Middle-Earth Pen and Paper RPG

Gwaimir Windgem · 01-26-2003, 07:57 PM

This isn't the same kind of thing that's in the RPG forum, so I didn't think it belonged there: but other than that, I don't really know what forum it belongs; this was my best guess.

Anyway: Does any here know of a good pen and paper Middle-Earth roleplaying game? One that's pretty accurate to Tolkien's vision of Middle-Earth? I'm hoping to play a pen and paper style Lord of the Rings RPG online, and I need material: Anyone have any advice?

Thanks in advance!

**Nurvingiel** · 01-26-2003, 08:53 PM

By 'pen and paper', I assume you're referring to RPG's like Dungeons and Dragons.

I believe D&D was actually partly based on Tolkien's Middle-earth. They have Ents, except they can't call them "Ents".

I think Rifts could be adapted to Middle-earth quite nicely if you wanted to have Middle-earth as an alternate dimension or world. I think they should make a conversion book for it!

However, Rifts earth isn't anything like Middle-earth!

Good luck.

Coney · 01-26-2003, 09:00 PM

You need MERP (middle earth role playing) published by Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE) Gwaimer....

This is a link for a fan-site, should be a good taster-

http://www.lamorna.abelgratis.co.uk/...p/merp_frm.htm

ICE is now out of commision, but a lot of their source material is still up for sale (and it is very good).

Gwaimir Windgem · 01-26-2003, 09:07 PM

So MERP should be the most true to Tolkien's Middle-Earth? I found on Amazon.com a Lord of the Rings: Roleplaying Game: Corebook, Middle-Earth Role Playing by Iron Crown Enterprise, and Middle-Earth Role Playing published by Berkeley Pub Group; I'm not sure what to buy...(I actually ordered the LotR corebook! I can't believe I did that!)

Gwaimir Windgem · 01-26-2003, 11:21 PM

And if anyone is interested, I'd be glad to have a few more people.

So far there's me my brother and one other person; he's a movie person, but he is reading the books. A couple more would be great.

We could do it on either MSN or AIM, since the folks have both of those.

afro-elf · 01-29-2003, 11:35 PM

BEWARE MERP

it is NOT true to the Tolkein feel

You want RPG go here

http://www.decipher.com/lordoftherings/rpg/

they have the official license

Wayfarer · 01-29-2003, 11:49 PM

Yes. I'd go with the decipher RPG. The decipher gang has done a really bang up job on that one.

afro-elf · 01-30-2003, 12:58 AM

My thoughts on MERP

The biggest gripe is the magic.

magic in Middle-earth as being very subtle, evocative, and
flavorful. It's one of the major elements of the setting and its "feel," and
thus one that it's important to get just right. It's not like magic in most
fantasy RPGs â€” wizards can't fly, summon demons, toss fireballs around, walk
through walls, or anything like that. They're not walking arcane artillery
pieces. Though magic in Middle-earth can be powerful, most spells are
relatively low-key and utilitarian. They allow a spellcaster to kindle fire,
open (or lock) doors, interact with animals, things like that (though there
are a few that are straightforward combat applications). Getting all that
across, explaining how magic is low-key but not necessarily low-powered, is
tricky.

Merp was just high magic D&D clone.

the races were mechanically balanced which is not the way the book is written.

Calaquendi are superior to everyone. Elves in general are better than everybody else.

In MERP the races all had plusses minuses to make all the races on par.

they followed the basically the same classes as most rpg's and not like Tolkien.

BUT it did have great background materials that is hard to beat. That I will definately say.

Gwaimir Windgem · 01-30-2003, 01:43 AM

Well, the LotR RPG Corebook got here; since it had lots of pictures from the movies, I thought it was gonna be pretty movie based, but so far, looks like I was wrong. They even give the Gondorians names in Elvish! Though it looks like you can become a Wizard eventually, but other than that, it looks great.

Gwaimir Windgem · 02-01-2003, 01:51 AM

Ok, I have a few questions about the Geography of Middle-Earth for the LOTR RPG: Rhovanion is basically the area West of the Misty Mountains, South of the Grey Mountains, and North of Dunland, right? Also, does Radagast live in Rhovanion, or am I wrong there?

Wayfarer · 02-01-2003, 01:55 AM

You're a little off. It's the area east if the misty mountains and south of the grey mountains, especially the area around mirkwood.

Gwaimir Windgem · 02-01-2003, 02:13 AM

Gah, that's what I meant. Silly me.

Does Radagast live there?

01-26-2003, 07:57 PM	#1
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Middle-Earth Pen and Paper RPG This isn't the same kind of thing that's in the RPG forum, so I didn't think it belonged there: but other than that, I don't really know what forum it belongs; this was my best guess. Anyway: Does any here know of a good pen and paper Middle-Earth roleplaying game? One that's pretty accurate to Tolkien's vision of Middle-Earth? I'm hoping to play a pen and paper style Lord of the Rings RPG online, and I need material: Anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance! __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

01-26-2003, 09:00 PM	#3
Coney The Buddy Rabbit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Trapped in the headlights.. Posts: 3,372	You need MERP (middle earth role playing) published by Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE) Gwaimer.... This is a link for a fan-site, should be a good taster- http://www.lamorna.abelgratis.co.uk/...p/merp_frm.htm ICE is now out of commision, but a lot of their source material is still up for sale (and it is very good). __________________ Blessed are the cracked, they let the light in Beatallica

01-26-2003, 09:07 PM	#4
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	So MERP should be the most true to Tolkien's Middle-Earth? I found on Amazon.com a Lord of the Rings: Roleplaying Game: Corebook, Middle-Earth Role Playing by Iron Crown Enterprise, and Middle-Earth Role Playing published by Berkeley Pub Group; I'm not sure what to buy...(I actually ordered the LotR corebook! I can't believe I did that!) __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

01-26-2003, 11:21 PM	#5
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	And if anyone is interested, I'd be glad to have a few more people. So far there's me my brother and one other person; he's a movie person, but he is reading the books. A couple more would be great. We could do it on either MSN or AIM, since the folks have both of those. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

01-29-2003, 11:35 PM	#6
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	BEWARE MERP it is NOT true to the Tolkein feel You want RPG go here http://www.decipher.com/lordoftherings/rpg/ they have the official license __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer. Last edited by afro-elf : 01-29-2003 at 11:37 PM.

01-29-2003, 11:49 PM	#7
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	Yes. I'd go with the decipher RPG. The decipher gang has done a really bang up job on that one. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned Last edited by Wayfarer : 01-29-2003 at 11:51 PM.

01-30-2003, 12:58 AM	#8
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	My thoughts on MERP The biggest gripe is the magic. magic in Middle-earth as being very subtle, evocative, and flavorful. It's one of the major elements of the setting and its "feel," and thus one that it's important to get just right. It's not like magic in most fantasy RPGs â€” wizards can't fly, summon demons, toss fireballs around, walk through walls, or anything like that. They're not walking arcane artillery pieces. Though magic in Middle-earth can be powerful, most spells are relatively low-key and utilitarian. They allow a spellcaster to kindle fire, open (or lock) doors, interact with animals, things like that (though there are a few that are straightforward combat applications). Getting all that across, explaining how magic is low-key but not necessarily low-powered, is tricky. Merp was just high magic D&D clone. the races were mechanically balanced which is not the way the book is written. Calaquendi are superior to everyone. Elves in general are better than everybody else. In MERP the races all had plusses minuses to make all the races on par. they followed the basically the same classes as most rpg's and not like Tolkien. BUT it did have great background materials that is hard to beat. That I will definately say. __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

01-30-2003, 01:43 AM	#9
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Well, the LotR RPG Corebook got here; since it had lots of pictures from the movies, I thought it was gonna be pretty movie based, but so far, looks like I was wrong. They even give the Gondorians names in Elvish! Though it looks like you can become a Wizard eventually, but other than that, it looks great. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

02-01-2003, 01:51 AM	#10
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Ok, I have a few questions about the Geography of Middle-Earth for the LOTR RPG: Rhovanion is basically the area West of the Misty Mountains, South of the Grey Mountains, and North of Dunland, right? Also, does Radagast live in Rhovanion, or am I wrong there? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

02-01-2003, 01:55 AM	#11
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	You're a little off. It's the area east if the misty mountains and south of the grey mountains, especially the area around mirkwood. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

02-01-2003, 02:13 AM	#12
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Gah, that's what I meant. Silly me. Does Radagast live there? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle