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Posts 1-500
1.Dungeon Master's Guild felsefeci
(26/male/ISTANBUL) 9/9/98 4:12 am
Welcome, This is the Yahoo! Message Board for Dungeon Master's Guild community.
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2.The Guild felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/11/98 5:40 am
All player charachters need a guild to improve theirselfs but DM's must
improve everything (also their improvments I as a DM think that we share
our experince in a guild to make the games GREAT! And become the taste
of it. Soon I will send some pics, maps, treasures, advantures and every
thing what we need. And I'm looking for DM's to share then all new, experianced,
DM's FROM EVERYWHERE.
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3.Guilds. DracoMorr
(17/M/St. Stephen, NB) 9/13/98 10:58 pm
That is the idea. It is my hope that we all contribute, to make this guild
better. Remember, you'll get out of it, what you put in.
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4.Re: Guilds dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 9/15/98 10:33 pm
Not only will we get out what we put in, but we'll get out of this what
we are willing to take. By that I mean, we have to be willing to hear
all views and not be opinionated about someone elses ideas, just give
our own interpretations. In some instances, we are a vanishing breed,
the rpg players. Yes, I know that we have a few places that say they are
for rpgs, but you get there and all it is is a smoky, cramped, dirty,
room, where the only thing going on is either Magic games, or Jhyhad games.
That is not really my idea of fun. I play Magic, but I much rather play
D&D. More imagination. Besides, who can get scared from a picture of a
bull, when you can imagine a minotaur charging you from the depths of
it's home?
Yemina, Scout
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5.Sure! felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/17/98 6:19 am
We can find what we are look for nothing else! And I'm sure we (DM's)
have great vision to see everything... By the oyher hand I'm not smoking
and don't like the places where the people meet to play rpg. Some other,
some international, some quite place what we need to share. Players are
groups who things only win. DM's are the winner,loser,ruler,slave,planner,designer,...,...,...,
but alone!!! We can be group we can orgize to do it better maybe we need
it maybe not.
I guess we need invite more DM's to the guild to grow.
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Message 6 of 5992 Reply
DMing rythter
(31/M/Cambridge, MA) 9/17/98 9:47 am
I like these Yahoo Clubs, first of all because they are easier than Usenet.
I am a very long term user of the Internet in general, but I still do
not like the dross of useless messages in the Usenet. I have almost given
up on it. I still check about once a week, but I prefer the Yahoo Clubs.
Second reason is that they
are "cleaner", that is they are well organized, and presented. I do have
a few issues so far: Threading: Usenet is much much better at this. To
follow a thread you
need to "View Replies to this Message", but that just gives you the list
of replies, not the thread of replies.
Chat: No one uses it, so there is no real time communication. Someone
in Dungeon Masters Haven suggested a set time for people to meet to chat.
I like the idea, but do not have a set time to chat, so I cannot really
help set the time, but if there were a time set, and I happened to be
free I would definitely try to login and chat. I guess that's all for
now.
-Jeff, aka Rythter
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Message 7 of 5992 Reply
Absolutely right ! Karleah
(133/M/BC) 9/17/98 1:01 pm
Hi Yemina:
I guess you wrote this message reading my thougts because I actually think
and feel exactly as you do about RPGs. I tried playing card games, including
MAGIC but what I feel after each game is that it is very limiting and
as soon as I start playing cards then my mind is jumping in an universe
of new ideas for a REAL ROLE PLAYING ADVENTURE. Card games for me ( this
is a very personal thought) are
good when you are too tired to play a "real adventure" or maybe when you
just NEED to stay with your friends a little bit in a "different dimension
than reality" . I find it healing! But nothing can beat the feeling that
you, your imagination, and the possibility to create "a living new world"
can bring at the end.
I am an "old fashioned"
DM and player as well, so I share with you the feeling that we are a vanishing
breed, and some of this is due to the fact that commercially the big corporations
push on the market easy to sell products as card games, and do not take
enough care ( this is striclty my personal opinion again) for more "art
quality" products. For example, it is a big "mistery" for me and my friends
why TSR put out of print material for MYSTARA CAMPAIGN. I understood the
need to transfer MYSTARA to the AD&D system but I think that it was a
real " art crime" that the long story of Mystara and all its wonderful
details, the adventures, the world itself, just disappeared. I felt homeless
and a lot other people did too, I guess.
But... These Yahoo clubs are very similar to a powerful spell ! They can
allow people all over the world to get together and interact and finally
create even more exciting adventures and worlds than the ones available
in the past! So I would like to thank you all and I am looking forward
to new exciting ideas coming out from this Club !
Karleah of Harasis
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Message 8 of 5992 Reply
Hi ! Karleah
(133/M/BC) 9/17/98 1:08 pm
Thanks to everybody for being here and for inviting me to join this club.
This for me looks like a new opportunity, a good challenge for DMs and
players who want to create a new start for a better roleplaying... without
smoke... :)
Thanks !
Karleah
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Message 9 of 5992 Reply
Why do not set up a time here as well? Karleah
(133/M/BC) 9/17/98 1:13 pm
Hi:
I think that maybe the founder of this club could define a time or two
and a day or two on the week that could be suitable to him for chat and
then everybody could know that the chat would go on and join if they can.
I am not sure if this can work or not. Maybe we could give it a try. I
look forward to some chat at Dungeon Master Haven as well.
Let's try, what do you think?
Karleah
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Message 10 of 5992 Reply
Chats dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 9/18/98 2:31 am
I would love to go to a chat, but this piece of !@#$%^&* old machine that
I have is not able to handle the chat capabilities. I know, I know, just
because I'm over 30 doesn't mean that my computer has to be too, but some
times ya just gotta work with what you got. So, about your comments about
Mystara...TSR has discontinued more material than most companies have
printed.
Alot of books
are no longer offered for certain RPGs that are still on the market. I've
wondered if WotC had something to do with this. I always thought that
was one weird combo, anyway. Alot of thigs concerning Dragonlance are
no longer printed, and was rumered to be discontinued anyway. I was disapointed
that TSR was sold. I knew someone who fancied himself an expert on Magic
and also a sometime player in FR. He lorded it over us that WotC bought
TSR. Well,
next game I DMed with him in it, his character died. He was most impressed
with himself, so I had to be the ONE to knock him down. Boy, was it fun!!!!
I digress. Setting up chats would be great, and someday soon, I'll be
able to come out and play.
Yemina, Scout
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Message 11 of 5992 Reply
Thanks & Chats felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/18/98 6:31 am
Thank you all to be here,to be DM, to send messages, and for your great
Ideas... Chat is a difrent magic of internet. I start to be DM'ing becouse
to play against computer give not the taste of interaktif play and to
be together with a group of mad human... Chat is carrying the taste of
rpg.But I prefer do the timeline
by yourself... Becouse I'm living in Istanbul and my timeline is Greenwich
+2 and I'm very busy at the office to sell some porcelain. By the way
I'm trying to write advantures for all level players and so I'm not able
to attend every chat but we can first choose one of the yahoo.chat rooms
and talk to each other by so we can find maybe another DM's and let the
guild grow.
Chat is important but main thing is (I think)to find a little bit more
DM's to find new Ideas... Every NPG has another allign another job, another
idea;but every NPG is created by us, we now them what they thing and say
the only suprise is the answer of the PC's becouse they are REAL and can
thing much diffrent...
Well, anyway, it is wonderful to find you and be with you in the DM's
guild!!!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 10 by dragn_lady
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Message 12 of 5992 Reply
profile mmmmmmj
(26/M/reynoldsburg,ohio) 9/19/98 12:58 am
my age is wrong in my profile. i,ve ran so many dungeons i,ve lost count
and i still love the game!!!!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 13 of 5992 Reply
Fax numbers!!!!! felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/19/98 5:05 am
Please e-mail me your fax numbers at all. I want to fax you some kind
of info. List of potions some new classes, some trap tips etc.
felsefeci@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 12 by mmmmmmj
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Message 14 of 5992 Reply
e-mail addresses? Karleah
(133/M/BC) 9/20/98 12:56 pm
Hi, I think that you probably mean our e-mail addresses, not fax numbers.
Am I right? In this case, I think that as a founder you have the possibility
to send e-mails to all the members. I know my friend does it from another
club and so I guess it is possible for you too. I do not know exactly
how it works though. Some of the e-mail addresses you can find on our
profiles as well. I hope this helps.
Karleah
This Is a Reply to: Msg 13 by felsefeci
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Message 15 of 5992 Reply
Thank you Karleah felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/21/98 7:28 am
Thank you for Idea I will try send e-mails but I mean fax numbers (with
codes) becouse I have them in papers and I'm not sure if I have got enough
time to write them all in mail, but I will try becouse sending will be
simpler by this way.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 14 by Karleah
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Message 16 of 5992 Reply
Greetings centaur31
9/22/98 4:30 pm
I am happy to have joined fellow Dungeon Masters and Players in this club.
I hope that we can exchange useful information by means of the club. If
you would like to see some of my past work you can visit my website at
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/1870 Please forgive me it is still
under
constructioin.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 17 of 5992 Reply
Hours of CHAT!!!! felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/26/98 4:40 am
I think everybody want to do that like me... I guess every body will send
me his/her best time to chat but in Greenwich time so we can create a
table for chat!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 18 of 5992 Reply
Topic for discussion Karleah
(133/M/BC) 9/29/98 9:06 pm
Hey all, why we do not talk about something posting messages while we
wait to determine a good time for a chat?
Just post a topic and see if we can get some interaction. I liked it here
where everybody was writing comments and new ideas. Let's do it again!
Karleah
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 19 of 5992 Reply
DON'T GİVE UP TO POST MESSAGES felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 9/30/98 7:50 am
Everybody wake up!! Thanks for the answers that I reciept!
But before this Karleah has got right.Why you give up post messages and
discussion? Here's the Great Hall of everywhere and everything! Don't
forget!!!
Soon we will make a test for chat!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 18 by Karleah
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Message 20 of 5992 Reply
NEW CAMPAIGN: MEMBERS WANTED Manchot_13
9/30/98 6:47 pm
I have started a fun new campaign called Windroff Campaign in Yahoo! clubs.
Please join, it will be a lot of fun. I am willing to be flexible! Any
charecter is acceptable (possibly with a few minor changes)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 21 of 5992 Reply
Interest in your campaign Xandegar98
(29/M/au) 10/2/98 8:17 am
I am most interested in joining your campaign. I'll email you a character
sheet asap.
The Adventure Begins With the role of the die...
Xandegar
This Is a Reply to: Msg 20 by Manchot_13
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Message 22 of 5992 Reply
Quest !? felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 10/3/98 2:02 am
Who is most avaible, usefull character? Is it warior, bard, mage, preist,
jedi, merchat,... Tell me which one is your favorite class (sub-class)
and why... So the quest of the best class!!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 23 of 5992 Reply
Ok, here's my answer Karleah
(133/M/BC) 10/4/98 1:04 pm
Hi:
Well, I guess I have my preferred classes and races as follows.
Class: thieves, because they have to be quick and smart to survive and
they can achieve great power if they are good. And I like them also because
when they reach the high levels they still feel the thrill of be outlaws
and the challenge to stay free and alive.
Races: Dwarves and elves. Both of them for the reason that they have great
characteristics, I like the dwarves because they are strong and pragmatic.
I like the elves because they are magic and mysterious. Together they
can be a great mix for great adventures.
Hope to hear your replies as well.
Bye for now.
Karleah
This Is a Reply to: Msg 22 by felsefeci
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Message 24 of 5992 Reply
my responce Manchot_13
10/4/98 2:34 pm
Hi,
I like magic-users, in particular my dear Shana'gan. He is the greatest
charecter I have ever played. He is the only charecter I have ever played
as far as 21rst level. It was amazing. He even suvived the amazing underwater
adventure where a fellow mage cast lightning bolt! more later!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 23 by Karleah
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Message 25 of 5992 Reply
Favorite class: Thief Dustin_00
(28/M/Redmond) 10/5/98 2:01 pm
Armed with caltrops, a Wand of Darkness, a bag of dust, and Long-tooth
daggers (do damage as short swords). Maybe some poison from a recently
killed scorpion.
When things get bad, only the Thief can cause the chaos and confusion
to let the players get out of their lives with their heads still attached
to their necks.
Of course, after doing this, you end up being the only one that gained
experience. In a new campaign, I ended up being level 5 when everyone
else was reaching level 2. When the party was attacked by 4 harpys and
they all paused to listen to the pretty music, I killed all of the harpys
in a few short rounds. At first, everyone was "Thanks! You saved us."
then it was "How'd the thief do that?" followed by a
*lot* of strange looks.
Then there was the party looking at the sleeping dragon, "OK, we reached
it, now, how are we going to kill it?" And the thief suddenly slips out
over all the noisy loose gold and glides over on a flying carpet. Backstab
with the poison, and presto: no dragon. And a bunch of party members asking
(again), "How'd he do that?" and getting even more nervous about the quiet
thief that they let hang around at the back of the party... ;-)
OK, so I had an unusual thief who believed/acted as if he was a paladin
while at the same time getting better and better at sneaking up and backstabbing
the bad guy. He believed to the core in saving the damsle in distress/kidnapped
wife/world/etc but no one taught him "honor in battle"....
While the party is engaging the ogres and minotaurs and realizing the
enemy wizard is getting ready to let loose a fireball. They're glad they
brought me along when the wizard gurgles and falls over dead.
I'm rambling... later!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 23 by Karleah
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Message 26 of 5992 Reply
Core Rules 2.0 Downloads aprfctfit
(24/M/Northern VA) 10/6/98 2:12 am
Hello, all!
This sounds like a great idea for DMs. I'd also like to invite everybody
who has the Core Rules 2.0
CD-ROM to check out my site:
http://www.geocities.com/area51/dungeon/2802/PBeM.html
There you will find many downloads for the program, and more to come.
Also send me your custom creations, please, to make the site better for
others.
Please, no TSR spells, if they are from Wizard's Compendium, as I have
most of that stuff now, and will have the rest soon.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 27 of 5992 Reply
Celebration of club! felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 10/9/98 6:00 am
Today is 9'th of the mounth and we passed a mounth together.Last mounth
we found and gained 17 member visited ~50 visitor and our pages visited
more then 500 times...
No good.
Anyway I belive somewhere of the world there is more DM's don't know our
Guild.I guess we must invite them.
All in all we finished 1st mounth and we have got now something to celebrate.
I want to explain my plans maybe this can make you belive to the guild...
CHATS:
Scudeled for diffrent time zones...(We need more member from everywhere
to do this well)
DESIGNS:
We can create a world together and only for us! We can share the titels
for design a world and create
and use it in our games.
HOMEPAGE:
We can design a homepage for Guild for latest news and to put our worlds
info.
BOOK EXCHANGE:
We can change books,items,anything... For example I need goods and books
as second hand!
EXP.'N'KNOWLAGE EXCHANGE:
Diffrent sub-classes, race ,story infos we can change.
GROUPS:
We can create new groups or find new members...
GAMES:
We can start a game or take place in well known gamws like Ultima Online.
CELEBRATIONS:
We can make for ourselfs and by ourways.Maybe gifts,special actions e.t.c...
Finally to do all of this I'm trying to care of guild as much as I can.But
to do them all and other ideas we need urgent new and active members.
A tree can grow if you give water;a community needs new persons and new
ideas always.
I'm very happy to find you,and will be happy even find any more member
to the guild. Hope to reach many more mounths together...
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 28 of 5992 Reply
Book Exchange? Dustin_00
(28/M/Redmond) 10/9/98 4:43 pm
I'd love to find a copy of _United States Cavalry_ by Jack Yeovil, published
by Games Workshop.
If anybody has a copy they don't want any more, I'd pay good money for
it!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 27 by felsefeci
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Message 29 of 5992 Reply
RAVENLOFT mmmmmmj
(26/M/reynoldsburg,ohio) 10/9/98 7:42 pm
ANYBODY INTO RAVENLOFT!! I JUST RECENLY HAD MY PLAYERS MEET STRAD AND
AZALIN IN THE TIME OF THIER WAR WITH EACH OTHER!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 30 of 5992 Reply
Hello!!!! dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 10/15/98 1:08 am
I am back and alive. I was on vacation for two weeks so I have had to
check up on all of you. At least we are not having the problems that DMhaven
is having. They have had some very offensive people there, with swearing
and all. Not even it seems, interested in D&D at all. Any way, here goes.
My favorite class or should I say the most fequent one I choose, is the
warrior. I think it's because it is
so far removed from my true self that I can really let loose. The most
fun character I've ever played has got to be my namesake...Yemina, gnome
thief turned scout. I have only died three times, so I guess that is good
for a thief!!!!! The first time was when she was trying to be brave and
save everyone from a circular room full of mummies who were guarding their
treasure. She took a torch and ran down the hall
setting them all on fire. REAL dumb move.
My favorite race has got to be elves. I have and elven warrior (!) that
is married to a human paladin. Long story. Right now, she is on a quest
to find said husband and return him from the influence of evil. Like I
said, LONG story. My husband and I have been playing these characters
for almost eight years. They had retired to raise their twins, but evil
had other plans.
Which brings me to my latest dilemma. In said campaign, I am also playing
a NE warrior and am having difficulty doing so. Any suggestions??
I await replys.
Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 23 by Karleah
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Message 31 of 5992 Reply
Hi everybody Karleah
(133/M/BC) 10/15/98 10:55 am
Hi Yemina and hi fellow club members:
I was very upset regarding what happened to Dm's haven. I was very busy
with school and work a whole week and when I took a look around I was
surprised to find the latest news. Very luckily this club is still populated
by very good players and DM and I am happy to be part of it. I apologize
to the founder for not replying before to his e-mails and messages. I
got them all and read them. I think there
is one thing I do completely agree with and it is the fact that I think
we should be satisfied on how things are going here, number of members
and pages viewed. Few and good is better than many but bad... Or at least
this is what I think. For sure we can organize something that can make
this club more interactive and due to the fact that usually "reality"
is not gifting away much time a chat is a good idea but maybe we should
also think to an alternative where interaction can be posted in messages.
I think we can choose a topic and go from there, but I will leave this
to the capable hands of Felsefeci.
CE & CN). Mostly because they cause more problems than I want to deal
with. Lawful Evil is my only exception to the normal 'No Evil' rule, but
I will let people play it if I know they can do it properely. When I play,
I stick to the alignments that I am more confortable with (CG,NG,LN,LE
& sometimes LG).
As far as advise goes, usually I look to the outer planes for information
on how the different alignments work. I mean that if you want to play
Lawful Neutral, mondrone society gives a great view of how things are,
orderly and structured. Want to make a deal with the devil? Years ago
the stats for Satan were written up (including the rules for making a
deal with him). He was Lawful Evil, meaning we will make his own rules
to live by, twist the law to favor himself, and always find the loopholes
in any contract. But he does follow the rules, and if you can find a loophole
to use against him, and he can't find a way out of it, we will comply
(but he won't like it).
Do a little research into the Neutral Evil planes, and you will probably
find examples of how members of that alignment behave.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 30 by dragn_lady
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Message 33 of 5992 Reply
Planes and stuff dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 10/15/98 10:48 pm
Thanks, I've been having problems with this PC. My normal alignments that
I play are CGor NG. This guy happens to be a Zhentarim who has successfully
turned a paladin of Tyr over to the dark side. Whoa, that sounded like
I've been watching Star Wars too much!! But, as you can imagine, when
I really get out with this guy, things tend to go slower becasue I'm still
shaky on what to do or expect. At least with my NG PC, I know where he
stands...likes to drink, get drunk, take out tables with his head, no
problem!! He also fancies himself a ladies man, but has gotten slapped
so many times, he has a permanent ringing in his head!!!!
I'll do some checking in the Negative Planes and hopefully get some more
insite. Any one else?
Oh to the founder of this very well received club...I too received all
memos and e-mails, but not until after vacation. Besides, I have a dinosaur
for a machine and can't do chats. AOL instant messanger it can handle.
Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 32 by zmech13
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Message 34 of 5992 Reply
Negative Planes???? zmech13
10/16/98 12:09 pm
I assume you ment to say Neutral Evil planes. The Negative plane is one
of the inner planes that touches the elemental planes of fire, water,
earth, and air. Although that might not be a bad idea, the Negative plane
would seem like a good source of information on the neutral evil alignment.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 33 by dragn_lady
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Message 35 of 5992 Reply
My fellow DM's...I'm looking for arcane Lord_Hawkins
10/20/98 1:42 am
Yes....!
I painfully downloaded all the Ravenloft OOP's that TSR got on their site
(before the WOTC join). I was getting all ready for prining, insertin
all graphics an so...
But some gremlin came to do his trade with my system...
I lost all them...!
All the modules
-Goblin feast
-Night of the Living Dead
-The Ship of horrors
and a lot more were destroyed
Exist some good soul in the Realms (or another plane) who got them and
can send me all (or some)
with the graphics. I'll send you back a Word 97 version...
HELP
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 36 of 5992 Reply
Interested but short on gunpowder Lord_Hawkins
10/20/98 1:47 am
Please read my message "Looking for arcane texts"
Done some Dungeon Adeventures on the setting and it seems cool...!
But time will tell
This Is a Reply to: Msg 29 by mmmmmmj
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Message 37 of 5992 Reply
Newbie shade_the_black_knight
(24/M/uk) 10/21/98 12:24 pm
Hi Guys.
I have just wandered over from the DM's Haven. since most of the good
guys from ther ecame here.
I would deem it a personal favour if you chaps would check out
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/freeformroleplay for me and let me know what
you think. I have some good rp'ers there (I have no idea if they are male
or female) and I could do wit h your opinions on how we are getting on.
Thanks in advance
Shade
PS Feel free to join in if you like what you see.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 38 of 5992 Reply
Ah, well..... dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 10/28/98 12:47 am
Negative, neutral, it's all the same to me. BAD STUFF!!!! I really haven't
had much time to check either out, as we are getting ready to bring another
player to this Prime Material plane. I have just over a month to go, so
I tire easily and get real cranky at times. That is when I wish I could
roleplay that NE character!! I won't need to act!! Anyway, at least we
don't have the problems that Haven has. Our
founder won't let that happen.
Oh, I need some
more advice. When we finally rescue the twins we are trying to save, I'll
be taking over one of them (seeing how my main female fighter is their
mom) and I don't know how to act as a 14 year old anymore. Too many years
have gone by. I'm just not sure if it's going to be the girl, who has
some training as a mage, or the boy who has some training as a ranger.
Mind you, these are 1/2 elves being trained by full elves. So, there is
that mind set. Also, we are not sure yet if they have been tortured or
not. Long story! Any way, all thoughts are welcome. Ciao! Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 34 by zmech13
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Message 39 of
5992 Reply
Yemina shade_the_black_knight
(24/M/England, UK) 10/28/98 8:33 am Would elves train youngsters at 14?
I thought that elves considered there young to be childeren up to the
age of at least fifty if not one hundered. Besides that, if the are training
for a profession, then they will probably act alot like adults, although
they will at times :- Not always see the bigger picture Try to prove themselves
by biting off more than they can chew.
Be prone to finding
strange things funny/rude. Ask seemingly irrelevant questions. Grow weary
of tedious chores and want to get on and do the big exciting stuff/spells.
Want to know "why" a lot, especially after telling them they cannot do
something. Sulk Be niave about sex Get crushes on older people I hope
this helps you play a teenager. Shade This Is a Reply to: Msg 38 by dragn_lady
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Message 40 of
5992 Reply
Well... dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 10/29/98 1:21 am The children are 1/2 elven twins
of a human paladin of Tyr and a full elven fighter. Their "uncle" is a
character of mine also, how likes to at times drink too much and take
out tables with his head. So these youngsters have a lot of testosterone
influence around them. Not to mention their grandfather is a blacksmith.
All this goings on is of course in Sembia, where no one really likes elves.
By the way. Sounds like you have some experience at some of those traits!!!!!:0)
Yemina, Scout This Is a Reply to: Msg 39 by shade_the_black_knight
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Message 41 of
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Yemina shade_the_black_knight
(24/M/England, UK) 10/29/98 7:00 am I have a good memory, also it was
not that long ago that I was one myself. I also have a lot of younger
cousins, and closer family who are phisically older but..... :^> I would
suggest that your twins would be confident if not down right arrogant
with this sort of family environment. Possibly spoiled and indulged when
young? Shade, um..knight This Is a Reply to: Msg 40 by dragn_lady
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Message 42 of
5992 Reply
Arrogant? dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 10/30/98 12:06 am Arrogant is probably not the word
for them. Spoiled, definitely. Their father found an extremly large horde
of svirfneblin rubies when he was just a lowly fighter and so...lots of
stuff. I guess that I'm just too old to remember that age. Though one
thing. I have a nine year old that is already going through preteen stuff.
I was cursed by my mother to have a daughter just like me, and it has
apparently come to be. I just hope that my next Beeper (due in about 1
month) is not as head strong. But then again, that makes for good players.
The 9 year old has already started playing. We keep things easy for her
until she remembers the ropes. Thanks for the advice! Yemina, Scout and
personal bodyguard of Fendicaf This Is a Reply to: Msg 41 by shade_the_black_knight
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Message 43 of
5992 Reply
INFRA VISION Mortimor_Paladin_of_Tyr
(35/M/Surd, Sembia, Faerun) 10/30/98 7:15 pm There seem to be many ways
to play this. The DMG gives a couple of ways and I've heard of thers.
My way is that for infra vision to work some light must be present, whether
it be star light, moon light or a distant candle. In pitch darkness, absolutely
no light, infra vision does not work. My reasoniog being that if infra
vision worked in the absents of light, a darkness spell cast upon the
individual would be useless. No, just be cause it is a spell does not
mean it should cancel out the infra vision which is in it self a magical
sight. How do others out there deal with this ???? This Is a Reply to:
Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 44 of
5992 Reply
Creativity, curiosity,
and... Karleah (133/M/BC) 10/31/98 1:49 pm Hi: In order to play a teen-ager
elf I would try to remember this: -curiosity and creativity are some of
the most important characteristics for elves and I think this is especially
true for the young ones -Being an half-elf myself, I usually remember
to use some human characteristics as for example being bold, or more aggressive
than the elves, and looking for new challenges(particularly the impossible
ones) - I would add some conflicts between the adolescent and the adults
and I would consider the half-elves becoming adults later than the humans
(E.g. my character sometimes acts like a younger person than an human
of the same age) -Usually, I keep in mind that the young tends to dream
more about the future than the adults and therefore they usually have
much more fun and troubles! I hope this can help. Have fun ;-) Karleah
This Is a Reply
to: Msg 42 by dragn_lady
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Message 45 of
5992 Reply
Boy or girl ?
Karleah (133/M/BC) 10/31/98 1:51 pm Hi Yemina: I read another very young
player is going to join this world in a month or so... boy or girl? Congratulations
! Karleah
This Is a Reply
to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 46 of
5992 Reply
New player dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 11/2/98 9:55 pm Our new player to be is a girl and
she's due in about 4 weeks. Needless to say, when we play I don't have
to act too much when it comes to being nasty. This past Sunday, my dwarf
fighter (male) rolled more natural 20's than I have seen in a long time!!!!!!!!
He was taking out ghasts by himself as well as lost souls.
Those things are
something I don't think you'll find in books. They can be very nasty.
They are trapped between planes ghosts, who target priests for release.
When not granted, they attack. Such fun. At least now, though, we finally
have a couple more players to finish out our game. I was getting very
tired running two players as well as be secretary and taking the minutes
down. Plus, having to help the novice player along somewhat.
One problem though.
Our original group is known as the 4 Fingerd Hand. Whenever we adventure
with 5 characters, one always dies. We come back with only 4. This time,
we went out with 8. Two have left because of a life and death situation
(worse than what we were facing) and one of us is already undead. He's
still good though. That leaves only one more to go. Scary, huh?!?! Oh,
my nine year old plays occasionally too. Just the basics. She enjoys being
with us as well as playing. My mother the paranoyed worry wort was upset
that we were teaching her, but tuff. My daughter, my rules, my life. Don't
let anyone try and tell you what to do think or say. Stand up for yourself.
Even us demihumans have rights, too!!!!! Enough soap boxing. More later!!!
Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply
to: Msg 45 by Karleah
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Message 47 of
5992 Reply
Good stuff! Karleah
(133/M/BC) 11/3/98 4:00 am Absolutely right ! :o) !!! Karleah This Is
a Reply to: Msg 46 by dragn_lady
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Message 48 of
5992 Reply
Congratulations
shade_the_black_knight (24/M/England, UK) 11/4/98 8:18 am To Yamina. Hope
it all goes well. Remeber to keep your comp handy, we don't want you to
be out of action for a while. +8^D Shade
This Is a Reply
to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 49 of
5992 Reply
Days are passing...
felsefeci (26/M/ISTANBUL) 11/10/98 6:24 am Days are passing very quick.We
passed second mounth.We are growing with gaining new members but sometimes
we can not find themes to discuss... I hope every member esspecialy new
members can bring at least one quest to discuss. By the way I specialy
thank to dragonlady and Karleah for sharing information and all members
for careing guild and be a part of it.
This Is a Reply
to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 50 of
5992 Reply
hows this? Manchot_13
11/10/98 5:02 pm over numbercrunching i.e. XP subabilities etc.
This Is a Reply
to: Msg 49 by felsefeci
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Message 51 of 5992 Reply
Confusion dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 11/11/98 12:34 am
I am just a little bit confused as to what subabilities are. The number
crunching I get. I do that sometimes if the party members have really
exceeded my expectations and I am being asked what they got and have no
clue at the time. Other than that, I only crunch down a lot of the cash
that they find. If by chance they find a stash from a immature dragon,
they can't be expected to carry our tons of stuff and not run into said
dragon. So, if I am in a good mood, I'll crunch things down to make it
easier. Other wise, each to his own, and the dragon has roared!!!
Have to sign off for now...need to strech the tired back and legs.
Yemina, Scout and soon to be mom (again)
:o)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 50 by Manchot_13
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Message 52 of 5992 Reply
Subabilities aprfctfit
(24/M/Northern VA) 11/11/98 12:39 am
These are from the Player's Option rule books. They let you break down
each of your 6 ability scores into subabilities. Like Dexterity has the
subs of Aim and Balance. You can then take your 15 Dex PC and modify the
numbers slightly to have a 13 Aim and a 17 Balance, for example. This
would lower your missile attack adj, but would improve your AC. Every
ability score is broken into 2 subs, in this manner.
For more details, check out Player's Option: Skills & Powers
This Is a Reply to: Msg 51 by dragn_lady
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Message 53 of 5992 Reply
Subs dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 11/13/98 12:07 am
I think I get it now. Never tried it. How does it run?
Yemina
This Is a Reply to: Msg 52 by aprfctfit
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Message 54 of 5992 Reply
Help needed! felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 11/16/98 9:35 am
We have new members and new members are new quests! One are new members
has got a question and he need help urgently... I wanna share this question
with you. Please answer him.Don't forget here is a guild and we are brothers!
(and sisters too...)
Here is the request:
Date:
Sat, 14 Nov 1998 05:34:58 -0800 (PST)
From:
alternate2k2@yahoo.comAdd to Address Book
To:
felsefeci@yahoo.com
Subject:
Yahoo!Clubs Dungeon Master's Guild
Greetings from beyond.
I've just beeen given the post of DM at a RPG club i setup
in College And frankly People i Need Help.
I seem to be the onlyone who knows enough about the game to run but hey
i love a challenge so I SHALL GO FOURTH AND CONQUER.
i hope ye can help me arise to the task and give those characters the
ride of their lives.
Talk to ya soon.
:)fleetwoood mac
Ranger of the land of Darkside
Alternate..............
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 55 of 5992 Reply
Willing to help, but ... shade_the_black_knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/16/98 5:25 pm
What exactly is the question?
What does this guy need help with?
Let me know, and I'll only be too eager to help.
Shade
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 56 of 5992 Reply
Shade_the_black_lawyer Manchot_13
11/16/98 10:12 pm
for a $200 consultation fee?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 57 of 5992 Reply
Help is here...I think dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 11/17/98 12:00 am
So what is the exact question and what dost thou need? I'm basically just
sitting around right now, as I can't travel too far. With just about 2
weeks to go, I won't be going far. Let me know!!
Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 54 by felsefeci
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Message 58 of 5992 Reply
shade_the_black_knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/17/98 8:13 am
Different club.
Anyway, to you $175, and thats cuttin me own throat.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 56 by Manchot_13
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Message 59 of 5992 Reply
I was the one looking for help Alternate2k2
11/17/98 10:51 am
Hi dragn lady
well the email i sent was a plea for help because i have just setup an
AD&D club here in college in Ireland and i am having nutin but problems.
I Dont know what books to get to startup, I have never acted as a DM before,
and well i need advise.
Everyone else in the club are more lost than i am so i seem to be the
clubs only hope of getting off the ground (what a hope ha ).
so drop me an email of something soon.
Thanx.
Alternate...........
My EMail is Alternate2k2@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 57 by dragn_lady
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Message 60 of 5992 Reply
What you need shade_the_black_knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/18/98 8:23 am
A PH (Players Handbook)
A DMG (Dungeon Masters Guide)
A MM (Monster Manual)
Some dice
Your imagination and a bloody good sense of humour.
You NEED nothing else. All else are accessories/extras and should be purchased
only if you feel they will add value to the game.
Allow the players to ONLY read the PH. If poss. do not let them read the
DMG or the MM. This may sound harsh but it is in there best interests
not to know. Let them learn stuff as there characters do.
Boxed Sets.
I would suggest against buying a boxed set this early in your gaming experience.
Start off with a small map of a local area with some rough notes and make
up an adventure. This area can always be merged into a larger map later.
Good Luck
Shade
I am always around if you need help. I am in the UK, so same timezone.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 59 by Alternate2k2
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Message 61 of 5992 Reply
Thanx for the help Alternate2k2
(19/M/Castlebar ,Ireland) 11/19/98 6:28 am
Hey its great to hear from someone in the sametime zone. I'm getting tired
of this email.
MAybe we could talk some time.
I dont have much access to a computer, I only catch few hours at college
now and then.
I hope to have the club up and running this week so i can at last become
an acting DM.
Thanx
See latter
Alternate..............
This Is a Reply to: Msg 60 by shade_the_black_knight
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Message 62 of 5992 Reply
No probs Shade_the_Black_Knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/19/98 8:19 am
Gimme a shout if you get stuck.
A Scot (stuck) in England
This Is a Reply to: Msg 61 by Alternate2k2
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Message 63 of 5992 Reply
infra vision keiron_macbane
(26/M/Washington, DC) 11/24/98 5:46 pm
Greetings,
I am new here, so I'll say "hi" with the hopes of having many great discussions
and exchanging much information.
Now on infra vision. If memory serves, and it very well might not since
it has been a while since I have actually played a demi human, infra vision
allows demi humans to see partially into the infra-red spectrum, as well
as the normal visible light spectrum. This allows them to see the heat
given off (whether geothermal, body heat, torches, candles, etc) from
objects, allowing demi humans to augment their normal vision underground
and at night. Years ago, especially becore AD&D, when everything was Basic,
Expert, Companion...etc box sets, it was impressed on adventurers traveling
with demi humans to limit the use of torches when underground, as it often
screwed with infra vision. I haven't seen much on this recently, tho.
The reason that infra vision doesn't work through a Darkness spell is
probably because the Darkness spell may have been intended to block all
electromagnetic waves, the visible spectrum and infra red, ultra violet,
x-rays, etc. I would assume that an X-ray vision spell would not work
through a Darkness spell for the same reason. Any thoughts on this?
Keiron MacBane
This Is a Reply to: Msg 43 by Mortimor_Paladin_of_Tyr
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Message 64 of 5992 Reply
Hi, welcome aboard Shade_the_Black_Knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/25/98 4:27 am
My interpretation of darkness is that it blocks 99% of "stuff". Practically
nobody can see through it.
I dimly remeber hearing of 1 thing that could, but I cannot remember what
it was. A demon or something?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 63 by keiron_macbane
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Message 65 of 5992 Reply
New Guy Talon_Kaarde
(13/M/Charleston, SC) 11/25/98 7:01 pm
Hey all. I'm a new member of this club. I just want to let you all know
that I'm an experienced DM with hundreds of generic realms and races.
If you need any help with anything, just ask.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 66 of 5992 Reply
Welcome aboard. Shade_the_Black_Knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/26/98 4:13 am
An experienced DM at 13?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 65 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 67 of 5992 Reply
Hey there Alternate2k2
(19/M/Castlebar ,Ireland) 11/26/98 3:17 pm
hey ya talon
Welcome in Man!.
I just joined recently and am a completely wet behind the ears DM, Hell
My cllub is'nt even properly formed yet. I might call on ya somtime if
thats ok, Because i am lost.
Alternate...........
Somewhere out there.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 65 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 68 of 5992 Reply
talk in the chat room Alternate2k2
(19/M/Castlebar ,Ireland) 11/26/98 3:28 pm
Hey do any of you guys want to chat sometime.
Post a time and i'll see if i can make it.
(not after six i cannot find the access (scotty))
No pun against you Black Night.
Alternate...........
Somewhere out there.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 69 of 5992 Reply
Problem? Talon_Kaarde
(13/M/Charleston, SC) 11/30/98 11:53 am
Yes, I am an experienced 13 year old DM. Is there a problem with that?
I have been DMing since I was old enough to read and have been to 20 different
conventions so far.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 66 by Shade_the_Black_Knight
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No offence meant Shade_the_Black_Knight
(24/M/England, UK) 11/30/98 12:33 pm
Just a bit shocked is all.
Things aint what they used to be.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 69 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 71 of 5992 Reply
Things aint what they used to be Talon_Kaarde
(13/M/Charleston, SC) 11/30/98 4:25 pm
What's that supposed to mean, huh? You think that because I'm only 13
that I can't be a good DM? Is that it? Well, let me tell you, buddy, I
have probably had more experience in this game in 9 years than you have
had in myour entire life. I skipped preschool so that I could DM games
at a local park for a group of 30-year olds. Don't fuck with me, ok?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 70 by Shade_the_Black_Knight
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Message 72 of 5992 Reply
hmmm... keiron_macbane
(26/M/Washington, DC) 11/30/98 6:55 pm
Ok kids.....I think that's enough. Nothing derrogatory was meant by Shade's
comment so just drop it. I think Shade's comment was more directed at
the "Old Folks"(TM) (just strap us in a wheelchair and stick us in the
home) here, those who have been playing for 18 or more years. The message,
if I interpret it correctly, and Shade, please correct me if I am wrong,
was intended to let us "Old Folks"(TM) know that we indeed are geeting
older and that there are younger people with significant experience as
well.
Let's please try to keep the profanity to a minimum.
Keiron_MacBane
This Is a Reply to: Msg 71 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 73 of 5992 Reply
Sorry Talon_Kaarde
(13/M/Charleston, SC) 12/1/98 12:50 pm
Sorry about the hate message. I was kinda in a bad mood then. My girlfriend
broke up with me, my computer got a virus, my hand got slammed in a car
door, $75 was stolen from me, and some of my hair decided to spontaneously
combust. No hard feelings, huh?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 74 of 5992 Reply
Guild Game Talon_Kaarde
(13/M/Charleston, SC) 12/1/98 12:58 pm
I propose we have a guild game. It wouldn't nessecarily be a long term
campaign but it could be something we do every once in a while. We all
put up characters, and maybe do an arena kind of thing. We could alternate
DMs at every tournament and have different events that we can enter our
characters into. I'm not exactly experienced with Yahoo Chat so I'm not
sure if it has a dice rolling operation but if not, we can just roll the
dice at our house and post the results in the chat. We might even have
a different room for each event. If you agree with me, I propose that
we do this on a weekend so the Youngsters(TM) (Just gives us some soda
and watch us fly) can paricipate too.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 75 of 5992 Reply
Cool with me. Shade_the_Black_Knight
(24/M/England, UK) 12/1/98 1:05 pm
Kerion was right though, I am semi-reminiscing. There can be no doubt
that you are a remarkable and possibly quite unique child, and at times
you have shown amazing maturity and thoughtfulness in your postings. I
am however from a different culture and age group where thirteen year
olds are, for want of a better word, children. I remember the "good old
days" and I have no doubt that people older than me will tell you the
same, but kids seem older nowadays, spending less time as "children",
while still being physically young.
I guess I am getting old.
Shade
This Is a Reply to: Msg 73 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 76 of 5992 Reply
Would love to, but... Shade_the_Black_Knight
(24/M/England, UK) 12/1/98 1:12 pm
A) I am from the UK. Time zones are a bugger.
B) I am also a family man, so my time is usually limited, especially at
weekends.
I have found the best thing for me is a message game, where age, location
and circumstances are a lot more flexible.
Shade
PS Kerion was TM meaning Trademark or "That's Me"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 74 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 77 of 5992 Reply
How is things Tamerath Alternate2k2
(19/M/Castlebar ,Ireland) 12/5/98 9:55 am
Welcome along man.
I was looking at your profile and on paper we've got a few things in common
well hey just thought i'd point that out, Wheres WV anyway.
see ya in cyperspace .
Alternate...........
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 78 of 5992 Reply
I second that! Tamerath
(19/M/WV) 12/8/98 7:51 pm
Sounds like a plan to me if the others are willing to join in the planning.
Does Yahoo have a dice rolling system, and if so, how does it work? Until
We Meet Again
Tamerath Dranzara
This Is a Reply to: Msg 74 by Talon_Kaarde
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Message 79 of 5992 Reply
Ages dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 12/9/98 11:12 pm
Hey Shade, your not old...yet!!!!
Try having your nine year old tell you how to do something, then you might
be called old.
Yemina
This Is a Reply to: Msg 75 by Shade_the_Black_Knight
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Message 80 of 5992 Reply
A new RPG company is seeking talent tiolos
(23/M) 12/14/98 9:34 am
ever wanted to play test a new game?...or a series of new games...ever
wanted to see all those hours of work you put into coming up with a new
campaign get printed?...Peregrine Mountain Games is looking for you then...we
are looking for interested parties for some alpha playtesting of our new
line of RPGs. We are also looking to get some help in the long term development
of the whole system.
And for any of you that can draw better than us (that means something
better than stick figures) please contact us as well...we would love to
have you on board.
Please visit us here at our Yahoo Club
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/peregrinemountain
thanks
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 81 of 5992 Reply
Used Adventures? Tamerath
(19/M/WV) 12/16/98 3:12 pm
As DM's, we all have a pretty good amount of experience under our belts.
We should start a sort of game session exchange. I, myself, have loads
upon loads of adventures that I could swap with new DMs. This would be
perfect for DMs when your caught in a jam or just need a fast adventure
plot or something. What do the rest of you think?
Good Idea?
Until We Meet Again
Tamerath Dranzara
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 82 of 5992 Reply
GREAT IDEA DRACCONIC
(27/M/PONCA CITY, OKLAHOMA) 12/16/98 3:49 pm
IT'S A GREAT IDEA BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE STARTED AS A CLUB ALL ITS OWN
WHERE YOU CAN ASK FOR THEM OR POST WHAT IS COOL OR A LIST THAT DM'S COULD
SEND AN EMAIL REQUEST TO YOU FOR THE SPECIFICS
This Is a Reply to: Msg 81 by Tamerath
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Message 83 of 5992 Reply
Re: Used Adventures Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 12/16/98 8:21 pm
Hi, I just joined this club. I'm very much for the idea of posting old
adventure ideas. I think that it could be handled by this club, at least
initially. It would be interesting to see what people have to say. A lot
of adventures that I've run or played in were very specific to the characters
in the campaign or the campaign setting itself though. I hope some of
them might be useful in any case. Please send an example soon!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 84 of 5992 Reply
Games dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 12/16/98 8:52 pm
It is a good idea, especially if you like to throw in sub-plots into your
games. I like to do that on occasion just to keep things active. My husband
started that. It can be especially fun if you have novice players who
want to do EVERYTHING that can be done. It gets them motivated and thinking
as well as yourself.
Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 81 by Tamerath
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merry christmas, happy new year and holy felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 12/23/98 3:11 am
I hope every body can happy both of his/her worlds (real and fancy)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Happy New Year Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 1/10/99 3:31 pm
Happy New Year to you too! I'm curious as to what everyone's rpg projects
are as we go into 1999. I'm going back to basics and helping out in a
D&D campaign, myself.
Also, I have a request for information. I heard there was a Sailor Moon
rpg that came out last month. Does anyone know anything about it? How
is it?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 87 of 5992 Reply
Fast and Loose... TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 1/12/99 12:43 am
...that's how my game has been described by other players. I DM from the
hip, that is, without pre-designed modules or adventures. The one tool
I'd like to find is a good map maker. I have Core Rules by TSR, but don't
care for their version. If anyone knows of a good one, please let me know.
I've been playing since 1978, and DMing for much of that. I invite all
to come see my website, which is dedicated to my favorite and oldest AD&D
character. The URL is:www.angelfire.com/or/sirbeef
And please leave comments about the page or it's contents. They're very
helpful.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 88 of 5992 Reply
1st Ed. AD&D... Still the One Baby!!! Jestyr_B
(29/F/California) 1/12/99 3:28 pm
I am entirely in love with your webpage, TruckerBear. I've been playing
since 1987, GM'ing since 1992 (not as impressive, I know), and my love
for First Edition outweighs 2nd, still.
As for MapMakers, they say Campaign Cartographer is IT in terms of Mapping
(using CAD technology). If you would like, I can give you the names of
several programs reviewed by Dragon Magazine in issue 224 or 225. I, personally
am a by-hand mapper, but it's taking a toll on me now I've got lots to
do realtime.
Also, am looking for 1st Ed. Oriental Adventures: rules, etc. and....
Does anyone have access to a Player's Supplement Gladiator's Handbook
(was put out in early to mid-1990's)? I'd love to find it as a netbook.
It was the most comprehensive piece I found on Gladiatorial combat and
Athas' Arenas. It's the only Handbook I've read cover to cover.
Also, anyone a puzzle guru out there? I'm looking for mind-bogglers (one
of my players has an IQ over 200, and sees through everything I proffer),
and good riddles (no more Tolkiensian riddles please, we all know them
by heart by now...).
Not looking for traps, though. Just tricks.
Thanks!
Jestyr, Beta-Tested, of Course
Just testing to see if I can do a HTML link...
http://www.angelfire.com/or/sirbeef/
Hey! Just click on the URL, and you'll go to TruckerBear's Site... Is
a Must Go for the 1st Ed. Collector.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 87 by TheTruckerBear
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Message 89 of 5992 Reply
An empty chat room is like... TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 1/12/99 11:33 pm
...a day without sunshine? Nahhh. But it's not much use if not used. (that's
gotta make SOME kind of sense...)
We should set a time to come to the chat room. It would be great to "talk"
to one another, rather than just posting messages (like this one...).
Let's say Wednesday evening at 7:00 Pacific. This should keep it from
being too late for those back east. I'll try to be there myself, though
one of our players is likely to try to get me to run our greyhawk group
tomorrow.
Tomorrow then?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 90 of 5992 Reply
Infra vs xray TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 1/12/99 11:40 pm
xray vision supposedly has a 20' range. As a DM, I would rule that if
the area of darkness was less than that distance from the viewer, the
user of xray vision could see beyond the area of darkness. I would further
stipulate that if the user had infravision, it would work in concert with
the xray once beyond the darkness.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 63 by keiron_macbane
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Message 91 of 5992 Reply
infra vs xray DRACCONIC
(27/M) 1/13/99 5:02 pm
Xray is a powerful things and i can see where it might extend to ful range
in daerkness due to the spectrum it wiews in And by working with infra
do you mean gaining distance or seeing in darness bedause of infra vision?
Gaining distance increases power but using it it darkness makes it more
usable other wise all conditions would have to be just right to use it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 90 by TheTruckerBear
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Message 92 of 5992 Reply
Jeystr DRACCONIC
(27/M) 1/13/99 5:31 pm
TRy this one:
Have them looking for something or someone then have a stranger or even
someone they know walk up and tell them this "Come with me. Ican give
you the information you are looking for. I can help bring an end to your
travels."
Then lead them into an ambush and really try to end their travels.
Or i also gave them a bunch of junk like clay pots and stone runes , a
chalice bone daggers with odd shaped blades, figurines and other such
stuff then run them through a maze where each room they enter they face
a battle then they have to solve a puzzle with some of the items they
have aquired. If you want more let me know and i'll email it to yu or
something
This Is a Reply to: Msg 88 by Jestyr_B
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Message 93 of 5992 Reply
Jestyr DRACCONIC
(27/M) 1/13/99 5:57 pm
Also try this one:
Two scroll one message iether one word on one page the next on the other
scroll with the words ran together or every other letter on one scroll
with the answer to a problem in the text somewhere.
email me for details on this also
This Is a Reply to: Msg 92 by DRACCONIC
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Message 94 of 5992 Reply
Hey!! dragn_lady
(32/F/Fitchburg, MA) 1/15/99 4:05 pm
Can anyone get these tidbits? If so, I'd love to get the info. I need
some new stuff to throw at these guys, especially now that I am involved
in a play by club game. I'm not DMing this one, but the DM is my brother-in-law,
and he loves puzzles and usually lets us have fun with new things. He's
also open minded about players throwing stuff at him, too. Just once,
I'd like to stump him on where I get these things!!
If you do send the information to me, e-mail is:
dragn_lady@yahoo.com
My monicker here is Yemina, my next to favorite AD&D character. Thanks!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 93 by DRACCONIC
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Message 95 of 5992 Reply
Dragn_lady DRACCONIC
(27/M) 1/17/99 10:49 am
Sure it is open to all who want it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 94 by dragn_lady
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Message 96 of 5992 Reply
Xrays and Infravision and Darkness greenspaghetti
(15/M/NJ) 1/18/99 8:28 am
The official TSR explaination for Infravision is at http://www.tsr.com/ADND/infra.rtf
.
a similar explaination could be made for X-Rays with a little bit of though
but no one has done it yet.
I contend that Xray too would be blocked 100% by magical Darkness. The
way vision works is that light (rays and waves) reflect off of certain
objects and when they are detected by our eyes, we see them. Infravision
simply allows the eyes to detect Infrared light, which like light reflects
off of certain things. X-ray vision would be the same way. IR waves bounce
off more things than regular light while X-Rays bounce of less things.
Things that appear black or darker, are simply absorbing more light than
their surroundings. /Darkness/ absorbs all light (and rays and waves,
the whole EM spectrum)
Neither is more or less "powerful" than the other, just X-rays are more
energetic. It would be analogous to the tortoise hitting a brick wall
and the hare also hitting the brick wall. One is more energetic but it
won't make a difference in magical darkness.
GreenSpaghetti
This Is a Reply to: Msg 63 by keiron_macbane
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Message 97 of 5992 Reply
A really cool place for netbooks and stu greenspaghetti
(15/M/NJ) 1/18/99 8:44 am
I was just surfing and I found www.netrpg.com
It has netbooks and all sorts of great resouces.
(And when I say netbooks I mean around 50 of them)
GreenSpaghetti
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 98 of 5992 Reply
Looking for adventures Mekesss
(16/M/Huntington Beace CA) 1/19/99 4:51 pm
Help! I'm looking for adventures online for my online AD&D game that i
have just started. I have enough for a week or two, but I need more. Any
idea where I could get some?
Mekesss
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci View Replies to this Message
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Message 99 of 5992 Reply
Gaming Ideas Postmodern1
1/20/99 10:36 am
Greetings! I'm hoping to get either some chats or postings going about
adventures that other DMs have run in either Greyhawk or Lankhmar. The
Forgotten Realms campaign I'm running is bumping into these other two
worlds as part of a relic-related quest, and I'm looking for world-specific
encounters/mini-adventures/flavorings. Any thoughts or suggestions?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 100 of 5992 Reply
Greyhawk lite... TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 1/20/99 6:52 pm
I've been using the Greyhawk maps for my current campaign. I've not been
using the official Cities, governments or NPC's of the world. Fact is,
my group is just now heading for the eastern half of the map. As for Lankhmar,
I've used it's map also, but not in conjunction with it's guidelines.
What kinds of things are you looking for specifically? New critters to
bump into, maps, or something completely different?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 99 by Postmodern1
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Message 101 of 5992 Reply
Like a Thunderhead Screaming Through the Jestyr_B
(29/F/California) 1/22/99 4:11 pm
Greyhawk (get it, it's a simile)....
Hey, TruckerBear, I got the 1st Ed. Greyhawk Campaigns "introduction"
book, and I guess I want to know, are you pulling maps from boxed sets?
I want to discuss Greyhawk a little more, in consideration that I tripped
over this cherry copy (unused, until me -- my store has a supplier who
finds these things stored, still in new condition, in the back of the
supplier's warehouse every now and again, and the store buys 'em, I guess
waiting for me) of it.
Lastly, TruckerBear, how do I present stuff to be put up on your page?
Do I e-mail it to you with attachments (.BMPs of my characters)?
To All who wish to hunt this quarry:
I am trying to work on making Combat easier for me (it's generally CHAOS!!!),
especially to include spells and their quirks.
* I have made a grid, 6x11. 11 is broken down into 1 through 10 and 2nd
Attack. Basically, it's a grid of a "Combat Minute", wherein Players'
rolls are modified and put on the grid. What I want to ask is:
- If a player rolls a high number (say, a 9), and then had a bad modifier
(say, Bunny Slippers of Feet Dragging with a +2 modifier to initiative),
should I (A) allow the player to attack simultaneously with the Second
Attacks or (B) have it overflow into the next 10-second round, (modified
attack Round 2, Segment 1) and let them roll for Round 2 as well. So,
say Bunny Booties Boy rolls a 4 the next time, he will go both on 1 and
on 7 and any Second attacks are added at the end in the buffer?
- Apply the same for Magic users? The snafu with Magic users is: in terms
of rounds, a magic user is not supposed to be able to do anything during
that time, so if Magic user starts spell at Round 1, segment 5, and his
casting time is 2 Rounds, he's on that spell until Round 3 Segment 5,
at which point he's free to roll for a new spell for Round 4.
Do you think I should just let him cast as PHB says, basically at the
buffer time I call Second Attack (ie, the Magic User does not roll at
all, so s/he gets a 0 conceptually)?
- Does this make any sense? Does it matter?
Jestyr, Beta confused, of Course.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 100 by TheTruckerBear
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Message 102 of 5992 Reply
More Grewhawk Postmodern1
1/22/99 8:13 pm
What I was hoping for in Grewhawk info was along the lines of what had
been laid out in the old boxed set. I had some friends who had it when
it was new and I remember very little about it. What I am hoping for is
possibly general governments, notable groups (like the Harpers would be
to the Forgotten Realms), and some known heros. I could work this all
up on my own but if I ever come across the book, I would be able to integrate
my campaign with less work. *shrug* I'd probably modify it anyway, this
might save some time.
So, anything would be great! Thanks!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 101 by Jestyr_B
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Message 103 of 5992 Reply
I looked again and saw... Jestyr_B
(29/F/California) 1/22/99 11:25 pm
I have the book printed in 1988; it's mainly for people with the boxed
set, I guess. Truckerbear's the Greyhawk man.
It has this stuff:
Gods & clerics, critters, some heroes by place, spells, magic items, sites
of interet, some adventure ideas, zero-level character rules.
Interested, still?
OH OH OH, did you know that the whole ecology and setup for the Kender
is in Dragon #101?
The whole thing!!! I've been looking for that for years, and I've had
it in my collection for 2! I wanted to keep the magazine in great condition,
then decided, "what the heck!" and read it (ok, very carefully), and it
had everything and I mean EVERYTHING I wanted to know.
That under your nose saying really applied here...
Thinking tangentially as ever,
I'm going to go take a hot girlie bath (you know, the kind that smells
like flowers and has bubbles) and re-read the DMG, or somethin' of the
like. (Sorry, too much sharing.....) :D
Jestyr, getting Beta as time passes....
This Is a Reply to: Msg 102 by Postmodern1
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Message 104 of 5992 Reply
Wrath of the Immortals Karleah
(34/M/My Nest) 1/23/99 1:20 pm
Hello everybody:
I have a difficult question, I am looking for an old D&D adventure ( I
am not sure if it was already in AD&D format under Mystara Campaign),
however, it is called " The Wrath of the Immortals". If anybody has any
clue on where I could find it to purchase or to exchange with some other
D&D or AD&D material, please, let me know. I would really appreciate it
!!!!!!
Thanks folks.
Karleah
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 105 of 5992 Reply
outside chance, but it's a chance TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 1/23/99 9:41 pm
drop me a line at sirbeef@angelfire.com and I'll give you the email address
of a person with more excess roleplaying stuff than anyone should have.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 104 by Karleah
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Message 106 of 5992 Reply
Thanks Karleah
(34/M/My Nest) 1/25/99 2:28 am
Thanks for the tip. E-mail on its way.
Karleah
PS: Ehy guys, I was away for a while but this club really took off in
the meantime eh? Good stuff!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 105 by TheTruckerBear
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Message 107 of 5992 Reply
New Member yourcouchpotato
1/25/99 12:58 pm
Hi. I'm a new member of this club. I've been working on building an original
campiagn ever since I recieved my DM guide about a year ago. My work is
almost ready for playing, but I'm inexperienced with actually playing
with PCs. I would appreciate any tips on making my job a little smother
and more fun to experience.
yourcouchpotato
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 108 of 5992 Reply
Hey Potato CDHofmann
(34/M/Cape Cod) 1/26/99 2:51 pm
You sound a lot like me when I started. The first book I ever bought was
a DMG. I built dungeons and adventures long before I had ever really played
the game. I spent nearly a year putting together a really complicated
campaign and then didn't really know how to deal with characters when
the time came. I've been at this (being a DM) now for about 15 years and
I would give you one word of advice: don't sweat the small stuff (followed,
of course, by: its all small stuff.) I have learned to put a lot of the
burden on my players. What I mean by that is that I let them worry about
all the rules involved in character generation and different classes and
races. There is just far too much information for me to keep in my head.
I concentrate on keeping the game going and keeping it fun. If you players
have the same goals, it all works out in the end. Now, I have run into
many DMs who have told me I'm nuts to let my players start telling me
what the rules are, but I have found most of these DM's are usually the
"rules monger" type. I have found that letting the players have a chance
to quote rules keeps everyone involved in what is going on. One important
thing to note is that while I did say that I let the players quote rules
that I am unfamilliar with, I NEVER said that I always use them.
I guess that what I'm trying to say is that to be a good DM, you do NOT
have to have a exceptional knowladge of the game. You do have to be prepared
for anything and be willing to listen to everyone concerned. Besides,
the rules are just a guide line, not the law. And you have to be willing
to say no. Just concentrate on keeping it fun and you will do fine.
Just my .02
Chris
This Is a Reply to: Msg 107 by yourcouchpotato
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Message 109 of 5992 Reply
I agree Jason_Breton
(24/M/Maine) 1/26/99 6:32 pm
I think you have a great idea here. I have been playing now for 8 years
(seems like a long time to me, but not nearly as long as some out there).
Now the groups that I play with are over the need to merely gain experience
and kill things. The game is more about the role playing. While I am familiar
with most of the rules, I let players come up with their own opinions
on this. I weigh what they say, and if it sounds feasible (and furthers
everyone's enjoyment) we go with it. It does exactly what you say, allows
me (the DM) to focus on actual campaign ideas and worry about rules less.
Once people starting out figure out that all rules can be modified to
suit your gaming groups desires, everyone has a much better time. Well,
maybe not rules lawyers, but I have not met one yet that wont come around
when you do this.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 108 by CDHofmann
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Message 110 of 5992 Reply
More for Potato Postmodern1
1/27/99 2:49 pm
The #1 thing I would tell you about running a game echos the advice that
CD and Jason have already mentioned: don't let the written rules keep
the game from running smoothly. I often alter encounters and combats,
from adjusting hit rolls or npc hp to modifying treasures and magic item
strength to keep the story flowing smoothly and to keep game balance.
The things that will destroy a gaming session for the entire evening could
be the smallest, most inconsequential things; feel free to edit them to
keep things rolling.
Find out what makes each of your players tick; one person might be a hack-and-slasher,
make sure they have an opportunity for combat or the will loose interest.
One person might be fueled by new items (not neccisarily magical, just
uniques ones) - a silver-edged dagger with engraved runes on the blade
and a hidden opening in the hilt goes a _lot_ further than 5000 gold or
a dagger +3. Some people are puzzle solvers, some need npcs to interact
with, etc. Knowing your players is also key to running a good game.
In a new campaign, try to develop something to give the players a goal.
Stomping through a dungeon with no real end-goal gets old quickly. Give
them a hint of a item or person that they will be interested in finding,
owning, or defeating. A recurring enemy or a treasure that always seems
just out of reach are great motivators.
Sorry this got so long, I just enjoy sharing ideas with new gamers. :)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 109 by Jason_Breton
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Message 111 of 5992 Reply
Need some help over here... macbeth_of_klamath
(23/M/Klamath) 1/28/99 1:17 pm
I'm DMing my own campaign but i don't know how to start them off, or where
to start them off, can someone please help me?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 112 of 5992 Reply
Where to start... CDHofmann
(34/M/Cape Cod) 1/28/99 3:15 pm
Well, I would love to help you with some advice but I have a few questions:
1. Are you using pre-gen characters of your own making or allowing the
players to make their own?
2. Where is you campaign taking place?
3. Is your campaign set up as a linear story or is more like a bunch of
small adventures with a common theme?
4. Do the characters know each other (the PC's not the players)?
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. It is very hard for anyone
give you really good advice without knowing the circumstances of your
campaign. However, I can lend you a few ideas that I and DM's I have played
with use.
1. The classic bar brawl. Where everyone in the adventuring party is thrown
together in a jail cell by the the city guard. This works especially well
with groups of PCs who, prior to this event, didn't know each other. Then,
by way of escaping or being released, the party makes a deal to do some
small task for a cell mate, guard, local official; whatever works. This
first adventure can be something small that gives just a tantilizing hint
of what is to come.
2. A similar variation is to have the initial location (city, town, provence)
require civil service. Again, the PCs are thrown into the mix together
to solve some small problem that leads to bigger and better things.
3. I used to play with a DM who started every adventrue off with one of
the PCs getting the snot beat out of them. They were litterally beaten
to death (almost) and left for dead. One or more of the other PCs would
stumble on them in woods where they had been left for dead (or some such
thing.) This was always fun because it meant that at least one of the
party members had an enemy and it always brought the idea of revenge into
all our games.
4. How about a elderly priest or land owner who doesn't have much in the
way of physical atributes who puts out a call for able bodied persons
to help with a "problem." The problem can be anything you want that might
reqire a little muscle.
Anyway, I've gone on too long and I'm sure there are others out there
with even better ideas.
Good luck.
Stepping down off my soap box and going back to lurking.....
This Is a Reply to: Msg 111 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 113 of 5992 Reply
Thanx macbeth_of_klamath
(23/M/Klamath) 1/28/99 3:41 pm
Actually that pritty much did it, thank, i was just looking for a good
way to start things off.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 112 by CDHofmann
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Message 114 of 5992 Reply
Looking for real time players Cavalier_Lord
(31/M/Glendora CA) 2/1/99 1:49 am
Hi, looking for a DM and/or real players for old time rpg AD&D games.
Anyone living in or around the San Gabriel Valley that is interested please
send an e-mail to cavalier_lord@hotmail.com thanks
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 115 of 5992 Reply
Greetings! Danduin_
(29/M) 2/1/99 10:37 pm
Hello everyone, glad to see something like this. I only wish it was around
back in '83 when i started playing D&D but then my TI computer probably
couldn't handle this (some of the files were over 10k in size!) *grin*
anyway just wanted to say hello and ask if anyone on this list is from
the Cincinnati area
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 116 of 5992 Reply
Experience Points Dan32967
(31/M/San Fernando CA) 2/2/99 8:49 pm
I have recently started playing again after ten years. I thought I would
try DMing in the next few weeks. Everybody seems to have a different way
of calculating experience points during an adventure and I'm trying to
find one that I can use. For instance, what are spells worth, and how
do you gather experience during an adventure aside from the monsters you
kill? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 117 of 5992 Reply
XP (sorry I seem to be a bit long winded Danduin_
(29/M/Ohio }-:) 2/2/99 11:21 pm
Don't know if this post will help but it's worth a try. . .
When you think about it Experience Points are just that . . . Points gained
when you (or in this case the PCs) learn something the goal is attained
when you learn enough about something that you actually become better
at it (gain a level). With that in mind you can see that XPs can be gained
from killing monsters, successfully bartering with a stingy merchant,
or even a negative experience (there is that word again)can gain you a
few XPs (I know that I have learned a h*ll of a lot more from my mistakes
than my successes). You have to think in terms of the character(s) getting
the points. Has he/she/it learned anything from this? If so the reward
could be XPs. Now I am not saying that because Grom the giant slayer has
just talked the merchant down from 5 to 2 gold a night for his room that
he should get 100xp but maybe 5 or 10 at the most and that is only if
it was well played."Grom want room for 2 gold or grom smashes you!" is
not well played.The games I ran were very open . . . what I mean is that
there was hardly ever one adventure for the characters I had hooks for
several at any one time some more important than others (with more XP
available)etc. I am not sure about what you meant by". . . what are spells
worth. . ." Like you said everyone has a different way and no doubt you
will too! That is one of the things that makes this game so great even
*gasp* 16 years later. . . Argh I am rambling again, sorry!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 116 by Dan32967
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Message 118 of 5992 Reply
Reply to Cincinnati Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/3/99 8:57 am
Greetings Danduin! I'm not from Cinci, but I'm close. I'm in Columbus.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 115 by Danduin_
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Message 119 of 5992 Reply
Experience Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/3/99 9:19 am
I've been playing the AD&D game since 1979 and since then have gone through
a multitude of philosophies on experience points. I've gone from totaling
the monster XP, the magic item XP, and 1XP per gp and dividing it up equally
amongst the surviving characters (including NPCs), to following the DMG
to the letter as far as which classes get XP from which occurrences (a
record keeping nightmare). Right now I have more of a subjective viewpoint.
I tend to agree with Danduin for the most part, but another thing you
need to consider is the amount of risk that the characters undertook.
How close did a character actually come to death? Did they come through
although the odds were against them? Did the rogue make a life or death
open locks roll? These are good questions to ask when weighing experience
points. Role playing awards are good, too. Did a player make a decision
based on his character's point of view even though the player knew the
decision may have been detrimental? Did the paladin give back the Holy
Avenger when he found out that it was originally stolen from another paladin?
Make notes as you play as to the actions of the characters and then refer
to those notes when handing out experience. Another rule of thumb is don't
sweat it too much. You can gauge it as you go. Ask yourself these questions:
Are your players' characters raising levels too quickly for your campaign?
Too slowly? Properly dealing out experience takes experience. Use the
DMG as a guide and experiment. You'll find an equillibrium in time. Good
luck in your DM endeavors.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 116 by Dan32967
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Message 120 of 5992 Reply
additional thoughts on starting characte Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/3/99 9:39 am
Just wanted to build on CDHoffman's ideas.
I've started many a campaign by having all the PC's come from the same
town. They are lifelong freinds. I usually roll on the secondary skills
table for each of them, giving them a non-adventuring occupation (and
giving bonus NWPs as applicable). Then something happens that threatens
the safety of the town and these young, upstart adventurers decide to
try and save the town. It is really just a logical flow of events.
I played in a campaign once where each of the beginning PC's had a similar
dream that led them to a certain place. This sounds corny, but it worked
in this case, because the dream was intentionally placed there by a dying
mage in a last ditch attempt to defeat his nemisis. A great campaign ensued
as the source and meaning of the dream was discovered over the course
of several adventures.
The new adventurers all have a mutual friend who is in trouble. This friend
sent each of the new characters a letter by messenger. The character's
meet when coming to help their friend. Their friend's "trouble" is the
source of the first adventure.
The adventurers are all travelling to different destinations and all happen
to be in this tavern at one particular time. Suddenly someone bursts into
the tavern in desperate need of adventurer-types. The PC's are the only
ones to rise to the occasion and decide to all work together to help this
person.
If you are running a small group of, say, two or three players, the PCs
can be brothers/sisters, cousins, or something similar who are all out
for revenge over the death of another family member.
Hope these help.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 111 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 121 of 5992 Reply
{-: Danduin_
(29/M/Ohio }-:) 2/3/99 4:03 pm
Well met indeed Umbratikus!
Glad to see that there is at least one ohter role player in Ohio!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 118 by Umbratikus
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Message 122 of 5992 Reply
Re: Starting characters . . . one of my Danduin_
(29/M/Ohio }-:) 2/3/99 7:24 pm
I used this one anytime I started a new group of good aligned characters.
Basically everyone of the soon to be party members has been accused of
some crime or another (I use this chance to inject a bit of humor into
the situation) and thrown in prison. The opening scene starts out with
a guard getting the pc's from their cells and brought before the king,
duke, Lord, local psycho in charge to face the charges. Each character
is told exactly what he was charged with and a suitably horrible punishment
for said crime. Once all the players are properly sentencced the king/lord/etc.
says something to the effect of "this however is your lucky day." *This
part is not for the PCs to hear* There is some dirty job with little chance
of success that needs to be done. Rather than waste perfectly good men
on the task the king has decided to use the PCs. With a full pardon for
their crimes if they succeed, if they fail, well we wont get into that
here (there may be children about). You can obviously set up any conditions
to inusre the party does not take off as soon as they are 100 feet from
the keep, such as a mage watching the group in case they stray too far
off track, magic missles are a great deterrent sometimes
And remember the king does not have to honor his agreement which can create
all sorts of fun little "problems" for the players. Being wanted by the
local lord/psycho is not all that it is cracked up to be.
That is a very basic outline which if i remember correctly was borrowed
from a tournament module of some sort. . . but it does work better than
the you all lived in the same village. . . which is fine, but I have grown
weary of that one *shrug*
This Is a Reply to: Msg 120 by Umbratikus
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Message 123 of 5992 Reply
About experience point bonuses... TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 2/3/99 10:59 pm
Does anyone see a brain fart on the part of Gygax, with regards to experience
point bounuses, or is it just me? For myself, I don't give out the 10%
additional xp bonus unless the character has a prime requisite score of
BELOW 15.
Think about it. Will the thief with a dex of 13 work harder than one with
a dex of 18? Will a fighter with a strength of 13 experience more combat
than a fighter with 18 (75)?
In both cases, the character with the lower score will have to work harder,
and perhaps longer at whatever he does. The way the rule is now, characters
for whom tasks are easier, get more experience. The rich getting richer.
Agree? Disagree?
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Message 124 of 5992 Reply
Bonus Experience Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/4/99 10:23 am
I don't know. I think the concept here was that he (or she) who had the
greatest natural ability became better at their trade faster than those
of average ability. I don't think it was meant as a direct reference to
who actually gained the most actual experience. There are several real
world examples of this concept. Look at artists, sports stars, etc.
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Message 125 of 5992 Reply
Sir Beef Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/4/99 11:19 am
Hey TruckerBear. I was just perusing your web-site. In the Spells and
Cantrips section (great spells, BTW), you mentioned an Arthurian campaign.
I am currently contemplating an Arthurian campaign. Any source material
you care to pass on?
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Message 126 of 5992 Reply
Still more on starting characters Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/4/99 3:52 pm
There is a pretty good article in Dragon Magazine that deals with this
issue. It is called "Keeping the Party Going" in the January, 1992 issue
(#177). You can find the article on TSR's web site under Reading Room/Dragon/Back
Issues. Actually it deals with reasons why a party continues to adventure
together, but in doing so it deals with the party's beginnings.
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Message 127 of 5992 Reply
Well, I'm not the expert on Arthur, but. TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 2/4/99 7:07 pm
If you go back to my website and leave me your email address in mine,
I'll give you the email of my original DM who has been running an Arthurian
based campaign for nearly 20 years. Sir Beef came from that campaign,
when it first started.
He would be the ultimate source for historical and fantasy information
on the Arthurian legends. I took over for him for awhile while he was
unable to run the campaign, and I dropped a few of my own additions into
his world.
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Message 128 of 5992 Reply
Relearning mage spells Gatfish
(22/M/California) 2/4/99 7:26 pm
I love regular AD&D and currently am DMing a 2nd edition campaign, even
though I've played other RPGs, I can't resist the medievil. I use most
of the standard roles from the 2nd edition, because they seem pretty tried
and true and have always held up in game play...except the way mages are
supposed to relearn their spells.
All the Player's Guide and DM's Guide say is that they need a good nights
rest, and then quiet concentration for 10 minutes times the level of the
spell.
This always seemed too loose, non-specific, and kind of rediculous to
me, and always hampered the PC mages in game play. I mean, we'd always
bicker over what a good night's rest was. If a charater fought something
early in the morning, then he wanted to take a nap in the afternoon, just
so he could relearn his spells and not wait 20 hours or so till the next
morning.
Eventually I just said that if they had any peaceful time to themselves
they could rememorise their spells, still using the 10 min. per spell
level rule. Yet, this never seemed to work to well for game play either.
So, I thought maybe one of you would know a better method. I've thought
about creating my own "mana" system, like they have in lots of video games,
where a charater has x amount of mana and a first level spell cost, maybe
10, and a 2nd level 20 mana. Has anyone tried a system like this, or know
of another system that works even better?
You're feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
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Message 129 of 5992 Reply
Spell system Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/5/99 10:25 am
I just started using a spell point system that I sounds similar to what
you are proposing. I've only used the system in play twice, but it seems
to be working allright. The reason I changed the system is that the whole
concept of casting a spell and then the spell fades from memory just didn't
make sense to me.
The basis of the system is a point system, although it is different than
what is presented in the Players Option books. In my system, each level
of spell is worth 1 point. For example if a low level mage can cast two
first level spells and one second level spell, he effectively has 4 spell
points (one for each of the first level spells, and two for the second).
Therefore, lets say he memorizes Magic Missile, Faerie Fire, and Knock.
He can then use his spell points in any combination to cast this spell.
For Example he could, if he wanted to, cast Magic Missle four times, using
one spell point each time he casts ths spell. Then he wouldn't be able
to use his other spells, because he used up all his spell points. In effect
this makes the mage more powerful. I've only play tested in low to medium
level characters. At higher levels, this might make the mage too powerful.
This still doesn't solve your problem of memorization, because in my system,
this part remains unchanged. The mage still memorizes the spells as usual.
It is the deployment of these spells that my system changes. Once he has
used all of his spell points he has to study his spell books for 10 min
per spell level after a nights rest. I consider a good night's rest as
around 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 128 by Gatfish
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Message 130 of 5992 Reply
Another Spell System Idea yourcouchpotato
2/5/99 11:15 am
I, too, have been bothered by the standard memorization system. A low-level
mage only
has a few spells on hand, that might not be even usefull in the situation
they're in, and after they used them, all they can do is rely on magical
items, allies, or their feet. I think that a mage should be able to make
more decisions concerning the employment of their spells. So, I have been
toying with this concept I have come up with: no more memorization. The
mage learns the spell the first time and then always retain the knowledge
of it. The mage will use a mana point system similiar to those previously
noted. The mage will then use the points to cast any spell they have learned.
And if this makes mages to powerfull, all that is needed is a reduction
of that mage's mana points.
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Message 131 of 5992 Reply
mage spells Postmodern1
2/5/99 5:07 pm
i have been using the same rule for about six years regarding spell memorization,
and it's basically the same as the phb originally outlined it. a mage
needs six hours of sleep in any combination (this allows for a eight hour
rest period plus one shift "on watch" for the camp).
spells then require 10 per spell level to relearn. i also allow them to
do this at any time, not just once a day. if this sounds unbalancing,
consider these examples.
at low levels, this makes a mage much more effective (avoid the mage being
a "one shot magic item" to the party), gives them more intrest in a longer
gaming session (no "well, i cast my two spells, looks like you better
guard my 6hp ass until tomorrow.") and promotes use of more than the "standard"
couple spells a mage always memorizes (when's the last time a second level
mage took anything besides magic missile and detect or read magic?).
i have not had problems with this becoming damaging to game balance at
the higher levels. i have two mages in my campaign, one 9th level and
the other 12th. they enjoy the freedom of taking spells they like or that
have "fun" effects without having to worry about not having certain spells
ready - a short break for the party would allow them to equip spells that
come up unexpectedly during the day. thus, the game doesn't grind to a
halt for 10 hours of game time so that someone can get a speak with dead
or something similar to that.
i would like to hear more feedback on this. i kicked around a mana point
system in my head a couple years ago but never thought it was value-added
enough to switch over.
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Message 132 of 5992 Reply
One more to toss in the fire... TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 2/5/99 11:43 pm
I tried initiating a mana system, but the players were too rooted in the
normal ad&d system. They got confused, and the confusion took them out
of character and gameplay suffered. Another gaming system I used to play
in used Spell Power. It was based on the combination of 2 stats, the d&d
equivalent would be Int and Wis. Add them together and you have the character's
spell power. That score never increased, because the system was not level
based. Only magic or religious items could increase the spell power.
In that system, each spell had a cost of 1 x level, so a 3rd level spell
cost 3 spell power. Any "class" could learn and cast spells, but the more
ignorant ones were limited by their spell power score. The magic users
there got a religious item which tripled their spell power. Other magic
items could as much as double it.
This may not work for you. It worked for that system. I just use the regular
system for my Ad&d campaigns.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 133 of 5992 Reply
Is anyone here going to Dundracon? TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 2/5/99 11:46 pm
I'd like to play with some of you if you're going to attend Dundracon
President's Day Weekend. I'm running a sponsored game on Saturday, and
will probably look for a game in open gaming the rest of the time.
If you're there, maybe we'll chance to bump into each other.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 134 of 5992 Reply
Studying on the fly Umbratikus
(33/M/Reynoldsburg, OH) 2/8/99 9:52 am
I like this idea. A lot! Don't know why I never thought of it, neither
have my players. Of course it would require a traveling spellbook. Taking
a 10 minute break so a mage can learn an Identify spell would be a boon
to many adventurers (as long as the mage brought along the material components).
Great idea.
Do you do the same for priests? Being able to cast a remove curse or heal
at any applicable time (after prayers, of course) might be unbalancing
and steal the DM's thunder.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 131 by Postmodern1
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Message 135 of 5992 Reply
I use this method too. Jason_Breton
(24/M/Maine) 2/8/99 10:45 am
I let my player's learn spells as long as they have the time to study
it. I use the 10 mins per level of the spell (they must have the spell
in their travelling spellbook and the required material components still)
but they can take the time out to do it whenever they feel like it. They
must be uninterrupted for the whole period, and must be able to concentrate.
If they are extremely wounded or something like that, it would probably
affect their ability to concentrate. I also use this method for clerics.
It takes them the time to pray, but if they are willing to spend the time
not doing anything else, and if their god (me) sees fit to grant the spell,
they can do it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 134 by Umbratikus
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Message 136 of 5992 Reply
That is how I do priests. dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 2/8/99 10:21 pm
Mages usually have to be in my good graces for me to let them learn on
the fly. Just keep giving me Mud Slides or Woodchucks and I'll just about
let them do anything.
For the mages in my parties, if they have a good enough reason for wanting
to either relearn a spell or lose one and then learn another, I might
let it happen. Other conditions must be met. Such as no interuptions,
light to read by, time enough to get the spell. Other wise, nope.
Yemina, Scout
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Message 137 of 5992 Reply
could be DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/9/99 12:22 am
we have played mages pretty normal but priests have had the ability to
pray for spells as needed if they weere of a level to cast them since
it was like asking theitr god for the act to be done
This Is a Reply to: Msg 136 by dragn_lady
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Message 138 of 5992 Reply
Dragons Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/9/99 3:23 pm
Just want a little feedback on a train of thought I've been having. Dragons
are arguably among the most powerful creatures in the average AD&D campaign
(Deities and other outer planar entities notwithstanding). So why don't
evil dragons band together under some unifying force (a Tiamat cult or
something) and take over the world, imposing draconic rule over man? What's
stopping them? Good dragons? If this is the case why doesn't a full scale
dragon war break out, laying waste to entire regions? Just pondering some
campaign ideas and looking for other viewpoints.
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Message 139 of 5992 Reply
Talk about a scary thought . . . . Danduin_
(29/M/Wandering here and there) 2/9/99 5:05 pm
A Dragon *should* be the toughest monster (An old issue of Dragon magazine
talks about this I am not sure which one it is but I will look into it
and post the issue# etc. I am at work so I have only a PHB at hand.) I
believe that the very nature of dragons, evil ones in particular, negates
any chances of them uniting. Who is going to be the leader? Now if you
have some outside force (like Takhisis (sp?)or even the Valheru in the
Dragonlance series) that could bring them together . . . .
The Tiamat cult would have to be a *VERY* powerful cult to influence,
and gather all these wyrms together under one banner and keep them there.
About draconic rule over man. . .
What are we to a dragon?
We are small insects or at best a snack.
Why would they want to rule over us?
This one I will leave to your own designs
Again, a unifying force behind the dragons may have that in mind . . .
.
If this were to come about the good dragons may or may not decide to make
a stand I don't know. Are there many good dragons about?
Has anyone seen a good dragon or a dragon at all in the last couple generations?
How will they know that the "bad dragons" are about? Who or what will
get them together?
I am not saying that the idea will not work but there are many questions
that need to be answered before you start a dragon war. . .
I don't know one dragon should be well nigh impossible to defeat and,
I think, rare in the extreme, (no not really *impossible* but the PC's
should think twice the next time they run into one, whether it's only
a rumor or actually seeing another one.)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 138 by Umbratikus
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Message 140 of 5992 Reply
ooops Danduin_
(29/M/Wandering here and there) 2/9/99 5:05 pm
OOOPS I think that the Valheru was yet another series I have read at some
time. . . .
yeah part of the Adept series????
This Is a Reply to: Msg 139 by Danduin_
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Message 141 of 5992 Reply
Umbratikus DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/9/99 5:46 pm
That has happened if you look at the dragon lance compaign setting and
they have a history of one in there Also there is a campaign setting called
council of wyrms that has info to create dragons as PC's which can be
used as npc's and other resources but it allows you to actually give them
stats to make them more usable. it can lead to interesting roleplaying
This Is a Reply to: Msg 138 by Umbratikus
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Message 142 of 5992 Reply
furthermore DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/9/99 6:10 pm
Council of Wyrms does put dragons ruling over man and humanoids alike
also they propose the idesa of half dragons from the lust of a dragon
polymorphed into a humanoid form mating with a humanoid. They also present
a dragons worst nightmare in the form of a dragon slayer who is awsome
against dragons with special abilities that will effectively render a
dragon near helpless
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Message 143 of 5992 Reply
Thanks for the input Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/10/99 11:07 am
I've looked at some of the Council of Wyrms stuff, and am thinking about
incorporating half-dragons into my campaign. Danduins point of "Why" is
valid. But how about this scenario. A family or clan of red dragons has
lived unmolested for hundreds of years. One day, a rich ore is descovered
near the dragons' lair(s) and the nearby city begins growing with prospectors.
A growing city needs more food, so hunting is increased, forests are cleared
to make more farmland (I'm talking a bout a span of time here, not immediate
change). Eventually the dragons find their food supply threatened, and
start to grow tired of explorers poking around their lairs looking for
more veins of ore. Perhaps some dragons have even been discovered, prompting
adventuring dragon hunters. Maybe a dragon is even slain. Finally, the
dragons have enough. four or five red dragons of adult age or older fly
out one night, armed with their breath weapons and devastating spells,
and lay waste to the city, leaving few if any survivors. Thousands of
people gone. The king hears of this and sends his armies out. Not only
are they out for red dragons, but any dragons. Knights are dispatched.
Adventurers are hired. A war has begun. The red dragons and black dragons
decide to band together to eliminate a common threat. etc. etc. The situation
escalates into a full scale war, a war I don't see the humans/demi-humans
winning.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 142 by DRACCONIC
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Message 144 of 5992 Reply
Greetings old time DM Say's hey! Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/10/99 11:23 am
"An immortal ogre-magi... can you do that"
"Gnolls scmolls... Oh my."
"We poke the sleeping Red dragon with our 10'
pole... ooops!"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 145 of 5992 Reply
re: Umbratikus Postmodern1
2/10/99 12:42 pm
The storyline that you outlined is an excellent one, dragons banding together
against a common enemy. However, I am left with one question: how does
that facilitate bringing half-dragons into a campaign? If anything, the
scenario you outlined is a conclusive arguement for these half breeds
never coming to be at all.
Perhaps I missed what you meant to convey, please let me know.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 143 by Umbratikus
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Message 146 of 5992 Reply
Half-dragons Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/10/99 1:02 pm
Actually, my comment about half-dragons was a separate issue, not necessarily
relating to the scenario I outlined. However, if my memory serves me correctly,
half-dragons are the offspring of a human (or perhaps elf) and a dragon
in human form. This only applies to dragons who can naturally assume human
form (as opposed to polymorphing). And also if my memory serves me correctly,
most of the dragons that can assume human form are the good dragons (gold,
silver, etc.). Therefore their existence is justified, but their presence
would be incidental to the scenario as a whole.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 145 by Postmodern1
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Message 147 of 5992 Reply
However... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/10/99 1:07 pm
if half-dragons did exist, they would be extremely, extremely rare.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 146 by Umbratikus
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Message 148 of 5992 Reply
Well said! Postmodern1
(26/M/Mpls MN) 2/10/99 1:21 pm
I pose one more challenge, just for the sake of discussion - this is getting
a little off the original subject, bear with me. Would a lawful-good silver
dragon, perhaps eight hundred years old, be swayed by the comliness of
a mere human female?
While it is true that the gods of the Greeks and Romans often were in
this same situation, I personally think that a creature as evolutionarily
superior to humans as dragons are would not lower itself in this manner.
Sounds like going out back and trying to make a half-sheep. :)
Half-elves, yes. Half-orcs, ok. Half-ogres, maybe. Half-satyrs, yes. half-dragons
.... i'm unconvinced as of yet.
Again, I am just throwing this out for the sake of conversation - nothing
to be inferred or implied. I enjoy the group's conversations here, let's
keep it going!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 146 by Umbratikus
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Message 149 of 5992 Reply
In defense of dragon lust Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/10/99 2:01 pm
Good points all. That is one of my reasons for the second post. However,
there are a couple of counterpoints I would like to make. If a dragon
had a natural ability to transform into another form, would he not then
find that form attractive as well? Perhaps, perhaps not. But what about
ego? Could a dragon in human form be flattered into bed by an admiring
comely woman? "Soft and warm mammary glands are wonderful things" said
Draco, "why can't dragons have these?" Speaking from a purely egocentric
point of view, wouldn't two warm soft bodies embraced beneath silken sheets
be infinitely more pleasant than hard, sharp, pointy scales of cold blooded
creatures in a damp cave? Depends on what you like, I guess.
Besides, how much sex between members of our own kind has had much to
do with physical pleasure and little to do with phyisical attraction?
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Message 150 of 5992 Reply
Chimera's....and ummm, Malcors, isn't it Gatfish
(22/M/California) 2/10/99 5:12 pm
Since I don't have my monster guide here with me, I can't think of all
the correct names, but what about all those mixed up animals? You know,
head of a person, body of a lion, wings of a dragon...etc.?
Maybe these are explained away by bored Gods who are just fooling around,
but would a half dragon nescessarily be in human form with just special
abilities. I mean, dragons and humans are pretty far apart on the evoltionary
scale, would not half dragons be freaks? Body of a dragon, head of a human
kind of thing. Or maybe a lizard man with wings and fire breath...
It's very interesting to think of the attributes of the half dragon possibility.
There must have been some stuff written about this before.
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Message 151 of 5992 Reply
Half Dragons and Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/10/99 10:12 pm
Actually, half dragons are not as strange as they seem. At a young age
they appear human, but as they get older they begin to take on dragon-like
traits, actual physical changes, similar to the way tieflings take on
characteristics of lower planar creatures in the Planescape setting. They
are really quite believable. Download the info from TSR's website and
see if you don't agree.
As far as the "mixed-up animals," I've always had a problem with that,
too, especially when you are mixing mammals with reptiles and so forth.
I changed some things in my campaign to circumvent this, such as merfolk
being half human and half dolphin (instead of fish). At least both parts
are mammalian.
As far as the rest of them go, there was an article in Dragon Magazine
#237 describing a wizard kit called the Merlane. "Creating new and strange
life is his craft: a specialist mage who transmogrifies animals to fit
his imagination and whim."
Thus I have incorporated the Merlane in my campaign as a secret society
of specialist mages that have existed for untold centuries. Most of the
"unnatural" creatures are the results of the Merlane's experiments that
have bred and become a race of their own. Works for me.
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Message 152 of 5992 Reply
Half-Dragons Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/11/99 10:29 am
As dragons are greedy by nature I feel certain a dragon in human form
would be as taken by a woman of hypnotic beuty as he would normally lust
after a pile of gold. Lust is lust. Was there not a race called the Draconians?
How about "The Dragon and the George" another example of possibility.
As for Chimerae and their ilk I am fairly certain that they were created
magically, perhaps that is why they have such sour attitudes. (No sex
makes me cranky.) It is a fantasy game too much explation can foul the
mead I feel. There are no genetic engineers in my worlds except the occasional
rouge wizzards.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 151 by Umbratikus
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Message 153 of 5992 Reply
Fantasy vs. Reality Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/11/99 1:50 pm
There are High Fantasy campaigns, and there are Low Fantasy campaigns,
each defined as to the degree of magic therein. Most AD&D campaigns fall
somewhere in the middle. However, the existence of magic does not eliminate
the existence of logic. In order for a fantasy campaign to support the
suspension of disbelief, it must be grounded in reality. IOW, there must
be a logical reason for things to happen, even if that logical reason
is Magic. Is a half dragon logical? If you accept that some dragons can
assume human form, and that in that form they may copulate with true humans,
then it is logical that they might bear offspring. It is also logical
that the offspring would bear traits from both parents.
Also, logical doesn't necessarily mean possible, but it helps lend a believable
reason to why something is. If a creature the size, weight, and shape
of a dragon existed in real life, there is no possible way it could fly.
Dragon flight defies the laws of physics and aerodynamics. However, in
a fantasy world, logic says that dragons can fly. What are wings for?
Flight. Do birds have wings? Yes. Do birds fly? Yes. Do dragons have wings?
Yes (most of them). Therefore, dragons can fly because they have wings.
The logic doesn't have to be infallible, but it does have to exist.
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Message 154 of 5992 Reply
Logic aerodynamics and dragons HMMM Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/11/99 4:20 pm
One day when I was hunting from a tree stand over a gully there was a
tremendous crashing noise (scared the hell out of me) when I looked about
I saw that a hawk had landed in the tree across the gully from me not
25-30 feet away He was huge (not like a 727) but still I felt way too
large to be flitting about the sky. When he spotted me he immediately
lept into flight again crashing through anything that happened to be in
front of him. I could not believe it but evidently my conviction was not
a neccesary component of his flight skills. I personally would not allow
half-dragons in my campaign players can be pesty with such things, however
in the realm of fantasy there is no logic.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 153 by Umbratikus
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Message 155 of 5992 Reply
Dragons aerodynamics FRP HMMM Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/11/99 4:30 pm
Once I was deer hunting from a tree stand over a narrow gully. suddenly
there was a tremendous crashing sound (Scared the hell out of me). Looking
around I saw the culprit a massive hawk had landed in the tree directly
across from the one I was in. He was scanning the ground for rodents (I
guess) then he spotted me. Leaping off the limb he took flight again crashing
through what ever was in his way. I could not believe it how ever he went
way aerial. Evidently he did not need my conviction to utilize his flight
prowess. I believe now. As a DM I dont think I would allow 1/2dragons
in my campaign players can be pest with these types of things. However
in the realm of fantasy there is no room nor reason for logic.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 153 by Umbratikus
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Message 156 of 5992 Reply
Dragons aerodynamics FRP HMMM Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/11/99 4:31 pm
Once I was deer hunting from a tree stand over a narrow gully. suddenly
there was a tremendous crashing sound (Scared the hell out of me). Looking
around I saw the culprit a massive hawk had landed in the tree directly
across from the one I was in. He was scanning the ground for rodents (I
guess) then he spotted me. Leaping off the limb he took flight again crashing
through what ever was in his way. I could not believe it how ever he went
way aerial. Evidently he did not need my conviction to utilize his flight
prowess. I believe now. As a DM I dont think I would allow 1/2dragons
in my campaign players can be pest with these types of things. However
in the realm of fantasy there is no room nor reason for logic.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 153 by Umbratikus
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Message 157 of 5992 Reply
Boy DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/11/99 8:17 pm
i started a good discussion here but i agrre with the physical pleasure
part and the dragon in human form being seduced through flatery and playing
the ego.
And the creatures in the monster manual the combined creatures are magical
constructs and they say that they are.
By the way Drgn_ldy how did those tricks and traps work?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 156 by Pictii
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essage 158 of 5992 Reply
Boy DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/11/99 8:22 pm
Man i started a good discussion here
I agrre with the physical lust partas well as playing of the ir ego and
flattering them. and the mixed creatures inb the monster manual are magical
constructs some tell you that others you find refrence to in other sources.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 156 by Pictii
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Message 159 of 5992 Reply
Boy DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/11/99 8:34 pm
Man i started a good discussion here
I agrre with the physical lust partas well as playing of the ir ego and
flattering them. and the mixed creatures inb the monster manual are magical
constructs some tell you that others you find refrence to in other sources.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 156 by Pictii
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Message 160 of 5992 Reply
try this again DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/11/99 10:24 pm
started a heck of a debate
I agree with the physical lust and seducing the ego they both are viable
excuses
as far as the compiled creature they are magical constructs or from a
higher power
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 161 of 5992 Reply
OOPS DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/12/99 12:11 am
forgive the extra postings ii had trouble with it doing it i don't know
how many are going to show up by the time this is done catching up
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 162 of 5992 Reply
Logic and Fantasy Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/12/99 9:07 am
I respectfully disagree about fantasy and logic being exclusive of one
another. Logic can be warped in a fantasy world, but it does exist. I
will be so bold as to say it HAS to exist. Without logic, nothing would
make sense. Magic, although steeped in fantasy, is but a separate factor
that changes the rules of logic.
In a fantasy world, we accept the existence of magic, and sentient beings'
ability to manipulate magical forces. Therefore, it is logical to assume
that a mage, who we accept as being able to manipulate magic, can cast
a fireball spell. This is based on our understanding of the fantasy world.
Things are logical in this world based on our understanding of logic and
of this world. If in the real world, it was an accepted fact that some
people can spontaneously teleport at will, then the fact that a man can
get from his home to his office 8 miles away in less than 3 seconds becomes
logical.
Lets look at it this way. If you took the typical AD&D fantasy world and
subtracted magic, what would you have left? A world where logic held true,
correct? The normal laws of physics again reign supreme, right? So by
adding magic back into the mix, you aren't eliminating logic, you are
just changing the nature things. Logic then has to accommodate this added
factor.
Does this make sense, or have I confused everybody?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 161 by DRACCONIC
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Message 163 of 5992 Reply
Truth and a truce Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/12/99 10:53 am
Yes there has to be logic last night when I was thinking about fool hardy
multiple postings of my own I realized that there are alot of creatures
in the first ed that I have never used and this was because I could never
justify their existance in my head. (it had been so long since I had made
these decisions that I had forgoten 1979 was a long time ago) I do agree
that there is a certain amount of logic specific to any fantasy setting
but as a DM i am often capracious tending to rely on chaos and luck to
shape the game but we are on the same side essentially. The world I have
spent ten or more years working on and am now playing for the first time
is much more ordered than my earlier attempts (note there is also much
less magic) I love exchange with intelligent folks TA!
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 162 by Umbratikus
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Message 164 of 5992 Reply
Coincidences Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/12/99 11:31 am
Pictii, it's interesting that we are both the same age and both started
playing AD&D the same year.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 163 by Pictii
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Message 165 of 5992 Reply
Stranger than fiction EH? Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/12/99 2:09 pm
That is funny I remember (painfully) goin to the mall with mom and aunts
and sis I would flee to the Kaybee toy center and spend hours pouring
over the small pamphlets that passed for rule books (At one time I had
all four but they had been stolen from me over time) then my mom in a
rare unselfish moment bought me the "New Delux D&D box set that was it
I bought the hard cover books as they came out PHB,DMG,MM,Deities and
Demi gods (A geek 'friend' of mine conned me outta that one)then joined
the navy and stopped buying the books I also really dug gamma world however
no one would ever play (BOO-HOO) alas it is very funny though coincidence
stranger than fiction.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 164 by Umbratikus
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Message 166 of 5992 Reply
GAME ON? Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/12/99 2:16 pm
I am seeking players for a weekly game in Central NJ or eastern PA (Bucks
county area) ADULTS ONLY please E mail me at NBLKCNGR@yahoo.com
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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-> Message 167 of 5992 Reply
Memories Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/12/99 2:41 pm
I remember my mom almost wouldn't buy me the D&D boxed set because she
wasn't sure what D&D was and the description on the cover of the box said
"Adult Fantasy Role Playing Game." A guess Mom's concept of Adult Fantasy
was different than TSR's : )
The artwork in AD&D products is outstanding, but sometimes I miss those
hokey illustrations of yore.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 165 by Pictii
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Message 168 of 5992 Reply
crap crap crap Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/12/99 4:04 pm
I posted quite a bit last night and I do not see any of it on the board.
. . . .
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 169 of 5992 Reply
Logic. . . how about reasons instead pt1 Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/12/99 5:25 pm
Dragons are a very magical race . . . their flight, from a few sources
my addled mind seem to recall, is a direct result of their innate "magicalness"
(not really a word but it works).
Anyway I wanted to talk about the reasons behind smoething. The myriad
worlds we have all visited and created are truly endless, full of things
that would never be seen in our logical, ordered, catalouged world. Anything
can be in our worlds and most things are and MOST have a reason or a story
why they are there. . .what I am saying is as a player, I would like to
know that the giant purple tentacled desert dwelling squids of Baltar
Zackon were not just thrown in because it was a really cool idea the DM
had last week after three six packs. There can be things that defy explanation
but for the most part I would keep each one unique, to the area or itself.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 153 by Umbratikus
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Message 170 of 5992 Reply
Logic. . . how about reasons instead pt2 Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/12/99 5:30 pm
Umbratikus, your half dragons seem well thought out and I see no reason
why they can not be put into your campaign. I have just a few thought
to throw at you (call 'em food for thought). Chew on them a while and
see what happens:
How long has the half dragon race been in existance? for a long time?
or is it a recent occurence?
You can create an entire history to be discovered by your PCs with this
one
Do these "people" even know that they are 1/2 dragon? If so, how? Does
the mother know? If she does would she tell the child?
Can people from other races tell when someone is 1/2 dragon? How?
what do the other races think of the 1/2s?
what do the other races call the 1/2 dragons?
what percentage of the population is half dragon?
How many True dragons are in your world?
Take a look in the PHB at the racial preferences table, where does this
race fit in?
Where do they fit in society? slaves? lower than gully dwarves?
And I will assume that you have all the stats etc for this race which
reminds me would they have Special abilities according to the type of
dragon that fathered the child?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 153 by Umbratikus
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Message 171 of 5992 Reply
halfdragons DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/12/99 5:46 pm
The council of wyms outline the race very nicely. But that is in the bloodchain
isles this could be adapted to your world and the stasts and special abilities
gleaned are given there also. They are of good dragon blood and they look
normal as a baby but as tyhey grow thy change appearence aas an adult
you cannot miss them. Their social status varies depending on location
parenting and the feelings of the parents towards the 1/2 dragon.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 170 by Danduin_
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Message 172 of 5992 Reply
Half dragons Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/13/99 11:19 pm
Again I recommend that anyone remotely intersted in the concept of half
dragons, download the article by Roger Moore from TSR's website. This
is probably an even better resource than the Council of Wyrms setting,
because it describes them in the context of any standard AD&D setting.
To answer some of Danduin's questions, the half dragon would have been
around as long as dragons and humans began sleeping together (in other
words, as long as dragons and humans have both existed in the same area,
i.e. forever). Since half-dragons appear human at first, most people would
never be able to tell if a person is a half dragon or not. In fact, the
half-dragon may not even know himself. As far as percentage of the population
goes, it would probably be off the scale. Half-dragons are very, very,
very rare. There would be no communities of half dragons, although it
is in the realm of possibility that two might meet and team up, (twins
perhaps?) but for the most part they would be solitary creatures, living
amongst their human brethren. Therefore they would be treated like any
other human. That is, until the changes start. Once physical changes begin
in the half dragon, he may be shunned, persecuted, or even hunted down.
Perhaps he would have to prove himself a hero, or find out other ways
to gain acceptance. And, yes, they have special abilities depending on
their parentage.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 170 by Danduin_
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Message 173 of 5992 Reply
Re: Half Dragons (Off Topic: Dragon Half Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 2/14/99 8:41 am
All this talk about half dragons made me remember a show I watched a few
years ago called Dragon Half. Larger video stores should carry it in the
animated section. Has anyone else seen it?
For those of you who haven't, it's basically a short comedy whose main
character is a half dragon. It's not something to watch in order to get
serious insights into the nature of half-dragonhood, but I think the humour
in it has a special appeal for D&D gamers.
If anyone wants to know more, here's a brief plot synopsis, which unavoidably
includes a few SPOILERS.
The main character, Mink, is the daughter of a mighty warrior who was
sent to slay a red dragon named Mana, and wound up marrying her instead.
Mink has a tail (a source of embarrassment), small wings, horns, and can
breathe fire pretty well. She has a huge crush on a popular singer named
Dick Saucer who is also a famous dragon slayer. Incidentally, he's been
given a quest by the king to take on Mink, herself. Her main rival is
the president of the Dick Saucer fan club, who is a beautiful magic-user
and the crown princess of the realm to boot. This princess's secret shame
is that she is a "slime half". Her mother, the queen, was actually a slime
that turned itself into a human in order to marry the king, who rather
resembles a slime himself.
When Mink discovers that it's her dragonhood that's getting her into trouble
she embarks on a quest with a couple of friends to discover the legendary
People Potion that can turn her into a normal human being, all the while
being hunted by Dick Saucer, the princess, and a number of other minions
of the king.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 172 by Umbratikus
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Message 174 of 5992 Reply
LMAO Adult fantasy (I had forgotten) Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/14/99 5:58 pm
Yeah I remember the first game I played with adult mom was nervous that
they were gonna "mess" with me we argued for almost a week it was too
funny.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 167 by Umbratikus
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Message 175 of 5992 Reply
Again I refer to the dragon and the geor Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/14/99 6:16 pm
The george was painfully aware of his dragon form (evidently something
akin to degenerative lycanthropy) and would often change into his dragon
form at inoppourtune moments : a sneeze at a dinner party (resulting in
crushed furniture and a small fire ). Personally I think that includeing
1/2 dragons would be a thorough nightmare for the DM. Devious players
would certainly want to enslave and exploit the retches, so would malicious
npc's and so on. Also would there not be back lash in the form of fundamentalist
dragons (another topic in the dragon and the george)Dragon"s intent on
keeping their racial lines "clean" or "unsullied"
There are more choices available to players for characters now than ever
if it was a player who was curious about the issue of 1/2 dragons I would
dissuade him/her but greed is like that no matter how many types of candy
are on the table you want the cookies in the cabinet. Good luck.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 173 by Ellowan
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Message 176 of 5992 Reply
Start the HUNT! Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/14/99 6:36 pm
As a young punk rocker growing up in the wilds of Semi urban NJ less than
20 years ago I was privledged to be beaten for my appearance, not only
an ass kicking from whatever mutant thought it would be cool but actual
adults throwing food and garbage out of moving vehicles at me Granted
that the late 70's early 80's were not as sensative as we feign now you
really gotta think in a medievil setting (fantasy or our own actual history)
things "not of the body" were shunned and ostracised litterally being
run out of the country or hung or burned or stoned to death. The common
people are still to this very day wary and shun things unusual a party
of adventurers in a real medievil setting would certainly have had tounges
wagging at the very leaste, if any one found there was a dragon albeit
only 1/2 living in their midst you can bet there would be a hunt of some
sort resulting in dead 1/2 dragon simple folks simple replys.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 172 by Umbratikus
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Message 177 of 5992 Reply
In defense of the half breed Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/15/99 9:46 am
Actually, the half-dragon as presented by TSR is pretty well balanced
for use as a PC, but the points you made about fundamentalist dragons
and superstitious town folk are all true, and would make for some great
role playing and perhaps entire adventures. The Dragon Half film that
Ellowan mentioned might be a good plot device as well. Perhaps the half-dragon
is questing to find a magic item that would make him fully human before
the masses realized what he was. An entire mini-campaign can be build
around this as long as the other players don't mind the campaign focusing
on one character's situation.
I repeat, the half dragon as presented is very playable and very balanced.
Special abilites are gained as the 1/2D raises in levels and some abilities
are more a hindrance than benefitial.
Even though, I will probably introduce the 1/2D in my campaign as an NPC
first (if ever, I still haven't fully decided yet). It just seems like
such an intriguing character.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 176 by Pictii
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Message 178 of 5992 Reply
As a PC... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/15/99 2:56 pm
Hey as a PC ifen I kill one o them there 1/2dragons how many exp. points
do I garner. Good luck with em. Would a ranger lets say 5th level who
has dragons as his natural enemy notice the dragonesque about the pc or
npc? How about weapons designed to fight dragons swords arrows spears
etc. would they also notice the 1/2? How much would someone have to eat
to be a 1/2? or would they binge out on transformation if that is what
happens to em? or are they just another freaky humanoid? (get the humanoid
kill the humanoid... sorry) sensitive people with an aversion to reptiles
would they know? what of the mother giving birth to a horned beast would
she live (ruined birth canal) or just go insane, "THAT THING CAME OUTTA
ME" intrigued let us know how it plays out I am curious.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 177 by Umbratikus
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Message 179 of 5992 Reply
Give 'em a go. Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/15/99 4:48 pm
What is there to lose in introducing half dragons?
What I typically do when bringing something into my world for the first
time, whether it is a rule, monster, whatever is to use it on a trial
basis see how it fits, get out and kick the tires. If it fails to meet
my, or the players, expectations I remove it in a way consistant with
my world, theft, death, crumbling to dust after the magic is gone. That
way the fabric I have woven does not have big holes in it.
If it works then the PCs gradualy learn a bit more here a bit there, which
makes it seem like whatever has been around a lot longer then they have.
Incidentally I would like to know what happens with these guys if you
do use 'em. I tried out a race that one of my players wrote up, all in
all they were great fun, once I changed a few things around so that he
did not have an edge on these guys.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 177 by Umbratikus
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Message 180 of 5992 Reply
Ravenloft Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/15/99 5:13 pm
I couple of years . . . . more like five or six now I started drifting
away from "high fantasy" and ended up playing and running everything from
Ravenloft (My favorite), Rifts, Shadowrun, Gurps, Runequest and Toon.
I always return to D&D though.Has anyone found any good sites concerning
Ravenloft? I found a couple but I am looking for more.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 181 of 5992 Reply
Cool I have tried alternate races to som Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/15/99 10:19 pm
ive tried with little actual success to bring the UMLI from middle earth
role playing into my AD&D world however no one shares my enthusiasm for
the short racesgnomes dwarves halflings and the umli I have also not had
any kind of real game goin in a real long timeso who knows. I would if
I were to include 1/2dragons use them as a strictly npc basis just personal
opinion and we all know about opinions.
Pictii americanus
""Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 179 by Danduin_
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Message 182 of 5992 Reply
Cool I have tried alternate races to som Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/15/99 10:20 pm
I've tried with little actual success to bring the UMLI from middle earth
role playing into my AD&D world however no one shares my enthusiasm for
the short races gnomes dwarves halflings and the umli I have also not
had any kind of real game goin in a real long time so who knows. I would
if I were to include 1/2dragons use them as a strictly npc basis just
personal opinion and we all know about opinions.
Pictii americanus
""Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 179 by Danduin_
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Message 183 of 5992 Reply
Testing testing Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/15/99 11:24 pm
It seems that only one out of three posts ever make it onto the board
::cursing::
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 184 of 5992 Reply
I know about MY opinions Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/15/99 11:32 pm
They are the right ones.
Well the race I introduced was totally homebrewed between two players,
one a Dragonlance fanatic who could tell you EVERYTHING about everyone
in the DL world (no joking), and the other who's playing style was indeed
. . . . . unique. All in all though it worked out well.
The short races ::BIG GRIN:: I was allowed to play a dwarven battle rager
ONCE. That was fun I really got into it grinding my teeth stomping around
cursing, spitting, brawling,
KILL KILL KILL!!!!!
Ahem.
The only problem was it took me about a week to stop the teeth gnashing.
That and I was not allowed to play him again }-: but yeah I enjoy the
short folk.
Gnomes however are annoying.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 182 by Pictii
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Message 185 of 5992 Reply
Grithbin Iron Helm GNOMISH war lord sa Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/16/99 9:11 am
Hey as annoying to you you are to me J/K? Why were you only allowed to
play the dwarf once? My gnomes are a more secretive type of dwarves (living
deeper and shunning most other races) But as you say my opinion is the
right one so whose to say (but I). What was the home brewed race what
are their stats and abils if they are cool I would try them, as long as
they appealed to my warped aestetic sense(go figure). This is fun my wife
is happy because she only plays to humor me so I rarely get to discuss
the game as much as I would like. Give gnomes a chance man they are cool
they can be Illusionists and fighters or theives or all of the above,and
they are so damn obnoxious. Again J/K. At least they are better than (yuk
ptooie) Elves.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 184 by Danduin_
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Message 186 of 5992 Reply
Gnomes and other races Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/16/99 10:06 am
I agree that gomes are pretty cool, although I've never played one as
a player nor have any of my players ever played one. I use them as NPC's
though. In my world, I portray them as an evolutionary cross between elves
and dwarves. I would love to play a gnomish Illusionist/Thief if I ever
got the chance.
I know a lot of you are going to scream at me for this, but I don't use
halflings in my campaign world. Yes, I am a Tolkien fan, but halflings
are "too" Tolkien (um...well...I do use orcs, so I guess my argument doesn't
really hold much water). I do use halflings in spacebourne (Spelljammer)
or outer planar (Planescape) jaunts, as I incorporate both in my ongoing
campaign, but not as natives of my world.
I do use 1/2 orcs, 1/2 ogres, and Drow as PC races. I also use goblins
as PC races. In my campaign, goblins (a.k.a. the mandari) are a bit more
civilized and more accepted in some regions than the standard AD&D goblin.
The goblin (mandari), hobgoblin (komandari), bugbear (bokomandari), and
norkers (wild goblins, nokomandari) are all interrelated and share a somwhat
civil society (well, except the norkers).
I use the PC stats from the Humanoids handbook for the goblin, but I don't
apply the -1 penalty for attacking in daylight. Since the mandari are
more civilized than the standard goblin, they also have settlements above
ground and are more used to the light. I have had some success with this
as a PC race, the players seem to enjoy it. One player chose the "beast
rider" kit from the Figher's Handbook, making his goblin a wolf-rider.
I guess that brings us back to Tolkien, eh?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 185 by Pictii
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Message 187 of 5992 Reply
played a drow but ... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/16/99 11:24 am
No halflings alas what a sad place it must be. Do you use Kobolds? I have
a soft spot for Hobgoblins they I feel are the most likely to prosper
being more than slightly intelligent and social. Interesting why no 1/2lings?
Do the mandariand bokomandari still have infravision or has that been
lost due to life in the light? I do not allow the aformentioned as pc's
but all my humanoids are classed and have levels yes and magic items (thanx
great gygax), the last thing you want to encounter is an 8th level Hobgoblin,
with a +3/+3 war axe. No good can come from that. Oddly I dont much use
goblins or Kobolds for that matter some but not much, other humanoid (get
the humanoid kill the humanoid... sorry) races use them as slaves food
etc but pc's rarely encounter them. No halflings man what a bummer.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 186 by Umbratikus
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Message 188 of 5992 Reply
Los Angeles Gamers... UNITE! fool_sean
2/16/99 2:39 pm
I have been to many local games stores throughout the majority of LA County
and have yet to find many bulletin boards for players to meet and greet
one-another. Where do we go when we want to find a new, refreshing group
to start a lasting campaign with. Isn't playing the game what most of
us are interested in?!? But most of us spend our time in small, yet comfy
little groups sometimes ignoring the annoyances of other gamers, just
to play for a little while. As such I would be interested in learning
of anyone who lives in LA county, CA. to drop me a line, especially if
you are looking for a new group to create, or to join one in progress.
If nothing else we, as gamers should make some attempt at helping eachother
have fun and live the adventure...to some degree...
Thanks,
sjh.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 189 of 5992 Reply
::big grin:: Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/16/99 3:50 pm
Let's just say that he met an untimely end and leave it at that. K?
Remember:
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
As for the Ken'ri I will see if they made the journey from that far off
land known as Connecticut, if not, then I guess i will have to gate them
in.
Honestly, I do not have a problem with gnomes or 1/2lings and such. I
prefer to play a dwarf, if at all possible.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 185 by Pictii
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Message 190 of 5992 Reply
A scream echoes through time and space Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/16/99 3:54 pm
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
The gift of verse is mine no more,
Lost be the lines of ancient lore.
From this day forth my mind shall wander,
Of things disjointed I shall ponder
Let's see this is post #4 it *MIGHT* actually make it onto the board.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 191 of 5992 Reply
A POX UPON YAHOO CLUBS! Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/16/99 4:55 pm
Am I the only one having problems posting messages?
I go through the entire process even look at the post # then it never
shows up on the board? Other messages vanish then return later. . . .
.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 192 of 5992 Reply
Nope...not the only one. dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 2/16/99 11:40 pm
I have been having lots of problems with postings in all of my clubs.
I got so sick of it all, I didn't visit any of them for a while. Not even
e-mail.
Next topic: How can ANYONE not like gnomes?!?! My next to favorite character
is a gnome thief/scout. At 10th level, I have lots of fun!!!!!!!!! :o)
I technically have only three human characters. The rest are either elven
or of the short folks. I started the afore mentioned character at 1st
level and have worked my way up the ranks. I pride myself on the fact
that she has never had to pay a guild. Such fun!!
Yemina, Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 191 by Danduin_
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Message 193 of 5992 Reply
Huzzah for the short folk! Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/17/99 9:00 am
I am too hard headed to let a failed extend message stop me so I keep
posting the damn message look back to my first day or so here three or
four of the same message. I useually play in this order 1/lings gnomes
or dwarves I dont much care for elves and all their sappy dreamy drama
(please note this is just my opinion) If i am barred from the above for
some inane reason I will play either a human or 1/2elf or even a 1/2 orc
I think in just over 20 years of gaming I have only played one or two
elves. But halflings and gnomes are my favorites. now to test if the capracious
gods of the yahoo postings willll allow my message I have made all the
appropriate sacrifices and have purified my mind and body oh no the aol
god has interceeded let me post posthaste TA.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 192 by dragn_lady
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Message 194 of 5992 Reply
posting problems Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/17/99 9:04 am
Aye, Danduin, I too am having problems posting. I get an error message
when I try to post sometimes that says "Document Contains No Data." I
try to repost the message and I gett an error saying "Sorry, this message
has already been posted." However it never shows. I tried three times
yesterday to post the following message but never got through. Kind of
makes it difficult to keep a discussion thread going, doesn't it? By the
time you get your message posted, the subject of discussion has changed.
Well, here goes nothing:
Actually I love kobolds. I use them extensively in my games. I have contemplated
making them available as a PC race, and probably would if any of my players
had an interest in playing one. One of my most memorable NPC's was a kobold
(one with a big ego and a lisp). His name was Sard ("Sard the Stupendous,
swayer of men, waper of women, and piwager of viwages"). Despite his bravado,
he was rather benign, and ended up helping the PC's on a number of occasions.
I think my rational for excluding halflings originated when I designed
my game world (beginning in the mid to late 80's). I wanted to make my
campaign world as original as possible, because I was planning on writing
fiction based on my game world and I didn't want to make any obvious parallels
to other fantasy works. Keep in mind this was before TSR published novels
based on their game worlds (fantasy writer Andre Norton had published
a novel entitled "Quag Keep" which took place in the World of Greyhawk
and published by Dell books, but that was it).
Therefore, halflings were an obvious throwback to Tolkien, as were orcs.
I continued to use orcs, because there was really no substitute for "orc-bashing,"
but I renamed them "gargun." Over time, the name "gargun" began to fade
from both my players' vocabulary as well as my own, and the name "orc"
began to make a resurgance.
The mandari races still maintain their infravision, just as elves, dwarves,
etc. have. Only the goblin is available as a PC race, however.
I give humanoids classes and levels when appropriate, or sometimes just
to catch the PC's off guard, but most of them conform to normal stats
(just as humans do). However, that is how I use kobolds as extensively
as I do. A good magic item, a clever spellcaster, and killer tactics can
give even high level parties a run for their money agaist a band of lowly
kobolds.
Speaking of which, I once had a single pixie wipe out half of a high level
party and chase the rest off.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 191 by Danduin_
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Message 195 of 5992 Reply
Ravenloft site Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/17/99 9:12 am
The best Ravenloft site I have found is www.kargatane.com, but if you
have searched the web, you probably found this one already.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 180 by Danduin_
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Message 196 of 5992 Reply
Kobolds Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/17/99 10:00 am
Kobolds are a lowly race which are easy to defeat in single battle HOWEVER,
just as I learned while running Dragon Mountain, if you play them with
the intelligence that they deserve they can be downright nasty. Several
times the kobolds nearly wiped out the party! I have seen it many times
in games that other people DM the monsters charge headlong into battle
not giving a second thought to tactics or the intellience that these creatures
were born with. I amnot saying that they are all college graduates with
masters degree but even some of the animals I have encountered in the
woods have outsmarted me. Just watch any show on some critter and you
see that they are very very clever when it comes to food or defending
their home turf.
Play any monster with some brains and the challenge goes way up.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 194 by Umbratikus
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Message 197 of 5992 Reply
Thanks Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/17/99 10:03 am
I have been there. It seems that there was another site, a few years ago
now, that was pretty cool too. cousre it's just a fading memory now.
A few posts back I mentioned an article on playing dragons the way they
were meant to be played but did not have the issue number. One of the
issues is Best of Dragon Vol III. It has a gold cover. Its well worth
the read.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 195 by Umbratikus
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Message 198 of 5992 Reply
Best of Dragon III Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/17/99 12:49 pm
I'm particularly fond of the dragon scale armors in that mag.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 197 by Danduin_
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Message 199 of 5992 Reply
Dragon Mountain Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/17/99 12:57 pm
How did you like running Dragon Mountain? How did your players like it?
I bought it nearly two years ago (along with the boxed set of miniatures
by Ral Partha) but I haven't had the opportunity to run it in my campaign
yet.
Speaking of miniatures, I really liked how Ral Partha worked with TSR
to produce a box of miniatures specifically for use with the adventure.
They must not have sold well, because they haven't done it since. I guess
when you fork out $30 US for Dragon Mountain, you aren't as willing to
spend the same or more on a box of figures. I would love to see a box
of miniatures produced exclusively for epic-length adventures (or adventure
series), like the Rod of Seven Parts, Dead Gods, or the Monstrous Arcana
serials.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 196 by Danduin_
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Message 200 of 5992 Reply
Dragon Mountain Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/17/99 5:08 pm
The group that went through that one loved it. There were many places
where I was able to add things to the plotline that had nothing to do
with the ultimate goal. It took forever to make it through and a couple
characters did so at the cost of their lives. That set changed the way
I run monsters in an adventure.
I wish I had seen the miniatures, as I collect and paint them. I will
have to look for them.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 199 by Umbratikus
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Message 201 of 5992 Reply
Another good one DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/18/99 12:36 am
If you like good boed sets try running your players through a boxed set
called night below an underdark adventure. it has lots of twists and turns
that will keep your players guessing at what is going on. you start off
on one plot then you try to solve it and find another you don't even solve
the first one until almost the end and by then you have uncovered a hug
plot or are about to. The group i play with was lost they would think
they figured it out then they would finish that and then find out it lead
them to a new problem.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 200 by Danduin_
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Message 202 of 5992 Reply
Let's try this again .... Postmodern1
(26/M/Mpls MN) 2/18/99 12:47 am
OK, this is like the fourth time in as many days that I have tried to
post this - let's see how I do today.
One race that I incorporated into my campaign was an aquatic half elf.
The player approached me on it and I gave him the challenge of making
it a workable race. It's amazing what work a player will go through to
get something! It has worked fairly well, the only real catch being that
the damn character jumps into every lake/pool/river/ deep puddle that
they group comes across to "see what he can see" .... you would be suprised
how many poisonus water snakes there are in my campaign world now. :)
I also enjoy renaming the more "common" monsters, just to give the players
a bit more uncertainty in their day: "Well, we managed to kill these hobgoblins,
I wonder when we are going to run into the Baygor that are supposed to
inhabit these hills."
I liked the breakdown on the alternative goblin/ hobgob/etc names that
were posted, I think I have a perfect place to work those into our next
session. Thanks for the idea!!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 201 by DRACCONIC
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Message 203 of 5992 Reply
The Night Below Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/18/99 9:06 am
I've often wondered about this set. I understand it takes a party of adventurers
from 1st level all the way to 10th or thereabouts. Is this true? How long
(how many game sessions) did it take you to get the party through it?
I've been looking for it on the shelves, but I understand TSR has discontinued
it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 201 by DRACCONIC
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Message 204 of 5992 Reply
Ah Pixies...malevolent little buggers Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/18/99 9:49 am
Yes I have a pixie colony that the players are gonna stumble into soon
enough should be interesting there is also a brownie city not far from
the current adventure site (love short folk). I am planning (have been
for over ten years) to adapt the combat system from middle earth role
playing their crit charts are extensive and comprehensive and would add
some added realism to the game too many time pc's have been like I swung
at his head how can you tell me that 9 points doesnt put him down blah
blah blah waaah I try to tell them that the original system does not make
provisions for that kind of combat (When they hit with a crit I give them
the aimed blow however an 18 does not a crit make) Has any one tried a
different combat system? what were the result? did you alter the d&d format
or change games entirely? let me know. now to tempt the E-gods and endevour
to post I am clean of spirit I am pure of mind I am good of heart gods
of electronic whirly gigs please grant me this small privledge and allow
my posting to be veiwed by others as unworthy as myself...
Pictii Americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 194 by Umbratikus
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Message 205 of 5992 Reply
aye pixies malevolent buggers Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/18/99 10:13 am
Here we go again the second time I attempt to post this one now what did
I write... oh ah yes there it is the PC's are in danger of stumbling into
a large colony of pixies at any time and very nearby to the current adventure
zone there is a large brownie kingdom (Love them short folk) any way now
for some thing completely different.
I have been considering changing the combat system I use from the Original
simplistic AD&D to the more realistic ICE or rolemasterwhatever I have
the Info and charts in middle earth role playing has any one tried a change
of this nature and how did it work out I feel the added dimensions possible
make for more interesting play, players always whine "But I swung at his
head I hit how come he did not go down you cant tell me that 9 points
would not put him down" I try to explain that the basic system is not
set up that way I do allow critical hits based on natural 20 and succesive
d20 rolls but I feel the charts For critical hits and catastrofic failures
are very well put together. Has any one tried some thing like this? what
were the results? were there any drawbacks? was it a difficult transition?
well now I have suppllicated my self to the great and powerful E-gods
Meditateing now I am pure of mind and soul with no malice in my heart
please allow this unworthy to post so that others as unworthy as myself
may review its contents.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 194 by Umbratikus
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Message 206 of 5992 Reply
Underdark Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/18/99 10:18 am
Yeah I have that one too but I never had the chance to run it. Perhaps
if I find a group round here I can do that.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 201 by DRACCONIC
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Message 207 of 5992 Reply
Tribal names ... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/18/99 10:37 am
I never tell my players oh thare are a bunch of orcs or hobgobs or ogres
etc. they are ignorant unless they know (lol) keeps em guessing I picture
my humanoids useing tribal names as identification I am exhausted now
so they are not springing to mind But I play them as a loose federation
with innfighting and power struggles I have ever rescued a hapless party
with a raid from another tribe who had no idea the adventures were there
but warred with the captors for simplicitys sake I just use the basic
critter names though orc goblin Hobgoblins etc... sorry bout the multi
postings as I said I am exhausted and not thinking clearly.
on the subject of miniatures I bought all my toys myself saving my sheckles
and wasting them on AD&D stuff as I encountered it (ther were only two
stores in all of NJ when I was a youth) I saved for three weeks and bought
my 5th box o miniatures when I got home and opened it there were three
usefol figures a gargoyle without wings and an ochre jelly a lump of lead
not unlike a wad of bubble yum I have purchased minniatures since but
never another "SET"
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 206 by Danduin_
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Message 208 of 5992 Reply
Umbratikus, Danduin DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/18/99 2:57 pm
IT took several months to finish i mean like seven playing every sunday
from like 4 till 4. it is very long and involved, but well worth it.
AS far as finding surf the web some sights have out of print stuff you
can get or a database that contains the info. We are going back through
it again then going into the Rod OF Seven Parts.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 209 of 5992 Reply
Miniatures Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/18/99 3:29 pm
I have a LARGE collection of minatures that I use during your standard
dungeon crawl(tm). The miniatures along with a large dry-erase actually
works fairly well. The party moves their pieces and I draw in what they
can see as they move. All in all it does not slow down the game very much.
The larger monsters are particularly impressive when put up next to the
players. (Makes 'em think twice before attacking that dragon or whatever).
Also it makes soellcasting and missle weapon use more accurate. Line of
sigh and all that is obvious to all.
If you can do this I suggest you try it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 207 by Pictii
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Message 210 of 5992 Reply
Miniatures Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/18/99 4:17 pm
Just having the miniatures on the table sets the stage. Players are very
careful where they move thier minatures. I agree it heps immensely with
combat. For larger battles, I like the BATTLESYSTEM Skirmishes rules.
I think something similar is printed in the Players Option: Combat & Tactics
now that they've discontinued the BATTLESYSTEM stuff.
Hey Pictii, I bought that box of miniatures (although my gargoyle had
wings that had to be glued on). It was a monster set by Grenadier. Grenadier
made the official AD&D miniatures back in the early 80's. They had a boxed
set for every major class. I think I bought them all. I've still got most
of them and still use many of the figures. All in all the Ral Partha ones
are better. I liked the Ral Partha ones better then, too.
I've found the Night Below on the net, I also found another discontinued
product, The War Captain's Companion (Spelljammer) which I intend to buy,
too. Speaking of discontinued products, does anyone have Requiem:The Grim
Harvest for the Ravenloft setting? I don't play Ravenloft (although I
did play the original module when it came out in the 80's) but I do sometimes
allow my characters to continue playing a character if they pass into
undeath or contract lycanthopy. When I was a player, I had a vampire character
and a player in my campaign was a wereboar once. We didn't create these
characers as such, they just became the horrors they were through adventuring.
I was wondering, does the Requiem set give rules for playing these types
of characers?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 209 by Danduin_
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Message 211 of 5992 Reply
Hello, Pixies, and Modified Combat Rules Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Sykesville, Pa) 2/18/99 4:58 pm
Hello Everyone~
I am new to the club and have read most of the posts. I have a few things
to say...
PIXIES: Hah! The ultimate nemesis for any group of weary adventurers.
I have been running my game world for about 5 years now and still have
a few of the original characters left...when they hear my trademark pixie
laughter their eyes bug out of their heads. I usually have to stop the
game for a few minutes so I can stop laughing at their reactions. Why
would a group react like that you ask? Well, it is trademark laughter
for one reason. Griphtinduill, the pixie, has taken a shine to one of
the characters and has been folowing the group for years now...always
playing the fun little pranks pixies are known for. Griphtinduill has
made a more fearsome nemesis than any of the liches, dragons, or demi-gods
the players have come across. Nothing instills fear quite as well as a
well placed old "friend".
COMBAT SYSTEM: I played under the original AD&D 2nd Edition combat rules
for awhile and encountered the same problem as Piicti (spelling?). When
a player called a shot and hit, no matter by how small a margin, they
wanted something spectacular to happen. As he has said, the rules do not
account for this, so I changed them...completely. I gave each significant
body part a modifier based on size and accessibility from armor worn.
The modifier is subtracted from the basic...THAC0, AC, Adjustments formula
and the total number needed is usually a realistic number for whatever
area of the body the player swings for. Every shot is now a called shot
and I have damage tables for each body part. It has been a lot of work
and added many more numbers to my game, but once we grew accustomed to
it...we all enjoyed it more than the original system. I really like the
descriptiveness it has inspired in my players...combat has never been
so vividly described in any game I've played before.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 212 of 5992 Reply
combat Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/18/99 11:55 pm
I agree that combat is more vivid with a system like that. However, I
prefer a nice, simple combat system. When you start adding in damage to
specific areas on a target you run into all sorts of complications. What
happens when a body part runs out of points? Is it more realistic? YES.
More enjoyable when the player takes off half an orcs head with his bow
or cleaves an arm off an evil mage? You bet, absolutely. More work for
the GM? Uh huh. Does a player like it when an orc takes off half the players'
head with his bow? . . . . How about when making their escape and the
party needs to climb up a rope to be home free? Do you factor in the arrow
that the warrior took in his now pointless arm? Can he climb up the rope?
Combat is an integral part of the game. I prefer to downplay that part
and focus on the rest of the game, the interactions between players, NPCs
monsters, the effects that the players actions have on the world they
are in. A good example of that last item is found in the Hobbit by JRRT.
After the dwarves killed Smaug, a great culmination to any adventure.
Like I said before tho all this is MY opinion.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 211 by Fynduril_Skyrunner
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Message 213 of 5992 Reply
Certainly a man can't stand he can't fig Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/19/99 8:21 am
I have not played with the same group of players for years and years and
so on the games I either play in or run are usually with players who have
not had much experiance. so combat becomes a much larger part of the game.
Intrigue does not work when you cant be certain if you will play again
(alas) however I feel that if you enter combat and your arm gets waffled
then no you cannot climmb the rope that is that I have never had palyers
complain about that sort of action being "unfair" the realism added (in
my experiance has allowed the players to realize that when you get wounded
it is more than a loss of some abstract points) and when a pc looses his
left eye to an orc with a dart or gets evicerated by a goblin they either
adapt or die whatever is appropriate. I do not understand the concept
of "Immortal" pc when you enter battle you can be killed this is how I
feel again I'll say that feeding pc's info about clues and leads generally
and unfourtunately falls on ears who don't know what to do with the info
INCLUDEING TAKING NOTE so the next time we play I say something like "ok
so you are now indebted to the tavern owner who payed the elves to heal
you" the reply is always "What I dont remember Oh well this just is'nt
fair" I even had one player who just "lost his character" repeatedly what
the hell is that. If i could play with experianced players and play regularly
enough then my games would be more dimentional.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 212 by Danduin_
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Message 214 of 5992 Reply
Common sense in combat Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/19/99 10:22 am
I have tried other combat systems, but I keep coming back to the AD&D
system. I agree with Danduin in that the streamlined system is much more
conducive to a smooth running game.
However, I do have house rules. I give maximum damage (not double damage)
for a roll of a natural 20 and I roll on a table for the roll of a natural
1 (the table indicates whether the weapon is dropped, damaged, dropped
and damaged, or whether there is damage to self or party member, or whether
nothing unusual happens). I changed the unarmed combat system to be nearly
identical to the weapon combat system based on an article in an old issue
of Dragon Magazine entitled "How to Finish Fights Faster," by Roger Moore.
The rest is left up to common sense and the imagination of the DM and
players. As a DM, I always am very descriptive of combat rounds. Usually
players will simply "attack" and I, the DM usually dictate where and how
the blow struck based on the amount of damage done. For example, The pary's
fighter attacks a chain-mailed gnoll with his halberd (a formidable weapon).
He hits and roles 1 point of damage. Adding one for his strength bonus
that makes 2 points of damage against the gnolls 17. Normally a good blow
from a halberd would have taken half of the gnoll's points, but this was
rather weak, therefore I tell the player that "your halberd swung downward
at the beast, but he is more nimble than he looks. He tries to dodge the
attack, and your weapon glances of his mailed shoulder. A little blood
trickles through the links as he growls in pain and swings his flail upwards
at your exposed abdomen." To me, combat doesn't get much more vivid than
that.
Common sense can apply to all modes of combat without violating neither
rule nor spirit of the AD&D combat system. Suppose the party encounters
a mean looking warrior in plate armor, but wearing no helm (because he
looks cooler without it). The fighter states he is going to attack his
unprotected head. This is covered in the rules as a called shot, made
at -4 to hit. However it is still easier to attack an AC 10 at -4 is better
than an attack on AC 2. If the fighter does massive damage, I may rule
that the opponent is stunned and can't attack the next round, or that
blood is running into his eyes and he has to attack at -2 or something.
Common sense works for me.
Another example: If a thief looks through a peep hole and gets shot with
a crossbow bolt through that hole, he is going to lose an eye, even if
he only took 1 point of damage. Common sense. If a character sticks his
hand in a hole to open a lever and activates a trap that takes more than
20% of his total hitpoints, I may rule that either he lost the hand/arm,
or it is crushed and unusable until a *heal* or *regenerate* spell is
cast on it.
Sometimes things get more complicated. Suppose an archer wants to shoot
an opponent in the eye from across the room? A moving eyeball from across
the room is a near impossible target (beholders notwithstanding). I would
probably determing the AC of the head, apply called shot modifier, then
either apply an additional modifier due to size of the target, or rule
that a roll of 19 or 20 hits the eye. If the attack rolls high enough
to hit the head, but miss the eye, the head takes the damage, but the
eye is missed.
If a character sticks his hand in a hole to open a lever and activates
a trap that takes more than 20% of his total hitpoints, I may rule that
either he lost the hand/arm, or it is crushed and unusable until a *heal*
or *regenerate* spell is cast on it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 215 of 5992 Reply
combat yourcouchpotato
2/19/99 11:40 am
That is basically how I deal with combat. The players tell me who they
are going to hit and with what. If the hit is weak, I described to them
how they messed up or how they were a little slow. If I feel like it,
I give them a critical hit or fumble just because I think it fits in with
what is going on.
I also like using miniatures for combat since it shows the players what
is going on. I don't have any miniatures, since I started doing this recently.
I use coins. Miniatures are the next thing on my D&D shopping list.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 214 by Umbratikus
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Message 216 of 5992 Reply
Ah now see... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/19/99 11:50 am
I hunt with a recurve bow and cedar arrows I can tell you from actual
hunting experiance that to hit a match book at 30 yards with not only
one but succesive shots is not all that difficult. The first time I used
broad heads I destroyed about a dozen arrows cutting fletching sliceing
shafts(aluminum) wrecking nocks. I do not even consider my self to be
a very good archer. I shot a rabbit at 65 yards (dumb luck and another
at nearly 50 yards (dead on). I know archers who can shoot at dime size
targets all day and one friend of mine shoots the heads off live crows
regularly.
When the die indicate an unusually low number of points I use the glancing
blow explanation as the reason that the halbred a very formidable and
unweildy weapon did such little damage. The mechanics of mele combat have
always struck me as lacking (in the over simplified AD&D first ed. what
they put out later I really dont know about.) I have been in numerous
barroom brawls and actual roits on the street and when some one smashes
your arm it wont do what you want it to. So Ihave always felt that the
system needed some reworking yes it would be more cumbersome for the DM
and the PC's but I don't think it would be too unweildy unlike a halbred
(lol) You guys are great thanx for the input I wanna here more.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 214 by Umbratikus
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Message 217 of 5992 Reply
Combat Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Sykesville, Pa) 2/19/99 1:12 pm
More work for the DM? Oh yes, an unbelievable amount when I first made
the system. Added realism? It is the most realistic combat system I have
ever run, and I've run 16 seperate gaming systems.
The players don't have to spend time figuring out any obscure numbers,
or quasi-calculus equations. I have went through and placed everything
they would need onto a chart. They find 2 numbers, and cross reference
it with 1 number, and BOOM! A number for what they need, it takes about
5 seconds and helps the game in my opinion.
Does a player react badly when his character loses half of his head? Of
course, my players grow to enjoy their characters and view them as something
almost tangible. I have had players on the verge of tears during my game,
all because something catastrophic happened to their character. Have any
of them ever quit because of it? No, they realise that if they want the
added realism to the game, their characters may have to pay the price
sometimes along with the monsters.
What happens when the character has a useless arm and needs to climb a
rope? Well, he doesn't climb the rope, unless he is inventive and can
convince me it is a feasible option.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 214 by Umbratikus
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Message 218 of 5992 Reply
Similar tastes Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/19/99 1:18 pm
It seems that we have the same ideas governing combat. And a penchant
for remember the good old days. . . how long has it been since Roger E.
Moore wrote a dragon article? Ever go through or run the G1-2-3 series?
I just found it after all these years and I am thinking of updating it
to 2nd edition status. Talk about a lot of work!
I have to chuckle because when I wrote that last post I thoought of the
"spirit of the game" a few times but decided not to mention it. Well it's
off to work for me talk at you all later.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 219 of 5992 Reply
Archery and Miniatures Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/19/99 2:27 pm
I also shoot a recurve bow (another similarity,Pictii?) and can hit some
pretty small targets, but I am talking about a moving target in a combat
situation. To me it makes more sense to do it this way, and a miss to
the eye would logically hit elsewhere in the face (here we go with logic
again) if it hits at all. The eye would be a more difficult target to
hit than the head in general because of size difference, an this should
be reflected in the called shot penalty.
As far a miniatures go, my major complaint is the expense. I would love
to see some companies mass produce good quality, low cost, plastic minatures,
especially for building armies for large scale combat. Trying to represent
an army of 35 skeletons against a town militia of about 20 mounted fighters
could get mighty expensive. Anybody know of any company that does this?
I know there are some plastic Warhammer figures, but these are pretty
close in price to the metal miniatures (close enough that I would rather
buy the metal ones).
This Is a Reply to: Msg 216 by Pictii
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Message 220 of 5992 Reply
Combat Pt II (or how to beat a dead hors Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/19/99 3:44 pm
At times I have skipped combat all together. If the party is overclassed
for the encounter etc. I will describe the slaughter and be done with
it. Realism is great, if that is what you are after. I am running a fantasy
game. The level of realism is where I set it. I depend upon my imagination
and skill describing scenes to interpret what the dice say.
I guess all this boils down to the fact I believe that the STORY/and the
player's needs are more important to than the system/rules.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 221 of 5992 Reply
Player Creativity Gatfish
(22/M/California) 2/19/99 3:48 pm
Probably THE biggest problem I run into when DMing a game is lack of player
creativity. It kills me. I've worked damn hard to create a dynamic environment
for them to work in and they just act like they're waiting for some monsters
to kill, just so they can start rolling dice, or maybe for me to throw
some good treasure their way.
Then when it comes to role playing their PC's in the group they tend to
argue more than anything and bicker about what actions to take, until
I get fed up at them wasting time and throw some monsters at them.
I think, and I figure most of you will agree, player creativity is almost
just as important as DM creativity. If they think of intersting and intriguing
things to do it enhances my game so much. It comes down to simply, 4 heads
are better than one. I'm always very leanant with actual conciquenses
when a PC has decided to do something interesting that will enhance the
game, but when the PC's are just putzing around I make it harder for them.
Does anyone know of any good ways to motivate players, or get them thinking
in the right direction? I've told them to be more creative, I've given
them obvious bonus's, but still I have only one consistantly creative
player. It's quite frustrating. They say they're having a good time, but
I know we could be having a better one.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 213 by Pictii
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Message 222 of 5992 Reply
Uncreative Players Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/19/99 4:21 pm
I've had plenty of these and I've used different methods of sparking creativity.
One time, during a string of playing sessions, I made a rule that anything
the player's say, their character says in the game unless they specifically
make a time-out symbol, or are obviouly asking something to the DM. I
made NPCs and monsters react to things the players said out of character.
This led to some humerous interactions "By Odin's bristly beard, Ivar,
who are these 'Braves' and where in the Nine Hells is 'Atlanta'." The
players really got a kick out of it, but more importantly, It made them
start thinking through their characters and seeing things from their points
of view. It did a lot to spark creativity.
One time I created a set of specific XP bonuses I called ADDA (AD&D Awards).
These were 100 to 500 xp bonuses based on uses of creativity. These were
given out between adventures, when xps were calculated. For example, I
had the Ebon Flame award, for the most creative use of a spell, the Sword
of Valiance award for most incredible combat sequence, of course there
was the Best Role Playing award (which could only be won by one character
per adventure, to spark role playing competition). I also had the PITA
award, which was really a 500xp penalty. PITA stood for 'Pain In The Ass,'
and was awarded to the player that disrupted the game the most. There
were others, too. I haven't used these in years.
Simple suggestion sometimes works. I had a pair of players that spent
some time in the Planescape setting, and were trying to work their way
back to their home world. These two had purchased a pair of Aoskian hounds
(a two headed guard dog native to Sigil), and I suggested once that they
could probably make a lot of money if they were able to breed these dogs
back in their homeland. This lit up the entrepreueurial spark in the players
and they have been very creative in planning and scheming to get a mating
pair back to their home, about reserving future NWP slots for animal training,
husbandry, etc. They haven't made it back yet, because I am making the
trip back as difficult as possible (traveling from plane to plane, world
to world, and having to accomodate the dogs along the way).
One other session sparked creativity among the players in a different
way, and it was totally unintentional. I was running an adventure called
the Chapel of Silence for about 6 players. During the adventure, one of
the players touched this altar which struck each of the characters mute.
No saving throw. Dispell magic wouldn't fix it. It had to wear off over
time. From the time the player touched the altar, the players themselves
were not allowed to speak. Only those whose characters had the Reading/Writing
proficiency could write and read notes to each other. Others had to draw
pictures, play charades, whatever. I was the only one who could speak.
The game was played in total silence except for my narration, the sound
of dice rolling, the sound of pencils scribbling and drawing diagrams,
and laughter. Lots of laughter. This was loads of fun.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 221 by Gatfish
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Message 223 of 5992 Reply
motivation Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/19/99 4:24 pm
That's really it. what motivates your PCs?
A while back I found a questionaire in a dragon mag. which asked quite
a few questions. This gave me valuable feedback on what the players thought
of MY gaming style, what they like, what they do not like etc. It opened
my eyes and changed things dramatically.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 221 by Gatfish
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Message 224 of 5992 Reply
Knowing your Players Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/19/99 4:44 pm
Danduin mentioned an interesting point. You really have to know your players
and what they like in a game. Everybody has different reasons for liking
the AD&D game and you have to know what buttons to push. If they are all
predominantly hack & slash people, make sure there is plenty of combat
opportunity in your games. If you are trying to move away from that, then
do so gradually. Perhaps put them in some situations where jumping into
combat had some negative repercussions, prompting them to look before
they leap, so to speak. Show them your world through their motivations.
If you plan out a great mystery and puzzle solving adventure, but your
players just want to fight, you are going to have frustrated players and
a frustrated DM. Balance.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 223 by Danduin_
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Message 225 of 5992 Reply
umbratikus DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/19/99 5:02 pm
I believe I still have the grim Requiem somewhere i don't want to part
with it but if you want some info about womething specific e-mail me and
i'll try to get it to you.
Undead PC are fun i had a bardic style Pixie lich Of course we bent the
rules a little and he was already a wild mage theif, but he was fun till
he got killed with the help of a undead beholder he was helpless in the
eye anti magic beam and then the beholder took over a rangers follower
and killed half the party including finding my pixie laying on the ground
invisibly(since that is his natural form and couldn't become visible in
that state) and he got killed then they found a way to bring him back
This Is a Reply to: Msg 210 by Umbratikus
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Message 226 of 5992 Reply
little people n monsters Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/19/99 5:05 pm
It aint easy. I was lucky, an old girlfriend bought a huge collection
at a yard sale and gave them to me. I had to stip off the oil based High
gloss paint. But the price was about right. The best thing to do is get
some here or there. I bought Battlemasters which comes with quite a few
figures (plastic) the bad thing is that you need bases like the WH40K
minis., which I happen to have. I would love to find a "bulk pack" or
"bag o' monsters" like the army guys I used to love so much.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 219 by Umbratikus
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Message 227 of 5992 Reply
Umbratikus DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/19/99 7:11 pm
I have the grim Requiem i believe i'll have to check I don't want to part
with it but if you need some specific info just let me know and i'll try
to get it for you just email me and let me know.
I doo agree undead characters are fun i had a pixie lich that was created
after the bardic lich in ravenloft
This Is a Reply to: Msg 210 by Umbratikus
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Message 228 of 5992 Reply
Umbratikus DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/19/99 7:31 pm
I believe i have the grim requiem but i don't wish to part with it but
if you need specific info email me and i'll try to get it to you.
Undead characters are fun. I had a pixie lich styled after the bardic
lich in the Ravenloft monsterous compendium. He was a lot of fun until
he got killed again by a ranger follower in our own party.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 229 of 5992 Reply
Umbratikus DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/19/99 7:36 pm
I believe I have the grim requiem but i don't want to part with it but
if you need specific info email me and i'll try to get the info to you
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 230 of 5992 Reply
Motivation, combat and all that stuff Postmodern1
(26/M/Mpls MN) 2/19/99 8:24 pm
Here are some quick thoughts on everything that's been being talked about
today:
combat - I use critical hits for an extra die of damage on a 20, critical
fumbles and weapon damage for a 1 (got this table out of Best of Dragon
III if i remember correctly).
There have been time that I also have skipped comabt and descdibed what
happened narrative stylre for the characters when a certain outcome was
basically predetermined. I have also done this without the players realising
it for the games' sake, ie players were either losing intrest in the fight,
saw it as a hiderance to their goal, etc. I still roll hte dice but don't
even look at them. Sometimes this has saved a gaming session.
Called shots: I try to be as realistic as possible with hit modifiers
but don't use hp broken down by body part. While this genericises (that
a word?) the combats, it makes it all that much more devestating when
a player does something that actual _does_ get them a broken arm, poked
out eye, ....
Motivation: I used the same set of questions that someone else refrenced
(from a Dragon mag) for my players. There were a lot of things that helped
flesh out the characters. I still have the issue, if anyone is interested,
I can look it up &email of fax it. Might be on their web page, too. But
anyway, this alone set the stage for one char, a wood elf, to return across
the realm to the land of his birth. He ended up bringing about half the
party (his character's closer friends) and it was a theme for four whole
gaming sessions!!! The best part was it was for the character, sometjhing
he realy wanted. The other players enjoyed the detail and background even
thou it was not their char and a couple of them then followed suit, asking
for help with their own histories.
Bonuses for being "fun": I use something I call hero points in my campaign.
These are awards for chars doing something either (1) totally in character
that they (as a player) know is not a good idea, (2) something ridiculiously
heroic (the last person standing grabbing a magical sword off the fallen
warrior and rushing the dragon that just wiped out the party) or (3) having
a really unique idea that adds something special to the game. These are
then used by the char on any roll they choose, provided that they tell
me how many points they are using before the roll is actually made. This
includes to hit, hp at a level, saves, etc. Almost always, a player saves
them for "something good" and they use them in situation that really counts
for the party. A lot of the time, the action that they just dumped all
four of hteir hero points in to results in htem being awarded another
one at the end of the encounter. This also has the players thinking of
new, fresh alternatives to the "same old - same old" situations. More
often than not, it will be the players who make the call on if an action
deserved a hero point "Whoa, dude - now THAT is worth a hero point!!"
or if someone should use them "Come on, he's going to kill Snarf unless
you can hit that rope!" They almost take the whole thng over themselves,
all I have to do is watch. :)
OK, that got a lot longer than it was supposed to .... the gf is screaming,
be back soon!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 229 by DRACCONIC
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Message 231 of 5992 Reply
Does anyone... macbeth_of_klamath
(23/M/Klamath) 2/20/99 9:29 pm
Does anyone have any idea what this is or how to destroy it?
From the body of the dead guard, a wisp of black smoke rises into the
air. It begins to grow rapidly, forming glowing yellow eyes, a wide grin,
wispy claws. You don't even notice it until it lets loose a piercing shriek.
So loud is the shriek that you all feel slightly disoriented(-1 to attack
rolls)
The arcane syllables uttered by Palmaris seem to have no effect on the
creature. It points its wispy talons towrds palmaris, and with a grin,
fires the talons like darts. The darts come close, but miss and lodge
into the wall. They seem to be all too solid.
Carlir's mace passes directly through the smoky
creature, leaving a large hole where his mace penetrated. The wisps of
smoke slowly begin reforming it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 232 of 5992 Reply
Yep Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/21/99 12:51 am
Your Doom I would say.
I have a couple thoughts but why would I want to ruin someones surprise?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 231 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 233 of 5992 Reply
First off, dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 2/21/99 1:45 am
Howdy all! It has been some time since I was here, as a new baby takes
up lots of time. the time you DO have, you are sleeping.
Let's see. For damage rolls, I let the characters decide if it is a called
shot. Then, I do what I do so well. Let them screw up!!!! If it works,
it works. If not, they have on really tikked off Orc (or Goblin, Troll,
what ever). For the actual damage, I usually let them roll out their damage
from per weapon stats. If it was a weak hit, not all damage is actually
given. Some is deflected from armor, thick skin, etc... On a nat 20, if
the weapon was large enough and the strength sufficient enough, double
damage is given. Other wise, just max damage. Needless to say, a dagger
is not going to take out an Orc on a 20, but a two handed, two headed
battle axe carried by a really pissed of dwarf might.
As for getting the characters to be more creative, try forcing them to
use their non-weapon proficiencies more. In one game, when just "looking"
inside a minotaur lair, the party stumbled through a prtal and landed
who knows where. They only had a weapon or so apiece, no food or water
(on the pommel of the saddles), and they became sick from the torrential
rain/ice storm they walked into. They had to survive by their wits, literally.
If they wanted too. That is why I have them pick carefully their non weapon
pros. It could just save their lives.
Yemina Scout
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 234 of 5992 Reply
Last Resort??? dndqueen
2/21/99 2:04 am
?power word kill?
or more likely 9th level wish spell!!???!!
Don't you "wish" you knew what it was!!!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 231 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 235 of 5992 Reply
more info is requested Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/21/99 2:33 am
why is there a dead guard?
what is he (or was he) guarding?
where are you?
did you kill him (the party)?
See what happens when you go around killing things ! Some of 'em might
take exception to that. I know I would
Remember you don't have to out run the monster, just another party memeber!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 231 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 236 of 5992 Reply
One way to escape your eternal demise: DngeonKing
(32/M/Overlooking the dungeon!) 2/21/99 3:16 am
In the words of the Knights of the Round Table from "Monty Python & The
Holy Grail" :
"Run away! Run away! Run away!!!!!!!"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 231 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 237 of 5992 Reply
magic DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/21/99 10:16 am
I would suggest a teleport maybe? How about, well no just teleport.
He who screams loudest is using to much good air that could be used for
running!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 236 by DngeonKing
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Message 238 of 5992 Reply
Yikes... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/21/99 11:42 am
>Run joey run joey run or run to the hills run for your life
>Large scale miniature battles I use the old green army men and other
(cream colored) army men still collect them evry garage sale that has
em I buy em I've probably got like 300
>When we play the DM (his first campaign) gets very flustered recently
we had to make a delivery (returning a dwarven clans anchient family anvil)
things went well happy die rolls etc they turned us onto dwarven spirits
we being lovers of the spirits felt the need to smuggle several barrels
back to the city of chance (we have a ship) now despite the un availibility
of dwarven spirits outsid of the dwarven community the DM was take aback
that we wanted to be rum runners "Oh the tavern keep knows what is is
he offers you 1100gp per barrel" "ah but we paid 1000 gp and there is
no other source " "well he will only offer you 1100 take it or leave it"
so of course we told the tavern owner to get bent at the end of the game
the DM was like well things went too well between you guys and the dwarves
(good reaction rolls good reactions thoughtful inquiries etc...)
so I could not have made things easy in town beside why would you want
to be rum runners? so I just dropped the issue a little role reversal
here the PC's wanna expand the game and the DM wants us out there slayin
bad guys.
>Archery I am still not convinced if some one lives with his or her bow
in hand providing food sport,recreation, and employment hitting any target
in as small a space as most indoor places could be would not be any kind
of feat.
>A crit. with a dagger is still a crit. if some one insists on fighting
with daggers to be a pain in the neck they always encounter creatures
who are large with pole arms, If some one is useing a dagger as a last
resort and they score a crit then successive rolls suggest a severe crit
(once had a player roll 20's back to back three four times in this kind
of situation) then the weapon is quite capable of causing death in a decisive
fashionand so be it (hero points spring to my mind here)
>I always award points for good Ideas clever actions thoughtful approaches
valor and most of the Ideas you all had listed I never take points unless
there is a alignment violation (huge) or the like recently "as you go
through the door way you here a blood freezing scream there is a giant
class humanoid cartwheeling toward you whirlind a huge curved blade PC:1
I run away as fast as possible PC:2 I draw my blade Despite my every effort
this guy wanted to get dead the lock on the hall was at -20 to pick they
got it the door was a 1 in 20 to open they got it the battered remains
of other hapless adventurers only seemed to spur them on to their encounter
with an immortal ogre mage (an impoortant NPC they were foolishly breaking
into his own lair, not at all what was supposed to happen) as a first
yes first level character they managed all their saving throws for fear
etc. and this fool stood in the hall with his long sword drawn being way
benevolent I only hit him one (A crit I ignored) and only did 1/4 the
damage on the dice which was 95% of the boobs hp then I actually let the
other player and an npc rescue captain hapless his reply after being healed
(Of course) I need to get a battle axe to fight the giant with He still
doesn't know what kind of nasty it was that waffled him in the hall the
other PC garnered alot of EXP points for thoughtful and sane reactions
and for saving captain hapless's hide the capt. recieved but a few for
being a good target. well I think I have babbled long enough. Later all.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 237 by DRACCONIC
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Message 239 of 5992 Reply
Umbratikus DRACCONIC
(27/M) 2/21/99 1:14 pm
I believe you were lookingg for the Grim Requiemright i found it for sale
on the web try this URL>
http://fantgamecoll.com/Store/RPG%20store/tsr.htm
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Message 240 of 5992 Reply
mentax nightray1998
(28/M) 2/22/99 9:28 am
Check out my club mentax, on the links section you should be able to acess
my web page. C-ya
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 241 of 5992 Reply
Gee, I take a weekend off... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/22/99 12:04 pm
and have a lot of catching up to do on this list.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 242 of 5992 Reply
Dracconic... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/22/99 12:06 pm
Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, and thanks : )
I will e-mail you. If you have the info I want, I don't really need to
buy the set. There are too many other things on my AD&D wishlist. Anything
I can avoid buying the better.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 229 by DRACCONIC
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Message 243 of 5992 Reply
smokey creature Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/22/99 12:09 pm
umm...have you tried turning it? (Damn, where's a priest when you need
one?).
This Is a Reply to: Msg 231 by macbeth_of_klamath
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Message 244 of 5992 Reply
You don't have to out run the monster... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/22/99 12:16 pm
Danduin brought up a good point with his classic one liner.
What if you had two characters with the same movement rate fleeing a creature.
How do you determine which one is faster? Is it determined by strength?
By dexterity? Does constitution come into play? What if someone has the
running NWP, is he automatically faster? And if they both have the same
movement rate, how do you reconcile the difference in sprinting speed?
Has anyone dealt with this?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 235 by Danduin_
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Message 245 of 5992 Reply
The archery debate Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/22/99 12:25 pm
Okay, I'll concede that an expert archer can hit very small targets without
much difficulty. "A near impossible shot" was a poor choice of words.
However, It still seems to me that a called shot to the eye should be
a more difficult shot than a called shot to the head in general, simply
because of the size differential. IOW, hitting the bullseye would be more
difficult than hitting the target.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 238 by Pictii
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Message 246 of 5992 Reply
A foot race... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/22/99 2:34 pm
I have had characters of primative background who would challenge people
to various feats and foot races were among them I used a cribbage board
and dice roll for inititive then roll (any dice will do) move your point
markers and repeat till one crosses finish cumbersome for combat but for
foot races it worked and the players seemed to dig it.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 244 by Umbratikus
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Message 247 of 5992 Reply
True: I am a ball buster Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/22/99 2:41 pm
...Arrows are most effective when the target is ignorant of their approach...and
tipped with fast acting poison.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 245 by Umbratikus
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Message 248 of 5992 Reply
True I am a ball buster Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/22/99 2:43 pm
...Arrows are most effective when the target is ignorant to their approach...and
when tipped with a fast acting poison.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 245 by Umbratikus
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Message 249 of 5992 Reply
Yes, but... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/22/99 3:23 pm
how could you translate this footrace system into two characters fleeing
a pursuer (without it being too cumbersome)?
Also, a certain flaw in your logic means that neither would win all of
the time, or even most of the time (by the laws of statistics). No contestant
would be consistently superior. Everyone on the planet could participate
in the Olympic track time trials and have an equal chance of winning.
Perhaps you could add Strength and Level (or character's movement rate,
whichever is higher) and multiply by 10. This would be the number of yards
a sprinting (read: fleeing) character can cover per round. This can be
maintained for a number of rounds equal to half of the characters' Constitution
score.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 246 by Pictii
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Message 250 of 5992 Reply
chariots of fire Gatfish
(22/M/California) 2/22/99 4:34 pm
(alternate title: "AHHHH! That bastard is casting fireball on us! Run
for your frickin' life!!!")
You know how those Olympian short sprint races are usually decided between
the more equal canadates?
The take off. It's all in the take off.
And that happens to be luck half the time. Like, who's trying to jump
the gun and happens to time it right.
So between two charaters who are of equal speed I think the one who takes
off the fastest will win, and that has a lot to do with luck. So you could
just put it up to a personal intiative roll off, and maybe to be fair
give them bonuses or negatives based on dexterity, since one foot slipping
on start up can doom a racer to last place.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 249 by Umbratikus
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Message 251 of 5992 Reply
run away! Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/22/99 4:51 pm
When two people have the same movement rate you have to take into account
a few things.
What are they wearing?
It's much easier to run in leather armor than plate mail.
What are they carrying?
I would not take into accout the running prof. it is more for endurance
issues. the PHB says this:
Running: The character can move at twice his normal movement rate for
a day. At the end of the day he must sleep for eight hours. After the
first day's movement, the character must roll a proficiency check for
success. If the die roll succeeds, the character can continue his running
movement the next day. If the die roll fails, the character cannot use
his running ability the next day. If involved in a battle during a day
he spent running, he suffers a -1 penalty to his attack rolls.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 249 by Umbratikus
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Message 252 of 5992 Reply
Right and now a tiger... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/22/99 5:29 pm
When two are fleeing... after armor and encumberance I still use the die
roll you have to consider they are running cause what is chasing them?
How fast is the nasty? so all three roll then I determine if the nasty
wants to bother with the chase or not -OR- If they both fail to save vs
the terrible presence of a triple ancient huge(I mean gigundo)Red Dragon
and they soil themselves and run as any sane being would the die roll
again with encumberance and armor penalties this also allows for catastrophic
events and historical precedents for speed... ie if you and I were fleeing
and wearing similar armor and carrying identical packs given our stats
were the same or similar we would roll you roll a 17 nice you have run
away successfully
I roll a 1 then on succesive rolls net two more 1's as a DM I would rule
a trip with damage...a chuck hole or rock or tree whatever is most likely
then I would roll a D6 for damage.
this is how i have done it and it seems to work pretty well I believe
that when PC's get to roll the out come sits better with them. as it is
their luck good or bad and not me making a determination.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 251 by Danduin_
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Message 253 of 5992 Reply
Another day another seige Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/23/99 12:08 pm
How goes it here yesterday the capracious gods trifled with my posting
powers nearly obliterating them I must make a pilgrimage bearing offerings
who knows whenc I should venture? we try to post humbly now no longer
filled with pride.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 254 of 5992 Reply
PC Questionaire Gatfish
(22/M/Northern California) 2/24/99 5:58 pm
I asked my players if they thought a questionaire might help game play
and they said sure (I don't know if that's bad or good). They say they
don't have any specific qualms with my DMing, but maybe some informed
questions might help them think of somethings they'd like to see happen.
So I know it was mentioned a couple times, but I don't believe anyone
ever said what issue of Dragon Magazine that questionaire was in. If it
was 1996 or before, they're probably have it at the TSR website (that's
where their back issues start). If it was more recent I'd love to get
a hold of it somehow. If anyone has ever seen it copied and on a website
somewhere, or if anyone wants to go to the trouble of typing it out, I'd
appreciate it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 230 by Postmodern1
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Message 255 of 5992 Reply
and the survey says. . . . . . . Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/24/99 7:12 pm
The one I was refverring to was, I believe, long before '96. I think it
was in the Gygax era. I have one at home I'll try to get it into digital
form at work tomorrow night and either post it someplace or e mail it
to you.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 254 by Gatfish
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Message 256 of 5992 Reply
Help?? valdimir_the_good
(17/M/Aurora, IN) 2/24/99 7:31 pm
Uhm hello,
i am currently trying to get some friends together to play a game and
i have not used my stuff in a long time and i do not have my book to find
out how to role characters.. if you could send me some info i would appreciate
it greatly..
Eric..
my email is Alexi_Lalas@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 257 of 5992 Reply
help please valdimir_the_good
(17/M/Aurora, IN) 2/24/99 9:51 pm
ok i lost my sheets on character creation i would like if someone could
send me some info. via email... my address is Alexi_lalas@yahoo.com
thanks,
Eric..
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 258 of 5992 Reply
character generation Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/24/99 9:55 pm
Sent you some stuff on character generation from the PHB and DMG if you
need any of the other material just holler
This Is a Reply to: Msg 256 by valdimir_the_good
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Message 259 of 5992 Reply
PBEM Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/24/99 9:59 pm
Would anyone be interested in a PBEM adventure that I have in mind? I
am about to start an adventure for some people here at work and I was
wondering if there was any interest "out there" at all. If you are interested
let me know via post or email.
Thanks,
Danduin
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 260 of 5993 Reply
thanks and sorry valdimir_the_good
(17/M/Aurora, IN) 2/25/99 8:35 am
thank you for sending me the info..it will prove very helpful..and i am
sorry for the double post..
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 261 of 5993 Reply
PBEM...play by e-mail? Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/25/99 9:02 am
I am not computer saavy so you must forgive me, is the format a play by
mail type I have only ever played (what was the name...) Hyperbeon (?)
war A connan based mail in game vai land mail when I was in the navy.
I am up for any kind of gaming though but as I am thick of scull you will
have to E-mail me instructions. I would love to play E-mail me at NBLKCNGR@yahoo.com
with more info.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 260 by valdimir_the_good
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Message 262 of 5993 Reply
PBEM Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/25/99 10:20 am
I don't know if I would have time for a pbem game or not, as I tend to
be a very busy person
(wife, kids, job, those kinds of things). However, I would be interested
in hearing a more about what you are proposing and how your e-mail game
would work (how many players (roughly), how the turns work, how you handle
combat, etc.) If I think I could fit it in to my oh so busy schedule,
I would be very interested. It has been eons since I have been a player
and not a DM. Contact me either by post or e-mail, whichever is more appropriate.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 259 by Danduin_
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Message 263 of 5993 Reply
Half Dragons re-revisited Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/25/99 4:08 pm
Hey there don't know if it was mentioned before but there is an article
in Dragon magazine ,#206 June 1994, written by Roger E Moore that's all
about 1/2 dragons. I mean everything.
Charts, lists, different "breeds", kits, and more.
The information is from the Council of Wyrms. Matter of fact the whole
mag is about dragons in general and CoW specifically.
I am too tired this evening to look up who mentioned the CoW before but
I do remember reading about it
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 264 of 5993 Reply
PBeM Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 2/25/99 5:28 pm
I'm very interested. I am currently in two other PBeMs, a free-form ICQ
game, and running a DragonLance PBeM of my own, but I have plenty of time
and enjoy them. Like everyone else though, a bit more information would
be nice. Thanks...
If anyone is interested in the DragonLance PBeM, drop me a line at thandaras@yahoo.com
... I need more players before I can get it off the ground. Right now
I'm looking at two good characters and a bunch of unskilled shmucks. From
reading everything here, I know you people are skilled. So if you're interested,
e-mail me.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 265 of 5993 Reply
CoW... fool_sean
2/25/99 7:24 pm
That was a boxed set some 4-6 years ago that dealt with the PC's being
dragonoid. Felt more like a political game and had little role-playing
opportunities. All-in-all, That boxed set was more of a shame to AD&D
than any real reference to the game at all...
sjh
This Is a Reply to: Msg 263 by Danduin_
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Message 266 of 5993 Reply
Council of Wyrms Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 2/25/99 10:01 pm
Actually, I found that the Concil of Wyrms boxed set was very informative.
It allowed for players and DMs alike to view the game through the yes
of a dragon. The system they designed for being a dragon worked quite
admirably, and I must hand it to the creators, they did an excellent job.
I particularly liked the extra races and classes thay offered in the set.
The 9 different types of half-dragons and the Dragon Slayer class. The
story behind the Dragon Slayers was particularly well done.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 265 by fool_sean
Message 266 of 5993 Reply
Council of Wyrms Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 2/25/99 10:01 pm
Actually, I found that the Concil of Wyrms boxed set was very informative.
It allowed for players and DMs alike to view the game through the yes
of a dragon. The system they designed for being a dragon worked quite
admirably, and I must hand it to the creators, they did an excellent job.
I particularly liked the extra races and classes thay offered in the set.
The 9 different types of half-dragons and the Dragon Slayer class. The
story behind the Dragon Slayers was particularly well done.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 265 by fool_sean
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Message 267 of 5993 Reply
Ravenloft, philosophy and metaphysics. genesis2x
(17/M/my computer) 2/26/99 10:43 am
I am a timeless fan of Ravenloft ( as we ALL should be, in my ideal reality.),
and would appreciate any mail sent on this area. actually, I'd be glad
to receive any mail you people feel up to sending. Drop a line, say hi,
stay for coffee. I promise that the walls are not padded and I'm not a
vampire in disguise ( although... i COULD be...). At any rate, I'm also
a philosopheer of sorts; I do a lot of thinking and reading about existence,
thought patterns, whether god is real or not. You know, all sorts of stuff
that's fun to talk about but can never truly be answered. i guess I'm
just looking for my own answers, right or wrong. So, name's jake, pleased
to meet any and all of you that choose to read this non consequential
little electronic blip stored in somebodies database.
Tschuss! Tschau! Auf Wiedersehen!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 268 of 5993 Reply
Wow pretty heavy little dude. Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/26/99 11:23 am
Hey whats up ah the philosophical conundrum I am a skinhead therefore
I am not. at any rate I see we have returned to the half dragon saga that
is cool still "don much care fer them there reptile folk" personnaly well
Fyduril I see that we share a state of residency I live near easton where
are you I would like to start a game (off line ) we have a campaign going
but there are not enough players are ye interested? If not its ok I recieved
an E-mail about some one starting a PBEM game on saturday nights here
is his address if any one is interested Bighat2002@aol.com check it out
he seems sincere well I am off. and not just in my head. Game on
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 267 by genesis2x
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Message 269 of 5993 Reply
Half Dragon info... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 2/26/99 3:02 pm
Yes, the Dragon article Danduin speaks of is formatted nicely in a Word
document and is downloadable from TSR's web site in the downloads section.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 263 by Danduin_
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Message 270 of 5993 Reply
PBEM Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/26/99 4:50 pm
Ok then I created a site on geocities with the rules, info and all that
stuff for the PBEM game I asked about a few days ago. i would ahve had
the info out sooner but I have been working some major OT, anyhoo go to
this URL:
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Zone/8060
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Message 271 of 5993 Reply
Psionics Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 2/28/99 10:49 am
I am curious about the views concerning psionics both the old system and
the new one. I am especially interested in hearing about any "modified"
systems
Danduin
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 272 of 5994 Reply
Hah psionics...huh Pictii
(33/M/PA) 2/28/99 11:29 pm
I've always loved the idea every time i think about psionic combat I picture
bad movies made in the 60's or 70's where the two gifted stare and shake
their heads very intensely. It is a very amusing visual. I do not however
use psionics in my campaign the system outlined in the players hand book
never really appealed to me I think it was all the bizzar math any how
"Don much cotton to no psi onix roun here" Later
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 271 by Danduin_
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Message 273 of 5994 Reply
hmmmmm Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/1/99 9:03 am
I have not used psionics since the early eighties, as in first edition.
Part of this question was to see the different viewpoints out there to
see if I was missing something.
Danduin L.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 272 by Pictii
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Message 274 of 5994 Reply
Psionics Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/1/99 9:22 am
I, too, have not used psionics since the first edition rules, but at that
time, I loved them. I eagerly rushed out and bought the "Complete Psionics
Handbook" when it came out, but never actually utilized it in a game.
I don't know why, really, it just never came up. Now after reading the
new psionics system in the Players Option book (Skills and Powers I think),
I like it better. I have just created a new adventure for my players and
it includes an assassin with a wild psionic talent (a real nasty bugger).
It will be the first time in years I have used psionics. If you haven't
seen the psionics rules in Skills and Powers, I think you should read
them. It simplifies psionics a great deal and makes them more playable.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 273 by Danduin_
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Message 275 of 5994 Reply
AHHH... Skills and powers.... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/1/99 12:51 pm
Hmmmm skills and powers. Grrr, the systems outlined in the skills and
powers book(s) are very nicely done with all kinds of neat stuff but the
fact that to implement part of book a you must have these other three
books and part of another book (typical wizzards of the coast scheme,
see magic the gathering) I only use the first ed cause that is all I have.
The other DM has all the latest books and seems only to be confused by
it, he told me to roll up a character useing background points and some
other skill things I asked him to explain it too me after searching through
several books he said just roll him up how you the way you would have
people roll for your game so I am no ral fan of the Library that has become
the core of the game. I would not say they should not be used but I feel
that alot of the books are just "shiny pebbles" and prey on our pockets
to fatten their larder.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 274 by Umbratikus
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Message 276 of 5994 Reply
I agree... Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/1/99 1:50 pm
I am not a Player's Option books fan. I don't use anything from those
books except for the Shadow Mage specialist (in a Core Rules capacity),
and now, the Psionics system. The rest of the books are for the birds.
I only have them because they came with my Core Rules 2.0 CD-ROM. Until
then I have avoided them like the Plague. I am strictly a Core Rules person,
although I use the Kit system presented in the various Complete Handbooks.
But the Psionics system presented therein is, IMO, superior to what was
presented in the Complete Psionics Handbook.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 275 by Pictii
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Message 277 of 5994 Reply
Wotc, Complete *.* books and Core rules Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/1/99 2:41 pm
I have not bought any new product since before WotC bought TSR. It seems
to me that I have everything I need the "Core Books" and my all too fertile
imagination. From what I have seen (albiet a miniscule portion) the whatever
. . . skills and powers book makes a PC too powerful. I still use the
"basic" classes with a few off shoots more a specialist in a certain aspect
of the main classes. I am not someone who shuns change or diversity but
do you really need fifteen varieties of mage or what was it you are again
a falconer, or a warden or was that a seeker, NO! it was a mountain man
right? Actually no. You are a ranger plain and simple. I know the ranger
I played long ago was all these things at one time or another, and more.
You want a a really cool or different mage work out a spell theme for
him and concentrate and improve the spells he does know. Research that
magic missle so each one is actually a small fireball, I dunno (never
really used a mage b4). The complete *.* books are cool and can be a great
aid when someone is new to Role Playing. They define the class and give
you an archetype to tailor to your personality.
Like I said I do not know anyhting about the skils and powers book but
I look at all the TSR stuff I have now and I can see a major downpayment
on a house sitting on my bookshelf. There is just too much information
out there already.
I just looked at my books and you know what I have the complete Psionicist
and I have never even read the thing matter of fact I don't think I have
opened it yet. I just had to have all the series.
Now what?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 278 of 5994 Reply
The trappings of consumerism Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/1/99 3:36 pm
It is easy to get caught up in the merchandizing of AD&D products. You
really have to ask yourself what do I really need? Will this add value
to my game? Can I really afford this hobby? = )
Anyway, there is a lot of "stuff" out there, and as an AD&D enthusiast,
I have bought a lot of it. So what does one really need?
Well to begin with, I think that WotC's Fast Play game idea is a good
one. It is a great way to get newbies into the game without having to
spend a fortune (sort of like how drug dealers give potential customers
free stuff to get them started, then reel them in once they are hooked).
Anyway, what is necessary and what is not is a matter of debate. Here
is my run down of what material is important, what is iffy, and what you
can leave on the bookstore shelves:
In the Beginning Dept:
To start with, the PH, DMG, and MM make up the necessary core rules one
needs to start playing the game seriously. One may argue that the DMG
or the MM could be optional at first, but I would disagree if you plan
to be a DM. Also, if one had never designed an AD&D adventure before,
I would also reccomend an adventure suitable for low levels or perhaps
an issue of Dungeon magazine, just to get the DM started. If you are a
player and don't intend to be a DM, then the PH alone would suffice.
Supplemental Materials Dept:
If you wanted to go beyond what is presented in the core rules, I would
start with the Tome of Magic, the Complete Psionics Handbook (if you like
the mind thang), and perhaps the Complete Book of Humanoids. This expands
the scope of magic and introduces psionics and the Psionicist class, and
gives the DM detailed guidelines for going beyond the standard PC races.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 277 by Danduin_
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Message 279 of 5994 Reply
The trappings of conumerism: Part Deux Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/1/99 3:37 pm
The Kit Department:
Then I would start with the Complete *** Handbooks. I have mixed feelings
about kits. In my campaign, I only use a fraction of the kits that are
presented in the handbooks. The kits I do use are ones that actually make
alterations to the class proper (like the Blade for bards, or the Bounty
Hunter for thieves for instance). Many of the kits presented are simply
crutches that take the place of role playing. They don't really give the
character class any different abilities, just guidelines on how this character
type should be played. These types of kits have no place in my campaign.
If you want to play a Peasant Hero or a Con Man play your character that
way. You don't need a kit. My point? Evaluate the kits for substance,
don't take the whole *kit* and caboodle : D
Campaign Design Department:
Getting stuck in a TSR gameworld can be expensive. I have all the 1st
Ed. Greyhawk stuff, but (thankfully) managed to stay away from Forgotton
Realms, despite my admiration of the setting (Back before the Forgotten
Realms published by TSR, it was just the backdrop for articles in Dragon
Magazine by Ed Greenwood. I always said to myself and anyone who would
listen that I would love to play in this guy's campaign. Now with all
the products on the market, I'm glad that I only bought the original boxed
set). Unfortunately I own just about everything with with the word Planescape
or Spelljammer on it.
Having said all that, I think designing one's own campaign world is not
only infinitely less expensive, but much more enriching. Having PCs traipse
through a world of your own design is one of the best parts, IMO, of being
a DM. The best part is, you don't really need any other products, other
than pencil and paper, to do this. However, If you want source material,
I would reccomend the following TSR products: 1) the World Builder's Guidebook.
I wish I would have had this product when I first designed my world. Although
far from perfect, It systematically walks you through creating a unique
and believable game world. I was skeptical as to its value when I first
purchased it, but after reading it I highly reccomend it to those prospective
geoformers. 2)The Castle Guide: This product is great for those wanting
to create a Medieval European style campaign (the most common, I might
add). The source material here is outstanding, from governments, to crime
and punisment. From Taxation to life of the common man, this guide is
great. 3) the Complete Priest's Handbook: This may seem out of place,
but it is a handy guide for developing the religions of your game world.
Sample priesthoods are described in relative detail and are a great springboard
to developing the religious culture of your world.
Okay, I know this rather lengthy post is opinionated, and therefore is
going to spark heated debate, so let's hear it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 278 by Umbratikus
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Message 280 of 5994 Reply
going to spark heated debate Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/1/99 4:12 pm
I agree with everything you stated. One thing though, if it's not going
to spark heated debate why post?
**GRIN**
This Is a Reply to: Msg 279 by Umbratikus
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Message 281 of 5994 Reply
What do you do... Blazebat
(15/M/Wisconsin) 3/1/99 4:40 pm
I'm just a novice DM and I need help. What does one do about a PC who
refuses to have anything but an evil alignment (and plays it pretty well!)?
I don't want to kick him out of my game, but I don't want him ruining
the storyline on purpose either. What should I do?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 282 of 5994 Reply
Ahhh the evil pc... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/1/99 5:33 pm
About time, I have played a variety of evil pc's one started out as the
only ranger I ever played and was resurected by an evil deity (memories)
I then had all kinds of fun harassing other players and the DM. (Hey he
opened the can of worms) Let him play his evil character I am certain
the other pc's would be adverse to acting in concert with an evil minded
person. Or at least they should. It is easier to start the evil pc in
"some Jail" somewhere only to release him on the streets without any thing
but a short tunic. Or just let him play as I always tell my novice DM
don't try to plan what it is we are gonna do just plan your campaign and
let us play. Events that occur in the game are likely to affect the "world"
so they should only be moderately affected by pc activity. Most importantly
just have fun. Say the evil pc is out with an adventuring party you could
have a gold dragon bestow gifts on those deemed worthy (hence not bestowing
any thing to the evil pc). Elves (bah who needs em) tend to not like things
evil as do most humans. Evil is a neccesary part of the game and should
not be treated lightly, the only diff between humans and hobgoblins is
their choice of food and general disposition. An evil pc should not be
trusted by the other pc's and there is always the revenge act when some
one is evil it is certain that some one else will wanna get em for something.
An extremely powerful paladin for an npc or something along those lines,
will usually take care of the problem. The goals and objectives may cross
but good and evil pc's should never be allowed to pal around together
for too long. If this happens take a long hard look at who is playing
their alignment correctly, DUDE #1 "Icrush the babies head" (evil guy)
DUDE#2 "I laugh" or "I interfere" get it the evil would be shunned by
the good and vice versa.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 281 by Blazebat
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Message 283 of 5994 Reply
No heat here... sorry Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/1/99 5:48 pm
It is odd that ye say the skills and powers make pc's too strong or something
to that effect has been said.(damnit) I have flipped through all 19 of
my buddies books and have come to the conclusion that the pc's generated
using any 7 of the aforementioned books would be slightly disadvantaged
in my opinion. way early on I altered the rollup process I let the players
roll five d6 seven times keeping the best three and best six scors then
they can arrange them as they see fit surprisingly this really does not
create many super heros just good playable characters I allow pc's the
max hp's for their class and con the thought of a 2 hp character is absurd
too much time to develop some one who can die in a dart game at the tavern.
from there on it is up to the pc's The players declared alignment (must
be adhered too) EXP point penalties work good keeping the pc's in line
my world is harsh and the creatures are hard so the players cannot be
wimpy that is all ther is too it If some one wants to waste valuable energy
and "Character points" to become and expert mime then they will be treated
as mimes should be treated and plundered after death.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 279 by Umbratikus
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Message 284 of 5994 Reply
Ideas for evil PCs Postmodern1
(26/M/Mpls MN) 3/1/99 5:52 pm
Here are a couple thoughts for you that I have used in my games. In the
campaign that I am currently running, I told all players at the outset
that I would ont accept characters of N/E, C/E or C/N alignments - these
characters are not condusive to a group setting, making better solo characters,
and that they did not fit with the "heroic" style with which I planned
to structure the game around.
If you have already created chars and have an evil one, one possibility
for keeping them in check (i.e. keeping game balance) is to keep tabs
on actions and how they relate to the chosen alignment. The gods do not
enjoy seeing their followers sway between whatever alignmements work best
at the moment, perhaps punishing them by withholding spells or sending
minions to keep them in tune with the faith. Gentle persuasion may give
way to more forceful measures if the individuals in question do not keep
to their alignments.
Now that you have players either opting for other alignments or fully
playing the evil aligns they have chosen, you can bring in the reactions
of the encountered NPCs. Town guards, helpful clergy and the like are
not likel to respond favorably to evil PCs. If they are really playing
their align, they are going to get in trouble soon enough on their own.
I'm not saying punish them regularly, just make sure that they realise
that the definition of Chaotic Evil behavior is somewhere in the realm
of a malevolent psychosis (in my book anyway). Before getting an audience
with the mayor, you had better believe that any adviser worth his salt
is going to arrange to have a group scried by a priest witha 'know alignment'
or 'detect evil' spell - it's a safeguard basic to keeping your soverign
alive. Most enountered adventuring parties or mercanary companies will
take the same precautions. Evil NPCs also have a vested interest in making
sure that they know who the other "bad guys" are.
While evil aligns are not a one way ticket to hell and or unthinkingly
destructive behavior, they will rear their ugly heads soon enough - just
make sur ethat the PCs are aware of the reprocussions that their actions
will bring.
Just a couple ideas, let me know if you would like more ramblings. :)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 281 by Blazebat
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Message 285 of 5994 Reply
re: psionics Postmodern1
(26/M/Mpls MN) 3/1/99 6:01 pm
now that i have waded through the psi postings, i have to agree with the
majority of you, psionics are interesting but not overly playable (well,
not without a bit of chuckling from the game balance gods). The first
ed rules were confusing, I thought, and a bit under-defined. I read and
re-read them but was never able to really get much of a go out of them.
2nd edition brought a much-enhanced system and one that was more complete.
I have yet to put this into play, however. I have dabbled wiht influential
NPCs who are minor psionicists (in addition to whatever class/profession
they are) but have not allowed characters to explore this yet.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 274 by Umbratikus
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Message 286 of 5994 Reply
well now Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/1/99 6:03 pm
That is a tough question. There is nothing "wrong" with playing an evil
character. The style of gaming is different but it can be done.
Remember that evil does not mean that he HAS to go on a killing rampage
every time an opportunity presents itself.
Does anyone in the party know that he is evil? If so why do they tolerate
him? One of the players in my group was lawful evil It took three years
of gaming before the party realised it! You can do a lot that, on the
surface, does not seem "evil" but if you look at the motives behind the
actions . . . . .
(Incidentally that character died in an "accident" (Not the DM's doing)shortly
after the discovery that he was, inb fact, very evil*)
I make it a point to review each character a few days before he/she/it
is introduced into my game.
(If at all possible)
If I notice something that does not fit in to my designs I will talk/call/email
that player and see if we can come to an agreement. Ultimately it was
your decision or lack of one that allowed him into the game removing him
might be difficult.
*Does that make the player who "accidentaly" inhumed him evil too?
my two cents worth plus a dime I took from some bloke.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 281 by Blazebat
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Message 287 of 5994 Reply
Huzzah I am not the only one...re:psi Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/2/99 1:19 am
I too spent many a night reading and trying to generate a psi based guy
early on and always felt humbly stupid or at least inept or some thing
but yes I too have used psi npc's and critters(only once and for no good
reason) and have only had to laugh in one players face when he asked if
he could play his (Rediculously) powerful fully psionic paladin with a
+10 holy avenger (I swear on the tree of cucullen) but no one else has
ever even asked I'm certain I would allow it I am quite capracious and
would never unjustly restrict almost any thing blah blah any way cool
now I fell like a new man lol later.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 285 by Postmodern1
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Message 288 of 5994 Reply
Psychotic Psionics fool_sean
3/2/99 12:27 pm
I had difficulty interpreting the combat of psionics when I first started,
Then TSR made a product= "The Will and The Way" for Darksun. This small
booklet was very useful in clearing my confusion about psi-combat. Now
it is merely a changeable form that is used every round, against another
varied form. Every attack is one type of form and has it's strengths and
weaknesses against other defenses. While the same holds true for defenses.
Much akin to the AC modifier for weapon type. I found early on that the
easier solution was to expel Psi-combat totally from my campaign. In fact,
Both the players, and I, believe that this kept the many game mechanics
down.
sjh
This Is a Reply to: Msg 287 by Pictii
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Message 289 of 5994 Reply
Dark Sun psionics Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/2/99 1:07 pm
I think the psionics system presented in th PO books is based on that
presented in Dark Sun.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 288 by fool_sean
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Message 290 of 5994 Reply
EEEEvil Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/2/99 1:26 pm
First of all, you don't want to "punish" the character for being evil.
That is a viable alignment choice, and is ultimately up to the player.
However, I share your pain. I encourage good aligned PCs, as I like to
run grand scale heroic adventures where the men in the white hats emerge
triumphant over the guys in the black hats.
Having said that, I will write down the heretofore unwritten law of successful
campaign management: Design your adventures/scenarios around your PC's.
In other words, don't force the PCs to conform to your concept of what
the adventure should be, but rather design/customize your adventures to
conform to the players' concept of what the adventure should be.
Example: The evil PC does something evil. Now the party is being chased
by a band of good aligned do-gooders, Knights of the Realm, or city guardsmen,
bounty hunters, whatever. The rest of the party, even if they are good,
are guilty by association. Hell, an entire campaign can be built around
this. The rest of the party may get sick of always ending up in hot water
and take care of EPM (Evil Party Member) themselves.
Example 2: A high level paladin detects the EMP as evil and challenges
him. This paladin can mop up the floor with EPM and intends to do so.
This leaves the rest of the party with the daunting task of mediating
this (if they want to ; ))and saving his evil ass.
This isn't punishing the EPM, it is simply using his contrary alignment
as a springboard for adventures. Hell, DM's all around the world are looking
for logical reasons for campiagns and believeable ways to get parties
involved in adventures. You've got one right in the middle of your party.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 281 by Blazebat
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Message 291 of 5994 Reply
EPM is A OK Elven_Night
3/2/99 1:46 pm
i definatly agree with this. Just because you have one idea of what is
good doesnt mean that everyone does. that is why the DMG mentions social
alignments. maybe the way they act is prefectly justified in that small
section of the world.
I know that one of the worst things for me is to be told by a DM "you
cant do that" because there really isnt much of a real reason except that
it doesnt fit in.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 290 by Umbratikus
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Message 292 of 5994 Reply
evil pc I really do love em... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/2/99 1:49 pm
I have been a fan of tolkien for years and a score of other writers the
thing that gets me is the evil guys are always just one dimentional evil
and I have never thought this to be fair (a new cause for the politically
correct?) I ahve had characters penalized by the DM for not being evil
enough (whatever that means) and also had party menbers turn my character
bound and gaged over to the town watch "Here you go he is a bad guy" (sissy's)
Playing evil characters is great fun and should not be restricted IMO
they can add a bit of a challenge to the DM and the players you the DM
have your agenda the players have theirs what is malice the angry up to?
I enjoy the dynamics of play so when some one wants to do something I
let em. The novice DM that I game with now foolishly allowed me to play
a drow fgt/mage he had me roll for social class and my guy DAR ru Nai
turned out to be a prince (I think he still regrets letting me create
the character) Dar cannot roam the contryside with the other players he
has been relegated to a rebellion in his underdark home but the DM says
he is now a very powerful npc (much to my chigrin)A day will come when
I will play him again and then I will take over the world (or at least
kill all light dwellers).
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 290 by Umbratikus
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Message 293 of 5994 Reply
Hail and well met. Sheraven9
(F/Mythian land of Dark Shadows) 3/3/99 12:56 pm
I am new to this cyber space world and am looking to make friends with
people that I have things in common with. My favorite hobby of course
being Roleplaying and the DM'ing there of. If you want to make a new friend
and correspond please feel free to e-mail me at: Sheraven9@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 294 of 5994 Reply
Well me indeed! Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/3/99 3:00 pm
I think that I have seen you on the Ravenloft domain before.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 293 by Sheraven9
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Message 295 of 5994 Reply
Well met...Indeed! Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/3/99 3:38 pm
Raise a glass to Fionn MacCumhul lest the world forget... welcome to the
club as a relatively new member I hope I am not overstepping my bounds
I am not the welcome wagon. But there are lots of cool folks here with
more than just a bit on the ball. again welcome.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 293 by Sheraven9
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Message 296 of 5994 Reply
Well ... met indeed!!! Postmodern1
(M/Mpls MN) 3/3/99 4:48 pm
sorry about that title, i just couldn't resist.
welcome aboard, hope you enjoy our little forum :)
i'm tired of evil pc's, let's try something new.
non-weapon proficencies : vital to fleshing out a character or just a
way to avoid penalties when fighting in the dark (refrence to blindfighting,
something every single player in my campaign tried to choose)
if nobody like this topic, throw out another :)
i'm easy.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 293 by Sheraven9
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Message 297 of 5994 Reply
Re: NWP's Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 3/4/99 1:37 am
It is troubling if every player in a game goes for the same skill. In
such circumstances I'm sure tweaking of some sort must be in order. I've
never had that particular situation occur to me, though I do recall that
the Rope-use proficiency was very popular in my old campaign.
I'm very much in favor of non-weapon proficiencies myself. I like the
opportunity they present to provide interesting details of a PC's background.
With that in mind, I find that it's useful to have the players discuss
the circumstances under which they acquired each of their proficiencies.
If every PC in the campaign had blind-fighting there might be a very interesting
story behind it with long-term implications. The idea of a closely-knit
group of ninja-like clerics, magic-users, thieves, and fighters has a
certain appeal to me.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 296 by Postmodern1
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Message 298 of 5994 Reply
Non Weapon Proficiencies Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/4/99 10:11 am
I personally love NWPs. I think they are a great way to customize characters.
I started using them back in the 1st Ed. game when they were presented
in the Dungeoneer's Survival Guide and the Wilderness Survival Guide.
Having characters with slightly different abilities and skills mirrors
real life a little more, and helps to prevent cookie-cutter characters
(I know, good role players never have "cookie-cutter" characters, but
lets face it. Everybody isn't a great role player, are they?!? : )
At first, most of my players only took NWPs that would undoubtedly help
them on adventures (like blindfighting, to stay on topic). I circumvented
this by rolling for each beginning PC on the Secondary Skills table. This
gives the PC an alternate profession (what were you before you became
a kick ass figher?), and gave them the appropriate NWP as bonuses. The
players loved the idea of getting free proficiencies, and they found that
their bonus NWPs came in handy as often if not more often than what they
selected (how many times has blindfighting really came in handy? Not as
often as one might think, with infravision and magical light and all,
but it is cool. I had a blind PC once, but that is another story).
My main complaint with some NWPs is that they describe what the character
with the proficiency can do, but they don't specify how someone without
the proficiency can perform. Jumping for instance. The jumping proficiency
reads:
Jumping: The character can attempt exceptional leaps both vertically and
horizontally. If the character has at least a 20-foot running start, he
can leap (broad jump) 2d6+his level in feet. No character can broad jump
more than six times his height, however. With the same start, he can leap
vertically (high jump) 1d3 plus half his level in feet. No character can
high jump more than 1-½ times his own height.
From a standing start, a character with this proficiency can broad jump
1d6 plus half his level in feet and high jump only three feet.
Okay, now what if a character attempts to jump, but doesn't have the proficiency?
That is a rhetorical question, I'm just using it as an example of the
flaws in the NWP system. Proficiency descriptions should explain what
someone without the proficiency behaves as well.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 296 by Postmodern1
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Message 299 of 5994 Reply
I love the Idea NWP but ... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/4/99 11:56 am
Have only ever recieved luke warm reaction from players in the past I
too used what were noted in my DM's guid as secondary skills the players
would only be interested if it was something cool and more often than
not I would hear but I dont wanna know animal husbandry well thats what
you rolled but what is animal husbandry (We were Kids) or I dont wanna
be a weaver or what ever so I stopped using them and have not usd them
since with the publishing of more and more volumes chock full of Secondary
skills oops I mean NWP's perhaps I should take a second look at the notion.
If I could ever find a group of players who could understand why I want
to turn the tv off.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 298 by Umbratikus
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Message 300 of 5994 Reply
Perhaps you did Sheraven9
(F/Mythian land of Dark Shadows) 3/4/99 12:09 pm
but if you did you did not speak for I have never been there when there
was anyone there that I knew of.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 294 by Danduin_
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Message 301 of 5994 Reply
Thank you my Lord for the welcome. Sheraven9
(F/Mythian land of Dark Shadows) 3/4/99 12:13 pm
I do not think you were overstepping your bounds. I thank you for the
welcome. I am sure there are a lot of cool folks in this domain and I
look forward to conversing with them.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 295 by Pictii
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Message 302 of 5994 Reply
Don't apologize. Sheraven9
(F/Mythian land of Dark Shadows) 3/4/99 12:20 pm
Nay my Lord do not apologize for the title it is very creative. Thank
you for you welcome it is warmly received, my Lord.
I whole heartedly agree evil pc's are tiresome. I like challenging good
pc's much better.
non-weapon proficencies: no doubt I think we all have those players who
will try to take every advantage but you must admit it keeps a DM on their
toes. It does get manotanous (spX) after a while you would think some
of them would get more creative with what they try to sneek in on you.
Some seem to have little or no creativity.
your topics were good hope you enjoyed my comebacks.
Until our thought and ideas meet again, my Lord
Farewell, Sheraven
This Is a Reply to: Msg 296 by Postmodern1
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Message 303 of 5994 Reply
Unrelated as I think I posted somethin e Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/4/99 1:42 pm
Yester day I went to the links and downloaded a bunch of neat stuff (immortals
deepgnomes etc... I have had no luck locating the page that I downloaded
these neat things from. Does any one know of what I speak and can you
direct me back there they were zip files and I loaded them onto a disc
I dont read jibberish very well so I need to go download them again.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
ps. looking for my head have you seen it?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 304 of 5994 Reply
Yup Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/4/99 3:01 pm
That is a place where everyone communicates via telepathy. There is no
need to type anything there.
{-:
This Is a Reply to: Msg 300 by Sheraven9
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Message 305 of 5994 Reply
Lots of stuff..... dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 3/4/99 5:11 pm
First, Sheraven9, since I am one of the original members, though I haven't
been around much lately, let me say WELCOME!!! Now, I don't feel so lonely
being female in a mostly male domain. I haven't been here much, because
I have a 3 month old baby that takes up TONS of my time. My other is a
10 year old, and I had forgotten what it was like with a baby around.
Second, regarding NWPs. I find them very usefull when the PC takes time
and really chooses the right ones for their character. Such as, hunting,
tracking, weaponry, armory, and such. In one campaign, we went in a minotaur
maze, left all of our stuff outside, just essentials like weapons and
armor, and walked through a teleport without knowing it. We ended up about
50 miles from our start. We also ended up geting sick. Pneumonia, pregnancy,
etc.... With the combinations of NWPs of the party, they survived. Such
as the afor mentioned NWPs. Especially leather working and armory. Re:
The pregnant PC needed her chain mail modified to fit her growing girth.
The leather working for boiling hide, then the amorer combined to attach
the two. My clerics always take healing and herbalism as NWPs. That way,
if all spells are gone, mundane healing is there.
Oh, the only PCs or NPCs that take blind fighting are fighter class, who
do not have infravision. Otherwise, I don't allow it. Why does a thief
need it? To attack that maniquin in the window?!?
Just my mind phreaking out.
Hasta!!
Dragn_lady
This Is a Reply to: Msg 302 by Sheraven9
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Message 306 of 5994 Reply
ninja-like I am not certain... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/4/99 5:24 pm
The concept of PC's acting like a tactical entry team is a little unsettling
to me I veiw my relm as a harsh place inhabited by semi normal folks the
PC's are just more adventurous than average. There are exceptions of course
but they are the exceptions not the rule I think I would hang up the old
DM screen if my PC's entered a room killed the inhabitants then in quick
succession yelled "CLEAR" funny visual though would they all have to have
balaclava's and other nomex gear or would they be able to get by with
period clothing.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 297 by Ellowan
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Message 307 of 5994 Reply
NWPs Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/4/99 10:20 pm
The first "gaming session" I have with a new group is a bit different.
I call or email each player and we talk about their characters past, description,
in what direction the player would like his character to go, etc. Generally
I go through a few minutes of "ad lib" gaming, no dice, no character sheet
just a one on one situation to flesh out some part of the PCs past. At
some point I ask the player what NWPs they are choosing. I listen, write
them down and ask one by one . . . .
How did they come by this skill. A skill needs to be used in order to
retain it what has the PC been doing to "remember" this skill?
This is a fantasy game and I am willing to accept almost anything the
players decide when it comes to the creation of their character, as long
as there is some reason. It does not have to be logical, or even probable
however skills just do not appear one day. There should be a catalyst.
Two years ago I learned rock climbing, with a rope, harness, carabiners
etc. etc. before that, and I look back and shake my head now, I free climbed.
I had NO IDEA how to do it safely with ropes and shoes etc., etc. I was
just good at climbing (maybe I was just too stupid to fall) My roommate
taught me the "safe way" and for the last two years, every time I go out
I learn a little bit more. It takes time to gain a skill just like, I
am sure, fighting someone in total darkness would take some time to learn.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 308 of 5994 Reply
thieves and blind fighting Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/5/99 9:45 am
I might venture to argue that a thief would make better use of blind fighting
than a fighter. I had a thief PC in my campaign once who was trying to
steal a valuable magic item from the Lord's manor. The item was integral
to the rest of the party's success on this adventure (but that's another
story).
Anyway, the item was in an interior room of the house (no windows) and
the thief was just about to escape when he was discovered by three guards.
This thief was only third level, and the guards were second level each.
The thief (with the bf proficiency) promptly doused the light, drew his
sword and the battle ensued in total darkness. The thief emerged victorious,
largely in part to the bf proficiency which greatly improved his odds.
Speaking hypothetically now, a multi-classed mage/thief could employ this
same tactic, by having a darkness 15'radius spell handy.
A specialty priest who worships a deity of night or darkness might be
well suited for a blind fighting NWP.
The "Blade" kit in the Complete Bard's Handbook had bf as a bonus NWP
with a good, logical explaination as to why.
In fact, I can probably justify the bf NWP for any class except a single
classed mage.
PS. I'm not being confrontational, just playing the baatezu's advocate
}:-}
This Is a Reply to: Msg 305 by dragn_lady
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Message 309 of 5994 Reply
Nay I concur Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/5/99 10:11 am
I am not hip to the NWP's but were I the Idea of 'bf' would most certainly
serve the theif the best IMO as they are frequently slinking about in
the darkness.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 308 by Umbratikus
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Message 310 of 5994 Reply
weapon specialization genesis2x
(17/M/my computer) 3/5/99 11:08 am
Here's an interesting idea I had the other week. Everybody who plays fighters
specializes right away, right? well, in order to make the whole deal more
interesting, I make it so that NO character can specialize on first level.
Fighters can specialize at 2nd or later, and other waorrior classes can
specialize at 3rd (but at double the slot cost!). No other class may specialize,
but weapon expertise may be gained. This is that the non-fighter gains
the attacks per round of a specialized fighter, but no to hit or damage
bonus. I find this makes the game more challenging, especialy since I
make the PC's find others who are specialized in order for them to train.
All higher forms of specialization are in effect, but Rangers and Paladins
(in MY campaigns) can advance no further in specialization than High Master.
Grand master should be reserved for the class that deals only in weaponry
and technique with suuch items, and I use this to reflect the fighters
intrinsic edge with weapons over similar classes. Think about it and do
what you will!
Thanx! jake
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 311 of 5994 Reply
weapon spec and other stuff Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/5/99 11:43 am
I like the idea of not letting your fighters specailize at first level,
but I dislike your allowance of the subclasses to specialize. I think
Rangers and Paladins have enough special abilities to offset the fact
that they cannot specialize.
Speaking of alternate proficiency ideas, I created proficiencies for Weaponless
Combat and Wrestling. The former gives bonuses for punching/kicking (like
weapon specialization for the fists), and the latter gives bonuses when
performing wrestling attacks. Right now they are sitting as NWP, but I
am contemplating making them WP. What do you guys think?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 310 by genesis2x
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Message 312 of 5994 Reply
Thieves and BF, a characters viewpoint Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/5/99 12:00 pm
Yeah the bf prof would be cool for a thief . . . a bad thief. Let's face
it if you're good at thieving you do not need to fight anyone, in darkness
or otherwise. That's what the grunt. . . er. . . .cannon fodde. . .no.
. . . ahem *chortle* . . . fighters are for, hence the name.
Just being the arrogant rogue that I always play.
Danduin Lestrontius, "Expert Treasure Hunter"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 309 by Pictii
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Message 313 of 5994 Reply
I would... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/5/99 2:22 pm
I would certainly make them weapon profs. there is nothing worse than
fighting some one who knows how to fight I Know form pesonal experiance
I had a man hit me three times once he broke my nose with his first punch
I swung he ducked his head like a bare knuckle fighter and i broke two
knuckles on his head then he hit me again and broke my cheek bone so i
kicked him he then waffled me in the solarplexus I surrendered (a man
can't breath he cannot fight)three blows and I was useless it would have
been less but for the six day bender I was still on I sobered up when
he broke my nose.
I dont use paladins as I have issues with christianity and I have always
felt they were too powerful for no good reason.
That bit about the rangers makes sense though they are plenty powerful
just as an unimproved ranger to give them additional skills seems to me
a bit gung-ho.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
ps: Danduin what happens If some one catches you alone without your body
guard.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 311 by Umbratikus
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Message 314 of 5994 Reply
Specialization: the ruin of fighters... TheTruckerBear
(40/M/Northern California) 3/5/99 3:23 pm
I only allow non-arcana Paladins into my system. If someone has an old-school
player's handbook paladin, they can run them. I'm too at odds with the
BS cavalier to allow them into the game. So, paladins can specialize like
fighters. I still don't let barbarians specialize, though. They have too
many other skills, including their hit point and AC bonuses.
About the earlier message about thieves and blind fighting...maybe you're
right, give a to-hit bonus to a thief who's fighting in a lightless environment.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 315 of 5994 Reply
Hmmm. Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/5/99 3:33 pm
Back in the 80's I had a thief characer of my own who was a thief. He
went by Dacaro, Professional Treasure Hunter. He and Danduin must have
been Kindred Spirits. I played him as sort of an Indiana Jones, type.
He's a vampire now, and was taken out of play :- [
This Is a Reply to: Msg 312 by Danduin_
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Message 316 of 5994 Reply
Re: Ninjas Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 3/5/99 4:53 pm
In no-wise was I suggesting that PC's behave like a modern military operation,
although I suppose even that is possible depending on the campaign design.
Obviously the "ninja" concept would not work for your world, Pictii, but
I was just suggesting it merely as an idea for which a campaign could
be built around as a starting point.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 306 by Pictii
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Message 317 of 5994 Reply
re: wrestling nwp Postmodern1
(M/Mpls MN) 3/5/99 5:52 pm
i would definately consider making that an actual weapon proficency. they
are obviously combat related and should, in my opinion, count against
the number of weapons that a character is able to use. i think that otherwise,
you end up with a character who has more options than another. i guess
this also depends on the style of your game, but i know that in my campaign
it could prove to be an issue.
also, this could be affected by how you select nwp slots when you create
characters. if they are free to chose what they like, this is, as i said
above, another way to get an attack (something like that blindfighting
example that i started with). if they are given out, eithe by dm's choice
or random rolling, and then worked in to the character's history, you
may have less of a problem with it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 311 by Umbratikus
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Message 318 of 5994 Reply
Ahh but... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/6/99 3:18 am
I was just pursueing a rediculous visual in my head. My campaign is set
in an early iron age era no platemail occasional bronze shortswords there
are currently only two cultures that have mastered making longer steel
swordsand one of the is a feudal warlord quasi asian civilization (thank
you Sun Tzu for the armies of the spring and summer) the other are barbaric
nomads both cultures have bonuses for fighters as they are so militaristic
so in an odd way there are proficiencies at work in my campaign but at
the most rudimentary level
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 316 by Ellowan
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Message 319 of 5994 Reply
Greyhawk Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/6/99 7:58 pm
Does anyone have or know where I can get low-level adventures in or around
Greyhawk, or has anyone been DMing in the world of Greyhawk for a while
and wishes to tell me kind of where there campaign has been?
Thanks
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 320 of 5994 Reply
Return to The Tomb of Horrors SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/6/99 8:27 pm
I'm going to be placing the Return to the Tomb of Horrors in my Forgotten
Realms campaign and I'm open for suggestions on where to place it. I've
got a few ideas but always open for better ones. I would appreciate some
suggestions. Thanx.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 321 of 5994 Reply
Greyhawk adventures Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/8/99 10:41 am
I don't know if you can find these or not but...
The Villiage of Hommlet is a 1-3 level adventure set in Greyhawk (relatively
near to the City of Greyhawk). This is has been a favorite for many years.
After running this adventure, the villiage of Hommlet has been a launching
point for many subsequent adventures.
Also there was the U series (a.k.a. the Saltmarsh series). These were
3 low level adventure modules. It is the only adventure series I have
run three times. I don't recall for sure if they were officially designed
in the World of Greyhawk, but I ran them twice in my Greyhawk campaign
(back in the early 80's), and once in my homegrown campaign. They have
been out of print for a long time, so they might be hard to find.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 319 by Birdbone
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Message 322 of 5994 Reply
NWPs with a twist. CDHofmann
(34/M/Cape Cod) 3/8/99 10:46 am
Hello all. I have been around for a while, but havent posted much. There
has been a short thead latly on the use of and acquisition (sp?) of NWPs.
What I am interested in is your thoughts and ideas about using disavantages
NWPs. Several years ago I started running campaings using TSRs Top Secret
SI rules. In this game, players all get NWPs but they are refered to as
advantages. However, each player must also take disavantages as well.
What this means is that along with your apraisal skill, you may also be
saddeled with a fear of hights. I have modified the list of disadvantages
(and made up some of my own) to use in an AD&D setting. This works really
well in helping to make the PCs more interesting and fun to play. Also,
all characters in my games must have at least one primary attribute that
is 9 or lower.
Have any of you ever used this type of character "flaw" before? I was
just wondering what thoughts you might have.
Just my .02
Chris
This Is a Reply to: Msg 307 by Danduin_
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Message 323 of 5994 Reply
disadvantages Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/8/99 12:34 pm
There is something like this in the Players Option: books. I have'nt really
looked into them much, but I may. If your players are good role players
and create interesting characters, you may not need this. If your players
need a little boost, then disadvantages might have their place. Sometimes
you get players who feel that just having a single digit ability score
is a disadvantage. These types may whine profusely at being forced to
have another disadvantage. It all depends on what works for your players.
I have tossed around the idea (lightly) of giving the players the option
of selecting one more NWP than they are normally allowed, only if they
select a disadvantage as well.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 322 by CDHofmann
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Message 324 of 5994 Reply
Modules... fool_sean
3/8/99 12:54 pm
This may be of no use to you... There is a gaming store in Long Beach,
Ca. bye the name of
"The War House" on willow and cherry. They carry many of the OLDE adventures.
Expedition to the barrier peaks, White plume mnt. Tomb of horrors, the
original, lich lords, etc. Also, there are some conventions that have
dealers shows, you may have some local luck at something like that. ttyl.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 321 by Umbratikus
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Message 325 of 5994 Reply
Role Playing Aids (I.E. Disadvantages) Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/8/99 8:18 pm
I have to agree with everything you wrote in that last post. I think that
advantages/disadvantages is a good aid in helping players (understand
that (and yes this is my one gripe with players) their PC is NOT a bunch
of numbers and choices used to make "Super Fighter" or "Mageman, able
to Hurl fiery death from the skies at a moments notice."
but one of the main characters in an ongoing (epic? tragic?) story, complete
with strengths and faults.
For me this idea falls in the same category as the character kits. . .
. . neat but not always necessary.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 323 by Umbratikus
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Message 326 of 5994 Reply
Disadvantages Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/9/99 1:33 am
I played a game called champions a super hero RPG when i was in the navy,
you would take disadvantages as part of the character creation it was
a cool game and I reacently found a boxed set in good shape the options
were most play able such as hunted character, dependant npc, secret identity
etc...it was fun.
Pictii americanus
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Message 327 of 5994 Reply
An idea and request for input. Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/9/99 5:12 pm
I was thinking about the half dragons, Moorcock (Chronicles of Corum)
and Tolkien, and I hate to admit it but ... Elves *retching noise* when
I came up with a thought. . . . . what will (would) happen if (when) the
age again changes. To use Tolkien's terms the Third age (the age of Elves,
faery, dragons and what not) came to an end to make way for Man. What
happens when the age again changes and man is dwindling away.....What
would replace them as the new dominate race....I thought of the half dragons
first because that was a recent discussion heck it could be Kobolds, or
orcs(though I hate to use orcs anyplace in my games they have been used
and abused enough already) for that matter, they are in competition for
the same area as humans etc. etc.
I am mentioning all this because I want to know what you think about this
idea?
Let me know what you think
Danduin
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 328 of 5994 Reply
My players are getting restless.... Phaedrus0
3/9/99 9:18 pm
They're in need of a campaign style series of adventures and I'm running
low on modules. Are there any ideas, potential web sites, etc. that might
help me get off my lazy ass and dish out a good session?
thanks,
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 329 of 5994 Reply
<------------------------------------ Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/9/99 10:58 pm
Have you tried the links over there to your left????
How about TSR?
If you want Ravenloft info go to Kargatane. . . .
There are many adventures available comercially if you want a series of
adventures try undermountain or night below or dragon mountain. . . .look
for Dungeon Magazine at your news stand Its loaded with all kinds of fun
adventure ideas. . . . .
This Is a Reply to: Msg 328 by Phaedrus0
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Message 330 of 5994 Reply
Greyhawk, disadvantages, and the like Postmodern1
(M/Mpls MN) 3/10/99 12:47 am
I too have played the U1 module, Sinister Secret at Saltmarsh, something
like three or so times with different groups of player characters. It
is a great low-level module and has a couple great floorplans in it. The
ship involved is something that I ended up using about a year later in
another setting, long after the PCs had forgotten it. If you can find
it, I highly recommend it. Again, it is for lvl 1-3 PCs and might not
fit into your game.
Slyfox, in regards to where to place your Tomb of Horrors, I have a couple
ideas. There is a barren waste just northwest of Cormyr, southwest of
the Great Desert, which might work as a nice desolate location. Other
possible options include somewhere on the near side of Thay (make the
lich a former Red Wizard and add in the possibility of having his friends
find out what group despoiled his tomb - that's enough for about a dozen
gaming sessions!) or in the nothern area of the Great Glacier (perhaps
the lich was a former Zhentahim priest). All of these are somewhat remote
and this helps rationalize why the PCs are the first ones there.
On the Grewhawk theme, does anyone else remember any of the modules set
in that realm? I could probably find them on the TSR page or something
but i can be incredibly lazy at times ... I am trying to come up with
enough information to send my PCs to the Pomaraj (something like that),
which was a almost entirely gobliniod area.
I love the idea of character deficencies! Currently, I don't require them
but good role players in my group have come up with a couple for their
characters already (the dwarven berserker defiantly refuses to get in
_any_ body of water, even arguing when they have to take a boat and the
thief has had enough bad experinces with poison to make him fairly phobic
- even if he can't find any traps, he won't try to pick a lock unless
the other characters make him). These guys get some flak from the other
players from time to time, as you might imagine when these personal prefrences
slow the party. These same players then usually wind up pissing and moaning
to me when I'm giving out experience for good role playing (and they aren't
getting any!!). It's a great idea, I'm not sure if it would be something
that you could incorporate into an existing game but bringing it in at
the character creation time would make for an interesting variable. You
might also give the players the challenge of coming up with a history
of why they have this phobia/condition/etc. For example, your fear of
heights is related to seeing your younger brother fall from a cliff when
the two of you were out climbing in the hills near your hometown. This
could also be brought to bear on alignment and class (you couldn't help
him then and atone for that now by having become a good aligned cleric
who eases the suffering of others). The possibilities are limitless ...
but that's what good role playing is all about!!!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 331 of 5994 Reply
The fall of humans Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/10/99 9:41 am
This is a good thing to ponder. I guess I was contemplating something
similar when I began talking about dragons rising up and taking over the
world. So dragons would be an obvious successor to mankind. Equally obvious
to me would be orcs since they currently compete with man, and they seem
to propogate profusely. Hell, they'll mate with just about anything (humans,
goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, and, of course, other orcs), bearing offspring.
Simply by population they could start to overpower mankind. This is a
realistic transition. Orc populations would just increase and increase
until one day, everyone suddenly realizes that their numbers have surpassed
human population (once the orcs realize this, man's fate is sealed).
Mind flayers are powerful suckers and extremely intelligent. I often thought
it would not be difficult for them to slowly take over a world from the
inside, secretly taking control of governments until there is no one to
fight against. This would be an interesting campaign of pockets of human
rebels fighting against the Illithocracy.
Perhaps also, a widespread extraplanar race could see your campaign world
as a new homeland. Githyanki perhaps. If you're into Planescape, it might
be fun to turn your world (or at least a portion of it) into a new battleground
for the Blood War. Even if the extraplanar folk don't supplant humans
as the dominant race, the war could make way for another race to become
dominant.
Just some thoughts
This Is a Reply to: Msg 327 by Danduin_
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Message 332 of 5994 Reply
re: modules Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/10/99 9:48 am
I found a great site just yesterday. I don't know if anyone here's ever
been to it but it has a lot of stuff, and what I like most is it's modules.
There's probably over 20 there and I downloaded some low-level ones. I
highly recommend the Quest modules for low-level characters but they have
them for all levels.
:::
http://www.inficad.com/~defrag/realms/
This Is a Reply to: Msg 328 by Phaedrus0
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Message 333 of 5994 Reply
Identifying Magical Items Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/10/99 9:52 am
I really don't know how to or if I should let the characters know if an
item they have is magical. If it's a sword +1, luckblade Should I say
nothing, or should I tell them it's a sword +1 or tell them everything?
And if I say nothing, how do they eventually identify it?
I am pretty new to DMing and I felt the DM's guide didn't cover this topic
well.
Thanks a lot-
Casey
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 334 of 5994 Reply
restless players Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/10/99 10:04 am
If I read you correctly, It's not the lack of adventures, but long running
interconnected adventures that you are looking for, right? Well I'm with
you on this one. I'm a sucker for epic length adventures. You have basically
three options:
1) Buy commercial: I know you said you are running out of modules, but
I don't know a group around that has gone through EVERYTHING TSR has produced.
I don't know what to recommend because I don't know what levels your players
are, or whether you are starting from scratch. If you are starting from
scratch, The Night Below boxed set sounds excellent (I haven't played
it myself, but it has gotten high marks from others members of this group).
The U series I mentioned before should also get players from 1st level
to 3rd or 4th. High level is easy: Dead Gods, Rod of Seven Parts, and
Dragon Mountain are all excellent, multi-scenario adventures that should
knock your players' socks off. Middle levels are harder to buy campaign
style adventures for. The Monstrous Arcana modules are decent, but you
probably have gone through those already. TSR had a great 7 module series
way back when that was outstanding (at least I thought so at the time,
as a player). These were the G series, the D series, and the grand finale:
Q1-Queen of the Demonweb Pits. The G series pitted you against various
giant races (TSR is re-writing and re-releasing these three modules in
anthology "Against the Giants"). The D series was three modules taking
place in the underdark, pitting you against troglodytes, Kuo-Toa, and
ultimately the Drow. Q1 takes you into the Abyss and throws Lolth, the
demon queen of spiders at you. These last two scenarios are revisited
in the Dead Gods adventure mentioned above.
2) Write all the adventures yourself (have fun).
3) Do what I do and take published adventures (Dungeon magazine is indespensible
for this), and modify them to fit together, writing small vignettes and
seques as necessary to make everything flow seamlessly. I have been doing
this for the last three years and my players have commented how well everything
falls into place. This is really not difficult to do and takes far less
time than tying to do everything from scratch.
Sorry to be so long winded. Hope this helped.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 328 by Phaedrus0
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Message 335 of 5994 Reply
Well... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/10/99 2:49 pm
Iread a book as a child that was fairly tattered when it came into my
paws I believe it was caalled Kavins world I have idea who the author
would be but the book was set in some time of great changes (like so many
others) and the humans were being enslaved and eaten by a race of humanoid
(upright walkin) ants it was a very good book but has long since dissolved
into pulp but the ants get my vote they were nigh on impervious to any
of the weapons ol' Kavin weilded and had to be exterminated (sorry) with
some form of magic doo dad.
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 327 by Danduin_
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Message 336 of 5994 Reply
G1-G2-G3 Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/10/99 4:19 pm
Against the Giants my favorite first edition series. . . . I have recently
re-acquired the module(s) and I have gone through them and made it more
2nd edition-like. . . . But let us not forget the A series for mid level
characters. The slave pits and all that fun. . . . Is there any place
out there that still sells these modules?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 334 by Umbratikus
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Message 337 of 5994 Reply
Deficiencies dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 3/10/99 4:25 pm
Well, let's see. I have a dwarf that is really afraid of water. I think
it has something to do with almost dieing 3 times in water. He's now in
a quest to stop a lich and has to go under water to get into the castle.
(!) I have a human fighter who loves to drink. Only problem is he keeps
breaking tables with his head when he gets drunk. It all depends on how
you roll play, not role play. Always has been.
By the way...when put that way, I have to agree about nwp blind fighting
being good for just about any one.
I have a pixie sound asleep on my shoulder, so all for now!!
Dragn_lady
(Yemina, scout extrordinaire!!!!!)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 330 by Postmodern1
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Message 338 of 5994 Reply
RE: Just some thoughts Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/10/99 4:53 pm
Yeah I am looking for just the right flavor the Gith ahve always been
a race I enjoy playing. Illithids are a choice too. I am tired of Goblinkind
(I have been for years). This gives me some more food for thought Thank
you.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 331 by Umbratikus
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Message 339 of 5994 Reply
Ok again... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/10/99 5:36 pm
I had read a book called Kavins world I can't recall who the author was
as it has been a long time since the book crumbled to dust but Kavin was
a young princelling or what have you and his world was besieged by giant
up right walkin ants from (another plane) none of Kavins weapons had much
noticeable effect on the critters and they had to quest for ancient magic
(surprise) to rid the planet of the invaders.
Pictii americanus
where is my last post
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Message 340 of 5994 Reply
AAARGH...sorry bout the double post Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/10/99 5:43 pm
Ahh the Giant modules yes they are still among my favorites as for the
B series too keep on the borderlands is almost all of my small towns with
little modifications here and there good stuff
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 339 by Pictii
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Message 341 of 5994 Reply
magic items Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/10/99 6:17 pm
Drop subtle hints. Identifying magic is costly (if you do not have Identify).
You can hint to the player that the item in question seems to be of a
finer quality than any of its kind that he has seen before. Or maybe you
feel that it is easier to hit XXXX (sustitute critter/person of choice)
with YYYY (weapon). There are a lot of little things that you can do to
make the PC wonder about the item in question. If he neverr knows it is
a luckblade does that matter? It is still a Luckblade, and YOU know. Heck
he may never know and one day sell it for a fraction of its cost. Imagine
his ire when the exact same blade sells for 20 times what he got for it!
Heck every mage *SHOULD* have detect magic available to him/her. As a
matter of fact I let all mages have those spells free and clear. I say
that to become even a 1st level hurler of fiery death from above you have
to know how to read and detect magic.
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Message 342 of 5994 Reply
Adventures Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 3/10/99 6:58 pm
I haven't posted in a long time, and I may take some flak for this but...
Am I the only DM left that designs, plans, and runs his own adventures
almost exclusively? I take great pride in searching my mind for ideas,
and have been running with the same group of players, and almost the same
characters, for years. The only pre-made adventure module I have used
in the past 3 years is "The Rod of Seven Parts" set. I have designed and
maintained an entire crystal sphere, and I realize that many people don't
have the time to do something like that, but why does everyone insist
on buying modules?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 334 by Umbratikus
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Message 343 of 5994 Reply
reply Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/10/99 9:00 pm
Out of necessity I have been running a campaign in my own world for a
long time. I do have boxed sets, modules etc however, with the exception
of Dragon Mountain, I have not used any of them. Dragon Mountain was a
compromise since the party realy wanted to go throught that set.
The world I use is actually a collaboration between 4 players we all took
1/4 of the realm and designed it how we saw fit. Then we got together
threw the information up in the air and , after picking up the papers
everywhere, called it a rough draft..(j/k) It is still very much a work
in process. I am (was) using the adventurers as the "Lewis & Clark" of
my little corner. Planning for this group is a waste of time 99% of what
I do is ad lib just when you think you know they will take choice "C"
they pick "F"!
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Message 344 of 5994 Reply
Designing adventures Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/11/99 9:54 am
Maybe you are the only DM left who has time to design his own adventures:
) I run a very extensive campaign involving (currently) two separate star
systems (crystal spheres, if you will) compromising 5 (for now) entire
worlds, as well as long forays into the other planes of existence. The
campaign I am running now has been going on for about 5 years.
Unfortunately, time is at a premium for me. Having a wife and two young
children (and one more on the way : ) and holding down a management level
job about 50+ hours a week, I'm lucky if I have a half an hour a day that
is totally mine. Writing all adventures from scratch is a luxury I just
dont have any more. Besides, the published adventures are of excellent
quality (for the most part), even Dungeon magazine has at least two excellent
adventures in every issue. Writing everything from scratch is unnecessary,
unless you just want to be completely original (and have the time to),
which is cool, too.
All adventures I run are modified to flow with the tightly knit campaign
world I run. Sometimes NPC's presented in 3rd party modules become long
running NPCs in my campaign. The campaign runs smoothly, everything falls
into place nicely, the players are happy, and I still have time for my
family.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 342 by Fynduril_Skyrunner
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Message 345 of 5994 Reply
Against the Giants Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/11/99 10:02 am
Danduin, I think TSR shares your passion for the series. Like I said earlier,
they are reproducing that series. They are rewriting it from scratch to
not only fit the 2nd ed. rules, but also the overall change in the spirit
of the game over the years.
And, yes, how can I forget the A series?!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 336 by Danduin_
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Message 346 of 5994 Reply
Never try to guess what it is the party Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/11/99 10:36 am
I have created and crumble several campaigns of my own I have ever used
module like the gianseries and as stated before the keep on the border
lands the keep I use for any random remote town etc the giant modules
I have only used a few times and do not feel they fit in my campaign at
this time
But no you are not the only one I was never a big fan of the modules(I
tell my self this because I was too poor to buy them much)and when I would
use them it was more for specific referances instead of complete adventures
Pictii americanus
"Stand Fast"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 343 by Danduin_
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Message 347 of 5994 Reply
Modules and the like... Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 3/12/99 8:35 pm
First: Pictii, to answer your question from WAY back...I am from north
west PA.
Second: I run my crystal sphere with 12 planets, one of them run totally
by dragons that are attempting to discover how to subvert the other planets.
One of them is a nexus to other planes, and one of them is a world made
of nothing but water, which the PCs are presently trapped on after thier
SpellJamming craft broke.
Third: I find it refreshing to meet someone that values his family over
everything else...congratulations. But since I don't have a family, I'm
free to spend countless hours designing things. *s*
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Message 348 of 5995 Reply
Hey, I just joined. SMGT70096_3
3/14/99 5:36 pm
"Hello everybody, I just joined."
(You hear a voice coming from somewhere, but no one is in sight)
"Can anyone give me some DM tips and stuff?"
(You see a elfish wizard appear. He is dressed in a cape, boots, gloves,
and a balandra)
"You're staring? I might have just gone through a bunch of adventures,
but I can't lokk THAT bad..."
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 349 of 5995 Reply
I can't lokk THAT bad.. Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/14/99 7:01 pm
Your an Elf **runs to the bar and washes the foul taste out of his mouth**
aint ya? Well that's 4.5 strikes against ya right there!
Just kidding*
Mellow greetings, Citizen. Your request is a bit general care to narrow
down your reqquest some. Or shall I send you a digitized copy of the DMG?
Danduin
* It's actually somewhere in the neighborhood of twelve strikes
PS I am in a wise ass mood tonight please do not take offense (I know
what kind of humor elves **That taste again** have i.e. NONE)
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Message 350 of 5995 Reply
Some DM's rides their own adventures felsefeci
(26/M/ISTANBUL) 3/15/99 6:14 am
Like me! And I belive there are a lot of DM writing adventures. My games
are very long and I'm very busy; thats why I play one game per year...
(6 months takes to create 6 months to play)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 344 by Umbratikus
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Message 351 of 5995 Reply
Re some write their own . . . . . Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/16/99 10:54 pm
I have used Dungeon magazine, my warped imagination and fragments of older
adventures as an alternative to writing six months worth of adventure.
You can, with a little work, and a bit of reading ahead drop clues and
items that will lead your party along to another adventure nicely. Some
of the adventures I have running at the same time, this does a couple
things:
1 Provides news and rumors of happenings elsewhere
2 I can introduce NPCs with reckless abandon (including other parties
because let's face it your group is not the only stalwart band seeking
fame and glory)
3 The world seems more alive with choices about
what to do and events happening with or without "The group" <>
4 Mixing up the party by throwing an adventure inside an adventure inside
an adventure can be great fun. . .
I have also used the Deck of Encounters to great effect . . .
The older adventures work really well for me since the group I play with
was relatively new at the game and never had the pleasure to go through
all the greats . . . . . . *sigh*
All for now, but remmeber;
If you ask ten DMs how to do something and you get twelve answers.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 350 by felsefeci
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Message 352 of 5995 Reply
A little Greyhawk Help SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/17/99 12:00 am
I'm gonna run a one shot module adventure for my players set in GreyHawk.
All my old GreyHawk books are hidden away and I just need a little info
on some gods. Can somebody toss me a few names for Lawful Good protector,
duty, etc gods from the greyhawk setting? I've got a Paladin and a lawful
good cleric needin someone to worship. Thanks
Sly
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 353 of 5995 Reply
re: Greyhawk help Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/17/99 12:31 am
I don't know much about Greyhawk gods (I only have a couple books), but
I do know: St. Cuthbert is a lawful type god of protection (clergy give
beatings) and is a chief patron of the city of Greyhawk; Heronious is
a god(ess?) of courage; Pelor ministers to the poor; Zilchus (neutral
I think) is god of commerce; Rao is lawful good god of peace; Pholtus
is a lawful neutral god of something or other (they fund a war far away
somewhere); Trithereon is chaotic good god of anti-authority and anti
law (chaos); Olidammara is a Bacchus type bard god of partying and music;
Norebo is an adventure god of gambling and risk; Xerbo and Osprem are
gods of water; and Ulaa is goddess of mountains, hills, and gems.
Oh yeah Kurell is a god worshipped by the Thieves' guild.
Well that's all I can find in my book. Hope it's what you're looking for.
Most of what I think you are looking for is at the top. By the way, if
you ever want to sell those Greyhawk books check out with me first (please!).
This Is a Reply to: Msg 352 by SlyLoki
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Message 354 of 5995 Reply
Thanx 4 the GreyHawk info. SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/17/99 12:19 pm
Thanx 4 that greyhawk info. Do you have the new greyhawk books? If so
how are they? I've been meaning to update my collection. Up until last
month I was still using my 1st edition forgotten realms boxed set. My
wife went out and bought the newer one because she was tired of using
my ancient gnarled maps that came with the original. I guess I need to
do the same for Greyhawk now.
SlyLoki
This Is a Reply to: Msg 353 by Birdbone
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Message 355 of 5996 Reply
A Paladin in Hell Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/17/99 2:50 pm
Continuing on the thread of published adventures, I just bought A Paladin
in Hell. I bought it for a number of reasons. Since no one in my campaign
is 15th to 20th level, I don't plan on running it anytime soon, but I
skimmed it over lunch and it is pretty awesome. It was written by Monte
Cook, which, in my book, is by far the best adventure writer on the TSR
staff.
Anyway, remember that full page drawing in the first edition books entitled
A Paladin In Hell, depicting a full armored paladin fighting a (barbed?)
devil and surrounded by other devils in the pits of the Nine Hells? This
adventure was inspired by that drawing and harkens back to the early days.
It brings back characters such as Emerikol the Chaotic (another full page
drawing in the old books) and our old buddy, Asmodeus.
Monte Cook must be into the old stuff that fell by the wayside, because
he brought back Orcus in Dead Gods, and Vecna (remember the Hand of Vecna
& Eye of Vecna?) in a Ravenloft adventure called Return of Vecna.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 356 of 5996 Reply
Wow Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/17/99 3:57 pm
I will have to look for Vecna and the Paladin adventure. Emirikol the
chaotic, I can still picture fleeing whilst nailing someone with his magic.
. . . .and the Paladin in Hell picture I remember just as well
The Eye of Vecna, the Hand of Vecna and the Teeth of Vecna. . . . . Interesting
that they are bringing some of the "old stuff" back.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 355 by Umbratikus
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Message 357 of 5996 Reply
Old Stuff Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/17/99 4:48 pm
The Paladin in Hell module has a full color "remake" of that original
drawing as the cover painting. It looks pretty cool. I plan on reading
some of it tonight. Even if I never run the adventure, it should be a
food read.
TSR also just released the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords adventure. Remember
that old artifact in the 1st ed. DMG?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 356 by Danduin_
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Message 358 of 5996 Reply
Old Stuff Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/17/99 4:49 pm
The Paladin in Hell module has a full color "remake" of that original
drawing as the cover painting. It looks pretty cool. I plan on reading
some of it tonight. Even if I never run the adventure, it should be a
good read.
TSR also just released the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords adventure. Remember
that old artifact in the 1st ed. DMG?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 356 by Danduin_
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Message 359 of 5996 Reply
AAAARGH Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/17/99 4:51 pm
sorry for the double post : )
This Is a Reply to: Msg 358 by Umbratikus
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Message 360 of 5996 Reply
Greyhawk Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/17/99 11:20 pm
I only have one actual Greyhawk book (not counting modules). It's the
"Adventure Begins" new edition; I think it's from 1998. It details life
in 591 CY and comes with a regional map booklet, a Greyhawk area between
the Nyr Dyv and the Wooly Bay, and a map of the city of Greyhawk. The
book mostly details the history of the Flanaess and a little about Oerth.
It has a calendar, weather table, and descriptions corresponding with
the Greyhawk map. I think it's great but I had trouble understanding the
Flanaessian (?) history until I printed a map of the Flanaess from the
internet. I almost had the original Greyhawk boxed set but the bidding
on ebay went too high for me.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 354 by SlyLoki
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Message 361 of 5996 Reply
An Old Module SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/18/99 1:04 pm
Perhaps 8 years ago or longer, I had a module that was set on a tropical
island. There was a volcano filled with tunnels that an orc tribe made
their home. Their "God" was a human Magic User who was a were-boar. He
was a rather portly fellow and I think that he had some sort of boar's
head amulet that let him control his changes. Like I said this is an old
module that I ran for a party years ago and I'm trying to find it again.
The problem is I CANT REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS CALLED! If anyone knows the
name of it I would greatly appreciate it. Thanx.
SlyLoki
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 362 of 5996 Reply
RE: Old Module Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/18/99 1:12 pm
It sounds vaguely familiar. Was it called "Lost Shrine of Tjocanth," or
something similar?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 361 by SlyLoki
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Message 363 of 5996 Reply
I've got an idea Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/18/99 1:28 pm
There seems to be a lot of conversation here asking about certain TSR
products (modules, Greyhawk stuff, etc). What if we put together a Dungeon
Masters Guild website? One of our web page savvy members could create
a site on Geocities or something and members could post (or submit information
to post). In particular, we could post reviews of TSR products. Each product
could be categorized and hyperlinked to reviews by the DMG members who
have or have used the products. This could be a great resource for our
members. Perhaps we could devise a rating system like they use at Amazon.com.
We might decide to put other things on the site, too, like adventures
we have written ourselves, or stories of great game sessions, etc. Unfortunately,
I don't have the time or the know-how to do this, but it would be pretty
cool. What do you guys think?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 364 of 5996 Reply
Hey, I can help! SMGT70096_3
3/18/99 3:13 pm
"That's a good idea...I also have my own webpage on Geocities with like
10MB left!"
(You remember the elf from long ago and see him return.)
"Anyone else like this idea?"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 363 by Umbratikus
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Message 365 of 5996 Reply
sounds good here SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/18/99 3:34 pm
It is a good idea. If the elf can do the tek stuff I'm game.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 364 by SMGT70096_3
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Message 366 of 5996 Reply
Or... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/18/99 3:52 pm
I found a place called delpi.com (not the oracle)
they give out free DOMAINS chat e mail message board pages...the domains
are huge I have a club on yahoo that I was thinking of moving due to the
trauma of joining yahoo clubs...but as for the domain I think it is easier
to be interactive there than on a regular web page Check it out I also
seek old books and modules from time to time however lack of money inhibits
serious serching.
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 365 by SlyLoki
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Message 367 of 5996 Reply
I have, and maintain Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 3/18/99 5:45 pm
5 seperate web-pages. I don't have a job, and I have plenty of time to
work on something like this. I'd gladly do it with you guy's consent.
I', all for this idea, and I have the tek knowledge to do it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 366 by Pictii
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Message 368 of 5996 Reply
Hey Birdbone SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/18/99 8:23 pm
I think it was you a while back asking about low level greyhawk adventures.
I ran across a site today that has at least one for low level PC's. I
didnt get a chance to check them all out but you can take a look if you
like. It was at
www.greyhawk-codex.com/
You may already know about this site but if not, give it a shot seemed
to be some well written stuff there.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 369 of 5996 Reply
Cool idea Karleah
(34/M/My Nest) 3/18/99 9:02 pm
It really sounds like a cool idea !
Let's do it. I think it is just a matter of getting organized but it sure
sounds great.
If I can be of some help let me know.
Karleah
This Is a Reply to: Msg 363 by Umbratikus
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Message 370 of 5996 Reply
Webpage Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/18/99 9:57 pm
1. About this webpage: I'd recommend Xoom (www.xoom.com) for hosting;
it's 11 megs at last check, you can upload via FTP, and no you don't have
to put any annoying popup ads on your page, only a small icon somewhere
on your page. I've used Xoom in the past and it's great. (If you need
any more help I know HTML and basic Javascript and know a few sites that
can help a lot but it seems you have enough help.)
2. Thanks SkyLoki, I'm going to check that out after this.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 371 of 5996 Reply
couple more things Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/18/99 10:09 pm
I think whoever suggested that idea should organize it (not really sure
who...to lazy to go back and look). Does anyone have ICQ? I think it would
be good for a) seeing who's online when b) whoever's working on the page
could collaborate much easier. Seeing how I'm kind of new to the club,
I don't know if anyone's exchanged numbers yet but mine's 7976139.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 372 of 5996 Reply
Another D & D Survey rythter
(31/M/Braintree, MA) 3/18/99 11:06 pm
Remember my informal survey way back in Sept. in DM's Haven?
Well, I have a new job with a company which produces software for designing
web surveys.
I have created a web D & D survey:
http://www.ziplink.net/~rythter/dnd.htm
I would appreciate it if you would fill it out. I have used the Live Results
feature of SurveySolutions so that you will see how the voting is going.
So far only my immediate gaming friends have submitted entries, but because
I think you are honest to goodness DM's (you are still here, after all...)
I have decided to open it up to anyone who wants to put in their two cp.
;^)
-Jeff, Rythter
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 373 of 5996 Reply
Status Report rythter
(31/M/Braintree, MA) 3/18/99 11:18 pm
How has everything been going?
I have been browsing, and am happy to see that this Club is still open
and active.
Does anyone know what happened to DMs Haven?
I haven't had enough time lately to even look at much less post.
I am looking forward to seeing some responses to my new/old survey.
-Jeff, Rythter
This Is a Reply to: Msg 350 by felsefeci
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Message 374 of 5996 Reply
web pages, ICQ, and surveys, OH MY! Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/18/99 11:23 pm
Yeah I have ICQ #381513 BUT I am at work evenings so I can not use it
then (most times anyway) umm I am willing to help out on the pages however
we need to come up with some plan as to what the hell is going on this
page where etc etc. before "WHOEVER IN THE SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX LAYERS
OF THE ABYSS" begins this page.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 375 of 5996 Reply
Web page Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 3/19/99 12:22 am
personally, I prefer Geocities' editor over Xoom's but that's me. Like
I said, if you want me to, I can do it. But I need to know what you want
on it. If I end up doing it, I'll set up an e-mail account for all the
ideas I'm sure you have.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 374 by Danduin_
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Message 376 of 5996 Reply
The Temple of Elemental Evil Ramius1733
(34/M/Fairfax, VA) 3/19/99 8:42 am
That's right you heard me correctly. I am going to be running some players
thru the Temple. Share your stories of playing or DMing the module. I
look forward to hearing from all who have been thru this mod and what
you liked or did not like in it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 377 of 5996 Reply
Web page organization Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/19/99 1:21 pm
Well, I am the one who started this idea, and it has been suggested that
I organize this page. If there are no objections I will try and do just
that.
First we need to decide who will be the webmaster here. We have two volunteers,
Skyrunner and the elf. I'll have to leave it up to you two to fight that
one out. Based on the posts, it seems like Skyrunner has the most time
and space (and therefore can make a continuum : ), but it really doesn't
matter to me.
The rest of us can start writing our reviews of various TSR products.
Save them as a text file. Once we decide who is doing the webmastering,
we can e-mail him our reviews. Our reviews should state the name of the
reviewer (e.g. Umbratikus, Danduin, etc.) and a rating based on a 5 point
system (5 being awesome, and 1 being forget it). .
Each product should have only one entry on the web page, with multiple
reviews falling under that entry. Perhaps the product name could be a
link to a page containing all the reviews. Perhaps the product listing
could have an average rating of all the individual reviewer's ratings
The product list should be categorized by setting (e.g., generic, Planescape,
Ravenloft, Spelljammer, Greyhawk, etc). And perhaps subcategorized by
product type (campaign expansion, acessory, adventure module, etc).
How does this sound so far? Any different suggestions?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 375 by Fynduril_Skyrunner
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Message 378 of 5996 Reply
Just a thought Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/19/99 6:56 pm
What about different areas off the main page devoted to the different
realms i.e. a link for Ravenloft that takes you to a main Ravenloft page
with all the RL stuff there and of course the obligatory links back to
the main page someplace.
This way we can segregate the various information into an organized cohesive
all. Once you get one realm up and running you have a template for all
the others to boot! I personally would like to do *SOME* coding for the
pages as well. I do not have the time that others have but I have nearly
40 hours a week at work where I can do some work. Incidentally I now have
a copy of freehand8 by Macromedia so I would be able to do some graphics
type wossnames.
Whatever the outcome I will help in any way needed just ask.
Danduin
This Is a Reply to: Msg 377 by Umbratikus
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Message 379 of 5996 Reply
Ideas Postmodern1
(M/Mpls MN) 3/19/99 7:41 pm
I would love to assist with reviews of all these old modules that you
have all been throwing out in the last couple days. i do have some coding
experience, let me know where you need help (not much more than a couple
hours a week though).
another idea might be to list things we have pulled from good articles
in things like white wolf, dragon or dungeon issues. copying them is obviously
out of the question, but you could cite the name, issue, how you used
it, etc. some of the variant stuff they have published over the years
has been invaluable to me!!
about the name of that module, did you ever figure out if that was right?
i thought the tjoncth or however you spell that was a bit different than
that, you were trying to recapture three near-artifact items from this
trap-laden monster-infested hyphon-filled dungeon. but maybe i'm all wrong
... i have it somewhere, i'll look.
and how about that damn leper vecna, dropping damn body parts all over
the realm ... someone get that guy a band-aid, fer chrissakes! handless,
eyeless freak that he is ...
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
Message 379 of 5996 Reply
Ideas Postmodern1
(M/Mpls MN) 3/19/99 7:41 pm
I would love to assist with reviews of all these old modules that you
have all been throwing out in the last couple days. i do have some coding
experience, let me know where you need help (not much more than a couple
hours a week though).
another idea might be to list things we have pulled from good articles
in things like white wolf, dragon or dungeon issues. copying them is obviously
out of the question, but you could cite the name, issue, how you used
it, etc. some of the variant stuff they have published over the years
has been invaluable to me!!
about the name of that module, did you ever figure out if that was right?
i thought the tjoncth or however you spell that was a bit different than
that, you were trying to recapture three near-artifact items from this
trap-laden monster-infested hyphon-filled dungeon. but maybe i'm all wrong
... i have it somewhere, i'll look.
and how about that damn leper vecna, dropping damn body parts all over
the realm ... someone get that guy a band-aid, fer chrissakes! handless,
eyeless freak that he is ...
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 380 of 5996 Reply
may not be a good idea but... Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/19/99 8:40 pm
One thing I would like to see on the webpage (maybe under the "setting"
category) is maybe an overview of some of the places different DM's campaigns
have gone. I'd like this because in all the core books one of the first
things it says is to get together with another group of experienced players
and watch them play.
Well, for people like me this is hard because no one I know plays D&D.
I am about to start my first real campaign with my players (having trouble
finding a good low level adventure - the ones I make myself kinda suck)
and I would like to know how other DM's have had their players meet in
the beginning and other stuff.
Also, if you need any help, I'll help...I'm still in high school and have
a lot of free time...and I know HTML.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 377 by Umbratikus
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Message 381 of 5996 Reply
TSR, Inc. Internet Policy Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/19/99 8:43 pm
I have read the "TSR, Inc. Internet Policy" go to this URL and see what
they want from us . . . .
http://www.wizards.com/Corporate_Info/TSR_Online_Policy.html
in a nutshell we can quote a *small amount* of their stuff for a review
etc. . . .the artwork is *OFF LIMITS*, however.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 382 of 5996 Reply
Web Organization rythter
(31/M/Braintree, MA) 3/19/99 9:30 pm
> The rest of us can start writing our reviews of various TSR products.
> Save them as a text file. Once we decide who is doing the webmastering,
> we can e-mail him our reviews. Our reviews should state the name of
the
> reviewer (e.g. Umbratikus, Danduin, etc.) and a rating based on a 5
> point system (5 being awesome, and 1 being forget it). .
This is perfect. Perhaps someone can find some cool gif or jpg and we
can do swords for modules, tomes for books, etc.
> Each product should have only one entry on the web page, with multiple
> reviews falling under that entry. Perhaps the product name could be
a
> link to a page containing all the reviews. Perhaps the product listing
could
> have an average rating of all the individual reviewer's ratings
This too sounds correct. The main link should have the average, and then
each review will have an absolute rating. Perhaps we should put in some
method of feedback, so people could comment on the review. You could jury-rig
a guestbook thing to provide an easy method of feedback.
> The product list should be categorized by setting (e.g., generic,
> Planescape, Ravenloft, Spelljammer, Greyhawk, etc). And perhaps
> subcategorized by product type (campaign expansion, acessory,
> adventure module, etc).
> How does this sound so far? Any different suggestions?
Only additional suggestions, links to this club and any others like it
that seem worthwhile (PlanetAll, Delphi, etc). Possibly reviews of gaming
related websites (Like the Greyhawk one mentioned not too long ago).
Perhaps an ICQ link (I came across a web page that had a cell of a table
with the pages "official" ICQ channel, and listings of the number of people
chatting)
I guess that's my $.02
-Jeff, Rythter
This Is a Reply to: Msg 377 by Umbratikus
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Message 383 of 5996 Reply
It's not a Greyhawk Module but.... SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/19/99 9:58 pm
If you're still looking for a low level module for your Greyhawk campaign
yuo should look at the recently released THE SHATTERED CIRCLE. It isn't
world specific and can easily be placed in Greyhawk or any other campaign
setting with virtually no work at all. It is one of the best low level
modules TSR has put out in a long time. My group really enjoyed it and
it also opens up a possibility for a whole campaign trying to destroy
the Founding Stone. Or if your PC's just bury the stone it can always
show up later more dangerous than before. Check it out if you can.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 384 of 5996 Reply
I dont think it's Tjoncth... SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/19/99 10:03 pm
You're right. I dont think thats the right one. And also...You're right
about Vecna. If I had his problem I would have found a way to make "Vecna's
Mystical Everfixing Duct Tape". But thats just me, I like all my body
parts to stay attached.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 385 of 5996 Reply
Could it be. . . . . Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/19/99 10:49 pm
The Jungle of Chult??????
This Is a Reply to: Msg 384 by SlyLoki
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Message 386 of 5996 Reply
Re: D&D Survey Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 3/20/99 3:38 am
Checking my results, it looks like I'm in the comfortable, bland majority.
Rythter: What made you pick those particular four questions?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 372 by rythter
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Message 387 of 5996 Reply
Rating etc... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 3/20/99 4:43 pm
I have never run any of the "adventures" in series
but have used a few of the older modules a supplements or implants (I
guess) into my campaign...But the referance base would be fantastic to
have at our disposal.
I do have a fractal design prog and enough time to come up with animations
that are at least as cheezy as first ed AD&D books...and certainly better
than the ones that were in my original "rules for fantastic medieval wargames
campaigns playable with paper and pencil and miniature figures" books
had so let me know what we might need and I will conjure some thing up.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 382 by rythter
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Survey choices rythter
(31/M/Braintree, MA) 3/20/99 10:09 pm
These topics seem to be the most common changes DM's make after reffing
for a while.
XP for GP was the first alteration I made.
Starting level is always a debated topic in our group. We have tried all
three of the choices many times, as well as 2nd. 3rd seems to provide
the best survival rate. 3rd level monsters are not so tough as to be dangerous,
and 3rd level characters have enough hp and spells to handle things.
Magic is another sticking point. One of my group feels that a starting
character should have at least one magic item, it adds personality and
flair to the character. I am of the opposite opinion. I think magic should
be revered, and hard to find.
I like spell point systems. They add more flexibility , and if structured
correctly they provide flexibility as well as playability.
My spell point system is very simple. You have as many spell points as
CON. One spell point per spell level. Therefore a mage w/ an 18 CON could
only cast 2 9th level spells. Spell levels are acquired as normal (2nd
level spells for 3rd level MU's, 3rd lvl spells for 5th lvl MU's etc.
You can exceed your spell points by using hp's. After using all spell
points, you can continue casting, but at the cost of hp. I got this idea
after reading the original Dragonlance books. Raistlin was a perfect example
of how a mage could be. If you push yourself, you suffer. After using
up all sp's the mage is mentally weakened, if they push themselves they
suffer physically. I am still wavering on whether the mage needs to memorize
spells or not. I have done it both ways, and it still works well.
I am an old-timer, pre-proficiencies (non-weapon anyways), so sometimes
I do not use them. I do like them, but I think they are a little limited.
I prefer a % based skill system. One skill per year, or an additional
5%. Initial % is based on the appropriate attribute.
I am going to add some additional questions, and I am up for suggestions.
The two I plan to add are: How long have you been DMing? and Do you have
any additional comments, or suggestions for this survey?
Thank you for your question. I appreciate the chance to spout some of
my philosophy.
-Jeff, Rythter
This Is a Reply to: Msg 386 by Ellowan
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Message 389 of 5997 Reply
The HEAD of Vecna??? SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/22/99 9:39 am
I ran across this amusing tale of foolish PC's on the net last night and
thought some of you might get a kick out it.
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~srberry/gurps/Vecna.html
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 390 of 5998 Reply
Hilarious *ROFL* Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/22/99 10:03 am
As funny as this Head of Vecna story was, it would be kinda fun to pit
two adventuring parties against each other.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 389 by SlyLoki
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Message 391 of 5998 Reply
Birdbone Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/22/99 10:08 am
Check old messages on this list. About two months ago (I think) we ran
a thread about starting out new adventuring parties. There were a lot
of great ideas there.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 380 by Birdbone
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Message 392 of 5998 Reply
I'm Back SMGT70096_3
3/22/99 4:41 pm
Sorry I've been so long, but It wont be like this anymore. Yes, the elf
speaks again. Did I mention the I have free? That is a LOT of
space. All I have now is a stupid little Chrono Trigger page that I would
delete if I hadn't subscribed to search engines and stuff already. Of
course I could get a whole new account...
(And yes, I have ICQ and Yahoo! Pager)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 391 by Umbratikus
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Message 393 of 5998 Reply
This is part of the last one SMGT70096_3
3/22/99 4:51 pm
Sorry, I forgot to post my ICQ #!
It is 32515117.
(and I'm not speaking in 3rd person anymore because this is faster)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 392 by SMGT70096_3
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Message 394 of 5998 Reply
last word on Greyhawk deities Birdbone
(M/Oregon) 3/23/99 12:55 am
I know I said all I know on this before but I just found a site at TSR
that lists a great many central Flanaess dieties' powers and how their
religion is organized and I just wanted to share it with all:
http://www.tsr.com/Greyhawk/FtAPowers.rtf
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 395 of 5998 Reply
DM Survey Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/23/99 5:48 pm
A while back I mentioned a survey I handed out to my PCs to evaluate how
I was doing and to see what it was that the players wanted. I mentioned
that it was in an old dragon magazine (your guess is as good as mine).
I have found a copy of the form (it is rather long to post here 33 questions
multiple choice and two or three "YOUR COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED" .) However
if anyone is interested in seeing it I can email it to ya in .txt or .doc
format.
Danduin
danduin_@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 395 of 5998 Reply
DM Survey Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/23/99 5:48 pm
A while back I mentioned a survey I handed out to my PCs to evaluate how
I was doing and to see what it was that the players wanted. I mentioned
that it was in an old dragon magazine (your guess is as good as mine).
I have found a copy of the form (it is rather long to post here 33 questions
multiple choice and two or three "YOUR COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED" .) However
if anyone is interested in seeing it I can email it to ya in .txt or .doc
format.
Danduin
danduin_@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 397 of 5998 Reply
Secret Identity SMGT70096_3
3/23/99 7:01 pm
"I bet you are all just DYING to find out who I am."
It is the elf. No surprise there.
"My name is...
(drum roll please!)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 398 of 5998 Reply
TA - DA SMGT70096_3
3/23/99 7:07 pm
"THRANDUIL GREENLEAF!"
The elf - I mean Thranduil - uncovers himself from within his grey cloak.
He is dressed in kingly garb (for an elf of course) and now you can see
a gold-handled sword in a beautiful leather sheath.
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Message 399 of 5998 Reply
I HAVE DONE IT!!! SMGT70096_3
3/23/99 8:00 pm
I have made (or, well, started) a page for this site. We will have a password-entry
for members soon.
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/3620/index.html
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Message 409 of 6003 Reply
New to the fine art of DMing Mekesss
(16/M/Huntington Beace CA) 3/26/99 11:13 am
Greetings. I am new to the art of DMing, could you give me a few pointers
and/or some plots to run? Thank you.
Mekesss@yahoo.com
"I took the initaive of creating the internet" --Al Gore on crack.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 410 of 6003 Reply
New Release Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/26/99 11:18 am
Has anyone seen where TSR/WotC is releasing "Return to the Keep on the
Borderlands" later this year (July, I think). It is not a rerelease of
the old one, but it is a sequel to the first, in AD&D format (The original
was D&D).
Also they are re-releasing The Night Below by popular demand. Unfortunately
for Planescape fans, I don't see any new Planescape material being released
in 1999 that hasn't already been released.
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Message 411 of 6003 Reply
RE: New Releases SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/26/99 12:50 pm
Yeah, I heard about that. They've been putting out some good stuff lately.
Kinda makes me wish they had a 25th anniversary every year. Up until lately
I haven't been buying to much stuff because I got tired of all the crap
they pumped out. Now I'm getting a little excited. It all started with
the GreyHAwk add on the back of one of the Dragon magazines. It read "WHAT
THE HELL IS A BAATEZU?"
I cracked a smile on that one and started paying attention to what they
were doing.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 410 by Umbratikus
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Message 412 of 6003 Reply
You know what they are doing, don't you Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/26/99 4:23 pm
They are targeting us old timers who remember the "good old days" of the
game. It is all one big marketing campaign. Usually I would turn my back
on such obvious baiting, but in this case...
This Is a Reply to: Msg 411 by SlyLoki
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Message 413 of 6003 Reply
Yeah I know... SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/26/99 6:10 pm
I know we're being baited but I don't really mind this time. It's about
time they stop catering to the Monty Haul types. I just hope they don't
fill Oerth with too much "official" stuff. I always loved the flexibility
a DM had with WoG. If they go overboard they just might turn it into another
Forgettable Realms setting. I just got the Greyhawk: The Adventure begins
book today and while I didn't get a chance to really look through it yet.
I did notice that they DID use the term demon. Its about time they start
calling them what they are and not some name that I cant say without cracking
a smile. "Baatezu" I hate that word.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 412 by Umbratikus
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Message 414 of 6003 Reply
A while ago.... SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/26/99 11:18 pm
A while ago I was asking for the name of an old module that had the orcs
on the island with a were-boar magic user. I'm thinking it was a D&D adventure
not AD&D. Drums of Fire Mountain? Does it ring a bell with anyone...and
if so got any ideas where I may find it?
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Message 415 of 6003 Reply
I Need cleric spells Alternate2k2
(19/M/Castlebar ,Ireland) 3/27/99 8:40 am
Hey everyone,
does anytbody know or can tell me where i get my hands on some cleric
spells for the WAR! diety.
This DM thing is cool, finally got the club up proberly only last month,
it's a nightmare to get everyone together in the one place at the one
time, but heyt i'm speaking to the converted here.
heres to DMing. thanx
Alternate.....
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Message 416 of 6003 Reply
RE: War Deity SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/27/99 9:59 am
Here's some recommended spheres...hope it helps.
Major access Animal, combat, divination, elemental, healing, necromantic,
protection weather.
Minor Access All, guardian, summoning, sun.
If you have access to the Tome of Magic than you can also add the following
spheres
Major access War, Chaos
Minor Access Wards
SlyLoki
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Message 417 of 6003 Reply
Magic Resistance Zancrest
3/27/99 11:21 am
Any thoughts on weather a creature with magic resistance should have a
check against that resistance when the 4th level spell Ice Storm is cast
on them? I have some players that are encountering Drow and they seem
to think that Ice Storm (being actual physical Hail) shouldn’t be affected
by Magic resistance.
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Message 418 of 6003 Reply
RE: MR SlyLoki
(22/M/Texas) 3/27/99 11:35 am
My thought...fireballs are flame yet MR applies.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 417 by Zancrest
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Message 419 of 6003 Reply
magic resistance Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/29/99 10:25 am
I've never really thought about this before, but my initial reaction would
tend to be in favor of your players. Magic Resistance would logically
protect against magical effects cast on them, or illusions they percieve,
etc. But in the case of an ice storm, the magic is not being cast on them,
it is being cast to create the ice storm. Once the ice storm is created
it is a physical entity that can cause damage. That would be like saying
that because they have magic resistance, they cannot be damaged by monsters
summoned by a monster summoning spell (or at least magic resistance would
apply, which is ludicrous).
Fireball is an arguably different case. A fireball is magical flame. The
same would go with spells like lightning bolt, cone of cold, magic missle,
etc. Call lightning, on the other hand, might be in the same category
as ice storm. Whereas magic resistance might apply to the magically created
lightning of the lighning bolt spell, call lightning just directs natural
lightning to a target. Then MR should not apply.
I know there is a lot of gray area created by this line of thinking, but
I think it is valid. What do the rest of you think?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 417 by Zancrest
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Message 419 of 6003 Reply
magic resistance Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/29/99 10:25 am
I've never really thought about this before, but my initial reaction would
tend to be in favor of your players. Magic Resistance would logically
protect against magical effects cast on them, or illusions they percieve,
etc. But in the case of an ice storm, the magic is not being cast on them,
it is being cast to create the ice storm. Once the ice storm is created
it is a physical entity that can cause damage. That would be like saying
that because they have magic resistance, they cannot be damaged by monsters
summoned by a monster summoning spell (or at least magic resistance would
apply, which is ludicrous).
Fireball is an arguably different case. A fireball is magical flame. The
same would go with spells like lightning bolt, cone of cold, magic missle,
etc. Call lightning, on the other hand, might be in the same category
as ice storm. Whereas magic resistance might apply to the magically created
lightning of the lighning bolt spell, call lightning just directs natural
lightning to a target. Then MR should not apply.
I know there is a lot of gray area created by this line of thinking, but
I think it is valid. What do the rest of you think?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 417 by Zancrest
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Message 421 of 6003 Reply
Good answer, Vesper Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/29/99 1:01 pm
Looking at the school is the key. The basic rule of thumb here should
be that if something is conjured into existence and consequently causes
damage, then MR doesn't apply. If the force is magical in nature, then
MR does apply. The trick is in figuring out which category it falls in.
In this case, I think Vesper is correct and the ice storm is as magical
in nature as is the fireball. The school of magic is a good indicator,
but ultimately it is left to the DM (as usual). The school of Conjuration/Summoning
is a good indicator that MR would probably not apply. This should not
be a hard and fast rule, however. Things need to be taken on a case by
case basis.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 420 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 422 of 6003 Reply
THE WEB PAGE???? Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/30/99 9:02 pm
so what's up with the page everyone was so excited about?
How come there is not a link to it in the LINKS section?
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? . . . . . . . ad infinitum
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 423 of 6003 Reply
Link, that's a good idea Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/31/99 9:28 am
Just so I don't have to scan back through the messages to find the URL,
why don't you put the link in the links section, Sir Webmaster?
Has anyone sent him any reviews yet? I haven't had time. All my spare
AD&D time has been devoted to preparing for this huge weekend long game
over Easter weekend (painting figures, printing up 25mm battle maps, generating
NPCs, oh...and writing the adventure : )
This Is a Reply to: Msg 422 by Danduin_
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Message 424 of 6003 Reply
Speaking of links Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 3/31/99 9:40 am
I just posted three links in the links section. They lead to three great
DM tools that I use pretty regularly.
One is a random NPC generator that can generate large numbers of NPCs
in seconds, including stats, level, important equipment, and appearance.
I use this to fill out ship crews, thieves guilds, city guards, and tavern
patrons. Great tool.
The map making tools at the Irony games site are useful if you need a
wilderness map on the fly. Pretty cool.
The Everchanging Book of Names is a downloadable application that randomly
generates names from Tolkien books, Latin, Arthurian legend, and other
fictional and historical sources. I tend to be pretty good at rolling
a cool FRPG name off my toungue, but I always use this tool when I draw
a blank. Check it out.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 425 of 6003 Reply
hey Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/31/99 3:49 pm
you have to add ".html" to the webtools URL in the links section
This Is a Reply to: Msg 423 by Umbratikus
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Message 426 of 6003 Reply
Irony Games Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 3/31/99 6:06 pm
This is a very cool website. Thanks for posting the URL {-:
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 427 of 6003 Reply
still wondering about that page we propo Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/1/99 5:47 pm
I added it to the links section (not that there is anything there to see)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 428 of 6003 Reply
hmmmmmm Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/1/99 5:48 pm
It links us back here?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 429 of 6003 Reply
I was bored Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/2/99 6:20 pm
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/9915/index.html
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 430 of 6003 Reply
I was bored Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/2/99 6:21 pm
so I created this in less than an hour let me know what you think.
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/9915/index.html
Of course I would love any artwork that you can give me to put up there.
I especially need a good background pic.
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Message 431 of 6003 Reply
Curse this abomination of a message boar Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/2/99 6:55 pm
I was bored at work this evening so I spent an hour and whipped a page
up for us. Check it out let me know if it is worht the effort etc.Please
keep in mind that it is a bare bones page, I did not spend any time on
artwork etc.
The url, once again like my previous post is
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/9915/index.html
Let me know what you think
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 432 of 6003 Reply
Pics for the site Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/3/99 1:02 pm
Check out the following site for good backgrounds and pics for the site
http://clipartcastle.com/
This Is a Reply to: Msg 431 by Danduin_
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Message 433 of 6003 Reply
Info needed Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/3/99 5:44 pm
I am looking for any info/piccies/whatever for the web page that you are
willing to send my way I will take it in text, html, or whatever format
you care to send me.
Thanx
PS if you want to help out great let me know.
danduin_@yahoo.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 434 of 6003 Reply
Thanks Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/5/99 5:15 pm
Thanks Vesper, it was just what I needed.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 435 of 6004 Reply
what has happened to this place? Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/5/99 7:10 pm
There was a time when people would actually post messages here.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 436 of 6004 Reply
new around here aaronHab1
(CA/M/palm springs) 4/6/99 9:13 pm
hey there, my name is Aaron , and pictii invited me to join this newsgroup.
Im an artist currently living in Palm Springs, CA ( but will be leaving
soon). if anyone needs artwork, take a look at my site and email me if
you need something. nice to be a part of this group :O)
http://members.tripod.com/~ahabibipour/
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 437 of 6004 Reply
Welcome to the Guild Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/7/99 10:28 pm
How are ya? It's been quiet around here for the last few days but a new
face (or rather name) is always welcome.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 436 by aaronHab1
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Message 438 of 6004 Reply
time to get things rolling again Birdbone
(M/Washington) 4/8/99 9:40 am
Ok I know this is a stupid question but stupid is better than none, right?
How do you pronounce "Gygax"? Is it jy-jax, guy-jax, jy-gax, guy-gax???
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 439 of 6004 Reply
Welcome fellow artist Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/8/99 10:02 am
Glad to have you as part of this group. If you read back a few posts,
we are putting together a website and I am sort of the ad hoc organizer,
(although it doesn't seem all that organized at the moment). Would you
be willing to do some artwork for our website? Perhaps use some existing
pieces that would fit the theme of the page? You would, of course, retain
all copyrights, and we could put a disclaimer on the page saying so. We
could even make your images links back to your page for interested buyers/employers.
Participation has slowed down on this site recently, but I think this
is largely due to posting problems (I've been having problems with all
of my clubs, and participation is slowing in them as well). Normally this
is a pretty active site.
Again, welcome.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 436 by aaronHab1
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Message 440 of 6004 Reply
Gygax Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/8/99 10:09 am
I'm not really sure. I've always pronounced it guy-gax, but I have repeatedly
heard it pronounced guy-jax.
And just to throw another option in your mix, I have also heard it pronounced
jih-jix. : )
This Is a Reply to: Msg 438 by Birdbone
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Message 441 of 6004 Reply
Keep on the Borderlands Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/8/99 2:47 pm
I'm preparing to start a new campaign with my players and pulled out my
battered copy of The Keep on the Borderlands. I think I might use it as
the starting point for them. They are relatively new to AD&D (when I say
new I mean they've been playing about 5 years or so) and don't know the
glory of the old days. Lately I've been throwing some old stuff at them
and they have loved it so far.
Running the Keep on the Borderlands was my first time in the DM chair
(actually it was my first time playing D&D too). I have a lot of fond
memories of all the goof ups I made with that module. Hell, I was just
a kid who didn't really understand the game, I didn't have all those "funny
dice" so I raided the family yahtzee game and the whole module was played
with d6's. I laugh at it now but I was only 8 at the time and none of
us new better so we had a blast.
Any of you old timers have nightmare stories about your first time in
"The Chair"?
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 442 of 6004 Reply
website aaronHab1
(CA/M/palm springs) 4/8/99 8:59 pm
i would be more than happy to contributeto the page. next thursday, i
will be moving back to the east coast ( near Washington,DC ) so the next
week will be kinda hectic. just email me with what you need , plus the
URl to what is currently up.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 439 by Umbratikus
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Message 443 of 6004 Reply
Gary Gygax aaronHab1
(CA/M/palm springs) 4/8/99 9:00 pm
Im pretty sure its Guy-Gacks
This Is a Reply to: Msg 438 by Birdbone
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Message 444 of 6004 Reply
The Keep... CDHofmann
(34/M/Cape Cod) 4/8/99 9:01 pm
Ah....the fond memories. I too was introduced to the game and DMing by
that module. If memories serves, it was in the original D+D box set that
I bought in the early '80's. I still have that module and I confess, I
have run it several times for AD+D players. In fact, it has been the starting
point for many of my campaings. It is a great setting for introducing
new players. There is nothing more satisifying (and no motovation easier
to understand) than having to rescue the damsel in distress. Glad to hear
that I am not the only one who pulls this clasic out from time to time.
Among my more experienced players, the joke is alwasy trying to figure
out just were the keep will be located in my worlds. It is there somewhere,
and if you really want too, you can find it.
Chris
This Is a Reply to: Msg 441 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 445 of 6005 Reply
Hello Pictii here... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/8/99 9:50 pm
Hey how goes it here I have avoided yahoo in all but the most cursory
fashion lately as it gets me really angry that it continuosly refuses
to function properly I have another club and it has been a night mare
just trying to get my messages from it (GRRRR I smash my machine in a
blind rage two times) any way the keep AHH yes pleasant memories as I
have stated before I roughly use the keep for almost all remote towns,
out-posts, what have you. My most vivid memory of early DMing was having
a group of players who had risen (way too fast...) to rediculous levels
and we would play in my mothers kitchen one fellow who was new to the
group must have rolled up no less than 50 characters trying to survive
one session it was horrible I did not yet have my nifty DM screen and
was rolling in the open with all the players so I could not even cheat
this guy a breakand it seemed that when ever a roll was made to determine
who was hit by the epicenter of dragon breath for example it was always
1st level dorko that poor guy he would take his character sheets and shove
them through the fan brrrappp over and over too funny
Pictii americanus
Danduin whats upp with the game?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 441 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 446 of 6005 Reply
The game is afoot! Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/9/99 10:54 pm
Spring fever has consumed me once again. Now all I have to do is look
out for tornados.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 445 by Pictii
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Message 447 of 6005 Reply
Ummm...Question for the dungeon masters. Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/10/99 12:09 pm
I have a player who is some what troublesome to begin with, and when it
came time to create character he wants to play a cleric/mage. I fell this
is a highly improbable combo as each proffession would require way too
much study time and dedication to master...any one aggree or disagree
or what lemme know what you think.
Pictii americanus
some what distracted
SPRING
ps. there is a mighty roar and poof now where are ya gonna get your suzi-Q's?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 446 by Danduin_
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Message 448 of 6006 Reply
Re:Cleric/Mage Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/10/99 1:47 pm
While the rules allow for the combo I find that it generally appeals to
"Power Players" and MIN/MAX'ers. I tend to agree with you on the improbability
of this combo (when is the guy gonna find time to sleep with a that studying
and praying going on?). I assume the fellow wishes to be a half-elf since
that is the only race allowed in the rules for that combo. If the player
is extremely set on playing it though I would allow him to do so with
a minor setback. Reduce the maximum level to which he can reach in both
classes. In the first edition I beleive the half-elf is restricted to
5th level as a cleric and 8th level as a mage. I would reduce it to cleric
4/ Magic User 6. In the second edition half-elves are limited to 14th
level clerics and 12th level mage. I would change this to 11/9. This can
reflect that the character can't rise to great levels of mastery because
of his split interest in two very demanding classes.
Hope this helps a little.
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 447 by Pictii
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Message 449 of 6006 Reply
Also.... Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/10/99 1:58 pm
Oops, I forgot to add that if you do allow it be real strict with the
player when it comes to preforming his duties. If he slacks off a little
bit in the clerical department...have his god bar the use of some spells.
If he doesn't keep up with his wizardly studies...allow his opponents
bonuses to their saving throws when he casts a spell on them (to reflect
that his casting abilities are a bit sloppy)....be creative.
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 450 of 6006 Reply
Cleric-Mage Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 4/10/99 9:35 pm
I have allowed this combination in a few of my games, but the main sticking
point of this character is survivablility. Most cleric-mage combinations
simply don't have the survivablility that other characters do. Of course,
most mages don't have good survivability at low levels.
I allowed the player to have his wish, even with full level attainment
possible. But, in order to reflect that he was working with two highly
dedicated classes, I only granted him half experience. Also, with the
optional class experience bonuses, I only gave him 75% of the experience.
He advanced slower than everyone else and it made sence. In order to fully
master both classes, you must take more time with them than you would
another, simpler, class.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 449 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 451 of 6006 Reply
Thanx Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/11/99 8:39 am
Thank you for the clever insights the game is being run in first ed setting
and you are right he wants to be a half elf I am still wrestling with
the idea as the improbability is just too strong an issue for me I just
don't think it is a very likely combo If I do allow it he will have to
have an exceptional set of numbers at the very least How would such a
character regain his spells in the field? It seems to me that he would
be holding the party up oh wait while I study my various librams and pray
for several hours I would think that there would also be a conflict of
interest. The more I discuss this the more I think it will not happen
thanks for the advice however I am leaning towards a gigantic NAY for
the troublesome player.
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 450 by
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Message 452 of 6006 Reply
Priest/Magi benjohnna
(32/M/Norfolk, VA) 4/11/99 11:59 pm
I'm new, and actually, your dilema is what spurned me to join. I've been
playing the game for about 14 years, and have dm'd for about 13 1/2.
I personally see nothing wrong with allowing someone to be a cleric/mage...perhaps
their deity is a god that "controls" magic.? One thing to remember is
that if they tend to get out of control, the fact that they have to consistantly
appise a god weighs heavy in your favor. If you feel he is spending too
much time being a mage, then the deity could restrict/take away, certain
abilities and spells. Perhaps, in order to be a mage, he has to specialize
in the spell-family that more closely resembles his deities influence.
As far as level advancement, given the bonuses to saving throws and overall
abilities, in the long run, the character could/would be as useful as
a paladin; certainly gaining level just as fast. If they play an evil-aligned
character...well, evil deities are known for that nasty, evil, and vindictive
streaks!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 450 by Fynduril_Skyrunner
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Message 453 of 6006 Reply
Cleric/Mage Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/12/99 2:11 pm
I have never ever had a PC want to be a Cleric/Mage. As a Player, I would
never want to play one either.
Having said that, I have had an elven cult dedicated to a goddess of magic
in my campaign. All specialty priests of this goddess were Cleric/Magi.
It worked out really well, actually. Their studies were ritualized and
part of the whole religious experience for them. They were originally
designed to be allies to the PC's, but the PC's pissed them off so they
became adversaries. The PC's were not happy being lost in the wilderness
in the middle of the night and being hunted by parties of cleric/magi
with infravision and an attitude.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 451 by Pictii
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Message 454 of 6006 Reply
Keep on the Borderlands Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/12/99 2:13 pm
Don't forget that TSR is releasing an updated and expanded AD&D version
of that classic soon!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 453 by Umbratikus
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Message 455 of 6006 Reply
The Debate Continues..... Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/12/99 3:46 pm
A word about deities of magic. Priests who follow deities of magic allready
have some abilties of magic users. If the deity wanted them to be full
fledge mages he would grant magic user spells and not clerical ones. A
priest's first and foremost duty is to his deity.
In the forgotten realms priests of Azuth are able to pray for magic user
spells. This makes a cleric/mage class redundant. Some of Azuth's temples
are completely stocked with "priests" who are infact Magic users....not
clerics.
In Greyhawk, priests of Boccob gain the ability to use magic items usable
by mages. If the deity wanted them to cast mage spells then he would grant
them....he doesn't.
On Krynn, the gods of magic (pre 5th age) DONT EVEN HAVE PRIESTS. Their
following is made up of mages, and what order you are with decides what
spells you may cast.
The simple truth is that a god of magic really shouldn't have clerics.
Mages should be his forte.
As for multi classing any cleric...I'm usually against it. Like I stated
earlier, a clerics attention should be focused on their deity, not other
classes. I know their will be many who disagree thinking that gods of
war could have fighter/clerics or other deities have other combos. If
you think about this though, once again it si not needed. Priests of war
deities often have a larger variety of weapons to choose from and get
bonuses in combat. Take for example the clerics of Odin from Legends &
Lore. They can use any weapon and have the same THAC0 as a fighter.
Vesper
The Long Winded
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 456 of 6006 Reply
However, Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/12/99 4:07 pm
this is only true if you have specialty priesthoods. Many campaigns, even
2nd ed campaigns don't use them, or use them only to limit spell availability.
Multi classed clerics do have their place, regardless of whether or not
specialty priests are used. Cults, sects, and other offshoots of the main
faith of a god are a great breeding ground for multi classed clerics.
I had a small cult of cleric/assassins (back in the 1st ed days)which
were colorful and formative. Since paladins are limited to lawful good,
other aligned deities may have holy fighters that are actually cleric/fighters.
Just playing devil's advocate }:->
This Is a Reply to: Msg 455 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 457 of 6006 Reply
???? Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/12/99 4:55 pm
Do you work in the advertising or PR department(s) for TSR????
This Is a Reply to: Msg 454 by Umbratikus
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Message 458 of 6006 Reply
True Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/12/99 5:15 pm
Sometimes I forget that not everyone uses specialty priests. Even back
when I used 1st edition I was not a fan of generic clerics and came up
with specialty priests of my own. I've always created detailed pantheons
for my campaigns. While the best route, I think, to go is with specialty
priests, I can see multi-class clerics being used to add depth to generic
clerics.
Then again I've never been a fan of multi-class characters. Take an Elven
Fighter/Magic User/Theif. He rises in level so slowly that other party
members will quickly out distance him. Then in a well balanced party he
becomes obsolete. Who would you pick to disarm a deadly trap....the party's
12th level theif or the elf who is several levels inferior? If you need
magical back up who do you call on....the full fledge mage or the elfs
who dabbles in it? If you need a strong fighter at your back dont look
to the elf....multi-classes can't gain weapon specialization, besides
the human fighter in the party has a few levels on him. Multi-class characters
are jacks of all trades but MASTERS OF NONE. Good for small parties and
over acheivers.
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 459 of 6006 Reply
Well ... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/12/99 5:25 pm
As I stated in an E mail to the pain in the ss guy I would not stand in
his way if he can think of some way to justify it to me I will allow it
I can picture a mage who likes an occasional barroom brawl or a light
fingered cleric (dont even have to close my eyes for that one) (there
are enough of them around) my feeling is that one would negate the other
I dont envision mages being overly religious I sort of feel they might
think of religion as fairy tales for fools And we all know how hip organized
religions are to free thought and all
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 457 by Danduin_
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Message 460 of 6006 Reply
Re: Cleric/Mage Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/12/99 6:36 pm
I am not personally a big fan of the cleric/mage combination. As Pictii
and a number of others have mentioned, it is a difficult combination to
justify unless there is a campaign-specific reason for their being. I
did like the one example given along those lines.
However, since the majority is going against allowing them, I thought
I would come up with a couple of Devil's Advocate-like questions and reasons
as to why cleric/mages might be feasible in general and also in this particular
instance.
Clerics and mages do each require a large amount of training time. In
most campaigns they require more time to achieve first level than fighters
or thieves. However I think the reason that multi-classes came about in
the first place was a reflection of demi-human races' longer lifespans
and ability to spend more time training up. An elf or half-elf will have
decades to learn the workings of both magic and the clergy. I'm aware
that half-orcs are an exception to long-lifespan rule, but they came about
later, anyway.
While it's hard to justify the existence of an individual cleric/mage,
it's not necessarily impossible. Both classes require discipline, study,
and often a scholarly bent. A mage/priest may be using magic as a tool
to further the ends of his religion, or if he's scholarly enough, to do
enough research to prove that clerical powers and magic stem from the
same source (which may or may not be a misguided attempt, depending on
the campaign). If anyone has read the Camber of Culdi series by Katherine
Kurtz, Camber himself is an excellent example of a cleric/mage. The AD&D
version of Camber (Dragon #78) places him as a cleric/psionicist, but
that's certainly not how he saw himself. His motivation was the use of
magic to glorify his religion and the use of his religion to interpret
the mysteries of his magic-use. In that world, many of the spells involved
prayers and invocations to various angels to function.
Finally, for this situation, it might be important to consider both the
player and your campaign. I wonder how much of a troublemaker he is? Is
he going to cause problems no matter what class he takes? If so, maybe
the proper solution is not to worry about whether or not he's a cleric/mage
but whether or not he's going to be allowed to play in your game. If your
star player wanted to be a cleric/mage would you still be wrangling over
it? Are you willing to ban cleric/mages and cleric/fighter/mages forever
from your world or limit them to NPC use only? Did you earlier say that
all official classes and class-combinations would be allowed and now you're
eating your words, or did you specify that each choice would be subject
to your approval first? Does it really take more effort to become a cleric/mage
than it does to become, say, a fighter/mage/thief? Anyway, those are all
questions that you can only answer for yourself, based on your knowledge
of your campaign setting and your knowledge about your troublesome player.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 459 by Pictii
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Message 461 of 6006 Reply
Vesper...DragonLance... Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 4/12/99 9:56 pm
Sorry, but you're wrong Vesper. Solinari, Lunitari, and Nuitari do in
deed have priests. Read the Tales of the Lance boxed set and check the
section under Magic-Users.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 455 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 462 of 6006 Reply
Sorry... Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/13/99 1:06 am
Seems I may be wrong about Krynn I guess. I do not possess the boxed set,
just the DragonLance Adventures Hardback for the 1st edition. There they
make no mention of clerics for the gods of magic. Also it seems that would
be out of place for those gods because the conclave was their creation
and "following". They taught the first mortals magic and how to protect
it. Gave them mandates to follow, hence the three orders and the hatred
of renegades. Sounds like a religious order or "priesthood" to me. Why
would they create clerics when they allready had their religious order?
Sounds like tampering from the TSR gods to me.
In all honesty, I love all the ideas that have been thrown out here because
it shows one thing....we have DM'S in here who THINK. The wonderful thing
about this game is that no two groups play alike....each DM and player
take a world and bring it to life in a way that is unique to each group.
Some of you older DM's might remember the days of yore when published
modules were few and far between. When various groups would sit down and
discuss the different ways that they played the modules. No one played
it the exact same way and we loved to hear how others did it.
1 final question for you who remember the 1st edition. How many of you
play 2nd edition rules now? I don't, I possess the books but think they
goofed up some things trying to "fix" the game. I did like some of the
stuff they came up with though so I dont play 1st or 2nd edition but a
little in between. I call it edition 1.5.
Vesper
"Question Authority"
This Is a Reply to: Msg 461 by Fynduril_Skyrunner
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Message 463 of 6006 Reply
Beating a dead horse... Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/13/99 1:47 am
Okay, I know I've been extremely long winded on this subject, I'll place
a gag on myself after this. I was just given an oppertunity to read some
of the 2nd edition Dragonlance stuff. It does give statistics for clerics
to the gods of magic. That seems odd to me since it goes against the history
given (not to mention the novels...I don't remember EVER seeing a cleric
to Solinari pop up).
What was even more shocking to me was the lift of the level limit rule.
In the 1st edition book NO PC could acheive above 18th level without the
gods of Krynn teleporting them off to some other world. They did this
to preserve the balance. It seems that not only did the 2nd edition bring
along never before seen clerics but it also brought about a change in
the attitudes of the gods (read as TSR Inc.) It seems that the 2nd edition
gods of Krynn(TSR Inc.) cared no longer for keeping the balance but were
more preoccupied with profits and sales. Oh well. The allmighty dollar
wins again.
They did the same thing with the Greyhawk From the Ashes box set. They
shattered the nuetrality of the world and made it a gritty Goodguys vs.
Badguys setting.
The major drawback that 2nd edition AD&D brought about was an influx of
power players and PC's who could slay Dragons by the dozens. I'm not saying
any one here is like that but look around at the various web sites out
there and I'll think you'll agree.
Vesper
(The now gagged) :-(
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 464 of 6006 Reply
1st and 2nd editions Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/13/99 5:17 am
I ran a campaign during my high school years and the 2nd edition was published
when I was a junior. I took some elements of it to incorporate into my
game and the other dungeon master in my school did the same. We also called
the concoction edition 1.5 and I've heard of others who did the same,
and still do today.
I have always preferred the first edition over the second edition. So
many of the changes didn't seem to really fix anything or were so half-hearted
that they fell short. Also the money expenditure was very prohibitive.
I had already invested a couple hundred dollars or so in the first edition
and to do it again with not that much to gain by it was simply beyond
my means. I wound up buying the 2nd edition Player's Handbook and Dungeon
Master's Guide when they came out to check out the system. Since then,
my only purchases have been the historical sourcebooks, such as Charlemagne's
Paladins, which have held some interest for me.
On the other hand, the D&D Rules Cyclopedia came out around the same time.
This is what I would have loved to see 2nd Edition do. With the exception
of artifact generation, it contained all the rules of the D&D game from
the Basic Set through the Masters Set in a single hardbound volume, including
all of the monsters! An additional, unexpected bonus was a high-quality
binding not seen since the days of the Fiend Folio. My 2nd Edition PHB
and DMG started falling apart less than a year after I purchased them,
but the Rules Cyclopedia is still sturdy after a decade and much greater
use. These days, my favorite is neither 1st nor 2nd edition, but rather
plain old D&D.
Having said this, I must admit to playing 2nd edition as of this past
winter. The reason is the release of the AD&D Core Rules 2.0 software.
It's not the greatest piece of programming in the world by any means,
but the fact that it's got the complete text of nine AD&D rulebooks in
it alone made it worth the purchase price to me. I left nearly all of
my AD&D material behind me when I fled the nest with the exception of
my trusty Rules Cyclopedia. With this program, I'm now experimenting with
online AD&D gaming.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 462 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 465 of 6006 Reply
LOL Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/13/99 9:29 am
No, but you might think so, eh? I'm just a sucker for new AD&D material.
Always have been.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 457 by Danduin_
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Message 466 of 6006 Reply
Multi-classed and role playing Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/13/99 10:07 am
Let us keep in mind that role playing is the bottom line here. Just about
any character type can work if it is molded by a good role player and
inserted believably in your campaign. Granted, all players aren't great
role players, but then a creative DM can help them along in developing
their characters. Character classes aren't necessarily named occupations,
but simply a packaged group of skills. If a player can justify why a combination
of skill sets would work well together for his character, why not? Players
are all individuals ("I'm not." (three cheers for anyone who gets that
reference)), and like us DM's they have different ideas. It is not really
fair for us DM's to stifle a player's creativity by saying "That's not
allowed in my campaign." I discourage some things, but if the player can
make a good case and is enthusiastic about it, why not?
There are many elements in my campaign that are there solely because of
the player and the development of his character, and these elements exist
today even though the PC is long gone.
Oh, and I often get nostalgic about the 1st ed game, but I switched as
soon as the new books came out (you guys already know how I feel about
new material), and embraced it whole heartedly. The shortcomings and the
missed 1st ed stuff were simply incorporated into my House Rules. I also
hear talk of a 3rd ed, now that WoTC has taken the helm.
And I, too am a CR2 user. Far from perfect, but a great tool for DM's.
It has improved my games and simplified my record keeping. Love it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 462 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 467 of 6006 Reply
LOL Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/13/99 10:08 am
wow a pre generated subject line cool!
I am a sucker too. *sigh* I say that I have everything that I need to
play D&D for the rest of my life then happen across a really cool "turnip
twoddler for the AD&D system" and next thing I know I own it.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 465 by Umbratikus
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Message 468 of 6006 Reply
It is about role-playing Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/13/99 11:02 am
When all is said and done I agree with umbra about role-playing. If my
players can give me good background information as to why their character
is what he is I generally allow it. The rules serve as a guideline, if
the player gives a compelling argument and it fits in with the historical
precedence of my campaign world then I allow things that I am usually
against.
I have to agree that CR2 is a real help. Hey Umbra, they are planning
to release an expansion for CR2 that has all the class handbooks and allows
for customization of character classes....
On a final note..is any one else having problems with the message boards
today?
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 469 of 6006 Reply
RE: Beating a dead horse... Fynduril_Skyrunner
(20/M/Pennsylvania) 4/13/99 12:34 pm
I must admit that I am too young to "remember" the 1st edition rules,
but I -have- played them. I play mainly 2nd edition at the moment, but
I have used the 1st ed. a few times...I just like the 2nd ed. more I guess.
I do have to agree with you that TSR goofed up major league when they
lifted the 18th level limit from Krynn. Personally, I think they were
trying to make the characters from Krynn on pare with the near god-like
characters of the FR setting.
About the Gods of Magic from DL. I think it was a good idea for the creative
team to allow the Gods their own clerics, and I'll tell you why. The mages
of Krynn follow the -magic- not the God that grants it. The clerics of
those Gods follow the Gods itself, not the magic. There is a difference,
although if you get right down to it I'm only talking semantix, but that's
TSR for you.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 463 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 470 of 6007 Reply
PC's and Poison... Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/13/99 2:41 pm
I just got my Dragon Magazine in the mail today and in the sage advice
column is a question pertaining to poison use by good aligned PC's. I
won't get into it here but I think the "Sage" gave good advice on the
subject.
I was wondering how some of the DM's here handle poison use by PC's in
their games. I don't out right ban it but I frown on it because of potential
unbalancing of the game that might result. I don't think paladins should
use it and plan on keeping their paladin status but I can see thieves
using it. I usually tend to keep poison use in the realm of NPC's. First
off its not easy to get ahold of. Second, most PC's are not trained in
the proper use of poison and could very well accidentallly poison themselves.
The few instances in which players in my game got ahold of some poison
I usually have them describe how they use it in EXTREME detail. Their
descriptions often over look some safety precautions and I have them get
a little poisoned themselves, nothing fatal just a little reminder to
them that poison requires knowledge to properly use and that they don't
know all of subtle secrets of an assassin.
Also, Fy..I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one here that thinks that
the FR setting has gone a little overboard.
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 471 of 6008 Reply
old stuff Birdbone
(M/Washington) 4/13/99 4:08 pm
Well I haven't been here in a couple days and just read all the posts
(glad to see that this place is jumping again). On an old topic, someone
said that mages view religion as nonsense (or something of that nature)
but I disagree. I think that in these fantasy worlds, they have proof
that gods exist (unlike in the real world); I mean it seems to me that
AD&D gods descend from the heavens whenever they feel like it and do all
kinds of wacky stuff. Anyway just my two bits.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 472 of 6008 Reply
Message Board Problems Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/13/99 6:17 pm
I'm also having a problem with the message boards, Vesper. Since my last
post there have been over a half-dozen messages and I'm only seeing three
of them until I actually go from message to message.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 468 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 473 of 6008 Reply
Dungeon Master's Guild the webpage Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/13/99 6:49 pm
what is it with the automatic subject line? Is anyone else experiencing
this?
Anyway that line seems to fit. I am asking all the people in this club
(and anyone else who just happens to read this) to submit anything that
can be used on OUR webpage. artwork, product reviews (Umb. now you HAVE
A REASON to buy the new keep on the borderlands *grin*) short stories,
any ORIGINAL material from your gaming sessions (rules, character classes,
races whatever) I am thinking that there will be a section on DM created
realms. Suggestions are always welcome! Any written material please send
it in text format or as the body of your email. Anything that you submit
will have your name attached to it
and you will be the sole copyright owner of said material.
I have taken a look at T$R's sight and they are very explicit on what
we can and can't do with their material.
We CAN NOT use any pictures of theirs (I see that almost every single
page I visit does not care about this one).
We CAN reprint SECTIONS of articles for the purpose of review, explanation
etc.
IF WE ALL GET TOGETHER ON THIS WE CAN MAKE A TRULY WONDERFUL RESOURCE
FOR ALL SO DO NOT HESITATE TO SEND ME SOMETHING, ANYTHING!
Danduin Lestrontius, scourge of lizardmen
Oh yeah the email address to send stuff too is:
dmsguild@geocities.com
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 474 of 6008 Reply
Message boards? dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 4/13/99 7:33 pm
Just today? How about for the past couple weeks!!!! I have been posting
here as well as other clubs, and nothing shows up!! Ever since Yahoo started
proceedings in their take over, their systems have s@#%ed.
Dragn_lady
This Is a Reply to: Msg 468 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 475 of 6008 Reply
PC's and Poison... (1 of 3) Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/13/99 7:48 pm
For me, the use of poison is a rather complex issue that needs to be addressed
in various parts. Your own comments were a good overview and I think they
touched upon nearly every aspect of the field.
I'm going to go into a bit of detail here with two caveats. First of all,
I don't personally do everything that I'm talking about here when I'm
designing my campaign world in step-by-step order; it takes too much time.
I just gloss over them briefly. Secondly, I'm no expert on poisons inside
or outside the game, so I'm not trying to show off any technical expertise
here.
First off, I like to know where the poisons in my campaign come from.
Which animals, plants, and minerals are poisonous; where are they found;
are they rare or common; are they widely known or kept secret? In this
framework each poison falls into one of four basic types. 1) The source
is poisonous (and therefore dangerous) and the poison is easily extracted.
2) The source is poisonous but it is hard or impossible to extract the
poison. For instance, the poison only works when the creature is alive.
3) The source is normally used for a harmless or beneficial purpose but
when used in a different manner becomes poisonous, such as many sorts
of medicines. Of course in our medieval age many medicines were really
out-and-out poisons in the first place. 4) The source is completely innocuous
and can only be turned into a poison through the application of additional
processes.
The next step is to find out what these poisons actually do. I'm not fond
of the most commonly occurring D&D poison, which is the "save or die immediately"
variety. I prefer making my concoctions more interesting and less deadly.
Ed Greenwood in his occcasional Pages from Mages articles in Dragon magazine
had tons of really nifty toxins. A number of other authors have done the
same and even in the DMG there are the various ingested poisons and blade
venoms that cause damage instead of death. A neat poison may have one
or two characteristics that will give it away to the wary, will cause
various side effects rather than outright death, and may have different
or lessened effects upon various races that come into contact with it.
I think I remember one of Ed Greenwood's poisons may have been a blade
venom that made dwarves go blind and was a sticky, milky, blue-white substance--very
obvious on a weapon.
(cont.)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 470 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 476 of 6008 Reply
PC's and Poison... (2 of 3) Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/13/99 7:52 pm
Now that I've had fun detailing these toxins and what they do, I can go
on the crux of the matter, in my opinion. This is the cultural and societal
details of the campaign world itself and what its attitude to poison is.
Along the way, I need to decide how much of an "absolute" a class is.
Did the Gods make Paladins the same from continent to continent, or are
they more a product of the culture that spawned them? In some cases the
answer is that a certain class only hails from a certain locality: all
the illusionists in the world are trained in the misty highlands of Malefaxia.
Anyway, for me, I prefer to tie my classes in with their culture. What
do the various nations, churches, mystical or conspiratorial orders, and
guilds have to say on the subject of poison? I can let my imagination
go wild here. Maybe the civilized, bardic druids who rule the Feyan Theocracy
utterly frown on the use of poisons because of various coup attempts early
in their history. Any use of venom is punishable by being the next Samaine
sacrifice. On the other hand, the wild druids of the Whispering Forest
regular deter uninvited visitors with poison snares. In an excellent campaign
that I played in during high school there were two sects of paladins that
had declared a holy war upon each other. The paladins of either sect wouldn't
think to use a rash-producing blade venom on an ogre, but when it came
to each other, anything was fair game. The would cheerfully poison entire
banquets and burn the castles down of the opposing sect. The justification
was that they and their heretical brethren were supposedly Holy Warriors
of Truth who should be prepared for any eventuality in war, so may the
toughest and most deserving be the victors. On the flip side, what if,
say, a paladin, couldn't tolerate the use of anything remotely resembling
a poison? What's he going to do about the magic-user in his party who
just let loose with the Cloudkill? Or for that matter, Stinking Cloud
is a really suspicious-looking spell, isn't it?
In some campaigns, poison may be looked upon as morally evil. Sometimes
it can be inherently evil, such as when there's an evil God or Goddess
of Poisonings lurking out there. In many campaigns, the problem with poison
is one of fair play. It's not that poisons kill people; weapons kill people;
it's the way in which they do it, like backstabbing. In that case there
can be numerous situations where it's all right to use poisons. Some examples
may be using poisons against opponents who are considered without honor
(orcs, demons, thieves...elves? peasants?), using poisons against those
who do the same, using obvious poisons like colorful blade venoms, agreeing
in advance to use poisons, only using poisons during certain times of
the year, and so on.
(cont.)
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Message 477 of 6008 Reply
PC's and Poison... (3 of 3) Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/13/99 7:53 pm
Once I have all the campaign material in place, I find it's time to look
at the issue of game balance, or rather, what kind of goodies do I let
the PC's get away with. A lot of Vesper's comments are particularly apt
here. Playing with poison is a dangerous hobby! An easy to synthesize,
commonly available, easy to apply, ultra-deadly toxin should be an incredible
rarity unless you want its existence to affect the entire nature of your
campaign, rather like the introduction of, say, effective firearms. But
even if such a thing exists and the PC's get their hands on it, it would
be like playing with fire. Besides getting nicks and scratches during
the application, what about all the perils of a dungeon crawl? The PC
would risk doing himself in if he fell down a pit trap with his weapon
out, or if the enraged stone giant decides to pick him up and toss him
against the nearest cavern wall, or any number of other fairly common
occurrences. Poisoning or envenoming should legitimately be in the realm
of a non-weapon proficiency (is it already one?) and not one that would
be easy to pick up, either. Beyond the issue of personal danger, there
are the broader issues. How secretive have the PC's been in their use
of poison? Once word gets out, what will happen next? In a society that
frowns on such usage, there are sure to be repercussions. In a society
that doesn't, there are sure to be enemies who use poisons as deadly as
the PC's, if not more so. Finally, in a world where poison-use is a literal
sin, the concerns of society may well be the least of the PC's worries.
In summation, I think poisons have a great potential to add color to a
campaign world but they must be treated carefully. I like to treat a poison
as if it were a magical item: it's powerful, rare, dangerous, interesting,
and bound to attract attention. I don't see the use of poisons as inherently
evil, but some classes consider it not to be fair and have prohibitions
on its use. There are often exceptions to these prohibitions that lend
a unique air to the game. As Vesper said, it's a tool of NPC's much more
than one of PC's. Generally I like to leave the option open to my PC's,
but once they have learned enough about how my world works, they often
choose to forego the questionable advantages that deadly poisons give
them.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 476 by Ellowan
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Message 478 of 6008 Reply
Bravo.. Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/13/99 9:47 pm
Well done Ellowan, that was truly impressive. I'm glad to see things picking
back up in here the last few days. It was quite dead in here for awhile.
I hope we can keep this up.
There has got to be quite a few topics out there that will give us some
great debate material. Don't be shy people...throw stuff out there! It's
a good chance to draw some new blood into the guild. I've noticed that
since we picked up the pace some new members have been signing on.
At the moment, after looking through the other D&D clubs here in yahoo,
this on has been the most prolific the past few days. Lets keep it that
way.
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 477 by Ellowan
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Message 479 of 6008 Reply
Thanx... Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/14/99 12:27 am
I have wrestled with the idea of the cleric/mage and have just spent an
hour reading the posts I only had to sign back into yahoo once to get
to veiw all the messages and it did not kick me off line so my message
board experiance was not as infuriating as it has ever been. The posts
regarding my quirie have helped greatly, I am leaning towards allowing
it even though the players last communique was not very supportive of
his case. I am capracious and curiosity won out so there will be a cleric/mage
despite my considerable skepticism...
Cheif among my problems was preparedness I am not an overly religious
fellow and was raised catholic (not a school vet like my wife but...)my
own personal contempt for most organized religions has prevented me from
developing an extensive patheon of deities I have never really had a player
play a cleric so the situation never arose. As a dyed in the wool first
ed player I have invested too much money in AD&D stuff already in my life
and at this point in time would be foolish due to being fiscally challenged
(those pesky utilities etc...) so it is highly unlikely that I will run
out and purchase the great variety and quantity of tomes necessary to
update my game hipness I felt early on that THEY were out for our dough
and resented it then too however I think I can pull it off and am begining
to develop a specific scenario for this particular fellow once again thanx
for all the neat insights and all, you guys and gal's are great, and you
thought you were long winded...
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 478 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 480 of 6008 Reply
Thanx... Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/14/99 4:16 am
Good luck with the cleric/mage then, Pictii. Make sure he earns his keep!
This Is a Reply to: Msg 479 by Pictii
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Message 481 of 6008 Reply
New Topics Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/14/99 5:45 am
Thank you, Vesper. I'm glad you enjoyed my posts. I'm not good at thinking
up new topics, though. Is there anything else that you are interested
in bringing up?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 478 by Vesper_Lafanel
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Message 482 of 6008 Reply
New Topics Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/14/99 8:49 am
Spell useers how does every one or I should say how did every one run
thier spell users in the early editions of the game BEFORE proficencies
and specialty mages etc...? I am curious as I have only DM'ed over very
few magesand fewer clerics again I am refering to First ed. so there were
no specializations and what not the spell casting system is a bit unclear
has always been I feel and from what I have gathered from new books I
have veiwed it still is a bit of a mystery...
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 481 by Ellowan
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Message 483 of 6008 Reply
New Topics Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/14/99 9:55 am
We all tend to discuss things here from a DM's point of view, after all,
that is what this message board is for, but just for the sake of conversation,
I have a question from a player's perspective:
When a player, what is your favorite character type to play (race/class),
and why?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 481 by Ellowan
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Message 484 of 6008 Reply
Re: Spell users Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/14/99 11:22 am
After all these years I still run mages the same ol' fashioned way, wizard
B can memorize X number of 1st level spells. After he casts them its back
to the books.
I've expiramented over the years with alternate ways of handling spell
casting and found many workable solutions without ubalancing the game.
However, I always return to the original method because of one reason,
simplicity. When I run combat in my games we don't stop role-playing.
The combat continues on as a descriptive narrative, dice rolling going
on as we speak. I find complex rules to make the game more "realistic"
just bogs down combat. Added rules aren't needed to add realism to spell
casting or combat....just good ol' fashioned role-playing.
The group I have now makes my job easier than ever. They are some of the
best role-players I have seen. On their first adventure together the party
was facing a group of goblins. The magic user began chanting a Magic Missle
spell as a goblin sliced into the allready injured fighter. The fighter
fell to one knee bleeding profusely. The magic user, panicked as he thought
his freind was surely going to die. His spelled fizzled out without firing
off because he could not remember the words, his only thought on his doomed
friend. In this circumstance I had not made the ruling about the mages
spell "fizzling" out. The player did. He knew that his character, as a
newbie, was not mentally prepared for seeing actual bloodshed, so he penalized
himself accordingly.
Who needs to add rules when you have an entire group of players who do
these kind of things?
As for specialist? I use them in my campaign. They are run just as a normal
mage except they have the banned schools, extra spells etc.
Also, I always encourage my players to play mages as original as they
can...find new uses for old spells. Dont use up all your third level spells
on fireballs and lightning bolts. Be original.
I once had a player who played a mage who didn't veiw himself a mage.
he considered himself a "priest" or Godman of Odin. In mythology Odin
discovered the secrets of rune galdor, the magical powers of runes. This
mage cast his spells using runes and considered himself one of Odin's
pupils. This player went all out describing how his mage cast spells,
many times penalizing himself in casting times because of his characters
spell casting methods. For example, he wouldn't just cast know alignment
and know the answer. He would pull out his runes and cast a divinitory
spread.
When casting protection from evil 10' radius he would chant and throw
all of his runes into the air. They would begin spinning and twirling
about him forming a 10' circle about him. The drawback to this was that
he couldn't move through doors and such while the spell was in effect
unless the doorway was 10' wide, or else his spinnning rune stones would
smack into the frame and fall. The player didn't mind his self imposed
limitation one bit, why?.....because his character was unique. No special
rules needed...just good role-playing.
Vesper
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 485 of 6008 Reply
New Topic Question... CDHofmann
(34/M/Cape Cod) 4/14/99 2:57 pm
I have a question for you all. What is the age of the youngest players
you have ever DMed or played with. I have been DMing for 15 odd years
now but I have not had a lot of time to play as of late. My wife and I
both enjoy playing and I now have a daughter who is 5. I was wondering
what experience you all might have with young players. I am very interested
in getting my daughter to play (and I have a son on the way - soon I'll
have my own PC party right at home!) I am just wondering when I can start
introducing her to the game.
Any thoughts or ideas you all have would be wecome.
Chris
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 486 of 6008 Reply
New Topic Question...children and D&D Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/14/99 4:12 pm
I have played an impromptu game with a couple kids that were seven years
old. It went rather well. I created an adventure where the PC's where
children *imagine that* (their stats were rolled and adjusted to reflect
the fact that they were still youngsters). The dungeon was nothing more
than an old warren of some large creature with the head bad guy a truly
fearsome goblin. These two guys had nothing more than a knife and hammer.
They did not manage to kill the goblin (they chickened out) but a treasure
of 5 gold coins and a "magic" ring was won. It was a great time for all
of us.
Children love to pretend, make the game exciting, and not too convoluted,
to them and you *should* be all set.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 485 by CDHofmann
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Message 487 of 6008 Reply
Young Dungeoneers Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/14/99 4:52 pm
The campaign I am currently running started with the youngest player being
10 (he is 14 now), and all has always been well. However I, too, have
a 5 year old in the house, but my wife wants to keep him out of AD&D for
a while, although he is fascinated by my books and figures. She feels
the game is too violent by nature, and would rather wait until he understands
more. I personally don't think he is patient enough yet, and would probably
resort to making the figures physically "attack" each other, complete
with spitty sound effects, metal bashing, and paint chipping. I'll try
him out in a few years, if he still shows an interest.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 485 by CDHofmann
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Message 488 of 6008 Reply
Dungeon Master's Guild Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/14/99 9:13 pm
The new look for the page is up and running (semi final draft) if you
use M$ Internet Exploder there is some cool effects there. Netscape is
still a work in progress (read "It's a smegging mess")the URL is
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/9915/index.htm
I still need lots of info from you guys.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 489 of 6008 Reply
I need help Danduin_
(29/M/Somewhere in Ohio, I thin) 4/14/99 10:55 pm
Having recently moved to Ohio from CT (Connectthedots) I foolishly left
all my core Ravenloft books at my parents house. What I need is some info
on fear and horror checks (my brain is not what it used to be) esp. how
to make them and the results. I tried to ask the ? on the Ravenloft club
but no one ever talks there.
Danduin
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 490 of 6009 Reply
Right up my alley!!! dragn_lady
(33/F/Fitchburg, MA) 4/15/99 2:30 am
Well, Chris, I have a 10 year old daughter that began around age 5. How?
She wanted to be with us, so we simplified the game. No real town stuff,
so no real need for conversations with the un-knowns. We actually started
it while walking in the woods around Mirror Lake out this way. (A natural
lake that now has a manmade park around it. You should see the huge stone
table!!!!! We have had adventures around THAT I assure you!!) It helped
that we were in woods for her to visualize our "camping" adventure. She
chose her own character, an elven princess, (what else?!) and we just
talked the game through. When we sat down at home, we didn't really use
character sheets, just let her tell us what was what. Within reason! She
is now much better at dealing with role as opposed to roll playing. It
was hard at first, as Zarahbeth has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
ADHD for short and has to take medication. We found that letting her choose
who and what was the biggest help for her to start playing. Reading skills
will help eventually for the rules and such to be used. So, for now, just
basically have it as live action type gaming. Just don't use the civil
war sword as a prop!!! Zarahbeth tried, so we had to hide it.
Good Luck!! Let me know what happens.
Dragn_lady
(Yemina)
This Is a Reply to: Msg 485 by CDHofmann
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Message 491 of 6009 Reply
Mass Combat. dirtydwarf
(30/M/Michigan) 4/15/99 9:33 am
Does anyone out there in DMland have a system they use for mass combat.
I mean like sieges, army units and stuff like that?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 1 by felsefeci
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Message 492 of 6009 Reply
Zarahbeth Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/15/99 10:09 am
What a beautiful name.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 490 by dragn_lady
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Message 493 of 6009 Reply
Mass Combat. Umbratikus
(33/M/Central Ohio) 4/15/99 10:19 am
I use the old Battlesystem and Battlesystem Skirmishes rules. The Player's
Option: Combat and Tactics has large scale rules, as well, although I
think they are just rewritten Battlesystem rules.
I like the Battlesystem Skirmishes rules a lot, and we have had many a
satisfactory game session with those rules. Very playable and enjoyable.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 491 by dirtydwarf
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Message 494 of 6009 Reply
Mass Combat. dirtydwarf
(30/M/Michigan) 4/15/99 10:35 am
Thanks for the advise. What book can these rules be located in, I am not
familiar with Battlesystem. Is it still in print do you know?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 493 by Umbratikus
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Message 495 of 6009 Reply
Re:Mass Combat Vesper_Lafanel
(M/City of Greyhawk) 4/15/99 10:51 am
Battlesystem rules can be found in an old book by the same name. Combat
& Tactics has mass combat rules and would probably much easier to find.
Also, I beleive that Birthright campaign box set has some mass combat
rules.
Here is a simplified descrition of some mass combat rules.
30 orcs vs. 20 3rd lvl dwarves.
Divide orcs into 3 groups of ten,
Divide Dwarves into 2 groups of ten.
Orcs THAC0 = the most common THAC0 in their ranks.
Dwarves THAC0 = the most common THAC0 in theirs.
Orcs AC = most common AC in the ranks
Dwares Ac = most common AC in the ranks.
Attacks are assumed to be simultaneous, (unless suprise is gained on the
first attack). 2 groups of ten orcs attack one group of dwarves. The remaining
group of orcs attack the other dwarven group.
Normal attack rolls are made. Damage inflicted is in HD. For example,
10 orcs hit against 10 3rd lvl dwarves. That means they do 10 hd of damage
against the dwarves. Three dwarves die (3 HD a peice) and 1 dwarf loses
a HD.
This is just a simple example I pulled out of Combat & Tactics (I think
thats where I read this from). If you can find the battlesytem rules grab
'em. If not try the other mentioned books.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 494 by dirtydwarf
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Message 496 of 6009 Reply
Re: Older Edition Spell-Users Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/15/99 11:16 pm
Vesper's players sound like a great bunch! In the days of my old AD&D
campaign, while I was, and still am, very proud of my group of players,
that level of role-playing was a bit beyond our level of competence.
Like Vesper, I pretty much did the spell-use by the book. To be honest,
the magic system wasn't my favorite part of the game, so I didn't like
to spend time tinkering with it. I used the Unearthed Arcana rules on
spellbook encumbrance and how many spells you could fit into such a book.
I also ruled that once memorized, spells remained in the mind and didn't
have to be renewed every day. I don't remember whether that's an official
rule or a house rule, but since I enforced the memorization times on a
per spell basis, that was pretty much the only way to go about things,
since a 6th level mage who expended all his spells would pretty much have
to spend an entire day regaining them.
Actually, considering the necessity of material components, inscribing
spells, purchasing spellbooks and scrolls, plus any additional research
into new spells and magical items, magic-users in my campaign were continually
cash-starved, first getting into debt with other pc's and then agreeing
to all sorts of harebrained schemes to raise capital for their projects.
Once or twice one of my particularly ambitious mages was reduced to selling
his spell-use on a per-casting basis, just like that silly table in the
old DMG.
I also preferred strict enforcement on how mages gained their spells.
I never let the players pick for themselves. They only had access to spells
that were taught to them or that they found for themselves. The travelling
spellbooks of enemy mages were incredible treasures, and as such, encountering
enemy mages was a sufficiently rare experience. Using this method, I was
able to control which spells I let into my campaign quite effectively
and as long as I had the understanding that if the opposition used a spell
the players would at least have a chance of getting it, the players were
happy. Of course the chance might be a very slim one indeed. Early in
the campaign the party missed or inadvertently destroyed quite a few useful
spellbooks and that was fine by me.
The nature of spells I allowed was more analytical then offensive. For
the most part, damage was the realm of warriors. Mages concentrated on
problem-solving. A lot of important elements in my campaign revolved around
this, and so while the mages could never carry their weight in combat,
they were well-respected, contributing members of the party.
That's pretty much the general view of how I did things. Did you have
any specific questions, Pictii?
This Is a Reply to: Msg 482 by Pictii
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Message 497 of 6009 Reply
Re: Favorite Character Type Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/15/99 11:31 pm
For me, I like to play straight-shooting human
fighters. Well-rounded and nothing fancy. As a DM, I run enough weirdos
already. It's my favorite choice for new campaigns where I'm not familiar
with the DM's style, too. I don't want to run afoul of a strange homemade
magic-system or unusual racial rules.
On the other hand, my favorite individual character was a pretty stereotypical
elven fighter-mage. You know the type, bows and swords, high-elven, and
chaotic good. The character was run in a first-rate campaign and really
had a chance to grow.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 483 by Umbratikus
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Message 498 of 6009 Reply
Zarahbeth Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/16/99 12:49 am
I agree I also think it is a very beutiful name.
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 492 by Umbratikus
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Message 499 of 6009 Reply
Mass combat Pictii
(33/M/PA) 4/16/99 1:35 am
When I have done mass combat I divide both groups up into groups divisible
by any given die so to hit and damage is done in a fairly random fashion
I have never had any complaints and have had many huge hours and hours
long battles I always let the pc's roll for their own individual attacks
but the damage is still assigned randomly on the enemy and enemy damage
is assigned randomly too it works fairly well no complaints like I said
I gets messy so I now really try to avoid it. make love not war ha ha
ha
Pictii americanus
This Is a Reply to: Msg 498 by Pictii
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Message 500 of 6009 Reply
Young Gamers Ellowan
(26/M/Redmond, WA) 4/16/99 1:48 am
It sounds like an experienced, adult dungeon master can successfully introduce
the game to fairly young children. My own experience is rather different.
I didn't personally encounter adult players until I was in my late teens.
I received the basic D&D set as a gift when I was nine and I new players
as young as seven.
However, without adult guidance, I don't think we really played that well.
We certainly learned a lot and we enjoyed ourselves too. Dungeons and
Dragons is a wonderful tool for expanding vocabulary, developing an appreciation
of history, and a aiding a host of other educational endeavours. However,
I think a good number of us wanted to be able to run or play in a mature,
well-developed, longterm campaign and those skills eluded us for a number
of years.
The first well-crafted adventures that I developed, ran in, and played
in began when I was around twelve years old. That was also when I started
developing the campaign world that I was finally able to run in high school.
So while it seems that players may start as young as possibly five with
adult guidance, I would peg eleven or twelve as the minimum starting age
for dungeon masters, at least based on personal experience.
I know that the question at hand was really just about adult dm's and
young players so this post was technically off-topic. My apologies and
thanks for bearing with me.
This Is a Reply to: Msg 485 by CDHofmann
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