Sorry, life got a little crazy, a funeral, a friend in the hospital (he's fine and back out) and my daughter's concert. I'll update what I can today.
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Sorry, life got a little crazy, a funeral, a friend in the hospital (he's fine and back out) and my daughter's concert. I'll update what I can today.
Thanks, Jim! We appreciate it. I was just at a funeral last night and have been feeling a bit ill myself lately, but seem to be on the mend (thanks to my doc for antibiotics).
It's the Christmas season. I think we're all a little busy. Don't worry about it.
Thanks, life got in the way yesterday but at least it was just an unexpected guest. That and concerts are reasons I greatly prefer.
Actually on somber note, the friend that passed away was a short time member of Domebo. Armande who was in my failed attempt at a second game on Domebo while still running the current game on SDMB. I think Malacandra was the only one playing in that game and the current game.
My friend was only 49. He was suffering from weight related issues though. He went very quickly and at home so in the end I think he lived and died pretty much the way he wanted to. He was a bit afraid of getting caught in the medical system. I've known him for about 20 years and over the last 10 would consider him a close friend. He was a very good guy and a Navy vet like myself having served on a carrier. In his case the Kitty Hawk. I met him back here though through a mutual gaming friend.
He had 10 family members from Norway fly in for the services. I think that speaks volumes to the impact he made on peoples' live that knew him well. Gordon was a good man and a good friend. He left no close relatives behind but many friends and second cousins he was closer to than many people are to their siblings.
Crap. Yes, I remember Armande. Good on him if he lived and died as he liked but 49's too darn young however you slice it. Sounds like the best of both worlds as to the friends and relatives - it's good that there's no wife and kids left behind but also good that he'll be missed and remembered.
You look after yourself Jim, ya hear?
That is really sad to hear, Jim. If the game needs to be slow or pause for a few days because of what you're dealing with, I don't think anybody's going to mind. You just take care of yourself.
I'm good now. Monday was rough, but my friend actually died the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the delay in the memorial was to allow for his family from Norway to make it here. I still found myself expecting his call on Tuesday or Wednesday though.Quote:
Originally posted by Zuul
Thanks all.
So sorry to hear the bad news. Rest in peace, Armande, and take good care of yourself, What Exit.
A new Hobbit trailer thread: http://www.mellophant.com/forums/sho...Hobbit-trailer
I know! I'm not one for making movies from books, normally, but it does look promising. I particularly enjoyed the version of Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold that they previewed; it's really lovely, and slower than I'd envisioned but even more haunting.Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Personally, I'm more attached to The Hobbit than The Lord of the Rings; I read all four at the age of eight and simply didn't understand LOTR as well, so I don't get the warm nostalgia nearly so strongly. I'm glad that they've gotten Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis back; they were both excellent in LOTR.
I'm pretty eager to see 'em, I must admit. But I shall strive to be patient.
Sorry I've been quiet this week...work has been very busy, as we've been putting projects to bed before the holidays.
I'll be largely away from Christmas Eve through the 28th (going to Wisconsin to visit my family), though I may have the chance to pop in once or twice.
Happy holidays to all of you!
(Oh, and the Hobbit trailer rocked!! :D )
The last two weeks have been crazy. My goal is to update the characters by New years though. Have a happy & merry holiday season all.
Merry Christmas
Likewise, to all of you!
Characters are on the way. Please review yours and let me know what I missed. Especially potions used and the like.
Mulligan: Still has the +3 shortsword given up for Heliox. Can you note that she activated the Mithril figurine. Also, knock off 1 smoke bomb and 2 companion potions.
Rorimac: Should be 3 major heal potions, one of them was used by Ceol.
Other than that, it seems fine.
Mine looks good, though, I should only have 3 doses of Liquid Light remaining.
Here's the recently-unearthed 1966 short animated film very loosely based on The Hobbit. Dunno if the Professor ever saw it, but I'm sure he'd be appalled: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/the...ilm?WT.mc_id=0
I'm waiting on Appleciders who is working on his Staff Making Post. This is fairly involved and very important so an excellent time for character interaction. I will at least briefly go over the trip to Erebor (Lonely Mountain) soon.
CatInASuit, do both Hobbits just relax?
Zuul, some questions for you in the thread.
It's gonna be a long 'un. Sorry for the delay.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Worth the wait - well done!
Of course not.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Rorimac will be travelling with the others to the Lonely Mountain. He would never pass up the opportunity to see new sights.
Mulligan will be staying in Minas Tirith. If Gilraen is around, she will get dragged out for some fresh air now and again. However most of Mulligan's time will be spent looking at the trading opportunities for the spice and materials she bought back.
Well I was kind of busy last week and I was hoping Appleciders would complete the Deor Staff post but I will place an update shortly in the game thread. How much do we want to play out the Erebor trip? I was planning to gloss over it and get back to the campaign in general.
That suits me. Thanks, What Exit?
As Ceol isn't on the Erebor trip, I don't have a dog in this fight, as it were. If you guys want to play it out a bit more, I have no problem with it.
(And, thanks for the update -- good stuff!)
But you're still welcome to add what you want to your time off. It will be at least 4-5 months.
Malacandra, unless I missed something I am showing Gil-Gandel has 7141 gold and 4000 in trade gems. He should be fine for the sword upgrade.
Additional, if you can think of a type of undead you want the sword to be specifically excellent against you could have Gil-Gandel sing songs of power over it as it is being reforged. Something to think about.
Unfortunately, I'm traveling this week. I will try to get something posted shortly.
As long as Gil-Gandel is in Imladris, then, a nice long chat with whoever's about (Glorfindel if he is not busy, or Elladan or Elrohir) would be just the thing: discuss what reputed undead menaces are about the place that Gil-Gandel might encounter, and then craft a suitable song based on whatever look like the biggest threat to the Free Peoples.
Glorfindel advises a sword would be best suited to specialize against a medium strong creature your likely to fight below ground where your bow would be of limited use. He thinks perhaps wights would be best, there are plenty in Angmar and of course near Bree.
Yes, one day it would be a good deed to cleanse the Barrow-Downs, while there are still those East of the Sea who know how. Iarwain could do it if he wished, but he is not one to interfere without cause, and he would certainly not consider venturing as far as Angmar. I must bethink myself of a suitable song, then.
Staff... COMPLETE! That was fun! Sorry I took so long to get that whole thing posted; I had to find a couple hours to really get it written. Thanks!
No problem - it was worth the wait.
And What Exit?, I laughed out loud to visualize Gilraen leaping into Thoroncir's delighted arms. Absence can indeed make the heart grow fonder. Thanks!
Cool
Appleciders - congrats - lovely piece of writing.
Hear, hear!
There is a little more to the current thread and then I plan to start the next thread with the meeting with Lorlianna if the party is willing.
Gilraen is now 18 I note and Radagast is gone. Time moves on, the party is beginning to be of some importance in the Kingdoms at this point. Deor is the High Wizard of Rohan with his mighty staff. Gil-Gandel is gaining renown as a Bard. Gilraen is now among the most powerful of her order beyond being a Princess, Thoroncir is knighted, a Captain & fiancée. Drindoleth is nearly a Druid and among the very top Druids now in transition to not having Radagast to turn to for help. Ceol is considered a serious vet by his order and held in high esteem. Bitur of course is gaining more renown as a vet but also is now recognized as a master craftsman. Oddly it is the two young Hobbits that probably have the least renown but I think that will shortly change for at least one of them.
Thanks! I had fun with it.
Most definitely. Well done!Quote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
An online LOTR genealogy project: http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02...ree/?hpt=hp_c2
The Ball part one is posted, Hoping CIAS has time for the rest. Then on to the Tourney and then the new thread.
The Ball is pretty much posted, react as much or little as you wish. I plan to post the Tourney tomorrow if at all possible. Both parts can be added to as wished. Ceol will have an important part I think in the Tourney events to look out for.
I have posted in a locked thread the next Game Thread as a Preview.
I have the global review and at the bottom the spell lists but I still need Deor's from Appleciders.
I have the first actual post as the long discourse on her research by Lorliana about Kkósal.
I will unlock it next week I believe, I just want to get through the Ball & Tourney.
Link to new thread:
Thread: Middle Earth FA65 D&D Game: Tenth Adventure – On to the Quest
You will also need spells from Rorimac as well, if Deor or Drindoleth would consent to give him a bit of training.
You'll need some training in both. I forgot about this. We should have been playing this out right along. Let's say you had been training when possible in Druid both then.
If anyone gets a chance to review the new thread and send me corrections, it would be appreciated. I will unlock it soon.
CIAS, Zuul and I believe Elendil's Heir can actually edit the thread directly, but either way.
Actually at 8th you should only have a Druid spell, much simpler. You can start with one and learn others and should ask Deor to begin training you in magery.
Yes, I can, but I have no corrections to offer at this time. Thanks.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Outstanding post Malacandra. The song descriptions were great and I love the final touch. Much like I loved the imagry of the 2 Hobbits sharing some pipes at the end of the ball.
The new thread is unlocked, I'm afraid I have either 2 or 3 times going on at once, but I wanted to start fielding questions on the new thread.
Middle Earth FA65 D&D Game: Tenth Adventure – On to the Quest
Lorliana did a pretty large infodump to take in.
I need a small survey on the scale of the next adventure if the party chooses to head for the Barrow Downs. This could be very small, just the party or the party with 1-2 others, medium size adding help from the Crown or huge pulling aid from Rivendell as an example. I am leaning towards the first option of keeping it largely to the party and maybe throwing in an extra Paladin or a Hobbit or two.
So I guess the options are as follows:
1) Don't Go, let's do something else.
2) Go but go party only, no help.
3) Go but get a message to Gwaelur who well might be home at the Glittering Caves and largely on the way.
4) Go but recruit a Paladin or some Hobbit help.
5) Wait for Bree to get help.
6) Stopping Kkósal is vital, let's ask the Prince or Queen for help
7) Let's clear the Barrow Downs completely, send a messenger to Rivendell for help.
8) Other ...
I'd say 6 or 7, but I'll yield to the will of the majority.
Personally, 4 or 6. The eminently sensible thing to do is 7, but the game runs smoother with less people.
I'd go with 4 or 6.
I'm up for 3 or 4 myself.
I'd be most in favor of 3, 4, or 6. Like CIAS, I think that 7 would be cool, but a major undertaking for our DM. :)
I would lean towards 3 or 4 so I am happy to see that works for most of you. 4 seems to be the one.
OK with me, as long as it doesn't get us all killed! Kidding.
Am I being waited on in the game threads? I was holding off for questions and actions.
Not by me.
Although... shouldn't we clear up the question of Sir Rickerd's odd behavior before we go on to our next adventure quest thingie?
4 is fine. I'd been waiting for a reaction from Rickerd, but I'll post a couple questions for him now.
By the way, if I got that shortsword worked on, what are its stats now?
For Gil-Gandel the sword is a +5 undead slayer (x2damage vs undead). Also x3 vs wights. For others it is only a +4 undead slayer. Glows pale green for undead & sickly green for wights. Range unknown. Gil-Gandel can will it off.
The sword is now named Îdh Uireb, with due acknowledgements here, meaning "Rest Eternal".
Recorded to the master character sheetQuote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
"Only"!Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Apologies for going down a bit of a rabbit-hole on Sir Rickerd...certain things in the description of his behavior made me suspect some sort of magical outside influence, and that's where I took the conversation.
No worries. I'd have done the same.
Kids and their causes today, I tell ya: http://www.freemanng.net/OccupyMordor/OccupyMordor.jpg
Large posts are too hard to make on an iPhone. I had my last post in the game screwed up in a dozen ways including a duplicate post.
Happy birthday to Aragorn son of Arathorn, born this day in TA 2931!
http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/aragorn.html
Malacandra, you brought up a good point on the speeds. I was assuming that with spare mounts to swap to the troops could ride about 10 miles a day and that is at 7 miles per hour. I must be pushing the hours of riding though a Bard, Druid and Healer along might make is feasible. I'm very open for comments on this, I am no master of horse lore and have only ridden them short distances as dude ranches.
Some good info online that really pushes my 70 as exceptional: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5122724_av...ravel-day.html
I'm surprised by the 20-30 miles, that seems very low as working border collies do 20-30 per day while helping to drive sheep.Quote:
Daily Distance
Horses can usually travel 20 to 30 miles in a day. A horse carrying heavy gear or that is out of shape may cover less than 20 miles in a day.
Speed
Horses can gallop at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour but they cannot keep up running at these speeds for long. Most horses canter at speeds of 10 to 17 miles per hour, trot at 8 to 10 mile per hour and walk 3 to 4 miles per hour.
Record Speed
In 1982, horse Petro Jay set a record by running the rack at Turf Paradise, Arizona in 1 minute and 7 seconds. This translates into a sped of 40.18 miles per hour.
Early Racing
Prussia and Austro-Hungarian soldiers raced 350 miles from Berlin to Vienna in 1892. The winner made the trip in 72 hours but, unfortunately, his horse died after the race.
Pony Express
In the 1860s, the United States Pony Express transported and delivered mail via horseback. The mail service averaged speeds of 9 miles per hour.
The average walking speed of a human in goodcondition is around 3-4 miles, I use 3.4 miles = 12" movement. We know the Roman legions would do 20 miles per days and build a defensive camp.
Endurance Rides are often 100 miles and will be completed in 10-12 hours.
Based solely on the short trail rides I've done (six to ten miles) I'd think that it would vary wildly based on the terrain and quality of roads. In the mountains with poor trails, we might be lucky to make fifteen miles a day. But on the plains, with good roads, I don't doubt that thirty to fifty miles would be possible, especially if we're pushing hard.
Indeed and the great road is suppose to be near to Roman quality. It was still in good shape 2000+ years after being built though it was known as the green way and missing the bridge at Tharbad at the time of the War of the Rings. So I think the benchmark for this trek should be using Roman quality roads with horse switches through the day.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
The would also be a mix of herbs to increase endurance for the horses and riders.
It was four years ago today that our adventure began. Many thanks to you all for the great time I've had since then, but most especially to What Exit? for all of his hard work: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...d.php?t=458221
Well, those Pony Express riders rode about 75 miles a day. I don't think that any of us are pushing that hard!
Ya think? What's a thousand miles divided by fourteen days then? :D
We may have to change the time to 20 days. It seems much more reasonable.
And that gets a "Hell, yes!" from me. :cool:Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
+1Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
(Fear my mighty +1 post. Vorpal against Trolls, ya know.)
The amazing thing is we have 5 of us from the beginning and Gwaelur has been in and out as possible.
I want to thank all of you. This has been a lot of fun and worked out far better then I imagined. The odd thing is between the 3 boards, I am fairly certain this is the oldest game and the only one to keep going. I think it is the Middle Earth part that really made it work so well though. It is tough to have a game where plenty of players know the history of the world so well.
Just to add, it was Appleciders that got this all rolling. It started in this thread: D&D style strategy forum games.
Then huzzah for Appleciders, too! I'd forgotten that.
I've been rereading the original setup thread. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for that.Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Zuul has been missing for a while, anyone know her status at the moment? I'm hoping I missed a vacation mention.
Good lord, that was a while ago. I hadn't thought about that thread in ages. And thanks to the lot of you; this has been really fun.
Zuul hasn't posted in the ST RPG in awhile either; I've emailed and PMd her but had no response.
More on the Horse speeds.
The Muster of Rohan: the Rohirrim ride from Harrowdale on March 10th and arrived on the 15th as the "Horns of the Rohirrim are heard at cockcrow." for the Battle of the Pelennor. Harrowdale is just to the south of Edoras. It is the valley between Edoras and Dunharrow. That is around 350 miles in a little over 5 days of hard riding. So 70 miles per day will be reasonable in this would under some conditions.
However, I will go with 50 miles for Light Horse speed of 24" with mount switches and etc. as a fair speed for this time. The main reason is some of the riders are not up to 70 miles per day. It will be tough on Dwarves in particular.
Quite - the Rohirrim are supposed to be astoundingly good horsemen from when we first meet them and see them circle the Three Hunters with barely a pause before halting in unison. And Gil-Gandel on Curan could probably manage it more easily than most. But what the Riders of the Mark can keep up for five days in a war emergency might well be beyond lesser folk in ordinary circumstances.
Concerning the four-year anniversary, I treated myself to a good read-through of the control thread from the Dope adventures. It brought back many happy memories. :)
Good grief - four years where has it all gone? It's certainly been great fun and I'm glad I got to play a part in it.
Looks like Option 3 was the way to go after all :D
Leaving it up to the party to recruit a Paladin, Edoras is a good place to do so. Ceol knows most of them. But Gwaelur's helm is part of the quest at least. Even if he is not willing, an effort should be made to borrow or buy it. Hobbits can be found in Bree or the Shire with relative ease.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Fluffy :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:DQuote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
Sorry Glee.
I was enjoying D_Odds Squirrel jokes and loved some of the discussions that broke out, like tobacco packaging. The communication barrier between D_Odds and Glee was pretty glaring. So weird. Glee was too serious and D_Odds was never serious for long. The butted heads often.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuitFluffy :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:DQuote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
Sorry Glee.
Good times indeed, but then, so are these....
I'll be out of town for the weekend and may not be able to get online.
Aah, I do so enjoy these "pick the least worst option" tests that come up every so often. :D
As often happens I got caught off guard. I was expecting to add 1-2 paladins and move on. But I should have realized the party needs to be careful in who joins.
No worries -- this is a cool little bit of character development.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Yup. I'm down with it.
So we need some decision making and then we can move out and meet back up with Gil-Gandel.
OK, the pair of paladins have been added to my character list. No one asked but all Paladins have high charisma and Cwenhild has an 18.
"My character asks if the girl paladin wants to make out." :D :D :D
Have you seen how pretty this party is? It's like an episode of "The Beautiful People". More people have Strength as their dump stat than Charisma
That's 'cos playing a low-charisma type wouldn't be role-playing for me :(
Well 3 Paladins, a Druid and a Royal Princess in the party is going to inflate the average a lot.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Vacation, but it shouldn't have had an impact on my availability. I got strep throat and my eardrum burst from a secondary infection. I'm still on the mend (my throat is so swollen that my necklace felt like a choker yesterday, ick), but I'm no longer halfway delirious, at least. Starting to wonder if my tonsils will have to come out before this gets better, though.Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
I'm sorry for disappearing like that, everyone.
Ugh! Hope you feel better soon.
A question I've always been meaning to ask of What Exit?...do paladins of Eonwë take a vow of celibacy? ;)Quote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
No orders of Paladins take that vow though all will wait for Holy Matrimony before indulging and will never willingly cheat and would be inordinately appalled at even some form of unwilling cheating.
Makes much sense to me. :)Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
And what am I, chopped liver?Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?Well 3 Paladins, a Druid and a Royal Princess in the party is going to inflate the average a lot.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Good point, Bards are another class with high Charisma by default.Quote:
Originally posted by MalacandraAnd what am I, chopped liver?Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?Well 3 Paladins, a Druid and a Royal Princess in the party is going to inflate the average a lot.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Bitur has a 13.
Thoroncir a 16!
Gil-Gandel 15
Mulligan 14
Rorimac is a 12 in the back
Deor 13
Ceol 17
Gilraen leads the group with a 19.
We are freakin' gorgeous!Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
*Hot Dwarf Strut*
Now let's just finalize a watch list.
I can live with that. No problemo.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
And welcome back, Zuul! We missed you.
Yeah, but Gilraen has Plot Device Charisma.
Bitur must be just about on the dwarven limit! :D
Is that the same as Smokin' Hawt NPC Charisma?Quote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
How did Deor end up with 13 charisma? I mean, it's higher than his strength and his wisdom! ;)
What Exit?, what method did you use to roll up the character stats?
I would have to sift back through some 3 year old Emails and PMs from the dope to determine why you have a 13. But somehow you approved it. Honestly it was more important then Strength but a toss with Wisdom. The rolling method was 4D6 dropping the lowest and re-rolling 1s. The goal was potential heroes and not ordinary characters.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
Oh, I didn't mean to challenge it; I was just amused, as I'd be playing him a little more awkward than that and I apologize if I came across as combative. I was just curious.
Here I thought my post was more Spock like then anything else. No anger from me and I didn't take your post as combative at all.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
I assumed the awkward part was playing the character out as a very young and sort of geeky man that did not fit the mold of what a typical man of Rohan was like. You know like Theogrim, Ceol or even Cwenhild :LOL:
Charisma is an odd stat anyway. It is not strictly appearance. It is leadership and ability to get along. Dwarves tend to be very gruff and thus suffer a charisma penalty. You know, the New Yorkers of Middle-Earth. ;) So Bitur Charisma is actually a 14 among other Dwarves and Smiths and probably drill sgts.
Deor was probably more unfinished looking then anything else and in fact if you think about it, I presented you back to the party post staff as a little taller and more confident looking. Basically Deor is coming into his own and his manhood.
On the one hand, I'm sure the characters are very happy to see Merry in the inn.
As a player, I'm hoping that it will be more for guidance than actual adventuring.
I'll be out of town for the next couple of days -- running in my first half-marathon on Saturday down in Springfield, IL. The trip to Mordor should make 13.1 miles seem like a walk in the park. ;)
Good luck on the Marathon.
CIAS, on Merry I was planning on him joining in but this is not manditory at all. I saw from my timeline he would be nearby when the party arrived. He can at least offer advice though.
I wouldn't mind him coming along, all in all, but if I had my druthers he wouldn't. Your call, of course.
Lego LOTR figures coming this summer: http://thelordoftherings.lego.com/en...p=COUSFR36LOTR
I did survive, even with a knee which suddenly went gimpy around Mile 8 (forcing me to walk a lot in the last third). 2 hours, 31 minutes.
Congrats. Sounds like a great accomplishment to me but to be honest I am not sure I ever ran a mile in less then 12 minutes. Jogging 13 miles is something I never attempted or wanted to. Is your knee feeling better now?
I think I walked 13 miles in a day in places like NYC & Chicago but that would be over a 6-8 hour period with plenty of stops. :)
Thanks! I have some friends who've done full marathons, but it just doesn't appeal to me at this point. OTOH, two years ago, I wasn't running at all, so who knows?Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
The knee is still sore, though not nearly as bad as it was while we were running. Had a glass of good Irish whiskey this evening, which is serving its desired medicinal purpose. :-D
Pretty impressive! I did a half marathon a couple years back; the mileage wasn't so bad as the 5600' feet of elevation gain. I did it in just under six hours without pushing too hard. My mother, on the other hand, started running about five years ago and qualified for Boston last December. It's surprising how quickly you can pick something like that up.
I have run just far enough in recent years to know that a half-marathon would probably kill me.
:o I live in suburban Chicago, which is flat as a pancake. This course had a couple of 80-90 foot climbs, which were daunting enough to someone who never has to climb hills.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
I'm still a little boggled that I actually pulled this off.
It's a great run. A local brewery is waiting for you at the top with a free beer. Actually, they're waiting at the saddle of the summit, so you can chug your beer, then scramble the remaining half-mile, which constitutes the last 1,000 feet of elevation gain. I have never been so drunk off a single beer in my life.
That's awesome. Where is it held?Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
Ashland, OR. My hometown.Quote:
Originally posted by kenobi65That's awesome. Where is it held?Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
Are we waiting for anything/anyone else before we start tackling these barrows?
Not as far as I'm concerned.
I was short on time all week. Sorry for the delay.
I have a business trip this week, out to the West Coast. My ability to post in the thread will be a little iffy Tuesday through Thursday. Should be back around by Friday.
Have a good trip, kenobi!
Now you know why Mulligan has a squeaky voice ;)Quote:
Originally posted by MalacandraSo the burial chamber is on a deep sea bed? :DQuote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Awesome, I never even thought about the word Heliox when you named the sword. Which is odd for someone that used to work on LOX machinery occasionally. (Liquid Oxygen)Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuitNow you know why Mulligan has a squeaky voice ;)Quote:
Originally posted by MalacandraSo the burial chamber is on a deep sea bed? :DQuote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
I think you will find Mulligan is self-justifying not keeping any of the items, lest she decide she wants to keep them all.
Is it one item per burial mound or one item from the downs once we have finished that we should consider taking?
One item per mound should be safe.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
I need to doublecheck, but I think Merry mentioned the Princes' Barrow was recently cleared.
Just a note that I'll be out of town at Origins next week, and largely out of touch until I get back. I'll likely be "going dark" as of Monday the 28h, and won't be back on until the following Monday (June 4th).
I'll be at Origins as well, though I won't be going dark until Wednesday.
Sorry for the absence; I had company from out of town. I'll be back for the foreseeable future.
I just want to give Malacandra a chance to post.
I'll be offline starting Friday probably through next week. I might sneak in a post or two but I might not. Off to see the National Aquarium and then the Smithsonian and Zoo.
Have a great trip! I love going to Washington. Will you get to the Air and Space Museum, or the Udvar-Hazy annex at Dulles?
Air and space is a requirement for this old Trekkie. We plan to spend most of the trip around the Mall. I might track down the TR memorial on that little island.Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Enjoy your trip! (I'll actually be traveling myself next week, as well...work trip to Las Vegas for a conference. Ugh!)
And for that matter, I'll be off camping from Friday to Monday, so that works well for me.
I'll be leaving on a family trip tomorrow morning, heading to Boston and then SE Vermont, and will be posting only intermittently through July 8. I've asked kenobi65 to run Thoroncir for me while I'm away, if he's willing.
I'm going to wait for Appleciders is no one minds.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
Fine by me. :)
Oh, I'm back. Sorry.
Which he is. :) Have a great trip!Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Thanks, kenobi, for minding the Thoroncir store whilst I was away.
Here's the lastest on Lego LOTR stuff: http://shop.lego.com/en-US/The-Battl...S27HomeSH39474
Scroll down to the bottom for more.
New EW pics of The Hobbit, due to come out Dec. 14: http://www.ew.com/ew/special/0,,2039...610399,00.html
I am excited beyond words for The Hobbit. It's my favorite of the Professor's works.
I'm looking forward to it and reminding myself it won't be dead on.
Remind me of your house rules on Invisibility-- does any spellcasting disrupt it, or only aggressive spells? Can Deor cast Wall of Force without interrupting his Invisibility?
Invisibility is only cancelled by combat/combat spells so Wall of Force is fine.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
But Invisibility barely helps vs. undead.
The latest PJ video diary from The Hobbit, starting with a visit to Comic-Con: http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=7753
It all depends on whether the level of not-dead-on leans towards "Hobbits get barrow-blades from Aragorn, not from Tom" or "Elves at Helm's Deep, Denethor is a senile driveller, ghosts bugger Oliphaunts to death, Aragorn goes over a cliff, Gollum turns Frodo against Sam". I'll just try not to pre-judge.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
For comparison purposes, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe made a number of alterations without destroying the essential integrity of the story; Prince Caspian occasionally stumbled across the book but for the most part managed to pick itself up and carry on its own sweet way. :smack
Brace yourself - it might become a trilogy: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...er-bros-353719
Mmf. On account of all the stuff Jackson couldn't bear to leave out of the Prof's book, or what of his own he just had to shoehorn in?
...yes?Quote:
Originally posted by Malacandra
I'll take odds on it being the return journey of Bilbo to the Shire where he has the most wonderful adventures.
It is interesting how far over the spectrum we all are about the LotR movies. I hated most of the changes Jackson made and all of his additions. I won't go into detail as it causes minor rage. But I loved much about the movies, especially that the look of Middle Earth itself was so dead on, not every creature, but the land and the towns were perfect. If I detach myself from my fanatically love of the source material I recognize that Jackson created the 3 greatest Fantasy movies of all time.
Though the cave troll, Pippin lighting the beacon, the look of the wargs, Elrond and Arwen, the loss of Glorfindel and Narsil's messed up story all bother me along with much else. But damn, Moria looked right, the Argonauth was how I had pretty much visualized it back in 1976. Edoras and Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith were brilliant. Also Gollum is the best CGI in live action character ever and still. So I love the movies while being annoying at many parts.
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As to the game, sorry for the delay post, worse yet I won't be around this weekend, the wife and I will me in NYC and we are leaving the laptops home. :)
If the decision is made on stay or go, I will try to update tonight at least or maybe tomorrow during the day.
Guys sorry, I haven't disappeared but my free time has. Either tomorrow or Thursday I'll start the battle.
FYI, I'll be out of town (and out of touch) from this Friday (August 3rd) through next Wednesday (August 8th). My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary on the 8th, and we're going up to Toronto for a few days, with a side trip to Niagara Falls. Elendil's Heir has kindly agreed to run Ceol for me in my absence, though it sounds like I'll at least be able to get in the first few actions of this fight.
Glad to help!
Cool, enjoy. My wife and I just celebrated 20 last month.Quote:
Originally posted by kenobi65
Thank you, and belated congratulations!Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
"Does Deor try to turn the lightning bolt?" That's the kind of crazy-making DM question that really inspires paranoia. That's almost worse than rolling behind the screen for no apparent reason and refusing to explain why. I'm going to have to do that to someone in my own group this week.
Sorry to double post, but I suppose, in this situation, there's nothing for it but to play the character true to himself. Deor would not elect to decline to turn the lightning bolt. Gee, but I hope he's right.
Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
Sorry, with this format, that was just a heavy hint from the ref and nothing more. I wasn't sure if you would recall the ability that might save you and Gilraen a lot of harm. I find this format far tougher then a table game for keeping straight what a character can do. I don't recall Deor using this ability of the Wizard Staff before. While Appleciders might forget the skill, Deor would not and thus the strong hint to give you the choice.Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
Sure thing- I'm not complaining, I'm amused. DM behavior so often evinces paranoia, and I've been doing the same in my local group lately.
"My rogue searches for traps."Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
"Give me a roll."
:dice: "I got a 26."
"You find none. You're *pretty* sure of that..."
If it's D20, and you're not rushed, why not just take a 20 on the roll rather than rolling?Quote:
Originally posted by kenobi65"My rogue searches for traps."Quote:
Originally posted by Appleciders
"Give me a roll."
:dice: "I got a 26."
"You find none. You're *pretty* sure of that..."
Maybe you did, and the trap is too tough to find.
:: looks over his shoulder ::
Just for fun, I thought I'd share a new character creation process for D&D that a friend introduced to me last week. He rolled 3d6 36 times and filled the results into a 6x6 grid, in order. He then invited us to pick any row, column, or diagonal, forward or backward, as our character stats, with each member of the party selecting one row, column, or diagonal from the same grid. It creates a nice balance-- you've got 28 possible combinations, so you can select something that fits your plans or character concept pretty well, but without quite as much tweaking as the classic "4d6, drop lowest die, put the scores where you want them". Because everyone's selection comes from pretty good rolls, no one player gets screwed by a bad roll, but the average stat scores aren't much higher than normal. Anyway, I found it novel.
That does sound interesting. I might give the players the chance to +2 any stat and -1 another, to give them a little more control over the process.
Yes, intriguing! The trouble with AD&D up to 2nd Edition was that extremely high ability scores made characters so disproportionately powerful, especially at low level, that players could be forgiven for wanting a system that granted such scores.
For paladins, monks and bards you needed high scores just to be able to play one - and to be honest, the 1st Ed monk was miserably weak in combat unless he had at least a 16 Constitution as well as the three other 15s the book obliged him to have.
Playing a cleric or MU, especially with an eye on the long game, you were so much better off with a really high Wisdom or Intelligence respectively - a 16 Wisdom more than doubles the spells you have available at 3rd level in the former case, and as for the magic-user, who wants a 25% chance of not learning fireball? Then, of course, a mage with a 16+ Constitution has nearly double the hit points of one with a score of 14-.
Thieves get numerous benefits from an insanely high DEX, but all classes are far better off with the +3 reaction saving throw bonus and missile attack adjustment, and -4 to AC, that goes with an 18.
And, of course, a fighter with 18s in Strength, Dex and Con so far overshadows one without that it isn't funny. Not only is he taking a lot longer to knock over than Joe Average (even on fighters' hit dice a +4 bonus is a better than 70% improvement, and against low HD opposition he's getting hit maybe a third as often thanks to the -4 AC bonus) but he's chewing through the opposition like a wood-chipper by comparison. To add insult to injury, the 1st Ed rules on dual-wielding are hugely biased in favour of the silly ability scores; you need no less than 17 Dex to avoid a to-hit penalty on your primary attack, ideally an 18 to bring your off-hand penalty down to the minimum... and then if you have 18+ Strength you're applying at least a +3 damage bonus on both weapons. Of course, if your Strength is high enough then even without favourable Dex you're hitting much more often dual-wielding than Joe is with a single weapon.
If it comes to that, a Thief or Cleric with really high stats can function better as a fighter than a fighter without, and still have his day job to fall back on. The math is left as an exercise for the student.
If Gygax didn't want players to obsess about high ability scores then he shouldn't have made them so disproportionately powerful. Of course, he also drew up the Barbarian, a character whose success was so tied to his stats that Gygax even gave him a stat-rolling system intended to grant 18 Str, 17 Dex and 16 Con (IIRC).
3rd Ed still hands out nice bonuses for good stats, but at least these start kicking in at lower level and, while an 18 is still really nice to have, the benefit isn't out of all proportion to what a 14 gives you; whereas in 1st Ed the best thing a 1st-level fighter with a 15 Strength can do is mop the sweaty brow of the lucky guy who rolled an 18(00), because the latter is knocking over roughly five orcs to the former's one.
Or as it is indeed heroic fantasy, embrace the idea that characters are heroes and no Joe Average. You all know by now that with the stats in this game, and it has been true of all my D&D games for 30 years at this point, that your characters are heroic. The upper 1% of humanoidanity (if you will). I never really enjoyed the games where I was a fighter of slightly above average stats. A little stronger or maybe hardier then normal. It was more fun to be heroic in stature and not just brave.
I know the Monk was a complete mess in 1st addition, but thankfully I never worried about the Monk class anyway. It was always a bit of a joke class in any world with lots of magic available despite the other issues. In a low magic world, it still took really excellent stats to make it work and in that case I would still rather be a Ranger or Bard honestly. I think the Monk was an afterthought Gygax through in based off an early Dragon article for players that loved Martial Arts movies.
Maybe. I originally had a similar thought, because 3d6 usually gives such low ability scores and I reacted against that, but you might be surprised how consistently high scores the system produces. I tried a "4d6, drop lowest die" grid, and there were half-a-dozen full ability sets with no scores under 13.Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
This game is my only experience with 1st edition, but it does seem like ability scores in earlier incarnations of D&D were much more important. In 3.5, you can skate by a little or tweak your character to make something work, with the exception of spellcasting-tied abilities.
The system above is similar to, but much more restrictive than, a method I saw once - I thought it was in 2nd Ed DMG, but I just checked and it isn't - which entailed rolling 36 sets of 3d6 and taking the six rolls you liked best. As to "high", that depends on your definition of same. Given the probability distribution of 3d6 (which I also leave as an exercise for the student), a set of 36 rolls is still odds-against including an 18 or 17, although it will probably include one score of 16+ and about two 15s... the chances are against these high scores falling together, of course. Equally, a 5 is as likely as a 16, a 6 as likely as a 15, an 8 as likely as a 13 - and most players would view a 13 as no real asset but an 8 as a definite penalty.
Some of this is, of course, an artefact of the 1st Edition rules as mentioned above. The ability score requirements for a ranger don't appear onerous until you actually look at your chances of rolling 13 or better in two specific stats and 14 or better in two more... and then you realize that rangers would come up only once out of every 500-odd attempts (rolling 3d6 in order). I neglect here the probability of rolling a 5 or less in either of the two irrelevant stats, which by the book would force you to be a cleric (Dex) or assassin (Cha) whether you wanted to or not. :D Illusionists would be rare (1 in 200), paladins similarly so, monks and bards would be a mere curiosity mentioned in the rulebooks and present only as NPCs... the only subclass that would be even remotely common would be the druid whose key stats are no more than about 20 - 1 against.
So that would make nearly everyone a vanilla fighter, cleric, magic-user or thief, and precious few of those actually very good at their trade. I wrote a spreadsheet (OpenOffice's clone of Excel) to generate matrices like these, and I have one open at the moment. Looking down the list, I can see...let's have a look...
Taking ability scores in the 1st-edition order (S I W D Co Ch) I can see one possible druid lurking on the bottom-left to top-right diagonal. He barely makes the minimum wisdom for the job and can rejoice in a 5% spell failure chance. That 16 might go better as someone's Strength score - too bad there's no worthwhile Dexterity or Constitution to go with it (the right-hand column top to bottom just makes the necessary grade for a half-orc if you don't mind trading opprobrium and a level cap for a point of Strength and Con. The latter doesn't help you much, but hey, in theory you'll be one of the few people you'll ever meet with a 17 Strength!). For anyone but a druid a 16 Charisma offers nothing but bragging rights - I mean, making a favourable impression on the town mayor might be a long-term benefit but it's not going to help much when you're up to your arse in skeletons, stirges, slimes and numerous other enemies that aren't even capable of social interaction if they wanted to be.Code:10 11 7 6 12 16
12 10 8 13 10 10
13 9 9 12 14 11
10 10 12 7 14 6
9 10 16 10 7 13
11 8 8 12 12 14
The best Wisdom score in that matrix (in row 5) comes saddled with a deplorable Constitution. 16 Wisdom's not bad. You have up to four bonus spells (two each first and second) by the time you hit third level, and you get a +2 bonus on will-related saving throws. You've even got many levels to see about finding some more Wisdom from somewhere to let you acquire 6th level spells if the game lasts long enough to need it. But that 7 Con... bearing in mind you will see many more 7s than 16s rolled... you've just barely avoided a hit-point penalty, and if you ever need a raise dead cast on you, you've a whole 60% chance it will actually work. Woe betide you should someone point a polymorph wand at you and turn you into a toad; there's a 45% chance you'll be a dead toad, or if you survive, a further 45% chance you'll die when someone turns you back to human. Not good.
Column 3, bottom to top, gives you the best Intelligence in the matrix, and five unhelpful stats, although an 8 Strength is just high enough not to see your weedy hand-to-hand damage lowered any further. Again with a Constitution of only 8 the less System Shock or Resurrection Survival you have to undergo the better, for there's an excellent chance that your first experience of it will be your last. That 16 Intelligence will let you learn spells all the way up to 8th level in due course... such a shame that you have a 35% chance of finding any new spell you stumble across completely incomprehensible. Surprisingly, you're only a little worse off with an Intelligence of only 13, although by "a little" I mean "failing to learn spells nearly half the time". But none of the rows or columns with a 13 or 14 in second position offer that much comfort.
The only way anyone possibly gets a hit-point bonus at all is by picking row 3 or 4 and being a dwarf or half-orc - and, merciful heavens, the other scores just about allow it. Column 3, you say? Okay, but your Strength is too low for a fighter, your Intelligence for a magic-user... if you really want to be a thief then at least you have only a 5% penalty to Move Silently.
You'd get a better thief out of Row 5, backwards - your stats are well up to par for a hobbit (too stupid for an elf, sorry!) and at least the Strength penalty doesn't hurt you. 17 Dex is an almost godlike ability score compared to the other characters we're getting out of this matrix and as long as our prospective hobbit doesn't actually get into a fight he will make a respectable sneak and trap-springer. Of course, 1st-level thieves being what they are, there's a 75% chance the first one he tries will blow up in his face, and with unenhanced thief hit points it won't take much to put him down, but that's a chance you have to take.
Hope this analysis has been amusing and entertaining, and just for the record, the scores in that matrix are a hairsbreadth over average. :D
Time on your hands today, Malacandra...?
Just kidding! Thanks for that analysis.
Heh. Sorry, I've always been like that. :D
I'm off on holiday today, two weeks in France, may not have internet access. They have wifi at the campsite but their charges are confiscatory, so unless I can get a service for my Android I'll be out of contact. Back in September!
Hope you have a great time. We'll miss you.
Happy birthday Mr Dungeon Master!
Hear, hear!
Thanks guy. I hope to be around a bit more after this weekend.
Birthday felicitations! May the hair on your toes never fall out. :-D
My wife is reading this author's The Snow Child: http://www.amazon.com/Eowyn-Ivey/e/B..._athr_dp_pel_1
Happy Hobbit Day to all.
I have finally posted in the game thread. Sorry for the long delay. Life has been abnormal including and IRS pre-audit. Arghhh!
Yeah, I bet that was fun. Thanks for the update!Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
I made a promise to my son when we went to Mystic that we would make a toy boat when we got home. He asked for a Frigate. So I finished sewing the sails today.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps77d586c4.jpg
Very nice! USS Monmouth?
My son hasn't named it yet. We need to add either a keel or some heavy ballast it turns out. Once we put the rigging on it was no longer stable. The first creek test was a failure.
Very, very cool!