"Burn the Witch" Throughout history, there have been instances where individuals have been persecuted and condemned as witches. The act of burning the witch at the stake is one of the most chilling and gruesome practices associated with the witch trials of the past. This phrase, "burn the witch," evokes a range of emotions and conjures images of fear, hatred, and injustice. The belief in witches and witchcraft dates back centuries, with various cultures and societies subscribing to the notion that certain individuals possessed supernatural powers and engaged in dark magic. These individuals were often blamed for misfortune, illness, and other societal problems. As a result, prosecutions and trials were held to identify and eliminate these alleged witches.
The color of skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred into the keratinocytes via a cellular vesicle called a melanosome (Figure 7).
It requires about 10 days after initial sun exposure for melanin synthesis to peak, which is why pale-skinned individuals tend to suffer sunburns of the epidermis initially. Collagen injections and Retin-A creams help restore skin turgor by either introducing collagen externally or stimulating blood flow and repair of the dermis, respectively.
As a result, prosecutions and trials were held to identify and eliminate these alleged witches. The method of burning at the stake was a popular means of execution for convicted witches. It was believed that fire had the power to cleanse and rid society of their evil influence.
Echoes from the Geekcave
To me, these somehow underscore "Classic" D&D's distinct flavor, especially B/X's. There's a weirdness to B/X that always seemed lacking in AD&D to me. Maybe it's the artwork, maybe it's the more streamlined rules, but some of these critters were just more wild and FUN to me. I'm sure that's just a personal bias, but there it is.
Anyway, on to old tanglebones here (that's for you Moorcock fans).
Bone Golem (from Cook Expert)
AC: 2
HD: 8
Move: 120' (40')
Atk: 4 (weapons)
Dmg: by weapons
No. App: 1
Save: F4
Morale: 12
AL: N
OK, first off. One of the things I love about the BG is that it looks kind of like an undead, but it's not. So clerics might waste time trying to Turn Undead or people might waste holy water (Or does one dare hope a Protection from Undead scroll?) on the thing. Also, in my games undead radiate evil for Detect Evil purposes, and this fella doesn't.
Next up, it's got all the great golem immunities: sleep, charm, hold, gas, and non-magical weapons.
Each golem type listed in Expert has a fun little ability or twist to it. Granted the wood golem's are disadvantages (fire and poor initiative), but I still appreciate the extra effort in the details. The Bone Golem's is 4 attacks per round (!) due to extra limbs grafted on. It can only target two people at a time, but still! Even with smaller weapons like shortswords, the thing is a macabre Cuisinart. 8 HD means it's attack rolls aren't too shabby either. A fun twist is the option to give it two 2H weapons (e.g. polearms) and let it do more damage per attack with only 2/round.
It's AC is decent but not unhittable. Again, 8 HD means it's probably in the fight for a little while.
Its Treasure Type -like all golems- is Nil, which means players may want tot think carefully about whether engagement is worth the effort.
So, tactics for it and to fight it?
As a GM, I would place this as a guardian for some tomb or temple. Maybe the bones of heroes were used to serve the cause without foul necromancy being involved. Tactically, it might appear as a pile of bones in an ossuary, magically assembling itself if the sacred place is desecrated.
"Creating a golem is costly, time consuming, and beyond the power of player characters in the D&D Expert rules." (X33) So they shouldn't be random fodder or too casually placed in the game. Someone, at some point, went to a lot of effort to put it wherever it is, so make it count.
Depending on the group it faces, it might focus all four attacks on one PC at a time until it drops the strongest foe, before moving on.
Fun thought #1: Give it two swords (1d8 each under the variable damage rules) and a longbow in the other pair! If you allow missile attacks while engaged in melee, the thing can be peppering the mage with arrows while fending of the melee types.
Fun thought #2: Cover the BG in armor head to toe. Even if it doesn't affect its AC, it may take the PCs a little longer to figure out what they are dealing with.
Fun thought #3: Use up one hand to give it a shield for -1 AC.
Fun thought #4: It's a walking weapons rack. The magic weapons in the treasure hoard are the ones it's using. If the fighter wants that shiny +2 longsword, he's going to have to beat the thing wielding it. I once gave a Bone Golem a +1 battle axe and a +1 glaive. The dwarf (I let them use battle axes as traditional weapons despite their 2h status) and polearm-favoring fighter PCs were very happy after they beat the thing. The dead thief's player, not so much.
When facing the BG, players should have magic weapons and straight damage spells (fireball, etc.) available. Golems are nasty business in general. In most cases they have a specific task to perform and if you have to back off and come back better prepared, then do so. If you absorb some punishment, it shouldn't be too hard for non-beginner PCs to whittle down its hit points. Ranged attacks are your friend if it's sporting only melee attacks, and it's not too terribly fast (or slow) movement-wise.
The stratum lucidum is a smooth, seemingly translucent layer of the epidermis located just above the stratum granulosum and below the stratum corneum. This thin layer of cells is found only in the thick skin of the palms, soles, and digits. The keratinocytes that compose the stratum lucidum are dead and flattened (see Figure 4). These cells are densely packed with eleiden, a clear protein rich in lipids, derived from keratohyalin, which gives these cells their transparent (i.e., lucid) appearance and provides a barrier to water.
However, the practice was more than just a means of execution; it served as a spectacle and a warning to others who might dabble in witchcraft. The act of burning the witch was a public event, often attracting large crowds eager to witness the demise of the accused. Victims would be tied to a stake or a pyre, surrounded by bundles of wood or other combustible materials. Once set alight, the accused would suffer an agonizing death, where the flames would gradually consume their bodies. Despite the horror of this practice, it should be noted that many of those accused of witchcraft were innocent victims caught up in the hysteria and fear of the time. Women, in particular, were often targeted, as their position in society made them susceptible to accusations of witchcraft. The motivations behind these accusations ranged from personal vendettas to societal scapegoating. The phrase "burn the witch" symbolizes the darkness and injustice of a time when fear and superstition reigned supreme. It serves as a reminder of the danger of blindly following collective hysteria, and the harm that can befall innocent individuals. It is a stark reminder of the need for critical thinking and the importance of preserving the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or perceived differences..
Reviews for "The Role of Witch Hunts in Colonial America"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Burm the witch'. The animation was subpar and the storyline lacked depth. It felt like a rushed attempt to cash in on the popularity of supernatural-themed anime. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I found the show to be forgettable and not worth the time."
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - "As a fan of supernatural anime, I had high hopes for 'Burm the witch', but it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow and the plot was confusing. I found myself constantly questioning what was happening and why. Additionally, the voice acting was lackluster, making it difficult for me to be invested in the characters. The action sequences were also underwhelming and lacked excitement. Overall, I found the show to be a disappointment and a missed opportunity."
3. Emily Johnson - 2.5 stars - "While 'Burm the witch' had potential with its unique premise, it failed to deliver on many fronts. The animation style was a departure from the usual high-quality standards of similar anime, which was disappointing. The story also felt disjointed and rushed, leaving many loose ends. The lack of character development made it hard to care about the protagonists, and the antagonists were cliché and poorly executed. Overall, 'Burm the witch' left me underwhelmed and wanting more."
4. Mike Thompson - 1.5 stars - "I was excited to check out 'Burm the witch' due to its intriguing premise, but it turned out to be a letdown. The show lacked a clear direction and struggled with pacing issues. The attempts at comedy fell flat and felt forced. The plot twists were predictable and the overall story felt contrived. The animation quality was also inconsistent, with some scenes looking unfinished. I wouldn't recommend 'Burm the witch' to anyone looking for a captivating supernatural anime experience."
5. Sarah Williams - 2 stars - "I found 'Burm the witch' to be a mediocre anime at best. The plot lacked depth and failed to keep me engaged. The characters were forgettable and lacked development, making it hard to form any emotional connection. Additionally, the world-building felt incomplete and left many unanswered questions. The overall execution was lackluster, with underwhelming action scenes and subpar animation quality. Overall, I was disappointed with 'Burm the witch' and would not watch it again."