Introduction
System: d20
Setting: J.R.R. Tolkiens Middle-Earth
Time: During the Third Age, post Bilbo's finding of the One Ring but before the Ring passes to Frodo.
Attributes: The standard
6 attributes each starting at a base score of 8 with 36 points to distribute amongst them. The maximum any attribute can be
taken to is 18 before racial adjustments.
Alignment: Any non-evil*
Hit Points: Maximum hit points for your first class. Roll hit points for each proceeding level.
Player Races*: Humans, Elves, Half-Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits.
*All races have major changes to them, which are detailed, in the race section of this book.
Player Classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid*, Fighter, Ranger, Rouge, Wizard*, and Sorcerer*.
*Please see the section on classes to read about important changes to these classes.
Prestige Classes: Must be approved by the DM on a case-by-case
situation.
Multi-class: All characters
can multi-class as they choose to as long as they meat the requirements for the class they choose to pick up. Characters also
need to spend some time learning about the new class either through research or training with a member of the class. The DM
will tell the player when a new class can be picked up. (Figure if your character spends most of its current level training
or researching a new class then their next level can be in that new class.)
Skills: Each character will begin with two life skills. These life skills are to flesh out the character
and to give them the skills that the inhabitants of a region or members of a certain race would all typically have. Each
of these skills will start with a rank of 2. Some of the different races will have already assigned one or both of these
skills for the player. If this is the case the player cannot choose to change these.
Feats: Each character will begin play with (1) one extra feat. This feat is to flesh out the character
and to give them the abilities that the inhabitants of a region or members of a certain race would all typically have. Some of the different races may assign this feat for the player. If this is the case
the player cannot choose to change this. Please see the Feats section of this book for an expanded list of available feats.
Languages: There exist many different languages in Middle-earth. Some of these languages have many similarities such as the elven
tongues. If a person knows one of the elven languages they would be able to get along with some difficulty in a area which
spoke only another of the elven tongues. In the racial section any languages listed under the language section are known by a member of that race. Any languages listed under the other languages section are languages that are common among members of that race, but which a character must purchase
with skill points to be able to speak and read.
Currency: There is
a new and rare form of money being added to the game in the form of Mithiril pieces (mp). 1 mithiril piece = 10 platinum pieces.
At first level characters will begin play with one suite of clothing and maximum starting gold.
Magic Items: Magic
is a very fundamental part of Middle-Earth but it is used with great care. Magic items are, for the most part, seen as great
treasures and as such it is very rare to see people dealing in ultra-powerful magic items. Many lower powered items may be
available through the right resources or given as part of a payment or to help in an adventure.
Gods: There exists
one true God of Middle-Earth (Arda) called Eru. Eru created the lesser deities called Valar and the Maiar. There are fifteen greater Valar, who are often called the Powers of Arda. Amongst these there are eight who are preeminently worshiped, they are called
the Aratar (Exalted) and one who has fallen and is the origin of evil. Many different peoples worship the Valar,
under different names and with unique beliefs. The Religious practices vary widely across Middle-Earth but in the northwestern
region they are normally informal. Maiar are lesser god who tend Arda under the direction of the Valar. Of the Maiar only
Sauron is truly worshipped.
Psionics: There are
no psionics on Middle-Earth as such you will most certainly never encounter psionic characters or monsters.
