HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: cs202144@umbc8.umbc.edu (cs202144)
Subject: Re: Girdle of Femininity/Masculinity
Organization: University of Maryland, Baltimore County Campus
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 00:28:45 GMT

>> Just because the item isn't specifically usable by the mage does _not_ mean
>> that he or she can bypass its penalties. 

> True.  However, in this case, the item's only use *is* its penalty.
> That is its only function.  Thus, it makes some sense to say that, if
> it only functions for Clerics, Fighters, and Thieves, that its curse
> will only affect them, since its curse is its function.
>
> The interpretation is logical; however, the result seems stupid to me.
> Thus, in my own campaigns, I ignore the restriction; I assume it was
> a typo, or the result of someone really out-of-it when that section of
> the DMG was edited.  In my games, girdles of sex change work on anyone
> who puts them on.

Exactly! It is a penalty...There are manuals that when read by alignments
and classes which is is not for penalizes them. It may be for only a mage, but
is that big strong fighter opens it and reads a single word, ZAP!!!
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: thedm@leland.Stanford.EDU (Marcus M. Trevino)
Subject: Re: WANTED: Recommendations for High-Level Adventures
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 92 04:22:56 GMT


Well, a very difficult adventure, although not 2nd Ed, is the Halls of
Beoll-Dur.  I am not sure whether you can purchases it in stores because
it appeared in a Dragon magazine edition( in the 40s), but if you do get
ahold of it, Your DM should be somewhat impressed by its difficulty.

Another suggestion is the Treasures of GreyHawk.  It has a few high level
campaigns which seem somewhat good.  I have not had time to read through all
of it yet.


You could always have your DM do a Spontaneous Game.  In my experience, these
are normally 2-3 times harder than any module I've encountered.

TheDM @ Stanford University

Marcus Trevino
From: alvalent@husc10.harvard.edu (Alvin Valentine)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Have you heard of the Ravenloft Mailing List?
Date: 17 Nov 92 23:22:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc3.1992Nov17.182249.17549
Organization: Harvard University Science Center


Welcome to Ravenloft, Realm of Terror!

Well, not really, more like a cheap substitute called the Ravenloft Mailing
List.

What do we do?

Chat about doomful things, in general: the nature of gothic literature vs.
gothic film, how to flesh out a villain, scenario ideas, monsters, spells,
reviews, film/book bibliographies for given types of adventures in the genre,
chat about last weeks run, commentary on techniques in terror, different uses
for the demi-plane in campaign play, book/module/game reviews related to 
Ravenloft, etc.

I hope you enjoy Ravenloft as much as I do, and I hope this discussion forum
will make things more interesting for you and provide you with a springboard
for limitless ideas.

If you want to see a sample of our list, complete list archives are available
in the incoming directories of the FTP sites at ccosun.caltech.edu  and at 
greyhawk.stanford.edu   Items include reviews, discussion, monsters, magic
items, etc.  Also, in a complementary directory you will find sounds for
your Ravenloft game which are usable both on Mac and IBM (with a MAC->IBM
sound converter that is in the folder as well).

We even keep in contact with Bruce Nesmith, creator of the Ravenloft
boxed set, for spiritual guidance, product line updates, and generally
dark and dangerous things.

To join our doomful band, mail your request to:	 rl-request@ais.org
We'll be lurking for you.


DOOMfully yours,
                    Your fearless List Moderators:
               Lee Valentine            (alvalent@husc.harvard.edu)
               Rod Shelton              (roshne@irie.ais.org)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: dagolden@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (David Alexandre Golden)
Subject: Re: Hurled Weapons To hit/damage
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 14:40:17 GMT

In article <BxMCru.4tn.2@cs.cmu.edu> ddj+@cs.cmu.edu (Doug DeJulio) writes:
>In article <5sp1ldm@rpi.edu> jelliw@rpi.edu writes:
>>   This assumes that most arrows that actually hit the target penetrate to
>>some degree.  Longbows wielded by _average_ archers were able to pierce heavy
>>armor quite easily without being created for exceptional strength, which most
>>of them werent.  Missed shots with arrows are more likely due to completely
>>missing the target rather than failure to penetrate on impact.
>>   Therefore, having a greater strength would not increase the chance to hit,
>>and would not merit a bonus.

Actually, I have read that this "longbow piercing heavy armor" concept is 
a fallacy.  I believe they were able to pierce chain mail fairly easily,
but plate (field or full, probably) would stop the arrows at the distance
they were normally used.  (100s of yards).  This was due in part to the arc
they were fired in.  They generally had a better chance to glance off than
penetrate.  Of course, in almost every D&D world I've seen, everyone walks
around, fights in melee, etc. while (somehow) carrying a SIX FOOT LONG BOW!
That's right, six feet long.  (What are you going to do, sling it around your-
self?  Can't walk next to things or people, you're too wide.)  And these
bows are generally used at less than 60 yards (i.e. extremely short range).
Now I can accept a sheaf arrow penetrating plate if fired straight at it from
short range, but I just can't accept that everyone is willing to carry around
a long bow.

If anyone would like a fairly good historical analysis of Agincourt, the
classic "archers vs knights" example, I suggest you read _Faces_of_Battle_
by John Keegan.  (Very detailed, but you may have to look at a University
bookstore.)

Dave Golden




-- 
David A. Golden '95           (dagolden@phoenix.princeton.edu)
Princeton University
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: friar@spock.uucp (Tom Walcott)
Subject: Pbem
Organization: Happy Shiny Magic Place
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 00:25:16 GMT

Well, I'm just another groupie, and since it seems as if everyone else on
the net is starting up a PBEM, I figured I'd join in the fun.  Mail
me if you are interested, adn I'll send you rules and a character sheet.
Please send in applications by Friday.  I'll accept around 6 people or so.
If responce and the characters are really good, I might do more.

Friar
-- 
     "Don't damn me when I speak my piece of mind, 
     'cause silence isn't golden if I'm holdin' it inside."
                           --- W. Axl Rose

friar@choate.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: stanford@lonestar.utsa.edu (Sandra S. Stanford)
Subject: Re: Thanks. Now as for Ravenloft...
Followup-To: Thanks. Now as for Ravenloft...
Summary: Begging for Ravenloft Info
Keywords: E-Mail, Ideas, Ravenloft
Organization: University of Texas at San Antonio
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 20:51:31 GMT

In article <890661b.52.722022763@ace.acadiau.ca> 890661b@ace.acadiau.ca (MATTHEW EARL KEITH BALL) writes:
>Does anyone who has
>used the Ravenloft demi-plane setting have any neat ideas, tricks, settings,
>etc. that have not been collected in the Ravenloft Digests. If so, I would
>be most interested in hearing about them or any good stories you have about
>Ravenloft.
>
>Please e-mail anything of this nature to me at 890661b@ace.acadiau.ca

    Me too please! :) I'd really like some more Ravenloft stuff for my
    campaigns, if anyone can spare it! :) You can e-mail it to this
    account (stanford@lonestar.utsa.edu).

>And once again, thanks.

    Thanks from me too! :)

>Matt

    Dorin (who can't get his neat .sig file to appear on news posts)
From: seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea Wasp)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Girdle of Femininity/Masculinity
Date: 15 Nov 92 21:33:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: blue.9683
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: seawasp@unixd2.cis.pitt.edu

In article <1992Nov15.200721.20327@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> fes9s@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (Frank Erick Sellin) writes:
>Assume you've wangled an unwitting PC into putting on the girdle
>of femininity/masculinity (sheesh, that's hard to type correctly, 

>That leaves unanswered the question of what happens to...
>1) STats, if somebody's stats exceed the limit allowed for females
>(obviously, this usually isn't a problem the other way  around in
>a "standard" campaign.)

	Well, I don't HAVE "limits" on stats per se -- that is, any STR
value a male can have a woman can have too. I do, however, have BIASES
for some races -- that is, women TEND to be physically less powerful
than males, in humans at least. So I debit the strength by one or two
and raise the con by one if a male goes female, and vice versa.

>2) Physical appearance.  Is the character suddenly a perfect
>muscular, hormonal, and otherwise structural example of the gender? 

	Yep. My ruling is that the character becomes the person they would
have been if they had been born the opposite gender. So hulking Conan
zapped by the Girdle would become a shorter, but proportionately as
tall, still massively muscular (for a woman), prime-condition barbarian
warrior woman. Hair and eyes would be the same, and the features would be
similar although probably slightly modified for whatever gender the 
switch was to.


					Sea Wasp
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: arromdee@jyusenkyou.cs.jhu.edu (Ken Arromdee)
Subject: Re: Girdle of Femininity/Masculinity
Organization: Johns Hopkins University CS Dept.
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 20:00:07 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.015947.25042@mailer.cc.fsu.edu> kdelgado@loligo.cc.fsu.edu (Kevin Delgado) writes:
>>>I was in a campaign where this did actually happen. We had a mage (transmuter
>>>actually) who was doing item identification for the party. Well, as is part
>>>of the identify spell, he had to put the girdle on to properly identify it...
>>>whammo...instant chick.
>>Isn't the item limited to warrior, thief, and cleric classes?
>Doesn't matter what class limitations the item has. As part of the identify
>spell, the mage _must_ use/wield/etc... the item to be identified...and he/she
>suffers any resulting penalties that the item specifies.

But if it's limited to not usable by mages, it doesn't _have_ any penalties for
the mage....
--
"the bogosity in a field equals the bogosity imported from related areas, plus
the bogosity generated internally, minus the bogosity expelled or otherwise
disposed of."  -- K. Eric Drexler

Ken Arromdee (UUCP: ....!jhunix!arromdee; BITNET: arromdee@jhuvm;
     INTERNET: arromdee@jyusenkyou.cs.jhu.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: n36ia@pnet16.cts.com (Et3 Francis)
Subject: Re: Spicing up combat?
Organization: People-Net [pnet16], NCTAMS EASTPAC
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 15:36:04 GMT

Great!!! this is exactly the kind of thing I like to see posted. Helpful
advice... Ok, now as to how you can get the mages into it. Why not have one of
the monsters pick the mage(or cleric) out of the group and startchasing him
around the combat with a chair(Or whatever else seems appropriate). This adds
a bit of humor to the combat(not much for the mage being chased but everyone
else gets a kick out of it). Add other creatures(non-fighting) to the combat.
Like the Kings favorite old dog(a little to old to bite but he still growls
awfully mean). a couple cats rushing through legs whil the battle is going on.
Ok, now underground it's pretty much the same type of thing. Outside
influences. The battle starts, who going to be holding the lantern...wasn't
the fighter holding a torch before he pulled out his two handed sword. Do the
monsters have infravision, Do the players??? How about the noise waking up the
bats that were trying to sleep up above. picture a cave full of bats while you
are trying to have a boring old battle. Kind of tough. These are a few ways I
keep it interesting. Minutures are very important to help the players
"visualize" what the combat looks like.
                                        Brian

"who do you want to be today..."
From: brian_vickers@isd.jpl.nasa.gov (Brian Vickers)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Otiluke, Tenser, & Rary
Date: 17 Nov 92 18:32:23 GMT
Followup-To: rec.games.frp.dnd
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

In article <1992Nov10.160803.29496@zip.eecs.umich.edu>,
boyd@colonial.eecs.umich.edu (Eric Boyd) wrote:
> 
> 	I have WGA4 (Vecna Lives) and the newer Greyhawk Wars boxed set
> and WGQ3? Rary the Traitor, but none are currently at school with me.
> 
> I do have a question though - didn't WGA4 permanently kill off the
> entire Circle of Eight? Or am I wrong, and they were brought back at
> the end. It seemed that the timeline following WGA4 was aborted, and
> TSR returned to the timeline of WGA1-3 followed by WGQ1-3.
> 
> Any thoughts (on this admittedly poorly phrased question)?
> 

Eric, I seem to recall reading a post on GEnie about this. Yes everybody
died, but it was "assumed" that the powerful MUs et al had clones and other
ways of coming back. However those that died a second time are now truly
dead.

I'll check my screen captures tonight (if I remember) and see if I still
have this post.

-- Brian

[This is not my REAL .sig, its my .sig's ALTER EGO.]
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: brunborg@alkymi.unit.no (]dne Brunborg)
Subject: Multiple spec. 
Keywords: Who ever read keywords?
Organization: Norwegian Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 17:13:46 GMT

Does anybody have a non-munchkin-system on multiple spec. in melee-weapoms? I'm
aware of the UA double-spec., but it's a little too munchkin after all. 

If you dont have a system, post your opinions to the net.


 ______________________________________________________________________________

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 ++                                     +                                    ++
 ++++++++++++brunborg@alkymi.unit.no+++++++++brunborg@solan.unit.no++++++++++++
 ++                                     +                                    ++
 +++++++++++++brunborg@lise.unit.no++++++++++brunborg@siri.unit.no+++++++++++++
 ++                                     +                                    ++
 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
   

          "I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person."
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: brunborg@alkymi.unit.no (]dne Brunborg)
Subject: Re: A very good POINT on Bow Profic.
Organization: Norwegian Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 09:34:31 GMT


You were right. That was a very good point on bow specialization. (I take it you
mean spec., not ordinary prof.).

But I think 4 shots per round at level 1-6 is a little too much. Why not 3 shots,
and a +1 to-hit at _all_ ranges? This would certanly do bow-spec. a lot more
attractive. Specially for high-dex elves...

And I would perhaps concider (sp?) giving rangers the ability to spec. in bows
_only_ (I play 2ed.), as the PH2ed. uses Robin Hood as example of ranger, and I
think he's a bow spec.! :-)

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 ++                                     +                                    ++
 ++++++++++++brunborg@alkymi.unit.no+++++++++brunborg@solan.unit.no++++++++++++
 ++                                     +                                    ++
 +++++++++++++brunborg@lise.unit.no++++++++++brunborg@siri.unit.no+++++++++++++
 ++                                     +                                    ++
 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
   

          "I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person."
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: st1oi@rosie.uh.edu (Ruler of Miligaine)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Mage Robes
Date: 16 Nov 92 18:23:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: rosie.16NOV199212235625
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Houston
NNTP-Posting-Host: rosie.uh.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <003695s.158.721701761@ace.acadiau.ca>, 003695s@ace.acadiau.ca (STEPHANE ANDRE SAVOIE) writes...
> >	You, know something that's been bothering me for a few days now is 
>the simple question of "Why do Mages wear robes."
>	Now, it might be simple to say "because they want to", or "because 
>it fits into their view of a mage", but this causes a few logical problems.
>	A good example might be a campaign where the player might not want 
>to be known as a spell-caster.  Why bother?

I've been in one game where the mage dressed normally, used an illusion
of armor, and wore a sword.  Worked well for him....

In the campaign I'm running at the moment, most of the NPC mages dress in
the "standard mage fashion" because 1. it's traditional, 2. it's comfortable,
and 3. in some places, there are advantages to being recognized as a mage.
Most NPC clerics dress in a recognizably clerical fashion for similar
reasons.

>I really can't think of a logical 
>reason why robes/cloaks shouldn't reduce a wearer's AC by 1 or 2.

I agree with the person who pointed out that if a fighter is coming 
straight at you with intent to skewer, a robe isn't going to do much...
maybe if said fighter is trying to hit your arm or leg, the robe might
make that a little harder.

slc

this is a .signature file
st1oi@jetson.uh.edu   Sharon L. Casteel
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: griffin@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Zack Thompson)
Subject: Re: Spicing up combat?
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 19:00:40 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.153604.23701@nctams1.uucp> n36ia@pnet16.cts.com (Et3 Francis) writes:
> Minutures are very important to help the players
>"visualize" what the combat looks like.
>                                        Brian
>
>"who do you want to be today..."
>

Howdy-

ZT here.

Ya' know what's even better?  One of those dry wipe off marker boards, if you
  can get one cheap.  'Cause you can put it up on a stand or a wall, and it
  doesn't take floor or table space, no one has to strain to see it, and you
  don't have to bother with physical miniatures.  It's great!

Just for the Record.

                        The Crystal Griffin
Organisation: European Space Technology Centre (E.S.T.E.C)
Date: Wednesday, 18 Nov 1992 09:30:38 CET
From: <MATTWOOD@ESTEC.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Changes to ADnD2 Guides?

 I saw a little while back a list of changes made (officially?) to both the
ADnD2 Player's Handbook and the DM's Guide. I didn't consider keeping the lists
as I was going to buy new ones in a couple of months and expected the new
issues to contain the alterations. But no, I'm in Europe where U.S books of
this decade are hard to come by and I got the original versions.

 Could some kind soul e-mail the changes to me?

 Thanx, Martin Attwood.
Organization: Freshman, CIT general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 13:24:54 -0500 
From: "Jordan M. Wolbrum" <jw67+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Chaotic Neutral (was Re: New D&D Alignment)
	<1992Nov22.033022.10218@technix.mn.org>

Excerpts from netnews.rec.games.frp.dnd: 22-Nov-92 Re: Chaotic Neutral
(was Re.. Bret Indrelee@technix.mn (1942)

> Just as Lawfull Good doesn't have to be Lawfull Stupid, there is no
> reason that someone should use a die to decide how a chaotic reacts
> to each situation.

I agree with the above.  As far as I am concerned, Chaotic Evil is far
more insane than Chaotic Neutral.  Basically, I think a CN just cares
about himself, and if he wants to do either good or evil, he does.  If
he can't decide, he'll flip a coin.  Has anyone ever flipped a coin when
they were confused, or served their own ends first, or done an action
without being concerned that it was morally and/or politically correct? 
I have, and I don't think it makes me a madman.  I think TSR went
overboard on the CN description, breaking a basic logical concept:
	If all A are B,
	all B are not necessarily A
	[If all madmen are CN,
	all CN's are not necessarily madmen]
J the W


-The Wizard
---------------------------------------------------------------The
hearts of all were filled with hope, for even though Lancer, tried
war-hero, had met his match, there was a new power to be reckoned with. 
The Wizard had returned home, and this time no tyrannical lord would
hold the town in thrall.   
---------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: fes9s@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (Frank Erick Sellin)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Girdle of Femininity/Masculinity
Date: 15 Nov 92 20:07:21 GMT
Organization: University of Virginia

Now here's a disturbing thought, especially for all the devious DMs out
there:

Assume you've wangled an unwitting PC into putting on the girdle
of femininity/masculinity (sheesh, that's hard to type correctly, 
why not just call it the Dread Girdle of Sex Change?). Bamf, 
instant gender reversal, 90% of the time (the other 10% of the time 
you end up neutered--which raises the question of why not a 
hermaphrodite?  >=^)   )

That leaves unanswered the question of what happens to...
1) STats, if somebody's stats exceed the limit allowed for females
(obviously, this usually isn't a problem the other way  around in
a "standard" campaign.)

2) Physical appearance.  Is the character suddenly a perfect
muscular, hormonal, and otherwise structural example of the gender? 
Or do we have a bunch of hairy, sometimes bearded females who can
outlift Conan, and conversely a flock of males who are the envy
of all transvestites?  

Has anybody used the girdle in their campaign, and if so, how
has it affected subsequent roleplaying and campaign dynamics?

=)
Frank Sellin
==============
"Be sure to leave your underpants
 with someone you can trust..." 
    --the Tull, "Lick Your Fingers Clean"
==============
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: cabtait@atlas.cs.upei.ca (Bobby Tait)
Subject: Re: Readin' Writin' and Splellcastin'
Organization: University of Prince Edward Island
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1992 05:03:42 GMT

  Laura,
 
  I'm not at all familiar (no pun intended) with the Viking Sourcebook, so
  if it overrules the PH & DMG, just ignore this.
  
  As far as my knowledge of the game goes, all those that want to cast Mage
  spells (excluding those critters with innate abilites, of course) must 
  be able to read, as spellbooks are *required* for the profession.  In
  order to restore the "erased" memory of a spell due to casting, one must 
  read from a spellbook.  Writing doesn't really seem necessary until the
  said mage wishes to add to his/her/its spellbook, or remember what to get
  at the nearest grocery store.
  
  I'm not sure if the Vikings would have a different method of retaining and
  casting spells (i.e., the runes you mentioned).  To me, it seems possible,
  but then again, I didn't write the sourcebook.

=========================================================================
  "...When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner
  of my eye.  I turned to look but it was gone.  I cannot put my finger
  on it now.  The child is grown; the dream is gone.  And I have become
  comfortably numb."
 
  "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd, from "The Wall" (1979)
=========================================================================
 
  Bobby "Fireball!" Tait (cabtait@atlas.cs.upei.ca)
From: 9210946@cuslm.ca (THERIAULT YANICK M.)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Magic Item(Summoning)
Summary: cat lord
Keywords: summon
Date: 18 Nov 92 15:29:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: cuslm.9210946.32
Organization: Centre d'Informatique, Centre universitaire Saint-Louis-Maillet


	DOES ANYONE HOW I COULD GET OR LEARN THE CAT LORDS NAME!!!!
IT CHANGES EVERY 100 OR SO YEARS!!!!!!!  I HAVE AN ARTIFACT THAT CAN SUMMON 
HIM ONCE AND JUST IN CASE, I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GET HIS NAME!!!!
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd