So, Oozejumper has returned from the Jin Ho Caverns. He isn't saying much about what happened there. When asked he just babbles. Most likely he had his mind wiped. Anyhow, that he has returned brings me as a player back to his favorite spell. Grave Blight Zombies.

With bestial intelect, and the inability to control these fine hosts for gaki sprits, most peaple just turn the page on this spell. IF they really want to raise the dead, they just go Nerothian and select the controlable Skeletons. I however have found the slightly more powerfull Zombies to be quite useful.

The base zombie can be found on page 327 APRG if you don't know where to look. Looking at the base zombie it is very weak. Even if you sacrifice 10 stamina for two squads, what you get is an annoying speed bump that just prolongs combat. The power of the Zombie seams to come from when you adapt them for the +3 to attack and defenses, and remember these are starving zombies that REALLY want to bote [sic] some flesh.

I'm a little unsure if I am adding the situational modifiers and talents right. So this is what I am looking at when I field these wonderful little speedbumps to surround a high value target.

CTN 18(5)
+4(0) 10 stamina for extra mob
+6(0) +3 to hit and defenses
=CTN 28

To hit d6
+3 Basic Attack Bonus
+3 Adapation
+1 Wolf Pack Tactics
+2 Mob Tactics
+2 Tactical Edge
+2(3) Wild Assult
=2d10+1d6!+10 to hit. Adv:28 *8 attacks for d4+d6!

CTN 18(5)
+6(0) +3 to hit and defenses
+6(0) +3 to hit and defenses second adapation
=CTN 28

To hit d6
+3 Basic Attack Bonus
+3 Adapation
+3 second adapatio
+1 Wolf Pack Tactics
+2 Mob Tactics
+2 Tactical Edge
+2(3) Wild Assult
=2d10+1d6!+13 to hit. Adv:31 *4 attacks for d4+d6!

{edit} Forgot the best part. They are Ravenous, so they their first attack is a grab attack}

Am I missing something? Or is this an overlooked spell?

Now of course there is the down side. Once these mindless, ravounus, eaters of flesh have had their way with a target, do not let them hang around or you friends will be their next lunch. So don't hesitate to Rattle the Bones to remove the threat before it turns on the party. Or just vanquish yourself in an emergency so that the binding spell drops.

DO NOT, repeat DO NOT do this at a table with my Beltinian Eric. Please....I really don't want to lose the character after I dispose of your zombies and then Ooze Jumper. Jeez...talk about waving the proverbial red flag in front of the bull! It would though make a good story.....

Mike and I both have about five PC's apiece. We are very good friends. We work well with each other, and usually one of us is GMing for the other one. I trust their will be no further conflict on this point. I realize Mikes comments, taken out of this context, may have unsettled some folks. Trust me, they should not be taken as harshly as the internet may make them sound. I certainly don't take them harshly.

Now there are valid reasons why a Beltinian PC would not wish to associate with a Necromancer. I assure you Oozey dosn't care for Beltinians much either. However, both Beltinian Holy Champians and Primal Necromancers are perfectly legal PC choices.

Generally, i should hope that players put altruism and good humor, above the personality of their respective pencil scratches. Any player of a PC with such a strongly held conviction that they can not bring themselves to resolve conflicts through means short of fratricide, myself included, should have an alternate PC in the wings in the unlikely event mustering causes a personality mismatch between PC's. Remember we are supposed to be playing heros, or at least unlikely heros. With all due respect to the many Cadian players cold blooded murder is not a heroic trait.

But what about my Nerothian Assassin.... he can't help to to engage in cold-blooded murder

All joking aside, well put Eric. And yes, everyone should be encouraged to play the characters they want to, but also to respect others at the table.

Yes, EXACTLY what James said!

My usual play style is as long as I get my 15 minutes I have no problem with someone else getting theirs. The idea if for all of us to have fun. So while I give Eric grief about his choices I respect them. Heck I even egg him on. In a recent mod I ran as a GM (won't name for spoiler purposes) I encouraged his character to just the sorts of things he talks about. In the end it worked out well tactically and everyone had a good time.

Actually while on this subject I want to throw this out there...at some point it would be cool if we could find our way to Eryunell/City of Golems and see what's there. That would be pretty cool. On a related note the folks who founded that city and the Mourners started out in the First City. Maybe just maybe they left something behind? Just brainstorming here. It might be interesting to explore the back story of the Mourners at some point and make them a bit less cardboard as it were.

Darn it, now I'm really wanting to read the history section of the Blessed Lands book...waiting is such a hard thing...