Leofrings vs Rohirrim

[Southron]

The two are a related folk and now that The Horse Lands of Rohan has been out for awhile, it seems at first glance that one could simply switch Riddermark Lore for Anduin lore and mechanically you could have a Leofring character. Mechanically, speaking is there any great difference between the two cultures that I may be missing? Or do you think that time and distance would have made greater changes that would necessitate a mechanical difference?

Just interested in other's thoughts on the topic as switching Riddermark for Anduin seemed the easiest thing to change.

[Falenthal]

I also thought about doing that change. The only great difference I see is in the Virtues and Rewards. Haven't taken a close look with this change in mind, but surely there'd be no Gondorian Chainmail Reward, or a King's Guard Virtue, for example.
But as far as Starting Common Skills, Weapon Skills, Attribute ranges or free beginning horse goes, I'll keep the same.

You could think about the Standard of Living and try to come up with a different Cultural Blessing for variety, but it's not a necessity, IMHO.

[Rich H]

Not sure this is all correct as working from memory, so bear that in mind, but I get the feeling that the Leofrings could be a little more different than what has been suggested above, based on the information we have currently in TOR.

They feel a bit 'lesser' than the Rohirrim and more or a band of landless people whereas the Rohirrim have a land and king to follow. Could it be an option to give them an Attribute total the same as the Dunlending as I don't feel like they have the same grounded culture as the other races detailed so far in Wilderland and beyond? That could be pushing it a bit far though, although it could be interesting to develop them in this way.

Aren't there also suspicions that they are house thieves as well, stealing from their Rohirrim cousins? I therefore don't think they'd have access to horses in the way the Rohirrim do so the cultural virtues and rewards could be very different, along with some of their skills.

Certainly the background options would vary and I'd give them a different Cultural Blessing.

I certainly feel their Standard of Living should be lower and equipment etc should reflect that.

Probably talking crap as I've not paid much attention to the Leofrings but I like the idea that they are in some way 'lost' (however you want to interpret that) and this is reflected mechanically within their culture in varying ways.

[Falenthal]

They're depicted as a "neutral" culture (not entirely bad, not good either) that is composed of the heirs of those eóthraim (or eótheod, I always mix both) that didn't dare to travel south to help Gondor. For that, they are the descendents of the most cowards of the rohirrim.

Yes, I think they should be somewhat inferior as a whole to the rohirrim. But for easiness of ruling, I'd also say that those "twilight" cultures hold within also the seed of the Free People, and some individuals (the characters made by the players) that are above the average of their culture.
In fact, I see them somewhat similar to the Wulfings, that might fall to the dark side if noone from the Free People does nothing, or could become allies against the Shadow (or at least stay neutral).

As said, I'd make it easy and use as much from the rohirrim as possible that makes sense. If you want to create a whole new culture, we already have the rules for mounted combat and mounted actions. The rest is in your hands to introduce riders (of any kind) in Wilderland.

[Southron]

Excellent responses. The lesser aspect is something that I had not taken into account. Thank for your replies.