Eve of Mirkwood [Full]

[Shayuri]

Here's a link that might prove useful.

http://dndsrd.net/unearthedInjury.html

Towards the bottom of the page is a Vitality/Wound Point system that is mentioned as being good for low magic games where healing isn't necessarily available easily.

Another variant rule is that of class defense bonuses, similarly designed to help characters in low magic games keep up with the powercurve when magic bonuses to AC won't be common.

 

[Redclaw]

Aerec, revised

Name: Aerec, son of Shild
Race: Human (Eotheod)
Class/Level: Fighter 2
Gender: Male
Exp 1,030

Desc: Aerec is a young man with obvious ties to the Eotheod. His blond hair is worn long and loose around his face, and his piercing green eyes show the strength of his people.

Strength (STR) 15 +2 (8)
Dexterity (DEX) 14 +2 (6)
Constitution (CON) 14 +2 (6)
Intelligence (INT) 10 +0 (2)
Wisdom (WIS) 10 +0 (2)
Charisma (CHA) 12 +1 (4)

Alignment: Neutral Good
AC: 17
Hit Points:
Movement: 20'

Init: +2
Base Attack Bonus: +2
Melee Attack: +4
Ranged Attack: +4
Fort: +5
Reflex: +2
Will: +0

Race Abilities
bonus feat
+1 skill point per level
favored class: any


Skills: 12+3
Handle Animal +6 (3 ranks +1 Cha +2 feat)
Intimidate +4 (3 ranks +1 Cha)
Ride +9 (5 ranks +2 Dex +2 feat)
Swim -4 (4 ranks +2 str -10 ACP)

Feats
Animal Affinity (human)
Mounted Combat (1st)
Weapon Focus (longsword) (fighter 1)
Ride-by-attack (fighter 2)

Languages - Rohirric, Westron

Money - (150gp -123gp 1sp) 26gp, 9sp

Weapons -
Longsword, +5 to hit, 1d8+2 damage, 19-20 x2, 4lbs, 15gp
Short bow, +4 to hit, 1d6 damage, 20 x3, 60', 2 lbs, 30 gp
20 arrows, 3lbs, 1 gp
Dagger, +4 to hit, 1d4+2 damage, 19-20 x2, 1lbs, 2gp

Armour -
Scale Mail, +4 AC, -4 ACP, 30lbs, 50gp
Light Wooden Shield, +1 AC, -1 ACP, 3lbs, 5gp

Gear -
Backpack 2lb 2gp
Bedroll *5lb 1sp
Flint and steel 0lb 1gp
Hooded Lantern *2lb 12gp
50' hemp rope *10lb 1gp
Sledge *10lb 1gp
Spade *8lb 2gp
Waterskin 4lb 1gp


Horse-Related Gear - (66/150 spent)
Bit and Bridle *1lb 2gp
Military Saddle *30lbs 20gp
Saddlebags *8lbs 4gp
Leather barding *30lbs 40gp


Magic -
None


[sblock=Background] "What, lad? You want to hear your story again?" Shild's surprise was feigned, as usual. "All right. As you well know, it started in the great vale of Anduin, where I learned to ride before I learned to walk. That is the way of the Eotheod. As a necessity, I also learned to fight. Life is difficult north of the Mirkwood, but it is beautiful. The land welcomed me when I was ahorse, and I spent many days riding as far as I could. I encountered a number of strange creatures, and was glad many times for my sword and shield. Despite the danger, I kept riding out alone. I didn't know it at the time, but I was searching for something.

"It was about 20 years ago that I finally found it, although I didn't realize it immediately. I came across an amazing town built on floating platforms on a lake. There I met beautiful lass whom I caught admiring my horse. At first I just laughed at her fearlessness, bravely walking up to the half-wild horse and rider. I teased her a bit, and went on about my business, trading with some of the merchants in the town. Something about her eyes and raven-black tresses haunted my thoughts, however.

"I returned to Lake-Town less than a month later, supposedly for more trade but truthfully to seek out the lass. Lucky for me, and for you, she had been hoping to see me, or at least my horse, again, too. My "trading visits" got more and more frequent, until I hired myself on with one of the merchants as a stablemaster and horse trainer. Not long after that, you joined us and I began your education in the ways of the Eotheod." Shild looked with pride at the 15-year-old lad in front of him. He still had a year or two before he would have fully grown into his heritage, but there was no doubting that he would be a warrior and a horseman, despite his mother's concerns.

"Now, lad. I know you feel ready to ride out and continue where I left off, but you know your mother can't stand the thought of you out there on your own. It's best that you listen to her for now, and stay here in Lake-Town. We'll find you a good job that uses what you know of horses. That will quiet her while you finish growing. After that we can talk again."
[/sblock]
[sblock=Aesctir]Size: large animal, light weight creature (Arabian style, cannot fight while carrying a rider).
HP: 20
Speed: 65ft
AC: 16 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural, +2 armor), touch 11, flat footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+8
Attack: Hoof -2 melee (1d4+1)
Full Attack: 2 hooves -2 melee (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 10ft/5ft
Special Qualities: low light vision/scent
Saves: Fort+7, Ref+4, Will+2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Listen +4, Spot+4
Feats: Endurance, Run, Great Fortitude
Carrying 104 lbs, without Aerec and what he carries.
Carrying Capacity: Light up to 150lbs. Medium 151-300lbs. Heavy 301-450lbs.
Drag Capacity: A light horse can drag up to 2,250lbs but movement restrictions will be applied. [/sblock]

 

[Dlsharrock]

http://dndsrd.net/unearthedInjury.html

Thanks Shay. I'm up for using this, actually. The Vitality/Wounds system looks well suited to Middle-Earth, however I'll require a nod from each player, otherwise we'll stick with the Hit Points and the group can source itself a healer NPC

Before voting yay, please take a moment to read the link provided by Shay (pasted above - please bookmark it if you're voting yay). Things to note: Con damage can have disastrous effects on life and limb with this system and there's a greater risk of sudden death from enemies capable of dealing large amounts of damage with a single hit. On the plus side, its easier to recover from battle or illness, and the higher the level the tougher your PC becomes.

If we go with the variant rules, just swap your existing Hit Points for Vitality Points since we already started out with maximum HPs at level one. Ensure you also remember to add CON for each level. I forgot to check PC sheets that CON was added and suspect I forgot to mention it in my rather convoluted 'how to determine HPs' blitherfest.

The class defence variant seems more fitting for a low-or-no-armour setting, like a seafaring campaign, or I guess a pre-metallurgy era. I know I've limited types of plate, but there's no reason for PCs to go unprotected by light variations of armour.

Please note also: if you decide to vote nay on the variant rule, you needn't justify, or feel you need to justify, your reason to the group.

Thanks for the revisions everyone. I'll scribe everything up onto hard copy character sheets and then we can start thinking about getting this game started.

 

[renau1g]

Yay

 

[Redclaw]

I'm game for trying it.

 

[Shayuri]

As I understand it, the class defenses are mostly to make up for low magic games not possessing the magical AC boosts available to mid and high level characters. They're intended, in short, to replace the natural, deflection, and enhancement bonuses that most characters, in normal D&D, start accruing around level 6 or so, and continue to accrue throughout their lives.

Without such bonuses, AC tends to hit theoretical maximums in the low 20's even for sword and boarders, which makes PC's very vulnerable to otherwise-equivalent CR foes, especially melee pounders with access to Power Attack.

 

[renau1g]

I agree without magical defense's I wouldn't want to go against a Balrog (I know they're very high level, so you'd definitely need something)

 

[Necro_Kinder]

Sure, I'm up for something new.

 

[Binder Fred]

I would ask what he calls me, but it's probably something along the lines of "damn elf," or similar. .

Not to his face, mind. That might be one of your -um - endearing habits actually : require (ever-changing? Moon-based?) titles when addressed by short lives. If you dig, let us know your preferences, my lady.

On the healing front, I'm tight on reading time so count me in as an "Abstains" on that score. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Feng Shui way of doing things though (Feng Shui is a RPG with a very cinematic/Action movie emulating combat system) : simply heal all heroes back to full between scenes. Exactly what constitutes a scene is up to the DM, and might consist of a single battle or a series of linked battles if the PCs have - for example - no time to rest in between or if it makes more dramatic sense. In our case we could transfer all (half of all?) damage to subdual and treat previous wounds as purely cosmetic/roleplay concerns. Depends on the feel you want for the game.

Binder Fred, system-tinkering at competitive costs.

 

[Shayuri]

One Fred to rule them all, and in the darkness...Binder them.