The Unseen Servant forums

Somebody give Hoom a straw!

Zhym wrote:That may be true in later editions, but in 1e all a thief needs for a backstab is a back to stab and an enemy that's unaware of the thief. As far as I'm aware, undead in 1e don't sense life force and the backstab description doesn't say anything about vital organs.

Agree. BtB, undead can be back-stabbed.
If one needs a rationalization, it's more like a dirty shot on an unsuspecting victim than a keen understanding of anatomy.

wolfpack wrote:Brevos trusting in the druid does as he instructs striking at another zombie on the way back to the group

[1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4

Hi wolf,
An attacking character can move 10 feet away from a foe while in a melee.
Next round, if you want to retreat more than 10 feet, you may forego an attack and take a full move (halved due to water) instead, but any foes Brevos is battling get a free attack on him with bonuses to hit, fyi.

I hope that's clear.

Then I assume the cretaures can oly move 10' if they are going to be attacking this round as well?

PCs and creatures may "charge" into battle once every 10 rounds. "Charging" allows an attack and more than 10 feet of movement, as per the DMG.

When not charging into battle, PCs, skeletons and zombies may only move 10 feet when attacking. No PC, skeleton or zombie may attack and charge away from combat.

When I'm near my books tomorrow, I can post the DMG page numbers for the charging rules and the retreating rules.

Here's hoping they can flee fairly fast...

Hi wolf,

Got my books.

Charging is at the bottom left of p. 66 in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
But, as per this thread: In two feet of water, I'm limiting movement in a charge to half of a full move (for humans, elves, half-orcs, half-elves).

Breaking Off From Melee is at the upper right of p. 70 of the DMG.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.

But isn't outdoor movement measured in yards not feet, so outdoor the 1" movemente is 30' (10 yards rather than 10')

"Close to Striking Range
This merely indicates that the party concerned is moving at base speed to engage the opponent. The base speed is inches, indicating tens of feet in the dungeon or similar setting indoors, tens of yards outdoors. All normal activity and bonuses are permitted when so doing. This action is typically taken when the opponent is over 1" distant but not a long distance away. Play goes to the next round after this, as melee is not possible, although other activity can, of course, take place such as that detailed above."

also see inches p 228 DMG.

I used 60' so that I wold specfically be able to be back with the party in round 2 if melee occured.

Well, weighing options at this point, may as well take the hit

wolfpack wrote:But isn't outdoor movement measured in yards not feet, so outdoor the 1" movemente is 30' (10 yards rather than 10')

You're right. I was using feet not yards due to being in 2 feet of water. But looking back, I never bothered to make that clear.

So let's say yards. For Brevos: 30 feet per round, halved due to being in two feet of water (which I did call out). For 2 rounds, that will be 30 feet of retreat without free attacks. I'll correct Brevos' position in my next map.

I'll also look to see what other PC positions need to be modified in the shift to yards, if any, and will correct that as well.
I won't change the monsters' positions. We'll say they were slow off the mark. But next round, they will move in yards too.

Thanks for catching this. Sorry for the confusion!

Yes I didn't anticipate the 1/2 movement when I said 60' or I would have reduced to 30'. Thanks for correcting.

Huge apologies all. I was on vacation for three weeks and thought I'd have time to post. I obviously didn't. If I'm still welcome I'll get back into the swing of things by Thursday at the latest...

Sorry again.

Of course you're still welcome! I'll start cooking the fatted calf.

Fyi, I'm reordering the critical fumble results. They will be the same possibilities, just in a different order that lets me more easily handle unarmed combatants that fumble. Just a heads up.

In other news, nice roll, Zhym. Hopefully it sparks a much-needed rally. Good luck, gang!

Hi guys,

A few things.

1) Attacks on green slime with torches are attacks.
So Bo's and Grothnak's actions, posted today, are "attacks with two weapons" as per DMG p. 70. I'll rule that torches can be wielded in the off hand, like a dagger or hand axe. This prevents Bo's shield use, of course.

I don't think this affects the combat outcomes, (Bo hits a skeleton, Grothnak misses) but I just wanted to be clear in case anyone else follows suit.

2) Grothnak needs to "charge" to reach the skeletons. No problem, as he hasn't charged yet in this melee.

3) Bo: Do you lend a torch to the double slime-covered Grothnak? If yes, does Bo use his spear to attack the skeleton? If yes, he had previously mentioned swinging it like a quarterstaff. I'll allow it, with the non-proficient penalty. Up to you.

4) Bo: I've been mostly foregoing "to hit" rolls for single attacks with torches on green slime upon a stationary, willing host. Bo's attack on Avril's slime occurs when she's in a pitched battle against two foes. So OM, please roll to hit Avril's slime with that off hand torch, and link it to your post. (Or assign your existing roll to that torch, and roll again for your attack on the skeleton. Either way, I need a second roll.) Thanks!

Ok. I think that's everything for now.

Sorry, I should have waited to post until I saw what the others were going to do.

If Bo can hand off the one torch to Grothnak as he advances, and still club the skeleton with the other, I would be happy with that. ( I don't really want the 2 handed wield penalty as well. Bo is just a lowly druid)

I wasn't thinking that the torch applications were actually attacks, but that all makes sense to me now.

No problem!

That action works. Thanks.

Urdur's move is 12", so I think he can reach the first group of entangled undead and attack this round. Is the water too deep for him to make it that far? If so, that will affect his action this round.

SocraticLawyer wrote:Urdur's move is 12", so I think he can reach the first group of entangled undead and attack this round. Is the water too deep for him to make it that far? If so, that will affect his action this round.

Hi Socratic,
I'm going to have to rule that gnomes can't "charge" while in water up to their chest. Sorry.
So Urdur can't move that kind of distance and also have a melee attack in the same round.

He can close this round, and attack next round. Or he can use a missile weapon this round.

Inferno wrote:I'm going to have to rule that gnomes can't "charge" while in water up to their chest. Sorry.

That's racist.