Turning Table and Clerical Adjustments

This is the basic rule set on how undead are turned on Nyssa. There are three basic considerations: highest undead HD that you are facing (plus any class levels) + Turn Resistance + Number of Undead the cleric is facing. This is the calculated Undead HD on the table below.

Ex 1. A 1 HD Skeleton with 2 class levels with four of it's companions, would be a 7 HD turn (1 HD + 2 class + 4 companions) before any other adjustments shown below.

Cleric 

Level                                                               Undead HD

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19
1	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
3	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
5	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
6	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
7	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
8	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
9	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–	–
10	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–	–
11	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–	–
12	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–	–
13	D	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–	–
14	D	D	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	–
15	D	D	D	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19
16	D	D	D	D	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15	17
17	D	D	D	D	D	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13	15
18	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	T	T	T	T	2	3	4	5	7	9	11	13

HD is the combined total of the creature's base HD and any class levels

If a cleric rolls the number listed +/- any adjustments, the undead is turned for one minute plus another round per either the cleric's wisdom or charisma bonus.

Rolling a "1" is always a failure, even if the player has a D or T listed. Players can use one of their turn affects and take the effects, but they must state they are using one of their turns. If they roll a failure, the undead is not turned.

Rolling a "20" is a success, treat the same as "D." They cannot turn an undead if a number is not listed on the table above.

When clerics try to turn undead they must present their holy symbol and command the undead to step away - it is not a meek act, but a show of faith. They must roll the number presented in the above chart or higher, plus / minus the adjustments shown below. If the undead are turned, they cannot face the cleric or the holy symbol.

T = Automatically Turned: A turned undead will not face a cleric or anyone in their party until the turning ends or the living party attacks them. If the undead is attacked by the cleric or anyone on the cleric's team, the turning ends and the cleric cannot retry to turn the undead for a minimum of five minutes. Undead of average intelligence may stalk the living, waiting at the edge of the effect for the turn to end, before they face the cleric again.

D = Damned: An undead damned is burned by the the holy presence of the holy symbol. This will inflict 5d6 plus 1d6 for every 2 HD the priest is higher than the undead. The undead cannot remain within 150 feet of the priest or holy symbol. Damned souls are treated as turned and can not attack the priest or any obvious allies.
On the second or subsequent rounds, if the priest is still actively turning the undead takes 5d6 damage. However, even if the cleric is not actively turning, as long as the undead are within range and the holy symbol is obvious, they take the additional damage (1d6 for every 2 HD) at the same rate. If the undead goes below zero hit points, they are destroyed and their ashes are either consumed by holy fire, buried in the ground or otherwise immediately and irrevocably vanquished. A damned soul is utterly destroyed, it is not reborn in the Outer or Lower Planes. Only a Wish or equivalent can return the undead to the mortal plane.

Ex 2: A 5th level cleric rolls a 18 when turning a wight (6 HD), there is a five point difference between the roll and the number required (13) and what was rolled (18), so the wight is turned for five minutes.

If anyone in the party attacks the undead, the turn effect is automatically nullified but after a three round rest the cleric can attempt to turn undead again.

Normally, clerics can turn undead a number equal to their Channel Divinity number plus either their charisma or their wisdom modifier. Often in large communities, where there is an active obelisk dedicated to either their god, an allied or equivalent deity, they get a chance to keep their turn. The cleric must roll on a 5 + undead HD turned on a D20.

The DM must calculate the total HD to be turned in the direction they are facing. Add the highest HD to the number of other undead they are facing.

Adjustments: Highest Undead HD + Turn Resistance + Number of Undead cleric is facing

Turn Resistance                      Add number to their equivalent HD (Usually +2 - +5) 
Number of undead                       -1 / HD**
Role Playing                                 +1*
Opposite Align (Good vs Evil)    +1
Not using Holy Symbol                -5

On Evil Ground                            -4
On Holy Ground                          +2
Within sight of holy site               +1

Near evil artefacts                         -3

Undead of same faith                   +2

Sprinkle Holy Water                    +1
Holy Water touches undead         +3
Personal Item                               +6

Touches Undead w/Symbol         +2

Already physically confronted     -4

Not in good standing with deity   -2

Turn Resistance: If a creature has turn resistance in the description, add it to the number required to turn it

Role Playing is how the turn is done, if in game mode players get a bonus. Difference between a player saying "I turn it" vs "By the power of the goddess' light, burn these creatures from this mortal plane, banish these evil creatures!!" 

On holy site and within site of holy site do not stack, the cleric can gain one or the other, even if it's a different holy ground from an allied church

Of the same Faith: Always assume regardless of how an undead was created, it wants release. So if a cleric is of the same faith and utilizing their holy symbol as the undead, give the cleric this bump

Sprinkle holy water assumes the holy water does not touch the undead. If touched, give the cleric the higher listed bonus

A cleric turns in a radius, so only those undead it faces should be counted in this calculation or can be turned. Add up all the undead a cleric faces. Use the highest undead then count up the number in the area

The first action a cleric should do is turn the undead, before anyone in their party engages the undead. If the DM believes the party unreasonably delays turning, they can give the cleric the -4 penalty. All of my clerics wear their holy symbols on chains hanging around their necks.