Jeff Jutzi's page

I understand a -4 penalty throwing a alchemist fire into a swarm engaged with a friendly. However, when is the swarm considered engaged? It has a reach of 0 so doesn't engagement mean the swarm has to be in the same square as the friendly to give a -4 penalty?
The rule says creatures are considered engaged if EITHER of them threaten the other? Does this mean a -4 penalty for throwing an alchemist fire into a swarm with a reach of 0 NOT in a friendly's square but the friendly threatening the swarm with a 5 foot reach?

All very great inputs :) Thanks all for your time and keen insights :)
With much respect
Jeff

So here is a home game scenario of which I'd like your input ... I haven't quite decided what to do yet ...

Mindless, flaming skeletons (pathfinder) have downed 3 of the 4 characters. The last character (very intelligent) goes to get help. His thinking is the skeletons are mindless (appropriate knowledge checks were made and shared) and will therefore ignore the unconscious characters.
This is my dilemma:

-- If the creatures were intelligent they would coup de grace the down characters without hesitation ... these creatures however are mindless

-- If you start your turn next to a flaming skeleton you take fire damage. Well, the three down characters don't get turns (they are stable but very much unconscious)

-- The creatures are tied to one room and thus, do not pursue to withdrawing character

-- What would you do? Leave the unconscious characters alone or kill them? Or, have the skeletons move around each hour and see if they end their turn next to a down character?

My decision will be for the most realistic scenario. I'm leaning towards the skeletons being mindless and therefor they will ignore the characters, although they could end up randomly moving to the PCs and causing them burn damage ... just want to get your views on this scenario ....