[sblock=OOC, don't read if metagaming irritates!]It was a near TPK because in opening the crypt door we got ourselves on the wrong side of a pit, from where the troll skeleton could hit us but we couldn't reach it, after poor initiative rolls so there were wolf skeletons blocking our retreat. Ter-raen lingered too long without beginning to 5'-sidle out of the way, by which time it was too late for him.
As an inveterate metagamer, I've run the numbers on the skeletal troll. Self-buffed with Protection from Evil and inspire courage +1, Gildrim would have a 22% chance of winning toe-to-toe alone. With a Shield of Faith from Weel, that increases to 48.5%. Richard, fully buffed by Gildrim and Weel, 53.8%. I think that working together, on the right side of the pit, using Hide from Undead to let our buffed beatstick get inside its reach initially, and opening with a barrage of holy water, we shouldn't have too much trouble.
Oh yeah, holy water. We still haven't bought it. Let's not forget it.
Rinya would be an interesting addition, considering Gildrim's issues with elves. But Heckler hasn't been online in nearly 6 months. Besides, Gildrim has Track and his Survival skill above ground is as good as Rinya's. He and of course Weel can use heal-sticks... and there is, or was, one left lying in the crypt. Gildrim is a surprisingly good fighter, for a bard - if he and Richard sparred, Richard would win 51.7% of the time. If they came to blows over Gildrim's singing, Gildrim's chance of winning would be a creditable 60.4%.
Of other RDI occupants: Kurhahz is probably out, I think, since P8 is 4e-ing, and a 5th level cleric would overshadow Weel anyway; Nurlan is another Bard/Fighter (and I think 1st and 6th level PCs in the same party might be stretching the range a little); the party would probably do better with Conuld instead of Gildrim, though![/sblock]
[sblock=OOC as above]I'm actually horrible at meta-gaming; math isn't my friend, which is probably obvious in most of my builds (no character I make is nearly at good at things as I expect him to be). That said, Weel's still playing the novice, so he won't take any offence if Gildrim suggests some spell selections and strategic uses before they enter the manor. He is supposed to be acting in an advisory fashion, after all. [/sblock]
[sblock=stocking and planning]On the subject of stocking up, then, what's the final total? 15 from each member for the bribe stuff, is that right? Weel has 200gp he can spend on other pre-stock and still have some leftover for emergencies. Should he spend all of that on holy water, or is there anything else we need?
Actually, are 1st level clerical scrolls available in Orussus? If we know we want to make use of Hide from Undead, might be better to fork over the gold for a couple of scrolls and save Weel's few spells for buffing / healing / the unexpected? Four of those cover the party, and still leave Weel able to buy 4 flasks of holy water[/sblock]