Some questions

[Stormcrow]

Great sword could simply mean big sword or even magnificent sword. I don't think we can read much into it.

[Glorelendil]

Great sword could simply mean big sword or even magnificent sword. I don't think we can read much into it.

Yeah, this.

Also remember that it's from a Hobbit's point of view, scale-wise.

[Glorelendil]

Oh, as to the part about picking up the weapon of a fallen foe (or ally, for that matter) to save time when you've lost your own weapon, I'd maybe allow an Athletics roll, but with the caveat that if you fail the roll something even worse happens. Great place to use Battle dice.

[Majestic]

Good questions, Azrael. It sounds like you're sensitive to the "D&D mentality" that some have (no offense intended), and it might be wise to encourage your player to be careful with stuff like this. Remind him that simply looting every enemy (especially if his intent is to get the baddest, most powerful weapon, consequences be damned) could lead to some negative consequences, as his character struggles with the corrupting influence of the Shadow.

[Azrael Macool]

RIght. Like... don't get me wrong, I love D&D, and we've played that for years. But I've loved Middle Earth since the seventh grade, and I would like to chance to play in that world, by its own rules, as well.

[fast.git]

2) If I ran into a PC toting an Orc blade I'd be much less likely to trust them/help them, etc, unless they could convince me why the foul thing was necessary.

Absolutely. And I would include a healthy dose of Shadow... orcs fit my definition of corrupt.

[Robin Smallburrow]

Azrael

Your player sounds disturbingly Munchin-like to me. My advice on dealing with such players:

1. Players must understand the consequences of their actions in a setting like Middle-earth, a much more moral place than is D&D. I created a document for exactly such players to understand that what they can get away with in D&D they cannot in Middle-Earth:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/656 ... 20know.xls

2. The RAW state clearly that other actions other than an attack are not usually possible. However, I don't mind players trying to do extra in a combat round IF they have a relevant trait such as 'Swift' or 'Nimble' as I can see an argument for a Swift character being able to do this. Normal characters who try should be severely penalised (at least -4 penalty to their attack IMHO).

3. Looting is regarded as 'unheroic' and such characters will be 'looked down upon' in MIddle-earth (as per my document above). Depending on the circumstances (who, what, where etc.) worth a few Shadow Points at least.

4. In regards to your second post the new Rivendell supplement has a lot on your players' question re Magical Treasure, specifically the new Fellowship Phase Undertaking 'Go See A Loremaster' is I think what your player is after (the PC themselves certainly wouldn't be able to until they had at least a Lore Skill Rank of 4).

Hope this helps!
Robin S.

[Seosaidh]

However, keep in mind that there is precedence for 'looting' of a sort in Middle Earth. After the battle of Amon Hen, Legolas replenishes his arrows from the Uruk Hai. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli also take some of the weapons and shields of the Uruks to place at Boromir's feet in his funeral boat.

[Hermes Serpent]

However, keep in mind that there is precedence for 'looting' of a sort in Middle Earth. After the battle of Amon Hen, Legolas replenishes his arrows from the Uruk Hai. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli also take some of the weapons and shields of the Uruks to place at Boromir's feet in his funeral boat.

The latter is honouring the dead with a selection of the enemies weapons taken from those he slew. A sort of honour guard for his journey. It cannot be described as looting and, based on the finds in graves from the period used by JRRT as inspiration, the addition of weapons either those of the warrior or possibly of his defeated enemies was a common occurrence. We are also now finding that the commonly held belief that only men were buried with weapons was incorrect and it may be a status thing instead.

[Seosaidh]

The latter is honouring the dead with a selection of the enemies weapons taken from those he slew. A sort of honour guard for his journey. It cannot be described as looting and, based on the finds in graves from the period used by JRRT as inspiration, the addition of weapons either those of the warrior or possibly of his defeated enemies was a common occurrence.

Fair point.