Coming next for The One Ring™

[doctheweasel]

So does anyone else check this thread 6-10 times per day looking for some hint on the rivendell book to be released so we have an idea if the magic weapons we have introduced are underpowered/overpowered?

... no.

... still no.

[Otaku-sempai]

Does Tharbad really present much of a mystery? It was abandoned in TA 2912 after being devastated by floods. The kingdom of Arnor fell more than a century earlier, so it was probably deemed easier to relocate than to attempt to rebuild.

I'll bet all sorts of unsavory characters are living there....

Well, that's entirely possible. And if it was abandoned in haste, who knows what treasures might have been left behind? Especially if the owner of such a treasure was a victim of the floods.

[Mim]

Tharbad's demise may not present that much of a mystery to the C7 writers. In addition to the floods, the people of the city also suffered for centuries from the wars that ravaged the area (the Witch-king's destruction of the North-kingdom, etc.), as well as the plague.

It can still be a cool side for an adventure, however, because during its waning days, & certainly after its 'abandonment': Ruffians may lurk within the ruins, searching for lost treasures & the like; as can renegade Dunlendings; Saruman's spies; & so forth. They can work separately or together (or at least cooperate as much as any servants of the Enemy cooperate ), & you can also have your heroes just plain search for treasure as well. Perhaps Elrond or Gandalf ask them to find some ancient Dúnedain or Elven heirloom within the ruins?

Ditto for Ost-in-Edhil for that matter. There are at least two ways to look at the Noldorin fortress:

1. The Elves built so well that at least some of the ruins yet survive, & perhaps Sauron didn't find everything when he scoured the place? Yes, that's a stretch, but it's a game .

2. The fortress does not survive the years in any more than a rudimentary form, but a treasure or two yet remain...

[Mordagnir]

Regarding Tharbad, I've long believed -- and reflected in my own campaigns -- that some primitive community would lay on or near the ruins of the city. The Shire is too well off to my way of thinking to believe it's all a result of native industry. In fact, I'd say it's too well off even if one factors in frequent commerce with Breeland and some occasional trading with Rangers, Elves from the Havens, Blue Mountains Dwarves, and perhaps some Rivendell Elves via Bree.

So, with whom are the Hobbits trading? There are hints of limited trade along the Greenway -- reflected in the presence of Shire goods in the flotsam and jetsam of Isengard, for example, or the need to post Rangers to watch Sarn Ford -- and so it is natural to look at a map and wonder how it all works out. I suspect that my posited community at Tharbad benefits from trade coming from at least one source and possibly several others. The "gimme" is trade up and down the Glanduin to communities on the coast with which merchantmen from Gondor trade (it seems likely that even in the late Third Age, merchants from Gondor would ply the coast). At the least, you'd have some limited loading and unloading facilities at Tharbad for boats as well as homes for porters/teamsters. If you have those things, then it seems likely you'd also have basic services as well.

It seems likely that if you have a community there anyway, then you would also have Dunlendings interested in getting their hands on some fine textiles coming from either Gondor or the artisans of Eriador. Other prized goods might include jewelry and baubles, fine alcoholic beverages, and metal goods (though I suspect in the last case, the Dunlendings might have other sources as well). This might actually cause the founding of another mall community on the south bank that would be politically distinct from the north bank community (there are several analogues in Medieval Europe). A community on the south bank would also require some sort of ferry service since it doesn't seem the ford is reliable and the bridge is gone.

The upper limit on these communities would be that if they were too large and powerful, we would expect a reliable ferry service that would have saved Boromir his horse. So, whatever is on the south bank would be very basic (possibly limited also by raiders and bandits and such).

[farinal]

I must say I am a bit taken back with the Rohan expansion and Gondorian playable culture since it seemed to me Eriador and even Rhovanion needs more detailing. I hope the Lorien or Ered Luin won't go unnoticed too since their cultures will be out but will probably have not much pages on them.

What you guys think? Can't wait for Rivendell and Eraidor Ruins books though. Eriador is my fav region

[Otaku-sempai]

Eriador is certainly not without interest, but the fact remains that it is largely a peaceful region in the time of Bilbo Baggins until the years just preceeding the War of the Ring. There is adventure to be had, but the stakes are nowhere near as high as they might be elsewhere.

Many of the folk of Eriador were descended from the Dunlendings (the Men of Bree-land were the northernmost such branch); those who remained in Dunland "preserved their ancient language and primitive culture," according to Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth. Those Dunlendings still in Dunland also retained their hatred of the Rohirrim "who had driven them out of the northern valleys of the Ered Nimrais and the plains of western Rohan," (Foster).

Even after the fall of Tharbad, there were likely a number of thorps, hamlets and independent farmholds along the Greenway and even south of the Greyflood River as the Old South Road continued to the Gap of Rohan. It would not be at all suprising if one or two such communities were near the ruins of the old city or if Orcs or bandits were haunting the area. There seems to be extensive marshland to the north-east of Tharbad, where the Glanduin meets the River Hoarwell (Mitheithel). In addition to the many swans found in that area, the marshes may be home to more dangerous creatures such as Grim Hawks, Mewlips, Marsh-hags and Marsh-ogres. Wights might have moved into the ruins of Tharbad, inhabiting area tombs.

[trystero]

I must say I am a bit taken back with the Rohan expansion and Gondorian playable culture since it seemed to me Eriador and even Rhovanion needs more detailing....Eriador is my fav region

I think the C7 folks want to make you happy, but there are probably just as many players (and potential players) who are itching to see information on Gondor and Rohan.

Personally I'm quite content to see the geographic range widening: there's always going to be room for more, but I'm pleased to see the game adding at least basic coverage for most of the cultures and regions on which the books focus.

[farinal]

Don't get me wrong I am also very much excited for Rohan book but the reason of my "doubts" is the fact that Rhovanion and Eriador are kind of similar with no really powerful central authority in the lands and small kingdoms or villages here and there trying to survive. So I wonder how will the nature of a strong kingdom like Rohan effect the game. As a final word though thinking of what C7 has accomplished so far I bet it will be wonderful too

[bigsteveuk]

So, as nobody else has asked for ages.

Any updates as summer is closing in and I need something to read on my holiday?

Cheers,

Steve

[Hermes Serpent]

I thought we'd had Summer in the UK a few weeks back when the sun shone for more than a couple of hours between rain storms?