Middle Earth D&D Game: FA63 Setup Thread.

Character Races would come from Humans, Dúnedain, Woses (Drúadan, Pukel Men), Beornings, Noldorians, Sindarin or Silvan Elves, Khazad and other Dwarves and of course the Hobbits.
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Proficiencies:
Fighters get 4 and 1/3 so start with 5 in this case. May specialize in one weapon, gaining a +1 to hit and +2 dam and +1 on initiative.
Rangers get 3 and 1/3 so start with 3. They may toss the extras into Tracking and Herbology.
Wizards only get one and rarely add. No restrictions in this world on type, but Staff are the traditional weapon as Wizards also work towards building a powerful magic staff. This gets complicated, but won’t matter until 11th level.
Thieves get 2 to start. They may also specialize, but specialization must be in a back-stabbing weapon.
Clerics get 2 but weapons vary by Valar Patron.
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As a compromise for game play, alchemy is flourishing and potions are available. Wizards are training up in Minas Tirith, Dol
Amroth, Ithilien, Fornost and Umbar.
Rangers always do well in my games as do Hobbit treasure finders. Dwarves make great front line fighters; I try to start them with better armor than average.
Elves have a huge advantage in life span and resistances.
As I have a lot of Undead roaming around, I generally don’t have automatic life drains. I usually give characters a saving throw against paralysis, possibly with a +/- depending on the creature. Expect to see a lot of Orcs, Uruk Hai and Wargs.
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I don't allow Assassins at all. I actually cannot (will not) ref evil characters. Believe me, playing evil in my worlds, leads to a short unhappy character life. I have not allowed an evil PC in nearly 20 years now.

I do allow odd things like Hobbit & Elven Bards that start as F/TH multi-class and then become a Bard sometime between 6th to 9th level. I have allowed Ranger/Bards where the character goes to 10th as a Ranger and then switches to Bard. This is restricted to the long lived Dunedain.

Dwarves could be clerics of Aüle. They may still use axes as a weapon choice but prefer large war hammers and war shields.

Elves cannot be Clerics or Druids at all.

Did I mention that there are no Gnomes? If you really want a Gnome, we can make you some stunted off family of Dwarves I suppose.
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I will rely on PMs, Posts and Email for game play.
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I have worked up a system for combat where players give general directives so more than a round could be resolved at a time.

Examples:
Bowyers: I will endeavor to keep the orcs at medium bow range providing cover for those in melee and moving forward or back at a steady pace as needed. If I am rushed, I will turn and run, I will look for already injured orcs and try to finish them off where possible.

Or Melee guys, I will strive to find the leader, but at all times seek to work as a unit protecting each others flanks. If the numbers appear too bad or our injuries mount I will attempt to disengage long enough to quaff my potion of speed.

Or Spellcasters: I will seek an optimal time and grouping of the enemy to use my sleep spell. In the meantime, if I see enemy spell casters, I am prepared to magic missile them to attempt to disrupt their spells. When and if I run out of spells, I will cautiously approach the battle and look for safe opportunities to hit an orc from the blind side with my weapon.

Or Hobbits: I'll hide until it is really inconvenient, attempt to take on the biggest orc on the battle field and then have to be rescued by the wizard
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Primer starting with the Proficiency Table I use:
Class, Starting Weapon Proficiencies, Non Proficiency Weapon use penalty & what level you get your next Proficiency. Note: if 1/3, you get it at 3rd.
Class.... | S |Non|Next
Cleric.... | 2 | -3 | 1/4|
Druid.... | 2 | -4 | 1/5| (1@14th)
Fight.... | 4 | -2 | 1/3|
Paladin. | 3 | -2 | 1/3|
Ranger. | 3 | -2 | 1/3|
Wizard. | 1 | -5 | 1/6|
Illusion. | 1 | -5 | 1/6|
Thief... | 2 | -3 | 1/4|
Bard.....| * | -2 | 1/5|

Proficiency groups:
Xbow: all cross bows
Elf Bow: specific to rapid firing special Elven Bow.
Bows: Short, Long & Composition Bows.
Sword: Long & Short
Blades: Short Sword, Dagger & Parry Blade
2 handed: 2H & Bastard
Axe: Battle, Great & Dwarven
Small Axe: Throw or fight with Hand Axe
Lances: All Lances
Spears: Spears, Javelins & Pikes
Poleaxe: Poleaxe, Halberd, Voulge, Bardiche
Maces: Maces & Morning Star
Flails: Infantry or Horse
Darts: Darts & throwing knives.
Dagger: Throw or Melee

War Shield: Fight with a Dwarven War Shield.

Two weapon Fighting: Dexterity Reaction plays big in this.

A Dwarf as an example could use Battle Axe and War Shield. He suffers a -1 & -3 to hit reduce by Dex Reaction.

Many Elves use Long & Short Sword or Dual Short Swords. Long & Short needs a high Strength and Dex. Penalties can be as bad as -2/-4 or as little as no penalty.
For Short and Short, Penalties are usually 0/-2.

Some Hobbits like dual knives and a brace of Knives. Assuming a high dex, they have no penalties and also throw a knife, while fighting with the others.

Exceptional Humans will use two weapons, but typically are more prone to Larger Swords.

Bows get two shots per round except the Elven Bow that gets 3.
Strong Bows may be available, but no one will start with one.

Xbows are slow, with the Heavy only shooting once every two rounds. However there is a compromise for Dwarves. An exceptional well crafted Dwarven Xbow that shoots every round and has nearly the penetration of a heavy.

Dwarves and Knights of Gondor and Rohan typically have the toughest armor. Rangers tend to Chain Mail and hope to get the well made Elven Chain that is strangely enough typically built by Dwarves instead. There is a long story behind this.

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Explanation of the Weapon Charts on the characters:

Worth Noting: The tougher the armor, usually the worse the penetration but the Heavy Lance is an example of a weapon great at penetrating tough armors and hides. Daggers are easily stopped by the heavier armors.
N = No armor
K = Padded or Thick Hide or Think Fur
J = Leather
I = Studded Leather
H = Ring Mail
G = Scale Mail
F = Chain Mail, Elf/Dwarf Chain
E = Splint
D = Banded
C = Plate Mail
B = Plate Armor or Dwarven Plate or Troll Skill, Ents and the Barkskin Spell.
A = Maxmillion Plate or Dwarven Plate Armor
AA = Dragon

The Damage area is S-M for damage vs. Small and Man-Sized creatures.
L is Large. Generally 8' tall humanoids or horse size and up.

Speed Factor: The Lower the better, works off initiative roll.
ROF is Rate of Fire and means number of chances to hit with weapon per round or missiles fired

Fum%: Is the weapons base fumble percent. I have a range of modifiers I handle but this is the starting point. Dexterity and Strength plays into this, increases with two weapon use, decreases with specializations in a weapon. Usually magic weapons fumble less on a 5% reduction per +1. Etc.
Ranges: PB= Point Blank, for some missile weapons a +2 to hit is gained and on a natural 18-19 damage is increased by 50%.
S= Short, so for an Elven Bow any shot up to 70 yards is made without penalty. M=Medium and a -2 to hit. L=Long and -5 to hit. X= Extreme and -8 to hit. O=Outrageous and is generally 2x Extreme and -12 to hit. Strong Bows add to range based on Damage bonus, so a really strong Strong Long Bow user with great skill/level could hit a target 900 yards away. This requires a 18:00 strength though. The -12 makes this very tough for most. Legolas appears to have some spectacular ability with the bow and his ranges appeared to be this great. For game purposes I have it as skill and strength for him and that the Lothlórien Bow he was given was a Strong Elven Bow and he had great pull.
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What Race is best at what class:
Clerics: Common Man, Southrons
Druids: Woses & Beornings followed by common man.
Melee Fighters: Khazad, Beornings, Dunedain, Common
Horse Riders: Rohirrim, Dunedain, Common
Bowyers: Silven, Sindar & Noldor then possible Hobbits
Rangers: Dunedain of course, then Common
Paladins: Rohirrim, Common
Mages: Common Man or Noldo
Illusionist: Common Man, Southrons
Thiefs: Hobbits, Common, Silvan
Monks: Southrons. Common
Bards: Elves are best then all others.

More on Clerics.Each of the Valar give their Clerics different powers and strengths. From the non-combat healers to the Warrior Cleric of Tulkas and Orome. Humans generally make the best Clerics. Dwarves are restricted to Aule.

A few of the Valar have clerics that are especially good against the undead.
Elbereth (Varda) of course is best. Her clerics also have several special spells for use under the stars.
Manwë is another and his clerics have an affinity to Eagles, the Great Eagles and Far Seeing and Wind spells.
Mandos (Námo) is the third. His province is the dead and his clerics are best at raise the (mostly) dead.

Aüle: An affinity with Dwarves, the Noldorians and craftsmen and jewelers. Preferred weapon would be hammer of course. May specialize in a weapon.
Ulmo is of course affiliate with water.
Oromë has Druids, warrior cleric and Paladins. He has an affinity to hunting, horses, weapons and forests.
Irmo (Lórien) visions, dreams and gardens. Would have sleep and some illusion spells. Common for Bards
Tulkas has only warrior Clerics/Monks. Limited spell casting and some monk abilities.

Yavanna with nature and really has Druids, not clerics.
Vairë the Weaver is on the weaker side but is good against spiders and has the web spell and mending spell.
Estë the healer of hurts and weariness specialize greatly in healing and fight only undead. They are great healers though.
Nienna Grief and mourning, darkness and death. Her clerics have some odd powers but may raise the dead at least. Small bonus against some undead.
Vána Youth, Beauty, flowers, spring. A good healer, good with nature spells. Druids, Healers & Clerics.
Nessa Dancing and Speed. Druids and Clerics. An affinity for Deer and oddly Warriors. Some of her Priestesses are Warriors.


Don't pick the same spell twice. You can throw your spell points at any spell you have memorized and cast it up to your level each day. So at third level the Mage could cast 3 sleeps if need be and you can cast 3 Cure Lights.
Here is how it works.
You can down at a minus 1 penalty. So a 2nd = a 1st and a 3rd equals a 2nd or two 1st. A fifth could be a 3rd & a 1st. etc.
To cast up you need to exceed the Spell level by 50%. So to cast an extra 2nd takes 3 1st. To cast an extra 3rd, 2 2nds and a 1st would do it.
If you need more cantrips, a 1st = 4 extra, a 2nd = 6, 3rd and above is Level-1*4. But no amount of cantrips will give you a 1st.

The Dope Threads:
D & D on the Straight Dope setup thread. (In Middle Earth FA63)

First Adventure Thread
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Second Adventure, Scouting Ered Lithui
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, Third Adventure, Ered Lithui Mystery Creature
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game. Fourth Adventure. Journey to Rivendell
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game: Fifth Adventure - War in Goblin Gate
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More background, it is 63 years since the Bearers of the Three Rings left Middle-earth for the Uttermost West and 65 since Sauron and Barad-Dûr fell.

King Elessar & Queen Arwen are in their prime and young Prince Eldarion is in his early training at age 20. There is still a constant struggle to tame the brown lands, Umbar, Harad, Nurn and the North. The court summers in Evedim near the lake and spend 9 months in Minas Tirith. Aragorn has campaign more often than not in the last 63 years, but far less than the prior 67. He and Arwen have had 4 daughters. Silmariën (FA45), Gilraen (FA47), Telperiën (FA51) & Fíriel (FA55)

Legolas has removed a small number of his people to Ithilien to support Prince Faramir in this fair land. He visits the courts of Faramir, Elessar, Éomer and Gimli son of Gloin often. His beautiful sister Elenwë is adventuring and rides a Minaras (Unicorn)

Faramir and Éowyn have two sons: Elboron (60) & Caramir (56). Both are hardy Warriors. They say that Prince Elboron has the look of his father and Caramir of his mother’s people. Prince Caramir is a great Horseman and loves his visits to his Uncle. Both appear to take strongly after Faramir as they are aging slowly. It has been noted that Éowyn has remained very youthful for all her long years. She could be taken for Éomer’s daughter or even granddaughter rather than his sister. She looks to be in her 50s more than her late 80s. Some wonder if this was a gift of King Elessar’s healing or a reward for slaying the Witch King of Angmar. Faramir is of course still a hale and hardy man. A little over a hundred he too looks to be in his 50s.

Currently Minas Tirith and their allies are fighting a two front war in the South and a Campaign wiping out orc lairs in Ered Lithui.
Gondor is expanding and trying to build up a large force of horseman to supplement the Riders of Rohan. They are building a great road to Rhûn to create trade and build an alliance. They also hope to increase trade to Erebor & Dale. There is a project underway at a slower pace to improve travel along the Anduin. It is expected to take decades. Dark tidings arrived out of Rhûn brought by Hodwain the Beorning Bard. There is apparently unrest and some organized evil activity out near the Sea and beyond.

King Éomer still rules Rohan with his Queen, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth. He is very ancient now and while fairly sound of mind appears to be fading physically. His eldest son Elfwine already leads them in war and does most of the duties of the King. He is possibly seeking the hand of Silmariën. Elfwine is a tall man of 6' 5" with blond hair and piercing blue eyes. His features show a bit of elvish influence of his mother's side. He speaks with a deep voice and looks to be no more than 30 years old but he is probably 50. He uses a long sword and Gwaelur knows that Elfwine was given a fine chain mail shirt as a gift from Gimli. The Chief Mearas is worried about the human King. He fears that the human King will not see another winter. They are all rather fond of the King. The Chief Mearas does approve of the son and his best son is Prince Elfwine's partner. They think he is a very good human.

In 61 Samwise Gamgee left Middle-earth via Mithlond. Merry and Pippin got their affairs in order and headed south to live in Gondor. Mulligan Took was among their escort. Samwise’s eldest Grandson Elfstan Fairbairn joined the group after visiting Minas Tirith. Faramir Took son of Pippin is the Thain and the Shire’s greatest Warrior since Meriadoc the Magnificent. Mulligan’s Brother Ponto Took is an excellent archer and a good treasure finder. Meriadoc Brandybuck, aged 102, and Pippin leave the Shire to live in Gondor; death of Éomer, aged 93, whose son Elfwine ascends the throne of Rohan. Sam went over the sea in 61 but his eldest Grandson Elfstan is a Hobbit adventurer of some note already.
Three more Hobbits of note are Thain Faramir Took, Pippin’s Eldest. Ponto and Mulligan Took, Pippins Nephew and Niece.

Arnor is repopulating as is the Anduin Valley. The Shire’s population is growing and their produce is helping to feed the North and even the South. They have steady wains heading to and from the Dwarves of Ered Luin. They are even supplying produce and pipe weed to the Grey Havens in exchange for salted & smoked fish.

Elladan and Elrohir of course remain the Masters of Rivendell and assist in the running of Arnor. They in no way have finished with hunting Orcs. Indeed, they have driven the Goblins far underground with their constant attacks on Goblin Gate and often roam north against Angmar itself. Elladan, Elrohir and Glorfindel seem tireless these days in hunting the scattered remains of these ancient enemies to the North. They often leave the care of Rivendell to the wise Celeborn. He did leave a thriving Sindarin kingdom in Southern Greenwood from where Gil-Gandel most recently hailed.

Thorin III Stonehelm rules the Durin Folk (Khazad). He rules from Erebor of course. His lords include Gimli in Aglarond, Lord Gíon of the Iron Hill and some lesser lords in the Blue Mountains and Fornost. The Dwarves are again thinking of Khazad-dûm. Dori and Bofur are still alive, but quite venerable and rich. Bofur is acting as the ambassador to Rivendell and Arnor as needed.

A bridge at Tharbad has been built and the great bridge is nearly rebuilt. Tharbad is already a thriving and growing town under the command of
Lord Mayor Ianthír (Bridge Lord). He is Ranger of the North and the son of Aragorn's most loyal friend Halbarad. The population is mostly just men of Eriador. There are small Dwarven and Hobbit communities.

The Great South road is rebuilt and maintained from Fornost to Minas Tirith. All the additional trade has brought much prosperity to Bree and the town and the Prancing Pony have both expanded. Fornost is still small, but growing. Most of the remaining Northern Dúnedain have moved near Fornost

Some other background:
It is safe to assume a post-war baby boom and rapid population growth throughout Gondor and Arnor, Timing is 63 FA which interestingly is about as far as we are from WWII. The difference being that Gondor and Arnor are being rebuilt under the sure and steady hand of Aragorn and Arwen with help from the Elves and the Dwarves. The Glittering Caves is a going concern and Legolas had led a small number of his folk to reside in Ithilien and aid Faramir & Aragorn in War & Peace. Osgiliath is rebuilding quickly and Minas Tirith now has Mithril Steel Gates.

The Orthanc is under the Stewardship of Fangorn, but a small colony of humans live in harmony with nature in Isengard. The Tower was cleaned out by Gandalf, Radagast & Arwen with some help from her brothers.

Seven Houses of the Dwarves: Longbeards (Durin Folk or Khazad), Firebeards, Broadbeams, Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, & Stonefoots (Stonefeet?)

Awesome! I'm excited to be in.

Hey James, I would like to play either a Dwarven Warrior or a Elven Ranger.


Mike...

Hi Mike, Welcome to Domebo. As requested here is a great spell check tool for Internet Explorer.
http://www.iespell.com/download.php

Once installed it gives a right click option for spell checking posts.

I can't do this one and your other one and glee's, but I can say that if anyone is even slightly interested they should jump on it. Jim has a rockin little world going .

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Awesome! I'm excited to be in.

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Welcome back. :)

As an experienced player and veteran of What Exit? games, I offer to pick a character last (to balance the party).

I am sure we need some Fighters (including Rangers and Paladins), a couple of Clerics (or Druids ;) ), a couple of Scouts and a Wizard or two. I would enjoy playing any of them!

What Exit?, my only suggestion to make your adventures even more wonderful is to improve the Identify spell. My long-running group both make it work easily (no conditions, identify 1 item per level) and also offer it to Clerics as a 1st level spell.

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Originally posted by glee

What Exit?, my only suggestion to make your adventures even more wonderful is to improve the Identify spell. My long-running group both make it work easily (no conditions, identify 1 item per level) and also offer it to Clerics as a 1st level spell.

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I understand but I am going to run all three games concurrently and Id's are meant to be a pain in the butt.

Ohh believe me, James loves his Ids to be a royal pain, i have been in his RL game ohh what 30 years now James,lol, and im in his current running game. Its been a blast like so many other times we have gamed.

I am interested.... but really intimidated by this game actually. It sounds much more heavier and in depth with more RPing and all (which would be nice, but i don't know if I have the time commitment more than once a day and also the wizarding magic system sounds kinda tricky)....

But I did enjoy reading the first adventure of those guys over on the dope.... So i dunno. I'm on the fence.

My head says I am far too busy to join yet another RPG thread, and warns me what happened last time I tried it.

My heart says roll me up a male Beorning druid and let's have at it!

RoOsh, come off the fence and don't be afraid of the magic system. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

I am interested.... but really intimidated by this game actually. It sounds much more heavier and in depth with more RPing and all (which would be nice, but i don't know if I have the time commitment more than once a day and also the wizarding magic system sounds kinda tricky)....

But I did enjoy reading the first adventure of those guys over on the dope.... So i dunno. I'm on the fence.

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Play a Fighter. They get loads of action and there's no complicated system to understand.
(I think it really does help to play a Spellcaster if you already know the spells from earlier games.)

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Originally posted by Malacandra

My head says I am far too busy to join yet another RPG thread, and warns me what happened last time I tried it.

My heart says roll me up a male Beorning druid and let's have at it!

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Well my game here is designed to avoid game mechanics and encourage roleplaying, so your expressive skills will really help (perhaps haikus from your Oriental chap?).

You know how much time both your Pirates! and a What Exit? campaign require.

I am in a position to tell you that Druids are great fun. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

I am interested.... but really intimidated by this game actually. It sounds much more heavier and in depth with more RPing and all (which would be nice, but i don't know if I have the time commitment more than once a day and also the wizarding magic system sounds kinda tricky)....

But I did enjoy reading the first adventure of those guys over on the dope.... So i dunno. I'm on the fence.

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If you know the spells half the battle is won but truthfully, I think Mages do the least in this medium. They sit back, make some comments and marshal their martial spells. They don't have many so no big deal but you really need a 1st Ed Players Handbook to play a mage I suspect. Appleciders on the Dope got a downloaded version. They are $5 or $6 dollars and in PDF.

Any fighter type is simplest to play and does not require much knowledge of the game at all. Treasure Finders/ Thieves are fairly simple. Mages and Illusionist are next and Druids, Clerics and Bards are the toughest to play.

Posting an average of once per day is all that is needed.

Do it Roosh. It's no where near as hard as it looks.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

My head says I am far too busy to join yet another RPG thread, and warns me what happened last time I tried it.

My heart says roll me up a male Beorning druid and let's have at it!

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Well my game here is designed to avoid game mechanics and encourage roleplaying, so your expressive skills will really help (perhaps haikus from your Oriental chap?).

You know how much time both your Pirates! and a What Exit? campaign require.

I am in a position to tell you that Druids are great fun. :)

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My former characters "Soldanel", "Treesong" and "Gildenlode" are queuing up to tell you that 1st Ed Druids need no recommending to me. :lol:

Alright, you guys convinced me. I am a cowardly person by nature though so playing a fighter doesn't seem to go well for me. However, a Thief sounds just about right. :D

So why not? What do I need to do? A Silvan Thief is what I'll go for I suppose.
I'm familiar with OOtS, Goblins, the Penny Arcade/PvP 4th Edition D&D Podcasts, and reading a few of the online games here, and I've read the LOtR Trilogy, seen the movies and read the Hobbit, but only once for each- they seemed well enough and were fun reads if a bit wordy. Just to provide a bit of background info on my experience levels.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Alright, you guys convinced me. I am a cowardly person by nature though so playing a fighter doesn't seem to go well for me. However, a Thief sounds just about right. :D

So why not? What do I need to do? A Silvan Thief is what I'll go for I suppose.
I'm familiar with OOtS, Goblins, the Penny Arcade/PvP 4th Edition D&D Podcasts, and reading a few of the online games here, and I've read the LOtR Trilogy, seen the movies and read the Hobbit, but only once for each- they seemed well enough and were fun reads if a bit wordy. Just to provide a bit of background info on my experience levels.

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Generally a Thief will scout in front of the party, Moving Silently and Hiding in Shadows (to avoid detection and then either backstab a suitably weak opponent or report back to the party about the enemy).
If he comes to a door (or chest etc), he uses Find and Remove Traps, Hear Noise plus Open Lock as required.

He also can use Climb Walls, Pick Pockets and Read Languages, but the ones above are his 'bread and butter'.
He's not a full-on Fighter (less Armour, less Hit points), but his backstab can be devastating (though often a 'strategic withdrawal' is needed immediately afterwards.
Thieving is a constant struggle between excitement at penetrating enemy defences :D and over-confidence meaning all the party hear are your screams. :(

Elves are certainly good thieves, but I notice What Exit? recommended the Halfling choice.

Fair enough. Perhaps it's time for me to be a bit braver though- if the party doesn't have a stocky "take the abuse and punishment" sort of a player, I'll volunteer to be that role- the one that's just heavily armored, and just blunders through it all taking damage so the others can survive. What would be the best way to go about that? Or is there someone already desiring of that sort of a role?

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Fair enough. Perhaps it's time for me to be a bit braver though- if the party doesn't have a stocky "take the abuse and punishment" sort of a player, I'll volunteer to be that role- the one that's just heavily armored, and just blunders through it all taking damage so the others can survive. What would be the best way to go about that? Or is there someone already desiring of that sort of a role?

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It's helpful of you to consider the party makeup. 8-)

I don't think you can have too many Fighters ;) . My understanding is that Dwarves make excellent straightforward 'tanks', although there have also been great Cavalry, Rangers and Paladins in our adventuring parties.

Why not pick whichever appeals to you most out of Fighter / Thief? Roleplaying is all about having fun! :lol:

RoOsh: Being Middle-Earth and all, I gave some distinct advantages at Opening Locks and Finding and Removing Traps to Hobbits and a bit of a luck fudge factor. Of course their +1 Dex and ability to exceed 18 Dex helps. Silven Elves with there +1 Dex are also good treasure finders. Their only drawback is needing +50% experience after 9th level.

Fighters can really come from any race and each has an advantage. Though Hobbits and Woses have the least as fighters. Dwarves are very straight forward and love Axe and War Shield combinations of weapons. They also enjoy 2-hand Hammers and Axes. Common Man gets a +1 to Strength to encourage there to actually be a common man.

What Exit?, while I wait to see what others choose, could I learn about Elvish Bards?
I see Malacandra having a lot of fun with Gil-Gandel in your other campaign, so I'd be interested to learn more. 8-)

[chiming in]They're basically 1st Ed bards, except that Jim's elven bards begin as fighter/thieves rather than starting as fighter and switching to thief. G-G is due to switch to bard proper at his next level-up.[/chiming in]

ETA - and, obviously, elves get an automatic +5 to Cool. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

[chiming in]They're basically 1st Ed bards, except that Jim's elven bards begin as fighter/thieves rather than starting as fighter and switching to thief. G-G is due to switch to bard proper at his next level-up.[/chiming in]

ETA - and, obviously, elves get an automatic +5 to Cool. :cool:

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Much appreciated!

And what's the difference between a Fighter and a Paladin?
Can there be dwarven Paladins?

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

And what's the difference between a Fighter and a Paladin?
Can there be dwarven Paladins?

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[chiming in]A Paladin is an especially holy kind of Fighter. He has some extra protections against evil creatures and magic in general, can cure with a touch of his hand, is immune to disease and can drive off undead as a cleric does (a lower-level cleric, however). Eventually he gets some spells too. He may, later, find himself an abnormally powerful warhorse - some campaigns feature exotic mounts - and/or a holy sword which is exceptionally powerful against undead, demons, and evil magic in general.

He has nearly all the abilities of a standard Fighter as well - knows one less weapon, gains levels a little more slowly, but can use any kind of weapon or armour. He is sworn to goodness and upholding the Right, protecting the humble and meek, so if you think Sir Galahad you won't go far wrong.

Dwarves cannot ordinarily be paladins, I don't know if Jim has ever allowed one, but humans look better in the shiny armour on the white charger anyway. :D [/chiming in]

Man, that sounds nice- I like the easy groundwork of a moral code "Just Do the Right Thing. ALWAYS." Though that sounds like it could get annoying. But I think I could have fun with that. Who doesn't love a self-righteous Clueless Knight? Though I always did like Batman more than Superman....

But I like the Paladin idea... but I really also liked the idea of a Dwarf with a War Shield. Just because I can visually picture a miniature armored tank just sitting there and weathering the beatings until the others figure out a tactical plan..... If you can't detect a trap- why not just send the guy most likely to survive it THROUGH the darn thing? :D
If anyone else has any suggestions for those two sorts of ideas, feel free to chime in. But I do like that Paladin Description quite a bit.... Though I'm probably thinking way more Blues Brothers "We On a Mission From God" more than Sir Galahad sorta things. :D
We'll see what the Boss has to say about these musings.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Man, that sounds nice- I like the easy groundwork of a moral code "Just Do the Right Thing. ALWAYS." Though that sounds like it could get annoying. But I think I could have fun with that. Who doesn't love a self-righteous Clueless Knight? Though I always did like Batman more than Superman....

But I like the Paladin idea... but I really also liked the idea of a Dwarf with a War Shield. Just because I can visually picture a miniature armored tank just sitting there and weathering the beatings until the others figure out a tactical plan..... If you can't detect a trap- why not just send the guy most likely to survive it THROUGH the darn thing? :D
If anyone else has any suggestions for those two sorts of ideas, feel free to chime in. But I do like that Paladin Description quite a bit.... Though I'm probably thinking way more Blues Brothers "We On a Mission From God" more than Sir Galahad sorta things. :D
We'll see what the Boss has to say about these musings.

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Bard and Paladin comments are dead on. Paladin's are Knight type and one of their biggest bonuses is the great War Horses they eventually get. By far the best Paladins are from Rohan of course. I have allowed Hobbits to be Paladins. They get War Ponies instead of course.

The Tanks are fun and easy. Paladins can be tricky and they can get annoying but they don't have to be too annoying.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Man, that sounds nice- I like the easy groundwork of a moral code "Just Do the Right Thing. ALWAYS." Though that sounds like it could get annoying. But I think I could have fun with that. Who doesn't love a self-righteous Clueless Knight? Though I always did like Batman more than Superman....

But I like the Paladin idea... but I really also liked the idea of a Dwarf with a War Shield. Just because I can visually picture a miniature armored tank just sitting there and weathering the beatings until the others figure out a tactical plan..... If you can't detect a trap- why not just send the guy most likely to survive it THROUGH the darn thing? :D
If anyone else has any suggestions for those two sorts of ideas, feel free to chime in. But I do like that Paladin Description quite a bit.... Though I'm probably thinking way more Blues Brothers "We On a Mission From God" more than Sir Galahad sorta things. :D
We'll see what the Boss has to say about these musings.

---

Personally I enjoy playing Paladins. Yes, they do always do the right thing - but that doesn't make them cluless or self-righteous. Sometimes it's hard to live up to the ideals of the Paladin. (And you are right to 'spot the Paladin' in the Blues Brothers! 8-) )

As for Dwarvish 'tanks' merrily rolling through traps, I remember one character who had nearly 100 hit points :shock: . He got way over-confident and when my Wizard / Scout detected a magical trap, this bozo refused to let me deal with it and simply set it off. Well it was a Harm spell, which leaves you with just 1-4 hit points. So when the monsters appeared next round, the Dwarf died. But not before begging for his life like a crying child :twisted:

What about Dwarven Paladins?

Otherwise, I'm thinking I'll probably go with a Human Pally (As much as the idea of a Pony appeals to me!). How do they get annoying though?

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

What about Dwarven Paladins?

Otherwise, I'm thinking I'll probably go with a Human Pally (As much as the idea of a Pony appeals to me!). How do they get annoying though?

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It's up to What Exit?. (I only play human Paladins in my game.)

They're only annoying if other player characters want to use torture or poison etc. and the Paladin rightly forbids it.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

What about Dwarven Paladins?

Otherwise, I'm thinking I'll probably go with a Human Pally (As much as the idea of a Pony appeals to me!). How do they get annoying though?

---

No Dwarven Paladins. Sorry.

A Paladin needs to take the high road, never lie, be brave and honest.They need to do the right thing. This means they would never allow poison to be used in their presence and no pick pocketing. They also would not allow lies to be told. (They have a good chance of detecting lies for that matter.) They can be good natured about it or complete pains.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

A Paladin needs to take the high road, never lie, be brave and honest.They need to do the right thing. This means they would never allow poison to be used in their presence and no pick pocketing. They also would not allow lies to be told. (They have a good chance of detecting lies for that matter.) They can be good natured about it or complete pains.

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8-)
I think i know what I want to be then. :D
Human Paladin Checking in then.

"It's for the Greater Good!" and "We're on a mission from the Gods... God?... from Someone!"

But really.... never poison, never thieving? Really? Wow. And NOT a Coward. This should be interesting- my natural personality and desire to simply LIVE vs. trying to live the Paladin moral code....
ETA:

And for weapon proficiency I'm thinking a good Spear ought to be useful, as its a mix of range/distance/melee unless someone has a better idea or suggestion perhaps.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

A Paladin needs to take the high road, never lie, be brave and honest.They need to do the right thing. This means they would never allow poison to be used in their presence and no pick pocketing. They also would not allow lies to be told. (They have a good chance of detecting lies for that matter.) They can be good natured about it or complete pains.

---

8-)
I think i know what I want to be then. :D
Human Paladin Checking in then.

"It's for the Greater Good!" and "We're on a mission from the Gods... God?... from Someone!"

But really.... never poison, never thieving? Really? Wow. And NOT a Coward. This should be interesting- my natural personality and desire to simply LIVE vs. trying to live the Paladin moral code....
ETA:

And for weapon proficiency I'm thinking a good Spear ought to be useful, as its a mix of range/distance/melee unless someone has a better idea or suggestion perhaps.

---

How well do you know the source material? If I start talking about the Valar and Maiar have I already lost you? Do you know the books or the movies or neither? Do you know D&D?

Basically the Valar and Maiar are two orders of Angelic beings that for D&D take on the role of the Greater and Lesser Gods though they really work for the One. Sauron and Saruman were Maiar that turned to evil. Melkor was the most powerful of the Valar and turned to evil, worse than Lucifer and Loki together in many ways. There is a short list that a Paladin would follow. The choices are:
Manwë himself as the King of the Valar and Lord of Winds and Eagles.
Oromë the Huntsmen of the Valar and greatest Rider.
Eönwë the Herald of Manwë and Chief of the Maiar. Eönwë was the "greatest of arms in Arda," meaning that he was the best with weapons and the most skilled in warfare.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

How well do you know the source material? If I start talking about the Valar and Maiar have I already lost you? Do you know the books or the movies or neither? Do you know D&D?

Basically the Valar and Maiar are two orders of Angelic beings that for D&D take on the role of the Greater and Lesser Gods though they really work for the One. Sauron and Saruman were Maiar that turned to evil. Melkor was the most powerful of the Valar and turned to evil, worse than Lucifer and Loki together in many ways. There is a short list that a Paladin would follow. The choices are:
Manwë himself as the King of the Valar and Lord of Winds and Eagles.
Oromë the Huntsmen of the Valar and greatest Rider.
Eönwë the Herald of Manwë and Chief of the Maiar. Eönwë was the "greatest of arms in Arda," meaning that he was the best with weapons and the most skilled in warfare.

---

I'm leaning towards Manwe.... but not really sure of the benefits of following him. The other two I can plainly see. But winds and Eagles i don't see as having a direct positive benefit towards myself. Though that does make me lean towards it, because hey... why not?

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

A Paladin needs to take the high road, never lie, be brave and honest.They need to do the right thing. This means they would never allow poison to be used in their presence and no pick pocketing. They also would not allow lies to be told. (They have a good chance of detecting lies for that matter.) They can be good natured about it or complete pains.

---

8-)
I think i know what I want to be then. :D
Human Paladin Checking in then.

"It's for the Greater Good!" and "We're on a mission from the Gods... God?... from Someone!"

But really.... never poison, never thieving? Really? Wow. And NOT a Coward. This should be interesting- my natural personality and desire to simply LIVE vs. trying to live the Paladin moral code....
ETA:

And for weapon proficiency I'm thinking a good Spear ought to be useful, as its a mix of range/distance/melee unless someone has a better idea or suggestion perhaps.

---

You'll be proficient in up to three so a nice big sword and a lance would be a good start, your third option could be something for confined spaces or maybe a crossbow for those annoying times when the cowardly cravens simply will not close for honourable hand to hand combat. A bastard sword offers the flexibility of using a shield or going two-handed for some bonus damage, an actual two-handed sword is a still more punishing weapon, or using long sword (with shield) is always a sensible option as most magic sword-makers have turned out their best work in this size. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

How well do you know the source material? If I start talking about the Valar and Maiar have I already lost you? Do you know the books or the movies or neither? Do you know D&D?

Basically the Valar and Maiar are two orders of Angelic beings that for D&D take on the role of the Greater and Lesser Gods though they really work for the One. Sauron and Saruman were Maiar that turned to evil. Melkor was the most powerful of the Valar and turned to evil, worse than Lucifer and Loki together in many ways. There is a short list that a Paladin would follow. The choices are:
Manwë himself as the King of the Valar and Lord of Winds and Eagles.
Oromë the Huntsmen of the Valar and greatest Rider.
Eönwë the Herald of Manwë and Chief of the Maiar. Eönwë was the "greatest of arms in Arda," meaning that he was the best with weapons and the most skilled in warfare.

---

I'm leaning towards Manwe.... but not really sure of the benefits of following him. The other two I can plainly see. But winds and Eagles i don't see as having a direct positive benefit towards myself. Though that does make me lean towards it, because hey... why not?

---

Best On-Line Source material: Encyclopedia of Arda , Wikipedia article on Valar and the best general Middle-Earth Reference: The Thain's Book
Specifics for game purposes:
Manwë: +10% Detect Lies and Bonus reactions with the Great Eagles.
Oromë: +2 with Lances and Bonus reactions with Horses
Eönwë: +1 with Swords
Paladin Racial Bonuses: Rohirrim +1 Str & +1 Cha (a 17 is required) and horse bonus, Common Man & Dúnedain gets a +1 Cha, Hobbits (Fallohides = Tooks mainly) +1 Str and +2 Cha. Stoors gets +1 cha bonus. (Farmer Maggot was Stoorish as was Gollum. )

Weapon choices: You'll have 4 to start as you start at 3rd level. It is usually a good idea to specialize in one. (Take two proficiencies in the weapon and eventually a third.)
Bastard/Two Handed is considered a single skill or Long & Bastard or Long and Short. The one advantage to Long and Short is two weopon fighting with the specialization aiding both weapons but a very high dex is required and might be hard to come by.

As Malacandra pointed out the most common magic swords are actually Long Swords followed by Short Swords.

A Paladin has to take Lance and if using a Bastard or Long you might want to take War Shield. The Dwarves and Rohirrim make these and quality and magical ones are fairly common.

A bow is alway useful but hardly required. As there will probably be at least one Elf or Hobbit in the party that hits easily and gets 3 or more shots per round, a mêlée fighter might wish to avoid bow. Though if you go with a high dexterity and Long and Short, get a bow skill.

So my recommendation: Specialize Long/Bastard, War Shield and Lance or go for a high dex and take Long/Short, Lance and Bow and try to get a strong bow as soon as you can. A Strong bow adds your strength bonuses to your to hit and damage. The dexterity bonus always helps with missile weapons.

What Exit? I think we currently have these players:

OneCentStamp ... Rohan Warrior
Arduine ... Dwarven Warrior / Elven Ranger
RoOsh ... Human Paladin
Malacandra* ... Beorning Druid

*if time permits

1. OK, that screams out to me that an Elven Bard would fit right in! (Credit goes to Malacandra for his inspirational Gil-Gandel :) )
Please can you send me the details. (What are the differences between Sindarin and Silvan Elves?)
I'd like to have exceptional Dexterity, plus whatever other characteristics Bards need. I'll use Dual Short Swords and an Elven Bow (if available).

2. I'll see if I can drum up some business for you with the reserves from my game, although some of them are complete beginners...

3. If we have a smallish party, should we start higher that 3rd level? (Also I would personally enjoy it if we had few NPCs accompanying us - though if Malacandra can't make it, we'll certainly need a healer!)

I'll go with a Rohirrim Human, who'll follow the God Eönwë.
My Weapon Proficiencies will be Specialize Long (do I get to pick a 2nd part to this?) sword, War Shield and Lance. (as I have no idea my Dex, and would just go with the Shield then to be safe).

Is there anything else I need to add?

The Elven Bard goes to 6th level as a F/TH. The sixth level restriction is partially a racial penalty to avoid the extra mêlée attacks that 7th level brings.
Their XP chart is the that of 1st Ed Fighter and Thief together. Thusly 4th = 13k, 5th = 28k, 6th = 55k
You may only wear Elven Chain or Leather armor. You'll start with 5 proficiencies. I will allow specialization in both Elf Bow and Swords which would use up 4 of the proficiencies.The specialization gives a +1 to hit, +2 Damage, +1 speed factor, -5% fumble. The second specialization that can be taken at 6th level would be a +2/+2 with an increased ROF of 1.5 (So for the Elven Bow 4.5 shots per round)
You are assumed to be training to be a bard the entire time and most of your life. Elven Bards will always be at least 300 years old and often quite a bite older.

You know of and respect the Valar and as an Elven Bard you will have a Sleep Song equal to your charm percentage as you go up bardic levels.

I am trying to think what I missed, ask away.

I need to recruit a few more players first. I am also working on some old friends possibly joining. I need to call two of them though.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

I'll go with a Rohirrim Human, who'll follow the God Eönwë.
My Weapon Proficiencies will be Specialize Long (do I get to pick a 2nd part to this?) sword, War Shield and Lance. (as I have no idea my Dex, and would just go with the Shield then to be safe).

Is there anything else I need to add?

---

The Long Sword would be combined with either Bastard (Hand and a Half or basically a sword of about 4.5' length)or the Short and Broad Swords. As a Knight I recommend the Long/Bastard combination as the 4.5' sword can often be more effective from horseback and has several advantages.

I think overall that is a great weapon selection and you will make a great compliment to Theogrim the Rohirric Knight.

Done then. I'll go Bastardly Long.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

The Elven Bard goes to 6th level as a F/TH. The sixth level restriction is partially a racial penalty to avoid the extra mêlée attacks that 7th level brings.
Their XP chart is the that of 1st Ed Fighter and Thief together. Thusly 4th = 13k, 5th = 28k, 6th = 55k
You may only wear Elven Chain or Leather armor. You'll start with 5 proficiencies. I will allow specialization in both Elf Bow and Swords which would use up 4 of the proficiencies.The specialization gives a +1 to hit, +2 Damage, +1 speed factor, -5% fumble. The second specialization that can be taken at 6th level would be a +2/+2 with an increased ROF of 1.5 (So for the Elven Bow 4.5 shots per round)
You are assumed to be training to be a bard the entire time and most of your life. Elven Bards will always be at least 300 years old and often quite a bite older.

You know of and respect the Valar and as an Elven Bard you will have a Sleep Song equal to your charm percentage as you go up bardic levels.

---

Presuambly I can't sneak about in Elven Chain? Or is it as wonderful as Elvish stuff usually is? 8-)
I'll take those 4 proficiencies (in Short Sword and Elven Bow). :)
Does any proficiency improve my sneaking about? (Can I improve my Dexterity with a proficiency?)
Depending on whether or not we have a Druid, could I take Herbalism?

Unfortunately I am not in Malacandra's class as a poet/wordsmith ... actually I am ranked in the bottom 1% of Vogons. :twisted:

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Presuambly I can't sneak about in Elven Chain? Or is it as wonderful as Elvish stuff usually is? 8-)
I'll take those 4 proficiencies (in Short Sword and Elven Bow). :)
Does any proficiency improve my sneaking about? (Can I improve my Dexterity with a proficiency?)
Depending on whether or not we have a Druid, could I take Herbalism?

Unfortunately I am not in Malacandra's class as a poet/wordsmith ... actually I am ranked in the bottom 1% of Vogons. :twisted:

---

If you can get Elven Chain, (you probably won't start with it), you have no penalties and may sleep in it.

Proficiencies won't help Stats. You could take it as a bonus to one of your thief skills. Elven Boots and Cloaks greatly enhance the pair of sneaking abilities. I won’t give you Herbalism. However, we will probably have a Ranger and they make good herbalists.

As to the poetry, it does allow for extra affects and of course earns extra experience.

I believe Malacandra will be playing a Beorning Druid, so he will be our Healer/Herbalist. He will be someone that “graduated” after Ghân, Bjorn and a few others. Currently there are only 4 Druids over 5th level. We might find at some point that all the Druids will need to band together to help get each other to Hierophant as there can only be one 13th level Druid and only one 14th Druid. This pair will take over for Radagast and possible release him of his continued burdens and penance.


A completely inexperience player could probably handle a Dwarven character OK if they know even Gimli from the movies. Fighters in general are simple.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

I believe Malacandra will be playing a Beorning Druid, so he will be our Healer/Herbalist.

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You believe correctly - I can always do without sleep. :lol:

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Presuambly I can't sneak about in Elven Chain? Or is it as wonderful as Elvish stuff usually is? 8-)
I'll take those 4 proficiencies (in Short Sword and Elven Bow). :)
Does any proficiency improve my sneaking about? (Can I improve my Dexterity with a proficiency?)
Depending on whether or not we have a Druid, could I take Herbalism?

Unfortunately I am not in Malacandra's class as a poet/wordsmith ... actually I am ranked in the bottom 1% of Vogons. :twisted:

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

If you can get Elven Chain, (you probably won't start with it), you have no penalties and may sleep in it.

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No Elven Chain to start with? :shock: What sort of game are you running? :D

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Proficiencies won't help Stats. You could take it as a bonus to one of your thief skills. Elven Boots and Cloaks greatly enhance the pair of sneaking abilities. I won’t give you Herbalism. However, we will probably have a Ranger and they make good herbalists.

---

Fair enough. If there's a thievish skill I can boost, that sounds a good way to use a proficiency.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

As to the poetry, it does allow for extra affects and of course earns extra experience.

---

That's all very well for stylish wordsmiths like Malacandra. :(
I can just about manage "I wandered lonely as a cloud - because I read my poem aloud" :ugeek:

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Proficiencies won't help Stats. You could take it as a bonus to one of your thief skills. Elven Boots and Cloaks greatly enhance the pair of sneaking abilities. I won’t give you Herbalism. However, we will probably have a Ranger and they make good herbalists.

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Fair enough. If there's a thievish skill I can boost, that sounds a good way to use a proficiency.

---

If we don't end up with a professional Treasure Finder, you might want to take it in Picking Locks/Traps. In the long run it will prove the most valuable I think, especially as you will never get past 6th. Otherwise I can see taking it in stealth. BTW: I forgot to mention, you have to be Neutral Good as an Elven Bard.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

As to the poetry, it does allow for extra affects and of course earns extra experience.

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

That's all very well for stylish wordsmiths like Malacandra. :(
I can just about manage "I wandered lonely as a cloud - because I read my poem aloud" :ugeek:

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I can't help you with this part. You won't lose experience, but Malacandra did earn a lot of bonus XPs for his barding.

Just to verify, did notice that I allow Dunedain Ranger/Bards? You go to 10th as a Ranger and then become a Bard.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Proficiencies won't help Stats. You could take it as a bonus to one of your thief skills. Elven Boots and Cloaks greatly enhance the pair of sneaking abilities. I won’t give you Herbalism. However, we will probably have a Ranger and they make good herbalists.

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Fair enough. If there's a thievish skill I can boost, that sounds a good way to use a proficiency.

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

If we don't end up with a professional Treasure Finder, you might want to take it in Picking Locks/Traps. In the long run it will prove the most valuable I think, especially as you will never get past 6th. Otherwise I can see taking it in stealth. BTW: I forgot to mention, you have to be Neutral Good as an Elven Bard.
As to the poetry, it does allow for extra affects and of course earns extra experience.

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I'm happy with your analysis of Thievish skills. Also Neutral Good is fine by me!

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

That's all very well for stylish wordsmiths like Malacandra. :(
I can just about manage "I wandered lonely as a cloud - because I read my poem aloud" :ugeek:

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

I can't help you with this part. You won't lose experience, but Malacandra did earn a lot of bonus XPs for his barding.
Just to verify, did notice that I allow Dunedain Ranger/Bards? You go to 10th as a Ranger and then become a Bard.

---

Malacandra thoroughly deserves the bonus XP. I'll have to shine somewhere else...

I did notice the Dunedain option, but 10th level is a loooong way away...

Bah! I am a Paladin! I shall help you compose great Rhymes!
I have Wined and Dined with Kings and Queens, yet also eaten meager Franks and Beans!
You shall never be without a rhyme or does that remain to be seen?

I once knew a Thief from Nantucket,
Who spied such fine jewels in a gold bucket,
He could not help but reach to pluck it...

*So I struck the heathen down with my BASTARD SWORD!
The End! :D

*Alternate actual Rhyme: As for my Sword, he forgot to duck it!

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Bah! I am a Paladin! I shall help you compose great Rhymes!
I have Wined and Dined with Kings and Queens, yet also eaten meager Franks and Beans!
You shall never be without a rhyme or does that remain to be seen?

I once knew a Thief from Nantucket,
Who spied such fine jewels in a gold bucket,
He could not help but reach to pluck it...

*So I struck the heathen down with my BASTARD SWORD!
The End! :D

*Alternate actual Rhyme: As for my Sword, he forgot to duck it!

---

This is most comforting. :)
Since I am worse than Malacandra, but better than RoOsh, I must be an average poet! ;)

Bah! You elves know nothing of good poetry then! That was Classic stuff!

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Bah! You elves know nothing of good poetry then! That was Classic stuff!

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It was certainly something. ;)

Bah! Give it time, I shall impress you after each battle with a poem for you!

There once was a thief from Nantucket
Who saw a fine jewel in a bucket -
But when he tried to nick it
The Knight's sword went "ka-snikket!"
And the would-be jewel-thief said "Oh, .... .."

Alright. That guy's better than me.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Alright. That guy's better than me.

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Which guy? (you mean any guy?! :o )

Ducks and runs... :evil:

Sure, I'm trying to lure in a few more players before starting and you're going to go and scare them off with bad poetry. Thanks a lot guys. :roll:


;)

I think we currently have these players:

OneCentStamp ... Rohan Warrior
Arduine ... Dwarven Warrior / Elven Ranger
RoOsh ... Rohirrim Paladin
Malacandra ... Beorning Druid
glee ... elf Bard

Any sign of any more?
Alternatively, could we start with those five ... perhaps higher than 3rd level?

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

I think we currently have these players:

OneCentStamp ... Rohan Warrior
Arduine ... Dwarven Warrior / Elven Ranger
RoOsh ... Rohirrim Paladin
Malacandra ... Beorning Druid
glee ... elf Bard

Any sign of any more?
Alternatively, could we start with those five ... perhaps higher than 3rd level?

---

We could, Theogrim was 4th when he left the other party. I can put him on the verge of 5th or 5th and start everyone at 4th. The extra levels gives by far the largest advantage to the Bard though. I might have play some games for balance. I'd like to wait just a bit longer for more players. I'll add (Players Wanted) to the thread title.

Let's give it to Monday and then make the decision.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

...The extra levels gives by far the largest advantage to the Bard though.

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And this is a disadvantage how? ;) :D

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

I'd like to wait just a bit longer for more players. I'll add (Players Wanted) to the thread title.
Let's give it to Monday and then make the decision.

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I look forward to it.

I think I have an old friend lined up to join Domebo and the Game. I talked to him briefly tonight. There is also one or two others I might get.

Kewl. 8-)

:Poke:

James sorry it took me so long to get in here. Was wondering still got room for a cleric that specializes in undead??

Gordon

PS also swaped e-mail around to a less active account with comcast.

Quote:

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Originally posted by armande

Was wondering still got room for a cleric that specializes in undead??

Gordon

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If he does healing as well, he'll be very welcome. :lol:

Quote:

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Originally posted by armande

James sorry it took me so long to get in here. Was wondering still got room for a cleric that specializes in undead??

Gordon

PS also swaped e-mail around to a less active account with comcast.

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Yes we do. I'm glad you joined.


I've got one more player to lure to the boards I hope and then we can kick this off.

My thanks to Glee: The current line-up

OneCentStamp ... Rohirrim Warrior
Arduine ... Dwarven Warrior / Elven Ranger
RoOsh ... Rohirrim Paladin
Malacandra ... Beorning Druid
glee ... Elf Bard
armande ... Cleric Specializing in Undead

So we have 2 spell casters and both with healing.
We have a Cleric and a Paladin to fight undead.
The Bard gives us our Treasure Finder and probably an Archer.
The two from Rohan gives us both Front Line fighters and cavalry.
This leaves Arduine as either Front Line Anchor or Primary Missile.

We're missing a mage but that can be an NPC without worries. We can probably use any other class outside of the clerical types.

Welcome aboard, armande. Undead smiting is always welcome (especially since it will be my blind spot) but so will any help with healing, as it should free up my more creative spell use. :smile:

DM, shall I give you a profile to work from?

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Welcome aboard, armande. Undead smiting is always welcome (especially since it will be my blind spot) but so will any help with healing, as it should free up my more creative spell use. :smile:

DM, shall I give you a profile to work from?

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Yes please. I already checked by the way. You will be a shape shifter and have a slightly older cousin that finished his Druid training ahead of you by nearly a year. He is probably the most powerful Druid.

Count me in for a Dwarf warrior ..........Dugar

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Originally posted by Whtwulf

Count me in for a Dwarf warrior ..........Dugar

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The current line-up

OneCentStamp ... Rohirrim Warrior
Arduine ... [del:2zdv3sr2]Dwarven Warrior[/del:2zdv3sr2] Noldorian Ranger/Archer
RoOsh ... Rohirrim Paladin
Malacandra ... Beorning Druid
glee ... Elf Bard
armande ... Cleric Specializing in Undead
Whtwulf ... Dwarven Warrior

We're missing a mage but that can be an NPC without worries. We can probably use any other class outside of the clerical types.

This is a good time to discuss more details on the characters with me by post and PM.
OneCentStamp, do you still have Theogrim? I probably need to make some small updates anyway, but you should be the easiest.
RoOsh, Malacandra, Glee and Whtwulf let me know where you want your stats weighed as I build the characters. This will take me into next week I believe. We also have to decide on proficiencies and specializations.

As an example, Arduine will be taking Bow and a specialization to get to +1/+2 bonus and Short/Long Sword with a specialization to get to +1/+2 bonus. This uses up his 4 proficiencies.

Any suggestions for me guys I'm a blank slate....

I think i said that longsword stuff and weapon skills earlier, but I think this is a horse of a different color.
Does it involve me having to do anything magical- ie: should my paladin focus on that set of abilities since we seem to be a bunch of warriors otherwise?

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Any suggestions for me guys I'm a blank slate....

I think i said that longsword stuff and weapon skills earlier, but I think this is a horse of a different color.
Does it involve me having to do anything magical- ie: should my paladin focus on that set of abilities since we seem to be a bunch of warriors otherwise?

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Playing a Paladin isn't a job, it's a vocation! :lol:

You are a Holy Warrior :smash: , with wonderful natural abilities:

- you radiate a permanent protection from evil 10' radius (jolly useful) :lol:
- you can 'lay on hands' to cure wounds once per day :smile:
- you can cure disease once per week
- you are immune to disease
- you save better than normal against evil attacks
- you can call for a special warhorse quite early on

You are a Warrior :smash: , but also the conscience of the party.
With your protection from evil 10' radius, you'll want to be alongside the front rank (or at least immediately behind them).
Don't worry about magic - we'll take care of that. You stop the nasty evil monsters getting to the spellcasters and everyone will appreciate you. Learn weapon skills.

You are Lawful and Good. Any act (or permitting the party to do something) that is not Lawful and Good imperils your Paladinhood. :eek:
So play this character with gusto.
Bash monsters, but also keep us on the straight and narrow.
Convert monsters to good (or at least neutral). Get them new careers - from bandit to bouncer; from assassin to security guard...

Here's my requests for my Bard (please feel free to guide me further - e.g. what Elvish races are available? - as I like making choices :wink: ):

- Neutral Good Elven Bard
- Highest possible Dexterity + Good Constitution (if possible Good Strength, plus of course any minimum stuff I need in Charisma or the other abilities)
- 4 proficiencies in Short Sword and Elven Bow (I'd like to use Dual Short Swords if possible)
- if no party professional Treasure Finder, take proficiency in Picking Locks/Traps
- specialise in sneaking about, NOT pickpocketing (what Paladin?! :tongue: )
- (casually) oh, if there are any spare Elven Chain, Elven Boots or Elven Cloaks... :eek:

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Originally posted by glee

Here's my requests for my Bard (please feel free to guide me further - e.g. what Elvish races are available? - as I like making choices :wink: ):

- Neutral Good Elven Bard
- Highest possible Dexterity + Good Constitution (if possible Good Strength, plus of course any minimum stuff I need in Charisma or the other abilities)
- 4 proficiencies in Short Sword and Elven Bow (I'd like to use Dual Short Swords if possible)
- if no party professional Treasure Finder, take proficiency in Picking Locks/Traps
- specialise in sneaking about, NOT pickpocketing (what Paladin?! :tongue: )
- (casually) oh, if there are any spare Elven Chain, Elven Boots or Elven Cloaks... :eek:

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The elvish races are Silven or Silvan or Wood Elf or Moriquendi, Sindarin or Noldo.

*The Silven are the most common and range from Ered Luin to Rhûn and down to Ithilien and even Dol Amroth. Their largest population is Greenwood (Mirkwood). They don't make the best Bards but make adequate ones.

* The Sindarin are not common and now live mostly in southern Greenwood, a few in Thranduil's kingdom and Legolas' in Ithilien, the Grey Havens and scattered sparsely in Ered Luin. Legolas and Thranduil and most of the Lórien Elves were Sindarin.

* Noldo are the least common now. The mostly live in Rivendell led by the Half-Elven brethren Elrohir and Elladan and the Noldo War Leader Glorfindel. There is a small population in the Grey Havens. There are often visitors/travelers in Minas Tirith, The Shire and especially near Lake Evendim and Fornost when Queen Arwen is in the North. These are generally the skilled Elves and as Rivendell is a center of knowledge and learning probably the best location for a Bard to come from though a Silven or Sindarin could have been living and training there for decades or centuries instead.

Elven Bards add the wonderful ability of a sleep song equal to their charm percentage.

A Noldo from Rivendell is just my cup of tea,
And unless I'm completely wrong,
That lassitude you're getting from me,
Is the result of my Bardish Sleep song.*


*Just not in the same Universe as Gil-Gandel :emb:

Roh! HIR! RIM!
Roh roh roh your Steed,
Gentle down the Hirrim!
Merry, merry, merry; this life is but a dream!
ROHHIRRIM!

Okay. I got nothing right now.

The updated Theogrim is on its way to OneCentStamp.

Sabert of Wold is galloping off to RoOsh.

Got him, looks good and I am ready to rock. I look forward to a game thread full of fair speech and foul deeds, and a setup thread full of nerdy backchat, tangents, and movie quotes. :lol:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Got him, looks good and I am ready to rock. I look forward to a game thread full of fair speech and foul deeds, and a setup thread full of nerdy backchat, tangents, and movie quotes. :lol:

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Sabert will not allow such blasphemous acts to occur in his party! We are honorable men and will conduct ourselves as such! I hope all of you have your favorite charities in mind when we come back from our adventures! :hoj:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Roh! HIR! RIM!
Roh roh roh your Steed,
Gentle down the Hirrim!
Merry, merry, merry; this life is but a dream!
ROHHIRRIM!

Okay. I got nothing right now.

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My Bard would like to thank Sabert for making him look like a poet. :wink:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

I look forward to a game thread full of fair speech and foul deeds, and a setup thread full of nerdy backchat, tangents, and movie quotes. :lol:

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Don't get your hopes up, sunshine! :eek:
This is going to be a game full of circus talk and chicken actions (i.e. fayre speech and fowl deeds :tongue: ).
And you'll need to mentally prepare yourself as Gil-Gandel's endless eloquence is replaced by my Bard and Sabert competing for the Vogon Memorial Poetry Prize (4th class) :smash:

I have sent you the complete history of Sabert. Sorry if it's a bit long, but I hope you enjoy reading it and understand what makes this solemn man tick.

(Yeah, the poetry and all will not suit my actual guy's personality- he's a bit of a stick in the mud... but don't worry, you'll get my poetry in here always!) :D

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Originally posted by RoOsh

I have sent you the complete history of Sabert. Sorry if it's a bit long, but I hope you enjoy reading it and understand what makes this solemn man tick.

(Yeah, the poetry and all will not suit my actual guy's personality- he's a bit of a stick in the mud... but don't worry, you'll get my poetry in here always!) :D

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Well I never envisioned Orphanages but we'll say it is something that the Queen, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, established. That was a great job at creating a history. The only change I made was the year of birth. You were born in year 25 of the Fourth Age not 3025. I am Emailing the corrected sheet back to you.

Excellent.
What do you think of Sabert's Personal Code? Too hard to follow? Or just fine or will it be tedious and tie the party down?

And this way at least now I have a template on how to ALWAYS act in nearly any situation (it's like creating a fake Mafia Role, you gotta have some pre-set rules before you just go around willy-nilly making up stuff so it's believable as a fake role).

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Originally posted by Whtwulf

Count me in for a Dwarf warrior ..........Dugar

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The 1st draft of Dugar is on the way. A very strong Dwarf and all mêlée.

I'd like to post the history of my Elvish bard here (I can always change or extend it based on my age and level).
I'm on holiday, so stuff like names will have to wait until I get back to my reference books...

The Noldo Bard has lived and trained in Rivendell. Glorfindel is his personal role-model (for morality, bravery and style).

The Bard has excellent musical ability, although his lyrics and poetry leave something to be desired.
He actually heard Bilbo recite verses and (having helped patrol the Shire) he likes Hobbits a lot. They are the sort of country folk worth protecting!
He gets on well with Dwarves and loves the tales of Legolas, Gimli and the rest of the Red Book.
He's a little in awe of Beornings, but knows they respect Nature (as he does).
He also enjoys the company of Warriors, especially Paladins.

He knows how to behave in the company of nobility (since many such either live in Rivendell or visit there). He has never been to a human city like Minas Tirith.

His ambitions are to travel and (hopefully) meet Radagast.

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Originally posted by glee

I'd like to post the history of my Elvish bard here (I can always change or extend it based on my age and level). ...

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Sounds like a good start. I hope to have a first draft out to you by Monday at the latest and maybe today.

Idolizing Glorfindel and liking Paladins is a good choice. You made me realize that Glorfindel is something akin to a Elven Paladin. He's so straight and hard you could cut a diamond with him and he really is on a mission for God sent directly by his chief Angels if you will allow. (God ~ Eru Ilúvatar and Chief Angels = Valar)


I have to work up Arduine's Noldorian Ranger/Archer & armande's Cleric Specializing in Undead

We can probably begin next week.

Mellowbeorn the Druid is under development, expect him soon...

Just to add that I can bring a bear to the party, but it would slow us a little. If people don't want the loss of mobility then I can take an alternative. Thoughts?

A bear....

Not like... a tiger or a cheetah or puma?

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Originally posted by RoOsh

A bear....

Not like... a tiger or a cheetah or puma?

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I doubt any of those would fit the background, unless we figure Mellowbeorn has been pretty far afield pre-campaign, whereas Beorning country is noted for bears per The Hobbit (Beorn hosted a bear convention one night while the dwarves were asleep at his house). Otherwise a lion or tiger would be good, I agree, though cats would just as soon catch up on their sleep as march all day. Combat-wise there's not much to choose - the bear's chance of scoring a hug for bonus damage is balanced by the cat's chance of a rear-claw attack, the former works better against high-AC opponents and the latter against weaker ones.

And unfortunately I don't think many really interesting snakes inhabit temperate forests or grasslands either. I have a soft spot for Kaa as Kipling wrote him (nothing like the dumbass Disney cartoon) but you need to go to a subtropical jungle for that kind of critter.

While the party are making up their mind (and considering that Dugar is unlikely to be cantering about the place come what may) please try to pay no attention to the well-known fact that Beorning honey-cake is reckoned to come second only to lembas, on the words of Lord Gimli himself. Bribery is an ugly word. :lol:

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Originally posted by glee

I'd like to post the history of my Elvish bard here (I can always change or extend it based on my age and level). ...

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Sounds like a good start. I hope to have a first draft out to you by Monday at the latest and maybe today.

Idolizing Glorfindel and liking Paladins is a good choice. You made me realize that Glorfindel is something akin to a Elven Paladin. He's so straight and hard you could cut a diamond with him and he really is on a mission for God sent directly by his chief Angels if you will allow. (God ~ Eru Ilúvatar and Chief Angels = Valar)


I have to work up Arduine's Noldorian Ranger/Archer & armande's Cleric Specializing in Undead

We can probably begin next week.

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I hope I didn't overdo the people and classes he likes!
I figured that a Noldo Elf living after the War of the Rings would rate all the Free Peoples highly.

P.S. I'm back home next Friday. I'm perfectly happy to start (like an old warhorse hearing the horns of battle :smash: ), but won't have access to books until then...

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Just to add that I can bring a bear to the party, but it would slow us a little. If people don't want the loss of mobility then I can take an alternative. Thoughts?

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I think a Beorning should bring a bear!

As long as he is 'up to the level of the party in combat'*, I think the roleplaying value outweighs any marching order problems...


*obviously he wouldn't increase in hits and damage, whilst we would

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Originally posted by glee

Here's my requests for my Bard (please feel free to guide me further - e.g. what Elvish races are available? - as I like making choices :wink: ):

- Neutral Good Elven Bard
- Highest possible Dexterity + Good Constitution (if possible Good Strength, plus of course any minimum stuff I need in Charisma or the other abilities)
- 4 proficiencies in Short Sword and Elven Bow (I'd like to use Dual Short Swords if possible)
- if no party professional Treasure Finder, take proficiency in Picking Locks/Traps
- specialise in sneaking about, NOT pickpocketing (what Paladin?! :tongue: )
- (casually) oh, if there are any spare Elven Chain, Elven Boots or Elven Cloaks... :eek:

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Do you want 19 Dex & 17 Str or 18 Dex and 18% strength?
Con will be low. Bards just can afford this stat in 1st Ed.
I traded your 5th Prof for training as a Lock Smith.

I am having you be the child of Farofind of Imladris, one of Elrohir's and Elladan's advisors. He is an older Noldo and one of the best at working with non-elves. He was born late in the second age and married around 2600 Third Age. Your mother is Fariel the granddaughter of a child refugee of Gondolin. She is a reknown for her voice and harp skills. She has secured a few treasures for you begin with. Your father secured you a good bow. Fariel was friendly with Celebrían and still misses her. You were born TA 2721 so you are 363 years old.

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Originally posted by What Exit?

You were born TA 2721 so you are 363 years old.

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[Gil-Gandel]Whippersnapper! :lol: [/GG]

And here I thought I was old at the ripe old age of 38...

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Originally posted by RoOsh

And here I thought I was old at the ripe old age of 38...

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Humans will always feel younger around Dwarves and Elves and often even Hobbits.

The first draft of the Bardic son of Farofind & Fariel of Imladris has been sent to Glee.

Next up is the other resident of Rivendell, the party's Ranger and primary Archer.

I think you mean Primary COWARD! :P
A real man would take the arrow and run up to his foes and shove it in himself!

Wouldn't that just make them laugh, and wouldn't it be better to shove it in one of his enemies?

Of course a coward would resort to Syntax to protect himself from an attack. What's next? Going to resort to your Shield of Grammar +1?
Real men grunt in monosyllabic taunts! If only there was a grunt for the word "Monosyllabic" >:(

Dear me. Keep this up and I fear I will have to mock you. :tongue:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Dear me. Keep this up and I fear I will have to mock you. :tongue:

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Are we squared away on Mellowbeorn? I think we are just resolving the Bear now. Hopefully the other players will see your question and reply.

I'm fine with a bear.
I wonder have i seen a bear before if I'm from rohan?

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Originally posted by RoOsh

I'm fine with a bear.
I wonder have i seen a bear before if I'm from rohan?

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Most likely, but not one this large. Bears are pretty common critters and the Rohirrim usually like to hunt.

The young Noldo Ranger is on its way to Arduine.

Real men don't enjoy things.
Enjoyment is merely the bubbling brook that lies before the waterfalls of sloth.

Hmmm... If i just change my "real men" attitude to "Paladins" i think i could come up with a great monastic system of parables and wisdom. :D

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Originally posted by What Exit?

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Dear me. Keep this up and I fear I will have to mock you. :tongue:

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Are we squared away on Mellowbeorn? I think we are just resolving the Bear now. Hopefully the other players will see your question and reply.

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I'm happy with everything else, certainly. No-one seems to be too worried about having to travel a little slower, and if we ever do have to crack on in a hurry, I expect we can work out some way for "Little Bear" to catch up in his own time.

I have played in James game for a very long time, movement is very important. Dwarves slow you down , but many ways around it. A bear, as we are speaking of, will slow us down alot.

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Originally posted by Arduine

Dwarves slow you down , but many ways around it.

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Racist!
What if we strapped the Bear onto a Large Horse.... :eek: Or trained it to Ride!!

It would bring a whole new meaning to the term "Bear Cavalry!"
If we could only have a Bearin our Pirates game....
Oh, and just because the inspirationfor the links.

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Originally posted by Arduine

I have played in James game for a very long time, movement is very important. Dwarves slow you down , but many ways around it. A bear, as we are speaking of, will slow us down alot.

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Understood. I considered maybe a two-horse waggon. :lol:

A bear would pay its way in ass-kicking potential for a few levels to come, but I'm not wedded to the idea. There are always alternatives.

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Originally posted by Arduine

I have played in James game for a very long time, movement is very important. Dwarves slow you down , but many ways around it. A bear, as we are speaking of, will slow us down alot.

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I think there is a big difference between table-top and message board games.
In particular the pace of the game on here is slower.

Based on several What Exit? adventures here, almost all of our casualties :smash: come from 'hurrying', 'moving without delay' and 'getting on with it'. :eek:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Dear me. Keep this up and I fear I will have to mock you. :tongue:

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RoOsh, please don't keep this up! You've seen how glorious a wordsmith Malacandra is, whereas your writing skill is even worse than mine. :eek: :tongue:

Oh, and my Bard is shaping up nicely. I will be able to fight (especially with my bow) and offer Scouting services (notably Find Traps and Open Locks).
As I'm low level, I may not be able to Scout ahead very safely (I've got to make the choice whether to improve that or my AC) - does the party feel that would be a problem?

Dugar (the Dwarf) will start with a Pony and thus will be going only 15" anyway. The Bear if he comes will have a custom built narrow two wheel cart pulls by a very large horse and will be able to handle 15" but have some issues with passing over rough terrain. However in these areas the bear would get out and job on all fours and the horse could handle the cart with only a little help.

Eventually though the bear could be a burden as the party finds ways to speed up. (Such as the Paladin carrying the Dwarf on Limlight, his Mearas or Theogrim who also has an exceptional horse.)

These are the Pros and Cons I can think of.

Some Q&A

- Do the Elven Boots also give me a 50% bonus for Move Silently? YES

- On the Thief table there's a category Lock Smith and TF - what does TF mean and why is my Pick Pocket -15? TF= Treasure Finder

- Can a Bard use Elven Chain? YES

- Do I get Backstabs if I make my Move and Hide rolls? If so, is the bonus +4 to hit and x2 damage? (Rising to x3 at 5th) YES

- Could my Gondolin Short Sword +2 have a name? YES

- Can I lower some Thief abilities to raise others?
Let me hear what you want, I probably say yes.

- (Warning - cheeky!) Given I'm 363 years old, wouldn't I be higher level?!
Elves are funny and take their time to study and for game mechanics we need to hand wave a bit. However age is the reason I let you have Locksmith for a proficiency.

Weapons Questions:
- is +n/+n the 'to hit' / 'damage' bonuses for magic weapon+specialisation+strength+elf? YES
- is SF speed factor? (if so, is -3 good for me?!) YES & YES!
- is the +1/+2 my weapon specialization? (At 6th level, I'd like another specialization - how many slots does it take?)
YES and 1 slot, this will put on weapon skill to +2/+2 improve SF by 1 and most importantly give you a x1.5 on ROF (Rate of fire or Swings per round.)

Just to check my understanding: the '+n to hit' bonus for Short Bow is made up of +n weapon; +1 specialization; +1 Elf; +3 Dex? YES

The first Draft of the Cleric of Namó/Mandos, a man of Fornost has been sent to Armande.

Oh, what does anyone want to know about my Paladin/What should I reveal?

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Dugar (the Dwarf) will start with a Pony and thus will be going only 15" anyway. The Bear if he comes will have a custom built narrow two wheel cart pulls by a very large horse and will be able to handle 15" but have some issues with passing over rough terrain. However in these areas the bear would get out and job on all fours and the horse could handle the cart with only a little help.

Eventually though the bear could be a burden as the party finds ways to speed up. (Such as the Paladin carrying the Dwarf on Limlight, his Mearas or Theogrim who also has an exceptional horse.)

These are the Pros and Cons I can think of.

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Perhaps I could research some kind of travelling enchantment that gives one creature a small bonus for a long period. In a few levels' time even a brown bear will be getting outclassed (although coming back into his own once I could cast Animal Growth on him) and, of course, once it's clear he's regularly in deadly danger I would retire him somewhere with a salmon run and some honey trees not too far away. (The trick would be for the party to stop me settling down there as well, of course. :lol: ) But let's not forget that we need to truck at least some supplies around with us - we can't canter everywhere, every day.

I like the idea of that "Bear Chariot" though. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Oh, what does anyone want to know about my Paladin/What should I reveal?

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I think you're among regulars here - we know pretty much what a paladin does, and it's up to you what you feel like revealing during the course of the adventure. "Show, don't tell" is a good maxim. :smile: (But try not to be a regular PITA unless you want to find ants in your breastplate every time you go to put it on. :wink: )

How big and how fast is this bear anyways on it's own? If we were to leave it behind and ride full speed on horses and such, how long would it take to catch up? IE: Can we just use him as "Show up at point X in 3 days" sort of scenarios and let him be? Or does this bear need constant watching and guidance?

And I'm a fan of anything that involves putting the bear onto another animal. :D What about a unseen servant or a magic disc sort of thing to lift and carry the bear if we can't have an animal do it.... Though I think those are wizarding spells and not druidic ones.

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Originally posted by Malacandra

I think you're among regulars here - we know pretty much what a paladin does, and it's up to you what you feel like revealing during the course of the adventure. "Show, don't tell" is a good maxim. :smile: (But try not to be a regular PITA unless you want to find ants in your breastplate every time you go to put it on. :wink: )

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Excellent then.
I'll try... slightly to avoid the PITA business, but I may or may not have modified the Paladin Code with a few extra rules tossed around here and there. But I suppose we can Show and not Tell for you guys to notice it on your own.

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Originally posted by RoOsh

How big and how fast is this bear anyways on it's own? If we were to leave it behind and ride full speed on horses and such, how long would it take to catch up? IE: Can we just use him as "Show up at point X in 3 days" sort of scenarios and let him be? Or does this bear need constant watching and guidance?

And I'm a fan of anything that involves putting the bear onto another animal. :D What about a unseen servant or a magic disc sort of thing to lift and carry the bear if we can't have an animal do it.... Though I think those are wizarding spells and not druidic ones.

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The putative bear is Animal Friendship trained so could probably follow a trail if we scent-marked it or something (not too hard to manage, I should think). However, he'd forget about me if more than three days elapsed. An Unseen Servant can carry about 40 pounds for an hour or two, a Floating Disc rather more but for a shorter time. Neither could carry a bear even if we had one.

Now a portable hole with some bottled air, and you'd be talking... :lol:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

However, he'd forget about me if more than three days elapsed.
...
Now a portable hole with some bottled air, and you'd be talking... :lol:

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The first is not actually correct. The Bear is the animal friend of a shape-shifting Beorning. He would likely remain your friend without the spell.

Portable Holes? Nope your character has never heard of such an odd idea. :lol: You won't even find bags of holding, however there are some enchantments about that seem to lessen the weight of objects. You have heard rumors the Elves of Lórien were adept at these.

If we're going to have an NPC Wizard (as seems likely), couldn't he have researched a personal version of Floating Disc (perhaps including Levitate?).

Would it help if the DM gave us an inkling of the mission background? If we have to travel great distances, the Bear will slow us down.
Most of our previous adventures have had a Druid with dogs keeping up. Also we haven't generally travelled that fast - either we were tracking, escorting others or trying not to make a lot of noise.

Oh, and my Bard is shaping up nicely. He should be ready soon!

RoOsh, since my Bard admires Glorfindel and likes Paladins, I offer to exchange my Code for yours, so we can see what they look like...

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Originally posted by glee

If we're going to have an NPC Wizard (as seems likely), couldn't he have researched a personal version of Floating Disc (perhaps including Levitate?).

Would it help if the DM gave us an inkling of the mission background? If we have to travel great distances, the Bear will slow us down.
Most of our previous adventures have had a Druid with dogs keeping up. Also we haven't generally travelled that fast - either we were tracking, escorting others or trying not to make a lot of noise.
...

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Actually the first mission should take the party North into the Trollshaws and then Angmar.

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Originally posted by What Exit?

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Originally posted by Malacandra

However, he'd forget about me if more than three days elapsed.
...
Now a portable hole with some bottled air, and you'd be talking... :lol:

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The first is not actually correct. The Bear is the animal friend of a shape-shifting Beorning. He would likely remain your friend without the spell.

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Fair enough. I guess the two-wheeled cart will actually be a two-wheeled cage... the casual viewer isn't to know that there is a bar inside the door that will spring it open with one swipe of a bear's paw.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Fair enough. I guess the two-wheeled cart will actually be a two-wheeled cage... the casual viewer isn't to know that there is a bar inside the door that will spring it open with one swipe of a bear's paw.

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Why a cage? I don't think a Beorning would do that even for looks. It just seems like it would be alien to the way they think. I will also make travel even tougher, especially in wooded areas.

I thought it might help pass muster in towns, but if you think it's an unnecessary refinement then fair enough. I suppose there won't be too many towns up in the Trollshaws and Angmar anyway. :eek:

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

I thought it might help pass muster in towns, but if you think it's an unnecessary refinement then fair enough. I suppose there won't be too many towns up in the Trollshaws and Angmar anyway. :eek:

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Probably a good idea to carry some poles that can be crafted into the illusion of a cage or you can just go for a fake chain in those circumstances. It is a good thought, just one that I am not sure is right for a Beorning Druid.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

RoOsh, since my Bard admires Glorfindel and likes Paladins, I offer to exchange my Code for yours, so we can see what they look like...

---

Alrighteous, Sabert is a Paladin who serves Eönwë, and thus his specialty lies within the art of sword fighting. However, he's served his life in duty to his King, and is a bit... out of touch with the rest of the World as all he knows is guarding the King of Rohirrim. But he strives to live his life without Ego and tries to maintain a life of humble duty to protect his King(the Magnanimous and generous King Eomer).

Here's a few tidbits from his Code:
-Mock the King of Rohirrim, and you will be punished in the name of the King. The King is a wonderful and gracious man and none should be-spoil his legacy.
-Sabert has little need for material wealth and worldly goods, so he donates most of his shares and pay to an Orphanage when he can, keeping only what he considers necessary to sustain himself and properly do his duty.
-Sabert does not believe in Stealth or deception as a tactic or as a way of life.
Battles are to be fought by announcing yourself, rank, and reasoning for battle. Then engage your opponent in armed combat with the victor being the more skillful and stronger person. Projectiles are tools of a coward (but he has no moral qualms about others using projectiles. Just personal ones).
-You don't harm or taunt or ride another man's horse*. That's just common sense and has nothing to do with being a paladin.
*Exception: Unless that man is trying to kill the King. Then he must be quickly and swiftly taken down. But no deception, no trickery, and if someone is going to shoot him from a distance, it won't be Sabert. That's why the Gods made "archers".
-Life is harsh and filled with Pain. We are meant to suffer, and therefore should be thankful of what we have here. Always be Humble, Always strive to lose one's ego. 'Tis better to serve one's lord faithfully than to indulge in wasteful amusements that only serve to distract you from your Duty.
-Always know your Weakness: Sabert has at least three (that he is currently aware of), he will not tell you them. He is ashamed of his Ego and thus strives to suppress it.
-Sabert does not use in personal pronouns. See the above statement for the reasoning- it is but a mild reminder of Sabert's folly and his personal act of reminding himself that he is but a pawn in this world.
- Sabert's 3 Vices are his own to have, and his own to overcome. He will share the least offensive one with you though because it may involve you:
1. Sabert will not allow ANY child to come to harm if he can prevent it. He will not harm a child, and he will not allow a child to suffer without attempting to rectify the situation. ANY Child counts though- even the enemies. He will not kill anyone's young and will restrain physically those that try to do so. Even evil children are innocent if you look hard enough, in Sabert's eyes.
This isn't normally a vice, but Sabert considers it one, because this is the ONLY condition in which he is willing to break with his Paladin code and sense of Duty. If a child's life is in danger, Sabert would consider using ANY means to save said child. Even if it means allowing treachery, lies, poison, or deceitful projectiles to be used. Sabert feels guilty, but he will suffer the consequences of his folly. He is ashamed.
Do not try to question Sabert with pointless hypotheticals about a child trapped in a burning cart while also his King is tied to the rails as an oncoming seige weapon driven by Hitler attempts to run the King over and Sabert must only choose one to save. Sabert will stab you in the face. It's the only way you will learn.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by RoOsh

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

RoOsh, since my Bard admires Glorfindel and likes Paladins, I offer to exchange my Code for yours, so we can see what they look like...

---

Alrighteous, Sabert is a Paladin who serves Eönwë, and thus his specialty lies within the art of sword fighting. However, he's served his life in duty to his King, and is a bit... out of touch with the rest of the World as all he knows is guarding the King of Rohirrim. But he strives to live his life without Ego and tries to maintain a life of humble duty to protect his King(the Magnanimous and generous King Eomer).

Here's a few tidbits from his Code:
-Mock the King of Rohirrim, and you will be punished in the name of the King. The King is a wonderful and gracious man and none should be-spoil his legacy.
-Sabert has little need for material wealth and worldly goods, so he donates most of his shares and pay to an Orphanage when he can, keeping only what he considers necessary to sustain himself and properly do his duty.
-Sabert does not believe in Stealth or deception as a tactic or as a way of life.
Battles are to be fought by announcing yourself, rank, and reasoning for battle. Then engage your opponent in armed combat with the victor being the more skillful and stronger person. Projectiles are tools of a coward (but he has no moral qualms about others using projectiles. Just personal ones).
-You don't harm or taunt or ride another man's horse*. That's just common sense and has nothing to do with being a paladin.
*Exception: Unless that man is trying to kill the King. Then he must be quickly and swiftly taken down. But no deception, no trickery, and if someone is going to shoot him from a distance, it won't be Sabert. That's why the Gods made "archers".
-Life is harsh and filled with Pain. We are meant to suffer, and therefore should be thankful of what we have here. Always be Humble, Always strive to lose one's ego. 'Tis better to serve one's lord faithfully than to indulge in wasteful amusements that only serve to distract you from your Duty.
-Always know your Weakness: Sabert has at least three (that he is currently aware of), he will not tell you them. He is ashamed of his Ego and thus strives to suppress it.
-Sabert does not use in personal pronouns. See the above statement for the reasoning- it is but a mild reminder of Sabert's folly and his personal act of reminding himself that he is but a pawn in this world.
- Sabert's 3 Vices are his own to have, and his own to overcome. He will share the least offensive one with you though because it may involve you:
1. Sabert will not allow ANY child to come to harm if he can prevent it. He will not harm a child, and he will not allow a child to suffer without attempting to rectify the situation. ANY Child counts though- even the enemies. He will not kill anyone's young and will restrain physically those that try to do so. Even evil children are innocent if you look hard enough, in Sabert's eyes.
This isn't normally a vice, but Sabert considers it one, because this is the ONLY condition in which he is willing to break with his Paladin code and sense of Duty. If a child's life is in danger, Sabert would consider using ANY means to save said child. Even if it means allowing treachery, lies, poison, or deceitful projectiles to be used. Sabert feels guilty, but he will suffer the consequences of his folly. He is ashamed.
Do not try to question Sabert with pointless hypotheticals about a child trapped in a burning cart while also his King is tied to the rails as an oncoming seige weapon driven by Hitler attempts to run the King over and Sabert must only choose one to save. Sabert will stab you in the face. It's the only way you will learn.

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Why do i think that Dugar is either going to mock Sabert at every turn or be one of his best friends. (must strive to not taunt the pally, must strive to not taunt the pally)

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Probably a good idea to carry some poles that can be crafted into the illusion of a cage or you can just go for a fake chain in those circumstances. It is a good thought, just one that I am not sure is right for a Beorning Druid.

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You're probably right. And where we're heading, I'd not be so fussed about trying to make him look less threatening - quite the reverse, really.

Longer term, it might be helpful if I could figure out how to equip him to make him tougher. You know, the people's right to keep and arm bears.

My Bard's comments in italics

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Here's a few tidbits from his Code:[/u]
-Mock the King of Rohirrim, and you will be punished in the name of the King. The King is a wonderful and gracious man and none should be-spoil his legacy.
-Sabert has little need for material wealth and worldly goods, so he donates most of his shares and pay to an Orphanage when he can, keeping only what he considers necessary to sustain himself and properly do his duty.
-Sabert does not believe in Stealth or deception as a tactic or as a way of life.
Battles are to be fought by announcing yourself, rank, and reasoning for battle. Then engage your opponent in armed combat with the victor being the more skillful and stronger person. Projectiles are tools of a coward (but he has no moral qualms about others using projectiles. Just personal ones).

What if we are trying to rescue hostages and need to sneak up on the guards to stop them raising the alarm? Is Sabert going to go along with that, or will he insist on announcing himself before the combat?

-You don't harm or taunt or ride another man's horse*. That's just common sense and has nothing to do with being a paladin.

What if we rescue someone or one of us loses their mount? Can we not offer them a ride?

*Exception: Unless that man is trying to kill the King. Then he must be quickly and swiftly taken down. But no deception, no trickery, and if someone is going to shoot him from a distance, it won't be Sabert. That's why the Gods made "archers".
-Life is harsh and filled with Pain. We are meant to suffer, and therefore should be thankful of what we have here. Always be Humble, Always strive to lose one's ego. 'Tis better to serve one's lord faithfully than to indulge in wasteful amusements that only serve to distract you from your Duty.
-Always know your Weakness: Sabert has at least three (that he is currently aware of), he will not tell you them. He is ashamed of his Ego and thus strives to suppress it.
-Sabert does not use in personal pronouns. See the above statement for the reasoning- it is but a mild reminder of Sabert's folly and his personal act of reminding himself that he is but a pawn in this world.
- Sabert's 3 Vices are his own to have, and his own to overcome. He will share the least offensive one with you though because it may involve you:
1. Sabert will not allow ANY child to come to harm if he can prevent it. He will not harm a child, and he will not allow a child to suffer without attempting to rectify the situation. ANY Child counts though- even the enemies. He will not kill anyone's young and will restrain physically those that try to do so. Even evil children are innocent if you look hard enough, in Sabert's eyes.

What if a baby dragon is about to kill one of us? What if an Ogre child has a poisoned weapon?

---

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Longer term, it might be helpful if I could figure out how to equip him to make him tougher. You know, the people's right to keep and arm bears.

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Your name has gone into my little book. Bear-faced cheek! :tongue:

I think it will be time to start this adventure tonight. I will link to the first Adventure once I get it set up. I am PM everyone and I will also Email once the link is up.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Whtwulf

Why do i think that Dugar is either going to mock Sabert at every turn or be one of his best friends. (must strive to not taunt the pally, must strive to not taunt the pally)

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Do you need a +2 whiffle ball bat of attitude adjustment? (and a roll of duck tape of course)

Macsalin (= 'Soft melody') the Bard is complete and will post his Code here soon (following Sabert's example).

Although What Exit? has done a fine job creating the character to fit with my requests :cool: , he has made a small mistake in reading the name as MacSalin, which leads to:

Havers! Dinnae fash yersel. Ye ken ma wee Bard wull ne'ver blether nor cause a palaver. Yer spelling has gane aglae. Aye, he's a canny braw laddie, no a Sassenach, richt?
I have tae gae noo.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

What if we are trying to rescue hostages and need to sneak up on the guards to stop them raising the alarm? Is Sabert going to go along with that, or will he insist on announcing himself before the combat?

-You don't harm or taunt or ride another man's horse*. That's just common sense and has nothing to do with being a paladin.

What if we rescue someone or one of us loses their mount? Can we not offer them a ride?

What if a baby dragon is about to kill one of us? What if an Ogre child has a poisoned weapon?

---

1. Sabert believes in announcing himself. If the plan requires sneaking... it depends. Are there children involved? If so, then Sabert will go along with it. If not, is there not another more honorable way- such as announcing yourselves and engaging the enemy in a stand off? Perhaps if you guys had a need for Sabert to go around announcing himself to the enemy (ie: being a Giant Distraction) and he is unaware of the rest of the party's orders, he could be of use. But if you are asking Sabert to sneak around in his armor and war shield and all? That is simply not what Sabert does. He will engage the enemy directly.
2. I meant the Ride another man's horse as in steal it. Offering a ride is fine.
3. Even Baby Dragon's need love. Sabert would try to protect whoever is about to die, but then try to offer the Dragon love and support. If it has a very angry mother, perhaps we should question ourselves as to what folly has led us down this road of beating up baby dragons for survival? We should meditate on that, and reflect on our stations in life should it ever come to that....
If an Ogre child has a poisoned weapon, Sabert will hope his years of training and learning to combat vs. poison will make him resistant as he goes around trying to find a suitable home/mother/safety for this child.... He would disarm the child, and then find away to return it to safety.

Note: Sabert has always guarded the King in Roharimm, he's not really traveled OUTSIDE of the kingdom.... So most of his code is in Theory. But he'll stick to it as much as he can. If they're not so practical in the real world.... Well, such is life.

I think Dugar will be fine with Sabert. Unless he uses a crossbow. Cowardly little thing then. Such a waste.

Macsalin is grateful to Sabert for explaining his Code.
Hopefully Sabert will not mind if Macsalin does sneak around (partly because Macsalin has been trained to do it and partly so Macsalin can find enemies for Sabert to engage).

Macsalin's Code:

- should work together like a musical ensemble, each playing their part (Scouting, Combat, Casting)
- do not use poison or torture on prisoners, but sophisticated questioning is fine
- see if it is possible to reform the sinners (perhaps an Ogre bandit could become a bouncer?)
- share the profits, but give special items to those who can best use them

Your Code holds no objects to Sabert.
I agree with the poison and torture. They are the treacherous tools of tortured troublesome creatures.
Sinners being reformed is fine with Sabert. All must find their path in life.
Profits are not necessary to Sabert, but sharing is caring.

Hopefully you'll be good enough at sneaking around that Sabert won't catch you at it. But if he does, you'll get a stern lecture on the metaphorical allegories of treacherous waterfalls and gilded paths to insolence and sloth. Sabert has no desire to find enemies, as his only goal is to serve his King (but due to the... circumstances he cannot), but still, if Sabert wishes to find an enemy- he shall simply loudly announce it and call them out. Subtly is not for fit for Warriors and Kings, but the work of charlatans and ministers. I think we all can recall the acts of Grima Wormtongue. Since then, there will be no Deception, lies, or sneaking in the house of the great and merciful Theoden!

Ok as far as torture Dugar sees it as a nessesary evil. If i have to break your arms and legs and get out the skinning knife and salt to get you to tell me where the big bad nasty is at that is going to lay waste to a bunch of innocents, prepare for pain. More often than not a simple demonstration of what my hands can do to your body when i pick up something and break it should be enough to scare them enough to call for baby Jesus for help. :tongue:

If you would eat in winter, you should sow in spring, weed in summer, and harvest in autumn. And thus in all things.

The soil births the grass that is fodder for the deer that is slain by the wolf whose corpse the worm returns to the soil. None of this is shameful.

It is said that every part of the pig is useful save the squeal. Put no animal to death wastefully.

Claw and fang thin the herd that else would starve for lack of grazing. But none save that which the Enemy marred in the deeps of time would thin the herd to extinction.

"Do what thou must" is the whole of the Law. Mourn not when some creature practise the Law upon you.

An you were made to eat meat, eat when you can and be thankful. But there is much good besides meat that you may eat.



As for me, I reck little of the King of Rohan, whose path has not crossed mine; but I know through a friend and fellow-student that he is held in honour by the Druedain, and I have no cause to speak ill of him. Treat well the beasts, birds and trees while you travel with me, and eat not (save at the most urgent need) of the flesh of the deer. I will ask little else of you.

And so it begins the first adventure with a request from Glorfindel himself .

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Treat well the beasts, birds and trees while you travel with me, and eat not (save at the most urgent need) of the flesh of the deer. I will ask little else of you.

---

Your words are flowery. But you summarize well.
My horse will eat the flowers. I'll just look for the end words to understand your meanings.

Though I bow to another skilled in the arts of flowery metaphors and allegorical turns of phrases.
May you use them well as you buzz and weave your way through the bumble bee's hive of sin and temptation.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Whtwulf

Ok as far as torture Dugar sees it as a nessesary evil. If i have to break your arms and legs and get out the skinning knife and salt to get you to tell me where the big bad nasty is at that is going to lay waste to a bunch of innocents, prepare for pain. More often than not a simple demonstration of what my hands can do to your body when i pick up something and break it should be enough to scare them enough to call for baby Jesus for help. :tongue:

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While Macsalin understands Dugar's feelings, he cannot accept this. How can we be the good guys when we use torture?
(What if the bad guy isn't the bad guy? What if he doesn't know the answer?)

P.S. Who is Jesus? Is he related to Manwe?

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

P.S. Who is Jesus? Is he related to Manwe?

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What's an Ogre? Some creature of orc-kind? Are there yet baby dragons to be found?

As to the other, there is a strange legend I once heard that the Maker himself - not one of the Valar - will come some day in form as one of us. But not for many ages, and Elves, Dwarves and Beornings alike will be long gone by then :smile:

It looks like OneCentStamp might be on vacation. Does anyone know if he mentioned anything. It is tough to start the adventure if he is MIA.

Armande will hopefully check in today and introduce his character including a name.

Names are good, saying "hey you " works in a pinch.

Baby Jesus is related to Julio, the grounds keeper in the Shire.

I'm back! Sorry, yes, I was on vacation. That will be my only foreseeable absence from the boards until at least mid-summer, so now I'm ready to rock.

What Exit?, do you want/need my character sheet from the SDMB campaign?

Also, is my self-introduction in the game thread sufficient, or do we want self-physical description as well?

Quote:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

I'm back! Sorry, yes, I was on vacation. That will be my only foreseeable absence from the boards until at least mid-summer, so now I'm ready to rock.

What Exit?, do you want/need my character sheet from the SDMB campaign?

Also, is my self-introduction in the game thread sufficient, or do we want self-physical description as well?

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I emailed you an updated copy that you should work with and I think you can add details as the party rides north. Let me know if you got the Email. If not Email me the Email address I should use.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

I emailed you an updated copy that you should work with and I think you can add details as the party rides north. Let me know if you got the Email. If not Email me the Email address I should use.

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I've got it! The e-mail address you have for me is fine.

Quote:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

I emailed you an updated copy that you should work with and I think you can add details as the party rides north. Let me know if you got the Email. If not Email me the Email address I should use.

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I've got it! The e-mail address you have for me is fine.

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Do the changes make sense? Do you see anything wrong? As the Paladin is a bit of a basket case and you are the highest level, you might need to take a bit of a leadership role if you are willing. If nothing else to keep the Paladin and the Dwarf from fighting.

Man... every time I read your characters stuff in the game, I see your icon and assume that's him. -_-
He looks so happy!

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

Man... every time I read your characters stuff in the game, I see your icon and assume that's him. -_-
He looks so happy!

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If you're talking about me, well he (the icon) is happy because he's very very drunk. My character, on the other hand, is rather serious and taciturn.

Yep, i know the backstory to that icon, but it's still a wonderful image!

Man, keeping track of no personal pronouns is tougher than I expected actually.
Like does Sabert use "we"? I had to struggle with that one before deciding against it.... -_-
:smack

FYI James stats

H...6' 2"
W...265
Hair...Brown
Eyes...Light Green
Scars...none
Skin...White

FYI Sabert stats

H...6' 6"
W...290
Hair...White
Eyes...Light Brown
Skin...Sicilian/Olive/tanned
Has a permanent 5 o'clock shadow (He uses the same razor as House) :D

Geez, is every human in this party Gigantor? :lol:

Quote:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Geez, is every human in this party Gigantor? :lol:

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We smaller chaps must band together!

Oh, I'm 6' 6" and 195lb. :tongue:

Quote:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Geez, is every human in this party Gigantor? :lol:

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Well Glorfindel is very tall, at least 6'9" and maybe over 7' Brevarn is huge as a man at about 6'6" and over 13' as a bear. But Sandy Proudfoot is only 3'6"

Small request, can we try to avoid quoting and post in context. I am being anal-retentive but it generally improves the readability of a story style thread. Small quote don't matter much, but the larger ones get ugly.

Some general color coding:
Spells are in blue.
Injuries to the Party are in Red.
Asides and all that are in the game thread should in a dark green and bigger questions in the setup thread.
Other colors are used where appropriate, For example, Glorfindel's Blade of Gondolin will be in a Royal Blue when orcs are near and bolded when they are close.

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

"Before you stands Sabert of Wold! A Royal Paladin of Eönwë, and a former guard of the Great Warrior King Eomer! State your business, in the name of the Glorious King of Rohirrim! Or yield in the name of the Merciful Eomer, else Sabert shall be forced to assault you a second time!" If the Troll does not respond, Sabert will attempt another assault on the Troll, trying to go for the most direct strike.

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I'd just like to congratulate RoOsh on a magnificent creation. :lol:
Maybe Macsalin wants to bash some sense into Sabert :smash: , but I can really visualise this Paladin trying to cope with the World outside the formalities of Court.

To expand on Malacandra's witty 'Sabert's last words':

Monster: (hits Sabert)
Sabert: "Before you stands Sabert of Wold! A Royal Paladin of Eönwë! State your business!"
Monster: "Why should I tell you what I'm up to?" (hits Sabert)
Sabert: "Are you out to create mischief in the lands of the Great Warrior King Eomer?"
Monster: "Maybe..." (hits Sabert)
Sabert: "Unless you give clear answers, I shall be forced to use force!"
Monster: "Look there's really no need for that." (hits Sabert)
Sabert "I don't care for your intentions ... aaaargh!"

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

FYI Sabert stats

H...6' 6"
W...290
Hair...White
Eyes...Light Brown
Skin...Sicilian/Olive/tanned
Has a permanent 5 o'clock shadow (He uses the same razor as House) :D

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Unusual phenotype for Rohirrim, who are basically Germanic. :smile:

Quote:

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Originally posted by Malacandra

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

FYI Sabert stats

H...6' 6"
W...290
Hair...White
Eyes...Light Brown
Skin...Sicilian/Olive/tanned
Has a permanent 5 o'clock shadow (He uses the same razor as House) :D

---

Unusual phenotype for Rohirrim, who are basically Germanic. :smile:

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Well he is an orphan and might well be part Gondorian or even Dúnedain.
The Queen Lothíriel (now Queen Mother) is from Dol Amroth and King Elfwine is hoping to marry the eldest daughter of Aragorn and Arwen. So Rohan is being subverted by their neighbors. :lol:

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Small request, can we try to avoid quoting and post in context. I am being anal-retentive but it generally improves the readability of a story style thread. Small quote don't matter much, but the larger ones get ugly.

---

I assume this is a reference to my post in which Macsalin spoke to three other players.
I realise you like a 'pure' thread (I'm a bit that way myself :wink: ), but when you have a new group and have never roleplayed with them before, it's vital to set up clear communication.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Quote:

---

Originally posted by What Exit?

Small request, can we try to avoid quoting and post in context. I am being anal-retentive but it generally improves the readability of a story style thread. Small quote don't matter much, but the larger ones get ugly.

---

I assume this is a reference to my post in which Macsalin spoke to three other players.
I realise you like a 'pure' thread (I'm a bit that way myself :wink: ), but when you have a new group and have never roleplayed with them before, it's vital to set up clear communication.

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Let's say your post just reminded me to say something about the quoting and color usage. I had no problem with it to speak of, but I would like to minimize it going forward.

[quote=What Exit?]

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Quote:

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Originally posted by "What Exit?":32cxjte3

Small request, can we try to avoid quoting and post in context. I am being anal-retentive but it generally improves the readability of a story style thread. Small quote don't matter much, but the larger ones get ugly.

---

I assume this is a reference to my post in which Macsalin spoke to three other players.
I realise you like a 'pure' thread (I'm a bit that way myself :wink: ), but when you have a new group and have never roleplayed with them before, it's vital to set up clear communication.

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Let's say your post just reminded me to say something about the quoting and color usage. I had no problem with it to speak of, but I would like to minimize it going forward.[/quote:32cxjte3]

Fair enough.
However I am never sure if another player is going to notice a communication in this thread, and I don't want to send innumerable Private Messages (especially as you can only send them to 5 other people). So the game thread is the obvious place to discuss strategy and tactics...

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Fair enough.
However I am never sure if another player is going to notice a communication in this thread, and I don't want to send innumerable Private Messages (especially as you can only send them to 5 other people). So the game thread is the obvious place to discuss strategy and tactics...

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A little good news, on Domebo we allow up to 10 people. NAF1138 & I asked for and got this for the various gamers early on.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by glee

Fair enough.
However I am never sure if another player is going to notice a communication in this thread, and I don't want to send innumerable Private Messages (especially as you can only send them to 5 other people). So the game thread is the obvious place to discuss strategy and tactics...

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A little good news, on Domebo we allow up to 10 people. NAF1138 & I asked for and got this for the various gamers early on.

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Aha!

I will always try to check this thread before the other one if the two are relatively close up there together.

And thanks for the compliments (sorta)! I am trying to keep Sabert in character, even if it may mean hurting the party at times. Or Sabert... I'm thinking you better get used to that little spiel... -_-

Also, I didn't realize everyone else was so tall, I figured I'd stand out if everyone's normally 5foot or so and I go the tall route... I'd have made myself shorter other wise.

And yeah- Sabert's an Orphan. :D And thusly calls himself Sabert of Wold not so much Rohirrim. .... totally planned that. <_< Uh huh. Totally.
:breathes sigh of coincidental relief:

The man's got a good long backstory as What exit knows.... Heh. I do like creating "characters" more than just playing with them.... Though that might not be the best approach. But I view myself as "What would Sabert Do" in each situation rather than what would I WANT him to do. IE: I now have a whole backstory, motivation, and personal code, so it's more of just predicting what he'd do vs. what do i wanna do. Else, Sabert would just jump kick people in the face and follow it up with roundhouses all day long rather than come up with a long speech towards EVERY new encounter enemy... -_-

Roleplaying is good. Experience is basically group experience and the main variant is the role-playing. Have fun with Sabert. I look forward to the conflicts he will cause on occasions and if Theogrim can help mainstream him at all.

Yeah.
My goal is for him to find peace eventually. I know Sabert's motivations, and dreams, so I hope they will be fulfilled. But I'm not going to force it.

Also, am i correct in that my Lay Hands can heal up to 6 HP currently for me (In my chart it says 2/level, I want that to mean 2 per level, and not 2 HP DIVIDED by levels :smack )?
I think I'll save that for now, and just walk around w/ the -3 (Can I keep track of it in here?)
Sabert: 34/37

:sigh: Poor Sabert. I envision him basically in his boxers or big green shirt, sword and shield getting smacked around there.... The man needs his armor! -_- That one hit blooded him.

Yes, a mathematician would write it as 2 x level, not 2 / level. FWIW, armour would help, but a troll might well have hit you anyway. Still, you'd rather be armoured than not, but you can't sleep in it or rely on having time to put it on. Hope the trouble comes on your watch next time. :smile:

Heh, sorry about that Dugar....

Though Sabert has been trying to be meticulous about watching his wordage to intentionally not call HIMSELF humble. But yeah, there's one of Sabert's Vices. (-_-)
:D
Do NOT mock the King. There's a reason Sabert's on "vacation" from his old job.... (-_-)

whoops, my bad. I keep wanting to call everyone by their screen names rather than their character names. -_-, i need to keep a list or something seperately.

Replace teh words Friar with "Kind druid" then.
Doh.

-_-

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

whoops, my bad. I keep wanting to call everyone by their screen names rather than their character names. -_-, i need to keep a list or something seperately.

Replace teh words Friar with "Kind druid" then.
Doh.

-_-

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You're doing this in the Pirate thread too! :eek: :smack

Poor Theogrim; his player seems to have reading comprehension problems. :smack

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Hey Jim, would you mind giving us our options in Zork-type text adventure form?

You are at the ruins of a village. Obvious exits are SOUTH, EAST and LADDER.

What do you do?

a>

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Or perhaps in Choose Your Own Adventure style?

Glorfindel says, "You now have a choice, Brevarn and I are headed up the path to Mt. Gram. The pair of us will be causing mayhem in the small satellite goblin caves. We will be assisted by some local wildlife in finding, destroying and staying a step ahead of them. You can travel with us and pass into Angmar via the pass near Mt. Gram or follow the river on the south-west bank. The path is swifter but the chance of running into a lot of goblins all at once is much higher."

To follow Glorfindel and Brevarn to the pass, go to page 118.

To go on your own by the river, go to page 79.

I just like to take small mistakes as part of the story. Especially as Theogrim has experienced some Goblin Cave fighting and might have forgotten that this party is untried as a group and smaller and weaker. No mage around among other things and your thief type is not an expert Hobbit Treasure Finder but a multi-class that may well have lesser abilities as he is a better fighter.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

I just like to take small mistakes as part of the story.

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Got it; I handled it as such in-story. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Hey Jim, would you mind giving us our options in Zork-type text adventure form?

You are at the ruins of a village. Obvious exits are SOUTH, EAST and LADDER.

What do you do?

a>

--------------------------------

Or perhaps in Choose Your Own Adventure style?

Glorfindel says, "You now have a choice, Brevarn and I are headed up the path to Mt. Gram. The pair of us will be causing mayhem in the small satellite goblin caves. We will be assisted by some local wildlife in finding, destroying and staying a step ahead of them. You can travel with us and pass into Angmar via the pass near Mt. Gram or follow the river on the south-west bank. The path is swifter but the chance of running into a lot of goblins all at once is much higher."

To follow Glorfindel and Brevarn to the pass, go to page 118.

To go on your own by the river, go to page 79.

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I like What Exit's style, but I have to say this is nearly as good! :lol:

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

No mage around among other things and your thief type is not an expert Hobbit Treasure Finder but a multi-class that may well have lesser abilities as he is a better fighter.

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That was tactfully put, and Macsalin appreciates it. :wink:

As a Fighter, he feels he can make a decent contribution (although he nearly ran out of arrows :eek: ).
As a Scout, he's happy to check for (and remove) traps and open locks.

Now if the party were to come across an Elven Cloak, then you would see some scouting ahead for sure!

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Now if the party were to come across an Elven Cloak, then you would see some scouting ahead for sure!

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Would we have to hem it up for you so that it doesn't drag? :D

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Now if the party were to come across an Elven Cloak, then you would see some scouting ahead for sure!

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Would we have to hem it up for you so that it doesn't drag? :D

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:???: (I'm 6'6"...)

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Quote:

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Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Now if the party were to come across an Elven Cloak, then you would see some scouting ahead for sure!

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Would we have to hem it up for you so that it doesn't drag? :D

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:???: (I'm 6'6"...)

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Shit! I had you confused for the hobbit. :smack

See??
it's too easy to confuse things around. -_-

The only Hobbit in this game is an NPC. Sandy Proudfoot. He is basically a Hobbit Archer.

I'd just like to make clear that I'm enjoying this a lot (as usual with a What Exit? adventure :cool: ) and I hope that Macsalin hasn't upset anyone in real life. :eek:

As the Scout, he does tend to be very wary and cautious, which is why he:

- mentioned Neutralise Poison to the Druid (obviously Malacandra didn't need reminding!)
- got narked with Sabert :smash: (his hero Glorfindel had been criticised for being an Archer!)
- took out his frustration on the Friar

P.S. I'm working on some poetry for Macsalin, but Gil-Gandel is an incredibly difficult act to follow!

God, I hate to be the PITA of the Day.... Hopefully we can avoid the problem and all, but Amushes don't sound Kosher to paladins. Is there like a rule book or something I can look at to see what's okay for Paladins and what's not okay somewhere online?

I believe they used to have what they called "splat books", these were suplimental books for 2nd edition AD&D, they did have one on paladins, not sure how much help they can be. For the "roleplaying" perspective I think being able to deal with other "styles" of combat will be the stumbling block. I know in other games I have played in with paladins I have had rogues, now I used to love using posions the true rogues "equalizer" to the fighters dealing out massive damage in there flurry of attacks, however when the paladin was about I had to abstain from using it due to its' "unhonorable" advantages. Looking at it from an honorable fighting point of view, every race and or class has its' own perticular "style" of fighting, these take a long time to hone these skills and pass them down from generation to generation. A good example is dwarves, I can think of no other race that can go toe-to-toe with a creature with more effectiveness then a well honed dwarvin fighter group. As well as the knowledge they have passed down over the years for masonry and stonework. I guess what I am trying to say is this some races and classes have exceptional abilities and skills that they exceed in. I guess as you adventure, and gain experience you will notice certain people will excell in certain ways and this may go against your fighting doctrine but alas we all can't go to the front door and say we are here. Consider this, if the cops raided a drug dealers home why would they cover the back & side doors, as well as windows, when they come to the front door and say Police open up. simply they know the criminal will try and escape thus they have all bases covered. I dunno if that answears it or not but I guess what it boils down to is you will have to make the call in the end, ask questions, and try to understand why they do what they do. Trust me I came to adventure so I could learn more from others, I got the book learning down pat, or so I think, now comes the practical testing part of my training in the church, I call it my test of faith. The gods have strange ways of doing things and helk I can't quite figure them out but I will try.

OK who moved my darn cup of coffee again...argh

Quote:

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Originally posted by RoOsh

God, I hate to be the PITA of the Day.... Hopefully we can avoid the problem and all, but Amushes don't sound Kosher to paladins. Is there like a rule book or something I can look at to see what's okay for Paladins and what's not okay somewhere online?

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I think it's interesting that you have created this naive, honourable, well-meaning, tactless character.
I can see how Sabert thinks his first (and only?) duty is to protect his King.

I think you should play Sabert and not worry about rulebooks or online guidelines.

I think Sabert is absolutely right to abhor poison and torture.
However I suggest that Sabert could come around to:

- not making long-winded speeches before joining combat :smash:
- not calling Archers 'cowards' :smack
- accepting that ambushes might be needed to avoid unnecessary casualties (especially in hostile lands) :wink:

Heh. I am meanwhile stuck with the task of roleplaying someone whose charisma is appreciably higher than mine, and whose wisdom is about double mine :lol: , and trying not to take over running the party as I am more than willing that someone else should be allowed to. :cool:

In contrast to all this code-of-honour stuff, you should realize that Mellowbeorn cares little for the struggle between good and evil, and wouldn't much care about anything orcs or wargs do if they weren't so darned prevalent. Lacking predators of their own and being rather disruptive top carnivores, they need (in his eyes) thinning out a bit. On the other hand, it would be out of character for him to blow hard about this all the time. Undead, naturally, should be eradicated without mercy as they have no place in the circle of life. Still, when all is said and done, he would rather propagate food plants and bees, and sometimes harvest the edible and tasty results.

We do need someone to step up and create a plan of action.

I am curious to see if Saberts ego is going to completely put him at odds with the rest of the party. I don't see the rest of the party abandoning him but i sure the heck don't see them hanging out and discussing the fine points of anything with him at this point.

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

We do need someone to step up and create a plan of action.

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Macsalin asked if:

- most horses could be left somewhere safe, (away from the copse)
- having just Theogrim and Sabert's horses in the copse would alert the goblins

If these points can be answered 'Yes' and 'No' respectively, then Macsalin will suggest to Theogrim that we ambush the goblins when they next visit the copse (according to Reynard, that is in the next night or two).

(foe example)
Macsalin could hide, hoping to cut off one or two retreating;
Theogrim and Sabert could charge on horseback;
The Bard and Friar could cast;
Celestir and Sandy could fire;
Dugar could melee (like only a dwarf can!)

What about the Bard?

The horses can be left far away and the Rohirrim could be a third of a miles away and charge over in a single round when called. That would also provide time for Sabert to make his challenges.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

Quote:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

We do need someone to step up and create a plan of action.

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Macsalin asked if:

- most horses could be left somewhere safe, (away from the copse)
- having just Theogrim and Sabert's horses in the copse would alert the goblins

If these points can be answered 'Yes' and 'No' respectively, then Macsalin will suggest to Theogrim that we ambush the goblins when they next visit the copse (according to Reynard, that is in the next night or two).

(foe example)
Macsalin could hide, hoping to cut off one or two retreating;
Theogrim and Sabert could charge on horseback;
The Bard and Friar could cast;
Celestir and Sandy could fire;
Dugar could melee (like only a dwarf can!)

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Now you're doing it! But this looks good to me (with the obvious correction). Also I'll switch out Call Lightning for Hold Animal if we don't get any goblins tonight - they might have some curs along, or even be riding Wargs.

Hmmm perhaps I toss this into the mix. Let us say we use the copse as an ambush area, how about we place our 2 charging rider up wind on an intercepting path with the game trail to cut off any fleeing gobs that run back toward the base of operations. we could devise a signal or per chance have the druid per chance send an animal runner back to the awaiting chargers to signal them to charge. Cutting off the runners as well as closing the back door on the trap.

Also if the archers wanna gun down how abot from the rear and work forward this gives them no idea that they are being bamboosled and should also aid in the lack of retreating goblins.

Any opinions on those ideas?

Quote:

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Originally posted by Armande

Hmmm perhaps I toss this into the mix. Let us say we use the copse as an ambush area, how about we place our 2 charging rider up wind on an intercepting path with the game trail to cut off any fleeing gobs that run back toward the base of operations. we could devise a signal or per chance have the druid per chance send an animal runner back to the awaiting chargers to signal them to charge. Cutting off the runners as well as closing the back door on the trap.

Also if the archers wanna gun down how abot from the rear and work forward this gives them no idea that they are being bamboosled and should also aid in the lack of retreating goblins.

Any opinions on those ideas?

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It's interesting, but I think you've underestimated their numbers. The fox estimates there will be 8 small goblins, 2 large and 1 Archer. The 8 of us are not going to be able to surround them in a trap.
Also the wind direction may not permit our mounted chargers to be upwind and cut off fleeing goblins. Similarly there may not be cover for our archers as the goblins pass them before the attack.

I do like your idea that the riders are upwind and get alerted by an animal.
Our casters can hopefully take several opponents out, so then our missiles and riders may be able to stop anyone escaping.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glee

(foe example)
Macsalin could hide, hoping to cut off one or two retreating;
Theogrim and Sabert could charge on horseback;
The Bard and Friar could cast;
Celestir and Sandy could fire;
Dugar could melee (like only a dwarf can!)

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Druid. :emb:

Ah well, events in the main thread have overtaken this plan.
I do hope things will work out, because we don't seem very co-ordinated...

"Dugar stands in the path waiting for Sandy to run by. He has his hammer in one hand and his war axe in the other, so he can throw then quickly wade in with the axe."

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet. :smash:

I'd just like to say out of character that it's great to see these ideas coming in - keep it up!

And, as you say, :smash: :lol: