Comments for Alden Minor http://www.aldenminor.com Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:26:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Healing in Dungeons & Dragons by EvilDM http://www.aldenminor.com/healing-in-dungeons-dragons/comment-page-1/#comment-24 EvilDM Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:26:58 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=274#comment-24 Hopefully my previous post will help you plot and scheme. I suggest multiple plotting and scheming sessions.(either alone or with a co-DM). I talk to Tres about various ideas and theories. He does not always know which I have decided upon for which area/encounter. I am willing to discuss opportunities with you when you need an unbiased ear. Normally a cell phone call on the way home from work does the job. Also allows for additional input into the overall campaign setting. You have my cell. Call and we can discuss options and opportunities!! Hopefully my previous post will help you plot and scheme. I suggest multiple plotting and scheming sessions.(either alone or with a co-DM). I talk to Tres about various ideas and theories. He does not always know which I have decided upon for which area/encounter. I am willing to discuss opportunities with you when you need an unbiased ear. Normally a cell phone call on the way home from work does the job. Also allows for additional input into the overall campaign setting. You have my cell. Call and we can discuss options and opportunities!!

]]> Comment on A Matter of Scale by Rhynn http://www.aldenminor.com/a-matter-of-scale/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Rhynn Sun, 29 May 2011 18:49:04 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=297#comment-22 That event is a fond memory for me (my portion of the party damage not withstanding), and remember the laughter quite well... That event is a fond memory for me (my portion of the party damage not withstanding), and remember the laughter quite well…

]]> Comment on Healing in Dungeons & Dragons by Rhynn http://www.aldenminor.com/healing-in-dungeons-dragons/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Rhynn Sun, 29 May 2011 18:47:17 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=274#comment-21 I like this "problem" in 2e as well. I think it makes more sense that you need for a period of time after getting your ass handed to you. I played the random encounters straight from the module, and I probably should have taken a stance more akin to yours. This scenario is also why I asked you how you handled things. I do think I provided more tension and satisfaction that what you'd get out of the module in 4e. I like this “problem” in 2e as well. I think it makes more sense that you need for a period of time after getting your ass handed to you. I played the random encounters straight from the module, and I probably should have taken a stance more akin to yours. This scenario is also why I asked you how you handled things. I do think I provided more tension and satisfaction that what you’d get out of the module in 4e.

]]> Comment on DM’ing on the Fly – Hide in Shadows by Rhynn http://www.aldenminor.com/dming-on-the-fly-hide-in-shadows/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Rhynn Sun, 29 May 2011 18:43:36 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=287#comment-20 It's an honor to know I thought of something that the EvilDM didn't... It’s an honor to know I thought of something that the EvilDM didn’t…

]]> Comment on A Matter of Scale by EvilDM http://www.aldenminor.com/a-matter-of-scale/comment-page-1/#comment-19 EvilDM Sat, 28 May 2011 15:35:35 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=297#comment-19 Well, we have had an issue the opposite way(not from a DM error). I can recall at least twice that a friendly mage(let's just call him Doldrunn for now) cast a Lightning Bolt in a small room with lots of party and 3 bad guys. Add in about 6 circular columns in the room. The mage decided to "be careful" and only cast the 5' variation (guess he forgot that it extends the length) to avoid hitting party members. SO he gets a low initiative and tosses his spell, blasting the wall and most of the party (some hit MULTIPLE TIMES) He did about 50-70 dmg(total)to the 2 bad guys and about (250 to 300 total) to the rest of the party(counting his own damage to himself). It was a classic event still remembered to this day. The party members were trying VERY hard to be quiet as he prepared to cast this spell in the little bitty room. I have to give some quick glares so that people would not say something to change his spoken planned activity. Some of the party and the people watching(we had people who would just sit and watch in those days) had to get up and walk around a bit to stay shushed. Well, we have had an issue the opposite way(not from a DM error). I can recall at least twice that a friendly mage(let’s just call him Doldrunn for now) cast a Lightning Bolt in a small room with lots of party and 3 bad guys. Add in about 6 circular columns in the room. The mage decided to “be careful” and only cast the 5′ variation (guess he forgot that it extends the length) to avoid hitting party members. SO he gets a low initiative and tosses his spell, blasting the wall and most of the party (some hit MULTIPLE TIMES) He did about 50-70 dmg(total)to the 2 bad guys and about (250 to 300 total) to the rest of the party(counting his own damage to himself).

It was a classic event still remembered to this day. The party members were trying VERY hard to be quiet as he prepared to cast this spell in the little bitty room. I have to give some quick glares so that people would not say something to change his spoken planned activity. Some of the party and the people watching(we had people who would just sit and watch in those days) had to get up and walk around a bit to stay shushed.

]]> Comment on DM’ing on the Fly – Hide in Shadows by EvilDM http://www.aldenminor.com/dming-on-the-fly-hide-in-shadows/comment-page-1/#comment-18 EvilDM Sat, 28 May 2011 15:26:07 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=287#comment-18 AWESOME! The snake thing is great! I shall remember that!! Sadly I did not even think of that :( AWESOME! The snake thing is great! I shall remember that!!
Sadly I did not even think of that :(

]]> Comment on Healing in Dungeons & Dragons by EvilDM http://www.aldenminor.com/healing-in-dungeons-dragons/comment-page-1/#comment-17 EvilDM Sat, 28 May 2011 15:23:59 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=274#comment-17 Dear Rhynn, This is the usual issue with AD&D. The "problem" is actually a nice part of the feel of the game. This lends to better tactics and a group playing "together" not just in the same party. At higher levels(depending on party mix), it can become very important that the party have pre-defined battle actions. Parties that rest in a dungeon are usually going to have random encounters unless the place is a VERY inactive dungeon. What I have done in the past was to have looked at the dungeon/module as a day to day activity from the view of the residents of the area. Orcs do not just sit in a particular room all day waiting for a party to rush in. They have a daily process(or something similar depending on where they are from chaotic to lawful). I vary the entire dungeon based on time the party is moving in plus any activities on the Orc's schedule.(perhaps it is a high holy day for Grummsh)(think that is the name of the Orc God). Also I vary the dungeon and lots of other stuff based on if the party leaves and returns. New tactics, new traps, differing patrols, additional scouts. Just a few ideas...... Dear Rhynn,
This is the usual issue with AD&D. The “problem” is actually a nice part of the feel of the game. This lends to better tactics and a group playing “together” not just in the same party. At higher levels(depending on party mix), it can become very important that the party have pre-defined battle actions. Parties that rest in a dungeon are usually going to have random encounters unless the place is a VERY inactive dungeon. What I have done in the past was to have looked at the dungeon/module as a day to day activity from the view of the residents of the area.

Orcs do not just sit in a particular room all day waiting for a party to rush in. They have a daily process(or something similar depending on where they are from chaotic to lawful). I vary the entire dungeon based on time the party is moving in plus any activities on the Orc’s schedule.(perhaps it is a high holy day for Grummsh)(think that is the name of the Orc God). Also I vary the dungeon and lots of other stuff based on if the party leaves and returns. New tactics, new traps, differing patrols, additional scouts. Just a few ideas……

]]> Comment on Simplified 2e – NWPs by EvilDM http://www.aldenminor.com/simplified-2e-nwps/comment-page-1/#comment-14 EvilDM Thu, 03 Mar 2011 03:36:34 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=212#comment-14 I did the math and I like how it worked out. It will be some adjustment for us to be running the new stuff. I will review your chart when I have my books in front of me. I did the math and I like how it worked out. It will be some adjustment for us to be running the new stuff. I will review your chart when I have my books in front of me.

]]> Comment on Simplified 2e – NWPs by Rhynn http://www.aldenminor.com/simplified-2e-nwps/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Rhynn Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:32:41 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=212#comment-13 Check it out here - http://www.aldenminor.com/simplified-2e-combat/ Check it out here – http://www.aldenminor.com/simplified-2e-combat/

]]> Comment on Simplified 2e – NWPs by Turgon http://www.aldenminor.com/simplified-2e-nwps/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Turgon Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:26:49 +0000 http://www.aldenminor.com/?p=212#comment-12 You could somehow incorporate the 2e "THAC0" progressions as just modifiers to the attack role. This will also have to change the AC from 10-no armor and 0-full plate/shield to 10-no armor and 20-full plate/shield. Just roll the dice like you do with the NWPs and add all mods. You could somehow incorporate the 2e “THAC0″ progressions as just modifiers to the attack role. This will also have to change the AC from 10-no armor and 0-full plate/shield to 10-no armor and 20-full plate/shield. Just roll the dice like you do with the NWPs and add all mods.

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