# D & D on the Straight Dope setup thread. (In Middle Earth FA63) **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Tags:** middle-earth-game\ **Created:** [February 26, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276 "2008-02-26T20:17:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/281 "2008-03-06T00:26:59Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] This speed is fine for now. However, I’m on spring break starting this weekend and my posting will be sporadic. In general, if you need to run a battle or something without me, do it. [/QUOTE] Good to know. I think we have the general idea of what you will do. It is easier with the Mage at low level. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/282 "2008-03-06T05:20:41Z")
O mighty GM, in addition to the Special Ability languages already listed on his character development sheet, I presume that Thoroncir already speaks Westron and Sindarin… and maybe Quenya too? Or even a smattering of the Black Speech/Orcish? I’d like him to, if possible… if not, I’d like to work on his language-learning to include these tongues if the opportunities present themselves. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/283 "2008-03-06T09:53:23Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I need to ask the players. \*\*Is the game thread moving at a good speed or too slow or too fast? \*\* I am afraid it might be going too fast for some, but I also don’t want to let too many posts accumulate, unanswered. I am trying to find the right balance. This is much different from any other game I have ref’d. I think the combat worked well. I like the healthy paranoia the players are exhibiting over it being too easy. It was however a very good battle plan. [/QUOTE] I think the game is moving at a good pace for the kind of game we are playing. I’m quite enjoying it even though my character is not as useful at the moment as several others. I’m sure my time will come though. 🙂 The combat ran well and was very enjoyable to read. It was almost like a multi player RTS where everyone winds up the actions and then lets loose to see it unfold. Definitely good fun. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/284 "2008-03-06T11:43:21Z")
[QUOTE=CatInASuit] I’m quite enjoying it even though my character is not as useful at the moment as several others. I’m sure my time will come though. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Don’t knock the hobbit - no Scout can shine when chasing on horseback. Mulligan stealthily guarding the wagons to save the captives’ lives was great. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/285 "2008-03-06T12:39:49Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Don’t knock the hobbit - no Scout can shine when chasing on horseback. Mulligan stealthily guarding the wagons to save the captives’ lives was great. 🙂 [/QUOTE] I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity to play “Polish Mine Detector”. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/286 "2008-03-06T13:31:25Z")
\*\*On Languages: \*\* There are only so many humanoid languages to learn. Ent is out of reach, but then the animals are much more intelligent than in later ages. Foxes, many birds, bears, some deer & dogs and others have been shown to understand complex thought and the ability to communicate such. I have of course added Moose, though of course in Middle Earth they should be called Elk, but “Moose” lends it self to the idea of raw strength and humor far more than Elk, at least in America. As to languages: We know of Westron, Dunlending, Sindarin, Quenya, Black Speech, Wose, Khuzdul, Entish and I believe the Snowmen of Forochel had their own language. Rohan appears to have had their own language, but they speak Westron. Orcs had dialects, as did other humans. Then there would be mannish languages of the southeast. There was Adûnaic (Númenor) which I believe was related to Quenya and is probably the language of the Human Mages. IRC: Adûnaic had Quenyan roots with Sindarin adopted into from their time living near Beleriand. (This would be a good time for a visit from **Qadgop the Mercotan** , maybe he could play Celeborn 😉 ) The Hobbits of course had a language that was related to Rohirric, but it has given was to Westron save in a few handful of words. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/287 "2008-03-06T13:37:10Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I have of course added Moose, though of course in Middle Earth they should be called Elk, but “Moose” lends it self to the idea of raw strength and humor far more than Elk, at least in America. [/QUOTE] Middle-Earth has tobacco and potatoes - I’m sure it can have moose too. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/288 "2008-03-06T14:18:55Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra] Middle-Earth has tobacco and potatoes - I’m sure it can have moose too. 🆒 [/QUOTE] I always assumed that the Potatoes and Tobacco where brought back by either the Numenoreans or even the Elves. These varieties obviously died out before Grecian times. I thought Europe has Moose, they just call them Elk, is this not true? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/289 "2008-03-06T17:46:31Z")
[QUOTE=glee] I once had a player tell me he was carrying an altar, so his Cleric could do really impressive things. "How on Middle-Earth are you carrying that? 😕 " "It’s inflatable! :eek: :rolleyes: " [/QUOTE] You’ve never seen a Campaign Altar? It’s basically a folding table with a box attached (so any leftover Hosts can be stored there and you don’t have to keep track of two objects). ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/290 "2008-03-06T18:36:24Z")
[QUOTE=Nava] You’ve never seen a Campaign Altar? It’s basically a folding table with a box attached (so any leftover Hosts can be stored there and you don’t have to keep track of two objects). [/QUOTE] My chap was on foot! (I think he claimed to have invented rubber :eek: ) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/291 "2008-03-06T18:37:56Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I thought Europe has Moose, they just call them Elk, is this not true? [/QUOTE] I always associate Moose / Elk with North America. There are loads of reindeer in Scandanavia, but I don’t know of any moose. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/292 "2008-03-06T18:39:05Z")
How about flying squirrels? Any flying squirrels about? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/293 "2008-03-06T19:05:20Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] How about flying squirrels? Any flying squirrels about? [/QUOTE] I have not seen any moose and squirrel, Boris. [/bad Russian accent] ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/294 "2008-03-06T19:08:28Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] How about flying squirrels? Any flying squirrels about? [/QUOTE] Please don’t go there. The unfortunate side effect of having a Moose is flying squirrel jokes. [Moose / European Elk (Alces alces)](http://www.geocities.com/magicgoatman/moose.html) or better yet, [Moose Facts & Information (Alces alces) - World Deer](http://www.worlddeer.org/elk.html) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/295 "2008-03-06T19:38:16Z")
Charlie Chan: “Listen, cow on wall speaks!” Lionel Twain: “Moose, dammit, it’s a moose! And why don’t you use your goddamned prepositions?” Just one little bit of inspired lunacy from _Murder by Death._ ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/296 "2008-03-06T19:46:12Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Please don’t go there. The unfortunate side effect of having a Moose is flying squirrel jokes. [/QUOTE] I’ve never met a pun I didn’t like…well, at least when it was leaving my mouth versus entering my ears. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/297 "2008-03-06T20:11:51Z")
**D\_Odds** , In the Game thread you raised an objection to looting the bodies. It was an aside, so I will answer it: Looting the bodies, while of questionable ethics was needed to gather more intelligence in this case. I do recall Gandalf happily dividing up the ill-gotten loot of the Trolls and Tom with the Barrow Wight. I would not sweat this detail. Besides the campaigners would have to consider normal behavior. Thoroncir, Ornan, Theogrim, Gwaelur and Meridoc the Magnificent have all been involved in battles and wars. Merry was rather happy to loot the guard house at Isengard. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/298 "2008-03-06T20:29:29Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Merry was rather happy to loot the guard house at Isengard. [/QUOTE] Well, I did make an exception for wizards’ towers. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/299 "2008-03-07T01:31:45Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] There was Adûnaic (Númenor) which I believe was related to Quenya and is probably the language of the Human Mages. IRC: Adûnaic had Quenyan roots with Sindarin adopted into from their time living near Beleriand. (This would be a good time for a visit from **Qadgop the Mercotan** , maybe he could play Celeborn 😉 ) [/QUOTE] Short answer: Yes lots, no none at all. The answer with more than you want to know: [a Brief treatise on Adûnaic](http://www.uib.no/people/hnohf/adunaic.htm) Middling answer: It’s derived from Avari, Khuzdhul, Sindarin, some Doriathrin, a touch of Quenya, and maybe a bit of Hebrew thrown in, depending upon what mood JRRT was in when he wrote down what he thought about Adûnaic. And it changed a _hell_ of a lot during the 3000 or so year run of Numenor. And may have been quite corrupted by Sauron in the final decades. I dibs Golthadriel. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/300 "2008-03-07T02:05:14Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] Short answer: Yes lots, no none at all. The answer with more than you want to know: [a Brief treatise on Adûnaic](http://www.uib.no/people/hnohf/adunaic.htm) Middling answer: It’s derived from Avari, Khuzdhul, Sindarin, some Doriathrin, a touch of Quenya, and maybe a bit of Hebrew thrown in, depending upon what mood JRRT was in when he wrote down what he thought about Adûnaic. And it changed a _hell_ of a lot during the 3000 or so year run of Numenor. And may have been quite corrupted by Sauron in the final decades. I dibs Golthadriel. 🆒 [/QUOTE] Wow, that was more than I wanted to know, but very interesting. Once again, I am left wishing the Professor had managed to produce more finished works. 😕 Why Golthadriel? He appears to be Salmar who is a Maia of Ulmo’s. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=16)