How would you run this?

[Abstraction]

For this Sunday's game, I plan on having the group ambushed while crossing a great, majestic stone bridge high over a sizable river. As the group is going across, several humans pushing pushcarts are coming the other way. Maybe 3 of them? The players will each get a check (spot? sense motive?) to avoid being surprised. The humans will all be the same thing, probably Fighter 1 or 2. When they get close enough, up pop from the carts a halfling ninja in each, Ninja 2 or 3. Each will try to lasso a party member. What kind of check? If successful, they or the human will push the pushcart off the side of the bridge (which has no railing or other safety device). What kind of action to push the cart off? Does it require a check? The rope is, of course, tied to the cart. What kind of check for the character to resist being pulled over. I was thinking the bullrush mechanic might be most appropriate, but what is the strength and size of a cart?

Finally, good or idea or not? What would you do different? The group is 5 characters, all 3rd level, plus an elven child NPC and human commoner NPC. I guess I should include that one character rides a big bull. Other than that, there is a medium snake, a raven and a weasel also along.

 

[Thunderfoot]

There are a few things that I would tweek only because I'm a stickler for details.

First the bridge - noone builds a bridge without side rails, safety and structrual integrity demand it.
Second the encounter - why are they being attacked? Are the ninjas hired killers because of the trouble the party is making for a High level BBEG? If this is just a planned "random" encounter, it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.
Third the rolls - The initial attacks are just that attacks. The lassos may be sudual weapons, but its still an attack. As for an immediate failure = fall - I wouldn't. If the ninja blow their attack roll (with their suprise bonuses intact) whatever beat down that ensues is rightly deserved, but should be handled as regular combat. If a character tries to grapple a ninja or cart driver and forcibly push them over the bridge, opposed grapple to initiate, opposed grapple to throw (two attacks) so they would need a full attack or two rounds to do the deed.

Anyone else?

 

[Abstraction]

The bridge is an ancient mystery, actually. One bank of the river is at ground level, the other side is a 100' cliff. The bridge is in the shape of a stone flower. The stem is a circular staircase and the bloom is the bridge itself.

The characters are the intentional targets of the ambush, for reasons that they don't yet know.

 

[EdL]

The bridge is an ancient mystery, actually. One bank of the river is at ground level, the other side is a 100' cliff. The bridge is in the shape of a stone flower. The stem is a circular staircase and the bloom is the bridge itself.

The characters are the intentional targets of the ambush, for reasons that they don't yet know.

You are assuming that the characters will use the bridge. You'd have to drag me onto it! One good gust of wind and over you go. No thanks!

 

[orbitalfreak]

I would treat the lasso as a net for game statistic purposes.
Don't forget about bull rushes (or is that only possible to do in a straight line, where you can't force them off the side?)

I would say definitely a Spot check to notice "something suspicious" about the carts, like a bulge under the cloth covering, or the head of one of the halflings poking above the rail, or noticing the rope tied to the cart.

 

[Abstraction]

Okay, lasso is a touch attack roll which is very nasty against a flatfooted opponent, but will be considered non-proficient. Spot check to notice something suspicious versus the worst of three Hide checks on the ninjas. I guess pushing a cart over will be a move action at heavy encumbrance with no chance of failure. The weight of the cart will be a bullrush. Large opponent with, maybe, a 22 Str? That create a situation where a lassoed guy is slowly pulled off over a couple rounds. The bridge itself is going to be forty feet wide, so there is room to resist being pulled off if you start from the center.

 

[Thia Halmades]

Er... hang on. I'll let everyone else sort out most of your mechanics. First question:

- What level is the party? Is this encounter appropriately scaled for them? Because if one of those punks succeeds, you're looking at a full GNC. Unless you intend to have them float down river, in which case there's a new question:

- Most people who have some sort of Destiny can't be killed by punky mooks. Do you have a plan if they go a floatin'? Do you have Complete Warrior? There are tactical feats (Shock Trooper/Combat Brute) which allow people to be pushed by a Bull Rush in multiple directions and longer distances.

- Odds of them starting from center is poor; a well planned attack will initiate either after they've past them, or when they're even, to force them to a side. The wagons will come up center, pushing the PCs aside and making them easier targets.

- Not knowing why someone is trying to kill you, and then having them succeed, is (no offense meant) poor storytelling. This sounds like an encounter that's going to have a high fatality rate, which (in terms of character dynamic) will utterly up end any plotline you're installing about these specific characters. You may wish to rethink that plan somewhat.

 

[Warrior Poet]

First the bridge - noone builds a bridge without side rails, safety and structrual integrity demand it.

It's Abstraction's world, and it's a fantasy game. A rail-less bridge is improbable, but halfling ninjas get a pass?

Third the rolls

Agree with most of this, but I'd add that if the ninjas get someone lasso'd and start the move toward the edge, it should take a few rounds so there's time for escape artist checks or something. It seems a bit too harsh that they'd just go right over. Same for the reverse, if they turn the tables on the ninjas.

Warrior Poet

 

[Warrior Poet]

Are the NPCs going to be targeted for this move as well? If so, and it's in the PCs interest to protect them, that's going to add a complicating element to the whole equation.

Warrior Poet

 

[Thia Halmades]

Oh, good point, I forgot that part. Yah, what's with the Halfling Ninjas? Never, ever add Ninjas. If I had a dollar in a high-yield savings account for every time I thought Ninjas would improve an encounter when I was younger, I'd have ... well, a lot of money and a much smaller mortgage.

Ninjas. Specifically: Why ninjas? Sorry to harp, but WP has a point, and it goes back to the general lack of plot. Why are the PCs on this bridge? What if they don't cross the bridge? Why does the enemy know they're crossing the bridge? Is there a specific chain of events that the PCs can back track and make a determination as to what precipitated the attack in the first place?