# 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:** 37
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/721 "2008-04-08T14:59:41Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] Um… no. No, it isn’t. Still waiting. 😃 [/QUOTE] Darn it. Back to the drawing board. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/722 "2008-04-08T16:37:49Z")
What is the range on Gwaelur’s xbow? I looked at my sheet by can only determin the penetration. I am trying to decide if it would be good to have the bow handy since I am so far back and relativly slow, or if I am too far back for it to do me any good. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/723 "2008-04-08T17:53:28Z")
Knowing that their are hunter-killers out there, I’m missing the cannon fodder already. Where’s Nodwick when you need him - seems we just picked up Piffany. Did she pack duct tape? ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/724 "2008-04-08T18:20:16Z")
[QUOTE=NAF1138] What is the range on Gwaelur’s xbow? I looked at my sheet by can only determin the penetration. I am trying to decide if it would be good to have the bow handy since I am so far back and relativly slow, or if I am too far back for it to do me any good. [/QUOTE] The ranges are in inches where 1" = 30’ outside. On the chart, the ranges are the 6 leftmost columns. PB S M L X O, in the header is the penalty to hit. So the Dwarven Crossbow has a Point blank Range of 4" or 120’. Short Range is 8", Medium is 16, Long is 24 and eXtreme is 36 (but note the -8 to hit) Outrageous is a full 72" or ridiculous 2160’ at -12 to hit. All of these have penalties I have to deal with for the larger ranges including wind, obscurement & concealment, movement of target, vision of the shooter, size of target etc. However in theory, on a clear day, shooting down from a hill or tower, Gwaelur might be able to hit a sleeping elephant at 2000’ (if it has a bright yellow blanket). Not too likely though. [QUOTE=D\_Odds] Knowing that their are hunter-killers out there, I’m missing the cannon fodder already. Where’s Nodwick when you need him - seems we just picked up Piffany. Did she pack duct tape? [/QUOTE] I believe this was strongly requested. I was fine with Red Shirts, I mean minor NPCs. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/725 "2008-04-08T18:32:08Z")
My problem is that I take cannon fodder a little too literally. But I would rather not have to keep giving dead people shares of the treasure! It is as bad as burying all those Westernesse weapons in the barrows. How long are we planning on scouting on foot? What’s the flora and fauna situation here - I’m guessing not very good (these are Ash Mountains, after all), which means we might be hitting Goodberries for nutrition in addition to healing? I want to be prepared, but not over-encumbered when we switch to traveling by foot. If this is a multi-day trip, and we expect water sources to be few, then after the first night the cleric or druid should take purification spells so that we can use any standing water we find. (I am assuming there are purification spells - I seem to remember some). We’ll also need to carry rations enough to last ‘there and back again’ (everybody groan now) plus camping gear and shelter. Nothing we can’t, as a party, handle, but this becomes important if we need to retreat from a battle. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/726 "2008-04-08T18:45:28Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] The ranges are in inches where 1" = 30’ outside. On the chart, the ranges are the 6 leftmost columns. PB S M L X O, in the header is the penalty to hit. So the Dwarven Crossbow has a Point blank Range of 4" or 120’. Short Range is 8", Medium is 16, Long is 24 and eXtreme is 36 (but note the -8 to hit) Outrageous is a full 72" or ridiculous 2160’ at -12 to hit. All of these have penalties I have to deal with for the larger ranges including wind, obscurement & concealment, movement of target, vision of the shooter, size of target etc. However in theory, on a clear day, shooting down from a hill or tower, Gwaelur might be able to hit a sleeping elephant at 2000’ (if it has a bright yellow blanket). Not too likely though. I believe this was strongly requested. I was fine with Red Shirts, I mean minor NPCs. [/QUOTE] Thanks! So the xbow is handy when we are in our group formation, but takes a penalty if we are walking single file. That is good to know. What are my odds of accidentally hitting a party member instead of my intended target? ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/727 "2008-04-08T18:50:05Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] I would rather not have to keep giving dead people shares of the treasure! [/quote] Your share is yours to do with as you wish. Many of us gave because we honour a fallen comrade. [QUOTE=D\_Odds] How long are we planning on scouting on foot? What’s the flora and fauna situation here - I’m guessing not very good (these are Ash Mountains, after all), which means we might be hitting Goodberries for nutrition in addition to healing? I want to be prepared, but not over-encumbered when we switch to traveling by foot. If this is a multi-day trip, and we expect water sources to be few, then after the first night the cleric or druid should take purification spells so that we can use any standing water we find. (I am assuming there are purification spells - I seem to remember some). We’ll also need to carry rations enough to last ‘there and back again’ (everybody groan now) plus camping gear and shelter. Nothing we can’t, as a party, handle, but this becomes important if we need to retreat from a battle. [/QUOTE] As I posted, Ghân has nearly 400 Goodberries and has loaded Purify Water. Each Goodberry can be used a a full meal, and Ghân can cast more too. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/728 "2008-04-08T19:04:25Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Each Goodberry can be used a a full meal, and Ghân can cast more too. [/QUOTE] Only 400 GoodBerries, guess I had better cut down then, just in case. 😛 ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/729 "2008-04-08T19:04:47Z")
**D\_Odds** : You are already on foot, the horses are of on their own. That long debate was over a 1/2 day extra of keeping the horses. The Ash mountains, are much greener as Mt Doom last erupted 63 years ago and the last blast of ash and much lower Orc population has done much for the resurgent greenery of the area. Between yourself, Ghân and Mulligan, I would not be surprised if you could feed yourselves without resorting to rations and goodberries. However, hunting and gathering takes time and having already found Orc tracks, our mission on our own will probably be in days and weeks. **NAF1138** : the chance of friendly fire depends on if you are trying to shoot into melee or just fire at a target away from the party. Shooting into a melee is always a great risk. Best left to the Elven Archer or maybe the precise Hobbit. Even Brin will be best served by shooting targets not yet in melee or perhaps over your head at a tall orc. 😉 ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/730 "2008-04-08T19:06:37Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Your share is yours to do with as you wish. Many of us gave because we honour a fallen comrade. [/quote] Keep the RP to the RP thread. 🆒 Here, I can sacrifice NPCs, summoned monsters, and summoned animals at will in order to keep my hit points above zero. And I can be Daffy Duck-like greedy (Mine! Mine! Mine!) - which Brin is not. > [@glee](#): > > As I posted, Ghân has nearly 400 Goodberries and has loaded Purify Water. > Each Goodberry can be used a a full meal, and Ghân can cast more too. I expected the goodberries would help for meals. I’m more worried about water, and sorry, I missed the Purify Water. I am worried about the hobbit, though. The goodberry may be a substitute, but I doubt it has the same mouth feel and satiation factor as a nice coney stew. And, is 400 enough? ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/731 "2008-04-08T19:11:21Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] Keep the RP to the RP thread. 🆒 Here, I can sacrifice NPCs, summoned monsters, and summoned animals at will in order to keep my hit points above zero. And I can be Daffy Duck-like greedy (Mine! Mine! Mine!) - which Brin is not. I expected the goodberries would help for meals. I’m more worried about water, and sorry, I missed the Purify Water. I am worried about the hobbit, though. The goodberry may be a substitute, but I doubt it has the same mouth feel and satiation factor as a nice coney stew. And, is 400 enough? [/QUOTE] Renee also carries a Purify Food & Drink spell. Even the Hobbit should be able to survive on the bounty that Ghân can provide. It is good to have a Druid along. If the party gets desperate, a quick planting by Renee followed by a Plant Growth by Ghân will feed a small army. They both carry many useful seeds and Plant Growth is a might spell of various uses. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/732 "2008-04-08T19:12:27Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] **D\_Odds** : You are already on foot, the horses are of on their own. That long debate was over a 1/2 day extra of keeping the horses. [/quote] I know. I was thinking logistics which weren’t discussed, or which were just touched upon. > [@What Exit?](#): > > The Ash mountains, are much greener as Mt Doom last erupted 63 years ago and the last blast of ash and much lower Orc population has done much for the resurgent greenery of the area. > > Between yourself, Ghân and Mulligan, I would not be surprised if you could feed yourselves without resorting to rations and goodberries. However, hunting and gathering takes time and having already found Orc tracks, our mission on our own will probably be in days and weeks. That is good. I was most worried about water, as it is very heavy to transport, and we would not last long if not properly hydrated. > [@What Exit?](#): > > **NAF1138** : the chance of friendly fire depends on if you are trying to shoot into melee or just fire at a target away from the party. Shooting into a melee is always a great risk. Best left to the Elven Archer or maybe the precise Hobbit. > > Even Brin will be best served by shooting targets not yet in melee or perhaps over your head at a tall orc. 😉 Don’t worry, Gwaelur, I try not to sacrifice PCs..usually. Bah! Missed **CatInASuit** ’s reply before posting. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/733 "2008-04-08T19:24:53Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] Keep the RP to the RP thread. 🆒 Here, I can sacrifice NPCs, summoned monsters, and summoned animals at will in order to keep my hit points above zero. And I can be Daffy Duck-like greedy (Mine! Mine! Mine!) - which Brin is not. I expected the goodberries would help for meals. I’m more worried about water, and sorry, I missed the Purify Water. I am worried about the hobbit, though. The goodberry may be a substitute, but I doubt it has the same mouth feel and satiation factor as a nice coney stew. And, is 400 enough? [/QUOTE] Why do you post sarcastic comments and detailed serious game analysis in the same post? 😕 ---
**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:** [April 8, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/734 "2008-04-08T19:26:58Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Why do you post sarcastic comments and detailed serious game analysis in the same post? 😕 [/QUOTE] To keep you on your toes. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/735 "2008-04-08T19:50:24Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] To keep you on your toes. 😃 [/QUOTE] Ah, a team player. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/736 "2008-04-08T21:54:14Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Ah, a team player. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] It’s all good. This playing style is not unfamiliar to me, and I’m sure Brin will pull his weight when the time comes. Mentioned earlier was that Ghan has the standard Druid class feature of identifying pure water - so if we find anything and aren’t sure it’s drinkable, he can tell us with 100% certainty, and purification is always an option if it isn’t. Gil-Gandel probably packs some waybread. Nothing fancy, just what he can bake for himself between trips using whatever ingredients he’s able to pick up. He is no baker by trade and only has a rank amateur’s command of the skill - by Elvish standards it is poor stuff, doesn’t keep well (by Elvish standards) or taste very fancy (by Elvish standards), so he wouldn’t dream of insulting his companions by foisting it off on them. Hobbits can get by on short rations… if the rest of us can stand the earache. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/737 "2008-04-08T21:55:35Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra] It’s all good. This playing style is not unfamiliar to me, and I’m sure Brin will pull his weight when the time comes. Mentioned earlier was that Ghan has the standard Druid class feature of identifying pure water - so if we find anything and aren’t sure it’s drinkable, he can tell us with 100% certainty, and purification is always an option if it isn’t. Gil-Gandel probably packs some waybread. Nothing fancy, just what he can bake for himself between trips using whatever ingredients he’s able to pick up. He is no baker by trade and only has a rank amateur’s command of the skill - by Elvish standards it is poor stuff, doesn’t keep well (by Elvish standards) or taste very fancy (by Elvish standards), so he wouldn’t dream of insulting his companions by foisting it off on them. Hobbits can get by on short rations… if the rest of us can stand the earache. 😃 [/QUOTE] OK, I’m calm and relaxed. 🆒 ---
**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:** [April 9, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/738 "2008-04-09T04:13:34Z")
[QUOTE=glee] OK, I’m calm and relaxed. 🆒 [/QUOTE] Hey, me too! ---
**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:** [April 9, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/739 "2008-04-09T15:02:40Z")
[Quote=CatInASuit] [If it is intelligent, can we not get Ghan to speak to it?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9669431&postcount=104) [/quote] If it is intelligent, will it want to speak with Ghan? I keed. I keed. Is that any better, **Elendil’s Heir**? ---
**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:** [April 9, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/740 "2008-04-09T16:55:11Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] …Is that any better, **Elendil’s Heir**? [/QUOTE] Don’t quit your day job, buddy. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=38)