Free League's 'Lord of the Rings' Games Explore The Elves

Free League's Middle Earth-set roleplaying game line comes in two flavours--The One Ring (a bespoke ruleset), and The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying (the D&D 5E version). This means that when they release a new book for the line, they often release two versions, and their plans for the elven expansion for the games is no exception.

Realms of the Three Rings is for The One Ring, while Keepers of the Elven-rings is for 5E. You can pre-order either (or both, if you're so inclined) from Free League's web store, getting immediate access to the PDF.

In the twilight of the Third Age, three realms of the West-elves still endure in Middle-earth. By the power of the Three Rings, they exist as a testament to a time that was. But not only the Elves remember. As Sauron gathers his strength to bring war to Middle-earth once again, he plans a devious vengeance against those who humbled him long ago.

Both books feature the same chapters:

• Where the West-Elves Still Linger: Details on Lórien, Rivendell, and Lindon and those who dwell there, including the Elf-lords who are their guardians.
• A Dark Adventure Awaits: Learn the details of Sauron’s schemes against the Immortal Folk, including new events, enemies, and characters for players to encounter.
• Landmarks: Visit 12 sites of interest, including locations mentioned in The Lord of the Rings™, as well as others created specifically for the game.
• The Rules of Lordship: A robust Appendix contains guidelines for creating and playing as High Elves of Rivendell and Elves of Lórien, as well as Elf-lords, powerful characters especially suited for solo play.

 

[Dire Bare]

Also, I wonder if Keeper of The Elven Rings is using its Elf-Lord calling as a means of "prototyping" potential future callings that can go all the way up to level 20 in future book releases.

Maybe. Super powerful elf-lords are thing not matched by much else in Tolkein's lore (to my understanding). Maybe an Istari class that goes to level 20? Durin the First himself would be an example of a dwarf-lord who is pretty bad-ass . . .

 

[Piperken]

There is also a new calling (class) for Elf-Lords! It's essentially a prestige class that elves can take after they hit Level 10 and takes them to Level 20 potentially. Interesting.

Glorfindel (and innumerable variations of that name) incoming!

 

[Weiley31]

Maybe an Istari class that goes to level 20? Durin the First himself would be an example of a dwarf-lord who is pretty bad-ass . . .

Ya I was pretty much thinking like that basically. Elf Lord calling. Dwarven Lord calling. Whatever the human equivalent of that would be like. Not sure how that would work with the Hobbits since they don't have anything equivalent to those tho IIRC.

And since Solo-Play being called as a big part of the factor for the Elf Lord calling, it's not like you'd have a whole party.

Spoiler

Unless you do a one shot thing ala Gandalf/Elrond/Galadriel vs the Nazgul in the third Hobbit movie.

 

[agrayday]

I can’t speak for them but I guess it is much more simple than that. I imagine it’s just what they came up with as a way of making sure customers were really, really clear which game system they were using. I can imagine somebody accidentally buying a TOR supplement for a 5E game or vice versa (or getting one as a gift) and them having actual different tiles just makes that much easier.

for sure, i have done that, sometimes their emails doesn't specify which is the 5E product, and i have ordered the wrong one, thinking i missed a release. I follow The One Ring, but i don't have a game running it right now (so i am not immersed in it), but trying to stay connected with the releases.

 

[Marc Radle]

When they release these books in the two ‘flavors’, do they still use the same art, layout, trade dress, etc. ?

 

[agrayday]

When they release these books in the two ‘flavors’, do they still use the same art, layout, trade dress, etc. ?

they have different main titles for the system:

1) The One Ring
2) The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying (5E)

so i have learned to pay attention to that more than the product title, but they are essentially the same i believe, content and, art wise.

 

[kronovan]

...(except for the Rohan book which was never published for 5E since Cubicle7 lost the license)...

The PDF version of the Rohan Region Guide was released to purchasers of the Humble bundle. That bundle was available just before Cubicle7 lost the license and included every AiME PDF published + Rohan. I have it and like the rest it's a quality publication.
I can't recall for sure if it was available separately at any other online retailers, but I'm thinking no.

 

[enrious]

The PDF version of the Rohan Region Guide was released to purchasers of the Humble bundle. That bundle was available just before Cubicle7 lost the license and included every AiME PDF published + Rohan. I have it and like the rest it's a quality publication.
I can't recall for sure if it was available separately at any other online retailers, but I'm thinking no.

To clarify, that Humble Bundle had every product except for the Rohan guide however the Rohan guide was available for a time on DrivethruRPG.

There was a HB for TOR 1e that included a Rohan guide and also a book of Rohan adventures.

 

[Jacob Vardy]

Maybe. Super powerful elf-lords are thing not matched by much else in Tolkein's lore (to my understanding). Maybe an Istari class that goes to level 20? Durin the First himself would be an example of a dwarf-lord who is pretty bad-ass . . .

Someone with Númenórean devices. When the Númenóreans invaded Valinor, the Teleri (sea elves) fled. If i recall correctly, there was some question as to whether the Valor themselves could withstand the Númenóreans.

Even after the downfall Númenóreans could make weapons that could harm spirits such as Merry's blade from the Barrow Downs. They could build stupendous architechture like the tower of Orthanac, the statues of the kings on the Anduin, and the walls of Minas Tirith. In the Simarillion they had powered metal ships. And, again from memory, it is implied they had helicopters and energy weapons.

Of course that kind of steam punk doesn't really fit the themes of the LotRs. So [shrug]....

 

[Aldarc]

Someone with Númenórean devices. When the Númenóreans invaded Valinor, the Teleri (sea elves) fled. If i recall correctly, there was some question as to whether the Valor themselves could withstand the Númenóreans.

Even after the downfall Númenóreans could make weapons that could harm spirits such as Merry's blade from the Barrow Downs. They could build stupendous architechture like the tower of Orthanac, the statues of the kings on the Anduin, and the walls of Minas Tirith. In the Simarillion they had powered metal ships. And, again from memory, it is implied they had helicopters and energy weapons.

Of course that kind of steam punk doesn't really fit the themes of the LotRs. So [shrug]....

I believe that JRRT said elsewhere that the Valar were prohibited from destroying or coercing the Children of Illúvatar with their divine power. This is why Manwë calls to Illúvatar because the Valar acting directly against the Numenorean invasion would be going against their divine edicts.