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I'm rarely around on weekends. Mainly because when you date the same woman for over 3 years and you still live 50 miles apart so you typically only get to see her on the weekends, I don't spend a whole lot of time online then.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
For that matter, I may be scarce until Thursday or so. I'll try to check in daily or so, but I won't be able to do anything much.
What Exit?, another question about bow range; you said they're 25" away; on my sheet L is 20 and X is 30; does this mean then the trolls are between the two away, so I would take the larger negative to hit (-6). Also, sorry all for being out so long; we had a sick cat, who is on his way out :( Been taking care of that and losing myself in work this week to not worry.
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Exactly, the range is the max for each category so 25" is in the X (extreme range) for a -8 to hit. Ouch.Quote:
Originally posted by Koldanar
This is a very relaxed game so don't sweat absences. I will post the first few rounds of combat later today. I am just giving players a chance for final instructions.
Sorry to hear that. Hope his passing is pain-free, and that you always treasure his memory.Quote:
Originally posted by Koldanar
Specifically for Appleciders but in general info.
For future Reference, on the standard Stone/Cave Trolls fire, Cold and lightning would have only 1/2 effects and then as their saves are excellent, only 1/4 most of the time.
Sleeps are of course useless. Charms of minimal chance of working.
The Fireball Deor did throw did 11 points per troll so 44 points of damage was still worth the spell. It also made the difference in dropping one. I mentioned magic missile as you listed on the spell list for the day.
Most players are already doing it, but I like to encourage posts being in the form ofThis is not only easier for me but gets all the players used to the character names. Again, I think most players are doing this most of the time so this is more of a thank you.Quote:
Deor will again try to finish off trolls with a Fireball. If there does seem to be a melee getting started, though, he'll cast Levitate and get out of the fray.
Is there any point to me lighting up my helm? Would it improve visibility for the final round of shots for the archers and possibly blind the trolls a bit or would that just make me an easier target?
No help as it is only torch light but with the enhanced vision you get from the helm it helps you when they are within 8". You can hit the ones without a torch without penalty.Quote:
Originally posted by NAF1138
Also were you going to use those special +4 bolts for your final shot?
If you want, you can probably call for Gilraen to cast a light spell on you to help in the hand to hand fighting. They won't like this more brilliant light.
Yes on the + 4 bolts. And I will ask Gilraen for the light spell before I go messing with my helm. Thanks.
Ok, I'm happy to fire arrows, but where and at which troll? Do I kill the one who's already down?
Just put me somewhere I can do the most good or the least harm.
At this point you might be best off just following Gil-Gandel's lead (Malacandra). He suggested you fire arrows at the same one he does.Quote:
Originally posted by eleanorigby
Would sounding my horn work at this point? I was worried before that doing so would 1) be to early and 2) alert the trolls more.
Also : Don't I have my improved range skill ? I thought I got less of a penalty for ranges over short?
The Horn: Once per day may sound for rallying cry, acts as Prayer spellgiving+ 1 for friendly attacks and saving throws and -1on like enemy dice for 1 round per level.Quote:
Originally posted by Koldanar
Indeed, I forgot this: Special Ability: Distance Judger (exact) gives bonus to hit at ranges beyond short. Med is only –1, Long is only –3, X is only –6 and Out is only –9.
I will make it more obvious in my notes so I don't forget it again.
This combat does illustrate a truism of D&D:
If you give the players a chance to prepare for a fight, they will very likely be able to open a seriously massive can of whup-ass.
:D
Indeed, and when the Hobbits are invisible and willing to distract some it makes it even easier.Quote:
Originally posted by kenobi65
Abso-friggin'-lutely! We did well to avoid a stand-up fight.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Ka-BLAM!!! 54 points of damage?! When Theogrim gets in a fight that plays to his strengths (i.e. large single targets on an open field), he is a damage machine. On foot in caves, not so much. :)
Grumble... Stupid fire damage reduction.... Seriously, to each his own, and that was yours. Wow.Quote:
Originally posted by OneCentStamp
Good on ya, Theogrim! Just awesome.
Nice to see the luck go with us this time, that was a lot easier with preparation and a very big heavy hitter :)
8 trolls in one go could have been a lot trickier.
That 3D6 base for the lance, the increasef strength from Redward's spell and your proficiency with said lance helps, but mostly it is the double damage on the charge with the +2 to hit. You were +13 on damage and got an above average 14 for the 3d6. Thus 26 x 2 = devastation. It also helps that Heavy Lances are +4 vs the Bravo (Pen B) hides of the Trolls. Heavy Lances are the best weapon vs. Stone hide trolls, Dwarves in plate (C to A pen) and Dragons (AA pen).Quote:
Originally posted by OneCentStamp
Yep, the trolls are not really the proper foe for most Mages. Very tough critters with never less than 8HD. So fire, lightning, cold, sleep and even web are of minimal use.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
8 trolls in hand to hand without rounds of peppering them with missiles and the ability to charge with lances would have been very dangerous indeed. Of course if they had at least not had torches, it still would have been a lot tougher. If half of then did not wander off thanks to sneaky invisible burrahobbits well it would have got ugly and the healers would have had plenty of work.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Sneak, Gollum sneaks. :fishbeat:Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Mulligan is more a Metal Gear Hobbit. :LOL:
(quoted from the game thread)Quote:
Originally posted by eleanorigby
eleanorigby, I just wanted to point out that this is fantastic. It reads like part of a story, which is as it should be. Any reservations you had about being able to fit in or keep up in this game were baseless. :hist:
Just as a note, I have vacation time over the next two days! YAY....this means, though, that I may be on lots, or I may not at all. Depends on how much I can get done at home :)
Have fun and if there is anything specific you want to do or suggest about the trolls, try and put it out there in the game thread.Quote:
Originally posted by Koldanar
Hey What Exit, I was wondering if it were possible I could join in the RP, at the next conceivable point?
We can do this, do you have a feel from what type of character, race, etc. yet.Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
On fixing magic arrows.
Gil-Gandel is a highly skilled fletcher, Redward can help but has no special skill however Deor can add a mending spell once Gil-Gandel gets the arrow nearly fixed and this will repair the broken arrows.
I have looked over the campaign, and I see that the party is fairly fighter heavy, so I thought I would compliment by being an arcane spell caster. I was thinking a human from Gondor, and different from the other 2 spellcasters in the party in some manner, and was hoping you could give me some advice in that regard.
We have a full time Magic User in Deor. A part time Magic User in Ithilneth.
We also have a Bard with some Druid spells and Healer with non-combat clerical spells and a Warrior Priest (combat cleric).
So honestly the only thing missing is a Druid. The party had one until recently. A Wose (Druadan).
We also technically lack an illusionist, but the Bard (Gil-Gandel) will be doing more and more Illusionist spells as he gains levels and experience. The pure Illusionist never does well in my world.
So for a spell caster, I would recommend either a Druid or another Mage or Cleric type. If a man of Gondor the Mage or Cleric would make sense. If a Druid not so much.
Do you have access to a 1st Ed Players Handbook, I think somewhere in this thread someone linked to an online spell list that looked fairly accurate.
I do not have access to a 1st Edition PH unfortunately, just 2nd and above.
A druid sounds fantastic, I would love to play one. I read the synopsis of Middle Earth in this time, and I know it is after the time of the ring bearer's departure, so does that mean the elves have departed as well? What I mean is, would it be out of the question to play an elf?
Considering I'm a druid, it seems fitting.
Also, thanks for letting me join in. OCS says he has a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to playing.
Druids can be human, Wose, Beorning and maybe even Hobbit. But not Elf or Dwarf. Elves may not be Clerics or Druids.
Woses and Beornings are very close to nature to start with in their own ways. Normal humans can make fine Druids though.
Ahhh, I must be thinking in D@D terms. In that case, I think a Beorning Druid would be awesome.
Give me stat priority after Wisdom. Cha will be high too.Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
Average for 6 stats is around 89.
You'll have 40,000 xp.
Do you want to start with some animal friends?
Up to 10 HD worth allowed.
Welcome, AndrewRyan! Hope you enjoy the game.
After Wisdom; Charisma, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence and then Strength.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
May I put all 10 HD into one large animal, like a wolf or a bear? Or shall I split them up?
You can go one large animal, but a 10HD bear is huge of course and of limited scouting use.Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
Just as an example, I've seen mixes like this in the past.
A good horse or two, Hawks or Falcons and Owls or Bats as day time and night time scouts. Some people like small critters that are hard to see and can squeeze into small places. Ferrets (polecats) are common for this. Otters, cats, squirrels, foxes, small dogs, etc.
On the other hand a good hound or wolf for tracking is useful.
A large bear is a fierce fighter but hard to keep with the party moving about on horseback. One Druid did have a giant over-sized mountain lion type cat. It was roughly 8HD, fast, used as a mount and of course a fierce fighter.
Look at post: 587 for special abilities.
Let me know 3 of those listed that interest you.
Here is the rest of the list: (The number stat over sadly)
01. Naturally sense magic on touch: 55% + 3% / level
02. CHOOSE any but Fire Starter.
03. Lightning Calculator, (You better Own one)
04. Distance Judger (exact) gives bonus to hit at ranges beyond short. Med is only –1, Long is only –3, X is only –6 and Out is only –9. For spell caster using something like fireball will do +1 per die to primary target.
05. Spatial Genius: works towards instinctively knowing how to pack, reduces tine to break camp, increases chance of safely shipping goods and help on impromptu stone work, building fast walls or mounds.
06. Mechanical Aptitude: a natural at repairing & using the mechanical, 15% chance to Open Locks, Remove traps. If trained thief will get +25%. Can repair crossbows and clockwork, anything geared. If trained in any mechanical art will excel.
07. Parlor Tricks, If Thief +25 Pick Pockets
08. Dowser: Using a willow wand or forked stick can find potable water, direction & depth of it beneath the surface. 40% + 2x Wis +5%/lvl. Range is % in feet.
09. Weather Sense, 12 hrs +1hr/lvl. Will know if magically altered. Has 20% +/-5% chance / difference in level of dispelling. (also control winds, Etc.)
10. Instinctive Item User: chance of Int +5%/lvl to identify what item is and how to use it. If non spell user have chance to use scroll simply as if too low a level to use it. May use items restricted by class. IE: wizard using girdle or Thief using fireball wand.
11. Perfect Pitch: Always sing on key, Can always get job with Nobles as a singer. Voice is instrument so +1 Cha. If Bard +15% to Bardic singing Powers.
12. Bargainer: if choose to bargain & merchant engages then reduce cost by (Int + Wis + Cha) / 2 + d20% roll.
13. Natural at Class: Paladins get abilities 1 level sooner, Fighters are +1 to hit, Clerics & MU get +1 sp/lvl, Thieves get +5% to all abilities, Rangers +1%/lvl track and +1 dam vs. orcs & giant class. Bards get the Fighter, Thief & Spell caster bonus.
14. Natural in one aspect of class: Clerics: all healing has ½ casting time and +1/level not to exceed max, or any spell caster can choose a 1st level spell and get 2x area, ½ casting time, x2 level effect on range. Choose spell. Fighters get +2 ac; Assassins & Thieves get 3x Dex bonus to choice of thief ability. Rangers get top herbology as if King or Tracker bonus to tracking. Paladins get additional +2 to all saves or turn undead at level instead.
15. Special Power: roll random power from artifact table II and drawback from III.
16. Spell use 1 per Day. Use Book of infinite spells to determine the spell. (1st –3rd level only)
17. Wound Closure: May heal a single wound of another by taking their pain. IE if they took a 10 point sword wound you can take the 10 points and close their wound. Can cure 1 wound / 3 levels / day unless a Priest in which case it is 1 / leve1 & Paladins are 1 / 2 levels.
18. Levitation. Up to 1’/ level for 1 round / level / day and if Thief auto climb walls. At 5th can use to walk 1inch off Ground for 1T / level / Day.
19. Comprehend Languages: May use for 3x Int Languages +2 rounds / level cumulative/day. At least 1 round per usage. This is verbal only not written.
20. Friends: May cast at ½ level 1/day/3 levels. If Bard or MU then 1/day/level at level.
I'll go with quicklimbed, night sight, and luck.
And I was thinking of a wolf, that was high enough HD to use as a mount. If that is kosher, I'll go with that, and fill in other animals with whatever HD I have left after the wolf/mount.
If not, I can give you a list of more reasonable animals to use the 10 HD on.
For weapons do you wish to specialize in using claws (as in as a bear?) or do you want actually mêlée skills?Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
In case I made it confusing, you only get one special ability, but I wanted a feel for which were of interest.
I am mulling over the idea of a wolf or perhaps a warg you have raised as a pup and used magics on besides animal friendship. I think this can work. Would you be adverse to a minor subplot of being on a search mission in the south for Entwives or at least other Ents? This would indicate a friendship with Quickbeam. It also plays into the oversized warg or perhaps ½ warg/½ wolf.
When possible, let me know name, height, weight, hair and eye color, age between 22 and 40. Think about general equipment and of course weapons if any.
You will have 2 shape changes with a chance to learn a third eventually. I strongly suggest one be bear which will let you change into a monstrous bear. You're normal bear form is roughly 8HD, if you change in Bear and then Druid change you will be 16HD. The other form is up to you.
I'll PM you my Email, please send me one so I can add you to the D&D group for this game and send you your character.
See post 637 and the next few on spellcaster in this game. Very important mod.
Forgot to ask, Male or Female Beorning?
Welcome to the group, AndrewRyan!
Welcome in!
As a quick question to those doing this for a while, how do you stay in character when typing on a board? In person, I feel like I've at least been able to keep in character (rather than just playing myself and my choices), but on a message board, sometimes I feel like there's just nothing I can say.
I run into this problem too; in a tabletop game, you can sit there quietly and the DM can at least verify visually that you're present and paying attention, and it's just that your character isn't doing anything at the moment.
In this medium, I think more is better re: posting. I try to do at least a small "check-in" post when the party is making decisions, even if my character isn't taking a very active role at the moment. Even if it's just "Theogrim has no taste for this conversation and goes to brush his horse down," it keeps the story moving forward rather than just having my character disappear for stretches.
Good question. If you have nothing to say, you could always just... say nothing!
Kidding.
I try to use the third person and to envision how my PC would handle a particular situation, with the limited knowledge and different worldview he has. OneCentStamp has a good approach. Also, if there's nothing Thoroncir would want to say that hasn't already been said, I might just indicate that he agrees with another PC. That can, I think, be helpful if we're trying to achieve some kind of consensus, or simply awaiting a command decision by Gil-Gandel. Of course what my PC does is not always what I would do, under the circumstances (for instance, he's a LOT braver than I am!).
If you have a different approach, and it works for you and makes for a better gaming experience for all, so much the better.
Well, I am not the best at staying in character at all times (not even close), but I try to keep in mind who Gwaelur is any time I make a choice. It helps that (by design) Gwaelur's personality frequently overlaps with my own. But I try to keep in mind the priority of responses for the dwarf and who he is.
He has a quick temper, likes to drink (to the point where it was a bit of a problem in the early adventures) and smoke. He is a general "fan" of war and battle, so he likes to plan strategies, but if he is pissed off he will just charge with little thought of the consequences. Also, although it has never come up, he is rather defensive about dwarves and their fighting ability due to some personal issue in his past, and so he will always try to get to the front lines of the fighting rarely being happy with a rear guard position. But at the end of the day he is a soldier and will do what he is told or what he thinks will be best for the party.
I also have a voice in my head that I use when I am thinking about him. He sort of sounds like Robbie Coltrane.
My old second character Giles was more different from my own personality and it was actually much easier for me to not confuse his choices with my own. He was a contrarian and a bit of a loaner. He was primarily concerned with the saftey of his traveling companions, though not particularly concerned with his own personal safety. So his choices were always about what put the party at the least risk while still accomplishing the party goals. Frequently this meant advocating a very unforgiving take no prisoners attitude. Gwaelur is more pragmatic most of the time.
Also, he hates dogs. I don't know why.
No, the monstrous bear sounds good, and in that case, I will specialize in claws. I'll choose quicklimbed as my special ability.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Name: Drindoleth
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 235 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Age: 30
I think Drindoleth will carry a staff, more as a walking stick than a weapon, tho he can use it if need be. Studded leather armor and a forest green cloak. As far as other equipment or magical stuff that I have, I suppose I will need your help with what you think I'll have, or what I'll need.
And if the warg/wolf works, that would be awesome. I'll take bear as one shapechange, tho I don't know what the other's I could take are. If there is a flying creature, I would like that one.
And no, I would not be adverse to that subplot.
Like Beorn himself. Total badassery. :dumbo:
I will provide the magical items. You got the special you wanted. It will also help with the shape changes.Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
The Wolf: Animal Friend, raised from a pup. Her mother was a wolf and sire a warg but she inherited her size from the warg side and more so. The young pup drank ent draught on several occasions and grew to a great size, a size to perhaps rival Draugluin though not Carcharoth. Larger than even Huan of lore. She has been an Animal Friend for years now and faithful hound, mount and defender. 8+3HD 65HP AC: 2/B mvmt: 24” Attacks: 4claws d4+1-5 2 bites 2d8+1.
Needs a name and decide sex. Also this leaves you 5 HD worth of critters on Animal Friendship.
Radagast has taught several to shapeshift into Golden Eagle form. Incredible fast flyers and can stay aloft a long time. You would need to start thinking about a third form but not have it yet. You just made 7th. The Druid XP table is very kind.
Beornings won't usually wear hide so studded leather is probably out. Also tough with the shape changing. I'm going to come up with some armor for you though that is magical and well suited to a shapeshifter.
I will add the Quickbeam and search into your History section to be built upon.
Did you get the Druid spell list and the .pdf I sent?
Golden Eagle form sounds awesome. As for the other 5HD of animal friends, if I can have an owl, and perhaps something else that would be great at scouting. A fox maybe?Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
I'll name my wolf/steed Hound, and it will be a female.
I will add the Golden Eagle.Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewRyan
An Owl and Fox will probably be only 2 HD tops. But you don't need to use it all up.
Did you get the Druid spell list and the .pdf I sent?
I'll have those 3 animal friends for now. I did get the spell list and .pdf. Do you need me to choose spells?Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?