Jan 27, 2020 11:40 pm
Hey gang!
So, the point of this thread is to kind of just provide a couple disclaimers for the game, to help prepare/set the tone, and to hopefully get everyone on the same page about what this game will be about. If you've played much Adventures in Middle-earth before you probably already know this all. But, I wanted to provide it here for those who have not...
A "Tolkien-esque" Game...
So, to paraphrase (and in many cases, grab directly) some advice from the book...
Middle-earth is a setting with enormous depth, rich in history. It has its own atmosphere, its own set of influences and its own internal logic. A Middle-earth adventure should not feel the same as any other run-of-the-mill fantasy adventure. I want to urge you to embrace those things which make Middle-earth so wondrous and satisfying a place in which to adventure - discovery, companionship, heroism-for-heroism's-sake, bascially... the simple things but punctuated by moments of the fantastic, and together we'll craft a way to play that creates a story that satisfyingly evokes a Middle-earth feel.
As you probably know, there is no such concept or mechanic as Alignment in Adventures in Middle-earth. All PCs are assumed to be generally heroic characters. Possessed of a basic desire to help their fellow Free People because they are one of the few who are able to do so, and perhaps because they fear what might happen if they don't, even if just slightly more than they fear what that means they must face. Alignment is replaced by the Shadow.
Additionally, wealth is a drastically different concept in this game. There is generally much less material wealth of any kind. Much much less coin to be found, no shops filled with magic items anywhere in the world. Wealth is who you know, favors owed, titles, property, comfort, stability... Which is not to say your characters won't earn fantastic things, they will, but it will probably look very different than what you might have come to expect from traditional fantasy gaming.
The Shadow
Middle-earth has been under attack by the forces of darkness since its creation. The presence of the Enemy weighs upon the hearts of most inhabitants of Middle-earth. The temptations that dwell even in the hearts of the brave have ever been the ally of that darkness. There are powerful tools and magicks scattered across the land, crafted with the very purpose of drawing you into it's black depths. It twists and changes the very areas in which it dwells, and will threaten to do the same to you.
You will accumulate Shadow points to represent the growing burden of grief, doubt, weariness and self-interest that comes to rest on the hearts and minds of those who oppose the Shadow. This will manifest primarily in four ways:
1. Experiencing distressing events.
> When you are reminded of your own fragility, and that of the world you know and love, you may be filled with the grief and doubt that is a door-way for the Shadow.
2. Crossing or dwelling in an area tainted by manifestations of the Shadow.
> The land really is a character in Adventures in Middle-earth. It's nature will tell you things about the place in which you are, it will affect you mechanically in combat, and it will shape the feelings of your character in-play.
3. Committing despicable or dishonourable deeds, regardless of the end they sought to achieve.
> Threats of violence, lying, and subtle manipulation, cowardice, theft, abuse of many sorts, and of course torture and murder - regardless of the ends you sought to achieve - all will result in coming closer to the Shadow.
4. Taking possession of a cursed or tainted item or treasure.
> Treasures - whether coin or craft - found within the lair of some dead monster or buried in a long-sealed tomb may be tainted, its sheen able to drive you to distraction and fill your heart with greed.
Exhaustion
Adventures in Middle-earth takes what is a tertiary, oft forgotten mechanic from 5th edition and turns it into a central theme of the game. Exhaustion will come from the various phases of Journeys, but also possibly from adventuring itself. Managing your Exhaustion levels mindfully - and accepting it as a part of the process - is very important. Long Rests are fewer and farther in between, requiring that specific conditions be met to gain its benefits: Comfort, Security, Tranquility.
This central role of Exhaustion reinforces many important themes of Tolkienian literature - receiving aid from your allies, the importance of hospitality, and just the stark and unrelenting struggle of doing what must be done no matter the cost.
So, the point of this thread is to kind of just provide a couple disclaimers for the game, to help prepare/set the tone, and to hopefully get everyone on the same page about what this game will be about. If you've played much Adventures in Middle-earth before you probably already know this all. But, I wanted to provide it here for those who have not...
A "Tolkien-esque" Game...
So, to paraphrase (and in many cases, grab directly) some advice from the book...
Middle-earth is a setting with enormous depth, rich in history. It has its own atmosphere, its own set of influences and its own internal logic. A Middle-earth adventure should not feel the same as any other run-of-the-mill fantasy adventure. I want to urge you to embrace those things which make Middle-earth so wondrous and satisfying a place in which to adventure - discovery, companionship, heroism-for-heroism's-sake, bascially... the simple things but punctuated by moments of the fantastic, and together we'll craft a way to play that creates a story that satisfyingly evokes a Middle-earth feel.
As you probably know, there is no such concept or mechanic as Alignment in Adventures in Middle-earth. All PCs are assumed to be generally heroic characters. Possessed of a basic desire to help their fellow Free People because they are one of the few who are able to do so, and perhaps because they fear what might happen if they don't, even if just slightly more than they fear what that means they must face. Alignment is replaced by the Shadow.
Additionally, wealth is a drastically different concept in this game. There is generally much less material wealth of any kind. Much much less coin to be found, no shops filled with magic items anywhere in the world. Wealth is who you know, favors owed, titles, property, comfort, stability... Which is not to say your characters won't earn fantastic things, they will, but it will probably look very different than what you might have come to expect from traditional fantasy gaming.
The Shadow
Middle-earth has been under attack by the forces of darkness since its creation. The presence of the Enemy weighs upon the hearts of most inhabitants of Middle-earth. The temptations that dwell even in the hearts of the brave have ever been the ally of that darkness. There are powerful tools and magicks scattered across the land, crafted with the very purpose of drawing you into it's black depths. It twists and changes the very areas in which it dwells, and will threaten to do the same to you.
You will accumulate Shadow points to represent the growing burden of grief, doubt, weariness and self-interest that comes to rest on the hearts and minds of those who oppose the Shadow. This will manifest primarily in four ways:
1. Experiencing distressing events.
> When you are reminded of your own fragility, and that of the world you know and love, you may be filled with the grief and doubt that is a door-way for the Shadow.
2. Crossing or dwelling in an area tainted by manifestations of the Shadow.
> The land really is a character in Adventures in Middle-earth. It's nature will tell you things about the place in which you are, it will affect you mechanically in combat, and it will shape the feelings of your character in-play.
3. Committing despicable or dishonourable deeds, regardless of the end they sought to achieve.
> Threats of violence, lying, and subtle manipulation, cowardice, theft, abuse of many sorts, and of course torture and murder - regardless of the ends you sought to achieve - all will result in coming closer to the Shadow.
4. Taking possession of a cursed or tainted item or treasure.
> Treasures - whether coin or craft - found within the lair of some dead monster or buried in a long-sealed tomb may be tainted, its sheen able to drive you to distraction and fill your heart with greed.
Exhaustion
Adventures in Middle-earth takes what is a tertiary, oft forgotten mechanic from 5th edition and turns it into a central theme of the game. Exhaustion will come from the various phases of Journeys, but also possibly from adventuring itself. Managing your Exhaustion levels mindfully - and accepting it as a part of the process - is very important. Long Rests are fewer and farther in between, requiring that specific conditions be met to gain its benefits: Comfort, Security, Tranquility.
This central role of Exhaustion reinforces many important themes of Tolkienian literature - receiving aid from your allies, the importance of hospitality, and just the stark and unrelenting struggle of doing what must be done no matter the cost.
emsquared sent a note to emsquared
