Out of Character discussion:

Frankly I'm fine with any of those, although using proficiencies is to the wizards disadvantage since it puts him back to one usable weapon. I've ALWAYS allowed wizards to use staves since they are allowed to wield magic staves in combat (i.e. staff of power) and disallowing normal staves seems more an oversight than an actual ruling.

Also I like the non proficiency penalty aspect, more in line with reality. I am usually all about RAW except when RAW makes no sense against "reality." Of course a wizard could pick up an object and swing it.

One more thing; while I don't like proficiencies for the wizards sake, I do love them for the fighters. The fighter gets nothing except gear and hit dice, allowing them to specialize just adds a solid feature to an under served class.

I mean, I wouldn't say no to proficiency with staff. It's not like it would be any real benefit to me, given my Str penalty and the fact staves are slow and 1d4. But the flavor!

That said, I'm also completely fine with sticking with RAW, and only using a staff as a walking stick.

I would argue that Weapon Proficiency/Specialization would be kind of cool. And knowing how deadly this module is, it would definitely help your PCs, especially as you start facing tougher and tougher encounters as you progress. Bear in mind that this module was written for AD&D and was written for a rules system that automatically assumed players were using proficiencies and specializations as part of their ruleset. So any help you can get could mean life and death down the road.

But I also like B/X R.A.W. So I'm good with whatever we decide.

Well then my vote is to use the proficiency/specialization rules

That's 2 for Proficiency/Specialization rules. I'm not anticipating a vote for Aldrusian, so we'll get nezzeraj's and KCC69's thoughts.

If it’s as simple as letting the wizard hit things with a staff in a pinch, then DM permitting, that seems fine.

Wizards have classically always had staffs and daggers, so I think being proficient in both is my preference. I also like the weapon proficiencies system in general, especially if the module was written with them in mind.

So it sounds like general consensus is the the Magic-Users should be allowed daggers and staffs with no penalty, and that most players would prefer to allow the weapon proficiency/specialization rules. Is that correct?

Correct.

I'm going to be gone until Sunday night, possibly Monday morning. Friend coming to town from Alaska, gotta show her some lakes you can actually swim in.

Just cast Endure Elements and you can swim in ANY lake! Rookie mistake.

Just making sure, the zombies haven't made their move?

Correct. Turns out I overlooked something. Zombies always lose Initiative, so in individual Initiative they will go last every round.

Everything good over there Funfungiguy?

Yes, sorry, I meant to send you guys a message and tell you I was going to be slow posting for the next couple of days. Oldest daughter is graduating high school, in-laws are visiting, and any spare time I had in the evenings where I wasn't hosting or dealing with other graduation-related stuff was spent on a bathroom remodel project I'm doing.
Things should be back on track again.

Also, just a quick heads up before I forget:
I will be out-of-state from June 13-20. My middle daughter has about six days' worth of wrestling to do at some larger, regional-level tournaments there. The 13th and 20th I'll definitely be on the road most of the day, and the rest of the days between I'll try and log in at the hotel after her matches each day, but no guarantees.
I'll remind you again when we get closer to the 13th.

Well, congratulations to one daughter, and good luck to the other!

I’ve all that waiting for me in the future with my two. I just wonder what the activity will be. Living in Korea... maybe Taekwondo. If we are back in Ireland, perhaps hurling. Unless they avoid sports, like I did. :D

If we don't hear from Bors by morning, should I have him attack, or wait until Monday?

Sorry, am out of town but I will post now.

I will be backpacking from the 10-13 this week