Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

Brathas suddenly has an idea. He's been concerned that these are delusional humans who think they are zombies, so...
He pulls out the silver trumpet need some sort of holy symbol, right?, waves it around dramatically, makes some holy-looking motions, shouts some false-Holy Tongue gibberish, then shouts
"I banish you in the names of Gorm, Madarua, and Usamigaras!"

Delaying action until after Ana's turn

Sorry, guys... tied up today. I'll get to this tonight.

I figured I clipped my mace to my belt because I was preparing to turn undead.

Wallia: So I assume you are keeping the big shield? When I ask a yes or no question, it makes things easier if you answer directly with a yes or no.

I'll allow it this time but next time when you want to prepare for something you need to announce that you are doing so. In this case you went from dialogue with other characters to "I turn undead." At no point did you announce that you were making any kind of preparations.

Please be mindful of what you are carrying in your hands and if it is going to be something unusual let me know. Using a normal shield is quite limiting for a cleric and I'm not going to hand-wave those limitations.

10:40 AM, Day 5

Round 1

Ana, Ferrous, Fistep, and Zynazyr all wait to see the results of Wallia's turning attempt. Brathas also waits for a moment but then...

Brathas suddenly has an idea. He's been concerned that these are delusional humans who think they are zombies, so...

He pulls out the silver trumpet need some sort of holy symbol, right?, waves it around dramatically, makes some holy-looking motions, shouts some false-Holy Tongue gibberish, then shouts
"I banish you in the names of Gorm, Madarua, and Usamigaras!"

The figures turn and watch Brathas for a moment, but when Brathas mentions the names of the three deities the creatures throw up their arms before their faces and scream!

They begin scampering back down the corridor, babbling incoherently.

"Combat" is over unless you want to pursue.

Ferrous and Fistep: from your position you may take a "parting shot" at the lead creature if you wish before it flees.

So what now?

* Pursue the creatures down the hall?
* Return to the door to the south?
* Continue exploring the hall to the west (without giving chase to the creatures)?
* Something else?

I am sorry for the confusion, which wasn't my intent. Walia isn't a front liner so he would generally keep his left hand (weapon hand free... since I am south paw all of my characters are as well unless in a certain game like DSA or TDE you have to roll for it)... but it seems it still may make more sense for someone else to have the shield...

Walia says, "Wouldn't it be a good idea to open this door to the south?"

Steps up near the door with his sword and shield ready, Door it is then.

Ferrous shouts after the zombies Stay away you foul cursed dead for we have with us Brathas the thrice robed cleric!
When the "zombies" get out of sight he bursts into laughter. Shoots a glance at Brathas.
Quick thinking lad. he squeezes out between chuckles.

"I watched Walia's technique then added a few improvements of my own. The silver trumpet is key."
He puts away the trumpet and gets back to work on the lock on the door.
Tinker: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Can I keep trying?

He puts away the trumpet and gets back to work on the lock on the door.

Tinker: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Brathas works at the lock for a few moments but is unable to get it open.

Can I keep trying?

Yes you can! However, each additional attempt takes longer as you have to go through methods you didn't bother with before (this works the same as with searching).

* The second attempt takes 1 turn (10 minutes).
* The third attempt takes 1 hour (on a failure) or 1d6 turns on a success.
* The fourth attempt takes 6 hours (on a failure) or 1d6 hours on a success.
* Further attempts each take the same as above but each must be taken during a new day.

There is definitely a point at which you would decide to just kick the door in.

So go ahead and try again if you want.

Everybody else: how much time do you want to give Brathas? And do you want to knock the door down if he can't unlock it?

I say we give him the ten minutes and if it doesn't work we kick the door in.

hour is fine...

Let's see what the ten-minute attempt does...
Tinker: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

10:50 AM, Day 5

After several minutes of tinkering, Brathas manages to get the door unlocked. It swings inward...

A mummified human in plate armor and holding a halberd stands at attention against the south wall of this 30' square chamber. To either side of the mummy are nine skeletons holding swords, also at attention. Three gaps in the lines of skeletons are marked with piles of bones on the floor, suggesting that there were once twelve such skeletons, rather than nine.

Despite the macabre scene, Wallia does not detect anything unnatural.

TIER 4 MAP UPDATED.

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

So would you like to:

* Search the room?
* Destroy the skeletons?
* Continue down the hallway to the west?
* Something else?

Walia says, "These skeletons are either just skeleton or dormant undead, if we would like to examine this room it would behoove us to destroy them first before they reanimate. To such end, one of you may borrow my mace if that is our desire. That plate mail may be useful to someone in our group." as he proffers his mace to a more fightery type.

"Normally I would oppose desecrating corpses that are not known to be undead, but I think it is pretty clear in this case. Normal skeletons cannot stand at attention like that. What do you think the trigger is? And is the warrior wearing the armor also going to animate?"

Wisdom 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Walia walks over to the mummified warrior after giving his mace to someone else and looks at it intently but not touching it.

Wisdom 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Walia walks over to the mummified warrior after giving his mace to someone else and looks at it intently but not touching it.

Wallia strides confidently into the room. As he heads towards the figure in plate mail, the skeletons along the walls rattle as they pull free of the hooks on the wall holding them up. They raise their swords menacingly.

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 1 Initiative:
Block 1: The Party
Block 2: Skeletons

Everyone may act. You are fairly certain that these are real undead. :) Wallia: I will assume that you still have your mace unless someone else pipes up that they wanted to take it when you offered.

Seeing the dead come to life Ferrous worries for the large cleric.
Back out of there Wallia. Come to safety this side of the door
He then rushes into the room and swings down with his axe at the skeleton in the Northeast corner of the room. 13:13
Attack: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (3) = 15
Ferrous's swing misses widely due to his excitement of entering combat against so many foes.

There we go old reliable Ferrous is back everyone.

If Walia's mace isn't accepted he will drop it once the skeletons animate and then try to turn undead
Should I roll it or you?

wow, really? just stride into a room full of skeletons? really?

Come back out Ferrous... let the priest deal with them. He's the one that stirred up the hornest's nest

Readies his sword and shield protecting the doorway so that the dwarf and priest can retreat.

I honestly thought we had already walked in the room. Says the guy using a sword vs.skeletons. lol..

my guess is Fistep's ooc comments were more about my action than yours Wallis. But the dwarf would definitely charge into melee combat against the skeletons and make himself a target to protect the cleric. Also hoping for a good turn undead here.

I honestly thought we had already walked in the room.

You can always check the maps if the description isn't clear.

If Walia's mace isn't accepted he will drop it once the skeletons animate and then try to turn undead

Should I roll it or you?

Normally you would roll it but I can since you haven't. Turning these skeletons is automatic for you (though you wouldn't have known that necessarily) so I'm just rolling the total HD affected:

HD: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 = 7
1d9 ⇒ 6
1d8 ⇒ 5

Seven of the skeletons stiffen for a moment, then begin settling back onto the hooks that held them against the wall. Only the two next to Ferrous (the colored ones) remain animate.

Moved Fistep's Icon to the door.

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 1 Initiative:
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Ferrous, Fistep, Wallia, Zynazyr.
Block 2: 2 Skeletons

Ana, Brathas, and Zynazyr may act. Ana may be unavailable and I will bot her if we don't hear from her.

There's no reason to criticize Fistep for using a sword. Swords can break bones.
Brathas will watch the hall with his bow out, in case the noise of this battle attracts any attention.

Maces are quicker, but I was joking.. :)

Oh no, it was about the priest's actions

Ferrous, draw them back since it now seems there are less of them active... so the rest of us don't go in the room and retrip whatever caused them to animate.

Walia chuckles at that remark and says, "Never fear, your souls are in good hands with Friar-Prophet Walia of Winterbourne Stoke!"

Zynazyr's eyes get wide when he sees all of the skeletons animate. He relaxes slightly when Wallia turns them and he moves down the hallway trying to get sight of an animated one through the doorway.

Will cast a bolt cantrip at one of the regular skeletons if I can.

Brathas will watch the hall with his bow out, in case the noise of this battle attracts any attention.

It seems like you guys don't want more people in the room, so...

Anabot addresses Brathas.

"Let's switch places; I'll guard the door."

Anabot takes her place at the door beside Fistep, hefting her battleaxe and ready to deal with anything that comes up to the doorway.

Brathas: I moved your icon back from the door. You may adjust it any direction within 5' if you like.

Zynazyr's eyes get wide when he sees all of the skeletons animate. He relaxes slightly when Wallia turns them and he moves down the hallway trying to get sight of an animated one through the doorway.

Will cast a bolt cantrip at one of the regular skeletons if I can.

Looks like you can probably see the blue one from there, so:

Zynazyr shoots a tiny bolt of lightning, which goes wide and strikes the door frame. The rest of the group takes up readied positions.

The two skeletons swing their rusty swords at Ferrous!
19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (11) = 8
19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (3) = 16

But Ferrous manages to deflect both attacks with his shield.

One of the skeletons strikes again, but is unable to get past Ferrous' defenses.
19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (7) = 12

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 2 Initiative:
Block 1: Blue Skeleton
Block 2: Ana, Zynazyr.
Block 3: Yellow Skeleton
Block 4: Brathas, Ferrous, Fistep, Wallia

Ana and Zynazyr may act. Ana may still be unavailable and I will bot her if we don't hear from her. If the rest of the party wants to suggest actions for her that is fine with me.

Zynazyr again tries to hit the skeleton with a bolt of energy despite the tough angle. He also puts his ustar away.

Cantrip: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Sorry for the delay, guys... I won't be able to post today. However, those who have actions after the yellow skeleton can post them now if they wish as there is no way the yellow skeleton can possibly take Ferrous out in 1 round.

Walia tries to turn the remaining Skeletons 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11

I'm back!

Ana moves into a position where she can hit the blue skeleton and swings at her target, relying on the weight of her weapon to do the work.

THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (18) = -2 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ferrous laughed as the skeletons tried in vain to harm him. He brought his ace across in a downward swing at one of the skeleton's legs.
attack: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (6) = 12

Zynazyr manages to get his energy bolt through the doorway and it astrikes the skeleton in the torso. Chips of bone fly, though the skeleton shows no particular reaction and continues to struggle with Ferrous.

The other skeleton stabs at Ferrous...

19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (2) = 17

And clumsily strikes the wall next to Ferrous.

OK, now comes the tricky part.

Wallia's turning attempt will improve on his previous result (since the last roll was pretty low) and so he should be able to get the remaining two skeletons with this new turning attempt. Actually he could get another two were they here.

Ana's attack will definitely take out the blue skeleton. But if I resolve it (and Ferrous' miss) after Wallia's turning attempt, then this will "wake up" the skeletons that are currently held at bay by his holy symbol. All 8 of them. They won't attack this round, but will have a chance next round.

Ah, what the heck. It's a game. Wallia didn't warn anyone to stop attacking, so...

Wallia raises his holy symbol once again; a silvery light seems to flow outward from it. The skeletons next to Ferrous stiffen like the others.

Ana runs in and smashes the skeleton next to Ferrous with her battleaxe. Bone fragments fly everywhere.

Ferrous strikes the other skeleton with his ... (Ferrous: axe or mace? you previous post said "ace" which could be a misspelling of either one. But you do have a mace of your own).

BTW Going to rule that hitting a dormant undead is like hitting a sleeping target... auto hit and double damage if you strike in melee.

damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14

... and Ferrous crushes it's skull in one blow.

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 2 Initiative:
Block 1: Blue Skeleton
Block 2: Ana, Zynazyr.
Block 3: Yellow Skeleton
Block 4: Brathas, Ferrous, Fistep, Wallia

Round 3 Initiative:
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Blue Skeletons
Block 3: Ferrous
Block 4: Yellow & Red Skeletons

Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Wallia, and Zynazyr are up.

Brathas and Fistep still haven't gone in the 2nd round and thus may take 2 actions in a row. If the first of your two actions is to attack a skeleton in melee you will automatically hit and do double damage.

Not to be a stickler but since Ana went before me this past round, would her actions take effect before mine?

To hit a skeleton in melee, Brathas would have to drop his bow, draw his axe, and move up. Would all that take a round, leaving him with one attack the next round? Or would he get to attack both rounds?

Ana moves forward with intent to smash the red skeleton.

THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (17) = -1 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Walia says, "Stop attacking them so I can turn them."

2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9, 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9

Not to be a stickler but since Ana went before me this past round, would her actions take effect before mine?

With block initiative, characters' actions are resolved in the order they are posted. Had I had time to bot an action for Ana the previous day, I would have had her delay anyway. But even if she went before you, Ferrous went afterwards and his attack has the same effect.

To hit a skeleton in melee, Brathas would have to drop his bow, draw his axe, and move up. Would all that take a round, leaving him with one attack the next round? Or would he get to attack both rounds?

If Brathas is going to just drop his bow and arrow onto the floor, he will be able to draw a weapon as he moves and then attack with it in the same round, so that would allow two attacks. If he wants to put away his bow among his belongings then that would take extra time and would allow only one attack.

Walia says, "Stop attacking them so I can turn them."

Hmmmm... I'm going to rule that the turning effect, having been broken, cannot be re-invoked (at least by you... a second cleric might be able to). So you can post a different action.

Ana turns southwards and smashes another skeleton. Its bones collapse to the floor with a clatter.

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 2 Initiative:
Block 1: Blue Skeleton
Block 2: Ana, Zynazyr.
Block 3: Yellow Skeleton
Block 4: Brathas, Ferrous, Fistep, Wallia...

Round 3 Initiative:
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Blue Skeletons
Block 3: Ferrous
Block 4: Yellow & Red Skeletons

Brathas, Fistep, Wallia, and Zynazyr are up.

Moves in and attacks the nearest red skeleton that has come back to life, and then the yellow skeleton.

THACO Red: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (3) = 13
Damage Red: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

THACO Yellow: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (18) = -2
Damage Yellow: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Brathas drops his bow, moves in drawing his axe, and with both hands swings at a skeleton.
To 9:16, can't do it on my phone right now
damage blue: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 8) + 4 = 20
He then swings at the red skeleton adjacent to the blue one.
THAC0 17 on red: 17 - 1d20 ⇒ 17 - (7) = 10

Fistep rushes in and smashes one of the dormant skeletons, then turns as another starts to wake, decapitating it. Both skeletons collapse into a pile of bones on the floor.

You rolled a miss on the first swing but the Skeleton was still dormant at that stage, meaning you didn't need to make a hit roll.

Brathas also rushes into the room, dropping his bow and pulllng out his axe. He shatters the skull of the first skeleton, but by the time he goes for the second one it has revived ans dances out of the way.

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 3 Initiative:
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Blue Skeletons
Block 3: Ferrous
Block 4: Yellow & Red Skeletons

Wallia, and Zynazyr are up.

Walia lets go of the holy symbol around his neck and attacks the closest skeleton with his quarterstaff 19 - 1d20 - 1 ⇒ 19 - (7) - 1 = 11 if hits 1d6 ⇒ 4

Walia lets go of the holy symbol around his neck and attacks the closest skeleton with his quarterstaff 19-1d20-1 if hits 1d6

I'm not sure if this is yellow or red. I will move in to throw my ustar at the same if still standing or the other if not. Adjust my position as needed (on row 14 or 15) so I should only have 1 person in the way.

Seeing the skeletons start to animate again, Zynazyr follows the others into the room and throws his ustar at one of them.

THACO 18: 18 - 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ 18 - (6) - 1 + 1 = 12 +1 to hit for range / -1 for cover
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Opps sorry about this guys. Was a bit unclear about the turning effects and attacking. Hopefully we make it through this fight with noone dying.

Wallia of Winterbourne Stoke wrote:

Walia lets go of the holy symbol around his neck and attacks the closest skeleton with his quarterstaff

I'm not sure if this is yellow or red.

I'm going to assume this is yellow as it is slightly closer (1.5 squares vs. 2). I moved Wallia's Icon to 12:16.

Wallia: when you attacked, did you mean to say your mace rather than quarterstaff? Nobody took your mace, IIRC. The quarterstaff requires two hands to wield as a weapon, so you would have to take off the shield. They do the same damage otherwise. This attack is a miss anyway.

Wallia steps forward and swings at the skeleton, but the skeleton ducks under his swing.

I will move in to throw my ustar at the same if still standing or the other if not. Adjust my position as needed (on row 14 or 15) so I should only have 1 person in the way.

Seeing the skeletons start to animate again, Zynazyr follows the others into the room and throws his ustar at one of them.

Moved Zynazyr's icon to 12:15

The skeleton in the corner steps forward and swings at Wallia, but Wallia easily evades the skeleton's clumsy swing.

19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (2) = 17

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED.

Round 3 Initiative:
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Blue Skeleton
Block 3: Ferrous
Block 4: Yellow & Red Skeleton

Ferrous is up.