| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shike |
Posted - 19 Oct 2005 : 22:17:40
Well, this is my first time DMing period. My wife wanted to get into the game, but wanted to go at a pace where she could learn the rules with personal attention. Me, being somewhat of a Rules Lawyer, know the system fairly well, decided to run a game for her. We decided to use the realms as our setting (I love the Realms). This being my first time I decided to run some of the free adventures from the wizards website. THe first one I am running is "The Buring Plague" (which can be found at http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article1.asp?x=dnd/oa/oa20000801a,3). I have set this in the Cloud Peaks (not positive on name) on the northern border of Amn (being that her character is from Tethyr and on of the 3 npc's in the group is from Amn.) I was wondering if this was a good place to set this. As well as I made the party up of My wife (the rogue), the "leader" is a Human fighter/tempest/reaping mauler(depending on level), an elven Ranger/Deepwood Sniper (depending on level), and a Halfling Cleric of Brandobaris (1st lvl rogue). Since the rest of the party is supposed to be more experienced than she is, I made them between 3rd and 4th lvl and she is lvl 1. Is this a good way to start? Any feedback would be helpful. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shike |
Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 10:13:08
Well, we've been running for a while and have finally concluded the Moonblade storyline. I am doing 2 different campaign updates. One in the form of a Journal of an npc in the storyline, and the other, just a basic description. If you want to go ahead and visit and let me know. If you want to, also, brows my website and comment with the comment form.
BTW i have started my own RPG Forums. The, in my opinion, most important part of the forums is about Abra Dar my pseudo Celtic/Yamato Japan campaign setting.
Mod Edit: Added quotation marks around the URLs, to make the coding work right.  |
| shike |
Posted - 16 Apr 2006 : 23:55:56
Faramicos, This could be a good idea, but one of the players is my wife, and the other two players are very good friends of mine. So far, the characters aren't actually a "group" yet, so At this point, I may be running two storylines side by side (for a while), depending on what they do. I would like them to follow my "planned" storyline, but who know, eh? |
| Faramicos |
Posted - 16 Apr 2006 : 17:52:08
Have you thought about playing the characters out against each other? I have done it a few times in my games and it is very rewarding (especially for the DM) to have some feuding in the group. Not all-out combat but just some rivalry to set a little tension amongst the players... It is also a good way of locating the good players and seeing who cant keep the game and the real life sepereated... Just a thought. |
| shike |
Posted - 16 Apr 2006 : 15:10:41
well, We had our second game last night. It went pretty well, it was a laid back night. Everyone had fun, no combat. :) The group sailed from Baldur's Gate to Waterdeep, and they enjoyed waterdeep pretty well. Now the characters have a choice, one of them is now in Waterdeep and needs to go towards Silverymoon, the other two are employed on the boat that brought them to Waterdeep.
What will they do? I sure don't know.:)
Thanks all for listening.
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| shike |
Posted - 02 Apr 2006 : 16:14:20
Well, We had our first session with the new characters. It went well. I was able to corral the characters together without leading them by the nose too much. It just so happened that one of the characters was a sailor, and the other two wanted to leave town. |
| Lucius |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 23:45:22
Look forward to hearing the update, then. ;) |
| shike |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 20:08:29
Actually, the campaign was put on hold until I could find players. Up till now, it was just me and my wife, which was getting difficult for both of us. Now that we have other players, that story line will continue and we'll figure it out from there. Thanks for asking. Our first session is this saturday.
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| Lucius |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 04:35:40
Well, I just read your new thread, set in Baldur's Gate. I was just wondering how the campaign is going? Did the Moonblade issue resolve itself, and what are the characters up to now?
Give us updates! |
| shike |
Posted - 28 Mar 2006 : 07:09:21
[hijack] I know I'm hijacking myown thread again, but I wanted to get this out. I have decided to host a discussion forum on my website for all things related to Gaming and RPGs. I do have a section "quarentined" for my campaign which most of isn't viewable by all. The one Forum from my campaign that is viewable is the Forgotten Realms Questions forum where only people who are in the game can ask questions, but any member can answer. If anyone would like to join the url is http://shike.frih.net/forums/ [/hijack]
I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread. |
| shike |
Posted - 28 Mar 2006 : 06:56:46
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
Shike, let us know how it goes and if you would like, I at least would be interested in assisting in any needed realms lore that you might be looking for. Game on my friend.
Believe me, I will. |
| scererar |
Posted - 25 Mar 2006 : 06:08:34
quote:
Originally posted by shike
sanishiver,
I know That I haven't posted in quite a while, but I got caught up in life.
I finally got some other players and we are running again on April 1st.
I'll post with how it goes.
Shike, let us know how it goes and if you would like, I at least would be interested in assisting in any needed realms lore that you might be looking for. Game on my friend. |
| shike |
Posted - 25 Mar 2006 : 04:56:27
sanishiver,
I know That I haven't posted in quite a while, but I got caught up in life.
I finally got some other players and we are running again on April 1st.
I'll post with how it goes. |
| Sanishiver |
Posted - 09 Nov 2005 : 01:47:14
No problem Shike.
Something to ponder as we get back on track: That fully armored warrior will be hit more often, and without taking damage. Any roll between 10 and (the sum of 10 plus his AC due to armor) will hit the warrior, but be stopped by his armor.
I also forgot to mentin the Combat Expertise Feat.
All the same, I'd be interested in any new rules you come up with.
So when's your next session?
J. Grenemyer |
| shike |
Posted - 08 Nov 2005 : 20:35:05
Sanishiver, While I fully agree with this assessment. I personally think that a players combat ability should also be reflected in his ability to not be hit. Again, I'm spoiled by the HERO system (as i have mentioned over at WotC). Their combat system has OCV and DCV, DCV (defensive Combat Value) is literally are you hit. then it has a d20 like defense system where you damage from each attack by x, and what ever gets through is damage done. Their version of Damage Reduction is infact a percentage of the damage that gets through defenses. This is one reason why I have begun to look at AC the way I am. I also think that equal level fighters, 1 fencer and 1 bastard sword, should be able to stand toe to toe and be on equal terms. With that in mind, the Fencer should be able to "hit" the fully armored warrior, just not deal a ton of damage, more often than the other way around. And as a last note, in HERO a character can actually "buy" up their # of attacks / round, so a lightly armored fencer actually attacks more often, where as the heavily armored fighter buys more Armor (read armor as defenses).
Anyway, back to my un-hijacked thread (I know I did the Hijacking )
Thanks for the support in my game. It is greatly appreciated. |
| Sanishiver |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 23:52:44
quote:
Originally posted by shike
When you see an Expert Fencer and a Novice Fencer (w/ the same Dex score) The Expert fencer should be able to parry much better than the Novice, yet in D&D there isn't a mechanic for this.
Actually, there is, albeit built in and very indirectly.
You see, if an Expert Fencer and a Novice are sparing and both (in game terms) have the same Dex (and probably the same AC), the Novice is still less likely to hit the Expert than the Expert is to hit the Novice.
Why?
Base Attack Bonus.
An Expert (say around 5th or 6th level) will have a minimum +5 or +6 to hit from BaB alone, whereas a level 1 Novice will have +1 to hit.
Another reason would be number of attacks per round. The Expert will have two attack rolls to make as opposed to the Novice' one attack.
Lastly don't forget feats (like Dodge and Spring Attack), skills (such as Tumbling), ability score increases due to level, etc...
Each little bit adds up!
Glad to here your campaign is going well.
J. Grenemyer |
| Arivia |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 20:17:12
quote:
Originally posted by shike
Well, We ran another session last night. It went well, had 3 combats and I believe my wife is starting to get the hang of combat situations. I wonder though, is there a better way to deal with AC. When you see an expert Fencer and a Novice Fencer (w/ the same Dex score) The expert fencer should be able to parry much better than the novice, yet in D&D there isn't a mechanic for this. I was wondering if there were any conversions for armor as DR and adding BAB or some fraction there of to AC. What do you guys think?
Unearthed Arcana includes a number of variant rules dealing with armor and AC, including a system for having armor grant DR. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 18:20:30
Well, you might consider giving the expert fencer some magic items that increase Armor bonus - such as braces of armor, or a ring of protection. As a higher level character, he/she has probably seen more adventure and may have run across these items, where as the novice may not have.
C-Fb |
| shike |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 17:51:41
Well, We ran another session last night. It went well, had 3 combats and I believe my wife is starting to get the hang of combat situations. I wonder though, is there a better way to deal with AC. When you see an expert Fencer and a Novice Fencer (w/ the same Dex score) The expert fencer should be able to parry much better than the novice, yet in D&D there isn't a mechanic for this. I was wondering if there were any conversions for armor as DR and adding BAB or some fraction there of to AC. What do you guys think? |
| Sanishiver |
Posted - 04 Nov 2005 : 03:06:08
Shike,
As far as I'm concerned, you're doing things just right.
In my experience, if you are fortunate enough to have players who don't know all that much about the Realms, then you have a grand opportunity (and privilege, mind) to introduce to them for the first time all the cool elements of the Realms that regularly find their way into the minds of Realms fans through the novels, like moonblades.
It's also the sign of a good DM to introduce, disappear, then reappear items/NPCs over the course of the campaign. This keeps the players interested in the game, promotes taking notes (mental or written) during play and helps develop an 'alive' campaign world.
Heck, if the player in your game should manage to obtain for herself the moonblade by whatever means, that's fine too. I'd just be sure to show her via in-game means just how deadly the things are, then let her make up her mind what to do with it.
That way the player can be truly in control of her character, without unnecessary and unfair DM interference.
BTW, the first commandment of DMing (home brew or campaign setting) is: If the DM and players are having fun, it's fine.
J. Grenemyer |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 04 Nov 2005 : 00:25:56
Hmm . . . that seems to be the first two commandments of DMing the Realms . . .
1. Thou shalt not let PCs have Spellfire
2. Thou shalt not let PCs have a Moonblade
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| shike |
Posted - 04 Nov 2005 : 00:13:29
All very good points. I am very fortunate because the people in my games are generally more interested in the character development of each individual charact than how powerful they are. That is not to say that they don't want to have an optimised character, but they prefer concept over stats, as such most of my players have multiclass characters, to some point. Heck, I think one of the characters in the last game I was in had 3 base classes and one homebrew prestige class.
The point of this ramble, I think, is that I think my players can handle the item as a plotline tool and not an option for players.
BTW I played with a DM who in the same game gave one character a moonblade and allowed another to have spellfire. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 17:28:41
quote:
Originally posted by Khaa
Least you have a person who is willing to actually play a game and not get superpowerful in twenty minutes and try to take over all of Toril.
I prefer to do that in an hour. You can savor it more, that way.    |
| Khaa |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 14:23:05
I remember my first time DMing. It was an utter failure... 'Course it was within a 50 minute lunch break at the High school. Not quite qaulity time. Me being at such a young age ( as well as my friends), did not like to except my decisions on the xp, gold, "magical items, etc.... Least you have a person who is willing to actually play a game and not get superpowerful in twenty minutes and try to take over all of Toril. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 03:05:41
quote:
Originally posted by shike
First off to the sage - I believe I had stated that the Moonblade is strictly for an NPC and plotline. NO PC will get a moonblade. When the moonblade is recoverd and given back to the NPC it will leave the story. Any PC who tries to Draw the blade will suffer the ill effects of not being chosen by the blade.
Fair enough .
I still think it's inclusion in the campaign should be a heavily-monitored affair. I've heard of more than one FR campaigns that's gone to the pits of Nessus because players have revolted against a DM's decision to remove a moonblade from the game.
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| shike |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 02:59:31
First off to the sage - I believe I had stated that the Moonblade is strictly for an NPC and plotline. NO PC will get a moonblade. When the moonblade is recoverd and given back to the NPC it will leave the story. Any PC who tries to Draw the blade will suffer the ill effects of not being chosen by the blade.
Second to CrennenFaerieBane - I do not have any of those books (I have the 3.0 DMG) but not any of the 3.5 versions and don't plan on being able to buy them in the near future as when I looked at the checkbook it said "not"
I hope that this clears it up. It is a plotline (as my wife's character basically stole it from its owner before the owner was able to retrieve it) and will not be "In play" with any of the PCs.
Also, as this is my first game, I am using estabolished lore to help me along. I have always wanted to play w/ a moonblade but also thought that they were too powerful. This way I can feature one w/o it's abilities coming into play or anything of the sort.
I realize that I am fighting advice, and I do appreciate all the advice that has been given. A part of me thinks that I haven't been clear in the intent with which the item is being used. Again, I do thank everyone for their advice. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 01:55:47
And if you want some creation tips - you can look at both the DMG/DMG II and Weapons of Legacy, which provide tips on creating legendary weapons - or more specifically, weapons that grow with your characters.
C-Fb |
| The Sage |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 01:02:11
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by shike
Well, I believe I've come up with a decent story line (at least for the beginning of it). Part of my Wife's background is that her character sold a magical item that her dad's business was supposed to get for a specific person. Since she had no clue as to what it was, I decided it would be a lost Moonblade and the "buyer" was the blade's heir. She still doesn't know this (neither my wife nor her character), so she is trying to find the item and get it back. I have a few encounters in mind that should give her the information that she needs. But for those encounter's to happen I have to get her into the Silver Marches.
This should be fun.
I'd be wary of using a moonblade... After the Arilyn books came out, people kinda went crazy for these swords. If a moonblade is in play, some players will want to use it themselves, and these things are way too powerful for regular play. I'd make up a unique magical blade, one tailored specifically tailored to your campaign.
I'd have to agree with Wooly.
There's plenty of opportunity here to forge your own type of "magical sword" adn introduce it into your campaign, rather than falling back on old and over-played "use-the-moonblade" technique. As Elaine has said in the past, moonblades are primarily the artifacts used for helping to select the elven royal family and that's how they should remain.
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| shike |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 18:48:21
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'd be wary of using a moonblade... After the Arilyn books came out, people kinda went crazy for these swords. If a moonblade is in play, some players will want to use it themselves, and these things are way too powerful for regular play. I'd make up a unique magical blade, one tailored specifically tailored to your campaign.
I do understand your hesitancy in using a moonblade, but I thought that since none of the characters are elves (let alone moon elves) they would be killed if they tried to draw the blade. Also, none of the characters actually know what a moonblade is, (which is why my wife's character sold it, cheaply i might add). The item is strictly for an NPC who will enter play eventually, but won't be obtrusive. When the item is recovered the NPC will draw the blade and become atuned to it, but otherwise it is just a plot device. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 17:40:57
quote:
Originally posted by shike
Well, I believe I've come up with a decent story line (at least for the beginning of it). Part of my Wife's background is that her character sold a magical item that her dad's business was supposed to get for a specific person. Since she had no clue as to what it was, I decided it would be a lost Moonblade and the "buyer" was the blade's heir. She still doesn't know this (neither my wife nor her character), so she is trying to find the item and get it back. I have a few encounters in mind that should give her the information that she needs. But for those encounter's to happen I have to get her into the Silver Marches.
This should be fun.
I'd be wary of using a moonblade... After the Arilyn books came out, people kinda went crazy for these swords. If a moonblade is in play, some players will want to use it themselves, and these things are way too powerful for regular play. I'd make up a unique magical blade, one tailored specifically tailored to your campaign. |
| shike |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 16:48:33
Well, I believe I've come up with a decent story line (at least for the beginning of it). Part of my Wife's background is that her character sold a magical item that her dad's business was supposed to get for a specific person. Since she had no clue as to what it was, I decided it would be a lost Moonblade and the "buyer" was the blade's heir. She still doesn't know this (neither my wife nor her character), so she is trying to find the item and get it back. I have a few encounters in mind that should give her the information that she needs. But for those encounter's to happen I have to get her into the Silver Marches.
This should be fun. |
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