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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AFGNCAAP" data-source="post: 1403584" data-attributes="member: 871">Sounds like a cool idea.  Here's a few suggestions that make help things a bit:*Use the generic classes from Unearthed Arcana.  It seems to be an easier task to fit the LotR characters into one of these archetypes rather than trying to shoe-horn them into the relatively rigid D&D class structure.Spellcasters can use any sort of spell, just as long as they know the spell.  Also, you wouldn't need to have the divine/arcane distinction in the game, per se--magic is magic.  However, still enforce Arcane Spell Failure for spellcasters (not necessarily low magic, but magic has its rules, and they must be followed...).  Also, you may want to consider a spellcaster's staff to serve as an arcane focus (sort of like the cheap material components for some arcane spells, or the holy symbol-divine focus for divine spells).*Speaking of UA options, don't allow the PCs to select any of the racial paragon classes--these may best used to reflect the idealized pinnacles of a race in the early days--a Dunedain like Aragorn/King Elessar or human champions such as Eomer, Eowyn, & Faramir could have levels in the Human paragon class; an old Dwarf king (like Dain Ironfoot, or any of the surviving dwarves from The Hobbit) could have Dwarf paragon class levels; Arwen could have Elf paragon class levels, while Aragorn & Arwen's son (and heir to Anduril) could have Half-Elf paragon levels (when he's of adventuring age); a hobbit elder, or perhaps notable hobbits such as Sam, Merry, or Pippin could have Hobbit Paragon racial class levels.  In essence, it should be used sparingly, & few & far between in order to show/reflect those from an earlier, much more mythic age.*Consider having the PCs be all of 1 race, though perhaps of different nationalities/homelands.  You could have an all-human party, with a Gondorian, a Rider of Rohan, a Ranger of the North, & possibly a Bree-Folk.  Or, you could have a group of young hobbits, intent to explore the outside world (and possibly open up the Shire to outsiders once more): it could be a mixed grouping of Harfoots, Stoors, & Fallohides.*Though the West has settled since the War of the Ring, the East has quite a bit of potential.  What orc-hordes or dragons reside in the lands once allied with the Dark Lord?  The Blue Wizards went into the East & never returned--it was hinted that they may have started a magical tradition in those lands.*Though this may have been addressed in the books (I don't recall at all), where in Middle-Earth is Radagast the Brown?  Saruman was slain; Gandalf sailed to the Undying Lands; yet Radagast's role really isn't discussed much.  Perhaps he is the one who starts a tradition/school of magic in the West, one that is very in tune with the natural world.  Also, the aforementioned Blue Wizards, Pallando & Alator, could reappear.*Heir apparents: You mentioned having this take place in the future (about 100 years or so).  Just out of curiosity, have you considered what canon events have happened at that point?Just a few comments/ideas.  I'm sure there's already existing online sources for information about the Fourth Age.  However, the Appendixes in Lord of the Rings will quickly yield the names of Kings & Hobbits to Come, & when such things come about.</blockquote>

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