# Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game: Fifth Adventure - War in Goblin Gate **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Tags:** middle-earth-game\ **Created:** [December 5, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898 "2008-12-05T19:34:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 48
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/941 "2009-02-12T19:01:15Z")
Let’s back up in good order. Watch your step, everyone. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/942 "2009-02-12T19:29:49Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Let’s back up in good order. Watch your step, everyone. Back up? And let whatever is burrowing out from under ground get between us and safety? ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/943 "2009-02-12T19:36:45Z")
I suggest moving hastily towards the exit. If it is coming up through the floor, let it come up through this floor while we are elsewhere. Don’t forget how may goblins were talking about a really powerful wraith around here. I personally don’t plan on being around to say hi to it. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/944 "2009-02-12T20:07:01Z")
I don’t want the floor to give way under our feet while we’re crossing it. That’s why I suggested we back up; we can better maintain the shield wall that way too. ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/945 "2009-02-12T20:14:41Z")
Umm, Thoroncir, it’s probably a wraith. It’s going float up through the floor, not drop us into a pit. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/946 "2009-02-12T20:24:55Z")
> [@CatInASuit](#): > > Umm, Thoroncir, it’s probably a wraith. > > It’s going float up through the floor, not drop us into a pit. Great, something incorporeal, something I can’t affect with the spells I have left. You think if I cast a Web inside of it, then light the web on fire, that’ll help? And if I remember my “Identification and Characteristics of Magical Beings” class rightly, they’re dramatically weaker in sunlight. Being able to retreat to the door might be a big giant advantage. Failing that, if we can figure out where it’s going to pop up from, let’s surround it. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/947 "2009-02-12T20:25:31Z")
:: shrugs :: All right, then, forward - march! ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/948 "2009-02-12T20:31:47Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > And if I remember my “Identification and Characteristics of Magical Beings” class rightly, they’re dramatically weaker in sunlight. Being able to retreat to the door might be a big giant advantage. I’m having an idea here- bear with me on this one. Wraiths are weaker in sunlight. This is only true of _natural_ sunlight; magical light never counts. But I strongly suspect that _reflected_ sunlight would work, even if in a diminished way from the full power of the sun. The entrance to this cave has a long, fairly straight passageway, doesn’t it? If we drew the wraith back down the curved hallway ahead to the junction with the straight hallway that leads outside, could we use a well-polished shield to reflect sunlight right down the hallway, illuminating and weakening the wraith? ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/949 "2009-02-12T20:36:40Z")
Gilraen, “Do we want this thing to come up to fight or do we just want to get out? I need to know for my bauble. My spell only has a few minutes left, so if we are not fighting, we should move with great haste I think.” ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/950 "2009-02-12T20:42:17Z")
I think moving with great haste is wise. We don’t have much healing left to us and the day is long still. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/951 "2009-02-12T21:01:08Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > I’m having an idea here- bear with me on this one. > > Wraiths are weaker in sunlight. This is only true of _natural_ sunlight; magical light never counts. But I strongly suspect that _reflected_ sunlight would work, even if in a diminished way from the full power of the sun. The entrance to this cave has a long, fairly straight passageway, doesn’t it? If we drew the wraith back down the curved hallway ahead to the junction with the straight hallway that leads outside, could we use a well-polished shield to reflect sunlight right down the hallway, illuminating and weakening the wraith? There is magical light and magical light. Gilraen can call on the power of Elbereth herself and wraiths have no love for that. I have my swords ready and can do a great deal of damage by flaming them. For all that, make haste for the exit. I shall guard our retreat; come past me. Deor, I doubt that a Web, alight or not, will do much harm to a wraith. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/952 "2009-02-12T21:04:26Z")
“I will of course follow the party should we choose to withdraw, but I would strongly prefer to fight this evil creature before it can wreak more havoc. Yes, it will be dangerous, but sometimes sacrifice is required of the just.” ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/953 "2009-02-12T21:04:49Z")
It’ll still be here tomorrow, when we’ll all be rested and our healers and wizards will be fully loaded. Let’s keep moving. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/954 "2009-02-12T21:05:35Z")
Pretend my statement came before Gil-Gandel’s :o ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/955 "2009-02-12T21:31:48Z")
Bitur concurs with Gwaellur that the strategic withdraw is probably our better course of valor right now. Bitur will also hold rank and become rearguard again, so that we limit where the wraith can attack us from. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/956 "2009-02-12T21:34:09Z")
So the party withdraws. Gilraen raises her bauble high above her head and brings it to a strong light. She is singing the praises of Elbereth and Eärendil. Gil-Gandel and Hraedsig wait to take the rear and Gellin & Sten move forward in front of Gilraen. As the party is getting into gear, a frightening pale green wraith rises from the floor. It is 30’ behind Gil-Gandel and Hraedsig. Gilraen stops and moves through those between her and the rear two, she holds aloft her bauble in her left hand and the Rod of Kanotir is in her right. “A Elbereth Gilthoniel O Elbereth Star-kindler, o menel palan-díriel, from heaven gazing afar, le nallon sí di’-nguruthos! to thee I cry now beneath the shadow of death! A tíro nin, Fanuilos!” A stream of light shoots 40’ to the wraith and it looks like the Star of Eärendil has descended into this cave. With a painful shriek the Wraith turns and runs and drifts into the floor of the passage. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/957 "2009-02-12T21:45:41Z")
“Impressive.” ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/958 "2009-02-12T21:51:03Z")
She can only do that once a week I believe. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/959 "2009-02-12T22:10:42Z")
Thoroncir holds his sword high and shouts, “Behold, my friends, the Light of Elbereth! Thus ever to the thralls of the Dark One!” He is very proud of Gilraen. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898/960 "2009-02-12T23:03:28Z")
“We’ll polish the shield, and angle it… Or we could just do that.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fifth-adventure-war-in-goblin-gate/475898.md?page=49)