So this is a 2 part question. One is for the lame me, that can't seem to figure out rules, I've always had someone else in the group help me learn the systems, something of a learning disability I have reading and putting the directions into action. I wish I knew what it was or why it's that way for me. So I guess I'd like a cheat sheet on how to make a character? And second what is your first character going to be or what is it?

Not a cheat sheet but the Character Creation summary is well worth keeping on hand during PC creation. Its pretty complete:

Hero Creation Summary

1. Select a Heroic Culture
- Record a character’s Cultural blessing and skill list
- Select two Specialities
- Roll (or choose) Background
- Record Basic Attributes and Favoured Skill
- Select two Distinctive Features

2. Customise your Hero
- Choose your hero’s Favoured Attributes
- Spend Previous Experience to buy skill levels
- Choose a Calling and Favoured skills
- Generate the scores for Endurance and Hope
- Prioritise the scores for Valour and Wisdom (choosing, accordingly, your starting Reward or Virtue)
- Record Starting Gear and Fatigue

I was wondering how you got to choose your starting virtue thanks for all your answers Skywalker, but no example of what you want to play?

I love to use the online character generator. I think playing with that has taught me a ton about the different kinds of characters and what things mean.

http://azrapse.es/tor/sheet.html

It's a fantastic tool! If you like it, check a couple pages back on the forums and post a thanks to Azrapse, who created it!

As far as first character, I'm thinking a Beorning. I'd really like to use Awe, it seems like a very story type of skill.

It should be me thanking for all those nice words.

Ironically, building that character generator helped me understanding better the generation process. It's not that hard, but I guess it's better if you can backtrack and change your mind in mid of the process, and that's more cumbersome if you don't use any tool.

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/the-hobbit/characters/beorn/


I just think the info posted here just makes me really want to have a character turn into a bear, I know that may seem evil or dark but Beorn was awesome I can't wait to see this, now I'm working a new character.

Thank you thank you for the character generator, i've been using it like crazy now.

I usually tend to be the LM for my group, but for TOR I'm actually going to get to play for once. Two of my players will create a character that they will take turns to play when the other player assumes the role of LM. It's going to be interesting to see how this works out.

For my own part I asked some of my friends what they thought I should play, and they said I tend to play "goodie-to-shoes" (I really don't know how that's supposed to be spelled) with a hint of berserk-rage.

So I decided I wanted to play someone a little different. I want to play a barding of Dale. He's supposed to be an archer and somewhat of a thief. Someone who's seen the ugly side of life and trusts himself to see to his own survival.

As a spark of life I want him to have a wife and two children. That will provide a great reason for why he would like to find treasure and see to his family, as well as a nice haven!

I'm thinking "ashen eyes" and "treasure hunter" for him. I like virtues better than rewards so maybe I want him to be one of the kings men.

I want to make a Prince who wants to preserve all the lore of Mirkwood and of his people. I used the online generator for him, I love the way they subtle magic works in this system. Beautiful stuff, I don't want Elves that shoot fireballs or magic missiles. I love this game. I know I've said that before but I won't stop saying it.

I agree, I love this game, and can't wait for the release of more material, especially the first adventure book.

One of the things that always put me off of RPG's was the obtuse way of the designers to encumber them with loads of junk regarding magic and religion(s). Honestly, I don't need 300 pages plus (or whatever) of spells, or the analysis of all the different religions, faiths, etc. (the product of taking hallucinogenic herbs, I guess).

Tolkien's Middle Earth is exactly what I look for in a fantasy setting: fluid, intense narrative, rich world, heroic deeds, and lots of action, and this RPG makes it justice.

Pretty early on someone posted a very handy 2 page summary sheet for character creation. Our group used that a lot. Great game, both to GM and play.

Goody Two Shoes... the wonders of Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_o...Goody_Two-Shoes