How to Run:Decipher's The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game

Being an assortment of suggestions for Narrators and players alike. Page started by Ineti.

Part One: The Essentials

1. Decipher's license covers The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings novels, most of the Appendices, and the three films by New Line.

The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The Histories of Middle-earth series, along with all other supplemental books such as The Atlas of Middle-earth are not covered.

Therefore, anyone expecting a 'complete' Middle-earth RPG will need to look elsewhere (and more specifically, either to MERP or to any number of unofficial homebrew systems. Until Tolkien's estate changes their minds on licensing, no official RPG will ever be a 'complete' version.

2. Decipher's proprietary system, the CODA System (not an acronym) uses this core mechanic: 2d6+skill+attribute modifier+other modifiers vs a Target Number or TN.

3. The CODA System is similar in some respects to the d20 System, but different in others. The treatment of wound levels/wound points, skills, orders, order abilities, edges, flaws, magic, and character advancement are generally quite different.

4. The LOTR RPG focuses on heroic, epic roleplaying in Tolkien's Middle-earth. It is not a standard fantasy RPG with Tolkien trappings, though it could be run as such. Player characters are assumed to be heroes fighting the good fight against the forces of darkness. As such there are no rules or options for playing evil characters in the game.

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