HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Devon_Sheppard@mindlink.bc.ca (Devon Sheppard)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Thri-kreen PC (DARK SUN)
Date: 26 Sep 92 09:43:11 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

>Jeffrey Greene writes:
>
>Msg-ID: <Sep.25.14.12.24.1992.7917@dorm.rutgers.edu>
>Posted: 25 Sep 92 18:12:25 GMT
>
>Org.  : Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
>
>>dshaffer@andromeda.rutgers.edu (Donald A Shaffer) writes:
>>
>>  Also, how would you DM's handle thri-kreen character's who want to
>>specialize in fighting with their own natural weapons.  So far, I have
>>disallowed this, but my players are asking for a logical explanation
>>for it and I can't find one.

>Specialize? No way.  Tell them that either (a) they are already the
>best they can get, there is no room for improvement (b) can a lion specializ
>in its Claw attacks? would they like to run up against "specialized"
>monsters? such natural attacks cannot be improved, or (c) sure, you can
>specialize, but you will need to find a thri-kreen who already specialized to
>teach you (good luck)

Why couldn't they specialize, if humans etc. can specialize in their natural
weapons, being punching, wresting and martial arts? I realize that they
wouldn't get the 'chart bonus' and such, as in the CFH, but there should be
some way to improve their attacks. Not all thri-kreen are going to fight with
the same effectiveness, and there should be some way to reflect this.

  Devon

--
devon_sheppard@mindlink.bc.ca
From: tao@ginger.princeton.edu (Terry Tao)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Critical Hits
Keywords: critical hits
Date: 5 Oct 92 14:40:52 GMT
Organization: Princeton University
Originator: news@nimaster

In article <69936@hydra.gatech.EDU>, ccoprdj@prism.gatech.EDU (Jorge Diaz) writes:
|> In article <1992Oct4.203943.20047@u.washington.edu> scythe@byron.u.washington.edu (The Grim Reaper) writes:
|> 
|> >Okay.... in my campaign, I use a system for determining if a critical
|> >has occured that is dependent on level.  Fighter have a chance to
|> >critical of 10% per level, rogues have a chance equal to 7%/level,
|> >priests 5%/level, and mages 3%/level.  The player must
|> >roll under that percent to achieve a critical when they roll a 20.  
|> 
|> Why would you give a rogue a better chance to roll a critical hit than
|> a priest?  Preists are supposed to be better fighters than rogues.
|> 
|> 
|> -- 
|> Jorge Diaz                       | "I want you to remember, Clark... in all

Priests may be better hand-to-hand fighters, but rogues are better at backstabbing
and hitting all these sensitive areas.

Dexterity and strength may make small adjustments to the critical hit roll as
well.  But definitely small.

Also, to add flavor, you can have "almost criticals", e.g. roll over the amount
needed to critical, but less than double the amount.  Thus you can rip a long
strip of flesh off an arm, for example.  This may have no added combat advantage
(except maybe an initiative penalty in the next round or something), but can make
a battle a bit more interesting.  Also, being hit with an almost critical can lead
to some impressive scars.

Terry
From: luhmann@cps.msu.edu (Patrick J Luhmann)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Trolls' regeneration
Date: 1 Oct 92 14:03:42 GMT
Reply-To: luhmann@calcite.cps.msu.edu.cps.msu.edu (Patrick J Luhmann)
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Michigan State University
Originator: luhmann@calcite.cps.msu.edu

In article <1992Sep29.185112.21696@u.washington.edu> scythe@byron.u.washington.edu (The Grim Reaper) writes:
>In article <1992Sep29.143424.14615@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> luhmann@cps.msu.edu (Patrick J Luhmann) writes:
>>In article <COVIN.92Sep28173905@despair.cs.uchicago.edu> covin@tartarus.uchicago.edu (David Covin) writes:
>>>In article <1992Sep28.212012.6975@Princeton.EDU> tao@potato.princeton.edu (Terry Tao) writes:
>>>
>>   <...Stuff deleted...>
>>
>>>If you think trolls are neat, you should look at the Runequest monster,
>>>the "walktapus" (like an octopus, but it walks on land...).  It
>>>regenerates, much like a troll-- but pieces cut off a walktapus
>>>regenerate into *new* walktapi of their own.  
>>>
>>Trolls do this also.  Any limb that is severed will try to reconnect with
>>its troll, but if it is unable to, it forms a new troll.
>>
>>This brings up another question:  How much do trolls eat?  If enough food
>>is around powerful evil leaders could create quite an army by capturing a
>>few trolls and then "breeding" them.
>>
>>>
>>>Just my thoughts...
>>>
>>>--
>>>David Covin                           covin@despair.uchicago.edu
>>
>>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>+  "Is it a hand on your shoulder   +  Pat                          +
>>+   From the Lord above             +  luhmann@atlantic.cps.msu.edu +
>>+   Or the Devil himself            +                               +
>>+   Come to give you a shove?"      +    "Life is easier if         +
>>+              --  "Fates Warning"  +     you embrace death"        +
>>+                    Iron Maiden    +                 --  Me        +
>>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>Uh... no.  Not the AD&D kind, at least.  AD&D trolls omly regenerate
>from the largest piece... all the other parts die off.

     Actually, the Monster Manual(1st ed) puts no restriction on the number of
trolls that can form from the "parent" troll, or on what size a piece needs
to be to form a new troll.  However, in actual play, I would definatley put
some kind of limit on this (it would amount to whatever seems best for that
particular situation).

Example:  If my main NPC bad-guy is in trouble (the PC's are knocking on the
door of his lair) and he needs some quick protection, I might have him slice
and dice his troll in order to form a small force to stop the PCs.  As in
any situation, the ruling would be whatever makes the game fun and interesting
(for both the players and me :)  ).

Pat
From: tao@ginger.princeton.edu (Terry Tao)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Lich & Demi-Lich...
Keywords: lich
Date: 1 Oct 92 14:32:50 GMT
Article-I.D.: Princeto.1992Oct1.143250.1878
Organization: Princeton University
Originator: news@nimaster

If the Lich is played intelligently, you're dead.  He wont come out of his lair,
most likely, and being a 18+ level mage, his defenses will be extraordinary.  If
you come even close to endangering him, he'll teleport out, seal all his treasure
rooms, and heal up.  When you go home to celebrate what loot you have discovered
he will activate all the traps he put on those magic items you picked up, and/or
decide to penetrate YOUR lair while you're sleeping and exact revenge.  His castle
or tomb will have all sorts of magical and mechanical traps, the best magic and
 money can buy; you guys might just be in a boring castle.  Forget it!

The only way to defeat a lich is if it is stupid enough to fight mano-to-mano,
 outside it's lair.  It's the same with dragons.  Lead the adventurers into a
 fake entrance to their lair, slam boulders on the entrance, and breathe
 repeatedly from above.  Your adventurers aren't the only intelligent high level
ass-kicking guys around, you know.
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: kjenks@gothamcity.jsc.nasa.gov
Subject: Re: Cleric Worships a Mortal
Originator: kjenks@gothamcity
Keywords: cleric
Organization: NASA/JSC/GM2, Space Shuttle Program Office
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 13:50:31 GMT

First, I (kjenks@gothamcity.jsc.nasa.gov) wrote:
>>Barnard Starr, my brand-spanking-new, 0 XP, 1st level AD&D 1 cleric, 
>>(title: Acolyte) worships Arthur the Just, 16th level High Priest of
>>Athena.

Then, d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se (Bertil Jonell) replied:
>  Wasn't this how St Cuthbert (St Cuthbert as in 'Mace of St Cuthbert'),
>started out? :)

I believe so.  Coincidentally (?), Arthur the Just weilds the mighty
Mace of Cuthbert.

-- Ken Jenks, NASA/JSC/GM2, Space Shuttle Program Office
      kjenks@gothamcity.jsc.nasa.gov  (713) 483-4368

      "Orcs are fecund and create many cross-breeds, 
       most of the offspring of such being typically orcish."
         -- AD&D Player's Handbook 1, p. 17
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Subject: Re: A different type of Forgotten Realms PBEM
Keywords: Forgotten Realms Drow Evil PBEM
Reply-To: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 12:36:03 GMT

Game is full, sorry!

Thanks
Don
My brain, my thoughts, my words.
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a K-car (a nice reliant automobile),
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a fur coat
  (but not a real fur coat, that's cruel),
If I had a million dollars, we wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner
  (but we would eat Kraft Dinner), of course we would, we'd just eat more. - BNL
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
From: scythe@byron.u.washington.edu (The Grim Reaper)
Subject: Re: Enchanted weapons to hit...
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 23:26:41 GMT

In article <1aorbdINNe0p@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu> pkralik@ecst.csuchico.edu (Wintermute) writes:
>Greetings!
>
>I have read this newsgroup sporadically for a while and have finally decided
>to ask the world this question:
>
>Exactly how do you explain to a character *why* an enchanted weapon is needed
>to hit certain more powerful creatures.  Now, I realize that this is one of 
>the things that perhaps makes the creature more powerful, but I want a more
>logical explanation to give players than this...
>
>Is it simply that the creature is surrounded by a magical aura that requires
>a countering aura(from the weapon) to "break through"?  If this is the case,
>then why does the DMG(well, 1st ed anyways...) give a table that allows monsters
>of higher hit dice the ability to damage these creatures.  If a fighter drops
>an elephant off a cliff onto a demon, will he do damage to it???  
>
>Or is it that the weapon imparts a higher degree of skill that is necessary in
>order to hit the creature.  If this is the case, then why can't high level 
>characters have enough innate skill to overcome this?
Good question. Wish I knew =)
>
>Also, if a creature with this defense is struck by a non-magical weapon, what
>exactly are the effects?  Does the weapon simply bounce off of it?  Is there
>any knock-back if a boulder were thrown?  Would the weapon simply miss(i.e. the
>creature dodged it)?  Or would it pass harmlessly through the creature.
>
>Well, that is all for now.  Any responses would be most appreciated....
>
>
>					WINTERMUTE
>-- 
>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>+ Patrick Kralik(a.k.a. WINTERMUTE)        pkralik@cscihp.ecst.csuchico.edu   +
>+                                                                             +
>+ "I've lost my mind, but it's backed up on tape somewhere"                   +
Well.... for undead and lycanthropes at least, non-magical weaons cause
wounds and everything, but they heal within seconds.  So as soon as the
weapon is removed from the wound, the wound heals.

--------------------+-------------------------+
HIC IACET ARTVRVS   + The Grim Reaper         + 
IN INSVLA AVALONIA  + SCYTHE@U.WASHINGTON.EDU +
REX QVONDAM REXQVE  + ----------------------- +
FVTVRVS             +                         +
--------------------+-------------------------+
From: ddj+@cs.cmu.edu (Doug DeJulio)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Drow Offspring with elves & Rangers.!
Date: 6 Oct 92 15:17:47 GMT
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon

In article <1992Sep30.181838.482@dct.ac.uk> mcspikgfm@dct.ac.uk writes:
>	I was wondering everyones opinion on the possibility of the offspring
>of a Drow and another Elf. Would the offspring have magic resistance or the 
>natural powers that drows show as they grow up. Would it be more likely to show
>drow traits than Surface Elven traits depending upon where it is raised?

The module "The Vault of the Drow" has Drow/Elf crossbreeds in the
Drow city, as well as Drow/Human cross breeds.  If I remember right,
the drow/elf mix when raised in underdark has the magic resistance but
not the innate spell powers of a Drow.

Even a full blooded Drow living on the surface loses all these
abilities and becomes almost a normal elf with dark skin (and a
different personality).
-- 
Doug DeJulio
ddj+@cmu.edu
From: seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea Wasp)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Critical Hits
Date: 4 Oct 92 20:15:02 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: seawasp@unixd2.cis.pitt.edu


	To get a critical hit under our system, you first have to 
have rolled a 20 to hit. Then:

	1) If the number you needed to hit the target was 10 or under,
you have made a critical hit. Double damage and roll on the critical
chart (from the Arduin Grimoire -- Volume I for armed combat, volume
II for unarmed).

	2) If you needed more than 10 to hit, roll again. If you 
roll well enough to hit the target, then you got a critical hit, 
otherwise it was a normal hit.

	3) If you needed to roll 20 to hit, you would need to roll 2 20's
for double damage and over 18 to allow the additional crit chart
roll. (i.e., if you needed to roll 20 to hit, only something like
20-20-19 would allow you double damage and crit chart. 20-20-17
would only get double damage.

					Sea Wasp
From: z_copeab@ccsvax.sfasu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Critical Hits
Date: 5 Oct 92 00:07:34 CST
Organization: Stephen F. Austin State University

In article <69936@hydra.gatech.EDU>, ccoprdj@prism.gatech.EDU (Jorge Diaz) writes:
> In article <1992Oct4.203943.20047@u.washington.edu> scythe@byron.u.washington.edu (The Grim Reaper) writes:
> 
>>Okay.... in my campaign, I use a system for determining if a critical
>>has occured that is dependent on level.  Fighter have a chance to
>>critical of 10% per level, rogues have a chance equal to 7%/level,
>>priests 5%/level, and mages 3%/level.  The player must
>>roll under that percent to achieve a critical when they roll a 20.  
> 
> Why would you give a rogue a better chance to roll a critical hit than
> a priest?  Preists are supposed to be better fighters than rogues.
> 

	Also, an easier way would be just to have the character make a d20
roll, and if that hits, then its a critical. I used to use a real weird 1d8
'approximation' roll, but picked up the 'roll the d20 again' from a discussion
on ADND-L last year.


Brandon Cope
From: switzki@peach.ucs.indiana.edu (Shawn M. Witzki)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Killing Liches with Staves of the Magi, HA!!!
Date: 6 Oct 92 23:37:43 GMT
Reply-To: switzki@cs.indiana.edu
Distribution: na
Organization: Working on it. . .

mage@en.ecn.purdue.edu (Mage) writes:
>>> What's all the commotion about a Lich?  It's just a monster, not even
>>> the most powerful undead!  Now a Type VI demon, that's a monster!  

True.  But a lich has intelligence, and there's something to be said for
that. . . .

>>> If you really need to kill a lich, have your henchman break the Staff of
>>> the Magi near it.  It will never survive.

Um. . .  .  Never mind.

>I have to say, I have seen some power-gamers, but you take the cake.
>I will explain my arguement in three parts.

All true.  Besides, who says that the lich will just stand there and let you
break the staff?  Who says you could even get near him?  What henchman in
his/er right mind would follow such a foolish order?  Why isn't the lich
fighting you on his terms?  One prismatic sphere or a well-placed dispel
magic and the show's over for the erstwhile henchman.

>I have played the game than I sometimes can tend to bear, Most
>of the veteran gamers, especially those who enjoy the heroic 
>campaign and the saga, would agree most heartily with this
>letter.

I agree, but I don't think that the poster was serious (at least I hope not).
There are holes in the suggestion that you could fly a dragon through.  ;-)

>PS> calling a lich just a monster is like calling a lambourghini just a car.

How often does one meet centuries old archmagi from beyond the grave, anyway?

-- 
============================================================================
I don't procrastinate.  I just spontaneously     \\          Shawn M. Witzki 
reorganize my time.                 -- Unknown    \\  switzki@cs.indiana.edu
From: tao@ginger.princeton.edu (Terry Tao)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: World sizes
Date: 28 Sep 92 13:58:00 GMT
Organization: Princeton University
Originator: news@nimaster

If the world is perfectly spherical, then the distance from you to the horizon is roughly

the square root of (person's height * diameter of earth)

Obviously an ant's horizon would be fairly small.  This equation begins to break
 down with enormous mountains (ten kilometres high or so) or with spaceships a la
spelljammer, but I don't think you would be interested in these (and other
considerations would then apply anyway).

Things get insanely more complicated if the surface is hilly.  If you are in a
valley, you cannot see past the nearby hills, except for high mountains in the
distance.  If you are on a hill, you can see all the other hills within the
distance mentioned above, but only the valleys adjoining that.

Of course, you now need a topographical map of the area.  Can't help you there for ballpark estimates - but I'm sure someone else can.
From: seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea Wasp)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Sowrds of Sharpness and Incredible Constitution
Date: 28 Sep 92 03:39:35 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: seawasp@pmax1.cis.pitt.edu

In article <1992Sep27.201930.1215@ccsvax.sfasu.edu> z_copeab@ccsvax.sfasu.edu writes:
>In article <1992Sep27.233456.10325@beaver.cs.washington.edu>, guido@cs.washington.edu (Guido Hunt) writes:
>>[sword of sharpness question deleted]
>
>	First, the DM should be shot for letting you get away with reading
>up on the stats of a magic item you found, and then not nailing you for it.

	Uhn? So, shoot me. I own DMG, PH, and I run games. If I play in
a game and you describe an item, chances are I know it without even reaching
for the book.
	Sounded to me like they were simply bringing up a self evident
problem and trying to find a solution. A GM who was so uptight that they
can't stand players who know anything shouldn't be running games. My
players mostly ALL have the major reference works, and there is no way
I could, would, or should "nail" them for reading THEIR OWN BOOKS.
Even if they were reading mine (with permission) it isn't my place
to punish them. Only if they use  such information IN GAME; this question
did not give me that impression; it appeared to me that the players were
simply questioning the operation of an item which has an obvious effect.

>	To the question: Triple damage is *far* too much. Having the victim
>lose 1d2 hp per round until the wound is tended to.

	Maybe not. I think if your arm or leg is lopped off, the first thing
to go should be the opponent's combat capacity. I mean, Monty Python 
aside, you do NOT see warriors just fighting on after losing a leg or an
arm. They scream, collapse, and noisily bleed to death, or faint. I've
always ruled that the only REAL difference between a vorpal blade and
a sword of Sharpness is that you can usually SAVE the victims of
the latter if you want to; a Vorpal blade just goes snicker-snack and
adds to the body collection. Resurrection is the only cure then.

>>[health elf question deleted]
>	No, he dies at -10. I would consider 'regeneration' from high con to
>be more of a very, very effecient metabolism and healing system, *not* as a
>magical ability.

	In general I'd agree here. Unless, of course, there was a REASON
for it to be magical (the elf was really the son of an angel or something),
and this slow regeneration from death made for interesting plotlines. THEN
I might allow it. But what I consider interesting plotlines make my players
cringe - they'd rather NOT have them! Heh heh...


                                 Sea Wasp
                                   /^\
                                   ;;;
From: cyoung@ctron.com (Chris Young)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Thri-kreen PC (DARK SUN)
Date: 28 Sep 92 20:56:05 GMT
Reply-To: cyoung@cardinals.ctron.com (Chris Young)
Organization: Cabletron Systems INc.

Also besides 4x 1d4 for their natural attacks if you have good strength
(I don't think 18/76 would be uncommon in the Dark Sun world for example)
then you could be dishing out 4x (1d4 + 4 (or more...)).  

That's pretty impressive.

Chris
From: blythe@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Enchanted weapons to hit...
Date: 6 Oct 92 01:19:14 CDT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

In article <1aorbdINNe0p@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>, pkralik@ecst.csuchico.edu (Wintermute) writes:
> Exactly how do you explain to a character *why* an enchanted weapon is needed
> to hit certain more powerful creatures.
... 
> why does the DMG(well, 1st ed anyways...) give a table that allows monsters
> of higher hit dice the ability to damage these creatures.

The only rational I've ever found for creatures with high hit dice being
able to strike monsters with this type of protection is the following:

	Creatures with higher hit dice generally have better treasure
types.  Consider these magically enchanted monsters and what great
easy prey the higher hit dice creatures would be if they would not be
able to strike back.  The protected monsters would just walk right in
and take the treasure with no fear of losing anything themselves.  So,
in order to stop this dilemma, higher hit dice creatures can strike
back.  It keeps a little game balance.
	Player characters are still victims though.  The fighter
dropping the elephant off a cliff would do no damage to the enchanted
monster.  Now if the elephant itself 'wanted' to do damage to the
monster, then I rule damage would occur.
_____________________________________________________________________________

2ftokneel@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu		Garrett Arch Blythe
2ftokneel@ukanvax.cc.ukans.edu		Alias:	Schmoo!!!
blythe@ccstaff.cc.ukans.edu
blythe@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
blythe@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu
blythe@ukanvax.cc.ukans.edu		"Don't say a prayer for me now.
blythe@ukanvm.cc.ukans.edu		 Save it till the morning after."
blytheg@acsaix.cc.ukans.edu			--Save A Prayer
gblythe@hawk.cs.ukans.edu			  Duran Duran
gblythe@venus.cs.ukans.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________