The ONE RING....

[EbonKnight]

Does anybody have an idea of the D&D equivalent to the 'ONE RING' in J R Tolkien's LOTR...

[Stebehil]

The problem with converting items like these is that there are few hard facts to work from.

The ring places you in some kind of ghost-world while making you invisible to the normal world, so probably it is a planeshift to astral plane or even a demiplane (of "Dark Middle Earth?"). Other than that, it is mostly conjecture.

That said, try to locate the old MERP sourcebooks. There was one line called "Lords of Middle Earth", and one volume was about the immortals. Perhaps therein you might find some ideas for RPG conversions.

Stefan

[Kobold Catgirl]

Think of it as a ring of greater invisibility, but with a few additional things:

Every time you use it, there is a 50% chance of summoning 1d8 greater wraiths

Whenever you see it, you must make a will save (DC 20)or become controlled by the ring. The ring generally tries to force you to take the ring, or to protect it. This effect is permanent, but every week away from the ring, you may make an additional will save. However, for every week the ring was in your possession, you add an additional +2 to the save DC.

You may make an Intelligence check (DC 25). If you succeed, you may control the ring. You get a +6 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. You also gain a +4 to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. If you are an arcane caster, you gain 1d4+1 additional spell per day, and 1d4 new spells known. You may also control 9 greater wraiths. Controlling the ring is an act of absolute evil, and thus your alignment switches to CE if you are Chaotic, LE if you are Lawful, etc.

While the ring is in your possession, you cease to suffer from old age.

How's that?

[ArchLich]

Kobold Cleaver wrote:

Think of it as a ring of greater invisibility, but with a few additional things:

[8]Every time you use it, there is a 50% chance of summoning 1d8 greater wraiths

Whenever you see it, you must make a will save (DC 20)or become controlled by the ring. The ring generally tries to force you to take the ring, or to protect it. This effect is permanent, but every week away from the ring, you may make an additional will save. However, for every week the ring was in your possession, you add an additional +2 to the save DC.

You may make an Intelligence check (DC 25). If you succeed, you may control the ring. You get a +6 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. You also gain a +4 to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. If you are an arcane caster, you gain 1d4+1 additional spell per day, and 1d4 new spells known. You may also control 9 greater wraiths. Controlling the ring is an act of absolute evil, and thus your alignment switches to CE if you are Chaotic, LE if you are Lawful, etc.

While the ring is in your possession, you cease to suffer from old age.

How's that?

Seems alittle ... tougher then I would have thought.

[Kobold Catgirl]

Stebehil wrote:

...The ring places you in some kind of ghost-world while making you invisible to the normal world, so probably it is a planeshift to astral plane or even a demiplane (of "Dark Middle Earth?")...

I think you're thinking of the movie representation, which, while good, was actually not wholly accurate in that regard. But maybe I need to brush up on my Knowledge (well-known fantasy books' movies representations)...

[Sharoth]

Kobold Cleaver wrote:

Think of it as a ring of greater invisibility, but with a few additional things:

[8]Every time you use it, there is a 50% chance of summoning 1d8 greater wraiths

Whenever you see it, you must make a will save (DC 20)or become controlled by the ring. The ring generally tries to force you to take the ring, or to protect it. This effect is permanent, but every week away from the ring, you may make an additional will save. However, for every week the ring was in your possession, you add an additional +2 to the save DC.

You may make an Intelligence check (DC 25). If you succeed, you may control the ring. You get a +6 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. You also gain a +4 to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. If you are an arcane caster, you gain 1d4+1 additional spell per day, and 1d4 new spells known. You may also control 9 greater wraiths. Controlling the ring is an act of absolute evil, and thus your alignment switches to CE if you are Chaotic, LE if you are Lawful, etc.

While the ring is in your possession, you cease to suffer from old age.

How's that?

Sweet! Now let us take it to Mount Doom!

[KnightErrantJR]

I can remember reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy, long before the movies came out, and thinking when Frodo put the Ring on that, from its description, he sounded etherial, not invisible, although it seemed like he could still physically interact with the real world.

So I don't think its just an impression from the movies. However, if you just read The Hobbit, it doesn't seem like much more than a ring that grants invisibility.

Interesting question though . . . where there "simple" rings of invisibility in Middle Earth? It seems a bit over powered for the amount of magic in the setting, but at the same time, Gandalf didn't realize it was the One Ring when Bilbo ended up with it.

[damnitall22]

DC 20 for being controlled seems a bit steep for the first save. Makes me wonder how the hell Frodo withstood it for so long to say nothing of Bilbo. DC 10 or 15 would be better. Unless you add in something so that halflings get a bonus to the save since it seems they are more resistant than most.

[GeraintElberion]

I've seen really good arguments that Aragorn is level 5 or 6, Gandalf level 8 and everyon else well behind.

This helps with the idea that The One Ring is a Sentient, evil, Ring of Invisibility that prevents aging, not super bad-ass by epic level standards but pretty transforming for the level 2 Bilbo, Frodo and Smeagol...

[Grimcleaver]

So is the question, "What is the equivalent of the One Ring in D&D" to which the answer would probably be the Hand (or Eye) of Vecna.

Or is the question "How would you emulate the One Ring in D&D" which would be an intelligent (with the highest ego ever) ring of Shadow Walk, with permanent Sympathy cast upon it--as well as functioning as a bound magic item for it's creator giving him a whole suite of abilities (like Iron Body among others) and functioning as his phylactery for the purposes of destroying him.

The ability of the creator of the One Ring's servants to sense it's presence would be more a special ability of the Nazghul template than an ability of the ring itself.

[Charles Evans 25]

J R R Tolkien wrote:

'In Eregion long ago many Elven-rings were made, magic rings as you call them, and they were, of course, of various kinds: some more potent and some less. The lesser rings were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown, and to the Elven-smiths they were but trifles-- yet still to my mind dangerous for mortals. But the Great Rings, the Rings of Power, they were perilous.

'A mortal, Frodo, who keeps one of the Great Rings, does not die, but he does not grow or obtain more life, he merely continues, until at last every minute is a weariness. And if he often uses the ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he becomes in the end invisible permenantly, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the dark power that rules the Rings. Yes, sooner or later-- later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last-- sooner or later the dark power will devour him.

-From The Lord of The Rings, Book I, Chapter 2, The Shadow of the Past.

I should note that the Elves of Tolkienn's Middle Earth are not, strictly speaking, mortals, or at least not in the sense that Gandalf speaking here to Frodo means. The elves never grow old or die, and acording to The Silmarillion, they seem to 'reincarnate' in the realm of Valinor, if they are slain. (There is some speculation over whether the elven lord Glorfindel, who helps defeat the Nazgul at the edge of Rivendell is in fact a reincarnated and returned elven lord who perished fighting a Balrog in lands since destroyed during the 'First Age' of the world, during the sack of Gondolin.) The elven lords, can 'wield' their rings (as can Gandalf (who is a maia) the ring that Cirdan loans him) and theorietically if given the time and inclination could presumably use Sauron's ring, at the cost of almost inevitable eventual corruption.
Rings of power seem to have a different effect upon dwarves. They have no effect upon a dwarf's atual lifespan, nor are dwarven ring bearers subject to domination by Sauron. However it seems to be indicated that the 'seven for the dwarf lords in their halls of stone' did possess the power to inflame their bearers with a lust for gold and jewels- especially if they had a shortage of such things. Gandalf believed that Thrain, the dwarf to bear the last of the seven to remain outside of Sauron's hands, was driven to taking increasingly reckless risks by the ring, until Thrain ended up being captrued, tortured, and the ring taken from him in Sauron's 'lesser dwellings' in Southern Mirkwood. If dwarfs already had gold and jewels, then the dwarven rings seem to have had the power to help them 'use their wealth wisely', massively increasing their treasure troves.

N.B.
IN the CCG 'Middle Earth:The Wizards, the hobbits had a specal 'bonus' to resist being corrupted by items, rings included. Whilst this bonus varied from hobbit to hobbt, they were the only one of the races to have such a bonus, although some items/events could grant bonuses as well.

[Charles Evans 25]

On the subject of 'what else' besides what has already been discussed in posts, I will add the following quote, from Book II (the later half of 'The Fellowship of the Ring), Chapter 7, 'The Mirror of Galadriel'.

J R R Tolkien wrote:

'I would ask one thing before we go,' said Frodo, 'a thing which I often meant to ask Gandalf in Rivendell. I am permitted to wear the One Ring: why cannot I see all the others and know the thoughts of those that wear them?'

'You have not tried,' she said. 'Only thrice have you set the Ring upon your finger since you knew what you possessed. Do not try! It would destroy you. Did not Gandalf tell you that the rings give power according to the measure of each possessor? Before you could use that power you would need to become far stronger, and to train your will to the domination of others. Yet even so, as a Ring-bearer and as one that has borne it on finger and seen that which is hidden, your sight is grown keener. You have perceived my thought more clearly than many that are accounted wise. You saw the Eye of him that holds the Seven and the Nine. And did you not see and recognize the ring upon my finger? Did you see my ring?' she asked turning again to Sam.

Galadriel's reference to Frodo seeing 'the Eye' is referring to a vision Frodo has had moments earlier, whilst using in D&D terms what I would probably classify as a minor artifact level-device with scrying and divination powers. My opinion is that any kind of scrying or divination attempt made by a bearer of the One Ring wll sooner or later turn the spell/vision towards Bard-dur and Sauron. (Attracting his attention and giving him knowledge of the ring-bearer's current whereabouts if contact is not immediately broken off.)

It is hinted at pretty strongly that the the ring (or as a side-effect of being injured by The Witch King of Angmar's morgul knife in the attack on Weathertop) has enhanced Frodo's senses, to the point where he can catch hints of Gollum trailing the party in Moria, whereas no indication is given that anyone else can. (Though in the film, Gandalf does as well.) As a D&D game mechanic I would say that this amounted to something like the Alertness feat being granted on a temporary basis to the bearer of the One Ring, or some additional [circumstance] bonus if the feat were already possessed.
I would also give the current bearer of the One Ring a [circumstance] bonus to sense motive checks against bearers of other rings.

The One Ring's major power, in my opinion, is the Domination aspect, which is seldom touched upon in the book, simply because in the hands of various hobbits seldom does the bearer attempt to bend another person to their will. (Although a case could be made that it helps Frodo to exert a degree of control over Gollum after he and Sam capture Gollum whilst the pair of hobbits are lost amongst the cliffs of the Emyn Muil.) As a D&D mechanic I would give increasing 'benefits' that scaled in proportion to the character's leadership score (Charm/dominate effects on a scale upto epic, ability to detect the current location, status, and thoughts of any others currently wearing rings of Power, and even the ability to 'remotely' charm/dominate such individuals of non-dwarven heritage.) However unless you happen to have at least the Leadership feat you get absolutely none of this, bar perhaps a small [circumstance] bonus to intimidate/bluff checks.
(Though it is implied from things said at The Council of Elrond in Rivendell, that even if you are suitable material to 'use' the ring in this manner, you will still need a period of time to 'attune' yourself to use it in this manner.)

The Ring in Mordor.
The closer The One Ring gets to Mordor (and to both its maker and the place where it was created) the greater its powers become. The DC of any WILL saves that it requires a mortal bearer to make against it should substantially increase and be required more often.
Any numerical bonuses to skill checks or the DC of any of its powers that you may decide that it has and to which the bearer has access may be considered for increases. It is also possible that it translates languages, or at least bestows an ability to comprehend tongues.

-Book IV (the part of The Two Towers that deals with Frodo and Sam's doings), Chapter 10, The Choices of Master Samwise has the following to say:

J R R Tolkien wrote:

He listened. The Orcs from the tunnel and the others marching down had sighted one another, and both parties were now hurrying and shouting. He heard them both clearly, and he understood what they said. Perhaps the Ring gave understanding of tongues, or simply understanding, especially of the servants of Sauron its maker, so that if he gave heed, he understood and translated the thought to himself. Certainly the Ring had grown greatly in power as it approached the places of its forging; but one thing it did not confer, and that was courage. At present Sam still thought only of hiding, of lying low till all was quiet again; and he listened anxiously. He could not tell how near the voices were, the words seemed almost in his ears.

[Charles Evans 25]

On the topic of 'spell-casting', Gandalf is extremely reluctant to use it, throughout the Lord of the Rings, because Sauron and his most powerful servants (and presumably Saruman as well) have the ability to potentially notice such (to borrow a term from Star-Wars) 'disturbances in the force'. Gandalf himself says in the The Fellowship of the Ring (when forced by bad weather to use magic to start a campfire in a snowstorm):

J R R Tolkien wrote:

'I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.'

And having been beaten back from the Redhorn Gate (pass) by the severe weather, they are ambushed by a pack of Wargs the very next night. (Wargs whose bodies vanish without a trace, with the coming of the next dawn.)

As a final note, I would have to urge that you consider long and hard the potential implications, if attempting to run a specifically 'Middle Earth campaign' based on the Lord of the Rings, of what you may be letting yourself in for.
There are horror stories of DMs whose players are sick to death of fighting orcs (in middle-earth, goblins are a smaller and cleverer species of orc) with the occasional troll thrown in by the end of such campaigns, and a LOT of people will have seen the films and/or read the books and will have there own opinions on whether or not you have 'got something right'. If you think that you can manage to run a game that is something other than a marathon orc-killing spree (or if your characters enjoy marathon orc killing sprees) then may the favour of the Valar go with you, and I for one wll be interested to read your campaign journal if you post it on the message boards here.
(The back of the third volume, The Return of the King contains a timeline for the second and third ages of Middle Earth which may or may not be useful, whilst the First Age is covered by The Silmarillion, if you can cope with a more 'mythic' mode of story-telling. Plus Iron Crown produced a whole line of role-playing material for their own system for role-playing in Middle-earth.)

[Thieving Wasp]

damnitall22 wrote:

DC 20 for being controlled seems a bit steep for the first save. Makes me wonder how the hell Frodo withstood it for so long to say nothing of Bilbo. DC 10 or 15 would be better. Unless you add in something so that halflings get a bonus to the save since it seems they are more resistant than most.

Good point. How's this:

The ring is easier to resist for some. Depending how you begin possession of the ring, it can be a bit safer:
If the subject begins his ownership with pity when it would be more sensible to simply kill them, he gains a +5 to his save. Should he begin it when he knows what it is, and that it is evil (assuming he is not)he gets a +6. If the subject has never killed an intelligent creature before, he gains an additional +2. These effects stack. This is because the ring is completely alien to pity or innocence.

See? Note that Borimeer was a fighter, so he was too combat centered to really have a decent will save. Plus, he probably killed before. Bilbo, on the other hand, had never killed an intelligent creature in his life. Remember, also, that halflings get an additional +1 to their save. Thus, assuming that Bilbo was a 1st-level rogue (of course he leveled up later)with average ability scores, he would get a +11 to his save. Smeagul, on the other hand, began his ownership with killing his brother. Ouch. Plus, I think that the ring sorta did control him, at least in the later years. He was pretty unwilling, wasn't he? But for the sake of Frodo, he gave it up. Perhaps i need to include a bonus if you wish to give it up for a loved one's sake. Hmm.

[Skuldin]

****NOTE*****

Rolemaster's Gorgoroth (the first RPG Book I ever received) has Sauron, the Nine Nazgul and the One Ring all detailed in full with all their gear). I can copy you the One Ring....it doubles your level when you put it on...

In rolemaster you gain more levels but the levels do less and less as you go up. Meaning the difference between a level 20 and a level 35 does matter but killing the level 35 is not impossible.

So for Frodo going from D20 Level 2 to 4 and the fact that as a hobbit could not or at least did not discern any of its powers outside stepping into the Shadow World means he saw little of its overall powers which are mighty.

Sauron in Rolemaster was Level 240 when he started to forge the ring but he bound part of his soul to it bringing him to 180th level. (think d20 level 30 dropping to level 20). But when he put it on he became level 360.

Same with Gandalf he would go from 50 to 100...

So for a hobbit or even someone like Boromir they wouldnt truly get the full effect like you would if you were already powerful and especially knew all its powers.

I will copy down all its "official" ICE powers in here as I get time. Gorgoroth is a superb book and I recommend it highly for any fans of LOTR of any game system.

[Skuldin]

Skuldin wrote:

****NOTE*****

Rolemaster's Gorgoroth (the first RPG Book I ever received) has Sauron, the Nine Nazgul and the One Ring all detailed in full with all their gear). I can copy you the One Ring....it doubles your level when you put it on...

In rolemaster you gain more levels but the levels do less and less as you go up. Meaning the difference between a level 20 and a level 35 does matter but killing the level 35 is not impossible.

So for Frodo going from D20 Level 2 to 4 and the fact that as a hobbit could not or at least did not discern any of its powers outside stepping into the Shadow World means he saw little of its overall powers which are mighty.

Sauron in Rolemaster was Level 240 when he started to forge the ring but he bound part of his soul to it bringing him to 180th level. (think d20 level 30 dropping to level 20). But when he put it on he became level 360.

Same with Gandalf he would go from 50 to 100...

So for a hobbit or even someone like Boromir they wouldnt truly get the full effect like you would if you were already powerful and especially knew all its powers.

I will copy down all its "official" ICE powers in here as I get time. Gorgoroth is a superb book and I recommend it highly for any fans of LOTR of any game system.

OK official ICE Stats from Gorgoroth:

Will: Part of Sauron's own essence is in the ring and it is totally and irreversably evil. It can control its own size shrinking to fit or expanding to fall off an unsuitable wearer. Its will is uncontrollable to any who have not "mastered" the Ring. Mastery takes 600 days minus the wearers level (remember Rolemaster uses level 1-50 as levels so here I would do D20 level x3) and the ring resists at 60th level (agains /3 here so 20th level). Only Sauron can ever truly master the ring and eventually even someone like Gandalf would run afoul of it.

Powers: The One's primary abilities are to enhance the abilities and nature of the wielder. This will make the individual wearing it exceed at whatever capabilities they currently posses. For instance if they were a weaponsmith their effective skill at smithing would double.

-Draw the wielder into the wraith world, rendering him invisible to all those who are not of that realm. Creatures who make their home in this awful place, such as the Nazgul, can see the wearer perfectly. The wearer is also able to see those things that are invisible.

-Some senses are enhanced. Hearing and smelling become acute, and it bestows the wielder with the ability to "see" magical forces. (I'd add +5 to search, spot, listen and probably give detect magic continuous on the wearer).

-Drastically slows the effects of aging to near immortality however it slowly warps the wielder to a hideous creature of Darkness (i.e. gollum). Note: here I would use corruption points and maybe those tables from the Book of Vile Darkness or unearthed Arcana to see what happens to the wielder over many years. Eventually you will become a wraith such as the Nazgul...Gollum did not make it this far and the ability is latent meaning if you own hte ring it will happen to you even if you dont wear it.

-Permits the wielder to control or resist any item made with the Ring's help such as the traps of Barad-dur.

-The Ring cannot be destroyed by any method save by the fires of Orodruin where it was forged. If destroyed all of the other rings of power lose their potency and sauron and his nazgul become utterly powerless and pass from Arda.

MASTERY: Now if the appropriate amount of time and power is used to "master" the One Ring you get some sweet stuff.

-The Ring serves as a x18 Power Point Multiplier for all realms and professions (in d20 if you use memorized spells they basically would have 18 times as many spells or a crazy powerful version of a ring of wizardy). If you use spell points or mana etc take however many they have and X18.

-The wielder is able to control the wearers of the Nine Rings of Power. (this does not include the wearers of the Three Elven Rings of Power). Control may be exercised regardless of range or circumstances. (Wow basically you can mentally and irrevocably command the Nazgul)

-All spells have their range tripled, and the wielder may cast spells at any target he can see, even iwth the aid of a scrying device (palantiri).

-The bearer of the Ring may exert powers of command and control over others. This is especially true when dealing with evil creatures who instinctively fear the Ring. (ultra powerful dominate monster level 20 or 30 resist).

ICE Gorgoroth page 33.

[Kobold Catgirl]

Charles wrote:

The closer The One Ring gets to Mordor (and to both its maker and the place where it was created) the greater its powers become. The DC of any WILL saves that it requires a mortal bearer to make against it should substantially increase and be required more often...

I thought that Frodo only weakened because of how long he had it. Maybe I'm wrong.