[Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Hypothetically, if you were to create a completely new RPG for middle earth, what would the essential rule elements be to achieve a proper reflection of the books and Tolkien's style? Would it be a class-based system? Would combat use hit locations or something less specific? How would personality traits come into play? How would magic be handled? What about things like doom, purpose, despair, destiny and other more esoteric elements?
Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivsavage
Hypothetically, if you were to create a completely new RPG for middle earth, what would the essential rule elements be to achieve a proper reflection of the books and Tolkien's style? Would it be a class-based system? Would combat use hit locations or something less specific? How would personality traits come into play? How would magic be handled?
The central problem of any LOTR RPG is how to have very powerful (Gandalf, Aragorn) and very ordinary (Pippin, Merry) characters in the same group. Elves are simply more bad-ass than almost anyone else, so how do you ensure people can play chars of very different power levels and still enjoy themselves.
The second problem is how to codify magic in a playable way that fits how it works in Tolkein's work.
The third problem is how to brainwash Christopher Tolkein into letting you use material from the Silmarillion and the Unpublished works.
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Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Hmm.
Basically you need a system that can do Beowulf/Volsungsaga/Hrolf Kraki type action.
This covers your Thorin's dwarves and your Aragorns and your Boromirs.
Then you need a sub-system where with a bunch of hero points or drama points, a bunch of fat hairy hobbits can survive.
You also should make wizard types NPCs (though allowing a "scholar" or "loremaster" type character who can heal some wounds and work some magic PC types would be good. Preferably this type would be restricted to Elves or Dunedain.)
And that's about it.
Gavin
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Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
I think some kind of 'Determination' attribute would be key to modeling the hobbits.
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Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
I think personal history is essential. Every character in the books have a rich history. Perhaps, like Pendragon, it would add to your characters stats.
Wizards are powerful but spotty. I don't see them as player characters.
I don't think elves are any better in combat than dwarves or anybody else.
Corruption needs to be a major factor.
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Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Dark Lords, Black Riders, Mysterious Wizards Who Are Powerful But Don't Show It, Elves, Hobbits Who Eat Everything And Can Resist Corruption, Nasssssty Elvesses, Dwarves Who Like Gold Gold Gold, Dirty Steenkin Rangers
Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivsavage
Hypothetically, if you were to create a completely new RPG for middle earth, what would the essential rule elements be to achieve a proper reflection of the books and Tolkien's style? Would it be a class-based system? Would combat use hit locations or something less specific? How would personality traits come into play? How would magic be handled? What about things like doom, purpose, despair, destiny and other more esoteric elements?
Classes? No.
Hit locations? No.
Personality traits are major. Magic needs to be subtle and evocative of the setting.
For the rest, review the LOTR RPG published by Decipher. They hit it pretty close to the mark on all those points, IMO.
However, many of the essentials for a proper ME RPG are tied up in rights issues with the Tolkien estate, pretty much guaranteeing that an official definitive LOTR/ME RPG will never happen.
Homebrews would be the only way to see the most accurate and inclusive LOTR/ME RPG, I believe.
Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivsavage
Hypothetically, if you were to create a completely new RPG for middle earth, what would the essential rule elements be to achieve a proper reflection of the books and Tolkien's style? Would it be a class-based system? Would combat use hit locations or something less specific? How would personality traits come into play? How would magic be handled? What about things like doom, purpose, despair, destiny and other more esoteric elements?
If you would like to take a look at the new version of Hither Lands, much of the issues you have brought up are addressed. Send me a PM with your email address for the pdf.
I know Ambarquenta is going to be very good once it is finally completed and the Unisystem version is excellent as well.
I think in some areas (especially magic) Hither Lands is spot on.
Re: [Lord of the Rings] what are the essential elements of a middle earth RPG?
Stop using the phrase 'lord of the rings' and your pretty much set. Forget that stuff and use the setting. Suddenly you have a game with a lot of edge to it. You only need to introduce the peoples of the far east and suddenly you have a game that makes Lankhmar look like a planned community.
If you get sucked into the plot of the books your cashed in and there is no escaping it that grind.
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