goutal@decvax.UUCP (Kenneth G. "Kenn" Goutal) (08/02/83)
Anyone have any experience with these folks products? Specifically, (a) Rolemaster, and (b) the Middle Earth modules? Do they make other things? -- Kenn (decvax!)goutal
hammy@mit-eddie.UUCP (J. Scott Hamilton) (08/02/83)
Anyone have any experience with these folks products? Specifically, (a) Rolemaster, and (b) the Middle Earth modules? Do they make other things? -- Kenn (decvax!)goutal Yes indeed. Our role playing group, which I will talk about later, has several people involved in Iron Crown campaigns, including me. I will give a rundown of the material that I have had experience in. Rolemaster A complete set of rules (as far as I know) for the Iron (Basic set) Crown fantasy role playing system. It includes Claw Law, Arms Law, Spell Law, and Character Law, plus two percentile dice (what a bahgahn). As far as I can tell, this includes all the rules that ICE makes for its frp game. If you want more information about how the game plays, I can either send you mail or post the response on the net if there is enough interest. The In general, the modules are based on some part of Modules Tolkein's Middle Earth. The map that they use for M.E. is an extension of that shown in the LOTR. It is supposed to be based as much as possible on Tolkein's other writings, but because of its detail, it is obvious that some creative extending had been done. There is one module for which I am not familiar, it is their first one, and it is based on some mountainous land somewhere in the north (not Angmar). I think it is somewhere northish of Mirkwood. The modules should be thought of as campaigns rather than one shot modules. Much of the work that is required of a GM has been already completed in the module. Yet, the modules still give the GM plenty of leeway to taylor the campaign as he sees fit. I think most of the modules are set around the year 1600 S.A. Angmar Our group has an active campaign in this module. At this time, Ardor is at war with Angmar's forces, but it there are no thousand army battles. Fornost is doing the best it can, Rivendell is kind of holed up. Our group is spying for the good guy's side. We now have Angmar chasing us. This campaign is about average in terms of fighting/magic ratio. Healing can be acquired at Fornost, some magic can be found at Fornost, and a fair amount can be found at Rivendel (for those who can get in). Umbar This is my campaign which folded up when my group went on vacation. This campaign is centered around the City of Umbar, and extends north to Gondor and south east to the desert. The campaign has no magic use, much healing, and even more fighting. This is your basic warrior society. Those who want magic users should probably have them immigrate from somewhere else. Ardor Another active campaign. Most of this campaign seems to have been made up. The area is extremely rich in magic. Our party has too many magic users. What more can I say. Northern This module just came out recently. I plan on running it Mirkwood in our group, although I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I am a big elf fan, so I am enthused that they finally have it out. They are scheduled (sometime) to come out with Southern Mirkwood. The only thing I did notice is that it seems to be based on The Hobbit, and includes Smaug's stomping grounds. As to our group, we are known as the Tangent Group. As far as I know, I am the only person in the group who is active on the Arpanet or Usenet. We play at MIT on Friday evenings and most of Saturday. The group consists of about thirty people of various frequencies of attendance. I would say about a third of the group is MIT related. The ages range from fourteen to thirty two. Currently there are no females who take an active part in the campaigns (no flames please). We are involved in the following gaming systems; AD&D, Champions, I.C.E., Gamma World, and Bushido. We are trying to get a Fantasy Trip campaign going, and on person has a campaign that is a modified version of Traveler. One of our members used to play with the group in Charlottesville, N.C., who are the designers of I.C.E., and I believe he used to play in their campaigns before they became commercialized. He sometimes writes them asking about rulings. Also, as well as gaming activities, we also sponsor a newspaper called "Tangent Points". This newspaper includes campaign updates, schedules, bulletins, editorials, and unclassified ads. I am very interested in some of the activites of other groups, and I am usually willing to share my experiences or viewpoints with those who would be interested. I can also share some of the experiences of the group, if people have questions. It would be nice if frp groups could use the networks to communicate experiences and expertise. -- J. Scott Hamilton !genrad!mit-eddie!hammy