Help me set up my campaign (*newbie alert*)

[jamesrbrown]

Btw, since i got ur attention, is there a "original" and "revised" edition of any of the first supplements (like hearts and tales)?

Tales from Wilderland has been revised to incorporate the new Hazard mechanics and terminology found in the hardback of the core rules.

[Falenthal]

I second Amado's suggestion about Rivendell... the rules really help bring things to life, especially The Eye of Mordor to ramp up the tension after 2951. And the extra abilities for the monsters allows you to have adversaries that are "specials" of the more commonly encountered types.

Personally, I would advise against getting Rivendell from the get go, if you are new to the game (specially if the LM is): the new rules are very interesting, but they are additional rules, and most of them aimed at characters that are already advanced in the game. That means, more rules to learn, take care about, and lots of more option to choose from. I think that the basic rules already offer lots of options and things to consider and master before even needing to move on and look for more complications.

The Basic Rules, Lake-town, Erebor, Tales of Wilderland, Heart of the Wild and Darkening of Mirkwood are, for my taste, more than enough to fill some years of gaming.

That's my personal advice.

[Majestic]

I also think what you've got, mixing Tales and Darkening is, should be perfect. Rivendell is outstanding, but you could easily wait a bit until you've mastered many of the game systems before exploring it.

Since you already have Journeys & Maps, it might be fun to incorporate some of what you have in there as your players venture throughout Wilderland.

One specific piece of advice I think is helpful for new LMs is to consider introducing Lady Irimë a little earlier in your game (perhaps when your PCs first visit the Woodland Realm); I know I wish I'd done that. By the time you get to that adventure in Tales (called "Those Who Tarry No Longer"), you might read up some advice from here, as it is probably the only adventure that you might consider tweaking or adjusting some.

Everything published to date is really excellent, though. You might consider just skimming through Darkening before running it, to get some ideas on where some things are heading. Some LMs here have done an excellent job of weaving in recurring villains or characters along the way, to really maximize their connections with the PCs.

[Platon]

Thank you for all your wise words and help, this forum rocks!

I have thus decided upon, and just ordered, heart of the wild, tales and mirkwood. We will play the marsh bell in a few weeks, then start of with tales and I'll interwine that with darkening as I see fit. I will add erebor to my collection in a while, but wait with the rest of the supplements 'till we get the grip of things.

One specific piece of advice I think is helpful for new LMs is to consider introducing Lady Irimë a little earlier in your game (perhaps when your PCs first visit the Woodland Realm); I know I wish I'd done that. By the time you get to that adventure in Tales (called "Those Who Tarry No Longer"), you might read up some advice from here, as it is probably the only adventure that you might consider tweaking or adjusting some.

Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. I love specifik advice like that, do you have more in the same vein? (e.g, if you would play again, what would you definitely tweak/alter)

[Falenthal]

I love specifik advice like that, do you have more in the same vein? (e.g, if you would play again, what would you definitely tweak/alter)

Make Valter the Bloody (from Tales) one of the Viglunds (from Heart and Darkening). His camp, instead of being south of Beorn's House, should be north of it (in the Viglunds' territory). This way, some plots are concentrated and deeper, instead of having dozens of tiny NPCs walking around that appear and disappear in your campaign.

For the same reason, my option was to turn the Gibbet King (the nemesis of Tales) into a Nazgûl (the Evil behing Darkening).

[Tuska]

One specific piece of advice I think is helpful for new LMs is to consider introducing Lady Irimë a little earlier in your game (perhaps when your PCs first visit the Woodland Realm); I know I wish I'd done that.

I started them early 2941 to be specific so they would have the option to see the destruction of Lake Town and participate in the Battle of Five Armies if they wished, one of the reasons is because of the Lady. I wanted her to be a much stronger presence and feel a part of the Elven Court before Those who Tarry...