Wraislin begins to call forth his spell as the two ranks of crossbowmen let fly another volley of missiles that punch into Stern, Garamon and Flin---breaking on their armor and splinters flying off in all directions---as they hesitate mere strides from the portcullis gate. Alas, Stern is pieced by two bolts that wedge between the plates of his armor.
Then, by Wraislin's enraptured asseverations, an insidious palsy arises from his scroll as that crumbles--unnoticed--to ashes between his fingers, and momentarily gathers as a ghastly stilt-limbed shadow that crosses the distance to the crossbowmen with frightening speed to engulf them, invading their mouths, eyes, and nostrils to squeeze their piteous minds. The military men drop to the ground where they stood, every one of them, as if life had been suddenly stripped from them all.
And then, for a moment, the quiet babble of the murky water passing lazily under the bridge is the only sound to be heard...
The ref decides that firing crossbows is quicker that finding and reading a spell scroll, so the crossbowmen will get their shots off before Wraislin's spell lands. No affirmative action from Stern, Garamon or Flin, so they will be caught flat-footed in the cross-fire.
8 crossbowmen (THAC2 17): 8d20=3,3,2,20,16,7,13. The 13 would hit AC 6, but even Flin's AC is 5, so it's 2 potential hits.
Who is targeted? 1-2=Garamon, 3-4=Stern, 5-6=Flin. 2d6=3,4 so it's Stern (AC3). That's two hits. 2d6=2,4 so 6 hp damage; 10 of 16 hp remaining.
Flin and Stern have now taken two crossbow hits apiece.
Now Wraislin's spell lands... how many normals will be affected? 2d6+2=6,4,+2=12! That's a high roll, and enough to get all 10 remaining men.
For all intents and purposes, the bridge combat is over... what now?
[f=32]
Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak,
lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges;
torch[/f]