Mule in a trap

[tylermo]

Hello. My three players are coming over tonight for another installment of A0:The Rising Knight. Kreider recently came to the rescue with mule stats for the game. I believe all of us had a discussion about players relying on pack animals and sometimes losing gear on said animals depending upon the circumstances. Well, during part of last week's game, two players fell prey to a fear effect. They bolted and ran. Instead of running after them, our brave halfling paladin soldiered on. Whilst riding the pack mule, he failed to see a 10 foot deep pit trap. Both of them ended up in the damned thing. After re-reading a passage, it seems only one person should have fallen in. Oops. Either way, the halfling took little or no falling damage. The mule took no significant damage either. Our high school player had to leave, so we ended on that cliffhanger. I have no idea how the other players are going to get this donkey out when they return from their panicked run. Any thoughts?

[alcyone]

If he was a Knight I'd give him some kind of roll to dismount in order to grab the edge of the pit, but anyone else, I'd say if they were riding, where the mount goes is where they go, doesn't really matter what the passage says.

As far as how they get back out? That's not your problem . They need to solve it or not, right?

They are low level, but they have options.

A combination of one or more of the following?
1. Alter Size... might make it easier to lift the mule.
2. Floating Disk... lifts it 3 feet, only 7 to go!
3. Block and tackle.
4. Inclined plane.
5. Hired muscle... maybe you can convince some people to help lift it.
6. Raise the ground by filling it with dirt, occasionally lifting the mule. Or a floating disk will rise 3 feet above the level of the dirt.
7. Leave the mule.
8. Fill the hole with water. Mules float, right? Right?

[CKDad]

How much is a shovel? Or two?

[alcyone]

Also, I hope the baddies didn't set a trap just to ignore it... hopefully they come back while everyone is out there with their sleeves rolled up digging or in the pit with the mule trying to coax it out.

[Lurker]

Also, I hope the baddies didn't set a trap just to ignore it... hopefully they come back while everyone is out there with their sleeves rolled up digging or in the pit with the mule trying to coax it out.

My thoughts exactly ... I HAVE to smile at the thought of a couple of Orcs or goblins watching said Halfling ridding the mule into the hole, and then see the rest of the party come up and try to figure out how to get them out of the hole. "Org, Gorg, Alg, you have to see this, you'll never believe what just fell into Brag's little hole trap! WE ARE GOING TO EAT GOOD TONIGHT!!!!!"

As for getting the mule out, having tried to push my fair share of cow pigs goats etc up into various trailers and chutes, I'd say good luck on any non magical ideas. Who ever tries to get the thing out will get kicked stomped bit etc. That being said, for low level guys a block and tackle will be the best bet.

[Sir Ironside]

I've never tried to get any animal out of a hole, but in my mind it couldn't be easy. I've seen enough news footage of animals (horses, cows, deer) being rescued from holes or holes in ice etc. that require a lot of modern technology to just lift it out. Digging a ramp would be long and building a box and tackle would take time to. If I was a player I would have to weigh if I was willing to invest that time or abandon the mule.

If they have all the time in the world then everything else is academic. If there are other things to consider then the "how" becomes important.

As a CK I'd make it more interesting for them.

[Relaxo]

what if the mule isn't really the trap, (the hole I mean) but the mule is the bait to attract a larger prey? like using crayfish to go fishing for bass? whoever dug the hole might be hunting a nice, fat purple worm! yes, let the PCs enjoy that twist. bwa ha ha ha ha

[tylermo]

Well, the players made a choice. They retrieved their gear, then killed the mule. Strange things were happening(including the magical trap)by the hour. Their food began to rot and spoil, as well. Needless to say it was mule burgers, mule jerky, mule stew....you get the point. The trap was magical, and there was just no way to get the beast out. They randomly encountered some herd animals. A couple of cows came up, giving our druid another chance to cast animal friend. haha A new pack animal, and another for slaughter if need be. Regrettably, our halfling paladin was sick last night, and we didn't get to hear his muleogy. In addition to running the game, I've been playing a cleric(in case the party needs a healer). Wouldn't you know I forgot about my purify food spell. Those guys even ate roast kobold before we remembered that. Constitution rolls were failed by all, causing indigestion. The cleric tossed cookies after that dinner. Sounds crazy, but they're having fun. Thanks C&C!

[CKDad]

That's awesome! Reminds me of my players who decided to try eating zombie brains.

[tylermo]

Zombie brains?? That tops my story.

[Relaxo]

wow. Eating zombie brains. that'll show 'em.

[Lord Crimson]

Muleogy... he he.

[tylermo]

Muelogy. I used up my one amusing comment for the year with that one.

[CKDad]

Muelogy. I used up my one amusing comment for the year with that one.

Hey, you held off until the end of September, and it's a good one!

[tylermo]

True. Only a few months left this year. Muleogy just sort of came to me after the half-elf druid of Wenefar said she'd say a prayer over the animal. Plus, we knew our halfling paladin had an attachment to the animal. It could have only been better if that particular player hadn't been out due to an illness.