# 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:** 82
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1621 "2009-05-06T00:33:22Z")
I see the party is getting really tooled up. Hey I don’t mind holding a few capes as the heavy hitters do their stuff. Might even learn something as well. 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1622 "2009-05-06T03:55:50Z")
Here’s “Gilraen’s Theme.” Or, at least, it should be, when the movie is eventually made of our adventures. Beautiful song: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7OvsVSWB4TI/hqdefault.jpg "Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana - Intermezzo") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OvsVSWB4TI) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1623 "2009-05-06T13:07:51Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > This is really good stuff, **What Exit?**. I’m feeling just a little bit of every scary movie I’ve ever seen, washing back over me, in some scene near the end where the heroine is reaching a trembling hand towards the rusty old doorknob and everyone shouts, “DON’T GO IN THERE!” :eek: It’s certainly a good story. 🆒 But Glorfindel (and Gilraen) have taken over all the decision making and are basically telling our characters exactly what to do. ☹ ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1624 "2009-05-06T13:21:43Z")
> [@glee](#): > > It’s certainly a good story. 🆒 > > But Glorfindel (and Gilraen) have taken over all the decision making and are basically telling our characters exactly what to do. ☹ I know and I am sorry about this. The mission is basically over. Why don’t I wrap this up later with a final narrative. Does that sound good? Can someone pour through the thread looking for potential magic items. The Dwarves will of course be handing out a large gold/booty/barter share to the adventures. At least one good magic item per character in the end, but it helps to know what the party found and what they are interested in. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1625 "2009-05-06T13:27:55Z")
A final narrative sounds good seeing as Glorfindel and Elrohir will be doing the majority of the work getting through the symbols. They are just a bit above our level, but it will be interesting to see what is at the end. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1626 "2009-05-06T14:36:54Z")
Given the evil dude who put the stone in place long ago, I don’t begrudge Glorfindel’s leading role here in the endgame. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1627 "2009-05-06T15:24:58Z")
Once we finish with the big bad evil tomb are we doing anything with one we found in the first section? I know we decided to leave it alone at the time, since it wasn’t hurting anything. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1628 "2009-05-06T15:36:08Z")
The one with the electrical trap and the large signs saying “Leave it alone”. We should do, if only for the same reasons as we are dealing with this tomb. If it is out of our league, then it should go in narrative. Otherwise let’s handle it in game. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1629 "2009-05-06T15:44:08Z")
My thinking exactly. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1630 "2009-05-06T16:00:19Z")
> [@CatInASuit](#): > > The one with the electrical trap and the large signs saying “Leave it alone”. We should do, if only for the same reasons as we are dealing with this tomb. > > If it is out of our league, then it should go in narrative. Otherwise let’s handle it in game. I think we’ll leave that as a report for later. I need to finish something up and then I will work on this current narrative. It is time for the party to think about what is next. Ghân at least needs to visit Radagast. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1631 "2009-05-06T16:26:13Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I know and I am sorry about this. The mission is basically over. Why don’t I wrap this up later with a final narrative. Does that sound good? > > Can someone pour through the thread looking for potential magic items. The Dwarves will of course be handing out a large gold/booty/barter share to the adventures. At least one good magic item per character in the end, but it helps to know what the party found and what they are interested in. Running an Internet game is jolly difficult and your work is appreciated. 🙂 Thanks for taking my comment in the spirit in which it was intended. 🆒 I will happily look through the thread for items. Ghân is looking forward immensely to visiting Radagast (does that mean he’s gone up a level?!). What options are there for me while Ghân is busy elsewhere? Presumably: - play an existing PC with no current player - play an NPC - roll up a new character (but it doesn’t seem worth it) - wait it out (also not much fun!) ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1632 "2009-05-06T16:33:13Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Running an Internet game is jolly difficult and your work is appreciated. 🙂 > Thanks for taking my comment in the spirit in which it was intended. 🆒 > > I will happily look through the thread for items. > > Ghân is looking forward immensely to visiting Radagast (does that mean he’s gone up a level?!). > > What options are there for me while Ghân is busy elsewhere? > Presumably: > > - play an existing PC with no current player > - play an NPC > - roll up a new character (but it doesn’t seem worth it) > - wait it out (also not much fun!) Thanks and the options should be playing an exisiting PC, playing an NPC or the group may decide to take time off too. There are some options with this. Rivendell is not a terrible place to winter but for some reasons, that won’t work so well. Thoroncir and Gilraen may want to return home and could escort you part way down the Anduin. Malacandra is ready for some advanced training at Rivendell and possibly near the Shire. Mulligan might wish to return to the Shire for a bit. Gwaelur and Bitur may just stay and help out at Goblin Gate. Etc. It is up to the party. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1633 "2009-05-06T17:07:40Z")
I won’t be able to make the summary post until late tonight or tomorrow. I have to put my kitty to sleep this afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1634 "2009-05-06T18:23:58Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I won’t be able to make the summary post until late tonight or tomorrow. I have to put my kitty to sleep this afternoon. My condolences. I’m sorry to hear it. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1635 "2009-05-06T18:37:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I won’t be able to make the summary post until late tonight or tomorrow. I have to put my kitty to sleep this afternoon. Ugh. I just had to go through that a couple months ago. I’m very sorry, and take your time. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1636 "2009-05-06T18:40:51Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I won’t be able to make the summary post until late tonight or tomorrow. I have to put my kitty to sleep this afternoon. My condolences as well. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1637 "2009-05-06T18:46:38Z")
Oh, my. Sorry to hear about your kitty. Our own cat is now pushing 20 and is still hale and hearty, but that day might be closer for us than I’d like to think. I’d prefer to keep playing Sir Thoroncir, but am not totally opposed to developing a new character if I can eventually return to the knight-errant. As this is the only game in which I’m now involved, I’d strongly prefer to keep it going, if **What Exit?** (may the Valar bless and keep him!) is still willing. Thanks! ---
**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:** [May 6, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1638 "2009-05-06T21:43:04Z")
Thanks all, I’m just waiting for the kids to get home and then we will bury her under a nice pine tree. Just to clarify, I did not mean that Tohorncir would stop playing. I meant that we would find an excuse for every character to take a few months off of serious adventuring and meet back up in the Spring. This would prevent Ghân and Gil-Gandel from having to drop out of the next adventure. It would also give Deor some time to study. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1639 "2009-05-06T22:10:37Z")
Well, Deor can do that pretty straightforwardly by studying magic in Rivendell. He’s going to have to take another hiatus in two or three levels (depending on experience for the current adventure) to begin work on his staff, though. Jim and I have loosely discussed a plan for his temporary replacement, though, should it come to 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:** [May 6, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1640 "2009-05-06T23:30:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > …Just to clarify, I did not mean that [Thoroncir] would stop playing. I meant that we would find an excuse for every character to take a few months off of serious adventuring and meet back up in the Spring. This would prevent Ghân and Gil-Gandel from having to drop out of the next adventure. It would also give Deor some time to study. Ah, I see. So three months of game time might pass in three seconds of real-world time? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=81) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=83)