Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps our friend the bear has put in an appearance," says Henry, hurrying toward the sound of the screaming with Ivan by his side.

[jp1885]

Grabbing the jar marked ‘repellant’ (lest the liquid therein be bear repellant), Lepus follows suit.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The situation is as speculation predicted; a large and seemingly furious specimen of the brown bear, not seen on this island for some centuries, is rampaging through the village, striking at men, women, and even children indiscriminately with its savage claws. As of yet, no one has suffered a mortal wound, and most are wise enough to flee; but there are many unable to rise from the ground upon which they fell, and are helpless to defend themselves against the creature's rage.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry has his pistol ready. While he doubts it will do enough damage to bring down the bear, he hopes that the sound of the shot will scare it away. "Try the repellent first," he says to Lepus. "If that doesn't work, I shall fire."

[jp1885]

"Aye, let it be so," Lepus replies, scuttling as near the bear as he dares and opening the jar.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Bear's ability to resist the repellent based on CON of 16d20

A noxious vapor pours forth from the opened jar of repellent, the liquid within evaporating rapidly upon exposure to the air. Immediately noticeable is the fact that small, weak creatures in the immediate vicinity -- birds, vermin, not to mention children, the elderly, and the infirm -- rush away, to the extent that they are able.

North, Lupus, Eliza CON = 14, 10, 183d20

Noticeable also is the fact that the hedge wizard is hoist by his own petard; that is to say, that the nauseating stench of the vapor causes him to proceed at a hurried pace away from it, requiring him to drop it upon the ground as he runs off. The bear, obviously annoyed by the repellent yet not to such extent as to be driven away, swipes a paw at the jar.

dex 13d20

The jar shatters at its blow, so that the beast is covered with the obnoxious vapor. Enraged and unable to escape the hideous scent, it roars with fury, obviously intent on striking out at another victim/.

[jp1885]

Hacking and coughing, Lepus staggers backwards.

Uttering a string of colourful curses, he wipes the tears from his eyes and tries to focus on the bear.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry fires the pistol at the bear, hoping that even a miss will frighten the bear away.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

dex = 11d20

The pistol shot flies far over the head of the enraged beast.

The bear has the Affliction Afraid of Fire, so I'll treat the pistol shot as something similar. It has to make a CHA check or flee. CHA = 5d20

Although such creatures are famous for their terror at the sight and sound of firearms, this particular specimen appears to be made of sterner stuff, as it disregards the shot and continues its attack. Meanwhile, his curiosity exceeding his caution, the so-called tinkerer approaches the bear in a manner more indicative of foolhardiness than bravery.

dex = 13d20damaged6

The animal's fearsome claws strike at the intruder with deadly force, slashing a bloody gash in his arm and sending him falling to the ground.

[jp1885]

Still coughing, Lepus asks Britches to drag the tinkerer away from the bear, whilst he himself halloos and hollers in order to divert the creature's attention.

[Mr. Handy]

"Ivan, reload my pistol," says Henry, handing his pistol to Ivan along with his powder and shot and hurrying to the tinkerer to get him out of harm's way and bind his wounds. "It's certainly more courageous than the average bear, but I have my doubts that it is smarter. "

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The bear is definitely not very bright. Let's allow Lepus to attempt to distract it, raising his CHA to 13 (including the Gypsy skill of Animal Husbandry); the bear has INT = 3; Lepus must succeed and the bear fail for this to work. In that order:
2d20

The attempts of the hedge wizard to distract the bear with such antics as are used by his people to influence beasts fail to calm the raging bear; so much so, in fact, that the creature becomes even more violent in its ravings. As Doctor North (with unseen aid) carries the tinkerer to safety, it lashes out again.

Target: 1 = Lepus, 2 = North, 3 = Eliza, 4 = Ivand4 DEX 13d20damaged6

Striking at Ivan, the bear inflicts a glancing blow upon the mighty Russian's back, drawing blood but not threatening life or limb. What dark irony that he should suffer a wound from the symbol of the land of his birth!

[Mr. Handy]

Henry takes the now loaded pistol from Ivan and fires at the bear again.

[jp1885]

While Henry aims, inspiration suddenly hits Lepus. Does he have any explosive spheres left? Muttering, he rummages through his coat pockets to find out.

If successful, he’ll make ready to throw the thing, should Henry’s shot fail to fell the animal.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

DEX = 11d20

Once again the bullet fails to strike the beast.

cha = 5d20

Apparently slightly alarmed by the noise and flame of the shot, the bear slowly walks away, more in disgust than fear, it would seem.

"A fine specimen of fauna not seen in this land for centuries, save for those stolen from the East," says the injured tinkerer. "It must not get away!" He makes a feeble attempt to rise.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Let's say there's a 50-50 chance that the explosive spheres are still available. Low number wins.d20
Let's see how many, for future use.d6

Lepus discovers a quartet of the explosive spheres within his collection of oddments. Shall he make use of the arcane instruments of war to send the bear running off, at a pace unmatched by any man, or shall he heed the tinkerer's plea to capture it instead?

[jp1885]

Balking at killing the bear needlessly, Lepus pockets the spheres for the time being.

"There be a jar of attractant in your house," he states, somewhat bemused.

"Mayhap that be enough to lure the bear back whilst keeping it in good spirits, yesno?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that should do the trick," says Henry as he binds Ivan's wound. "What do we do with the bear if we capture it?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"If I am not mistaken," the tinkerer says -- apparently he bears his wounds in the fabled manner of the Greek Stoics, driving the pain from his consciousness through the use of philosophy -- "one of Romany blood may be able to tame the beast over the course of several days. First, of course, it will need to be captured and confined. The Attractant elixir may calm its rage sufficiently to permit its binding. If one of you would be so kind as to secure the liquid? I seem to be temporarily inconvenienced," he adds, indicating his injured arm.

[Mr. Handy]

"Allow me," says Henry, treating the tinkerer's injured arm. "Ivan, please fetch the attractant. Lepus should be able to tame the bear, if we can catch and contain it."