LOTR RPG Update

[ColonelHardisson]

Hey mmadsen -

Tell you what. Let's experiment. Start a thread for a discussion amongst casual LotR fans. Lay out some guidelines - nothing too onerous, just tell what the purpose of the thread is, and ask everyone to try to stick to that - no quotes, no mention of the Silmarillion, no mention of the LotR appendices. Then, we can see how long such a discussion will last. I promise not to participate.

 

[mmadsen]

Decipher has posted another sample page, this time a list of spell stats.

Spells seem to both belong to spell schools (called Specialties) and have prerequisites. This (particular aspect) is quite a bit like the GURPS magic system.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

The list seems familiar, which isn't a bad thing. The cost, requisites and methods seem to indicate something almost like a mana-based magic system, but also could be akin to the D&D standard. It's hard to tell from just the list.

 

[mmadsen]

The cost, requisites and methods seem to indicate something almost like a mana-based magic system, but also could be akin to the D&D standard. It's hard to tell from just the list.

Each spell has a Target Number (TN), akin to a Difficulty Class (DC), and a cost. I'm not sure why you'd need both -- shouldn't the two values keep in lock step with one another? -- but the cost would imply point-based casting, except that we know it's "weariness-based".

I had previously suggested a skill-based magic system for Tolkien-esque magic in d20, with Ability Drain (-2 to all Abilities or just -2 to Str and Con) as a typical cost for failure.

 

[Davelozzi]

Is there anything in the novels that suggests that spellcasting weakens/tires a wizard? I can't recall that being the case.

 

[Desdichado]

Ah, I haven't gone anywhere. I stopped updating the ME storyhour when the boards were acting really wonky because I lost several updates, which was a bit frustrating, to say the least!

Then, the game fell apart as schedules diverged too much (the bane of online games, I fear) and now I don't remember well enough what happened to do updates. Sorry! I might try to run an ME game sometime with this newer group I found, as I think they might like it. We'll have to see, though. It looks like they like to do a number of shortish term campaigns with rotating DMs, which is what I kinda like as well (my attention span, and all that.)

Oh, and forgive the strange smilies and new sig: I'm experimenting.

 

[hong]

Oh, and forgive the strange smilies and new sig: I'm experimenting.

Please bring back the dancing leprechaun. Pretty please?

 

[Desdichado]

Davelozzi:
Is there anything in the novels that suggests that spellcasting weakens/tires a wizard? I can't recall that being the case.

Yes, Gandalf is very tired after the whole "counterspell on the door" incident, and can't even maintain his light for a time. He also mentions being weary when the balrog actually appears. Other than that, he does very little flashy magic, and he usually rests shortly thereafter anyway (like when he flamed the wargs, for instance.)

EDIT: just for you:

 

[mmadsen]

Is there anything in the novels that suggests that spellcasting weakens/tires a wizard? I can't recall that being the case.

Read the passage where Gandalf struggles to hold off the evil force on the other side of the door in the Mines of Moria. When he catches up to the group, he's exhausted and says they'll have to go without magical light because he's spent.

 

[Davelozzi]

Oh yeah, thanks guys.