In my opinion, the easiest way to handle the fleeing mob would be to give them a modifier based on their number using the rules for Community Support. The outcome of the contest might break down as follows:
- Complete Victory: the heroes slaughter all the stonemasons;
- Major Victory, they slaughter 90%;
- Minor Victory, they slaughter 75%;
- Marginal Victory, they slaughter 50%;
- Tie, they slaughter 25% but one hero is Hurt;
- Marginal Defeat, they slaughter 25% but all are Hurt;
- Minor Defeat, they slaughter 10% but one hero is Wounded and the rest Hurt;
- Major Defeat, they slaughter 10% but one hero is Injured and the rest Wounded;
- Complete Defeat, they slaughter 5% but one hero is Dying and the rest Injured.
Should anyone find the potential for injury amidst a panicked mob dubious, I recommend you consult your news archives for coverage of major riots at concerts or sporting events. A human stampede can be just as dangerous as an animal one.
--
Michael Schwartz
raconteurx_at_...