Great suggestions Evia.  I have almost every MERP module they ever made, and all of Tolkien's books of course, along with numerous other books written about Middle earth I can recommend.  I haven't read any of the adventures in Middle earth stuff, but I have heard it's good, I may have to invest in those :-).

I have one more potential player I am working with,  He is leaning towards Fighter/Thief I believe.

I put up a few Game Maps and finished the Seven Houses and Lost Tribes :-).

I should be ready to start next week.  Any questions about Erebor or game stuff?  I am changing a few minor details about the Fourth Age, btw.  For example Mirkwood has been claimed by King Tharanduil and Lord Celeborn the Wise as Tolkien wrote, but the woods have not been completely cleansed yet, nor has Mordor.  Those are ongoing struggles.

Also four of the original members of Thorin Oakenshield's company still live oat the Lonely Mountain, old and rich and honoured.  Some of them had children who are important dwarves.  Two of them are in your party.

Actually, would a list of important people in Erebor be useful?  Knowledge those who are from Erebor would know?

Absolutely, and I would hazard that they would be known by name among almost all Dwarves after being part of a major historical event like that.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 22):

I was wondering where we will be starting from ?

In or on the Lonely Mountain.  Probably Raven hill to be specific.  If there's something you want your character to do I'll make it happen if I can.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:13, Sun 06 Aug 2017.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 25):

Great. "The One Ring" has an Erebor - lonely mountain supplement which maybe the only material ever produced.

I have two different MERP modules with maps of Erebor too, but I'll look for the One Ring Supplement, thanks for letting me know Evia. :-)

Here's a question.

Given the subject material, I imagine that we will be dealing with a fair about of violence during the course of this story.

Keeping in mind that the game is currently being run at a Mature rating, what level of description do you feel would be appropriate for this mood and setting?

Perhaps you might be willing to give an example to set the tone?

A good question actually.   Yes I'd say there is a 100% chance you will be dealing with violence.  I don't intend to be detailed about the Goblin King being disembowelled,  I don't find excessive gore pleasant and neither did Tolkien, but I think it is important to be descriptive so a clear picture of a melee is envisioned by everyone.  For example:

Thoin Hard hand stood valiantly above the body of his murdered Lord, his bloody hands desperately wrapped around the haft of his maul.  Around him the mangled bodies of a dozen goblins lay, dead or dying.  As the wounded dwarf exhaled, the sharp pain proof of his broken ribs,  he saw the shadow rise up before him.  With grim resolve, he watched as Kraugh, the chief of the Goblin king's Mountain troll guard lumbered towards him, dragging a spiked ball on an iron chain.  Suddenly,  the dwarf warrior bellowed and charged the monster, swinging his maul in a wide arc at the creature's unprotected head!

Okay I got carried away there lol, but you do bring up a good point.  Maybe the game should be rated adult?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:40, Sun 06 Aug 2017.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 29):

Ah heard there was a need for someone to open doors that are closed, find things that are hidden, and remove dangers. Ah be such a dwarf.

In reply to Thrir son of Thrur (msg # 30):

Are we using Table 47 or Table 48 for Encumbrance effects on Movement?

Welcome Thrir! I'm sure you'll have work a 'plenty.

Thanks for the example DM. I don't know that an Adult rating would be needed for that level of description. I feel you managed to detail enough of the scene to get the feel across, without getting into the gritty specifics.

We can all imagine what kind of carnage a sharp axe to the face could cause when swung in the heat of battle, but I would agree that at a certain point one could include a level of detail that could detract from the quality of the story.

I suppose it might be considered  hypocritical to want to have a story about what amounts to a military invasion, but wanting the description of the event to be tasteful at the same time, heh.

Welcome Thrír, we will need an "expert burglar" for their will be traps and sneaky business.  Table 47 sir,  to answer your excellent question.  I have no intention of being too nit picky about encumbrance, but it does matter.  Note that dwarves half encumbrance penalties as well.  They were made to carry such burdens after all :-)

Thanks Kronin, I have written much more elaborate scenes, but for our purposes I think that will suffice.  Now if someone looses an arm, there will probably be a bloodier description, but I try to use Tolkien as a guide.  As you said, we can all imagine the results of using primitive weapons to hurt one another, and the truth is your imagination can create a much more vivid scene than I could ever write.  We just need to outline the situation enough to understand what you s going on.  That's my job as a DM.

You do have a point though, about the military aspect of reclaiming Moria.  We all know the forces in control of Durin's Hallowed Halls aren't just going to hand you the keys  :-).
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:35, Sun 06 Aug 2017.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 33):

I think I'm approved :), hopefully we start soon :)

I'll brought the "One Ring" Erebor supplement over the weekend and can heartily recommend it.

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/pr...-The-Lonely-Mountain

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Yes I'm looking at it as well.  So far there is some excellent stuff on there.

Thrir you are approved sir, well done.  We are just waiting for a couple more players to finish their characters.  I'm working with them :-).  We should be starting this week.

Btw I am going to use something that has been useful in previous games, Items of Quality.  I think especially in a game about dwarves it's a good addition.  Basically any item of quality is exceptionally well made, is hard to find, costs twice as much as a more mundane item of the same type, and provides a small bonus based on its purpose.  All Items of Quality are also +1 to save against any damage they suffer.  A sword of quality would add a non magical +1 to hit and have a similar +1 to save against damage.  A pair of quality boots might add a plus to move silently, or to climbing, or to movement, depending on the type of boots.

There are also items of exceptional quality which are rarer still, cost four times what a similar mundane item would, but adds a plus two bonus instead of the quality item's plus one.  Items of exceptional quality usually have to be custom made by a master artisan.

I'll write this in the house rules in character creation as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 36):

I like the rules for Birthright Weapons in the Adventures in Middle Earth Players Guide pg 96. Especially how they grow and evolve with the character.

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Thanks Evia for all the excellent suggestions.  I'll see  if I can find a copy of the Players Guide and give it a look :)

Almost ready.  The last two players are nearly done with their characters.  May I just say... MAN you folks like hammers lol.  Of the five dwarves created two have mauls, which are two handed war hammers, one has a war hammer as a secondary weapon and one has a smithing hammer.  We also have sword and a mattock as well.  its clobbering time  :-).

Also I'm going to put up a list of languages both common and obscure.  Some languages like Sindarin and Quenya are pretty well known, while others like Atliduk, Bethteur, Delsk, and Gramuik are not.  Hopefully it will prove useful.

Btw Evia I am about half way through the Erebor supplement too and it is quite good.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 02:35, Wed 09 Aug 2017.

Which is funny, I almost went Axe just because it was more traditional...Kronin does have a hand axe as a backup...but there is something satisfying about a blunt force trauma!

Just thought that I would drop in and see how we were looking.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 39):

It is one of the better gaming accessories I have brought in a long while.

Let's see, Kronin I agree there is some satisfaction in bashing your opponent to pulp, I also have no issues with a preponderance of hammers in our party, in fact it could even become a symbol of the group:  the Hammers of Moria or something like it :-).  There is a dwarf group in MERP called the Axes of Nargubraz so why not?

We are doing well, I have been assisting our last two players in completing their characters and they are nearly done.  I see no reason why we could not begin this weekend if everyone is okay with it; I know I am eager to begin.

Evia, I agree it is well done and I will probably incorporate some of it into the game, although I doubt we will stay too long in Erebor.  I could be wrong however, because there are elements in this campaign that might have you stay in the area for awhile, it's very much up to you.  Those decisions are for all of you to make :-)

Oh, completely off topic, I know that Tolkien never mentioned crossbows anywhere in his writings, but I think it makes sense they would be in use in Middle-earth.  I don't see any reason they shouldn't be available to players and foes alike :-D

Any last minute details you'd like to ask?  Are any of our characters married?  Have children or family in Erebor, other than Lord Dwalin the Old of course?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:05, Fri 11 Aug 2017.

In reply to Eru Illuvatar (msg # 43):

Great I am ready for a weekend start if others are able.

I had envisaged Evia as an only child either by birth or circumstance.

Kronin has a few siblings listed on his sheet, I could see either of them living in Erebor.

I did notice that Kronin; thanks for the reminder, it may very well be important early on. :)

Evia, that makes sense to me.  I picture Dwalin as having had only one child.  Dwarves are very seldom prolific at any rate.