Let's Talk About Middle Earth Gaming

[Reynard]

Tolkien of course has had a huge impact on how we see fantasy and gaming fantasy in particular (EGG's assertions to the contrary notwithstanding). I am interested in how Middle Earth in general and specific have impacted your gaming.

Have you played in or runs games set in Middle Earth? If so, which systems? In what era(s)? Did you interact with Tolkien's tales or avoid them? How much fidelity did you grant the setting? How much did you depart?

Outside of actually playing in ME, how has Tolkien's fantasy affected your own? Do you play or run in Tokienesque worlds? Do you use Tolkien elves and dwarves? How do you integrate non-Tolkienesque fantasy elements into a Tolkienesque world?

 

[MrHemlocks]

Well to be honest after watching the Hobbit movie most of the fun and fantasy was destroyed for me concerning Middle Earth and any desire to play a ME rpg. The movie was poor at best. It seemed to belittle the fantasy, least I had, of ME and made the whole setting an adventure childish.


Before the movie came out I was planning on running a ME rpg using Cubical Seven's The One Ring rpg, but no more(

 

[Reynard]

I'm not so interested in discussing the relative merits of the new Hobbit movie.

I am considering running The One Ring for my son and his friends (9 and 10 year olds) due to their enjoyment of fantasy in general and the LotR and Hobbit movies in particular. Does anyone have experience with that game? Does it work? Is it fun? Can you emulate the movies well enough (since that is where the kids are coming at it from)?

 

[callinostros]

I have run and played in games set in ME with the ICE/Rolemaster series of rpg material, usually in the Third or Fourth Age. They were fun but didn't last long.
As for how ME affects my rpgs in general, I tend to emulate them in my own world design. High magic and old worlds with epic and sweeping plotlines. I do not tend to run low magic or "gritty" games.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I'm a fan of Middle Earth d20 (Summon: [MENTION=363]ColonelHardisson[/MENTION]), though The One Ring looks like a pretty good take on ME gaming, if perhaps needing some expansion to get up to the grade of MERP.

I got into D&D because I read The Hobbit, so you could say I'm a gamer because of Tolkien. My D&D is influenced by Tolkien to an extent; I prefer lower (though not truly ME-low) magic, hobbitish halflings, and Tolkien dwarves.

 

[Reynard]

I'm a fan of Middle Earth d20

I assume this is a fan creation?

I got into D&D because I read The Hobbit, so you could say I'm a gamer because of Tolkien. My D&D is influenced by Tolkien to an extent; I prefer lower (though not truly ME-low) magic, hobbitish halflings, and Tolkien dwarves.

IMO "Durin's Folk" is the definitive treatise on fantasy dwarves. The dwarf from 3Hearts and 3 Lions is a close second.

 

[Shadowsmith]

Middle Earth is one of my favorite settings. I have run games in it using every system published for it and some that I adapted for such use.

I have to say that The One Ring is my favorite system published for ME gaming. It is a very light system that allows emulation of the source quite well. It is low magic but not gritty. It is an excellent example of low-magic high-fantasy. If Cubicle can get more cultures published it will develop into a top of the line game.

One downside is the currently limited array of playable cultures. Hobbits of the Shire, Elves of Mirkwood, Dwarves under the Mountain, Woodmen of the Wildlands, Beornings, Bardings, and Lakemen. Another downside is the currently limited pallet of foes. In theory both of these will be addressed as time goes on.

The books are beautiful with usually good art. The landscape artworks are incredible. Unfortunately they chose to have the background cover the page and make the text more difficult to read for those with poor vision (such as myself).

 

[Jhaelen]

Middle Earth is one of my favorite settings. I have run games in it using every system published for it and some that I adapted for such use.

For me, it's the opposite: I try to avoid any Tolkienism in my fantasy rpg games and I wouldn't consider running a Middle Earth game using a system that wasn't designed for that purpose. I vastly prefer more 'exotic' settings like Dark Sun or Eberron.

I have to say that The One Ring is my favorite system published for ME gaming.

Agreed. If I was to play in a Middle Earth game, I'd use The One Ring.
I have played MERP and it sucked: Imho, it was a complete mismatch of system and 'tone'.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I assume this is a fan creation?

Yep. Was a page around here on EN World at one point; there are still a couple of threads.

I picked up, but haven't yet used, The One Ring, but it looks effective and fun, especially for Hobbit-Style adventuring. It needs a few expansions or adventures, though.

 

[Shadowsmith]

For me, it's the opposite: I try to avoid any Tolkienism in my fantasy rpg games and I wouldn't consider running a Middle Earth game using a system that wasn't designed for that purpose. I vastly prefer more 'exotic' settings like Dark Sun or Eberron.

Agreed. If I was to play in a Middle Earth game, I'd use The One Ring.
I have played MERP and it sucked: Imho, it was a complete mismatch of system and 'tone'.

I would never try a Middle Earth game using D&D. I have tried using Hero and GURPS. I hated the mechanics of MERP but loved the supplemental books for the richness of the text and the awesome art.

A few years back Decipher put out a Lord of the Rings game that was actually pretty good. The editing was poor but the game itself wasn't bad. But Decipher really messed up how they handled both this game and its Star Trek game.