# 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:** 40
**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 14, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/781 "2008-04-14T19:31:08Z")
it seems our captains are down at the pub(s); I’m for creating choke points, but allowing enough room for Gil-Gandel, Mulligan, Deor, and Ghan to contribute via missile or spell. If Mal is invisible, even better, as he can get a backstab in on the biggest and badest and then get out of there. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/782 "2008-04-14T19:35:02Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I need a little clarification for the game thread. It sounds like the party is stepping forward into the cross passage area? Is this correct? [/QUOTE] That’s Gil-Gandel’s call. But to get squashed on two sides, I certainly hope not. If the front door opens it would be on 3 sides. Better to hold the one passage and allow the Orcs to collide in front. But then, I’m not there. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/783 "2008-04-14T19:42:14Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I need a little clarification for the game thread. It sounds like the party is stepping forward into the cross passage area? Is this correct? [/QUOTE] Captain here. Not at the pub, doing chores. If we’re standing to get hit from two sides in the cross passage area then we’ll stay back from it. ---
**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 14, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/784 "2008-04-14T19:47:51Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] it seems our captains are down at the pub(s); I’m for creating choke points, but allowing enough room for Gil-Gandel, Mulligan, Deor, and Ghan to contribute via missile or spell. If Mal is invisible, even better, as he can get a backstab in on the biggest and badest and then get out of there. [/QUOTE] Mal ducked back to check behind us. I’ll give some more time for \*\*Malacandra \*\* or \*\*Glee \*\* to chime in and give some orders. What do you mean by a choke point in this chase? You roughly have passages like this, you came from the left and the dobule doors at the end are open with two dead orcs in that doorway. **| | | | | | | |**\_\_\_ * * * \_\_\_\_| | \_\_\_\_| | \_\_\_\_| | \_\_\_\_| | Of course as I tried to create some basic Graphics, \*\*Malacandra \*\* has shown up to prevent a massive loss of life. The party maintains, proper ranks, back from the danger of cross fire from the side. **Malacandra** , please give and order in the game thread, else you will have some members in serious danger. I am off to a long computer lab, I’ll check in tonight in maybe 5 hours. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/785 "2008-04-14T20:05:27Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] it seems our captains are down at the pub(s); I’m for creating choke points, but allowing enough room for Gil-Gandel, Mulligan, Deor, and Ghan to contribute via missile or spell. If Mal is invisible, even better, as he can get a backstab in on the biggest and badest and then get out of there. [/QUOTE] Neither Ghân nor I drink alcohol. Since Brin is so clever, Ghân resigns as lieutenant and passes the responsibility to him. To give him a good start: note that in post 277 in the main thread Mulligan went to check on the rear, so won’t be doing any backstabs… ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/786 "2008-04-14T20:12:25Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Since Brin is so clever, Ghân resigns as lieutenant and passes the responsibility to him. To give him a good start: note that in post 277 in the main thread Mulligan went to check on the rear, so won’t be doing any backstabs… [/QUOTE] Ghan 1. This is why you are the lieutenant? 2. I really hope I don’t have to do any backstabs because that means the enemy has got behind us. 3. Hi Opal 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/787 "2008-04-14T20:23:08Z")
NETA: 1. This is why you are the lieutenant **!** ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/788 "2008-04-14T20:27:31Z")
[QUOTE=CatInASuit] Ghan I really hope I don’t have to do any backstabs because that means the enemy has got behind us. [/QUOTE] Yes, I know. But read Brin’s post. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/789 "2008-04-14T20:33:57Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Yes, I know. But read Brin’s post. [/QUOTE] Ok, I will attempt humour some other time. Needless to say, I don’t agree with what **D\_Odds** was saying, if he was indeed saying what I think he was saying.. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/790 "2008-04-14T20:41:59Z")
[QUOTE=CatInASuit] Ok, I will attempt humour some other time. Needless to say, I don’t agree with what **D\_Odds** was saying, if he was indeed saying what I think he was saying.. [/QUOTE] As has been discussed, it’s difficult to convey meaning over the Internet. I prefer courtesy to taking risks. ---
**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 14, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/791 "2008-04-14T20:53:09Z")
The scene in my mind’s eye was different from what **What Exit?** sketched. Seems as if we have a major choke point, with the disadvantage that we are similarly choked off from charging orcs. I’ll have to re-read the thread to this point and get a better idea of the overall map before I can make more suggestions. ---
**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 14, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/792 "2008-04-14T23:01:15Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Neither Ghân nor I drink alcohol… [/QUOTE] Thoroncir hopes Ghan will withdraw his resignation as lieutenant, and at the next opportunity will tempt him with a draught of robust Linhir ale, or a glass of a playful Dorwinion white wine… ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/793 "2008-04-14T23:06:19Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Since Brin is so clever, Ghân resigns as lieutenant and passes the responsibility to him. [/qUOTE] Sorry. I’ll have to file the paperwork in Minas Tirith for that to be official. Meanwhile I suggest you give little weight to someone who is ably role-playing a low Charisma, and keep the recruits in line. 🙂 ---
**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 15, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/794 "2008-04-15T00:28:46Z")
I think we are suffering a small language and humour barrier between our New York City Man of Dale and our Wose from England. As George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “England and America are two countries divided by a common language” I think it is best to assume that \*\*D\_Odds \*\* is never more than half serious in **this thread**. 😉 ---
**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 15, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/795 "2008-04-15T03:52:38Z")
**Glee** , on this question. (DM, how did the Shaman apparently move and cast in the same round?) The spell takes only 5 segments and he had everything ready when he ordered the attack. He was very near and only needed to take a few steps to begin casting. If you think back, I allow small incremental movement before or after spellcasting and between bow shots. I think you are referring to a rule in the DMG somewhere that I don’t use. Sorry for the surprise, these will continue to happen. Sometimes I forget what rules I have changed as I have used them for a very long time. If it makes you feel any better, Ghân has never faced a Shaman before today. He does not know exactly what to expect, just a general idea. ---
**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 15, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/796 "2008-04-15T04:00:42Z")
Oh, those orcs and their tricksy shamans! We hates them, we do! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/797 "2008-04-15T08:39:33Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] **Glee** , on this question. (DM, how did the Shaman apparently move and cast in the same round?) The spell takes only 5 segments and he had everything ready when he ordered the attack. He was very near and only needed to take a few steps to begin casting. If you think back, I allow small incremental movement before or after spellcasting and between bow shots. I think you are referring to a rule in the DMG somewhere that I don’t use. Sorry for the surprise, these will continue to happen. Sometimes I forget what rules I have changed as I have used them for a very long time. If it makes you feel any better, Ghân has never faced a Shaman before today. He does not know exactly what to expect, just a general idea. [/QUOTE] No worries - and thanks for explaining that. It’s a well-balanced dungeon! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/798 "2008-04-15T08:47:20Z")
D\_Odds has kindly sent me an apology, which I happily accept. I am chuffed\* by the support and will therefore continue as Lieutenant. I will try to be less sensitive. :o As Dorothy Parker said “A little bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika.” and “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” Oscar Wilde “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. .” 🙂 \*hopefully this is an example of UK English! ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/799 "2008-04-15T12:31:05Z")
Ah, the wonder of Hold Person. Nothing screams “hero” like slashing a ragged hole in an orc, then falling to the ground like a Viking mannequin. :rolleyes: \<— at me ---
**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 15, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/800 "2008-04-15T12:36:24Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Ah, the wonder of Hold Person. Nothing screams “hero” like slashing a ragged hole in an orc, then falling to the ground like a Viking mannequin. :rolleyes: \<— at me [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=OneCentStamp in the game thread] Geez, this sucks.[/COLOR] [/QUOTE] How do you think the shaman feels\*? He tossed a spell that should stop 3 third level fighters with ease and gets only one instead of the two he expected. Gwaelur’s special ability is tied to saving throws and Thoroncir has a very large saving throw bonus and then Renee’s song gave another +1. BTW: It looks like 62 orcs are already dead in here and a Shaman. The rats estimated nearly 100 in this orc lair. - Well other than dead that is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=41)