are across the bridge the wolves/werewolves turn and leave. They will follow the path through to the grotto or along the rail line. Both will take about 1 day.

Rail Line Path – Must make water check, do not need to make navigation check

Grotto Path – Water is available the whole route, but navigation checks must be made.