Out of Character discussion:

Feel free to kill this crossbowperson before Eltrezar is within knife range. He got a very lucky shot last time, and likely won't pull it off again before taking a bolt to the chest.

I'm going to let Gilly and Angel have a shot at taking the man with the crossbow out before Gilly takes that nasty hit, but I think if a PC or NPC has a crossbow already ready to fire, they should be able to move and attack on their turn in the Initiative order the first time they use it in combat. I can see all subsequent moving and acting times being hampered trying to reload afterward, but the first shot shouldn't be hampered in any way, especially if the character specifically had it ready to go.

Well no doubt I agree, but I could also make real world observations about LOTS of combat rules for B/X and rules that don't exist but were added later like delaying actions, prone defenses, two weapon fighting, etc.

In the end it just comes down to how much homebrewing you really wanna do against why you chose B/X over BECMI or Basic...

I'm a pretty strict adherent to RAW, and I hate homebrew, but I just can't get on board with this one.

I just don't think the Slow property should apply to using the crossbow if it's "locked and loaded" already. I can see it applying after the first shot, because theoretically not only does it take two rounds to reload and shoot it, but it's slow to reload. But this isn't some sort of 240lb crossbow that requires an Olympic Clean and Jerk maneuver to lift, point, and squeeze.

I definitely don't do much to give my players any slack. I don't "cut breaks". But I genuinely want to see your PCs succeed against long odds. It makes a great story.
But as a DM, no matter what RAW says, I couldn't justify applying the Slow property to a PC with a readied crossbow until after they fired it. So I can't for the NPC either.

But... @dominion451 did pull a good lawyer move here, and I'm willing to concede it for this round since we operate on the principal of RAW, and because I don't want a PC to die in one whack (especially a halfling).

So unless there's any arguements, Slow property applies to all crossbows, but ONLY after the first shot is fired. But for this round Angel and Gilly get a chance to retcon Gilly's injury, because of some great attorney-ship on @dominion451's part.

EDIT: I chose B/X over BECMI because I use the B/X Essentials (Now Old Schol Essentials) books, and because BECMI sort of hoses the Thief Class in terms of level progression (though B/X hoses Clerics a bit, tbh).

But I learned D&D through B/X Essentials. The rulebooks are so well done and played out so well it was easy. So that's why I prefer B/C over BECMI ultimately.

I haven’t seen the thread yet. But I trust you guys to run a good game.

Ah, I see that I am reduced to 0 hit points in one hit. I’m fine with it to be honest. Though I really hate to see Gilly die. Maybe my favorite character on Gamers Plane. But the dude would be a bad guard if he wasn’t ready to fire his crossbow the second he saw trouble, not ten seconds later after taking two more volleys. :D

Nah you should be at 1 hp, you have 7 because of your con bonus and max at 1st level.

I totally agree, loaded crossbow takes no time to fire. That RAW will get you every time ;) maybe crossbows in Gary's world have combination trigger locks to cut down on accidental shootings in the household hahaha!

Personally I think the Rules Cyclopedia amalgamation of Basic is the best version of BECMI/BX, although I agree the thief is sorely lacking in skill progression. A point buy system like in 2e would have fixed everything.

Hmmm... well the Basic Rules guide posted in the char gen thread outlined that I should roll for HP. And so I did, and got 5+1.

I’m happy to allow funfungiguy to decide. I don’t want to retcon it now just becuase it’s to mu advantage. If I made an error and it costs me, then on my head be it.

It says 7 hp on Gilly character creation thread... DM gave us max hp at 1st level.

Indeed. I had noticed that discrepancy as well. Did I write 7? I must have. But I definitely rolled 6, as I checked. Maybe our DM intervened and fixed my sheet. I can’t remember. :D

If it spares her life, all well and good! I will wait for DM to have the final say! Alas, 1 hp doesn’t bode well for the rest of the fight in any case! :D

DM said we all get max hp at 1st level at the top of page 3 of this thread

Yeah, max HP at 1st Level, plus your Con modifier. So Gilly has Max 7 HP. And if Gilky or Angel can take this guy out this round, I retcon the attack.

Otherwise a 1 doesn't bode well. But you can always retreat with your tails between your legs. Live to fight another day and all that.

Adventurer for Hire Gilly Puddlefoot retreat? No no. If you (almost) strike me down, I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine. She will use every action star play in the book. Gambo. Gredator! Guerrilla warfare :D

'Fooor, she's a jolly good Halfling, for she's a jolly good Halfling! For she's a jolly good Halfling... which only the crossbowman can deny!'

Seems like the Germinator is ready to take this fort my herself ;D

It's a fixer-upper for sure but a little TLC and elbow grease and she's good as new!

I love that the archers are wreaking carnage, and Eltrezar and Elmo are just out on a romantic horse ride in the countryside.