When I CK, I tend to go for fun over realism. (within reason)
Examples: Potions of Warding - drinking it cause you to suddenly emerge with tattoo like symbols on your skin. Touching them causes a trigger event. Using a Ring of Ram to bounce your comrade who just fell dealing damage as usual (from the ring) but deflecting him enough into a haystack such that he doesnt take full damage from a fall.
Its tough to be consistent. But I consider a job well done, if my party still talks about silly events the day after, or even a year after in some cases.
Pro and Con about "fun" gaming?
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Realism vs Fun
I don't see a pro or con to fun gaming. Fun is my goal.
Like my family games over Christmas. They are in the Rift of the Frost Giants from the G series. They know they are trapped. They might be able to sneak everyone out if everything goes well (perfect). But they know if anything goes wrong that they can either sacrifice the one or two party members lives and the rest flee successfully.
That is unacceptable. So they get a crazy idea. They say based on how many Frost Giants they should be able to challenge the Jarl for rulership.
So that is what they do. They go out, revealing themselves boldly to the Frost Giants looking for them, then the Ranger says, "By right proven by all the giants of this hold that I have slain, I challenge to be the new Jarl!"
The ginats stop, shocked, I do some rolls to see if they would buy this argument. I decided the lower the roll the better for the PC's. So I roll a 2.
(I am starting to think Pirates of the Carribean and "parlay" at this point)
So they are led to the Jarl's audience chamber, with more and more giants gathering as word spreads.
So the Jarl is brought out, being quickly informed that this human was challenging him by right of having slain over a dozen clansmen already.
So the Jarl looks at the puny human with his toothpick swords and decides he can't show any fear of this little human, or he would lose lots of "face" with his giants. So, thinking to turn it into a gruesome joke he accepts the challenge.
So they fight. The Ranger pulls out both flame tongue swords that the party had earned as treasure and proceeds to cut down the Jarl in two rounds with 3 hits fighting 2 handed style (with the -3/-6 penalties). (27 points from Ranger levels, 21 points for STR and magic bonuses, 27 points from bonus flame damage, and 14 from 3d8 of basic sword damage.) Doing 89 HP to a 80 HP giant with a 21 AC.
My family roars with excitement at the quick win (the Ranger got hit for 59 HP, BTW).
I'm sitting there trying to decide if the giants would abide by the rules of the win. I figured that they would fear any human who could cut down their Jarl in just 3 slices of a sword. But to avoid showing their fear they just say they abide by the terms of the combat and declare the Ranger their new Jarl.
(Then to mess with my teenage son, who plays the ranger, I have them bring him his new "Queen", a frost giant babe).
So yes, I'll go with the flow when I think it will achieve "fun". IT certainly did with our gaming this Christmas season..
Like my family games over Christmas. They are in the Rift of the Frost Giants from the G series. They know they are trapped. They might be able to sneak everyone out if everything goes well (perfect). But they know if anything goes wrong that they can either sacrifice the one or two party members lives and the rest flee successfully.
That is unacceptable. So they get a crazy idea. They say based on how many Frost Giants they should be able to challenge the Jarl for rulership.
So that is what they do. They go out, revealing themselves boldly to the Frost Giants looking for them, then the Ranger says, "By right proven by all the giants of this hold that I have slain, I challenge to be the new Jarl!"
The ginats stop, shocked, I do some rolls to see if they would buy this argument. I decided the lower the roll the better for the PC's. So I roll a 2.
(I am starting to think Pirates of the Carribean and "parlay" at this point)
So they are led to the Jarl's audience chamber, with more and more giants gathering as word spreads.
So the Jarl is brought out, being quickly informed that this human was challenging him by right of having slain over a dozen clansmen already.
So the Jarl looks at the puny human with his toothpick swords and decides he can't show any fear of this little human, or he would lose lots of "face" with his giants. So, thinking to turn it into a gruesome joke he accepts the challenge.
So they fight. The Ranger pulls out both flame tongue swords that the party had earned as treasure and proceeds to cut down the Jarl in two rounds with 3 hits fighting 2 handed style (with the -3/-6 penalties). (27 points from Ranger levels, 21 points for STR and magic bonuses, 27 points from bonus flame damage, and 14 from 3d8 of basic sword damage.) Doing 89 HP to a 80 HP giant with a 21 AC.
My family roars with excitement at the quick win (the Ranger got hit for 59 HP, BTW).
I'm sitting there trying to decide if the giants would abide by the rules of the win. I figured that they would fear any human who could cut down their Jarl in just 3 slices of a sword. But to avoid showing their fear they just say they abide by the terms of the combat and declare the Ranger their new Jarl.
(Then to mess with my teenage son, who plays the ranger, I have them bring him his new "Queen", a frost giant babe).
So yes, I'll go with the flow when I think it will achieve "fun". IT certainly did with our gaming this Christmas season..
Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
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moriarty777
- Renegade Mage
- Posts: 3735
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:00 am
- Location: Montreal, Canada
That sounds like a lot of fun Treebore!
I have to agree that 'fun' and a good time will always key. I try and have a serious campaign... but, the party is half mad! That in itself has led to some humorous and crazy situations.
Bottom line is enjoyment of the game... but a certain sense of gritty realism in my campaign isn't really sacrificed either. It's all in the roleplay!
Moriarty the Red
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"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"
Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com
I have to agree that 'fun' and a good time will always key. I try and have a serious campaign... but, the party is half mad! That in itself has led to some humorous and crazy situations.
Bottom line is enjoyment of the game... but a certain sense of gritty realism in my campaign isn't really sacrificed either. It's all in the roleplay!
Moriarty the Red
_________________
"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"
Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com
I believe that my natural style is quick fast action, comic relief, exploratory etc. But it never worked till I found my current group. Not to knock the other game, but players of that game tend to dislike my style of play.
Fortunately, I found RPG virgins and moulded them... hehe
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Fortunately, I found RPG virgins and moulded them... hehe
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DangerDwarf
- Maukling
- Posts: 5284
- Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 7:00 am
- Location: East Texas
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cuchulainkevin
- Ulthal
- Posts: 796
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:00 am
Since the overall theme of my campaign is pretty dark and heroic, I try to throw a bit of comic reflief iand silliiness the interludes.
Sometimes even real life is a madcap, zany adventure.
Morty
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A Room Zoom Zoom. A Room Zoom Zoom. Gilly Gilly Gilly Gilly Ot Zat Za Come open the magic door with me, With your imagination there's so much we can see. There is a doorway that leads to a place. I'll find my way by the smile on your face.
Sometimes even real life is a madcap, zany adventure.
Morty
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A Room Zoom Zoom. A Room Zoom Zoom. Gilly Gilly Gilly Gilly Ot Zat Za Come open the magic door with me, With your imagination there's so much we can see. There is a doorway that leads to a place. I'll find my way by the smile on your face.
Ah room zoom zoom, ah room zoom zoom. gilly gilly gilly gilly, gilly ah sa sa. Come through the magic door with me and see the things you never dreamed you'll see.
I'm asking mostly because I know that one of my players gets frustrated sometimes as he's by heart a 3rd ed player. His brother however has totally assimilated into my style. And the other 8 players as well. (The RPG virgins except 2.)
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Big Iron Vault Your friendly neighbourhood gaming magazine. Check out our new webcomic, The Heindrich Project!
The goal of my game is for the players to walk away from a night's session with a feeling that they had fun. In game, I try for realism in the form of "believability". Because of C&C's loose rule system, it allows characters to be more creative with me being the deciding factor whether the creativity pays off or not using believability.
C&C brings imaginative creativity back into role-playing, yea!
C&C brings imaginative creativity back into role-playing, yea!
I usually go for fun also, however most of my gaming is done over the net nowadays. We do manage to get a little humor in there. Here's an example from my game this week, the players are currently exploring Quasqueton (wherin they find the dungeon toilet in area 33):
The GM: The opening is down by the floor, so you have to croutch to inspect it.
Valdus: careful now
Laarg kneels down with shield in front of his face but not concealing his eyes and looks toward the hole
JD (Valdus): save vs death...here it comes
The GM: It's small and is basically a few inches tall, so you couldn't get your shield up to your face.
Mark (Laarg): well im not sticking my head in a un-familiar hole, thats just NUTS
JD (Valdus): so it's not some huge hole or anything that we could walk down
The GM: Nope, only about 3 inches high, at the base of the wall
Campaign saved.
Laarg looks back at Alaric and Valdus
Laarg: Who got a torch?
JD (Valdus): Laarg has dwarf skills...can he tell if it was man made or an animal dug it?
The GM: It's man made
JD (Valdus): I got a torch
Valdus hands Laarg his torch
Laarg: Let me use it
Laarg takes the torch and holds it very close to hole to see inside
Valdus: Should have taken a kobold spear for poking holes
JD (Valdus): looks over at the chest and what Alaric is doing
JD (Valdus): damn it I keep confusing stuff
JD (Valdus): hehe
The GM: Laarg, you stick the torch up to the hole, but can't see in, however as the stone warms, you smell the wonderful scent of urine.
Chris (AlaricCavaro): hahaha
JD (Valdus): mmmm
Mark (Laarg): nice
JD (Valdus): ok time to check what Alaric is up to
Valdus goes over to the chest and Alaric
Laarg backs up away from the potty
JD (Valdus): potty..hehe
The GM: The opening is down by the floor, so you have to croutch to inspect it.
Valdus: careful now
Laarg kneels down with shield in front of his face but not concealing his eyes and looks toward the hole
JD (Valdus): save vs death...here it comes
The GM: It's small and is basically a few inches tall, so you couldn't get your shield up to your face.
Mark (Laarg): well im not sticking my head in a un-familiar hole, thats just NUTS
JD (Valdus): so it's not some huge hole or anything that we could walk down
The GM: Nope, only about 3 inches high, at the base of the wall
Campaign saved.
Laarg looks back at Alaric and Valdus
Laarg: Who got a torch?
JD (Valdus): Laarg has dwarf skills...can he tell if it was man made or an animal dug it?
The GM: It's man made
JD (Valdus): I got a torch
Valdus hands Laarg his torch
Laarg: Let me use it
Laarg takes the torch and holds it very close to hole to see inside
Valdus: Should have taken a kobold spear for poking holes
JD (Valdus): looks over at the chest and what Alaric is doing
JD (Valdus): damn it I keep confusing stuff
JD (Valdus): hehe
The GM: Laarg, you stick the torch up to the hole, but can't see in, however as the stone warms, you smell the wonderful scent of urine.
Chris (AlaricCavaro): hahaha
JD (Valdus): mmmm
Mark (Laarg): nice
JD (Valdus): ok time to check what Alaric is up to
Valdus goes over to the chest and Alaric
Laarg backs up away from the potty
JD (Valdus): potty..hehe
Humor is the core of my game. I joke around with the players. My NPCs have strange personalities. I describe situations that strike me as visually funny or ironic.
On the flip side, I also describe combat to make battles more intense and foster paranoia of impending doom in even the most harmless situations.
Player 1 to player 2 while eating frog legs: "See, I told ya it was just a normal frog."
Player 2 to player 1: "Just wait. Trust me. [The CK] is up to something."
Several rounds later...
Player 2 stands over the body of player 1 whose been slain by a second frog, just like the first, except that it breathes death gas.
Player 2 to player 1: "You gotta protect your con points in this campaign."
Several rounds later....
Frog number 3 hops along...harmless as ever.
Player 2: "I hide in the shadows so it doesn't see me."
Several rounds later...a room with a hundred frogs.
Player 2: "I close the door and jam it shut!"
The mimic impersonating the door eats player number 2.
As Gribble already mentioned, it's all in the details.
Gotta keep the players on the on their guards, curious, on the edge of their seats or laughing. Those are the moments in any game that make the game memorable.
Brian Miller
_________________
"The adventure continues"
On the flip side, I also describe combat to make battles more intense and foster paranoia of impending doom in even the most harmless situations.
Player 1 to player 2 while eating frog legs: "See, I told ya it was just a normal frog."
Player 2 to player 1: "Just wait. Trust me. [The CK] is up to something."
Several rounds later...
Player 2 stands over the body of player 1 whose been slain by a second frog, just like the first, except that it breathes death gas.
Player 2 to player 1: "You gotta protect your con points in this campaign."
Several rounds later....
Frog number 3 hops along...harmless as ever.
Player 2: "I hide in the shadows so it doesn't see me."
Several rounds later...a room with a hundred frogs.
Player 2: "I close the door and jam it shut!"
The mimic impersonating the door eats player number 2.
As Gribble already mentioned, it's all in the details.
Gotta keep the players on the on their guards, curious, on the edge of their seats or laughing. Those are the moments in any game that make the game memorable.
Brian Miller
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.
My campaign has only just begun (first session last night) but I hope to keep things fairly light. Our group has been doing a lot of horror/dark fantasy for the last year or so and I -for one- am ready for a change.
The party is just about to encounter some wererat goblins in the current crawl. IMC, lycanthropes can infect any race (not just humans) and have Regen 1 (except for silver). So I hope that the party will think the goblins are dead after the initial fight and leave the "corpses" only to have them pop up a bit later (possibly attacking them from behind after they've moved on from the room). My goal is to have the PCs good and paranoid after that.
The party is just about to encounter some wererat goblins in the current crawl. IMC, lycanthropes can infect any race (not just humans) and have Regen 1 (except for silver). So I hope that the party will think the goblins are dead after the initial fight and leave the "corpses" only to have them pop up a bit later (possibly attacking them from behind after they've moved on from the room). My goal is to have the PCs good and paranoid after that.
“Style is the perfection of a point of view.”
hehe while we're sharing stories...in the last session the party investigated the mystery of missing cattle. Only to discover that the culprit was an invisible giant bird.
The IGB swallows the mage whole and takes flight. The ranger somehow manages to roll a natural 20, hitting the IGC with a rope arrow. The two fighters try to hold the bird down. Only to have it take flight...
150ft in the air later and creative use of featherfall and ring of the ram, barely saved the party... hehe
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The IGB swallows the mage whole and takes flight. The ranger somehow manages to roll a natural 20, hitting the IGC with a rope arrow. The two fighters try to hold the bird down. Only to have it take flight...
150ft in the air later and creative use of featherfall and ring of the ram, barely saved the party... hehe
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angelius wrote:
hehe while we're sharing stories...in the last session the party investigated the mystery of missing cattle. Only to discover that the culprit was an invisible giant bird.
The IGB swallows the mage whole and takes flight. The ranger somehow manages to roll a natural 20, hitting the IGC with a rope arrow. The two fighters try to hold the bird down. Only to have it take flight...
150ft in the air later and creative use of featherfall and ring of the ram, barely saved the party... hehe
I like this plot!
Brian Miller
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.
serleran wrote:
"I backstabbed a lich!"
Well, kinda sorta. A courageous move for a little guy on the run.
Serl is referring to his halfling's big stand last LGGC in U4 "The Diamond Prison" scheduled for print in June. In fact, the location of his heroic deed is pictured on the cover by Andrea Miller. See Artists Alley for a preview of that cover pic. Serl wrote the new monster section and Steve Chenault took charge of the final edit. Result: a great adventure for mid level characters!
Brian Miller
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.
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moriarty777
- Renegade Mage
- Posts: 3735
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:00 am
- Location: Montreal, Canada
Looking forward to seeing this out in print!
But then again... I look forward to see anything C&C in print!
Moriarty the Red
_________________
"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"
Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com
But then again... I look forward to see anything C&C in print!
Moriarty the Red
_________________
"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"
Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com
angelius wrote:
LOL thanks. I have to add that the other members of the party were hiding under cows peaking through its udders.
Not the best place to hide considering what the IGB was eating...lol.
But visually funny as heck. Very cool.
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.
I like to have realism and fun. Haha, the realism that monsters are evil and like to kill and if the PCs aren't careful, then they will die a horrible death. And if that happens, I have a lot of fun!!
Seriously though, the game is definitely about having fun. The only realism I guess is governed by the rules. In that a fighter can throw a dagger 10 ft., not 50 ft. (accurately anyway), or a 1st level wizard cannot fly. Heh, I love talking about realism in a fantasy game. Well you know what I mean.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Seriously though, the game is definitely about having fun. The only realism I guess is governed by the rules. In that a fighter can throw a dagger 10 ft., not 50 ft. (accurately anyway), or a 1st level wizard cannot fly. Heh, I love talking about realism in a fantasy game. Well you know what I mean.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Rhuvein wrote:
I like to have realism and fun. Haha, the realism that monsters are evil and like to kill and if the PCs aren't careful, then they will die a horrible death. And if that happens, I have a lot of fun!!
Seriously though, the game is definitely about having fun. The only realism I guess is governed by the rules. In that a fighter can throw a dagger 10 ft., not 50 ft. (accurately anyway), or a 1st level wizard cannot fly. Heh, I love talking about realism in a fantasy game. Well you know what I mean.
10 ft. is a way too short for range on a dagger. Heck, I can throw accurately better than that and I'm no expert. Adventures should be far better than me at it! I've thrown bar darts further than 10 feet with accuracy (especially when I've had a few beers before hand) and their weight is measured in ounces.
IMHO I give 60 ft. plus 10 ft. per strength bonus point of the character for range of any thrown weapon. Sure that's probably too far, but let the PCs do heroic stuff. Don't govern them too strictly by assumptions about the laws of physics. Keep in mind that wizards have some SERIOUSLY long range spells and they're doing things that frankly are physically impossible no matter how you look at it. Why let the wizards break all the rules while the fighters have their hands tied behind their backs?
Physics and rules take a back seat to fun and excitement every time. I govern the rules by the laws of fun, not the other way around. At last that's MHO. i.e. if the dwarf rolls a natural 20 I'll let him toss that darn axe 200 feet if it brings a cheer from the whole table. Epic moments. That's what battle is about. Make 'em if chance doesn't provide.
...but run your game however you want. It's your world, not mine.
Brian Miller
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.
miller6 wrote:
10 ft. is a way too short for range on a dagger. Heck, I can throw accurately better than that and I'm no expert.
Well, I doubt it. I've been using throwing knives and axes for years and it takes loads of practice. Not just to hit the target (subdual damage mebbe), but to make it stick and penetrate.
So I can understand and mostly agree with the range figures in the book. That's what I'm saying as far as what one can use as a basis for realism.
But I agree with you about physics or strict use of rules. Adjustments have to and should be made depending on the situation and your game.
I too use distance bonuses for strength to ranged throws as well as damage bonuses based on strength. But penalties come into play with double or triple distance attempts. So a good roll of the dice by some players will yield longer successfull throws!
8)
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
TMIRhuvein wrote:
I've been using throwing knives and axes for years
LOL.
Anyhow, I give adventurers the benefit of the doubt in assuming they can make it stick. I even let 'em lob non-throwing weapons ...and occasionally party members or monsters... YES! http://24.159.235.164:8000/miller6%20we ... tossin.wav
I say, if you can grab it, chuck it and let the CK decide how far it goes after seeing the roll.
Brian
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.
Well as long as consistently holds. I dont see any problem with tossing weapons and what imho.
Line of Sight tends to be the more controversial aspect of my game. But I just use my days as a Wizkids Judge to use Heroclix lines of sight rules and the PCs kinda know that now.
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Line of Sight tends to be the more controversial aspect of my game. But I just use my days as a Wizkids Judge to use Heroclix lines of sight rules and the PCs kinda know that now.
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Big Iron Vault Your friendly neighbourhood gaming magazine. Check out our new webcomic, The Heindrich Project!
miller6 wrote:
Anyhow, I give adventurers the benefit of the doubt in assuming they can make it stick. I even let 'em lob non-throwing weapons ...and occasionally party members or monsters... YES! http://24.159.235.164:8000/miller6%20we ... tossin.wav
Hehe, dwarf tossing ~ snigger. In my C&C chat game, my fellow PCs are always looking to toss my halfling character around. Bastiches!
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Rhuvein wrote:
Hehe, dwarf tossing ~ snigger. In my C&C chat game, my fellow PCs are always looking to toss my halfling character around. Bastiches!
hehe. The problem with tossing halflings is it's kinda like playing golf. I've lost dozens in tall grass, ponds and trees...and the rules say play it where it lands or its a penalty toss for kicking them back into play!
_________________
"The adventure continues"
Promoting C&C at Gary Con and LGGC since 2005.