Babes in London: Act Two, Scene Three B (Anika’s House, Part 5: Flashback—Hounds of the Law: The Chase)

SCENE THREE B: HOUNDS OF THE LAW

PART B: THE CHASE

From here, the PCs match their skills at hunting and tracking against Karymnos’ skills. The hunter has used the main path for much of the way, both for speed and to hide his trail. After 6 hours of traveling in the dark and 3 hours of hard riding, he left the trail and headed down the mountain, using rocky outcrops and stony ground to hide his diversion. He is heading for Heiron’s River where he has arranged to meet a boat to take him and Brinna to Elios, which is in the opposite direction to which he is expected to go.

If they are using the dogs, the PCs reach the rocky outcrop where Karymnos left the path around mid-afternoon. Read or paraphrase the following:

The dogs are looking tired, but very pleased with themselves. Eight hours of tracking, and they think they’re still on the scent. The trail turns a corner, and the trees give way to a bulge of rock that extends across the path and up and down the hill on either side. The dogs stop. One sneezes. Another rubs its nose. The third dog glares at you as though it’s your fault, and the fourth sits down and looks confused. It’s the lead dog that picks up the trail again. After two more sneezing episodes, it begins to pull you away from the trail, and over the rocks leading down the mountainside.

If the PCs want to double check the dogs’ decision they must make an Air (Senses) TH3 test against Karymnos’ Air (Stealth) TH1 test in order to notice that something has disturbed the rocks and nearby shrubbery. Otherwise they can follow the dogs. (Go to Part C: Rendezvous)

If they are not using the dogs, the PCs must make six Air (Senses) TH3 tests while following the trail. Success means they note some tangible sign that he has passed along the trail be it a distinctive hoof mark, a scrap of cloth from a woman’s dress, evidence that someone ‘had to go’ in the bushes not far from the trail, a discarded food scrap etc. Once they reach the rocky outcrop at mid-afternoon, have them make another Air (Senses) TH3 test against Karymnos’ Air (Stealth) in order to pick up and keep the hunter’s trail. (Karymnos had a TH1 to leave the trail successfully at this point due to the rocky nature of both the trail and the ground beyond it.) If the PCs fail to pick up the trail at this point, they come across a hunter’s camp further on and learn that no-one has passed that way for the last two days – the hunters can help put them back on the trail if they need it, or the PCs can back track, making tests until they pick up the trail again. When they find it, continue with Part C: Rendezvous.

NOTE: This adventure is not sanctioned in any way, shape or form by Fantasy Flight. It is not an official product, and I am in no way affiliated with them or they with me. There is no relationship between us. This adventure is mine, for fun, and for you, because some of you asked me to finish it.

Also, if you like this adventure and want to play it, please go buy the official rulebooks from somewhere where the original creators and publisher of the setting will be paid. I got mine from a Melbourne game store, but I’ve found PDF versions of the Player's Handbook and the Gamemaster's Handbook are now available from DriveThruFiction. If you enjoy their world, this is the best way to thank them.