Sword Coast Rambling

OOC: So i've asked around and it looks as if the only real way to get around it is by having reactions tied to a set of conditions - a bit of a pain I know. 

Something along the lines of
"I'll use Shield if I am in serious danger of taking alot of damage or being KO'd", 
or
"Use Cutting Words if an enemy of 3CR or higher rolls an attack or damage against X or Y. Or if a spell is deemed important by the caster. - ie if it will block a retreat, tangle several enemies etc"

The key for these though would be to have a certain set of situations that you would definitely use the reactions, without getting bogged down in specifics. During actual combat rounds, you can be more specific on your turn when you get a better idea of the situation and target individual circumstances and opponents.

Either that or you can let the other PCs use them as a pooled resource - although it then becomes more an issue of trusting they will use them at the right time and would take your control of your own spells away. 

If we start adding and removing reactions between rounds, problems will just snowball pretty quickly, so I think that this is probably the best way forward?

Anyway, Zyltris it's your turn bud! Nearly finished this one 

Zyltris will again swing at the nearest zombie. His anger has been building with their constant attacks on him and he lets out a huge scream as he attacks. Attack: 19

Damage: 8

Standing guard over the wizard as Serak ties up his prisoner, Brots glances across the courtyard. Seeing the nearest zombie burst into flames he quickly notches and fires an arrow his way.

Brots Attack Roll: 8

The arrow splits slightly as the gnome notches it, causing it to careen wildly off to the side as he fires. Brots' turns his attention back to the wizard as he gradually wakes up.

 Zyltris fills with anger as he swings his morningstar once more. His terrifying roar fills the night air as he swing round, using his momentum to strike hard into the zombie beside him (Z12)

Attack: 20
Damage: 5

The beast doubles over in pain as the weapon smashes into its stomach. The elfs voice echoes loudly against the broken tower wall, momentarily silencing the zombies groans.

ROUND 9

Beetle:

 Serak, Syna, Brots, Zyltris:

(OOC: I am so deeply sorry guys, I had a lot of things happen this past weekend, friend came into town from Florida and I had my baby shower I had to go to, so with everything going on, I completely forgot about you all. I am back! Again, I apologize. My move I will wait until all Zombies have moved.)

Beetle once again takes aim on Z5, casts green-flame blade and strikes....

Attack: 14 Damage: 6 as he swings Green Flame once again dances majestically through the air and lands on Z12's foot and burns off his big toe for 3 more damage. 

OOC: No problem Brots, thanks for your apology. You haven't missed a whole lot, a few rounds of combat and I've had to take a few turns of yours. If you're away for any length of time again just let us know so we can carry on. It won't be an issue.

Beetle strikes again, slashing his glowing blade once more into the beast beside him.

Attack: 14 
Damage: 6

Zombie (Z5) Fortitude Constitution Save: 8 (With D/Adv)
Fortitude DC: 5 + 6 = 11

Green Flame Blade Damage to Z12: 3

Flames explode once more in the centre of the courtyard, as the undead is set alight. Its melting skin now largely gone, the animated corpse of bones and charred vines, merely twitches about as the stench of burnt flesh fills the air. Behind it, a second zombie absorbs the splattering green flames. Starting as a small spark, the blaze quickly engulfs its entire leg. As its big toe burns away, the beasts attention fails to be drawn away from Zyltris, despite the intense heat lapping beneath it.

Helplessly tied to the tree, the wizard quietly waits, whimpering and torturing himself with visions of pain and humiliation at the bards hand. 

Serak: Serak cocks his crossbow, loads a bolt and fires at the zombie(Z9) before him.

Attack: 25 Damage: 10

Serak turn away from the wizard for a moment, eyeing up his potential targets as he loads a bolt into his crossbow. He aims at the nearest zombie (Z9), surrounded by the bright orange flames, and pulls the trigger.

Attack: 25 
Damage: 10

The bolt smashes into the beast spine splitting it cleanly in two. As it collapses onto the courtyard floor, the rippling bonfire flames open wide to greet it. In mere moments the motionless body is burnt solid, its animated body finally at peace.

Back at the tower entrance, the final two zombies fail to notice their fallen allies as they clamber over them to strike again. The body of the first, (Z5) is barely held together by a tangled mess of burnt twisted vines around exposed bones and innards. The nightmare creature reaches for Beetle with a long skeletal claw.

Zombie (Z5) Attack Roll: 19

Beetle steps backwards instinctively as the melting creature swings an arm out at him. The beast cries out in anger, for a split second almost forming words in the common tongue. Beetle suddenly feels a deep sense of pity for the undead, silently hoping that when his time comes he will be left undisturbed.

The remaining zombie, lopsidedly staggers forwards once more. As its leg slowly burns and crispens, its rotting muscles cramp before it manages to leap weakly at Zyltris.

Zombie (Z12) Attack Roll: 15
Damage Roll: 5

Alt with Cutting Words:

The beast grips tightly around the elfs neck, sinking what remains of its destroyed teeth into his neck. Fresh blood trickles its way down Zyltris chain mail as he struggles to shake the beast away.

OOC: Hmm, this is a bit awkward if I'm not sure whether you would use this or not Serak - we'll just end up having multiple timelines lol. If you're happy for me to go ahead and use them in these situations then I'm happy to do that if you have a reaction/spell slot free? 

Syna, Brots. Zyltris:

OOC: That's fine. This fight is almost over anyway.

I'll just start each fight by posting my Cutting Words conditions, for that specific fight, in a spoiler. It will constantly change. For example, if we're up against a lot of magic users, I'd probably not use Cutting Words to stop a melee attack, even if it only hit by 1. I'd save it to make sure those magic users will fail their saving throws when we cast against them.

OOC: No probs Serak, Just wasn't sure this time! 

Thanks, a few notes on them will help me out greatly

Syna will move NE 1 and attack z12

Scimitar. Attack: 19 Damage: 5

Ssword. Attack: 24 Damage: 2

Stepping into position beside the campfire, Syna draws his shortsword and scimitar. With a flaming zombie before him, the druid lashes out wildly, aiming for the undeads standing leg.

Attack 1 Scimitar: 12 
Damage: 4

Attack ShortSword: 18
Damage: 6

Zombie (Z12) Fortitude Constitution Save: 7
Foritude Save DC: 5 + 6 = 11

With his second blow, Synas blade slices cleanly though the zombies femur. The zombie falls into a burning pile on the floor, writhing around madly before finally falling silent. Looking up as the green flame crackles beside him, Syna spots the animated skeleton of the last remaining zombie (Z5) beside the tents entrance. 

OOC: Brots and Zyltris, only one left for you both!

Zyltris will go towards Z12 with the Morningstar. 

Attack: 19

Damage: 7

Brots, seeing the last zombie, will draw his bow, notch his arrow, take aim carefully at the Zombie and release his arrow. Attack: 21 Damage: 10

An arrow soars through the courtyard smashing violently into the exposed spine of the remaining burning zombie.

Attack: 21 
Damage: 10

Zombie (Z5) Fortitude Constitution Save: 16 (With D/Adv)
Fortitude DC: 5 + 10 = 15

The undead beast explodes into a thousand boney fragments, showering Beetle with a variety of obliterated body parts. Across the courtyard, Beetle grins proudly, patting his trusted bow. He looks for Iris to share his joy, his mood suddenly sinks as he realises his mistake. Charging forward, Zyltris stops in his tracks, disappointed that his foe has been disposed of. His morningstar falls heavy back to his side.

With the courtyard covered in a range of undead bodies, the night air falls quiet once more. The slow crackle of fire breaks the silence, as the party dust themselves off, wiping bloody smears away their armour.

OOC: 160xp to each of you. That one took a while! lol If I'm right Brots that catches you up to level 3!

Syna sighs as the last zombie falls.  With a weary shrug, he sheaths his weapons and returns for his staff and the charm of Tymore that the first zombie was wearing.  "How is everyone?  Let's drag the Necromancer into the tower and get some answers and then some rest."

"Yes, sounds like a good plan," Beetle says..."I would like to know what he is doing out here with all these zombies."

(OOC: unless I missed something, I'm still 30 shy lol.)