zug_zug
First Post
I would like to DM a rather low level (lvls 3-5) Middle Earth game if any are interested. If I remeber correctly, there was a PbP game several months ago using the Coda system that died out on these boards. Id like to use d20 using guidlines set forth by Col H on the Middle Earth ENWorld hosted site. All the info there is excellent, and Id like to cherry pick from alot of stuff there. But I kinda like the good Colonels thinking on many adaptation stuff.
Anyway, I know many things in DnD dont fit well into ME. What is more, the prospect of "generic" heroes ruuning around in the world in the shadow of the canon heroes doesnt feel right-a quandry faced when campaigning in a setting based on a book or movie. I would like to keep the concept of PCs as heroes and not just one of many "adventurers" running around the world.
So heres my pitch- the adventure would take place in TA 2953 shortly after the Battle of Five Armies. PCs would be drawn from characters from Tolkiens work. PCs would be part of the Company of Thronogil ('Eagle of the Star') the alias used by Aragorn as a young man. The Compnay would sort of be a loose, knight-errant adventuring group. Thorongil wandered all over Middle Earth, something many didnt do and which gives us leeway in a campaign.
My intent isnt to limit players choice in characters -while you are sort of taking on a character like an actor takes a role,you can still write up a PC in regards to its class, feats skills etc. And since this adventure features many later famous characters at a time when they were young, their character and attitude could be much different than in later life.
Here are a few I have in mind:
Aragorn (alias Estel or Thorongil) about 20 just beginning his wanderings to develop himself for his destiny as King.
Legolas-prince of Mirkwood, must have met Aragorn sometime in the past. Surely he just didnt sit around Mirkwood for 60 years.
Balin-dwarf who as a member of the company of Thorin. Unlike many of the dwarves, he was fairly more genial and friendly to Bilbo early on. Perhaps he too wandered or travelled between Erebor and the dwarf mansions of the west before meeting his fate in Moria.
Haldir, Elf of Lorien. He knew Westron and had travelled outside of Lorien. A Galadrhm whose history is suitably murky.
Halbarad- Dunadan ranger and comrade of Aragorn.
Radagast the Brown- An unusual choice, but allows for a magic user. His character, while seemingly powerful, could justify a relatively low level since he more or less shunned his duties( at least in the affairs of men) and devoted himself to nature. Theres enough haziness in LOTR about him to let us pull this off.
Hildifons Took-Who you may ask? A hobbit, sixth son on Gerontius, the "Old Took". Before Bilbo and Frodo there are scant named hobbits who adventure. In the appendix of LOTR poor Hildifons is noted on his family tree to have gone off on an adventure and never returned. This I think gives us room for a token hobbit
His age at the adventures time is problematic. If anyone chooses this character, I would like to work with with them to establish a backstory.
Denethor- later Denethor II , Steward of Gondor. This one gives alot of cool RP possibilites. 19 at the campaigns start why would he have left his home? Perhpas he had foreboding about Isildurs Bane? Problems and dissent with his father.? And would he be more akin to Boromir or Faramir in personality at this young age?
I leave discussion open. Thorongil isnt to be the focal point of the campaign its simply a hook to create a company. We can hash out character classes, but Id like to keep the level below 5. I would also like to keep the players to around 5 in number, if we are lucky enough to get that many, so as not to bog down the postings.
Also Id like people who are somewhat familar with Middle Earth so we'll keep in the spirit of the setting. I am in no way a nitpicking Tolkien scholar, but some knowledge is always helpful.
Opinions? Interest? Outright scorn?
Anyway, I know many things in DnD dont fit well into ME. What is more, the prospect of "generic" heroes ruuning around in the world in the shadow of the canon heroes doesnt feel right-a quandry faced when campaigning in a setting based on a book or movie. I would like to keep the concept of PCs as heroes and not just one of many "adventurers" running around the world.
So heres my pitch- the adventure would take place in TA 2953 shortly after the Battle of Five Armies. PCs would be drawn from characters from Tolkiens work. PCs would be part of the Company of Thronogil ('Eagle of the Star') the alias used by Aragorn as a young man. The Compnay would sort of be a loose, knight-errant adventuring group. Thorongil wandered all over Middle Earth, something many didnt do and which gives us leeway in a campaign.
My intent isnt to limit players choice in characters -while you are sort of taking on a character like an actor takes a role,you can still write up a PC in regards to its class, feats skills etc. And since this adventure features many later famous characters at a time when they were young, their character and attitude could be much different than in later life.
Here are a few I have in mind:
Aragorn (alias Estel or Thorongil) about 20 just beginning his wanderings to develop himself for his destiny as King.
Legolas-prince of Mirkwood, must have met Aragorn sometime in the past. Surely he just didnt sit around Mirkwood for 60 years.
Balin-dwarf who as a member of the company of Thorin. Unlike many of the dwarves, he was fairly more genial and friendly to Bilbo early on. Perhaps he too wandered or travelled between Erebor and the dwarf mansions of the west before meeting his fate in Moria.
Haldir, Elf of Lorien. He knew Westron and had travelled outside of Lorien. A Galadrhm whose history is suitably murky.
Halbarad- Dunadan ranger and comrade of Aragorn.
Radagast the Brown- An unusual choice, but allows for a magic user. His character, while seemingly powerful, could justify a relatively low level since he more or less shunned his duties( at least in the affairs of men) and devoted himself to nature. Theres enough haziness in LOTR about him to let us pull this off.
Hildifons Took-Who you may ask? A hobbit, sixth son on Gerontius, the "Old Took". Before Bilbo and Frodo there are scant named hobbits who adventure. In the appendix of LOTR poor Hildifons is noted on his family tree to have gone off on an adventure and never returned. This I think gives us room for a token hobbit
His age at the adventures time is problematic. If anyone chooses this character, I would like to work with with them to establish a backstory.Denethor- later Denethor II , Steward of Gondor. This one gives alot of cool RP possibilites. 19 at the campaigns start why would he have left his home? Perhpas he had foreboding about Isildurs Bane? Problems and dissent with his father.? And would he be more akin to Boromir or Faramir in personality at this young age?
I leave discussion open. Thorongil isnt to be the focal point of the campaign its simply a hook to create a company. We can hash out character classes, but Id like to keep the level below 5. I would also like to keep the players to around 5 in number, if we are lucky enough to get that many, so as not to bog down the postings.
Also Id like people who are somewhat familar with Middle Earth so we'll keep in the spirit of the setting. I am in no way a nitpicking Tolkien scholar, but some knowledge is always helpful.
Opinions? Interest? Outright scorn?
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Good to see you too, IH. I was really sad to see that other one fold. Oh well. I'm actually excited to play this as d20, though. Now where IS the Colonel? 
