More information on "Adventures in Middle-earth"

[fjw70]

I'm predicting that a "Loremaster's Guide" that combines the two functions will be the next release.

I would expect that as well. But in the meantime . . .

[zedturtle]

Looks good. However, there was no, specific, mention if the 5E PHB is required to play.

I don't believe that the SRD has any way to generate ability scores. That doesn't mean that there isn't a way provided in AiMe, but the breakout that we're getting classes, cultures (aka races) and equipment sounds like even if there's a need for a PHB it's probably one for the table, not one for each player. I'm sure we will find out soon.

Well, as far as I know and am not missing some legal mumbo jumbo, anything in the OGL can be reprinted in your product with just the requirement of crediting the source. A PHB would only be needed by individual groups if they want to use something not part of the OGL/SRD in their personal games.

Right. It used to be (only in the case of the 'd20' licence which was more restrictive) that you weren't allowed to include certain mechanisms in a game, so that anyone buying the d20 game would be assured of having bought the core rulebooks from WotC. I don't really think that's the case with the 5E OGL, but I'm not a lawyer so I'm not going to swear that I'm 100% right.

As others have pointed out, the free Basic Rules (which are not OGL and do have the full character creation rules) would be quite sufficient to round out someone who bought this but had never seen a 5E PHB. And, realistically, I've bought all 3 core rulebooks twice now (once for me, once for the spawn)... most everyone who buys this game-book is going to have access to those rules, one way or another.

[zedturtle]

I'm predicting that a "Loremaster's Guide" that combines the two functions will be the next release.

I would expect that as well. But in the meantime . . .

Pretty much every time this has been done, there's been a selection of stuff available from the word go (usually in an appendix). Plus it's not like there aren't any 5e monsters out on the interwebs to fight... a good number them are probably even appropriate for ME.

[Glorelendil]

I'm predicting that a "Loremaster's Guide" that combines the two functions will be the next release.

I would expect that as well. But in the meantime . . .

Pretty much every time this has been done, there's been a selection of stuff available from the word go (usually in an appendix). Plus it's not like there aren't any 5e monsters out on the interwebs to fight... a good number them are probably even appropriate for ME.

Beorn vs. Beholder! Fight!

[Rich H]

Looks good. However, there was no, specific, mention if the 5E PHB is required to play.

I don't believe that the SRD has any way to generate ability scores. That doesn't mean that there isn't a way provided in AiMe, but the breakout that we're getting classes, cultures (aka races) and equipment sounds like even if there's a need for a PHB it's probably one for the table, not one for each player. I'm sure we will find out soon.

Yeah, that's right. I doubt the C7 book will print out elements that already exist in the PHB/SRD so to play the game I think you'll need access to one or the other. And if things like generating ability scores isn't covered in the C7 book it'll be pretty easy to source them. Once the player's guide is released, people can take the SRD and copy/paste the content they need to create their own mini-version of the D&D PHB - I'm guessing that could be around 100 or so pages, although I haven't gone through the document.

People interested should take a look here: http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/feature ... cument-srd and the pdf: http://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads ... L_V5.1.pdf. There's also a decent website here: http://www.5esrd.com/

[Rich H]

Beorn vs. Beholder! Fight!

I'd buy that for a dollar!

[Rich H]

11 Middle-earth specific playable Cultures

Gives me hope that the Adventurers Companion will be forthcoming.

Bear in mind that the TOR books already released cover 11 [EDIT: 13] cultures:

Bardings
Beornings
Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain
Elves of Mirkwood
Hobbits of the Shire
Woodmen of Wilderland
Men of the Lake
Rangers of the North
High Elves of Rivendell
Dwarves of the Iron Hills
Dwarves of the Grey Mountains
EDIT: Rohirrim
EDIT: Dunlendings

These could simply be the ones covered in this release. EDIT: With 13 they may leave some out or roll the 3 Dwarven cultures into one with slight variations.

[Glorelendil]

Plus Dunlendings and Rohirrim.

[Rich H]

The pre-order for Adventures in Middle-earth will open, run for a month or so, and then the PDF will be released to everyone who has pre-ordered. The print version will follow quickly after.

Pre-orders for Adventures in Middle-earth opens this week.

... And sounds like you'll be delivering on a summer release. Nicely done guys!

[Rich H]

Plus Dunlendings and Rohirrim.

Yep, forgot those! Ta.