# 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:** 74
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1461 "2009-01-28T20:41:51Z")
FYI, I hope it has become clear that Hraedsig has…issues with orcs (and to a lesser extent goblins) and that is driving his current unilateral behavior. Since I’m new to the group, I don’t want you all to think that I’m a jerk player who doesn’t want to play as a team. 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 28, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1462 "2009-01-28T20:43:50Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > FYI, I hope it has become clear that Hraedsig has…issues with orcs (and to a lesser extent goblins) and that is driving his current unilateral behavior. Since I’m new to the group, I don’t want you all to think that I’m a jerk player who doesn’t want to play as a team. 🙂 Well played but I do think this explanation was a good idea. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1463 "2009-01-28T20:58:16Z")
I figured that was what was going on, and I am more or less trying to pick up on that and run with it for Gwaelur. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1464 "2009-01-29T13:11:07Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > FYI, I hope it has become clear that Hraedsig has…issues with orcs (and to a lesser extent goblins) and that is driving his current unilateral behavior. Since I’m new to the group, I don’t want you all to think that I’m a jerk player who doesn’t want to play as a team. 🙂 No worries, mate. I hope you don’t think that I think you’re a jerk. 😕 🙂 There should be more to roleplaying than just efficiently killing endless monsters. Mind you, Ghân certainly hopes he can talk Hraedsig into a more … balanced …frame of mind after the combat. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1465 "2009-01-29T15:17:45Z")
Thoroncir supports and encourages your pathology because it makes him look better. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1466 "2009-01-29T16:18:33Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Thoroncir supports and encourages your pathology because it makes him look better. 😃 When we finish our next mission, Ghân is going to throw custard pies at Gilraen - just for the fun of watching Thoroncir intercept them (with his face preferably!). 🆒 ---
**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:** [January 29, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1467 "2009-01-29T17:13:23Z")
> [@glee](#): > > When we finish our next mission, Ghân is going to throw custard pies at Gilraen - just for the fun of watching Thoroncir intercept them (with his face preferably!). 🆒 Sounds yummy! Sure hope he can maintain his boyish figure… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1468 "2009-01-30T16:12:21Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Thoroncir supports and encourages your pathology because it makes him look better. 😃 Heh 😛 ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1469 "2009-01-31T23:31:37Z")
So are there house rules about how negative hit points and death are handled? Clearly, characters who reach 0 hit points aren’t dead quite yet. What’s the system in use? ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1470 "2009-02-01T01:02:25Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > So are there house rules about how negative hit points and death are handled? Clearly, characters who reach 0 hit points aren’t dead quite yet. What’s the system in use? A typical 1st Edition system is that you fall unconscious at 0 hp, start bleeding (for 1hp damage per round until bandaged or healed) at -1 to -9 and die at -10. If you ‘achieve’ negative hp, there is usually a roll v constitution to avoid death by shock (when you are healed above 0hp). This roll can be avoided by using the 3rd level Clerical Spell Death’s Door. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2009, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1471 "2009-02-01T13:34:57Z")
> [@glee](#): > > A typical 1st Edition system is that you fall unconscious at 0 hp, start bleeding (for 1hp damage per round until bandaged or healed) at -1 to -9 and die at -10. > If you ‘achieve’ negative hp, there is usually a roll v constitution to avoid death by shock (when you are healed above 0hp). This roll can be avoided by using the 3rd level Clerical Spell Death’s Door. That is pretty much what I am using though Death’s Door is not a spell I am aware of. It is probably from Unearthed Arcana. Though sometimes wounds bleed quicker than 1hp per round and not just when below 0. That is why herbology/healing is so important. It is a method of stopping bleeding at least without magic. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1472 "2009-02-01T13:58:22Z")
Is this the first time a PC has been negative HP? Brian ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1473 "2009-02-01T14:47:54Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > That is pretty much what I am using though Death’s Door is not a spell I am aware of. It is probably from Unearthed Arcana. Though sometimes wounds bleed quicker than 1hp per round and not just when below 0. That is why herbology/healing is so important. It is a method of stopping bleeding at least without magic. It was introduced in _UA_, yes. If I could be bothered to go upstairs and get the book off the shelf I could tell you whether it was kept in for 2nd Edition. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 1, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1474 "2009-02-01T14:53:10Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Is this the first time a PC has been negative HP? > > Brian I’m not sure at this point, but I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1475 "2009-02-01T15:05:46Z")
I think this is the first time that a PC has been negative. We have had one NPC death and a couple come really close. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1476 "2009-02-01T15:16:13Z")
Definitely first time any party member has gone negative. (At the other extreme I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t been injured.) ---
**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:** [February 1, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1477 "2009-02-01T15:20:40Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Definitely first time any party member has gone negative. > (At the other extreme I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t been injured.) Well I’ll need to work harder on that then. 😉 There should have been more than one player in negatives so far. The tabletop game has had several go negative and two that were hurt so badly that they needed recuperation time in Rivendell and Minas Tirith respectively. BTW: I go a good giggle from this post: > [@Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game: Fifth Adventure - War in Goblin Gate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/766): > > As the battle rages almost too quickly to comprehend, Deor’s struck by a funny thought- he should track his spells expended for the day somewhere, maybe by making a tick mark with ink on his arm. He’s so distracted by this that he almost fails to duck as the lone remaining orc with a crossbow levels his weapon to shoot. As he does drop to the floor below the level of the Dwarven shield wall, he settles it in his head- one 1st and one 2nd level spell remaining today. He’s fairly sure of that. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1478 "2009-02-01T16:44:04Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Definitely first time any party member has gone negative. > (At the other extreme I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t been injured.) Agreed as to both. Eru and the Valar bless us, we are wont to go in harm’s way. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1479 "2009-02-01T16:50:13Z")
On an unrelated note, I am going on vacation tomorrow for the week. I should have internet access for most of it (certainly for the 2nd half of the week), but my posting will be spotty. I’ll do my best to keep up, but don’t wait for me. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1480 "2009-02-01T18:07:32Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Well I’ll need to work harder on that then. 😉 > > There should have been more than one player in negatives so far. The tabletop game has had several go negative and two that were hurt so badly that they needed recuperation time in Rivendell and Minas Tirith respectively. > > BTW: I go a good giggle from this post: Deor was as low as 4 hit points at one juncture in the first mission, but that’s the closest to death I was aware of for PCs until Hraedsig just now. Glad you enjoyed Deor’s stream of consciousness 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=73) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=75)