Night watch is so boring. Nothing has happened during the
whole trip. Nothing to do but walk round, get drizzled on, add the occasional stick to the
banked cook fire, smell the cattle, hear the cattle, avoid cattle left overs …
You have just completed your round of the temporary cattle pen, and are about as far as
you ever get from the center of the camp, when something huge (much bigger than a man)
crashes out of the darkness and bushes directly at you.
Enter a Bear
I leap over the creature yelling and screaming (augmenting with Hunting Magic - 1W1). I
then ready weapons and keep running.
***Narrators Note:
You are actually doing two things here, leaping and arming yourself (I threw in the magic
for free). This can be done but it come with big subtracts. Lucky you rolled well (also I
presume that when you are on watch you have your spear and shield to hand). Also note that
you are an excellent jumper but without magic you are unlikely to jump over a man sized
object.
You somersault over the object, simultaneously preparing you spear and shield and land
perfectly poised to launch a rear attack on what appears to be a very large bear (which
appears to be headed towards the middle of camp).
I will try my paralyzing bite (paralyzing bite 1W1) but first call my two alynx buds
out to help one to wake up the rest of the party and the other to help me out with the
bear.
***Narrators Note:
Difficult to do so many things at once.
Well the action is fast and furious. A bit too fast and furious. You manage to leap
onto the bears back, grab a good hold and take a good chomp on its rear end (unfortunately
your paralysing bite affinity has failed to manifest). The Alynxes are a bit confused by
your muffled orders and decide to harass the bear.
Meanwhile, the bear does not seem pleased. While swiping one paw at the Alynxes, it
turns its head over one shoulder and says to you "Why do you bother me?"
Screaming loudly about the intruder I attack with spear instead. [Close Combat 5W]
You leap from the back of the bear (previous magic still in effect) and stab at it,
scoring it along one flank. The bear whirls and roars So you help him do you?!
There is no action from the main camp yet.
"I help no one but the Amber clan find a new home. What are you talking about
and why do you attack the cattle and go towards the camp?"
[Stop my attack and defend]
The bear backs up a pace keeping a wary eye on the two Alynxes. "What?! Attack
cattle? I have done no such thing. I flee for my life from the hunter and now I have you
blocking my path."
In the distance you hear the sound of a horn, apparently approaching fast.
The bear starts. "Oh, aid me to escape him and I will grant you a boon."
"Yes I will aid you. Brother Bear I thought you were attacking the cattle. What
is his name who chases you? We could pretend that I captured you and you are mine."
The bear replies "I am being chased by the hunter. Do you really think he might
leave me alone? He has never stopped before."
The horn sounds closer and now it seems you can hear the beying of hounds as well.
"Brother bear lets go back to my camp where my kin folk might help us dissuade
this hunter and his pack of dogs from hurting you or anyone else."
We race back to camp with me in the lead and the bear following. I order my alynxs to
go to camp and wake up the group up.
You and the bear (and the alynxes) go racing around to the main camp but strangely
enough, no one is there.
The sound of the horn and hounds is very close now.
Ask the bear for more information about this hunter and try to use my cultural
knowledge to figure out who he is.
You've reached the main camp and no one is about (how peculiar). The bear is starting
to get frantic.
In response to your questions the bear replies "Why he is the hunter and he
hunts me as always. I only hope that this time I can escape him."
This is all starting to sound somewhat familiar but you can't quite recall exactly why.
Meanwhile, you hear the horn sound from the other side of the camp and a loud voice
calling "Here's fresh blood. After him. He's not far now!"
"Bear you go that way through the forest and I will go towards the hounds and
the horns and try to delay or stop them."
Enter a Hunter
Dashing back to the other side of camp you soon meet a hunter riding an elk. Two large
elkhounds dance around him.
The hunter stops and addresses you. "Sir, I hunt the bear. Was it you that
wounded the brute? If so, aid me to take him and I will offer you the hunter's
choice."
Yes it was I that wounded the bear to protect myself and my cattle. I scared him
off. What is he? The strike I made should have killed him.
Using my culture lore tried to remember what this guy is and the bear.
Why do you hunt the bear?
(what does it mean to have hunter choice - I would know i think)
***Narrator's Note:
Hunter's Choice - as you drew first blood you get the first pick of the kill.
The hunter replies "Hah! That's no ordinary bear. Tis the Sky Bear I hunt. And
I hunt him for the good fortune of my clan."
[Something clicks and you go Aha! This guy must be an Odalyan repeating the Heroquest
of Odalya hunts the Sky Bear. If he can successfully hunt down the bear his clan will have
good hunting luck for the following year. The question is what are you doing inside his
Heroquest and are you going to help him or hinder him (or ignore him)?]
The Hunter continues "But tell me, why do you seek to burn the forest? I am
passing curious."
The hunter has paused for the moment awaiting your reply but you get the feeling that
he's keen to be off.
I try to remember my lore and remember the legend of the bear and the hunter.
I still ask why he hunts the bear?
***Narrators Note
A hero quest is a magical quest. Usually, a worshipper tries to re-enact some great feat
of his/her god (or a cult hero) to gain some kind of magical benefit. Every cult has some
heroquests (ie. that includes Yinkin). Successfully completing the quest will gain a
benefit related to that god (eg. a Humakt might gain a fighting ability, an Issaries might
get a good trading ability). In this case, since Yinkin is closely allied to Odalya, you
are quite familiar with the Hunt the Sky Bear Heroquest. If this guy can successfully hunt
down the bear his clan will have good hunting luck for the following year.
The hunter replies once more "I hunt the bear in order that my village might
have hunting luck for the coming year. Will you aid me? If so I again offer you the
hunter's choice."
He continues "However, I cannot tarry here. Every moment we speak takes the
bear further away. I must be off. Come if you will. Bring the torch if you like roast
bear."
He whistles for his dogs to follow and heads off in the general direction that the bear
went.
I tell the hunter that I am too a hunter and will lead him to it. My alynx track it
right now.
We should go now. Take him to the bear.
The hunter yells in glee Welcome friend! We’ll get that brute now.
You and the hunter swiftly move off in pursuit of the bear and in a few moments the
yapping of the dogs and the screeches of the Alynx indicate they the exact location.
When you arrive, the Alynxes are facing off against the dogs while the bear is
attempting to make a hasty retreat. It sees you arriving with the hunter and calls out Brother,
you said you would aid me.
"Yes," I call to the bear "I have not lied I am ending this
hunt here and now."
"Hunter I do not want to hurt you but this bear is under my protection and him
and myself will defeat you if you choose not to go home. I mean you no harm but I will not
have you hurt the bear. He must go back in the sky where he belongs and you must use
another hero quest to help your people. If you want to fight you must face me, him and my
cats. Go home brother hunter there is no shame in this."
Conflict
The hunter gives a cry of rage and attacks.
*************************
Narrators Note: Extended Combat Phase
1
***Cat-boy
Close Combat/Action Points = 1w5=1w5/53 (+2 followers)
Attack/Armor - ^5/^3
Other Magic in Effect - (leaping magic)
***SkyBear
Close Combat/Action Points = 1w1=1w1/21
Attack/Armor - ^4/^4 (includes offensive and defensive magic)
Other Magic in Effect - (run away magic)
***Hunter
Close Combat/Action Points = 1w1=18/61 (3 followers) (-3 for multiple enemies)
Attack/Armor - ^6/^6 (includes offensive and defensive magic)
Other Magic in Effect - (agility magic)
*************************
*************************
Narrators Note:
First 3 rounds Results
a) (Cat-boy's Roll/Hunter's Roll,
Cat-boy's AP/Hunter's AP, based on bets of 6)
b) (Bear's Roll/Hunter's Roll, Bear's AP/Hunter's AP, based on bets of 6)
1) a) Fail/Succeed->Bump->F/F
(44/56)
...b) Fail/Succeed->Bump->F/F (13/52)
2) a) Crit/Succeed->Bump->C/F
(54/42)
.. b) Fail/Succeed->Bump->F/F (5/38)
3) a) Succ/Succeed->Bump->S/F
(54/28)
.. b) Fail/Succeed->Bump->F/F (-3/24)
*************************
The hunter charges the bear while the dogs face you. The action is fast and furious. In
a few moments you manage to dispose of the dogs but when you turn to help the bear you see
it slump to the ground bleeding badly.
The battle pauses as those left take stock of the situation. The hunter is basically
unharmed though the bear managed to badly wound his elk (which is barely standing). You
and your Alynxes are barely scratched.
The hunters glares at you and says "The bear is down. Leave now and we'll say
no more about this. Stay on and it will be to the death."
***Narrators Note:
The hunter will no longer have subtracts for multiple opponents.
Will I ready my weapons and attack the hunter parrying his blow and attacking with my
spear.
Telling my Alynxs to keep his dogs at bay.
***Narrator's Note:
Dogs are already down so the Alynxes will help you.
*************************
Narrators Note: Extended Combat Phase
2
***Cat-boy
Close Combat/Action Points = 1w5=5/54 (+2 followers)
Attack/Armor - ^5/^3
Other Magic in Effect - (leaping magic)
***Hunter
Close Combat/Action Points = 1w1=1/24 (+1 follower)
Attack/Armor - ^6/^6 (includes offensive and defensive magic)
Other Magic in Effect - (agility magic)
*************************
*************************
Narrators Note:
Extended Combat Phase 2
Next 3 rounds Results
(Cat-boy's Roll/Hunter's Roll,
Cat-boy's AP/Hunter's AP, based on bets of 6)
4) 2/18->S/F (54/14)
5) 18/17->F/F (45/9)
6) 19/8->F/F (36/4)
*************************
4) 2/18->S/F (54/14)
5) 18/17->F/F (45/9)
6) 19/8->F/F (36/4)
*************************
The hunter charges and there is another swirl of spears with snapping Alynxes thrown in
for good measure. Almost immediately the hunter's mount goes down and you drive him back
when, with a lightning twist, the hunter manages to spear Rico and dodges through the
temporary gap in your circle.
The hunter backs off rapidly and shouts "Fool! You betray yourself by defending
the bear. This will not be forgotten."
The hunter appears to be trying to break off combat. He is bleeding heavily from a
number of wounds. Will you pursue him or attend to the injured bear and Alynx or choose
some other action?
Outcome
I will let him go but watch him while helping the bear and my alynx with first aid.
I tell the bear that he was brave and I will do my best to heal him. I just wanted the
hunter to leave but I knew if we did not confront him. The bear would never be free or
safe.
I am your brother bear. I will not go back on my word of trying to protect you.
And with your quick action the bear and the alynx soon regain their feet. The bear
turns to you and says "You risked your skin to save my skin. So please keep mine
as a gift."
And with that the bear disappears from sight but when you look down you see a large
bear skin at your feet.
This page last modified May 03, 2001
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