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This is another of my Middle Earth resources, using AD&D 2d edition rules. If you have questions, or want other modules, please e-mail me ate:
Or look at my web page:
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/USMCM1A1/homepage.htm
The page has ME info, as well as a complete city, Arabel, set in TSR's Forgotten Realms
Elves are the firstborn of Illûvatar, naming themselves "Quendi"(Q.,'those who speak'). They awoke before the Age of the Sun, during the time the Stars were kindled, by the mere at Cuivenin. Orome the Hunter was the first of the Valar to find them, and persuaded some to journey westward, for he loved them, and wanted them to join the Valar in Eldamar. Those that refused were the "Avari", those that undertook the journey the "Eldar". Of the Eldar there were three kindred, the Vanyar, the Noldor and the Teleri. Of them, the Teleri was the greatest company, and came more slowly then the rest. Many of the Teleri tarried in Middle Earth, and never came to Aman, the blessed realm. Of those Teleri who remained in Middle Earth, there were three kindred, the Sindar, the Silvan, and Falathrim Elves. Thus some of the Teleri were in Middle Earth, and never saw the light of Aman, and were called the Moriquendi, the elves of the dark. But the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the majority of the Teleri resided in Eldamar in Aman, and because they had seen the holy light of that land, were called the Calaquendi, the elves of the light. But before the rising of the sun, Melkor killed the Two trees of light, and stole the Noldor's greatest treasure, the Silmarill's, and slew their king, Finwe. The Noldor pursued Melkor to Middle Earth, and swore a terrible oath in disobedience of the Valar, and fought the fruitless war of the Silmarills. That story is told in the Quenta Silmarill; suffice to say that while deeds of greatest renown came from that war, it was doomed to fail, and among its blackest works were kinslaying and madness. Thus in Middle Earth there were four kindred of Elvenkind: the Noldor who returned from Aman, and three Teleri tribes, the Sindar, Silvan, and Falathrim.
All elves in Middle Earth are ageless, untouched by sickness or pestilence. They can be slain though, and even die of great grief. Elves need little sleep, and are thus immune to sleep magics, likewise the clarity of their minds guards them from charms. Elves do not fear the shades of men; ghosts hold no terror for them. After 4th level, Elves need 15% more Exp. pts to advance in level. Finally, elves have their fate intertwined with that of Arda, the Earth. If the body of an elf is slain, they will wait in the halls of Mandos the Judge until the fate of all Arda is revealed; they cannot be resurrected.
Noldor The mightiest of the Elven kindred, they are +1 in both Strength and Intelligence; they are fierce warriors and the greatest crafters of magical items on Arda, the Earth. It was a Noldo who found the secret of ring-making; Feanor, the greatest Noldo to walk Arda, fashioned the Silmarills, living gems that held the light of the Two Trees that illuminated the world before the sun. Noldorian elves are +1 in dam/to hit with any sword. They may choose any two extra proficiencies from the following: Gem Cutting, Blacksmithing, SpellCraft, Endurance, and Running. All Noldor speak Quenya.
Sindar (S. 'Grey')The Grey elves were ruled by Elu Thingol, King Greycloak, and his queen Melian the Maia. She was one of the Ainur, the spirits whom Illûvatar first created; the foremost called the Valar, the rest the Maia. All the Sindar were enhanced in mind and body by her influence, and are thus +1 in both Wisdom and Constitution. They can withstand attacks on the will at +1. They ruled much of Middle Earth, and had great knowledge. All Sindar may choose one extra proficiencies among the following: Ancient Hist, Read/Write, Running, Endurance, plus one players choice. They speak Sindarin.
Silvan The Woodland elves make their home in the forest of Mirkwood and Lothloríen, and are +1 in Dexterity. Their skill with a bow is such that they are +1 in dam/to hit. All Silvan elves can hide in Shadows in woodland setting as a thief of the same level; a Silva thief doubles his chance. Silvan elves speak Westron, the common tongue.
Falathrim Ruled by Cirdan Shipwright, the Falathrim refused the final journey across the sea to the uttermost west, and are now settled in Lindon and the Grey Havens. They are a handsome and intelligent people (+1 Int/Char), and have Seamanship, Navigation, Swimming and Rope Use as extra proficiencies. They speak Sindarin.
Elven racial breakdown on percentile roll:
01-20% Noldo
21-55% Sinda
56-70% Fala
71-00% Silva
Men are the Atani (Q., 'Secondborn'), and those men who aided the elves in the War of the Silmarills are called the Edain. The remainder are the Easterlings, who were ever untrue, and betrayed the elves at the Dagor Bragollach (the Battle of the Sudden Fire), and the Haradrim to the south, who have often worshipped Melkor, and then later Sauron. Although lesser in mind and body then elves, men breed faster than any race save Orcs, and hold much of Middle Earth under their sway.
Easterlings Smaller than the Edain, they have brown skin and black hair. They are +1 in Dexterity due to their quickness. These men from Rhûn have been invading and harrying Gondor since the Second Age. Those Easterlings descendants from earlier invasions are the Dunlendings, who speak Duneal. Easterlings in Endor will know Westron.
Haradrim They are a wise, proud and cruel race. From bronze to black in skin color, they are mighty warriors who rule an empire in southern Middle Earth. Trained to war, all Haradrim gain an extra weapon proficiency.
Dunedain (Q.,'Edain from the West') After the war of the Silmarills and the sinking of Beleriand, the Valar took pity on the Edain, and took those that would to an island west of Middle Earth, Numenor (Q., 'Westerness') midway between Middle Earth and Aman. It was said that from the Hilltop of Illûvatar's temple on Numenor, one could see the spires of Eldamar in Aman. The Numenorians grew mighty in spirit and flesh, and the length of their days on Arda grew to between 150 to 180 years. They share the same bonuses as Sindarin elves, and among men have the freest discourse with elves. In their might they came back to Middle Earth, and even Sauron trembled at their approach, and allowed himself to be shackled and brought to Numenor in chains. But in their might the Numenorians had grown proud, and eventually Sauron the prisoner became the counselor to the King (Sauron was still fair of form then), and his words sowed distress and dissension wherever he went. Sauron preyed upon their fear of death, making them jealous of the Eldar and learning to call death not the "gift of men" but the "doom of men." Finally in their madness, they made war upon the immortal Valar; their destruction and the sinking of Numenor beneath the waves is told in full in The Akallabeth, (Ad., 'Downfall). A few faithful Dunedain, led by Elendil the Tall, were guided to escape the disaster, and came to Middle Earth to establish the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. Dunedain speak Westron, Adunic, and 50% chance Sindarin.
The remaining Edain are loosely grouped into the Northmen, those who refused the journey to Numenor.
Beornings Men of the vales of the Anduin river, they are not overly friendly to outsiders, but in exchange for tolls keep the roads clear. They do not eat meat, and they fiercely hate Orcs and Goblins. Some of the Beornings are shape changers, and they all share an ursine affinity. All Beornings may goes Berserk [W., 'Bear-Sark(Shirt)'], every other day. They do +1 dam/to hit, will fight through HP -2, and will engage exclusively in melee while berserk. They speak Westron.
Bardings Men of the ancient kingdom of Dale, they live in the shadow of Erebor, the lonely mountain. They have old ties with the Dwarves, and are renowned Bowmen, +1 both dam/to hit. They speak Westron, and have a 30% chance of speaking some Khûzdul.
Woodsmen Men who live in Mirkwood and its fringes, they are at home in the woods. Woodwise and crafty, they may hide in shadows as a same level thief in woodland settings. They speak Westron.
Rohirrim Great blonde warriors, they are born to the saddle. For their aid in the Battle of Celebrant Field, and the swearing of the Oath of Eorl, the Rohirrim (S., 'Horse-Lord People) were bequeathed the area west of Gondor to Isengard by King Cirion of Gondor. They call themselves the Eorlingas (Roh., 'Sons of Eorl'), and their land the Riddermark. They glory in battle, and have these qualities: Riders may do anything on horseback they could do on the ground, they start at 1st level with a horse of good quality, and they do not know fear. Note that this bravery extends to even that fear produced by the undead and the servants of Mordor, against which they are +3. They speak a language between Adunic and Westron called Rohorric.
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Human racial breakdown: 01-70% Edain 71-84% Easterling 85-00% Haradrim Easterling Subtable: 01-30% Easterling 31-00% Dunlending |
Edain Subtable: 01-40% Dunedain 41-50% Woodman 51-60% Beorning 61-70% Barding 71-00% Rohirrim |
Half Elves One of the most poignant stories in Middle-Earth is that of Beren and Luthien. Beren was a hunted outlaw, so deadly to Morgoth's forces that the greatest price in Middle Earth was on his head, yet he was so gentle to others that he ate no flesh, and the birds and beasts of the field hid and sheltered him. By chance he met Luthien, the most beautiful Elven maid to walk Arda, and their love spawned the greatest deed in the Wars of Beleriand. For when they announced their love, Elu Thingol demanded a Silmarill cut from the Crown of Morgoth as a bride-price for his daughter's hand, never thinking the feat could be achieved. It was, but Beren was Luthien's doom, for in her love she choose to be mortal, and share his fate; thus the most beautiful child of Illûvatar withered and died. Their offspring are the half-elven. Their knowledge of the gift of men (that is, death), makes them wise (+1 in Wisdom). They must choose, also, whether to be Eldar or mortal men. If the choose elven kind, they are +1 in constitution, and have the same immunities as elves. If mortal, they are +1 in strength.
Dwarves Dwarves are not numbered among the children of Illûvatar; rather, they were fashioned by Aüle the Smith in his impatience to see the Children. When confronted by Illûvatar, Aüle repented, and raised his hammer to smash the seven fathers of Dwarves, but Illûvatar stayed his hand, for by letting go of the dwarves, Aüle had made them truly his. Of the seven fathers, only Durin's line exists in Middle Earth. Aüle made the Dwarves from the stuff of the Earth, so that they might withstand the works of Melkor and Sauron. They are +1 in both Strength and Constitution, and save at +1 vs. fire. They are fair but not generous, quick to anger and slow to forget. They are excellent craftsmen and delvers, and may choose 2 extra proficiencies from the following: Mining, Gem-cutting, Blacksmithing, Engineering. They bear no love for elves save the Noldor, with whom they share an affinity for shaping and crafting. They live to be 250 years old, calling themselves the Khazad or Durin's Folk, and speak Khûzdul.
Hobbitts These small folk are agile and hardy, being +1 in Constitution and Dexterity, but are -1 in strength. They use all missile weapons with a +1 bonus for dam/to hit. Although by temperament not inclined to it, they are physically suited to stealth and thievery. Hobbit thieves gain a bonus 20% on all thieving abilities. They love many small things: home and hearthfire, domestic pleasures, yet are valiant when roused. They speak Westron, a debased form of Adunic that is close to Rohorric.
Illûvatar created the Ainur, spirits to sing great hymns of joy and praise. Some of the Ainur entered Arda after its creation, knowing they would be bound to its fate. Of those Ainur that entered Arda, the greater were the Valar, who rule Arda, and the lesser the Maia. Sauron and Melian were Maia.
Melkor (Q., 'Arises in Might') Greatest in gifts among the Ainur, his lust to control and make twisted him. Renamed Morgoth (S., 'Enemy') he did many great evils, among them the poisoning of the Two great Trees, the slaying of Finwe, the theft of the Silmarills, and perhaps worst, the creation of Orcs from tortured and corrupted elves. For it was Morgoth's doom that he could never create, only twist and mock. At the end of the Great Battle, the Valar cast him into the Void, but the shadow of his malice is still stretched across Arda. Many still worship him, and his servant Sauron
Following are the Aratar (Q., 'Exalted), the eight Chiefs of the Valar:
Manwe (Q., 'good, pure') Foremost among the Valar, he is surnamed Sulimo (Q.), Lord of the Winds. He is the ruler of Arda, and understands the mind of Illûvatar best of all the Ainur. Eagles and all things of the air are sacred to him.
Varda (Q., 'Holy') Queen of the Valar, she rules Arda with her husband Manwe. She was ever the enemy of Morgoth, and she is concerned with light. It was she who kindled the stars, filled the Lamps of the Valar with light, hallowed the Silmarills, and set the Sun and Moon in their course. She is the most beautiful of the Valar. The first sight the Eldar beheld upon their awakening at the mere at Cuivenin were the stars, and for that reason all elves hold her dear.
Ulmo (Q., 'pourer, rainer') Lord of the seas, Ulmo is second only to his brother Manwe among the Valar. He rarely assumes a fana of shape, but instead exists in the seas. He is lord of music, and he cares more for the Children of Illûvatar than any other Vala. He has often appeared to Men and Elves in dreams, vision, and even directly.
Yavanna (Q. Fruit-gift) Yavanna created all the plants and animals that populate Arda, and they are her special charge. All acts of healing and growing are sacred to her. Priests who follow Yavanna may not use edged weapons, but they do have major access to the healing sphere. She is married to Aüle.
Aüle The smith of the Valar, Aüle is the maker of Durin's Folk. He taught the Noldor much of their craft; he knows the Earth and those things made from it.
Mandos Judge of the Dead, and Doomsayer of the Valar. He knows the laws of Illûvatar, and thus is inflexible. He has been moved to pity but once, when Luthien sang to him.
Nienna (Q., 'The Weeper') She cries eternally, but her tears are not of despair, but rather pity, care and endurance.
Orome The Huntsman of the Valar, he rides the father of horses. His delight is to hunt and destroy fell beasts and foul spirits; it was he who found the elves and brought them to Aman.
Tulkas The champion of the Valar, it was Tulkas who threw Melkor to the ground and bound him. He delights in feats of strength, wrestling and endurance; he laughs as he fights.
Este She is the wife of Lorien, and is concerned with healing and rest.
Lorien He is the warden of dreams and visions; he resides in the gardens of Lorien, from whence he gets his name.
Vaire (Q., 'Weaver') She weaves the tapestries that hang in the Halls of Mandos; her tapestries tell all that has or will happen in Arda.
Vana (Q., 'Ever-young) Younger sister of Yavanna and bride of Orome, flowers and birds of the air are her special joy.
Special Notes:
Rangers Only Dunedain, Half-elves and Elves may be rangers.
Priests They may use any weapon, except priests of Yavanna and Estë who cannot used edged weapons, but do have full access to the healing sphere.
