# 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:** 78
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1541 "2009-04-10T18:51:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I would clearly have to monkey around with the Monk to make it usable. The D8 HD and better saves are a good place to start. I know I have a list of modified abilities somewhere. I don’t plan on allowing numchucks, it just doesn’t not fit my world view and I want to keep the monks basically unarmed anyway. I agree, nunchucks just don’t seem to fit the Professor’s style. There are few specifics in _The Two Towers_ and _The Return Of The King_ about Haradrim; it’s clear that they prefer to fight with spears and that they wear red clothes, gold jewelry, and long hair. None of those would be binding, naturally, since presumably the majority of that army were not monks. I don’t have any other texts at hand, but the [Thain’s Book](http://www.tuckborough.net/) confirms most of that. Think it’s bad that I learned about Arneson’s death from the Order of the Stick? I think he’d be flattered. ---
**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 10, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1542 "2009-04-10T21:44:30Z")
Another article; it briefly mentions the later litigation: ['Dungeons & Dragons' co-creator dies - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/04/10/obit.david.lance.arneson/index.html?iref=mpstoryview) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1543 "2009-04-11T10:56:13Z")
My group found the 1st Edition Monk difficult to play, with a mish-mash of abilities. I recently designed a Warrior Monk class, which has worked well on its first couple of outings. I can send it to What Exit? when I get back from holiday if he’d like. ---
**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 11, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1544 "2009-04-11T15:24:33Z")
> [@glee](#): > > My group found the 1st Edition Monk difficult to play, with a mish-mash of abilities. > I recently designed a Warrior Monk class, which has worked well on its first couple of outings. > I can send it to What Exit? when I get back from holiday if he’d like. That’s sounds great. I have only ever had a few handful of Monks run under me and only 2 were successful. I’ve only run one once myself and I have run every other class dozens of times. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1545 "2009-04-11T20:54:21Z")
I think I have one Monk on that model, actually, from the Merrie England campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1546 "2009-04-13T03:12:00Z")
I’m rolling around some ideas in my head as far as characters, and I hope you folks can answer a few questions: Would a spear be impractical in tight areas? Can someone recommend a website I could visit to get a feel for the “look” of things: armor, clothes? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1547 "2009-04-13T04:26:58Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I’m rolling around some ideas in my head as far as characters, and I hope you folks can answer a few questions: > > Would a spear be impractical in tight areas? > > Can someone recommend a website I could visit to get a feel for the “look” of things: armor, clothes? For the spear: It might or might not be. As a ranger you’d have several weapon proficiencies to start with (exactly how many depending on what level **What Exit** starts you out at) so you could have a spear in addition to a close-quarters weapon, and probably a ranged weapon as well. A spear would be a good addition, actually, since we’re commonly in the position of being charged by an enemy who is trying to reach our archers. You might also be able to wield it over a Dwarf’s head, saving yourself the danger of being on the front line. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1548 "2009-04-13T09:01:06Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I’m rolling around some ideas in my head as far as characters, and I hope you folks can answer a few questions: > > Would a spear be impractical in tight areas? > > Can someone recommend a website I could visit to get a feel for the “look” of things: armor, clothes? A spear would be impractical in some areas. As appleciders said, you’ll probably have enough weapons to choose **Spear** (two-handed, bonuses v charging opponents, not the greatest damage but could be used over head of short teammate), **a Missile Weapon** and **Dagger** (easiest in tight places). [Here’s some English medieaval armour](http://www.royalarmouries.org/home) [Here’s some clothing](http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/index2.htm) [Here’s the work of artist Alan Lee](http://www.gandolf.com/graphics/tolkien/lee_1.shtml) [Here’s the work of artist John Howe](http://www.gandolf.com/graphics/tolkien/howe.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1549 "2009-04-13T14:04:28Z")
> [@glee](#): > > A spear would be impractical in some areas. > As appleciders said, you’ll probably have enough weapons to choose **Spear** (two-handed, bonuses v charging opponents, not the greatest damage but could be used over head of short teammate), **a Missile Weapon** and **Dagger** (easiest in tight places). > [Here’s some English medieaval armour](http://www.royalarmouries.org/home) > [Here’s some clothing](http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/index2.htm) > [Here’s the work of artist Alan Lee](http://www.gandolf.com/graphics/tolkien/lee_1.shtml) > [Here’s the work of artist John Howe](http://www.gandolf.com/graphics/tolkien/howe.shtml) Yes, of course the movie images:smack: I should have thought of that. And I neglected to say that I hope everyone had a good Easter or at least a good weekend. 🙂 ---
**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 13, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1550 "2009-04-13T14:39:24Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Yes, of course the movie images:smack: I should have thought of that. And I neglected to say that I hope everyone had a good Easter or at least a good weekend. 🙂 Happy Easter to you too. I have more time this week if you want to start working on your character. We have 8 active players in this game now; I can handle up to 10 with ease. 1. Gil-Gandel: Elven Bard 5th: \*\*Malacandra \*\*(_needs 18.5k xp)_ 2. Thoroncir: Knight of Gondor 6th: \*\*Elendil’s Heir \*\*(_needs 35k xp)_ 3. Gwaelur: Dwarven Fighter **5th** : **NAF1138** (_needs 5k xp)_ 4. Bitur son of Bofur: Dwarven Fighter 5th: \*\*Hoopy Frood \*\*(_needs 17k xp)_ 5. Ghân-Buri-Ghân: Wose Druid **6th** : \*\*Glee \*\*(_needs 6k xp)_ 6. Deor: Rohirrim Mage **5th** : \*\*appleciders \*\*(_needs 2k xp)_ 7. Angelica Mulligan Took: Hobbit Thief **6th** : \*\*CatInASuit \*\*(_needs 10.5k xp)_ 8. Hraedsig: Rohirrim Paladin 5th : \*\*ShadowFacts \*\*(_needs 21k xp)_ Level in Bold indicates I already know they made level. The others might except for Thoroncir who needs by far the most right now. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1551 "2009-04-13T18:03:36Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Happy Easter to you too. > > I have more time this week if you want to start working on your character. Yes, definitely! ---
**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 13, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1552 "2009-04-13T18:20:16Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Yes, definitely! So what are you looking at. Have you decided the class and race yet? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1553 "2009-04-13T19:44:39Z")
A Ranger sounds interesting, and would seem to fit as far as party balance goes. I take it that they are somewhere between a fighter and a thief, as far as brick-ness? When I think Ranger I think Elf but that’s just “fantasy reflex” if you will. I l like the Beorning concept better. The difficulty of finding armor to accommodate my were-form does make me hesitate. That or a Hobbit. Can’t have too many Hobbits. ---
**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 13, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1554 "2009-04-13T20:17:46Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > A Ranger sounds interesting, and would seem to fit as far as party balance goes. I take it that they are somewhere between a fighter and a thief, as far as brick-ness? > > When I think Ranger I think Elf but that’s just “fantasy reflex” if you will. I l like the Beorning concept better. The difficulty of finding armor to accommodate my were-form does make me hesitate. That or a Hobbit. Can’t have too many Hobbits. Rangers are usually great on HP but lag in armor compared to bricks. They are usually their equal though in fighting. The Beorning would only be a problem if you are shape-shifter. This is not guaranteed. I agree you cannot have too many Hobbits. The best Rangers are the Dúnedain though. They are also the longest lived of the three races mentioned. Elves of course are the longest lives. The Domebo game will have a Noldo Ranger from Rivendell. Do you want to be mêlée oriented or missile oriented or Ranger Skill oriented? If missile, you might want to take the Hobbit, If Mêlée the Beorning get a strength bonus. If a generalist with the best Ranger skills of Tracking and Herbology, go Dúnedain. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1555 "2009-04-13T21:46:25Z")
I’ll go Dunedain. ---
**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 13, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1556 "2009-04-13T22:36:11Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I’ll go Dúnedain. One last question before I start the first draft. You’ll have 4 proficiencies to start. It is one per weapon type and you can and should take a specialization in one of them. Spear is an uncommon weapon for characters but it has the advantage of Magic ones show up without ever really being claimed by party members. However Swords and Bows are of course the typical human and Elven weapons. Do you want to specialize in Bow, Sword or Spear or something else? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1557 "2009-04-13T22:44:38Z")
Actually, I changed my mind, I will be a Hobbit. I’m a Hobbit-y sort of person, so it should fit. ---
**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 13, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1558 "2009-04-13T22:49:29Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Actually, I changed my mind, I will be a Hobbit. I’m a Hobbit-y sort of person, so it should fit. I strongly recommend you specialize in bow then. Think of a name or do you want me to suggest one? This would be a good quick reference for Hobbit names. [http://www.tuckborough.net/peopleindex.html](http://www.tuckborough.net/peopleindex.html) Stats: Dex and Con should be high priorities for a Hobbit Ranger but let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1559 "2009-04-13T23:12:09Z")
Rorimac sounds like a good name. “Rory” for short, apparently :). Dex and Con sound fine. ---
**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, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1560 "2009-04-14T00:42:31Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Rorimac sounds like a good name. “Rory” for short, apparently :). Dex and Con sound fine. The first draft of Rorimac Brandybuck is on the way. We might as well plan on you joining the party. I think Love Rhombus might need some help with the character. If so, any volunteers to for him to share the character with? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=79)