D & D on the Straight Dope setup thread. (In Middle Earth FA63)

Thread Games
181

[QUOTE=D_Odds]
Lots of catching up…

(a) This will be my first time out of the Dale area. Whatever messenger mission this is, no one else wanted it. I don’t mind - first time to travel
(b) New thread
(c) Please don’t mistake me for a fighter. Fighters are in tin cans. I’m in Fonzie’s jacket. I can buddy with another long range specialist
(d) I can track below ground too. I may not move as silently as others, but for a non-Dunedain, non-Elf, I do alright
(e) If I see a flying squirrel, I’m immediately going for my bow and aiming for the people with the bad accents
(f) I hate the sleep spell. At about 3rd-4th level, it becomes a waste of a slot. Unfortunately, I don’t remember all the changes between 1e and 3e to talk spells. I know in 3e I like Chromatic Orb as much as Magic Missile, and Identify always takes a couple of slots.
[/QUOTE]

King Brand of Dale has few Rangers in his service and you have been as far as the Elf King’s Caverns. He wants you to give & take intelligence reports from King Thorin, King Thranduil and then the Beorning Lord and find your way along the Anduin to Minas Tirith. Once there you have his permission to take a leave of absence if you desire.

b) I am working on a large Op for the game to start.

e) I promise, this is not Bullwinkle, has nothing to do with Bullwinkle and has been around for many a long year in my world. Since at least 1990 I think. He seems to appear in every game I run and he seemed like a perfect fit for our Druid. If I ran a Star Trek campaign he would probably find a way to appear fighting Klingons as they look and often act Orcish. (If I ran a Star Trek Campaign it would be in the time of Kirk)

f) Sleep is needed until a Mage has several 3rd level or higher spells available. It is their best offensive spell when starting out.

I have no clue about 3e or 3.5e for that matter. I have a few 2nd Ed books but that is it. On the other hand, I have most of the original D&D Books, AD&D books, Traveler, Space Opera, Gamma World, Boot Hill, Top Secret, TMNT, MERP, Stalking the Night, Star Trek, Champions, Battle Tech and several others I am forgetting from the 70s and 80s. The newest books are probably the handful of 2nd Ed D&D books.

I really reduced my game playing a lot around 1992 and mostly stopped 10 years ago. I had a 5 year campaign where we only played about 30-35 times. I only started playing a lot again with the new ME campaign I put together this year. My kids have actually joined in, which is a little weird. So far it is a lot of fun and I even started using minis again for the first time since I was in high school. The kids and the adults love them, so I gave in.

Well, back to the opening of the game.

Jim

182

[QUOTE=What Exit?]

“Moose most battle trained, fears nothing that sense don’t tell me fear. I hates Orcs. Me good warrior”
[/QUOTE]

Good to have Moose on board. I like how he switches between “me” and “I”.

Somehow, I’m getting the idea that a familiar should stay out of battle entirely… Does picking up an object cancel invisibility? Could Folca swipe something like a gem without canceling the spell? How about hunting for her dinner? Or is it strictly “combat”, which she might literally never engage in?

Having Gil-Gandel and Brin team up makes a lot of sense to me- if they both sweep around our left flank, they’ll be able to rain arrows into the enemy ranks. (I say our left flank because shields are usually on one’s left, and this way they’ll avoid shooting at enemy shields. If the game mechanics account for that, anyway. Otherwise, not so big a deal.) Neither is primarily a fighter, but both can hold their own. I know Gil-Gandel’s mounted- is Brin?

So what’s the verdict on teaming? I know I’m with my brother and that’s it.

183

And so we begin: Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Game itself.

A role call with some personal notes.
Some more history
The set-up …

Please respond to the situation, you are all there … include how you would introduce yourself if warranted.

Good Night and lets have some fun.

Jim

184

[QUOTE=appleciders]
Good to have Moose on board. I like how he switches between “me” and “I”.

Somehow, I’m getting the idea that a familiar should stay out of battle entirely… Does picking up an object cancel invisibility? Could Folca swipe something like a gem without canceling the spell? How about hunting for her dinner? Or is it strictly “combat”, which she might literally never engage in?

Having Gil-Gandel and Brin team up makes a lot of sense to me- if they both sweep around our left flank, they’ll be able to rain arrows into the enemy ranks. (I say our left flank because shields are usually on one’s left, and this way they’ll avoid shooting at enemy shields. If the game mechanics account for that, anyway. Otherwise, not so big a deal.) Neither is primarily a fighter, but both can hold their own. I know Gil-Gandel’s mounted- is Brin?

So what’s the verdict on teaming? I know I’m with my brother and that’s it.
[/QUOTE]

Folca could swipe a gem but not hunt for dinner.

Brin is on a good light riding horse.

185

So she’d need a new invisibility spell often. Got it. Thanks!

Also, Whoo-Hooo! Game thread! Party time!

186

ok, response posted. I have a fairly strong idea of who Gwaelur is, so this part at least will go smoothly. This is just the sort of situation he lives for, a good fight and some Orcs to kill.

187

Out of character peanut gallery bit- you state in the game thread:

My character sheet has me at five foot seven- how tall is Theogrim?

188

[QUOTE=Malacandra]
If you mean “the future King of Gondor”, that tale has grown in the telling. Aragorn was not with the host of Rohan; the Grey Company were on another errand, and came to Gondor by another route…

[/QUOTE]

Thoroncir wonders, “Perhaps he meant Eomer, now King of Rohan, who was by noble Theoden’s side as the Host of Rohan urgently pressed forward to glory and doom on the Fields of Pelennor? No matter. Both Rohan and Gondor now befriend the Woses, as is only right. And of course, 'twas my lord and king, Elessar Telcontar, who vouchsafed the Woses their wooded home forevermore, free from the oft-unwelcome company of Men.”

189

[QUOTE=Malacandra]
If you mean “the future King of Gondor”, that tale has grown in the telling. Aragorn was not with the host of Rohan; the Grey Company were on another errand, and came to Gondor by another route.

[/quote]

Well spotted, chaps. :cool:
Ghan was not present at the meeting of King Theoden, Eomer and the Wose Chief Gahn-Buri-Ghan* (which was witnessed by Meriadoc).
He was told both this story and the tale of King Aragon granting the Wose their forest lands as a child.
He has probably muddled up King Theoden and King Aragorn…

*anyone know how do do the accents for his name on the board?

[QUOTE=Malacandra]

Much obliged, but I’m already of age (I never knew Eorl the Young, but I could have. But I knew Lord Celeborn, who knew Thingol Greycloak, who knew the first of the Firstborn… so I’m not really as old as all that) and I don’t believe Wose marriages are recognised where I come from, though I’ll be happy to sing at any weddings you do conduct. :slight_smile:

[/quote]

Ghan is learning about the ways of the World outside Druadan Forest. He just thought ‘Ceremony’ might be a polite thing to offer.
As the adventure starts, he is already thinking that he should load ‘Detect Poison’ instead. :slight_smile:

[QUOTE=Malacandra]

Naturally - as I’d welcome your approval when I am foraging for arrow wood.
[/QUOTE]

Foraging for herbs is a big thing for Ghan - and could benefit the party enormously - thanks for the help!

190

[QUOTE=D_Odds]
Lots of catching up…

(a) This will be my first time out of the Dale area. Whatever messenger mission this is, no one else wanted it. I don’t mind - first time to travel
(b) New thread
(c) Please don’t mistake me for a fighter. Fighters are in tin cans. I’m in Fonzie’s jacket. I can buddy with another long range specialist
(d) I can track below ground too. I may not move as silently as others, but for a non-Dunedain, non-Elf, I do alright
(e) If I see a flying squirrel, I’m immediately going for my bow and aiming for the people with the bad accents
(f) I hate the sleep spell. At about 3rd-4th level, it becomes a waste of a slot. Unfortunately, I don’t remember all the changes between 1e and 3e to talk spells. I know in 3e I like Chromatic Orb as much as Magic Missile, and Identify always takes a couple of slots.
[/QUOTE]

I realise you’re in light armour, but you are still undoubtedly our 4th best Fighter. :slight_smile:
You’ve got the hit points, the attack rolls and the bonus damage against all Giant-Kind. :cool:

I agree that ‘Sleep’ doesn’t affect anything above an Ogre. Nevertheless it works wonderfully on troops - taking out 4-16 orcs at a time!
Also What Exit?'s rules here mean that taking ‘Sleep’ is not a waste of a slot. At 4th level, for example, Deor can take ‘Sleep’, ‘Magic Missile’ and ‘Shield’ and cast any combination of those 3 in one day.
Sadly ‘Chromatic Orb’ (you’re right about how good it is) is an Illusionist-only spell, so none of us can cast it.

191

[QUOTE=NAF1138]
Gahn, I am glad you have found yourself a protector. I have come to like you and your woodland ways. If even you should be in need of additional assistance, do not hesitate to call upon my services.
[/QUOTE]

Thank you, friend Gwaelur.
I value all our party, but particularly rely on the Fighters to protect me, so I can in return heal them.

(The traditional Wose way to summon assistance in a fight is to make our special call … “Help me! Now!” :smiley:

192

[QUOTE=appleciders]
Good to have Moose on board. I like how he switches between “me” and “I”.

So what’s the verdict on teaming? I know I’m with my brother and that’s it.
[/QUOTE]

I am both excited and nervous about travelling with the Moose. :eek:

I am sure he is a ‘big strong boy’, who will slay the hated orcs.
I can cast some spells if the ride is smooth (and use herbs as well).

But I have this vision of the party defeating an orc patrol, with the few remaining orcs fleeing into a large cavern complex.
Whereupon Moose thunders in pursuit … with me clinging to his back :smack:

I think we have:

Theogrim + Deor (F + MU)
Thoroncir, Gwaelur + Ghan (F, F + Druid)
Guil-Gandel + Brin (Bard + Ranger)

Mulligan is brilliant at concealment, but is no doubt welcome to team up with Thoroncir or Gwaelur if desired.

193

[QUOTE=What Exit?]
And so we begin: Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Game itself.

A role call with some personal notes.
Some more history
The set-up …

Please respond to the situation, you are all there … include how you would introduce yourself if warranted.

Good Night and lets have some fun.

Jim
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that. :cool:

I apologise if Ghan was a bit late getting the healing in, but I am on UK time…

Ghan will introduce himself to all as soon as the fallen man’s situation is stabilised.

194

[QUOTE=glee]
Well spotted, chaps. :cool:
Ghan was not present at the meeting of King Theoden, Eomer and the Wose Chief Gahn-Buri-Ghan* (which was witnessed by Meriadoc).
He was told both this story and the tale of King Aragon granting the Wose their forest lands as a child.
He has probably muddled up King Theoden and King Aragorn…

*anyone know how do do the accents for his name on the board?

[/QUOTE]

Can’t work out the alt-code - it should be Alt-something in the 220s, but my browser is intercepting the likeliest candidates and processing them as IE7 commands. You can compose posts in Word if you can be bothered.

I’m a bard - correcting people’s knowledge of history is what I do. (Well, a bard-to-be if we’re being picky, but I have to start thinking myself into the profession.)

195

I think you need alt + 131 on the numeric keypad.

â

Yep that does it.

196

[QUOTE=appleciders]
Out of character peanut gallery bit- you state in the game thread:

Theogrim’s brother Deor sits nearby, looking very young and a bit pale, he is much shorter and smaller.
My character sheet has me at five foot seven- how tall is Theogrim?
[/QUOTE]

Height 6’2", Weight 220 lbs

197

[QUOTE=MHaye]
I think you need alt + 131 on the numeric keypad.

â

Yep that does it.
[/QUOTE]

I am Emailing a handy Alt-Code Key chart. It has the codes from 0128 to 0255.

198

[QUOTE=glee]

I apologise if Ghan was a bit late getting the healing in, but I am on UK time…

[/QUOTE]

Actually, I’m curious what time zones we’re all playing from. Based on the way everyone quits posting so early in (my sense of) the night, I’m guessing most of you are US East Coast. I’m US West, but I’m a college student and as such am usually on something more like Honolulu time :wink:

199

GMT (GMT +1 by the end of the month).

200

[QUOTE=MHaye]
I think you need alt + 131 on the numeric keypad.

â

Yep that does it.
[/QUOTE]

Ghân-Buri-Ghân thanks you! :slight_smile: