# Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Game itself **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Tags:** middle-earth-game\ **Created:** [March 3, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917 "2008-03-03T04:52:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 46
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/901 "2008-04-03T16:45:00Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Over the next three days: Ghân, Moose apparently has a share and asks, “Anything I can do with share to better kill orcs?” How many GoodBerries do you cast each day, how long do the last? You find a very good pony for 100 fully equipped. You pick up rations for all three animals for another 10gp. The Herbal cures prepped and preserves for 30 days potency will cost roughly 10gp per. These are the ones you are exceptionally good at using. You and Gil-Gandel ride out to the Yew Tree. You use your Plant Growth spell to make the tree healthier and larger and grow many good limbs suitable for bow staves and arrow shafts. How many of each do you choose to harvest Gil-Gandel? Anything else the two of you do with the Yew. Fang seems happy with the journey and is learning fast. [/QUOTE] Ghân tries to find something Moose could use. It depends what a share of the gold (243gp) will buy. Perhaps a magic necklace (?), because it’s hard for an animal to wear devices… Alternatively, how does Moose feel about a fund for the families of anyone killed fighting orcs? (That would encourage those Fighters…) I can cast 5 [COLOR=Blue]Goodberry spells per day. N.B. I can do this even on the day spent harvesting the Yew with Plant Growth and Speaking to Animals, so can cast on all 3 days. Each spell produces 2d4 Berries. So I make it 30d4 Berries. (N.B. if this is too much, just say so!) They normally last 4 days, but with my Magic Pouch of Preservation, they last 40 days.[/COLOR] Thanks for the pony. (Do I need details on him? I’ll use [COLOR=Blue]Speak to Animals to reassure him and introduce him to Fang - and vice versa.)[/COLOR] Ghân got 243gp, right? OK, he spends 100gp on the pony, plus 10gp on animal rations and buys 5 Herbal Cures (totalling another 50gp). That leaves him 83gp, plus the 2gp he started with. Are there any Druid Scrolls available? Ghan’ll use his knowledge of plants to leave the tree roughly the same size as when we started, and pass all the Yew to Gil-Gandel. Ghan carries on working with Brownie, Fang and his pony. He talks to Deor about herbology. He looks round the amazing city (but definitely prefers the outdoors 🙂 ) ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/902 "2008-04-03T16:51:01Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] Think of Brin as a kid from a small town visiting the big city for the first time, and with lots of disposable income in his pocket. The next few days will be a _learning experience_ for him. [/QUOTE] Frighteningly, Minas Tirith is very short on graft, corruption, pick pockets, beggars and confidence men. You are unable to waste more than 10-20gp. People look after other people, officials are frighteningly honest, in fact a very strong LG/Paladin vibe in this town even among the bureaucracy. At one point, one younger man was offering to take you to the best bars for a small fee of only a few coppers. This was just to ascertain that location of your purse and approximate worth. As you were walking along and he lifted your purse and large hand on a long arm seize him by the neck in an iron fist, gave him a good shaking and said, “Give this guest back his purse and his coin.” The thief does. He then got hauled off to jail being lectured the entire way. Hey this is a fantasy game. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/903 "2008-04-03T16:52:26Z")
Realizing that **Deor** is (1) safe here as anywhere in Middle Earth; (2) going to be doing things I’ll likely find incomprehensible and boring; and (3) Hail and well met, Opal!, **Theogrim** will be looking to amuse himself for the next few days. “ **Brin** , I also am new to the White City. Do you care to take in its wonders with a friend?” ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/904 "2008-04-03T17:07:44Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Frighteningly, Minas Tirith is very short on graft, corruption, pick pockets, beggars and confidence men. You are unable to waste more than 10-20gp. Hey this is a fantasy game. [/QUOTE] Don’t make me channel Aragorn. I bet Mal could find the illegal poker rooms and massage parlors. 😉 “Thank you for your offer, **Theogrim**. I appreciate your company.” You’ll find **Brin** is polite and reserved, but not one for much conversation. He’ll sometimes make statements completely deadpan which make you wonder if he is being facetious or straight. Oh, and unlike most of Middle Earth, he doesn’t smoke pipeweed. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/905 "2008-04-03T17:11:13Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] You’ll find **Brin** is polite and reserved, but not one for much conversation. He’ll sometimes make statements completely deadpan which make you wonder if he is being facetious or straight. Oh, and unlike most of Middle Earth, he doesn’t smoke pipeweed. [/QUOTE] Well, **Theo** isn’t much of a talker or smoker either. We’ll be a regular riot. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/906 "2008-04-03T17:15:09Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Well, **Theo** isn’t much of a talker or smoker either. We’ll be a regular riot. [/QUOTE] Bartender, bring us two fresh spring waters … in a dirty glass! ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/907 "2008-04-03T17:25:49Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Bartender, bring us two fresh spring waters … in a dirty glass! [/QUOTE] Nothing said about not enjoying a pint or 6. While it may or may not be obvious to **Theo** , **Brin** attempts to wander in an organized manner, as if building an internal map of the layout of the streets, alleys, short cuts, and pass-thrus. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/908 "2008-04-03T17:34:46Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] Deor needs nothing else. Ghan, that’s very generous of you and I am humbled to accept. Indeed, I’m feeling a little guilty because the party has given so much of this treasure haul to me. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. Deor will spend the next three days in Minas Tirith studying with his master, hunting with Folca, and practicing his new spells. [/QUOTE] Actually, while I’m at it, there ought to be a bit of a community among sorcerer’s apprentices in the city- go visit my friends, talk things over, tell stories, ask advice, maybe trade a spell or two. I’m potentially willing to trade anything I have (except Protection from Good- that’s one spell that can die out, for all I care) for anything of equal or higher level. And by trade, I mean mutual copying, naturally. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/909 "2008-04-03T18:30:08Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] Actually, while I’m at it, there ought to be a bit of a community among sorcerer’s apprentices in the city- go visit my friends, talk things over, tell stories, ask advice, maybe trade a spell or two. I’m potentially willing to trade anything I have (except Protection from Good- that’s one spell that can die out, for all I care) for anything of equal or higher level. And by trade, I mean mutual copying, naturally. [/QUOTE] I know Ghân is pushing his luck, but see if you can find any Druid scrolls! ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/910 "2008-04-03T18:40:29Z")
[QUOTE=glee] I know Ghân is pushing his luck, but see if you can find any Druid scrolls! [/QUOTE] No luck of course on the scrolls. You make an outstanding 93 berries. When you find nothing for Moose, he decides, “Buy many heals please with my gold.” I lost a note somewhere but Merry gives you a hundred to help bring Mulligan back alive (and the others). So that would be another 36 herbal heals we’ll say between both. Moose wants to know what the Pony is for? ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/911 "2008-04-03T18:51:30Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] Actually, while I’m at it, there ought to be a bit of a community among sorcerer’s apprentices in the city- go visit my friends, talk things over, tell stories, ask advice, maybe trade a spell or two. I’m potentially willing to trade anything I have (except Protection from Good- that’s one spell that can die out, for all I care) for anything of equal or higher level. And by trade, I mean mutual copying, naturally. [/QUOTE] The others are shocked you wish to trade, but one slimier fellow seems willing. The other options is there might be a few scrolls available that you can afford. These would give you the option of either new spells by scribing them instead of casting them or having extra spells to cast. Now many you are probably unsure how magic scrolls work. These are marvelous devices where for great effort and some expense and Mage or spellcaster can store magics on fine vellum. This allows either casting at a later time without using up current mana or daily magical reservoir or another may read the scroll and copy it to their spell book for later use. Either way the spell or magic is now gone from the scroll. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/912 "2008-04-03T18:59:02Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Thoroncir, One day when with the Hobbits, you notice her hurrying out of the House of Healing on some errand. [/QUOTE] Thoroncir will disengage from the company as quickly but as tactfully as he can, and try to catch up with her. With a shy smile upon finding her, he’ll say, “Well met once again, my lady. May I be of any assistance?” ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/913 "2008-04-03T19:12:41Z")
Gilraen to Thoroncir, “What? oh, no, no thank you.” A moment later, “Actually wait a minute, you could be of help.” She is speeding along at a surprising pace. You follow happily with a bit of a goofy smile. She comes to a large building and talks quickly to a woman near the door. She hands over a small purse and a large white sack and a small white sack are brought out. Gilraen says, “Thank you” to the lady and turns to you to explain, “We ran very low on clean bandages and I might as well save a few trips. Thank you.” ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/914 "2008-04-03T19:16:02Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Over the next three days: Ghân: You and Gil-Gandel ride out to the Yew Tree. You use your Plant Growth spell to make the tree healthier and larger and grow many good limbs suitable for bow staves and arrow shafts. How many of each do you choose to harvest Gil-Gandel? Anything else the two of you do with the Yew. [/quote] See, I knew we’d had a discussion about arrow wood. 😛 Let’s take two dozen, and one bow-stave, and put them all aside to season. Generally give the tree a tidy-up with the pruning knife to encourage healthy growth in its own time and remove any parts that aren’t doing so well, poke around the roots with a fork and dig some nice fresh leaf-mould in. > [@What Exit?](#): > > Gil-Gandel wants some arrows, I think you are buying 24 silver Dwarf made silver arrows. Is that correct? > If so it will cost 48gp. These arrows are also +3 on saves versus breakage. And enough to replace my losses after the last expedition - I’ll call it another 12 for 72gp total. I’ll want to carry 24 in the quivers and keep a reserve supply of another 24 to be carried on a pony or by someone who doesn’t need to travel light. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/915 "2008-04-03T19:41:54Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] The others are shocked you wish to trade, but one slimier fellow seems willing. The other options is there might be a few scrolls available that you can afford. These would give you the option of either new spells by scribing them instead of casting them or having extra spells to cast. Now many you are probably unsure how magic scrolls work. These are marvelous devices where for great effort and some expense and Mage or spellcaster can store magics on fine vellum. This allows either casting at a later time without using up current mana or daily magical reservoir or another may read the scroll and copy it to their spell book for later use. Either way the spell or magic is now gone from the scroll. [/QUOTE] Sorry, I didn’t understand quite how jealous we are of that kind of thing around here. Deor will go around to shops and see what spells are available. In particular, he’d like to price Fireball. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/916 "2008-04-03T19:46:52Z")
Thoroncir, delighted just to be in her presence, says, “Certainly, my lady. May I walk you back to the House of Healing with them?” ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/917 "2008-04-03T19:47:33Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] Deor will go around to shops and see what spells are available. In particular, he’d like to price Fireball. [/QUOTE] Isn’t **Deor** still 3rd level? Can he cast a spell from a scroll that’s beyond his current native powers? ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/918 "2008-04-03T19:49:35Z")
[QUOTE=appleciders] Sorry, I didn’t understand quite how jealous we are of that kind of thing around here. Deor will go around to shops and see what spells are available. In particular, he’d like to price Fireball. [/QUOTE] You quickly discover that prices are roughly 100gp per level of the spell. This is modified in general by the spell itself. Sleep as example seems to go for 120gp where mending or message go for as little as 75gp. The only Fireballs you find is one scroll with two of 8th level Price is 750gp. This would give you a 25% chance of failure to cast or 100% chance to scribe. The other is a single fireball for 400gp. As you cannot cast these yet, you may wish to wait. Deor is nearly broke as far as I can see. I think you have 3gp to your name. You did not get a share of the treasure, but rather the party bought you two extra items to help you ID. * * * \*\*Gilraen \*\* replies to **Thoroncir** , “Of course, I was counting on you to carry the large sack. You looked plenty strong enough.” ---
**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:** [April 3, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/919 "2008-04-03T19:55:41Z")
Thoroncir grins. “The orcs and goblins certainly found me so, but they were not nearly so pleasant company as you, my lady. Please, let me carry both sacks. I am yours to command.” ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917/920 "2008-04-03T19:57:09Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] You quickly discover that prices are roughly 100gp per level of the spell. This is modified in general by the spell itself. Sleep as example seems to go for 120gp where mending or message go for as little as 75gp. The only Fireballs you find is one scroll with two of 8th level Price is 750gp. This would give you a 25% chance of failure to cast or 100% chance to scribe. The other is a single fireball for 400gp. As you cannot cast these yet, you may wish to wait. Deor is nearly broke as far as I can see. I think you have 3gp to your name. You did not get a share of the treasure, but rather the party bought you two extra items to help you ID. [/quote] I figured that it would be, but it doesn’t hurt to check. No, that’s way out of my price range. Back to the hunting with Folca, studying magic with my Master, studying herbs with Ghan, and relaxing. > [@What Exit?](#): > > \*\*Gilraen \*\* replies to **Thoroncir** , “Of course, I was counting on you to carry the large sack. You looked plenty strong enough.” Burned! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917.md?page=45) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-the-game-itself/439917.md?page=47)