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PS: Try to avoid area maps, to the extent possible. It encourages a kind of tactical thinking TOR doesn't handle very well. Rely instead on narrative.

I like area maps, for various reasons, but I use them more in TOR than in many other games, mostly because the system doesn't describe the combat in details. The map helps create those details. Also, it shows how stances are not positions.

@Heilemann and @Yusei I think we're having a disconnect here. I think of the maps included with the rules, the players map for example, when thinking about area maps, or perhaps a smaller subsection of that map. That doesn't seem to match with your mention of tactical thinking or combat and stances.

What are you referring to as 'area' maps?

I assumed Heilemann meant a map describing the whereabouts of a fight.

OK so basically like tiles covered in one inch squares as used by that other game.

Right, the only time I've used something like that for TOR is in the fight at Amon Nauglir (sp) from Rich's Eagles Eyrie scenario and then mostly because a picture of the area worked better than the description. Mostly I just rely on description because that stops a lot of the tactical decision-making not really required by the TOR combat system

In my games, Encounters and Interactions are ALWAYS the tricky part. My players feel somehow restrained by the rules, so they tend to "break" them. My advice is: be creative! Things will go as you didn't plan A LOT of times

Let me bring an example: in the first encounter with Balin, they elected a spokesman (a dwarven warrior: not very skilled in talk, but presumably more likely to impress the old dwarf). He failed his roll 2 times (TN 14; Tolerance was 3), so another companion (a Woodman) decided to join the discussion and make an Awe roll.

How would you handle this as a LM? I stated that the change of spokesman badly affected the interaction ("a spokesman getting interrupted by another? what an intolerable insubordination!"), raising the TN of tests by +2 from now on (new TN=16). The Woodman rolled a normal success.

But then the elf wanted to intervene too, trying to make the dwarf talk about what he really knew with a Riddle check. He had a good value of Riddle Skill (3 points), but I said to him:" Are you sure about this? Another interruption may be catastrophic and it may end the discussion right on the spot; and moreover, you know that Balin doesn't trust the Fair folk." The elf was confident and still took the risk, while the other players didn't oppose him. I raised the TN by another +2, for a total TN of 18.

A failure! With an Eye result! I stated that Balin was simply outraged and in a burst of anger, he shouted to the elf and to his companions to leave immediately.

The Man of the Lake intervened, trying to save the situation. I required the expenditure of a Hope point to do so, and a great success on a Persuade roll to at least stop Balin from kicking them out of his house. Miraculously enough, he obtained an Extraordinary success! I stated that this solved the diplomatic incident, but barely. The elf had still to leave the house for the discussion to continue.

This may be an example of creative Loremastering, and at least it can give you an idea on how to handle unforeseen events

Hermes Serpent wrote:Right, the only time I've used something like that for TOR is in the fight at Amon Nauglir (sp) from Rich's Eagles Eyrie scenario and then mostly because a picture of the area worked better than the description. Mostly I just rely on description because that stops a lot of the tactical decision-making not really required by the TOR combat system

Agreed. That map was to provide context to the brief descriptions and how all the scenery and layout fitted together and could offer descriptive elements and options to the gaming group. To use it as just a tactical map for tracking movement etc was definitely missing the point and by some distance - it was there to support the narrative; "a picture paints a thousand words" etc.

I ran The Marsh Bell, my first TOR game over the last couple of weeks and here's what I would say. (Note this is coming from someone that's GMed rpgs for nearly 30 years now so is comparing to other systems).

What went well?
Giving the players the room to describe the results of their rolls.
Evoking the theme of Middle Earth
The dynamic and fluid combat system.
I fully introduced Tolkiens Mewlips Poem (google it) and had the hobbit character in the group remember his father telling him the scary poem as a boy after being told about the Gallows Weed by the Woodman (cue asking the player to describe a flashback seen then playing the audio of JRRT reading the poem!
I was running it on Roll20 so always had background music playing and also used sound effects (bell tolling, crows)
I replaced the Troll with a Marsh Ogre from the LMs Screen - One tough fight later and 'phew that was nasty eh, but it was no Troll...'

What went poorly?
Encounters is a bit of a style change if you're used to other systems without it.
I didn't prepare/understand the journey rules enough.
The 2 rule books make wonderful reading, but are NOT great as reference guides....

If you could do it again, what would you do different?
Don't run Gloin as an Encounter - introduce that aspect for the Elves. It's not needed and they will get a chance to play out an Encounter when they meet the Elves.
Create a simple timeline of events before hand. It will make the journey easier to handle (actually this is pretty linear actually - which helps)
Put tabs in the books to help you find: Combat rules, Tests, Shadow, Adversaries, Fellowship Focus, and the scenario, in a pinch.

Other things to consider:
Think about why the dwarves hid the box - it's never explained. I decided that they knew that they were in trouble so hid it but were captured soon after.
I said that Gloin had also sent a raven to look and could find no evidence of them in the marshes or the road, otherwise I felt the reason why he sends the group is a little weak.
Definitely use the Mewlips poem.
Flesh out the other woodmen at Girions Steps. Names and a 1 line description. It will make them feel more important to the story.
Avoid showing the map in the dwellers lair - but use it if the players are struggling understanding their location.
Think about how they are going to get out - my PCs climbed up the bell tower
Consider glossing over the return journey (8 days later...) - I was rushed so had no choice though.

Michebugio wrote:I stated that the change of spokesman badly affected the interaction ("a spokesman getting interrupted by another? what an intolerable insubordination!"), raising the TN of tests by +2 from now on (new TN=16).

I like this solution.

The Man of the Lake intervened, trying to save the situation. I required the expenditure of a Hope point to do so, and a great success on a Persuade roll to at least stop Balin from kicking them out of his house. Miraculously enough, he obtained an Extraordinary success! I stated that this solved the diplomatic incident, but barely. The elf had still to leave the house for the discussion to continue.

I'd've considered the encounter over as per the rules, and the Lake-man's attempt could keep them from getting kicked out unceremoniously, but not restart the encounter. I would also allow the party that wasn't kicked out to go back to Balin after he'd cooled off—at least a day—and if they left the elf behind. It'd be a new encounter, but with the TNs kept at their higher values.

(Do you mean Glóin?)

For stuff like adventure hooks, I think encounters are a tricky rhyme to rock. Yes, you can set up the rewards as being expensdable niceities, and that works, but in situations like an Elf and a Dwarf start spewing nastiness at each other following an Eye... It's a hard save.