HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jb8n+@andrew.cmu.edu (Joseph E. Beck)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Class' power (was Re: how to imprison a psionicist)
Date: 19 Dec 92 23:50:01 GMT
	<18DEC199223405585@udel.edu>
Organization: Junior, Math/Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


jdelisle@udel.edu (J. G. Delisle) writes:
> In article <cfAbxWG00Vox9oxNRs@andrew.cmu.edu>, jb8n+@andrew.cmu.edu (Joseph E\
> . Beck) writes...
> > 
> > 
> >>        Not. It's all in how they're used. Here's how a mage can take somebo\
> dy
> >>out... (assume a 6th level mage):
> >(long, boring list of methods deleted)
> > 
> > 
> >Do you really want me to list the number of ways a psionicist could
> >counter this?  If the psionicist thinks he'll lose teleport/prob
> >travel out.  If he's a mindmaster type, he can spend 3 rounds taking
> >you over (while you levitate up and cast your spells).  Etc.  
> 
>         Since when were we talking about mages versus psi's (or monks, or
> Tiamat)?  
We started talking about it when the former poster created a scenario
where a mage would presumably beat a psionicist using a combo he
devised.  I pointed out what I felt were the flaws with the plan.  

> The discussion was about how a psi is so powerful can take out
> _anything_.
No.  "_anything_" is too broad and was not mentioned.  It was
mentioned that psionicists were the toughest class.  A poster made a
point about mages, I made a counter point.

>         Psi's may rock, but levitate does more damage if the target fails
> it's save (20d6 if you have 200+ feet of clearance).
Sea Wasp argument:  Why are you assuming the mage has levitation?
Lots of mages don't.

My argument:  I won't even ask how you managed to pull this off.  The
psion has no movement powers, no mind control powers, and no damaging
powers (it takes a while for you to cast your spell, then levitate the
psi to 200 feet).  Levitation has a movement of 2", so it takes quite
a while not only to cast the spell but to set this up.  Can't my psion
dominate you or run, or shape change, or take shadow form, or take
animal form, or teleport, or use body equlibrium, or...

	joe
From: alvalent@husc10.harvard.edu (Alvin Valentine)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Read Magic
Date: 18 Dec 92 02:29:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc3.1992Dec17.212901.18647
Organization: Harvard University Science Center


In truth, I don't think you need Read Magic to be a spell caster (someone
here thought otherwise apparently).  Bard's aren't guaranteed it, yet they
can cast spells.  Apprentices usually would have it, but who knows.  As you
don't need a Read Magic spell to read your own spell book and notes, as long
as someone teaches you the spell and you scribe your own notes then you
can read your own spell book, memorize the spell, and cast it.  This is
how Bards function until they acquire the spell. 
 

 
Later,
 
Lee Valentine
Organization: Junior, Math/Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 22:28:16 -0500 
From: "Joseph E. Beck" <jb8n+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: how to imprison a psionicist ?
	<Bz95p6.2J0@jabba.ess.harris.com>


>The only way I can see capturing a Psion and the Psion living is when he
>has run out of points.  You now have captured him because at this moment
>he can't teleport away!
The question still remains for the "then what?".  His PSP will come
back unless you have so neato magic method of preventing it.  Then
he's gone again.  

	joe
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: gondal@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Eric Eaton)
Subject: Re: how to imprison a psionicist ?
Keywords: ectoplasmic form
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 23:45:52 GMT

In article mdrijsma@cs.ruu.nl (Michael Rijsman) writes:
>[...]  So how do you(as DM) imprison your psionicists ?

My approach (which might be flamed) is simple.  I just make psionics and
magic inter-related.  Suddenly, most of the things you can trap a magic-user
with work for a psion also!

-Eric Eaton

Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: cbnorman@cayley.uwaterloo.ca (Bruce Norman)
Subject: Re: how to imprison a psionicist ?
Keywords: ectoplasmic form
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 15:56:32 GMT

How about this? Psionicist and one (or more) people are imprisoned together.
Placed in a room where the psionicist is placed on a pressure plate.  Removing
his  weight from this pressure plate triggers a trap which kills his fellow
party member.  You can be perfectly fair about this, having all party members
standing/chained on pressure plates.  Perhaps having any of them move off 
a pressure plate triggers a lethal gas which kills everyone in the room?
That way the psionicist can't complain the NPCs are treating him 
"differently" if they aren't aware he has psionic powers.

On a different (but related) topic: How to imprison a really strong fighter
and a mage.  Manacle the fighter and the mage's arms together around a 
stone pillar such that the chains are tight, and no arm movement is possible.
Now, if the strong fighter attempts to break the chains, since the mage's arms
are weaker than the chains (presumably), a successfull bend bars/lift gates
roll will succeed in ripping one of the mage's arms out of its socket.
Of course, the screaming will probably make the fighter stop before that point.
Note of course, the mage may be gagged so he can't cast purely verbal spells,
so lets hope this fighter isn't really stupid....

Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: ddj+@cs.cmu.edu (Doug DeJulio)
Subject: Re: how to imprison a psionicist ?
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:31:01 GMT

In article <886@blue.cis.pitt.edu> seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea Wasp) writes:
>	I agree completely.  Or, and this is my pet peeve, a GM who makes a
>ruling, and then refuses to recognize the ramifications of the ruling.
>For example, ruling that mages can't wear metal armor because metal 
>interferes with magic, and then refusing to acknowledge the defensive
>advantage that my armored fighter must enjoy against mystic attack...

I agree.  The correct solution is to not explain *why* mages cannot
wear armor, otherwise folks will try to find loopholes in your
rulings.
-- 
Doug DeJulio
ddj+@cmu.edu
From: Ordania-DM@cup.portal.com (Charles K Hughes)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: how to imprison a psionicist ?
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 92 13:04:30 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
  <Bz43v2.I55@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>

  Re: How to trap a psionicist

  Standard AD&Dv2 rules: get a helm, any helm.  get some crazy glue, or
anything with similar properties (potion, spell, etc). get psionicist
place glue in helm, place psionicist in helm, VOILA!  Instant non-psionicist.

  I somehow doubt that ANY DM will actually use that rule (I've already
dismissed it as blatant stupidity) so, we need another way to trap them.

  Well, force fields (fully encasing :) work.  Perfectly sealed, lead lined
rooms will work in the majority of cases.  However, perhaps the best solution
would be drugs.  Any drug that dampens the mind (any anti-histamine, any
hallucenogenic, psuedo-pheniphren (sp?), etc) will at least limit his control
(perhaps we need a list of drugs and their effects on a psionicist? :).
Any place that has a great deal of psionicists (DarkSun for instance) will
certainly have these types of drugs.
Charles_K_Hughes@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: gharris@ccscola.Columbia.NCR.COM (George Harris)
Subject: Re: how to imprison a psionicist ?
Organization: NCR Corp, E&M-Columbia, Columbia, SC
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 23:16:19 GMT

In article <1992Dec16.130456.19415@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM> cannell@churchill.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Eric.Cannell) writes:
>Somebody suggested the metal helmet. If that works great, but if not
>why not try to make the psion want to stay imprisoned? For example, 
>cat quest or geas or charm or love potion etc.

Or something that my DM has done is create two new metals: Psynaptral and 
Psynaptrium.  Psynaptral drains psionic energy.  Psynaptrium projects psionic
energy.  Pure Psynaptral will drain PSP's quicker than you can say Psynaptral.
Psionic weapons must be made of both Psynaptral and Psynaptrium in the proper
amount (50-50).  It takes a very skilled psionicist to work with it.  It is 
also about as rare as mithril or adamtite ( Can you say expensive?).  This can
keep psionicists in their proper place.  No psionics, no problem.  Just get a
psynaptral helmet, necklace, tiara, etc. to keep those nasty psionicists from
using a telepathic devotion on you.  Have fun and use your imagination.  

The terms psynaptral and psynaptrium were created (as far as I know) by 
Michael Percell.  Do not use these terms for your own profit.
From: e91mom@efd.lth.se (Martin Omander)
Subject: Re: PC vs. Player INT
Organization: Lund Institute of Technology, Sweden
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 13:41:12 GMT


	The way I do it is to simply let the intelligence score
represent memory and education of the character. Abstract thinking and
problem-solving is done 100% by the player. That way you get a maximum
of role-playing.


Two observations:

	I think a person with a photographic memory (=high
intelligence score in my game) can become a wizard by simply learning
it all by heart. The situation is similar to becoming, say, a doctor
or engineer nowadays. And all doctors and engineers aren't great
problem-solvers, are they? (No flame intended, I study myself to
become an engineer.)

	Players want to relate to their character, so they often pick
a character class they identify themselves with. At least mine did.




			Happy playin'

				Martin
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: kinsler@newton.physics.uq.oz.au (Paul Kinsler)
Subject: STAT rolls and sharing spells / Re: Small query on multiple mages in a party...
Organization: Physics Dept. The University of Queensland
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 04:15:53 GMT

In article <1992Dec15.155957.17336@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>, cwatters@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Coyt D Watters) writes:
|>
|> [good rationalisation for a chance to learn]
|> INT:  This score is already considered via the %know rating.
|> CHA:  A charater with a low charisma score will have a hard time teaching [...]

|> COS = Roll under INT [trainee] - (18 - CHA [trainer]) on a d20
|>       if successful, roll the %know score.

A good idea, but I would make the test:
d20 + ( ESTAT ) / 2 > 20
ESTAT = ( INT [trainee] + CHA [trainer] ) / 2 = "effective stat"

I would make all "characteristic" rolls like this (including NWP rolls),
so as to give medium stat characters more of a chance at sucess. For example,
a 10 WIS PC only has a 50% chance of making an unmodified normal riding test
suceesfully, as compared with a 18 WIS PC's 90%. By unmodified normal test I mean
"roll under your STAT on a d20".
|> 
|> So, a char with 16 INT, learning from another with a CHA of 5, would have:
|> 	16-(18-5) = 16-13 = 3 in 20 chance of being able to be taught by the
|> 	trainer.  If they made this roll, then the character would have to 
|>         make the %know roll to actually add the spell to their spellbooks.

In "my" system, ESTAT = average(INT, WIS) = (16+5)/2 = 10.5 = 10
and there would only be a 55% chance of sucess (roll 20+ on a d20+10)
Different to your STAT roll, but I don't mind. 
NB: this is based on the Traveller 2300 skill roll system.

So using my STAT test system, a 16 WIS PC making an unmodified riding
roll, would have to roll 20+ on a d20+8.

comments?
-- 
+soluble fish+
"You people, you do not see the grandeur in the wind and stone and stars,
 in the blood and fire and iron - but paint only the flowers."
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: bob@msc.edu (Robert Hanson)
Subject: Non-weapon proficiency list?
Organization: Minnesota Supercomputer Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 13:03:35 GMT

I was wondering if anyone has a file containing a list of NWP.  I am
particularly interested in a list of NWP from sources other than the
PH.  I would even be interested in your own creations.

If such a list doesn't exist, are others interested in creating one.
If you are interested, e-mail me.  We can then figure out a plan for
developing a master list.  We could each enter some NWP from all of
the sources available (I have the PH and the Complete Psionics Book)
And then I'll collect each list (via e-mail) and put them into one large
master list.  Then anyone who wants one can ask me for a copy.

				-Bob-
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: tlund@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Thomas Lund)
Subject: need some quick help
Organization: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 17:48:04 GMT

	Hi.  I'm trying to get some characters set up for a party tomorrow
and I need to know a few things which I can't look up at the moment.

	1: the campaign in Fluffy Quest (a Fluffy Wonderland from Pentahedron)
One of the printed statistics for monsters is ML (such as SD:none, ML:14).
What does it stand for?

	2: What are the special attacks/defenses and such for were-rats?

	3: What was the relationship between the Nutcracker and the Rat king
in the Nutcracker Suite?

Talk to me: Email-- thomas-lund@uiowa.edu

Thanks in advance,
 /\//\
  //
\//\/
From: dlaird@terapin.com (Delbert Laird)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Artists...
Date: 11 Dec 92 17:50:51 PST
Organization: BBS

I'm looking for artists experienced in either anime/manga styles or design of
creatures (both science fiction style and fantasy).  Anime/Manga samples can
be sent so long as they don't infringe on any copyrighted characters.
Creature design samples need to fullfill the following requirements:
 
1- Humanoid (Bidpedal, hands with/without opposable thumbs).
2- Humanoid (as above) in H-T-H combat with Human.
3- Animal (Quadraped with human(oid) mounted in makeshift saddle).
 
Specify how quickly you are able to send artwork after an order is made.  The
amount of money you expect for a per-piece basis.  Ability to work with color,
airbrush, ziptone, etc.
 
Send a minimum of 3 samples (photocopied, not originals) to:
 
Maelstrom Hobby
Attn:  Delbert Laird
2660 Lassen Way
Pinole, Ca. 94564-1137
 
Sample submissions should not be postmarked later than the 26th of December.
Maelstrom Hobby will be moving to new location in January...New address will
once again be posted to this newsgroup.
 
dlaird@terapin.com
From: tfpayn01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: AL-QADIM vs. Forgotten Realms
Date: 17 Dec 92 15:21:46 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

In article <51300006@ax.apc.org>, ag@ax.apc.org writes:
> 
> Hi all fellow gamers,
> 
>    I posted this topic on ADND-L, but as there are gamers here that don't
> read it, I'll repeat (bear with me, please).
> 
>    This is a LONG rambling... (and consider all below IMHO!)
	[..]
> 
>    What do you all think about all my rambling ? ALL opinions (and flames :-))
> are welcomed !
> 
>    Until swords part,
> 
>    Aguinaldo Rangel.  Email : ag@ax.ibase.br
> 
> 
>    PS.: A fellow gamer here on rec.dnd said that the Gods of AL-QADIM are FR
> specific. That is not true. AL-QADIM Gods (as much pretty everything else) is
> NOT FR specifc. E.g. they have Hajama (God of Courage), Kor (God of Wisdom),
> Najm (God of adventures), etc.

	oh WOW!  This does sound like a land that MUST be kept from the FR
setting.....though...it seems like an interesting place to portal a
dwarven/elven/human party, and let them deal with their racial prejudices
(especially with a group that IS having that kinda problem.).

-- 

/  / // / / /  / /  / / // / / // / //  / /   /  // /  / / / / // // / / / // /
// // /  / // /// // / / /// /// // /// /// // // /// / ///// // /   / // // /
/  /  ________|\_______________________________________________   /  /  // / /
/ // |\_\_\_\_| |_____________________________________________/   / / / / / / /
// / / /      |/  / / //  // /  / / / //  /  /  / /  /  /  / /  /  / / / /// /
/  / /  /  ///  / /  /  Tom Payne *** Louisville, KY	 / //  /  /  /  / / / /
 /  //TFPAYN01@ULKYVX.LOUISVILLE.EDU   /  / INFTECR1@ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU /// /
/ // / /  /   / / / /  ///  // (502) 635-2473 / / // // // / /////  / / // // / 
<><><><><> ARE <><><><> YOU <><><><> READY <><><><> TO <><><><> DIE? <><><><><>
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: ccoprdj@prism.gatech.EDU (Jorge Diaz)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: A question on aging.
Date: 13 Dec 92 03:49:26 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

In article <2521@cix.cict.fr> maillet@tls-cs.cert.fr (Luc Maillet) writes:

>  I'd say that I've encountered both T$R-like ( rather small, and long-lived )
>and Tolkien-like ( rather tall, and immortal ) elves side by side in the same
>AD&D adventures. They were different, but they were still elves. They never
>discussed such strange topics as old age and death. That didn't affect their
>present state. So, once again, who cares ?

Well, sorry, but I couldn't disagree more.  When you have things like age
affecting ability scores, whether or not they die of old age does matter.
Why would an elf lose points of Dex, Str, and Con if his body isn't "dying"?

Not to mention the fact that wishes suddenly become no problem.  "Oh, I
age five years every time I cast one?  So what?  Didn't you know?  I'm
IMMORTAL."

Age limits *are* important.

-- 
Jorge Diaz                       | "I want you to remember, Clark... in all
Georgia Institute of Technology  |  the years to come, in your most private
Office of Information Technology |  moments...my hand at your throat.  I want
ccoprdj@prism.gatech.edu         |  you to remember the one man who beat you."
From: kvs@adpgate.UUCP (Karl V. Schroeder)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: To create a net.realms.handbook
Summary: Happy to see someone picking this project up!
Date: 15 Dec 92 17:43:50 GMT
Article-I.D.: flux.1800
Organization: ADP Dealer Services R&D, Portland, OR


I'm glad to see someone picking this project up, there have been several people
including myself attempting to get a copy of the original Forgotten Realms Tome 
from either the net or the compiler but no one seems to have a copy or can get
a response out of the compiler.

I will start digging through my stuff for things to submit, and please put
my name on the distribution list when it is avaiable.

thanks,
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Karl Schroeder		        |                _  |\ __
     ADP Dealer Services		|  _____________/_\_\|/_/
     Portland, Or. 97201		| |__________________|
 email:					|             /  _  \    1992
     adpgate!kvs@mcspdx.pdx.csd.mot.com	| ATLANTA    /  |_>  \   National
 phone:					| BRAVES!!  /   |_>   \  League
      (503)-294-4200 ext. 2331		|          /___________\ Champs!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ba446@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Todd M. Hanson)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Familiars
Date: 21 Dec 92 02:32:13 GMT
Reply-To: ba446@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Todd M. Hanson)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


Does anyone out there have a familiars list a little more interesting
than the one listed in the book?  One of the mages in the game I run
has decided he wants a familiar, and Im not especially thrilled with
the list suggested.

Also.. a while back someone had posted the way they ran familiars, in
which a familiar was actually a type of spirit (?) that was bonded to
the mage, and actually increased in power as the mage gained levels.
If that person is out there, I would appreciate a repost of that 
information. 

Thanks!

Todd

-- 
* Todd Hanson                              ba446@cleveland.freenet.edu  *
*                                                                       *
*     "No woman's worth a bullet between the eyes.. "                   *
*          "Depends on who's eyes.. and which woman."    'Bugsy'        *
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: ddj+@cs.cmu.edu (Doug DeJulio)
Subject: Re: 2nd Edition Handbooks
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:55:58 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.182927.2342@u.washington.edu> scythe@stein.u.washington.edu (The Grim Reaper) writes:
>There.  Personally, I'm waiting for the complete Hobbit ^H^H^H^H^H^H Halfling

The Halfling book and the Gnome book are being bundled together into
one handbook.  I've already seen an add for it, though I don't
remember where.
-- 
Doug DeJulio
ddj+@cmu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: sh30443@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Shiva the Destoyer)
Subject: Re: Druid Shapechange
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:51:37 GMT

>bret@technix.mn.org (Bret Indrelee) writes:

>>In article <1992Dec14.231807.1@wharton.upenn.edu> 
>>Loren Miller (millerl@wharton.upenn.edu) writes:
>>>On another question about druid shapechangers, [druid makes cash by
>>>becoming venomous snake and selling venom]

>>I would allow it.  It would be most unfortunate for the player however,
>>since milking the venom of a snake is bad for them.  It shortens their
>>lifespan, and I would do the same to the character.

That's pretty funny idea, selling venom (maybe I should have done it when
I was the druid).  But first consider a couple of things to mediate this, 
instead of lessening lifeforce (for high life druids like that matter :)

1)  why would people buy powerful snake venom?  To make medicine?  Perhaps, 
    but more likely to kill people.  So furthering the cause of (probably)
    assassination can be considered evil, and neutral druids probably should
    not do it.
2)  make it so that there is druidic regulation about abusing the powers of
    nature.  Snake venom is for the snake's self defense and capture of 
    prey, not to make a buck.
3)  make it that people dont want to buy snake venom, maybe because they are
    more difficult to store and goes gunky faster then synthetic poisons.

    - but I still like the idea!

    - Droso Springfire, slayer of a haughty priest of Lanthder through
      snake venom.
From: seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea Wasp)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: A question on aging.
Date: 15 Dec 92 16:36:47 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: seawasp@unixd2.cis.pitt.edu

In article <78346@hydra.gatech.EDU> ccoprdj@prism.gatech.EDU (Jorge A. Diaz) writes:
>In article <584@blue.cis.pitt.edu> seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea Wasp) writes:
>>	Unless you (A) remove the aging BS from the Wish spell (why 
>>aging? I don't know. I always figured it made more sense for it to injure
>>the person physically or psychically, but aging seemed a little silly),

>It's as good as anything else...  Why not aging?

	I guess because I never saw such adverse effects from wishes in the
literature until game companies got hold of them. Often wishes were TWISTED,
or put a huge strain on someone, but they didn't age people. 

	In my own game, I don't have Wishes cost anything except a LOT of
power... and cause exhaustion temporarily in the weaker casters. Overuse
of power brings its own punishment.

>>your race. In humans, it ages you by 5 years; in Elves, it removes 1d4 
>>HP PERMANENTLY. (you could get them back by gaining a level, but that
>>in itself is a pretty steep cost...) Or something like that.

>1d4 HP permanently?  That's even worse than aging! 9 wishes, and he's screwed
>(Constition bonuses notwithstanding).  Give the guy *some* chance.

	Not THAT much worse. 9 wishes =45 years... and most of the time I'd
expect a mage would be well over 40 by the time he hits 18th level, if not
over 80 and running on Potions of Longevity. 45 years and he's either dead
or damn near it.

  Gain them
>back if he gains a level?  Sorry?  He's already going to be at his max level
>(unless he has a 19 Int in which case he can gain ONE more level, and then
>he's done, period, no more levels at all).

	Oops, sorry, forgot about level limits. They're the stupidest of TSRs
innovations and the first one that I jettisoned 14 years ago when I started
running my own games. In mine, any race can be any class (assuming they 
have the requirements) and reach any level.


                                 Sea Wasp
                                   /^\
                                   ;;;