The First Age

[Blubbo Baggins]

Has anyone tried doing a theme conversion (using the same rules just re-skinning) of the locations and cultures for a campaign set in the First Age?

[zedturtle]

Has anyone tried doing a theme conversion (using the same rules just re-skinning) of the locations and cultures for a campaign set in the First Age?

Ever since Wyz asked the question in the thread at rpg.net, I've been thinking of mechanical ways to allow the most powerful of the Calaquendi to do what we see them do in the First Age. But that's a project that squarely belongs in the House Rules thread.

I've not seen anything particular, other than some musings and expressions of interest.

[Blubbo Baggins]

Yeah, and I'm not imagining changing anything about the cultures, merely just renaming everything to fit the themes. The cultures of men would become the Houses of Men (Hador, Beor, Haleth), Mirkwood Elves the Sindar/Elves of Doriath, and High Elves would be from any of the Noldor.

I wouldn't want to re-skin anything until the Adventurer's Companion was out, giving more options. I'd be interested in a project like this though.

[Angelalex242]

Actually...you're right, you don't need to change anything.

It's true people were more badass in the First Age then they are now...

But so were the badguys. In the third age, there's one Balrog and one Dragon.

In the 1st age, Durin's Bane and Smaug would've been average joes.

And even Sauron himself was just somebody's #2.

[Glorelendil]

It's true people were more badass in the First Age then they are now...

Not necessarily. "The story grows with its telling" is a perfectly valid interpretation.

Do you believe, for instance, that Methuselah actually lived to 800?

[Angelalex242]

In defense of the other interpretation, one of the biggest themes in Tolkien is that the world seems to degrade over time, and those that came before are mightier then people today.

[Blubbo Baggins]

In defense of the other interpretation, one of the biggest themes in Tolkien is that the world seems to degrade over time, and those that came before are mightier then people today.

I agree with this; though the tale may grow in the telling, as Glorelendil suggests, I think that this is a real theme in Tolkien's works.

With regards to actually playing a game in the 1st age, I really think it would be as fun for PCs to have the same "power level". In fact, in such a campaign, I would want to see mostly the role of men emphasized. Elves should perhaps be playable, but the might of the Noldor should still be a surprising, mysterious thing. It will add to the "largeness" and wonder of the world for the players. I actually think the limitations set in the RAW for players make the game more interesting, because overcoming limitations is fun.

If you can just use powers to overcome anything from the start (4e I'm looking at you!), you really lose a big fun factor.

Do you believe, for instance, that Methuselah actually lived to 800?

Not to completely derail this thread: it was 969.
Actually, the pre-flood world was vastly different than what we have now (actually even if one doesn't believe in a pre-flood world, if you pretend the story was true then the description of the world then is still quite different). I need to research this some more, but I have heard of scientists attempting to create a mini environment what that world was like, with a very high level of atmosphere, moisture, etc., and have put mayflies into it. Those flies, which typically live one week, lived much longer (a month? more?). Again, I need to look into this more, I am sharing some stories I have heard without looking into it directly first.

[Glorelendil]

Do you believe, for instance, that Methuselah actually lived to 800?

Not to completely derail this thread: it was 969.

Well then presumably he also lived to 800.

If not then I'm even more impressed.

[Glorelendil]

In defense of the other interpretation, one of the biggest themes in Tolkien is that the world seems to degrade over time, and those that came before are mightier then people today.

Yes, absolutely fair point. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I prefer the literalist interpretation. I like thinking of Fingolfin as a total badass. Balls o' mithril, as they say. (Where is that thread on cursing in Middle Earth?)

[Blubbo Baggins]

Do you believe, for instance, that Methuselah actually lived to 800?

Not to completely derail this thread: it was 969.

Well then presumably he also lived to 800.

If not then I'm even more impressed.

Lol