Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

Thylla nods and taps the dead hobgoblin with her boot;

"Where's the fun in fighting at a distance eh? I say fish them up and we can take them on hand to jaw! Hah!'

Watches Thylla kick at the rope as she sides with his plan of fire beetle fishing with hobgoblin bait. We just have to a few of you pull on the rope well the rest of us wait ready to attack. Who wants to attack and who wants to pull the rope? Ferrous looks down the gaping hole in the floor to see the fire beetles feasting on the hobgoblin. We better hurry up and do this well there's some of that hobby left.

Gets out his sword and shield and stands next to the dwarf. "Attacking is what I do."

Init: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (4, 6) + 0 = 10

"I'm not partial to bloodshed... at least fair play bloodshed. I'll be happy to pull".

Are Cantrips endless use in this game like 3E Plus additions?

Thylla nods at the rope;

"I'll pull... Smashing bugs will be good practice for those without my own imperious blood and divine skill at arms!"

Ok Thylla with you and Montague pulling. Fistep, Ana and I can attacking any bugs we bring up. Zynazyr you should get ready to cast you energy bolts. If we end up lifting more than one you might try hitting one off before we get them up here.
Init: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (5, 3) + 0 = 8

Init: 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (6, 6) - 1 = 11

Zynazyr listens to the plan and nods. "That sounds good, but I don't want to be anywhere near those bugs." He then walks carefully along the wall to the opposite side of the pit and gets ready for the others to pull up the first bug.

Init: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 = 10

Thylla and Montague haul on the rope, pulling the hobgoblin corpse into the air. As the body rises out of the pit, two of the fire beetles cling to the corpse with their mandibles and legs, while the third remain below, it's antennae waving in the air.

OK guys, this is basically a surprise round, so Ferrous, Fistep, Anastoria, and Zynazyr can make their attacks. I will use your initiative rolls for next round when you don't have surprise.

Ana - you need to move your icon to the position you are attacking from, or if you can't do that then let us know where you are moving (the map has grid coordinates for that). Also, FYI: initiative is based on INT, not DEX. So you rolled a 15.

Zynazyr, if you plan to throw a dagger you are at short range, but I will rule that clinging to the body of the hobgoblin gives the beetles a little bit of cover, so there is no bonus to hit (but no penalty either).

Zynazyr peers over the edge, trying to see if the plan worked. "Looks like you've caught 2 beetles." He waits until they are close to the top, and then focuses his concentration while speaking a few words in an unfamiliar language. As he finishes speaking, he extends his hand towards a beetle and a ray of enegry flys towards it.

I think I have a slim chance of hitting by throwing daggers, so I will just accept the low damage of the energy ray cantrip.

Energy ray cantrip: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Okay, you deal 1 lightning damage to a fire beetle. Which one are you aiming at?

I think I have a slim chance of hitting by throwing daggers, so I will just accept the low damage of the energy ray cantrip.

For the record, you have a 50% chance of activating a cantrip, and with a THACO of 18 you have a 50% chance to hit an AC 7. So against enemies with poorer AC you will be better off throwing daggers. Arguably since a thrown dagger will average 2.5 damage, if you have a 20% chance to hit for 1d4 damage you should do the same average damage over time by throwing daggers at something with AC 2. However, it can be frustrating to miss most of the time.

Of course, the damage you deal with a cantrip will increase as you gain levels.

Ah, okay. So Ana is pretty quick, if a little clumsy.

Ana moves into position for a strike and waits until the insect reaches the surface. When her target is in range, she brings her formidable battleaxe to bear.

THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (11) = 5
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Ferrous waits until the hobgoblin corpse crests the edge of the trap. Two fire beetle pincers are holding tight to the flesh of the hobgoblin. Ferrous sees a bolt of electrical energy jut out from Zynazyr to his right. Alright there's your target Ana and Fistep concentrate your attacks to bring that one down. I will engage the other.
Ferrous adjusts his shield and charges forward with his axe at the second fire beetle.
THAC0_19+1Thirst: 20 - 120 = -100
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Stupid auto correct on my phone.
THAC0_19+1Thirst: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (9) = 11

Ana's swing glances off the beetle's hard chitinous shell, while Ferrous' handaxe misses the beetle entirely and strikes the dead hobgoblin.

Ferrous correctly included the -1 penalty for thirst. As a result, Ana's swing would have hit AC6. Clearly these guys have better AC than that. Fistep is up.

Gripping on the rope the brawny priestess shakes her head at the dwarf and elf's joint efforts, and cannot resist making a banterous comment:

"Anytime you need help with these formidable opponents let me know! I'll happily save you both hah!"

Are Cantrips endless use in this game like 3E Plus additions?

Sorry, I didn't answer this earlier. Yes, though use in combat requires a roll unless the caster wants to burn a spell slot. Out of combat, unless precise timing is required we just assume you keep trying until it works.

BTW, Thylla and Montague, if you want to go ahead and roll initiative for next round. Everyone else has already rolled.

Prepares to swing as the beetles come within range, his shield out in front. The beetle clings to the body and Fistep strikes out with his sword.

THAC0+1Thirst: 17 - 1d20 ⇒ 17 - (12) = 5
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Fistep swings at the beetle but like Ana his blade glances off the beetle's chitinous armor, narrowly missing the beetle's eye.

Very close! At this point to speed things up I'll tell you that they are AC 4. So let's get on with the next round:

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Round 1 Initiative

Block 1 (9+):
Anastoria (15)
Zynazyr (10)
Fistep (10)

Block 2 (9):
Northern Beetle

Block 3 (6-8):
Ferrous (8)

Block 4 (6-):
Southern Beetle (6)
Beetle Below (3)

FYI: The beetle downstairs gets an initiative rating but is unlikely to do anything unless it is attacked somehow. It has no means of attacking any of you unless you go down there.

Montague and Thylla: Go ahead and roll initiative. If you get a 9 or higher you can go in block 1. Roll 6-8 and you go with Ferrous. If you roll 5 or less you act after the beetles. Letting go of the rope will be a free action if you want to do that. Pulling the corpse on to the floor of this level will take your whole round but then the corpse will sit there without needing you to hold it.

Anastoria, Zynazyr, and Fistep ("Block 1") may all act before either beetle does; your actions will occur in the order that you post unless you say that you are waiting for someone else to act. Ferrous' action will take place after the northern beetle gets its action, but you can write your action now if you write your action conditionally.

Have at them, comrades!

Uses his shield to block any attacks from the beetle as he swings his sword trying to crack its shell, "Tough little buggers..."

THAC0+1 Thirst: 17 - 1d20 ⇒ 17 - (9) = 8
Damage: 1d1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Ana tries again to hit the nearest beetle.

THAC0 16: 16 - 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - 1 - (14) = 1
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Haven't heard from Zynazyr, so I'm just rolling to see which beetle he aimed at the first time.
Target: 1d2 ⇒ 2
So he hit the southern beetle.

Fistep's sword once again glances off the shell of the beetle to the north.

This time, Ana's battleaxe breaks through the beetles armor, and the beetle gives out a shriek as it falls to the floor 25' below, definitely dead.

On a 1 it will land on the beetle below...: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Zynazyr is up, and Thylla and Montague need to roll initiative, unless they plan to just keep holding the rope.

Sorry busy weekend with the kids.

Zynazyr watches as his companions struggle hitting the beetles. Looks like my daggers would just bounce off of them, and I don't want to lose any so I might as well continue with the energy bolts.

He again concentrates trying to hit the remaining beetle with an energy ray, but gets distracted and mixes up some of the words.

cantrip: 1d6 ⇒ 4

To keep it simple as I'm struggling for time/posting opps, I'll go with Thylla securing the rope and cajoling her comrades on!

The one beetle still clinging to the dead hobgoblin snaps at Fistep...

Beetle to-hit: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (5) = 13

...but finds it too difficult to negotiate past the stone lip of the pit.

Ferrous is up. Thylla is just holding the rope... Montague, are you doing the same? Thylla should be able to hold it in place by herself if you want to do something else.

Hold strong Thylla. Ferrous shouts as he sees a fire beetle tumble down struck dead by Ana's battleaxe. Then the beetle closest to him release the hobgoblin to turn its pincers towards Fistep to Ferrous's left.
Time to kill some buggies Ferrous smiles as he takes a swing with his hand axe.
THAC0+1Thirst: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (7) = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sorry Weekends are tough sometimes, and Paizo site was down all morning.

2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 1 = 5 Initiative

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4 Thirsty Attack

Montague after making sure that the rope can be held securely, fumbles out his shortbow, and gets one end tangled up in the rope, almost shooting himself in the foot.

Forgot initiative roll.

Init: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2) + 3 = 10

The beetle below goes over to investigate his fallen comrade, but otherwise does nothing.

Forgot initiative roll.

Yeah, let's have Initiative for round 2.

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Forgot new initiative every round.

Init: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Round 2 Initiative

Block 1 (9+):
Anastoria (9)
Zynazyr (10)

Block 2 (4-9):
Ferrous (7)

Block 3 (4-):
Northern Beetle (4)

TBD: Fistep, Montague, Thylla. If any of you roll a 3 or less for initiative you will have to wait for the beetle to go.

The beetle below has a delayed action but cannot attack unless someone goes down there.

Init: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (2, 2) + 0 = 4

2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 = 6 Initiative

Montague takes a deep breath, and tries to take his time waiting for an opening to try and send an arrow into the beast.

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 Bow

But his sweaty hands and the fact he is facing danger of a sort he has never faced before continue to vex his archery skills.

Ana tips her head slightly to the side. "'Ware the middle cylinder, my friends, something is within!" Unable to get into a position to swat at the remaining beetle, she sighs and frowns in frustration.

Ferrous moves around a bit to get a better swing with his hand axe.
Feel my steel Beastie
THAC0+1Thirst: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (11) = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Init: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Zynazyr closes his eyes for a moment to concentrate and then begins casting a cantrip.

cantrip: 1d6 ⇒ 3 Does thirst affect this also? If so, it would fail. If not ...

He extends his hand after completing the spell and a ray of energy flies from his hand towards the beetle. Unfortunately, his aim is off and he sends it into the wall of the pit.

THAC0+1: 19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (2) = 17

Round 2 Update

Block 1 (9+):
Anastoria (9)
Zynazyr (10) - shot a cantrip at beetle

Block 2 (4-9):
Ferrous (7) Swung at beetle
Montague (6) Shot arrow @ beetle
Fistep (4)

Block 3 (4-):
Northern Beetle (4)

Some of questions:
1. Anastoria: you spoke but haven't listed an action. Are you "passing"? Or do you want to do something? If you wanted to attack in melee you could squeeze past Fistep to the north. Or you could get into a different position based on the sound you heard.

2. Zynazyr: as Ferrous pointed out, you do not need to make a to-hit roll with a cantrip. So you did 1 point of damage.

3. Montague: do you want to move when shooting? Shooting at the beetle from your current position would require you to shoot past another character (soft cover) and over the lip of the pit (hard cover). I didn't bring it up before because you already rolled and your rolls were really bad but this will be a net -3 to hit. If you took a position near Zynazyr or Ana you could reduce this to -1 (because of the hobgoblin body) however firing @ short range also gives you a +1, so it would be a wash.

4. Thylla: are you still just holding the rope?

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Thylla continues to hold the rope, but as the beetles become more belligerent she mulls bringing her maul to bear with a grin;

"Just shout if you need me to save you all friends!"

Didn't realize I could get in there, so yes, I will move to the north into attack position.

Ana moves into a more advantageous position and attacks the beetle with her battleaxe.

THAC0 16, +1 for thirst: 16 + 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 + 1 - (17) = 0
Damage, -1 for thirst: 1d10 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 = 9

Didn't realize I could get in there, so yes, I will move to the north into attack position.

Don't feel you have to keep religiously to the 5' square grid. The grid is an approximation, as are many things in the game. If your figure fits, you can put it in there. You will note where I put your figure.

Zynazyr zaps the beetle with a small bolt of electricity and then Anastoria comes around and crushes it with her battleaxe. The beetle drops to the floor below...

on a 1 it will land on the other beetle: 1d6 ⇒ 5

...landing with a *squelch*. The beetle on the floor below scuttles away into the darkness to the north.

Thylla, that probably means you can let go of the hobgoblin. :)

As the beetle drops to the floor, the scratching sound Anastoria heard becomes louder as the slightly open door to the cylinder swings wide, and another beetle climbs out of the cylinder. It snaps at Fistep, who is right in front of it...

Beetle Attack: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (4) = 14

...but its mandibles close on empty air.

The "new" beetle attacked on 9. Montague and Ferrous are in initiative block 2 so they went afterwards but since they have already made their rolls, which missed either way, it's a wash.

Fistep and Thylla are up. Also, guys, go ahead and roll initiative for next round; it may not be needed if the remaining beetle goes down now. Ferrous has already rolled.

LCDM

Ana Init: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10

Oops, forgot again.

Init: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 = 11

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

Initiative: 2d6

Thylla, do you want to do anything this round? It's pretty clear you don't need to hold the rope any more.

Still using his shield to block any attacks from the beetle, he swings his sword trying to crack its shell, "Tough little buggers..."

THAC0+1 Thirst: 17 - 1d20 ⇒ 17 - (7) = 10
Damage-1 Thirst: 1d10 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 1 = 9

Init: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (2, 3) + 0 = 5

Thylla decides to step in, and assists Fistep with a sweep of her maul:

THAC0 18 (+1 for thirst): 18 + 1 - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ 18 + 1 - (7) + 2 = 14
Maul Damage (-1 for thirst): 1d8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 1 = 4

"Mmph! Tough indeed!?"

2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 1 = 8 Initiative

I don't know about anyone else, but if you want to roll initiative for me it might speed things up. I find that most of the games I'm in the GM rolls everyone's initiatives, and it speeds things up quite a bit. I'm good either way though.

Same. If it is easier for the GM to roll initiative, then feel free to do so.

+1 - conscious that waiting on me to roll an initiative might hold the game up...