Middle Earth RPG - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

03-17-2003, 11:22 PM

Suillinan, I was wondering if any of my fellow Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition players could help me out. My friends and I are willing to move our campaign to Middle Earth however I don't have the time nor patience to write the specifics, such as species, locations, magic... etc. I was wondering if anyone out here could help me find my way? You know, nudge me to the light in the dark? Thanks. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Dain · 03-18-2003, 08:49 AM

Hey there, I have some experience with D&D, and I think it really doesn't fit with Tolkien all that well. At least, you'd have to do MAJOR revisions to all sorts of stats and allowances. These are things which discouraged me from some of D&D to begin with as well, because I didn't feel they got a lot of things "right" (to me, right is as Tolkien had it, which of course wasn't their intention, but...). I've tried to adjust things in D&D before, but it never quite worked out...

However, I just got my hands on the new LotR RPG system from Decipher, using their CODA system, and after reading the core rule book, it looks like an excellent game. It seems to both have a lot of details right and maintain an easy and sensible style of gameplay. It's quite similar to D&D in a lot of ways, but specifically tailored to Tolkien's world, a goal which I think they have achieved very well. I also think it's a better game system underneath as well. I'd recommend checking it out rather than completely reworking your D&D--it won't take that long to learn if you are an experienced RPGer.

If you don't want to switch systems, you could at least have a look at some of the sourcebooks--stat conversion shouldn't be too hard and it will describe the locations, enemies, etc. very well. I'm not sure all D&D characters will fit in ME, however, so it may depend on who's in your party...

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: Dain ]

03-18-2003, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the info my friend, this should help greatly. My party and I are going to continue to move our campaign to ME and simply pull some of the monsters out. That may work as well. Thanks for the tips and I'll be sure to keep your words in mind.

Chancellen the True · 03-18-2003, 11:40 PM

I played in a 1st ed. ME campaign over 20 years ago. It was one of the best campaigns I've ever been apart of. Being that I loved the books so much helped my enjoyment. It was a self made adoptation by a very bright guy named Dave. I eventualy started putting together one of my own. I really wanted it to be like the books, lots of detail, so I took my time. I'm an artist, so I made large, very detailed maps. I even used old, wet coffee grinds to age the paper (man I love D+D). Everyone loved it. We played it for years. It's 2nd ed. and one day I'll convert it to 3rd ed. The point is (finally), that you can make your own; but, it will take a lot of imagination and a lot of work.

There was a ME system in the 80's. It was done by I. C. E. (Iron Crown Enterprises). I never played it, but the system is very different than AD+D. I own a couple of the books, because being a Tolkien fanatic, I had to check it out. I'll just say that the material is interesting......to say the least. It is all out of print and can be bought on line at stores that specialize in out of print RPG material. They were hard to find before the movies; so, you'll have to check back daily and buy quickly. I've never tried it, but I'm sure you could find it on E-bay. Either way, it could get expensive, so be carefull. Good luck!

Baran · 03-19-2003, 09:43 AM

There is actualy a quite new RPG rulebook based on Middle-earth, you might want to check that out.

Dain · 03-24-2003, 03:43 AM

I've had more time to look at the new Decipher RPG, and I am further convinced it's a good game. I can't wait for a chance to play. It is quite similar to AD&D (I don't know 3rd ed.) but it improves a lot of areas. Should be a lot of fun, but if you want to stick with the D&D rules that you are used to, you should look at the book to see how a ME game should be. It's not perfect, but I haven't found any major flaws yet. Cheers!

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-25-2003, 09:43 AM

Those who are interested in the Decipher game should take a look at the * LotR TCG * thread on the Barrow-Downs forum. There are several people here who play it.

Dain · 03-25-2003, 07:15 PM

I was talking about their new RPG, not their card game, but thanks anyway!

Lutfiska · 03-26-2003, 12:34 PM

The card game actually is good sometimes or rather seldom...

03-17-2003, 11:22 PM	#1
Erunno of Mirkwood Guest Posts: n/a	Middle Earth RPG Suillinan, I was wondering if any of my fellow Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition players could help me out. My friends and I are willing to move our campaign to Middle Earth however I don't have the time nor patience to write the specifics, such as species, locations, magic... etc. I was wondering if anyone out here could help me find my way? You know, nudge me to the light in the dark? Thanks. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

03-18-2003, 08:49 AM	#2
Dain Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Iron Hills Posts: 127	Hey there, I have some experience with D&D, and I think it really doesn't fit with Tolkien all that well. At least, you'd have to do MAJOR revisions to all sorts of stats and allowances. These are things which discouraged me from some of D&D to begin with as well, because I didn't feel they got a lot of things "right" (to me, right is as Tolkien had it, which of course wasn't their intention, but...). I've tried to adjust things in D&D before, but it never quite worked out... However, I just got my hands on the new LotR RPG system from Decipher, using their CODA system, and after reading the core rule book, it looks like an excellent game. It seems to both have a lot of details right and maintain an easy and sensible style of gameplay. It's quite similar to D&D in a lot of ways, but specifically tailored to Tolkien's world, a goal which I think they have achieved very well. I also think it's a better game system underneath as well. I'd recommend checking it out rather than completely reworking your D&D--it won't take that long to learn if you are an experienced RPGer. If you don't want to switch systems, you could at least have a look at some of the sourcebooks--stat conversion shouldn't be too hard and it will describe the locations, enemies, etc. very well. I'm not sure all D&D characters will fit in ME, however, so it may depend on who's in your party... [ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: Dain ] __________________ Only I have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow it waits for you still: Durin's Bane.

03-18-2003, 11:40 PM	#4
Chancellen the True Pile O'Bones Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 22	I played in a 1st ed. ME campaign over 20 years ago. It was one of the best campaigns I've ever been apart of. Being that I loved the books so much helped my enjoyment. It was a self made adoptation by a very bright guy named Dave. I eventualy started putting together one of my own. I really wanted it to be like the books, lots of detail, so I took my time. I'm an artist, so I made large, very detailed maps. I even used old, wet coffee grinds to age the paper (man I love D+D). Everyone loved it. We played it for years. It's 2nd ed. and one day I'll convert it to 3rd ed. The point is (finally), that you can make your own; but, it will take a lot of imagination and a lot of work. There was a ME system in the 80's. It was done by I. C. E. (Iron Crown Enterprises). I never played it, but the system is very different than AD+D. I own a couple of the books, because being a Tolkien fanatic, I had to check it out. I'll just say that the material is interesting......to say the least. It is all out of print and can be bought on line at stores that specialize in out of print RPG material. They were hard to find before the movies; so, you'll have to check back daily and buy quickly. I've never tried it, but I'm sure you could find it on E-bay. Either way, it could get expensive, so be carefull. Good luck! __________________ "Shall we mourn here deedless for ever, a shadow folk, mist-haunting, dropping vain tears in the thankless sea?" Feanor at Tirion upon Tuna

03-24-2003, 03:43 AM	#6
Dain Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Iron Hills Posts: 127	I've had more time to look at the new Decipher RPG, and I am further convinced it's a good game. I can't wait for a chance to play. It is quite similar to AD&D (I don't know 3rd ed.) but it improves a lot of areas. Should be a lot of fun, but if you want to stick with the D&D rules that you are used to, you should look at the book to see how a ME game should be. It's not perfect, but I haven't found any major flaws yet. Cheers! __________________ Only I have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow it waits for you still: Durin's Bane.

03-25-2003, 09:43 AM	#7
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Those who are interested in the Decipher game should take a look at the * LotR TCG * thread on the Barrow-Downs forum. There are several people here who play it. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

03-18-2003, 11:07 PM	#3
Erunno of Mirkwood Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the info my friend, this should help greatly. My party and I are going to continue to move our campaign to ME and simply pull some of the monsters out. That may work as well. Thanks for the tips and I'll be sure to keep your words in mind.

03-19-2003, 09:43 AM	#5
Baran Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Mordor/Lothlorien Posts: 71	There is actualy a quite new RPG rulebook based on Middle-earth, you might want to check that out.

03-25-2003, 07:15 PM	#8
Dain Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Iron Hills Posts: 127	I was talking about their new RPG, not their card game, but thanks anyway! __________________ Only I have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow it waits for you still: Durin's Bane.

03-26-2003, 12:34 PM	#9
Lutfiska Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 60	The card game actually is good sometimes or rather seldom... __________________ Go Bushie Vote yes to war