Knights & Knaves Alehouse

So, when you save vs a mummy's paralysis, do you save ONCE, when you first encounter the mummy, or each time you look at the mummy? The text seems to imply the latter, which is pretty damn tough, but the way we played it today.

Compare that to the vampire's 2 strikes per round with 2 level drained per hit. Not so tough.

TRP wrote:Compare that to the vampire's 2 strikes per round with 2 level drained per hit. Not so tough.

True. Ok, cool.

I treat undead fear auras as a one-time save requirement per encounter: if you save vs. the fear, then you don't need to do so again during that encounter. No idea if that's BTB or not, though (and---definitely not BTB---I grant all undead a fear aura, as well as all of them being of x+3 HD too).

I am also of the opinion that this only needs to be saved against "once an encounter".

Interesting, thanks. Given the ambiguity, I guess I'll just think about how we want to run it going forward and then make sure to implement it consistently. Maybe I'll go back and check the mummy description from the other editions to see if that provides any clues.

I'd also look at undead fear auras in general, Donovan, to see if that helps too. (And back to OD&D in particular for original inspirations).

The last time I ran a mummy, I required saving throws at the start of the encounter, only.

Chainsaw wrote:Given the ambiguity, I guess I'll just think about how we want to run it going forward and then make sure to implement it consistently.

I'd argue for the opposite approach. Don't make mummies consistent: embrace the ambiguity. Some mummies may require a saving throw at the start of the encounter. Other mummies may require a saving throw every time you look at them (or try to attack with your eyes open -- kind of like a gaze attack). Other mummies may require a saving throw when they scream or moan. Et cetera. Keep 'em guessing.

Thanks PJ!

Of course if Foldgarb had a 19 wisdom, fear wouldn't be a problem.....

Philotomy Jurament wrote:The last time I ran a mummy, I required saving throws at the start of the encounter, only.

Chainsaw wrote:Given the ambiguity, I guess I'll just think about how we want to run it going forward and then make sure to implement it consistently.

I'd argue for the opposite approach. Don't make mummies consistent: embrace the ambiguity. Some mummies may require a saving throw at the start of the encounter. Other mummies may require a saving throw every time you look at them (or try to attack with your eyes open -- kind of like a gaze attack). Other mummies may require a saving throw when they scream or moan. Et cetera. Keep 'em guessing.

Groan...and to think The Mummy's were tough enough for us defeat

hahahaha Thanks for making our job harder PJ

I think its once per type (so two mummies would require one save). I don't think its each round. If it were that would be the only monster like this (I think). By contrast a Medusa's stare would require saves per round if the PC didn't avert his eyes (and two medusas would require two saves IMO). Where the gaze attack is an attack, I don't get the same impression from fear (more a byproduct of the creature).

AxeMental wrote:I think its once per type (so two mummies would require one save). I don't think its each round. If it were that would be the only monster like this (I think). By contrast a Medusa's stare would require saves per round if the PC didn't avert his eyes (and two medusas would require two saves IMO). Where the gaze attack is an attack, I don't get the same impression from fear (more a byproduct of the creature).

That's an interesting distinction, Mark: I would have assumed one fear save per mummy, although perhaps a single save with a penalty based on the # of creatures generating fear is an interesting variation. That squares somewhat with the turning rules, which force you to turn the most powerful creature in a mixed group of undead (assuming they're all under that more-powerful creature(s) control, of course) before you can affect the lesser undead.

Have to think about this. (And I totally agree with the separate medusa saves).

From my reading of the MM entry, I'd say it's a one off save. Interesting that numbers, and race play a factor in bonus to save. Bring along 15 or so red shirts to Tut's tomb, and you'll have no fear!