Themes of Tolkien's Work

[Dedicemancometh]

Here's a half-finished essay about Fate and Free Will and how it relates to gaming: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1951

I will also try to track down DeDicemanCometh's essay on RPG.net, because that was quite good.

Thanks, Zed!

[zedturtle]

Here's a half-finished essay about Fate and Free Will and how it relates to gaming: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1951

I will also try to track down DeDicemanCometh's essay on RPG.net, because that was quite good.

Thanks, Zed!

No worries. When I get to a real keyboard I'll fix your name in my original post.

[fjw70]

Here's the other essay that I was talking about earlier: HOW DO I RUN A TOLKIENESQUE GAME?

— • —

fjw70: I think one of the most important things that I think will resonate with you is the idea that Corey Olsen calls "northern courage"... the willingness to sacrifice oneself, despite the odds, and despite knowing whether or not it will make any difference, simply because it's the right thing to do. It's what drives Frodo to Mount Doom, Gandalf to confront the balrog, Boromir to sacrifice himself for the sake of the hobbits, Theoden to march to his death and Faramir to his near-death.

Heroes are the ones who step up when there's an opportunity to try to make the world a better place, regardless of the odds or the outcome.

That is a theme that shows up inmy games pretty regularly. And the be clear I am not against pant of these themes and actively avoid using them in my game. They just aren't essential to running a ME game. Maybe that's the difference between a ME game and a Tolkien game.

[Valarian]

Another theme is that simple actions by ordinary people can make a difference, not just those of the wise and powerful.

'At least for a while,' said Elrond. 'The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.'

[zedturtle]

Here's the other essay that I was talking about earlier: HOW DO I RUN A TOLKIENESQUE GAME?

— • —

fjw70: I think one of the most important things that I think will resonate with you is the idea that Corey Olsen calls "northern courage"... the willingness to sacrifice oneself, despite the odds, and despite knowing whether or not it will make any difference, simply because it's the right thing to do. It's what drives Frodo to Mount Doom, Gandalf to confront the balrog, Boromir to sacrifice himself for the sake of the hobbits, Theoden to march to his death and Faramir to his near-death.

Heroes are the ones who step up when there's an opportunity to try to make the world a better place, regardless of the odds or the outcome.

That is a theme that shows up inmy games pretty regularly. And the be clear I am not against pant of these themes and actively avoid using them in my game. They just aren't essential to running a ME game. Maybe that's the difference between a ME game and a Tolkien game.

That's a good way of putting it, and a good thing for us grognards to remember as we hear about all the great ME games that folks will be running.

[Majestic]

The story should focus on seeking knowledge and tools to fight the enemy more than on treasure or glory. For as much as it's easy to bash on Decipher's Lord of the Rings RPG - and it's true that it often had the feel much more of a generic, high-powered epic fantasy - there is a two-page spread in the Core Rules that spells out the important elements of Tolkienesque gaming. I think it's titled 'The Quality of Heroes', IIRC.
It details what makes the Tolkien hero different from many other fantasy adventurers (what you might find in Game of Thrones, for instance). It explains qualities like humility, compassion, self-sacrifice, nobility, kindness, empathy, and many others. Without picking on any alternate play styles, the stereotypical "hack n' slash", where roving murderhobos kill monsters and gather loot (the stuff of a typical game of "Munchkin"), the protagonists in Middle-earth are more about defending their loved ones, establishing truth and justice, and protecting the innocent.

Everything you wrote is excellent, Robin. But I especially wanted to agree with this portion. As much as Decipher's game is typically bashed (and it does have its flaws), the two-page spread you mentioned (which is called 'The Quality of Heroes') is just an outstanding portion, and would be great advice to anyone playing any RPG based on Professor Tolkien's works.

[Robin Smallburrow]

Thanks, although I must confess I didn't write these words, although I agree with the sentiment! I often use this two page spread from the Decipher RPG, and indeed was one of the sources I used for my own "Handout to Players" (see link to my Resources page in my sig for this work), which is a handout I give to players unfamiliar with roleplaying in Middle-earth.

I reproduce the two page spread below:

THE QUALITIES OF HEROES:

Although your character's attributes, order,skills and traits tell you what he can do, they don't really tell you who he is. That's not something you can quantify with numbers. You have to define it on your own, as part of creating and running a character in the wondrous world of Middle-earth.
But for this game you can't just create any sort of character. You have to create one who fits the setting and embodies the qualities it sets forth as virtuous. In short, you have to create a hero.
The characteristics of the heroes of Middle-earth include:

COMPASSION: Heroes share the feelings of others, and they have pity on even the most wicked and wretched of creatures, such as Gollum. They do not wantonly slaughter their enemies, even when it might be prudent, as to do so would violate the hero's code. Both Gandalf and Frodo spare Saruman, and though much evil might have been averted had they not, in the end both still recognise that their decision was the right one.

RESPONSIBLE FREE WILL: Free Will is one of the most important concepts in Tolkien. Everyone has a choice to do good or evil, and heroes choose the good. To exert control over another is one of the ultimate evils, and heroes reject it utterly, knowing that true wisdom lies in allowing each person to pick his own path.

GENEROSITY: Heroes give generously, both of themselves and of their goods, as need warrants. Theoden gives Shadowfax to Gandalf, prized though the great horse is, because Gandalf deserves him, needs him and has developed a bond of friendship with him. Heroes often acquire riches and glory during their lives, but obtaining them is not their main motivation. Those who are evil and cowardly are grasping, greedy and grudging, often seeking gold for gold's sake alone.

HONESTY AND FAIRNESS: Heroes deal with other folk honestly and fairly at all times. Though they may, like Gandalf, not reveal all that they know simply to satisfy the curiosity of others, a true hero neither avoids nor skirts the truth when the proper time comes.

HONOUR AND NOBILITY: From the highest lord of Gondor to the lowliest Hobbit of the Shire, true heroes always display the classic qualities of nobility and honour. They abide by their word,treat others fairly and with the respect due them -regardless of station - and have that graciousness of spirit which marks the true noble.

RESTRAINT: Heroes in Middle-earth are not indiscriminate killers hacking down anyone who angers or threatens them, or spilling blood needlessly. They kill in battle and often accomplish great feats of arms, but that is a different thing than ruthlessly butchering anything that happens to cross their paths. They exercise restraint, slaying their foes only when they absolutely must.

SELF-SACRIFICE: Perhaps most importantly of all, the heroes of Middle-earth are self-sacrificing. They give of themselves, even to death, to keep the world safe from the Dark Lord and his minions. Frodo, a powerless hobbit, willingly walks into Mordor on a seemingly hopeless errand because it's the right thing to do for the greater good. Aragorn puts off his own happiness for decades to help save the Free Peoples from the Shadow. Boromir sacrifices himself to atone for his misdeeds and save two hobbits. These heroes care not for reward or glory. The accomplishment of the quest is reward enough.

VALOUR: Heroes of Middle-earth possess great valour. They are brave, with the strength of will and spirit to meet the fearsome servants of the Dark Lord and stand against them. They do not shirk from danger, though it threatens their own lives.

WISDOM: Heroes possess wisdom and insight. They understand their own limitations and can judge the truth and value of things fairly, rather than through the lens of their own self-interest or foolish desires. They realize, for example, that they dare not use the Ring against Sauron, though its power might allow them to defeat him.


Robin S.

[Glorelendil]

I never bought the Decipher game, so that's the first time I've seen that. 100% agree. To me that goes hand-in-hand with the setting; if I didn't want to play a character like that I would prefer a different setting.

[fjw70]

Interesting write up Robin. Thanks for sharing.

Those qualities can be applied to other heroic fantasy settings as well. I think they would fit something like Star Wars as well and could be a nice guide on assigning something like dark side points in a Star Wars game.

[zedturtle]

I never bought the Decipher game, so that's the first time I've seen that. 100% agree. To me that goes hand-in-hand with the setting; if I didn't want to play a character like that I would prefer a different setting.

Yeah, this isn't the venue to really dig into it, but there was some good stuff in Decipher's products.