It looks like I am done for the night. I have 7 of the 8 character complete and I think I answered all the questions.
Thoroncir the Marine is sailing to Elendil’s Heir.
I need the Hobbit to check in and then I can complete the characters. I will think about the meet and greet and first adventure. It might prove interesting.
Jim
So what is the stance on a new player, like myself, showing his character sheet to his group so he can get suggestions on how to play?
For example, I have some gold to spend before the game starts, but damned if I know what to use it on. I was thinking of throwing questions like this to the group for advice. Is that kosher? I am so used to the secrecy that playing mafia breeds, that I am not sure how much sharing is considered ok.
Generally, it’s players choice. I’m a secretive git, so I tend not to like to share gory details. I’m of the opinion that players will learn as the game progresses. That said, I’ve walked many newbies through many adventures, helping them with their character sheets.
First piece of advice…protect the ranger. Er, I mean protect the magic-users. At our level, the front row fighters will want to bottleneck a passage and concentrate on taking out one foe at a time, while ranged attackers look to harass mages. This is especially true if there is a single tough foe surrounded by cannon fodder. As you get better, and the enemies get more competent, mages become more important to take down fast.
Of course, when you have several experienced players, you’ll get several different tactics.
Say, What Exit?, please forgive me for butting in here. I’m not a player in the game, but I plan on following it, and I see a small potential for trouble: namely that the game is explicitly set in Middle-Earth and potential copyright infringement issues that could arise from that.
Obviously, we have plenty of Tolkien related discussions here, but this is a little different. Consider these three points:
–No commercial gaming publisher could publish an explicitly Middle-Earth themed game without permission from the Tolkien estate.
–The SDMB is a commercial enterprise.
–Our mods are very cautious when dealing with potential copyright infringements.
I would just hate to see the bad feelings that might arise if the game really got going and then was shut down; therefore, may I humbly suggest that you get a clear blessing from a mod before starting an explicitly Tolkien-based game?
Again, I apologize for, as we might say over in the Wire threads, giving a #%@ when it ain't your turn to give a #%@. I will now butt out.
Email, pm or ask in thread - I’ll be happy to oblige all you like, so will many others. Your stereotypical dwarf fighter will:
Or indeed a druid ‘Wall of Fire’, for that matter. d4+6 damage isn’t contemptible at this level, though - think of it as a temporary +4 scimitar.
My group has always shared all information. We come up with craftier strategies and make better decisions, especially under pressure.
We also take it in turns to referee, so full disclosure aids consistency.
I’m not saying you have to do that, but with an Internet game where we have no social contact, I think it’s wise.
Mafia is completely different. Any other player could be your enemy.
In D+D the DM will provide an endless stream of encounters!
For example, I’ve informed our MU that my Druid will carry ‘Detect Magic’ every day. That avoids him using up one of his precious slots duplicating the effort.
I really don’t like it when player A says “You’re using that spell too? But that means nobody has loaded the spell we really need!”
What Exit is probably your best bet for friendly advice about spending. He won’t give any secrets away, but will know what an experienced fighter like yourself would know (if you see what I mean).
Absolutely. 
The Fighters are trained to take and give punishment. They can block enemies from reaching the lightly armoured (and unskilled) spell casters.
Meanwhile the Druid can heal (and throw in a couple of attacking spells), while the MU sprays destruction :eek: (well, when he reachers 5th level, anyway).
And this destruction is why someone has to take out enemy spell casters (like our archers + spell casters).
The joy of the game. 
I remember having fun with both conventional parties (mainly fighters, couple of healers, MU + Scout) and other sorts (hey, we’re all multi-class Scouts!).
After one adventure when a brave Fighter perished nobly and was brought back by a Druid, we had this exchange:
“Where does the Cave Bear go in the marching order?”
All together now: “Wherever he likes!!”
I would prefer ‘Ghan, who reveres life and would rather hold a herb than a Heavy Crossbow’, but your sentiment is much appreciated.
It is very sensible for the Fighters to block the enemy troops. How they do this often depends on the terrain.
As D-Odds says, ‘bottleneck a passage’ is great for us. The Fighters happily hack away, whilst the spell casters can lob useful effects over their heads without being interrupted.
The worst case for us is probably where a load of minor troops rush us from all sides in open ground. Then you certainly want to ‘form a circle’ (with casters inside), or at least make sure each caster gets some combat help (since spells are interrupted by being hit).
Yes, everyone should know all their abilities.
Scouting is wonderful. 
If we know the enemy dispositions and numbers, we can **kick major ass ** … errr … do really well with a plan.
I once had a player tell me he was carrying an altar, so his Cleric could do really impressive things.
"How on Middle-Earth are you carrying that? 
"
"It’s inflatable! :eek: :rolleyes: "
Yes, indeedy.
Thanks to the DM rules on spellcasting, I will have access to ‘Flame Blade’, but without losing my curing powers.
Let’s compromise on ‘Ghan, who is naturally suspicious of any technology more sophisticated than a two-by-four, and would struggle to hit the side of a barn if he was in it’ 
In open ground we hope to see them coming, but hence the buddy system. If we can circle the casters, so much the better; if we can’t, I should think Deor/Theogrim is one natural pairing, and I can team up with either Mal Took or Brin depending whether we’re above or below ground, and the other goes with Thoroncil. That way the weakest of us each have someone assigned to keep their eyes on him.
Apart from me, and Brin I assume, who else is any good with a bow?
Great answer, I think sharing your character out for advise is actually a good idea in this case. The more experienced players help out the one new to the game is a time honored tradition. I believe **Glee ** and I have both been paid to pretty much tutor people in player. (I think **Glee ** is the one that gets paid for teaching D&D and Especially Chess, did I ever mention I was a Chess US National High School Championship team in 1984?)
One note, their will probably far more outside adventuring than Dungeon crawls in my game. The group is well designed for it. In theory the dwarf will be frustrated my all the horse/boat riding. 
The rest of you are naturals for outside adventuring.
Malacandra’s answers are great as are Glee’s
I did not think about it much, but here is my take, this is not dissimilar to Fanfic or the famous If LotR Had Been Written By Someone Else! thread.
I will not be posting copyright materials on the web. I will not post large passages from the books or from the D&D books. Almost everything I have posted is my own stuff cobbled together from many sources. Again, this will be more like fanfic. I believe we are safe.
Thank you for the question. My thought was to keep this thread going as the control, and start a cleaner thread for the narrative of the game itself.
I think **FluidDruid ** has already looked at this thread.
Jim
I got some excellent questions from **Glee ** that I want to share the answer on…
I don’t actually use anything directly from MERP, the Herb chart as a reference and some of the detailed maps as aides.
Q) The Blowpipe fires twice per round and needs both hands, correct? It is so easy to use that my Fumble chance is reduced by 10%?
A) Yes!
Q) ‘Flame Blade’ is identical to a Scimitar, except for damage? (e.g. no adjust v Scale Mail)
A) The Flame Blade would not use the penetration charts at all and I see a Speed Factor of 1 for it. It is just flames after all.
Q) Languages: Ghan has an Int of 10. With this, humans would get a couple of possible extra languages, but non-humans would usually need a much higher Int. I assume that Ghan speaks the humanoid languages Wose and Common only?
A) Correct, additionally, I don’t make heavy use of the language rules, as there are fewer languages to learn in ME.
Q) As a Druid, he gets a Woodland language every level from 3rd onwards?
A) In place of the Druid Languages, you get the overall chance as a Druid in this world to speak to animals. As a trainee of Radagast you are learning to speak to all animals, especially the birds.
Q) I assume that casting ‘Speak with Animals’ is 100% to work with any normal animal (including Giant ones)?
A) Speaking with animals is a 100%, eventually you will not need it.
Q on Charisma) Presumably with 15 I get some sort of reaction bonus? Do Woses not have some penalties?
A) Woses have some poor reactions from the prejudiced humans (most) but generally Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits have normal reaction. Radagast picked only the most personable of people that were already close to nature to be the new protectors of the natural part of Middle Earth. You got the feeling that he is training up his own replacements before he returns to the West but you are not sure.
Q) My * armor class * is base AC6 with G* (= Scale) and if I cast ‘Barkskin’ on it, I get AC5 base, and go to B* (=Plate Armor weapon v AC adjust)?
A) Including Dex, your base AC is 4/G so yes a Scimitar has no penalties or bonus but with the Barkskin you gain a +1 and a B pen for a 3/B and the same scimitar is now –4 to hit you. This is an excellent difference.
Q) I have 4001xp (and need 7501 / 12501 for future levels). Do all characters have the same experience? Are we using the PH tables?
A) I am using the PH table. Most of you are starting with the minimal XP for 3rd level for your class. The Dwarf has slightly more as he is the most battle seasoned and the Hobbit will probably start a little higher, having already had a few adventures with Pippin & Merry and in the Shire itself. (Also thieves have the lowest XP table)
Okay, I will now work up the Hobbit Treasure Finder. He will be highly skilled in the important skills of Opening Locks & dealing with Traps.
Thanks for the props, Jim.
For the benefit of the rest of the party:
Gil-Gandel is an Elf, about six feet tall and slim built. He carries two swords and an elven bow, and goes booted and cloaked but unarmoured. Apart from his harp, he is very lightly encumbered. He rides a horse elf-fashion, without tack or harness; it looks swift but too light for combat.
I’ve added a useful link to my .sig.
Worst case, if the mods shut us down, we can take it off site. That would be a shame, but I know people who know people, and some of those people are playing in this game too.
You’re most welcome.
I just read that Web Comic last week or the week before. Were you the one that recommended it the Questionable Content thread? It was very funny.
I had to check, it was squeegee
I appreciate the warning.
I am not a lawyer, but I think we are perfectly safe.
Tolkien licensed the use of the Middle Earth roleplaying game (I think the only quibble was to use ‘hafling’ instead of ‘hobbit’.)
Most of us have roleplaying books using stuff inspired by Tolkien.
Several countries have well-publicised Roleplaying Championships.
CatInASuit: Mulligan Took is stealthily make his way to you through the frightening Webs and wishing she had a sword like Sting.
With that, the 8 characters are done or at least done enough. Phew!
Now to gather you all near Minas Tirith.
Jim
Huzzah!
For the moment, just observe and act as an extra brain if you need to bounce an idea off someone.
I’ve been playing D&D since 1981 or so, but not often until '86. I prefer 3rd to prior editions because gameplay is cleaner, but still have all my 1e stuff in the back room.
I also have Dragons 1-250 on CD. If you know an article issue or title you want referenced, shout.
I’d be interested in that penetration chart if you have a spare copy.
appleciders, when I can get a couple of hours from my Mafia games I’ll type up the UA cantrip listing for you and PM it over. I hope to get it done tonight, if I want a break from picking out scum - but I do need to catch up the on-Dope one during the weekend or I’ll lose track completely.
Thank you!
Also, excitement over the last of the characters being finished! Cheers!
If you Email me asking for it, I will send over the package I sent to the players and the Armor Chart I added yesterday.
When you sent appleciders the Cantrips, could you please CC me so I can give a quick review. I will probably just let him have most of them to start.
The rules are less important for what we are trying as we won’t be having gaming sessions as much as slow paced online adventuring.
Jim