Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2011 16:56:27 GMT -6
I'm almost afraid to chip in here, seeing as (a) I'm the one wrote the material under discussion and (b) at least one person has left in a snit over it, but here goes.
I had some background in wargames and chess, but not the rather extensive experience the two co-authors of the game had. The game was new when I bought it, the supplements weren't even out yet, and I didn't know anyone who had ever played it. The interpretation that went into the Delving Deepers rules was the one I came up with when I "cold" read the original boxed set rules. This is, by no means, the only way I've run elves over the years but I've always returned to this interpretation.
Someone asked EGG over on Dragons Foot the same question and here is the answer he gave ... but first a few caveats. As pointed out elsewhere in this thread, Gary changed over time. No shame on him, it's a natural process and we all do that; change is the only evidence of growth. So, it is possible he was ret-conning the elf, or that he mis-remembered what he intended, or even that he was trying to "white-out" an error. It might even be said I'm misinterpreting both the rules and his clarification of same.
(There! I think I've covered all the bases!)
That said, here is a similar question to the one that started the discussion, along with his reply and the link to the original post.
In the original D&D booklets of 1974, it says that elves can advance either as fighting-men or magic-users. They can switch between these classes between, but not during, adventures.
What does that mean exactly? Do they only gain XP for one class at a time? Do they only get the benefits of one class at a time? If the latter, would that include things like hit points?
Or is it just an ambiguity that was fixed with the later multiclassing rules?
[...]Actually the booklet is quite clear in this regard. An elf can act as a [Fighter] and use armor, gain XPs in [that] class, or one can act as a Magic-User and likewise gain XPs. What isn't clear is the HD. When an advance in level is indicated, the elf gains one-half a HD whether the advance is in the Fighter or M-U class. Thus the elf is operating at a disadvantage, not an advantage, in regards HPs.
Link: www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=10004&start=315 (third post from the top of the page)
I hope this helps rather than fans the flames again. My apologies in advance if this upsets anyone. Please don't leave! And feel free to PM me if you don't want to discuss this openly.
edit to repair url tags
I had some background in wargames and chess, but not the rather extensive experience the two co-authors of the game had. The game was new when I bought it, the supplements weren't even out yet, and I didn't know anyone who had ever played it. The interpretation that went into the Delving Deepers rules was the one I came up with when I "cold" read the original boxed set rules. This is, by no means, the only way I've run elves over the years but I've always returned to this interpretation.
Someone asked EGG over on Dragons Foot the same question and here is the answer he gave ... but first a few caveats. As pointed out elsewhere in this thread, Gary changed over time. No shame on him, it's a natural process and we all do that; change is the only evidence of growth. So, it is possible he was ret-conning the elf, or that he mis-remembered what he intended, or even that he was trying to "white-out" an error. It might even be said I'm misinterpreting both the rules and his clarification of same.
(There! I think I've covered all the bases!)
That said, here is a similar question to the one that started the discussion, along with his reply and the link to the original post.
In the original D&D booklets of 1974, it says that elves can advance either as fighting-men or magic-users. They can switch between these classes between, but not during, adventures.
What does that mean exactly? Do they only gain XP for one class at a time? Do they only get the benefits of one class at a time? If the latter, would that include things like hit points?
Or is it just an ambiguity that was fixed with the later multiclassing rules?
[...]Actually the booklet is quite clear in this regard. An elf can act as a [Fighter] and use armor, gain XPs in [that] class, or one can act as a Magic-User and likewise gain XPs. What isn't clear is the HD. When an advance in level is indicated, the elf gains one-half a HD whether the advance is in the Fighter or M-U class. Thus the elf is operating at a disadvantage, not an advantage, in regards HPs.
Link: www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=10004&start=315 (third post from the top of the page)
I hope this helps rather than fans the flames again. My apologies in advance if this upsets anyone. Please don't leave! And feel free to PM me if you don't want to discuss this openly.
edit to repair url tags