Would elves of Lorien be available?
I have not decided.
I'm really torn but I'm starting to drift in the direction of a Dwarven craftsman, a many generations removed relative of Telchar, who wishes to create a work that approaches the craft of forgotten Ages.
I think I'll hold out for maybe Dunlendings being allowed. Elsewise, I'd be glad to play a dwarf or a Man of Minas Tiraith. Perhaps I could play a Warden or Scholar...
If playing a dwarf, I'd actually lean toward playing a dwarf that's pretty much lived in Isildur's court long enough that he doesn't see his homeland as 'home' anymore (and perhaps I could have standing with Minas Tirith instead of Erebor/another place?). If playing a Man of Minis Tirith, I'd be leaning toward playing an erudite knight who believes in solving problems carefully and patiently. And if Dunlendings were allowed... I feel like playing a more wild sort of knight that's known for going on long, lengthy quests - whatever his King demands - and for disappearing for months or years at a time in pursuit of those quests.
So is this going forward, or should I quit checking?
Consider me very interested as well.
I've played MERP, ROLEMASTER and just getting into ONE RING.
I've read the books many times as well as Tolkiens translations of Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Sir Orfeo.
Tarondor stated he was working on it.
@scranford: Yes, it is, but Tarondor won't be getting up a recruitment thread just yet as he's still working out the details.
That's right. This is important to me. I'd rather start it later and get it right, then sooner and have to make up for mistakes made early on.
You need not check in. I'll alert everyone on this list by PM when I'm ready to move forward.
I am also interested, Tarondor!
I've been working on the Isildur Rex idea and I'm just about ready to abandon it. Not my plans for a game, just for -that- game. It's a neat idea, but I'm just running into to many plot issues.
I'm thinking about a "Shadows of Angmar" type game now. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks, will be watching.
That's Shadow of Mordor.
I'm referring to the popular story-line of the first Epic Quest in "Lord of the Rings Online" (LOTRO) called "Shadows of Angmar" (which was the original subtitle of LOTRO until they added Moria.
It's also a pretty popular theme for LoTR rpgs (along with the ever-popular "Return of the Shadow" set in the Fourth Age.)
I was trying to be semi-original with "Isildur Rex", but the set-up work was just getting out of hand.
I'm very familiar with Shadows of Angmar. My friends and I call it Angrymar. It's a frustrating section. It's one of the few times I wanted to cry playing a video game out of sheer frustration. I just couldn't figure out how to find this one section. It took hours, and I kept getting killed. It did have an awesome story line. Been a while since I've been back to those areas in the game.
I liked LOTRO quite a bit. Heading through Fornost and the Barrow-downs was great fun.
The system for this is the independent set of rules that Cubical 7 did several years back not the recent 5e compatible version is that correct?
The system for this is the independent set of rules that Cubical 7 did several years back not the recent 5e compatible version is that correct?
Correct
Don't really remember the plot, but basically starting in Eriador and paralleling the timeline of LotR?
Yes. I'm not saying we'll be playing with -that- plot, just with the idea that Angmar is on the rise and that with the eyes of the Rangers and Rivendell turned south, Eriador is defenseless.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Okee-doke. I'm ready to go. Or, since I've never before run a TOR game, I'm as ready as I'm going to get.
So here is my one remaining dilemma: I do not have unlimited time. Therefore, I am going to limit this game to NO MORE THAN six players. How should I determine who gets in? Friends first? People I've played with before? A lottery?
Tell you which option I like least: having everyone make a character first and then choose. Let me tell you, that's starting to get on my nerves as a player. Writing up some big background only to never use it is quite annoying and I won't do it to you.
So here is what I'm going to do. Rather than put out a recruitment thread, this now becomes that thread and recruitment is closed. Only those who have previously posted here will be considered. I'm going to post a note to everyone and ask them to reaffirm their interest given the passage of time and the change of subject matter.
The pool of potential players includes:
1) Black Dow
2) scranford
3) thejeff
4) CariMac
5) Eminem80
6) Ariarh Kane
7) Elegantly Wasted
8) WarForgedMan
9) Spazmodeus
10) James Keegan
11) Teiidae
12) Inlaa
13) Terevalis Unctio of House Mysti
14) Hyregoth
15) CircadianRythms
16) Gnomezrule
I’ll give everyone until midnight, Sunday April 9th. At that point I’ll select six players by methods yet to be decided. Suggestions welcome.
Here are the ground rules you’ll want to consider when deciding whether to play:
A. The available races will be:
- Dunlendings
- Dwarves of the Blue Mountains
- Silvan Elves of Lindon (adapting Elves of Mirkwood rules)
- Wayward Elves of Lindon (adapting Wayward Elves of Mirkwood rules)
- Hobbits of the Shire
- Men of Bree
- Men of Minas Tirith
- Riders of Rohan
- Woodmen of the Emyn Vorn (adapting Woodmen of Wilderland rules)
and
- High Elves of Rivendell (no more than one)
- Rangers of the North (no more than one)
B. The plot will take place mostly in Eriador
C. I expect everyone to try to post once per weekday.
D. I reserve the right to change, do away with or screw up the rules in the service of story.
E. Fun > Story > Plot > Mechanics
F. I expect YOU (yes, you!) to move forward the story. Stagnation is everyone’s fault.
G. Although I don’t want characters prior to selecting players, I do expect every character to have a background and a full-body image. I’m every bit as interested in your character’s thoughts and relationships as I am in the plot. Love each other. Hate each other. Debate elven wine versus dwarven ale. Develop a love of fishing. Or riddles. Or the great tales of elder days.
If I can’t tell the difference between your character and “Generic dwarf #2", we’re not doing something right.
H. There’s probably an H, but my kids are making a ton of noise and I need to go see what’s up!
The list of requirements seems fine with me. My big questions are...
1. On 'G', you list full-body image. Do you mean a picture, or a physical description?
2. What time frame are we looking at? While I won't make a character ahead of time, I like brainstorming stuff.
3. I can post once a day easily. More than once a day depends on when I work. Is that alright?
4. And do you want to put a limit on posting rate? For instance, if there's six players and you come back one evening to see 30 new posts, what will your reaction be?
I am still interested. I have a couple of ideas banging arround in my head if chosen.
Interested in a Dwarf of the Blue Mountains.
He's going to be the token favorite Dwarf friend of the King. Advising him on all things Dwarvish and throwing everyone under the bus if it means getting him more power, wealth and for fame. He's going to be well rounded (as much as a Dwarf can be) and have his fingers in everyone's pie. He can cajole, persuade, shame or downright threaten if need be. He'll probably have his own underground (literally) group of spies and informants.
He's a crafty fellow with a big treasure vault (knowledge, gold, gear) where everything is for sale.
I am extraordinarily interested. There are several options I would be interested in playing, though I'd definitely shy away from the "advanced cultures" in this instance. I think you're getting to know my playstyle, and I like to go the extra mile to make the character feel like they belong in the fiction. I hope I'm selected and look forward to playing!
Similarly I am interested. I'm pretty active, as you can see, and have a pretty decent grasp of Middle-earth Lore; I'm similarly predisposed to do away with rules that impact the story we're trying to tell. I'd be leaning towards an Elf of some type.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The list of requirements seems fine with me. My big questions are...
1. On 'G', you list full-body image. Do you mean a picture, or a physical description?
A picture. Paizo's palette of options isn't terribly Tolkien-y.
2. What time frame are we looking at? While I won't make a character ahead of time, I like brainstorming stuff.
We'll start Monday.
3. I can post once a day easily. More than once a day depends on when I work. Is that alright?
That's the plan.
4. And do you want to put a limit on posting rate? For instance, if there's six players and you come back one evening to see 30 new posts, what will your reaction be?
Something along the lines of "Holy *&#@! Don't these people have jobs?" :-)
Look, I'm never going to dissuade involvement. If a discussion blows up once in a while, that's great! If it's every day, we'll talk about putting on the brakes.
Mostly, I think that anything that moves the story forward will require the involvement of the GM and therefore you're unlikely to see a great many posts before everyone has to stop and wait for me. So that's the limiting factor right there.
However, if you've got an in-character interaction going on, I am totally fine with a great number of posts before I get involved.
On time frame I meant in the story. Like... Fourth Age? Before Bilbo went on his adventure? In the War of the Ring, but focused on Angmar? I know this will relate to Angmar somehow, but I'm not sure exactly what time frame that allows.
If I may;
In LOTRO, the game takes place concurrently with the events of the LOTR book trilogy. We might start a bit before, but I assume it would be the end of the third age. In the game, the story deals with the return of evil forces to Angmar, and the efforts of the Free Folk to make the area safe against Evil Men and the Undead.
I am still very much interested. I'd love to play an Elf (not sure which variety at this stage) but I'll think on the concept a little more as it's close to midnight here and my migraine is playing drums behind my eyes.
In the War of the Ring, but focused on Angmar?
This one.
If I may;
In LOTRO, the game takes place concurrently with the events of the LOTR book trilogy. We might start a bit before, but I assume it would be the end of the third age. In the game, the story deals with the return of evil forces to Angmar, and the efforts of the Free Folk to make the area safe against Evil Men and the Undead.
I want to be really clear that this is NOT "LOTRO, the RPG." I was just using "Shadows of Angmar" as a reference.
But yeah, pretty much all of that. Set slightly before and then during the War of the Ring.
Still hear and still interested...
Ditto - still here.
Doing my research and mulling either a Dunlending or man of Rohan for consideration.
Since I have a slot in the other One Ring campaign, I will bow out on this one. Have fun everybody!
Hobbit lass, lady of Bree or Wayward Elf are three ideas I'm mulling on. The hobbit lass is coming together more clearly for me at the moment.
Ooh, as long as I'm listing ground rules:
H. Even though it is tradition here on the Paizo boards to bold speech, the rules of English syntax still apply. Please use quotation marks along with your holding when denoting speech.
I. Advanced Cultures (Rangers of the North and Elves of Rivendell) will use the same advancement chart as everyone else. They're not -that- much more powerful and if forced to use the charts designed for them will fall behind quickly.
Then I have a VERY strong idea for a Noldor.
Just storing this here now for later story inspiration. Got an idea or two.
Name:
Culture: Dunlending Standard of Living: Frugal
Cultural blessing: Fierce Folk
Calling: Slayer Shadow weakness: Curse of Vengeance
Specialities: Beast-lore, Tracking, Orc-lore
Distinctive features: Elusive, Wary
Body: 4 Heart: 3 Wits: 6
Body (favoured): 6 Heart (favoured): 6 Wits (favoured): 7
-Common Skills-
- Awe: 1 Inspire: 0 Persuade: 0
- [u]Athletics[/u]: 3 Travel: 2 [u]Stealth[/u]: 3
- Awareness: 2 Insight: 2 Search: 1
- [u]Explore[/u]: 2 Healing: 0 Hunting: 3
- Song: 0 Courtesy: 0 Riddle: 2
- Craft: 1 Battle: 1 [u]Lore[/u]: 0
- [u]Spear[/u]: 2
- Dagger: 1
- Bow: 1
- Great bow: 1
-Virtues-: Protection Mastery (Leather)
-Gear-
- Spear damage: 5 edge: 9 injury: 14 enc: 2
- Bow damage: 5 edge: 10 injury: 14 enc: 1
- Dagger damage: 3 edge: G injury: 12 enc: 0
- Great bow damage: 7 edge: 10 injury: 16 enc: 3
Endurance: 23 Starting Endurance: 23 Fatigue from Encumbrance: 6 Fatigue from Travel: 0 Total Fatigue: 6
Hope: 9 Starting Hope: 9 Temporary Shadow: 0 Permanent Shadow: 0 Total Shadow: 0
Armour: 0 Headgear: 0
Parry: 6 Shield: 0
Damage: 0 Ranged: 0
Wisdom: 2 Valour: 1
Experience: 0 Total Experience: 0
Fellowship: 0 Advancement: 0 Treasure: 0 Standing: 0 Courage: 0
Got two competing ideas in my head for a Ranger of the North or a Rider of Rohan....letting them battle it out right now...
As requested, I will wait to see if I get in to build something out, but I'm thinking of an Elf of Rivendell that, sensing the fading of the Eldar, wishes to preserve and recover relics and lore of her people to ensure that their toils against the Enemy are never forgot. Of particular interest to her would be the current disposition of Aiglos, the spear of Gil-galad.
My mind is now turning toward a Lady of Bree. It seems there is ample interest already in Elves of one kind or another.
Not gonna say much except that I DO want to play a Dunlending since it's on the list of allowed backgrounds. But specifics for the campaign have yet to be worked, so I'll wait and see what the story is like before hashing out anything beyond that.
Several of you have sent me private messages saying the same thing: you're not sure if you should play because you don't know the rules and they seem intimidating to you. Also, everyone else seems to know the rules.
So first of all, everyone else does -not- know the rules, and several people in the potential player pool know them better than your humble GM. I've got lots of years of GMing and even more as a diehard Tolkien fan, but I've never run a game of The One Ring before and have only been playing in one for a little over a week.
Please don't worry on this point. It all looked pretty intimidating, dense and incomprehensible to me, too, and not very long ago. I assure you that once I figured it out, my reaction was "Oh, it's really that simple?" I will walk you through character creation and we'll deal with the rules as we go along. This is not Pathfinder, where system mastery is going to determine whether your character is playable or not. Everyone will have a fully playable character.
Second, I will not make my decision with any regard to your system mastery or lack thereof. I will decide based on personal attractiveness and size of bribes really don't know how I'll go about deciding, but that will not be a factor.
Third, you can plan on all knowing each other and all starting in Bree.
Apropos of nothing, if you are a Tolkien fan and listen to podcasts, I cannot recommend "The Tolkien Professor" highly enough. I just found this guy's podcast about three weeks ago and I've listened to the first ninety or so episodes so far.
I'll also note that I'm very pretty and have excellent taste in libations to bribe...err, tempt you with...
I know people, and can get you some really good Seattle brewed beer.
I love the Tolkien Professor's podcast. Lately he's been doing lectures while in game in LOTRO. He'll speak about a subject and go to that area in game to show off some of the area. I believe you can find them on twitch and YouTube. Enter Tolkien Professor LOTRO as your search in Youtube to find a lot.
Being stymied by the lack of inspiration, coupled with my old sparring partner Scranford coming up with a similar concept, so I'll gracefully bow out and journey to the West on this one.
Enjoy and thanks for the consideration.
Cheers
BD
Okay, BD. Thanks for stopping by.
There are still 15 hours to go, but at the moment, the players who have reaffirmed interest are:
1. Inlaa
2. CariMac
3. Hyregoth
4. ElegantlyWasted
5. CircadianRythms
6. Ariarh Kane
7. thejeff
8. scranford
9. Spazmodeus
Yes, I know that nine is a very significant number for The Lord of the Rings (or 14, for The Hobbit), but I'll only be taking six.