Quote from: Aos;442892I'm going to bag one of these right after I kill me a unicorn.

I am ashamed to admit I misread that as "Bang"....

Quote from: jibbajibba;442888really ? pretty sure I would remember that one .... good at being whipped that I can give you.

Jesus and the moneychangers, it was a more popular story back when Christianity was more blatantly militant.

The wiki article is as good as any: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleansing_of_the_Temple

Quote from: LordVreeg;442894I am ashamed to admit I misread that as "Bang"....

Whatever it takes, man, whatever it takes.

Actually Gandalf was just Santa Claus who decided to take a vacation by visiting MIddle Earth as a break from his tiny version of Elves - it was also easier to get a smoke away from Mrs. Claus that way.


- Ed C.

Let me, for the record, state that I am indeed much higher than a level 5 wizard.  The reasons for my particular spell use have little to do with my actual ability, as alluded here and explained below:

http://www.glyphweb.com/Arda/g/gandalf.html

QuoteAs a Maia, he had many natural abilities that would seem magical to mortal races, but he also had a great store of knowledge of more 'mechanical' magic, worked through spells and incantations, and especially through the agency of his staff. It is clear that he had far greater power, especially after his return as Gandalf the White, than he ever displayed in Middle-earth.

The Valar sent us to Middle-Earth for specific purposes. Some of us abandoned our call, and disregarded the rules and duties with which we were sent. This is why Sauron could be described as having attained level 75. He had no regard for obedience and adhering to duty. He was evil, after all. A servant of and eventual heir to Melkor. We Maiar certainly could have turned Middle Earth into a battle ground amongst ourselves, but it was appointed for the free peoples of Middle Earth to decide their own fate, with our interference only as needed as compensation for Sauron's.

So you see, I, Olórin, known as Gandalf among the citezens of Middle Earth, was not handicapped by ability, but rather duty. From the beginning, it was given to the people to shape their world. We were only called to advise and aid. Nothing more.

Quote from: Gandalf;590957Let me, for the record, state that I am indeed much higher than a level 5 wizard.  The reasons for my particular spell use have little to do with my actual ability, as alluded here and explained below:

http://www.glyphweb.com/Arda/g/gandalf.html



The Valar sent us to Middle-Earth for specific purposes. Some of us abandoned our call, and disregarded the rules and duties with which we were sent. This is why Sauron could be described as having attained level 75. He had no regard for obedience and adhering to duty. He was evil, after all. A servant of and eventual heir to Melkor. We Maiar certainly could have turned Middle Earth into a battle ground amongst ourselves, but it was appointed for the free peoples of Middle Earth to decide their own fate, with our interference only as needed as compensation for Sauron's.

So you see, I, Olórin, known as Gandalf among the citezens of Middle Earth, was not handicapped by ability, but rather duty. From the beginning, it was given to the people to shape their world. We were only called to advise and aid. Nothing more.

The modern interpretation of Gandalf's (your) character is for a aging homosexual to take the part. Do you think any of the guys from the Knights & Knaves Alehouse could pull off such a role?

Quote from: Calithena;134344What is your response?

Gandalf wasn't playing D&D.

Quote from: Koltar;443029Actually Gandalf was just Santa Claus who decided to take a vacation by visiting MIddle Earth as a break from his tiny version of Elves - it was also easier to get a smoke away from Mrs. Claus that way.


- Ed C.

You're thinking of Narnia.

Yeah, I always thought that the whole "gandalf was 5th level" was silly, when based on the actual material from Tolkien, Gandalf was actually a sort of Angel.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPundit;591658Yeah, I always thought that the whole "gandalf was 5th level" was silly, when based on the actual material from Tolkien, Gandalf was actually a sort of Angel.

I think the fundamental problem with people statting out Gandalf is that many Fantasy RPGs have magic as a reliable source of power. You do X,Y, and Z and blah occurs sort of thing. The impression I currently have after re-reading Lord of the Rings, the Simallirion, the Hobbit for the Nth time is that things happen on several levels in Middle Earth. As far as physical actions goes Gandalf was little better than any other healthy skilled individual who was very wise and knowledgeable. A limitation imposed by assuming mortal form (a form that can be killed or hurt).

However on the spiritual level is where Gandalf retain his "angelic" powers. Which works primarily against similar powers like the shadow of Sauron. Although he able to create and control fire both in the Hobbit and the LoTR. But the healing of Theodan, the driving away of the Nazgul are more potent uses of his supernatural abilities.

One thing I disagree with is the view that Gandalf was to be some passive rah rah cheerleader. Because in both books he was an active participant throughout. The reason he could to this was he was naturally limited by the form he and the other Istari had to take. A limitation that was necessary if he was to serve as a aide and not a crutch for the free people of Middle Earth.

And it is consistent with how the evil side worked. Both Melkor and Sauron were much diminished by their involvement with Middle Earth. By trying to take control of Middle Earth they both lost much of the grace that Eru Illuvatar granted them. Although they both remained immensely powerful compared to the average person.

So to me is not a question that Gandal is only 5th level. I don't think D&D can properly represent Gandalf or Middle Earth magic at all. Unless you do something like my Majestic Wilderlands where you adapt D&D to represent Middle Earth. Which can probably be done with some careful design and a reworked magic system.

Click on the picture for a higher resolution:

Aside from all the other reasons listed, the main reasons that article is ridiculous is that it
1. assumes that Gandalf used the full measure of his power.
2. makes laughable assumptions about the spells used.
3. is mostly a joke poking fun at people getting out of hand

I always thought the point of the article was that the game/story is epic, not necessarily your character (i.e. you can be playing an epic game, without needing to be "epic level").

Quote from: Novastar;591840I always thought the point of the article was that the game/story is epic, not necessarily your character (i.e. you can be playing an epic game, without needing to be "epic level").

Yes, and that is a good point.

RPGPundit

Quote from: CRKrueger;591755Aside from all the other reasons listed, the main reasons that article is ridiculous is that it
1. assumes that Gandalf used the full measure of his power.

If he's not, then he's an asshole.

"Gandalf the Grey? No, Gandalf the asshole!"

Quote2. makes laughable assumptions about the spells used.

So Galdalf's magic is so awesome that he kills a couple of goblins and...


...what, exactly?

Quote3. is mostly a joke poking fun at people getting out of hand

Of course it was tongue in cheek but that doesn't change that that going by just what is described in the books and shown in the movies, Gandalf's skeleton powers are pretty weak.