The One Ring Thread. Because we didn't have one in a long time

The One Ring Thread. Because we didn't have one in a long time.

Could also be Tolkien general.

Thoughts on Adventurer's Companion? Personally I have mixed feelings. New cultures are cool, and finally we have a real quick reference material, but most of other rules are... meh. Didn't solve my main problem with the system (lack of "advanced" chargen, with picking everything by hand and not through presets. Especially weapon skills), dual wield, while FINALLY arrived, is ridiculously weak, and most of other rules just complicate everything which isn't a good thing in a game in wchich relative simplicity is one of selling points, at least for me. "Leader" calling seems not really needed, leadership should grow organically in the game in my opinion. Especially that it shares shadow weaknes with other calling, making it less unique. Courage, inheritance rules are cool, though. Tidings at home too, but they seem kinda swingy, not entirely in a good way, and might derail the game too easy

Other urls found in this thread:

tolkiengateway.net/w/images/thumb/7/73/METW_-_Aragorn_II.jpg/180px-METW_-_Aragorn_II.jpg
crystal-cdn1.crystalcommerce.com/photos/876740/large/SarnGoriwing.jpg
twitter.com/NSFWRedditImage

What I don't get is why didn't the Dwarves kill the Balrog of Moria. Even if they couldn't kill it themselves, why did they spend hundreds of years as hobos when there are people like Gandalf and the wizards who actually could kill the Balrog.

Well, the kingdom of Khazad-dum couldn't kill the Balrog when they were at their height, why should their descendents, thousands of years later and greatly diminished, think that they can?

They were already doing that independent of the balrog, moria had been a horrible black pit for generations dispite it's former glory, and it's not like they lost their crown kink to the demon (they did, and named it after the fact).

The Balrog is pretty much Sauron-level, in terms of power, Gandalf got it throguh sheer luck, Valars blessing, and technically died in the process before being resurrected

Well couldn't they have gotten help from Glorfindel? He killed a Balrog in Gondolin, got resurrected and probably would've had even more experience. He even made the ringwraiths run in fear.

Oh yeah, go to the High Elves for help, good luck getting the rest of the Dwarves to give you the slightest bit of respect after that.

Besides, Glorfindel died fighting the Balrog the last time, I doubt he's so keen to waste his second chance.

Although the people Dwarves and Elves do not have the best relations, they still could've allied against the greater evil which was the Balrog. Also was going to happen to the Balrog if Gandalf and the Fellowship never went through Moria? Just leave it be and let it sit there.

>The Balrog is pretty much Sauron-level
not even close I'd say. He certainly is super-powerful and below the might even of the Istari
Gandalf certainly got lucky and divine favor helped him, but I wouldn't say it was clearly enemy beyond his might. Strongest of the Balrogs to ever live was slain by an elf, surely badass elf but not even of royal blood, while Gandalf was a Maia, even if the weaknesses of flesh were imposed onto him during his mission.
>technically died in the process before being resurrected
And here is where the point is. He DIED in the process. Or at least his physical body died and was sent back to Aman in spirit form. He only came back through divine intervention. He couldn't expect it would happen. He only fought Balrog because he got himself in situation with no other choice. Wouldn't do it otherwise. There were many other things to do for him, more vital for survival and well-being ot the Free Peoples in general than risking everything for taking a (low) chance in reclaiming some dwarven kingdom of old.
And meanwhile, dwarves didn't fare so bad. At least until they lost their next kingdoms of Grey Mountains and Erebor. But by then Moria was lost for so long few even thought about it.

>The One Ring Thread.

>Just leave it be and let it sit there.

This. The Balrog seems to be content enough to sulk in his basement, he's basically the most powerful neckbeard ever, probably browsing middle-earthchan on his Palantir or something and shitpostingabout Elves. The Dwarves have other settlement, perhaps not so mighty, but then again, who does in that age? No reason to risk resources expelling him when he's hardly a threat, while Sauron is controlling the vast majority of Middle-Earth and wants to finally crush the last resistance.

But the Balrog is still a evil being of great power that could pose a threat to the free people of middle earth. Gandalf went through the trouble of killing Smaug, the last fire drake, so it should make sense they they would do the same to Durin's Bane.

How does the travelling system work here?

It is said the only being more powerful in battle than Balrogs were Fire-Drakes (From History of Middle-Earth volume II). Their actual name is Valaraukar, which means "Demon of Might" or "Demon of Power", and were amon ghte very first Maïars. They're the guys whose designation is "here be badasses". Up there with Ungoliant and very few other beings. I'd say hints point to them being really powerful. And first Age elves were stronger as well. keep in mind in Middle Earth logic, actual power is strongly linked to willpower. The elves of the Third Age are a mere shade of what they were able to do in the earlier times. It is very possible in the same way Durin(s Bane only possess a mere fraction of his previous power. Poor old guy who just want to be left alone.

Balrogs allied with Melkor much before Sauron, they were his elite guard fighting from the frontline while Sauron was all playing in shadows with lies and deception. I wouldn't be surprised they'd see him as an upstart and not be tempted by an alliance of any kind with him. Sauron knew of Durin's Bane existence due to communications between the orcs of Moria and Mordor, yet didn't ever attempt as we know of, to gain him to his cause, or might have even failed.

>Poor old guy who just want to be left alone.
This is how I see the Balrog now. Spending his days on his porch drinking beer and remembering the good old days when he was kicking asses left and right and victory was still in sight.

Would the dwarves have liked Feanor, if he'd lived long enough to meet them?

If Glorfindel left, wouldn't Rivendell have been exposed to attack?

Well, it does have its own defenders, and the chief defense of Rivendell was always that it was so hard to find.

Rivendell had been attacked before by Angmar. I think Sauron knows where it is, it's just hard to attack the last bastion of high-elves.

Yeah, especially since he hasn't really got any armies worth shrakt west of the mountains anymore. Unless there are a few orcs still skulking around the old Witch-realm up in the North.

Say I wanted to run a campaign set in the first age (in Gondolin, maybe), and I wanted to try and put a more historically-accurate slant on Elvish politics.

Where should I begin?

...

How does The One Ring capture the feel of Tolkien? Is it based more on the books or the films?

>(From History of Middle-Earth volume II)
You do realize the drafts presented in HoME2 are from like 1917, back when Tolkien had elves being 3 feet tall, dwarves being always chaotic evil, and Sauron being a giant cat?

Is that supposed to be the first time Feanor pulled a sword on a fellow elf (Fingolfin more than likely but I can't remember for sure)?

Yep. Hence why Fingolfin looks so unthreatened.

Definitely on the books.
They have book license not film license so they are based of book canon.
In terms of feel it's hard to say really, because the original LoTR movies captured the feel of the books very accurately and nobody cares about Hobbit movies, but still there are many motives that are important in the game, which come from the books alone, being ommited from the films.

As for capturing the feel it is superb. Magic is rare and mysterious force, with enchanted places and songs of power, character need to struggle against the Shadow not only physically, but also spiritually, hope is a resource that can be used to achieve great deeds, the setting is assumed to be more dark age than usual high medieval, to fit tokien's own writing and his sources in old germanic epics, most special abilities are based on feats characters in the books do, and named after direct quotations. And more.
In short, yes, it DOES capture the feel of the books to great effect

Fingolfin is so darn cool; he's by far my favorite elf.
That reminds me, If you or anyone has any Tolkien related art you'd like to share I'd appreciate it. I used to have a pretty decent collection saved up but I lost it recently. I had narly a dozen depictions alone of Fingolfin's battle with Morgoth. That scene is possibly the most popular to illustrate scene in all of Tolkien's writings.

That's interesting, actually, because I found this the other day. It's Morgoth *after* the battle with Fingolfin.

Here's what the artist said:

"the duel with the elven king is a really bad day for morgoth. despite his unequaled power, he comes out to battle with fingolfin only very reluctantly, and fingolfin does more of a number on him than anyone, probably even morgoth hiding deep in his halls and fearing to come forth, would have guessed possible; wounding him seven times and even in his dying breath, crushed underfoot, managing to hobble him permanently. it is said that afterward morgoth broke the body of fingolfin and would have it cast to his wolves, i can imagine him in shame and fury, desperate to save face, shrieking the order at those of his creatures gathered in the doorway, only to have thorondor swoop down and maim him further before carrying off the body of fingolfin to where he can't mutilate it. left with nothing, wounded and utterly humiliated, he limps back through the doors of his kingdom, propping himself on the walls as he goes, the great hammer grond dragging in the dust behind him. it's small wonder the orcs make no boast of the day."

Quite nicely. It is based on the books and developped a very pleasant art direction. The rules tend to be quite light-ish and flexible as the GM sees fit, with a lot of effort put on non-combat events, from socialisation to travel through desert lands, as long as you have a group who looks for more than Door-Monster-Treasure and put some effort into their characters it is a real joy to play.

Fingolfin is tad overrated.
Why no love for Fingon.

Utulie'n aure! Aiya Eldalie ar Atanatari, utulie'n aure! Auta i lome!

That reminds me, I never got around to him the last time.

...

Would anyone be interested in learning/playing METW through Lackey CCG?

What are those?

In the Ruins of the North book there is a NPC named Feredrûn, a huntress of the host of Oromë tricked and bound millenias ago by Sauron. There is only one not too great illustration of her under the appearance of a very uninspired White Lady. Anyone has ideas for alternative looks? I was looking for something look more primeval, eerie and huntress-ish than yet another lady glowing in the dark.

Pic somewhat related.

TurnerMohan is one of my favorite artists of late.

?

It's an old CCG based on Lord of the Rings. From Iron Crown Enterprises, back before the movies were even a thing.

It's pretty complicated for a CCG, and at least the earliest, simplest incarnation focuses on competing wizards trying to muster up more of the resources of Middle-Earth to defend against Sauron. (Or going for a hail mary play to try to destroy the ring, which is instant victory). Later expansions added rules to play a ringwraith, a fallen wizard, or the Balrog of Moria for a good vs evil (or even evil vs evil) battle.


But on either side, you essentially field a party of characters

tolkiengateway.net/w/images/thumb/7/73/METW_-_Aragorn_II.jpg/180px-METW_-_Aragorn_II.jpg

Who run around to sites

crystal-cdn1.crystalcommerce.com/photos/876740/large/SarnGoriwing.jpg

To play various resources like items, allies, factions (armies), etc. Along the way, your opponent plays hazards to try to slow you down.

I like how he actually explains his analysis of the text, and what prompted his particular rendition of them.

Like this one.

Heh, from he thumbnail I thought she had a gimped leg or the artist majorly fucked up

Read the Silmarillion.

I mean if I wanted to do it in a way somewhat reminiscent of how the noble houses in medieval europe got along.

On a slightly more serious note, how about this?

Why would an Ainur have a body at all, beyond what they crafted for a moment's convenience?

Easier to get around in and interact with the mortals?

Long story short, she was tricked by Sauron to come to Middle Earth, specificaly, to hunt, before being bound to his will by an iron collar to her neck. So, for the convenience of, you know hunting, and being stuck that way, I imagine her much different from a phosphorecent lady wandering in the woods. Besides, there is a multitude of such creatures in the Tolkien world, starting with Galadriel. Eerie looking ancient huntresses with just a tad of menace, not so much.

You'd think a servant of Orome wouldn't bother, or change form as appropriate.

leaving aside how this happened, if it was done before the breaking of Utumno, she's probably never interacted with a non-Ainur anyway. And in any event, I still don't see why she'd need a Fanar, instead of just changing form and shape at a moment's convenience.

>Besides, there is a multitude of such creatures in the Tolkien world,

I'm having trouble thinking of any.

>starting with Galadriel.

Galadriel is a queen and a forceful figure of dignity, not really a huntress. If you just mean eerie and ancient and not at all comprehensible by mortals, you still don't need a single body, especially since you do seem to also have a concept of showing or hiding one's inner power (think Gandalf, and how he appears as a stooped old man a lot of the time).

I still don't see why she'd need a single form, and oftentimes why she'd need a form at all, and not just travel "bodiless", a force in the Unseen, bringing power and terror (or inspiration, and maybe a little terror) in her wake.

Well, you're welcome to point your crtiticism to Cubicle7, i'm not the one who decided her to have a body or a meeting with the players. I still think the illustration to be uninspiring as hell and looking for something different that fits how I envision her to look, now, do you plan to help or not?

>Galadriel is a queen and a forceful figure of dignity, not really a huntress
My point exactly about Feredrûn not looking the part wandering around under that form.

I thought I was clear. Don't give her a single body. Have her be a shapeshifter and mistress of hues, a la Radagast. Sometimes she's in the form of ahunting animal, like an eagle or bear (I'd stay away from wolves, they seem to be more associated with Sauron), othertimes, just a rush of the wind in the woods, sometimes, something akin to a silvan elf. (Do female elves hunt? I know they generally don't go to war, but I can't remember offhand). If your players can see into the Unseen, she's a blinding force of silvery light, blazing along.

That... actually could work. Will think about it.

read the book of the courtier and remember that the silmarillion was translated by bilbo from elrond's library, so goes heavy on feanorian guilt, numenorean guilt, and valian (as opposed to eru's) providence, and is presumably pretty skewed in its interpretation of elvish marriage/sexual politics and roles.

>read the book of the courtier
*hastily googles*

Um... How is this going to help? I thought the Plantagenets would be on the recommended reading list, at least.

its a discussion of courtly behavior as an ideal, in the format of a fictionalized discussion between demonstrative courtier characters. Its essentially a compressed object lesson in the subtleties of a real european court. Its italian and contemporary with machiavelli, so not really period appropriate for lord of the rings, but it gives a broad narrative idea of court relationships and nuances in a way meant to teach, so it would work for your purposes.

Oh, I see. Maybe I will give it a read after all.

Thanks.

Pic unrelated, but I ship it.

Or try reading Caesar or Augustus' personal accounts and seeing through the bs

...

I gave some more thought about it, I will stick to a unique physical form as described in the book

>if it was done before the breaking of Utumno, she's probably never interacted with a non-Ainur anyway
Not necessarily, Sauron assumed fair form for a long time afterwards (though I do not remember if he had any dealing with the Undying Land then). Beside, even in Valinor she would have met elves. And a non unsignificant number of Maiars lived in Beleriand, like Melian. She could have acompagnied Ormë on his hunts, when he discovered the elves. She could have been longing to go back to Middle Earth, but that much is not said in her background. It is clear though that she felt bored as all hell in Valinor.

>I still don't see why she'd need a Fanar
Because Tolkien gives numerous examples of Maiars taking a unique physical form and/or being stuck in it being the path to downfall (4 of the 5 Istaris, Melkor, Sauron, etc.), which fits the character and explain to some extend her suffering.

>Why would an Ainur have a body at all, beyond what they crafted for a moment's convenience
The moment's convenience when travelling to Middle Earth and enjoying the earthly pleasure of the hunt and nature (which his basically the corruption that took Radagast as well, being so enamored with Middle Earth forests and beasts he kinda forgot to fight Sauron) was the guise of a huntress, which was also necessary for Sauron to bind her with his iron collar. Iron collars are harder to attach to the non existent neck of incorporeal spirits, apparently.

Which brings me back to trying to find an alternative look. Oh, well it's not an absolute emergency either. I'll consider bringing that to the drawthread when i'm back from christmas break. Maybe that wil interest someone, with a little bit of luck.