Lord of the Rings: Eras of Play?

[Liquidator Queeg]

It was recently suggested that we engage in some LotR RPG gabber until our esteemed webmeister Don has the chance to add a special forum here at the boards.

Well, here's a topic: Eras of Game Play

I plan to get the game when it comes out, and I was thinking about the various eras of play available for Middle-Earth. As I understand it, the game will focus on the years leading up to the War of the Ring. Do most folks plan/desire to play in this era, or are you inclined to set your games in another era?

I'll probably set my campaign in the pre-WotR era, although I am also intrigued by the Fourth Age, since there are little to no restrictions upon what kind of adventures one can play in this era.

Obviously, in the pre-WotR era, you can tie in some of the principles from Tolkien's trilogy to your own heroes adventures. Perhaps they accopmany Aragorn on secret missions in the North, or maybe your heroes are Gondorians and become involved in a politically-oriented campaign in Minas Tirith (maybe some of their families oppose Denethor's rule, and some support it, something like that).

Or an enterprising GM (no pun intended) may even tie his heroes directly to the major plotline in the trilogy. Perhaps even have the heroes become a part of the Company of the Ring? That would make for an exciting campiagn, and even allows for the re-writing of Tolkien's established history. (If one is inclined to such heretical thoughts! )

Another era of play that is intriguing is the Fall of Numenor and the subsequent founding of Arnor and Gondor--I imagine this as a more "high-powered" style of campaign, with the characters being Dunedain under the aegis of Elendil, or maybe some characters are Elves from Lindon (or some other such place in the North). A Gondor-based campaign could have the characters help Isildur and Anarion spread Gondorian influence throughout the southern coasts--an entirely sea-based series of adventures would be cool for this idea.

At any rate, I could blab on and on since I love Middle-Earth so much and can't wait for the game to come out, so I'll shut up now.

So what eras of play do you folks think have promise or are particularly fascinating to you? Let's hear your campaign ideas!

Steve

[Kaiddin]

This is a hard question with out seeing how the system works. It order of preference:
1) War of the Ring era - best chane to bring in the greatest variety of characters and most recognized era. Definately not additions to the Fellowship but must have some contact. Glorfindel must have done something after the ford.
2) First Age - mainly to interact with some of the characters. Imagine meeting Finrod Felagund. Teaming up with Turin for a few days. Riding with Fingon's host. Feanor....
3) Numenor near the fall.

I can't wait to see the game. My MERP character a Noldorin elf, nicknamed Ithilrog, will be reborn.

[Greg Davis]

Personally, the LOTR sysem is what I'm looking forward to more than anything else, in terms of roleplaying.

As far as eras or scenarios go, I can think of several that would be fun, or fun to do again (as I played most of these ideas in Rolemaster). Off the top of my head, I can think of things to do in any Age, though my players would probably be interested in either playing during the War of the Ring, or during the Fourth Age. Either way, I'll have to run it, as I know about Tolkien's writing than anyone else in my group...

Oh, the curse of enjoying quality literature!


Greg

[Sarge]

There's all kinds of RP possibilities in any age Tolkien wrote about. Face it, the man was a genius! Anyway, for a dark and combat heavy campaign, I'd like to try something in the First Age as Morgoth was overrunning the elven kingdoms and the armies were reduced to guerilla raiders against the dark hordes of Angband. The campaign could end with the PCs accompanying Earendil across the seas to summon the Valar to Middle Earth.

[calguard66]

I've always prefered early 4th Age... just after the end of the series.

The "average" person has more influence, magic plays a reduced role, there is an entire world to be rebuilt, distant territories of Arnor to re-contact, and lingering evils to defeat.

Also, if you play 4th Age you can use the books as history, and build from there.

My favorite RPG character was a female half-dwarf magically bred in the pits under Orinthac (sp?) Saruman's tower.

I got the idea from a drawing of a muscular female in armor, too short to be human, too tall for dwarf... I just used regular dwarf stats. The half-dwarf thing just explained her pic.

Anyway, ICE:MERP was great... hope the new system is as good.

[Lee T]

As I don't know much about the LOTR chronology all I can say is that: when I was playing MERP my gamemaster focused on the period after the elves were gone. That was interesting enough for me. I kinda prefer playing after the official records when there's one not to be prisoner from it and to have some space for surprise (except for Star Wars where the rebellion era is my favorite, but then again I preferred to play between the first and second movies rather than within a movie timeline).

[Calcoran]

Definitely First Age.

Flamboyant heroic fights. Dark, hopeless struggle against a cunning and (almost) all-powerfull enemy ... what could one wish more for a fantasy setting?
There's room for intrigue between the different powers, fight, romance, you name it!

All right, characters may look a bit like munchkins ... well, for a change, I think I'd really like to have a go. It's been what ... 10 years since my last D&D game (not saying that all D&D games were munchkins, but this one definitely was) ... I think I miss it .

[Greg Davis]

Roleplaying in the First Age has always seemed interesting to me, though I've never really done it. My old Rolemaster group (so named because the only system they'd use was Rolemaster...ugh!) played a short series of adventures (three, actually), to establish some background for our long running campaign, which started in the Second Age and ended at the end of the War of the Ring, when we all broke up and went our own ways...

Come to think of it, that was probably the most fun campaign that I ever played in. We'd pick key years in each age, and play through story arcs in those years, which would tie into the overall campaign story. But I digress...

In any event, I'd agree that the First Age would make for a fun, if a little overpowered, campaign, but then again, the emphasis would have to be on roleplaying, and the evolution of the story, as the First Age was loaded with some pretty heavy drama.



Greg