Status on next TOR book?

[Otaku-sempai]

What about Sindar heroes? Although I wouldn't expect to run across them until we get a suppliment on Lothlórien (although Lórien also had a substantial Wood-elf population).

Does anyone know what the population break-down of the Grey Havens should be? Elves, certainly, but mostly Sindar with a Noldor minority? My guess is that there are few (if any) Silvan Elves near the Havens. I find it curious that Círdan the Shipwright had close ties to the Rangers of the North yet there are no Dúnedain settlements in Western Eriador.

[Robin Smallburrow]

This issue has been looked at in a previous Other Minds I believe (that dealt with Lindon). It depends on the time period you are talking, but I would say that by late Third Age (2946) there are actually not many elves left, there would actually be as many non-elves as elves at the Grey Havens, maybe even more!. Perhaps as few as several hundred elves in total for Mithlond (and perhaps a similar number scattered around Lindon), and of these perhaps 1% would be Noldor, 25% Sindar, although I am not an expert in this area. I use similar stats for the Fourth Age (when there are even less!)

Robin S.

[Otaku-sempai]

Thanks for the reply!

[Otaku-sempai]

Half-elven-heroes? I don´t think so, because Tor is very near to Tolkien and in his works are just four half elvens under the actual sun of middle-earth.

There were at least five half-elven in Tolkien's canon: Elros, Elrond and Elrond's children. It is at least arguable that the term can also be applied to several others: Eärendil the Mariner; Dior Eluchil; and Dior's children, Eluréd, Elurin and Elwing; although, not all would have had the choice of whether to remain as Elves or accept the Mortality of Men.

In any case, in respect to gaming, do we really want to be so self-limited? Surely we can posit some undocumented unions between Men and Elves, at least among the Sindar and Avari. Now I am really hesitant about bringing up the possibility of being able to play Half-orcs.

[SirKicley]

oh by the Eldar, please no half-orc PCs.

And while I'm at it, allow me to opine that I also hope for no half-dragons, half-trolls, half-giants, drow, tieflings, or aasimars either.


And yes I agree half-elves, and Noldor should not be "officially supported" as PC races for the purpose of world-continuity purposes (as they are legendary beings) and game-balance. However, while I say "official" I have no beef with groups that wish to add these elements to their group for use - if that's the flavor you're after. Fan created material still makes up a good portion of any RPG and this trend should continue.

[Otaku-sempai]

Fair enough, sir. Although, I have seen possible precedent for the existence of Half-trolls as adversaries.

[Beleg]

If you take Elrond's children to be half elves, then you could probably argue that the line of princes in Dol Amroth is entirely half elves also.

I also am opposed to half orcs. I know they exist in Tolkien's world, but even then, they are only briefly mentioned and are quite clearly 'bad guys'

[Otaku-sempai]

If you take Elrond's children to be half elves, then you could probably argue that the line of princes in Dol Amroth is entirely half elves also.

I also am opposed to half orcs. I know they exist in Tolkien's world, but even then, they are only briefly mentioned and are quite clearly 'bad guys'

Of course Elrond's children are Half-elves. If they were not then Arwen would not have had the option of becoming Mortal by wedding Aragorn and remaining in Middle-earth. By extension, Elladan and Elrohir are also unquestionably Half-elven; 'though there is some debate over whether they chose Mortality by remaining in Middle-earth after their father sailed into the West. Personally, I think that by remaining, the twins became Mortal and eventually died as such.

[SirKicley]

Fair enough, sir. Although, I have seen possible precedent for the existence of Half-trolls as adversaries.

I was speaking entirely about PC options.


Bad-guy and monsters as character options is a (bad*) D&D trend.



Robert

* Your mileage may vary. I always prefer non-monster PCs.

[Otaku-sempai]

As we have gotten far off-topic (sorry!), I'll be brief. I can see Half-orcs as capable of being "Good" (being closer to humanity than their Orc-kin); although, perhaps not until after the War of the Ring and the demise of Saruman. Half-trolls would likely be much more problematic; I won't try to go there. This might be a fine topic for its own thread.

We have had monster-PCs in our AD&D game, and you are right that it doesn't always work out well.