Another fan checking in. I started reading near the end of the first thread and have greatly enjoyed it. I have never had any problem following the action and the role playing has been better than excellent. You guys have created real “live” characters and I find myself anticipating every new event like a favorite TV show. You guys are the tops, keep having fun.
Hey cool, thank you for the feedback. 
NAF1138, for bookkeeping purposes, did we end up with 2lbs of Longbottom Leaf or 5lbs? Your call. I’m fine either way.
Thanks!
Let’s say 2. Its a bit more practicle, especially if we are carting around barrels that will weigh as much as the contents.
Oh good, so we’ll have two hobbits and a dwarf all smoking like the chimneys Lotho Sackville-Baggins had built in the Shire at the end of the War. Imagine what that will do for our chance of sneaking up on anything with a nose. 
I don’t plan to sneek up on anyone. You bring me along and your chances of sneeking end fairly quickly.
The hobbits will have to solve that riddle on their own.
Sorry, did you say something? I couldn’t hear a word over all that clanking.
Drat this dwarvish racket! 
Eh, you’re just too sensitive.
Did the Map come through readable? Did the link work? Does the camp layout match what was expected?
I’ll give some time for reaction to the first three rounds of the battle. The orcs are dropping very quick, but the wargs can still be a big problem. If a few more dwarves drop out of the shield wall things can get tough there too.
I think Sir Thoroncir just set the record for issuing an apology. Wow! 
Curunauth is quite capable and much physically stronger than you would think at first, but his tactical skills are nearly worthless. The Dwarves understand how weak they are and greatly appreciate Gil-Gandel’s suggestion of the stakes to help out. They are also overjoyed their escort could provide such excellent Northern and Western barriers. As far as frontal assault, you can see they were well prepared and look practiced.
The map is fantastic; thanks!
I think we’ll do quite well as long as no enemies with class levels show up. Just out of curiousity, actually, what level was that sorcerer that we fought in the first mission?
Wow, that was a long time ago now. I think he was all of 8th. Gash was his name, but I have mislaid my notes on him.
The map looks great and was helpful in figuring out the tactical situation.
Knights-errant are, of course, noted for their courtesy. 
“Death to our foes!” and he left room for the follow up"Gurth an glamhoth!" Where glamhoth of course means Orcs. As Curunauth also has a sword of Gondolin it seems appropriate for him to complete the cry.
BTW: Nice touch RogueRacer!
Radagastrarely leaves Rhosgobel. It is on the Western border of Eryn Lasgalen (Greenwood/Mirkwood).
For the purposes of this game I have Rhosgobel as just inside the woods and surrounded by a thick and confusing hedge (or hay) of trees, vines and brambles. There are glamours in place so most would never find it or see it but all animals not of an evil nature can find it, especially those that are injured. Ghân of course can find it and get through the hay. I have always gone with the location as situated on the edge of Mirkwood just south of the Gladden Fields. On the Map of Middle Earth (the one with red printing) you can see a bight out of Mirkwood that is south of the Gladden Fields and north of Dol Guldur. There is a small spur sticking out. Rhosgobel is within that triangular part of the woods.
All this is to say it is a long journey from Rivendell.
As to researching spell changes and new spells. Some are easy and some are hard. For Druids the best way is to either work with other Druids or better yet Radagast himself. In a very loose way to match up to D&D Radagast is very Lesser God that is working in his hidden way for the Greater Goddess Yavanna. Your spells power come from Yavanna herself in most cases. Much as Gilraen’s derive from Estë. To modify the Entangle leads to several possibilities. A first level spell that takes slight longer to cast but is otherwise the same and requires an additional material component such as a few hairs or a feather of the animal friend or a second level version that might have a greater range or area and the added ability for your animal friends to move through it. Again casting would be a bit longer and using hairs and/or feathers as additional components.
For Deor researching a new spell is usually more difficult and expensive. But then in the short term Mage spells are far more powerful.
Eventually Gil-Gandel will have mainly Druid spells with a few Magic User or Illusionist spell options. He will need to learn or create each song. Other Elven Bards, Radagast or even a Druid of at least 7th level can help him. Keep in mind also that the Elven Bards in my world have a sleep ability equal to their charm ability. Think Luthien sleeping Morgoth on this one for the inspiration. For the Bards, the power comes mainly from Yavanna also but not as directly. They are more tapping into her power that suffuses the world. They also derive power from Irmo. There are also slightly different Bardic types that instead tap into mainly Ulmo and their magics are mainly tied to the Sea. A note on final training for Gil-Gandel. He will need to train somewhere like Rivendell, the Grey Havens, Thranduil’s Kingdom or with Thranduil’s daughter Elenwë who you briefly met. Another possibility is of course Tom Bombadil. He is in a way the ultimate Bard.
Heh. I haven’t forgotten that suggestion, believe me. Just a question of whether we can fit a trip in while we’re in the North (or whether it’s too early for me to profit from the lesson).
This had occurred to me as well. If Deor gets to a point where he needs to stay put somewhere (Rivendell, Minas Tirith, possibly even the Shire!) to learn a spell, would you allow me to create a second character to play while Deor sits out and studies?
It probably is too early yet which takes me to …
If I can do this correctly, most of the characters will need a bit of time off for research, advance training or perhaps wooing in one case. It should all be around the same time.
However if we need character sabbaticals, second characters are always a good option.
Yesterday I was catching up on the game thread. I got to the bit about both swords increasing their glow. There were plenty of responses left to read, another page actually, so I knew I was doomed. Orcs were coming and Elfstan had been asleep at the wheel. I then find the post where the swords flared brightly. Crap! I skimmed the rest of the posts hoping that Elfstan and Curunauth hadn’t already been eaten.
They hadn’t, so I get in a post to run for the hills… err… camp. I check back in a few and all heck is breaking loose. Elfstan has to decide between a suicidal looking battle and abandoning Curunauth to try to make it back to camp. Meanwhile, in real life I was getting ready to meet some friends for drinks. What to do? I made myself a little late for drinks making that last response. I then end up spending the evening wondering what happened to Elfstan. Nicely done, What Exit?!
When I got home, the first thing I did was jumped on my computer to read the thread. I was a little shocked when Curunauth went down. Riglo he is not! Today I find out that those last four orcs were the leader and his three body guards. :smack:
So, any truth to Elfstan’s hypothesis that Sting’s glow cancels out a Hobbit’s natural luck? 