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

[Platon]

Hey guys, first post so bear with me.

I would love to hear from you, dear esteemed veterans, how one should plan to map out the campaign to be.

I have the core book, lake town and maps supplement so far. My plan is to start with the marsh bells, and then weave an epic wilderland campaign.

Now, my question is this: i you guys would go back and do it again, would you first play "tales" and then "darkening" or is it better to interwene these two? If the latter is the case, what would you suggest is the best order of play?

My second part of the question: except for "hearts", "tales" and "darkening", would you get any of the other supplements early on? Or is this whole epic campaign strictly confined to wilderlands? I heard from a friend that it is, which sounds strangely claustrophobic to me. Will my players visit Rivendell, Rohan, Erebor and so on early on in the campaign? If yes, in which order should i get those supplements?
( i know that it's not a MUST to have them, i'm wondering if it's a great advantage at some point in the campaign...)

Sorry if this all feels newbie-like and exhausting to answear yet again, i appreciate it guys.

[Falenthal]

There are several threads with lots of ideas in them, regarding how to mix Tales and Darkening.

One of the most recent is:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7433

Regarding the other supplements question, I'd only add Erebor if you're planning on running the Wilderland campaign. It enhances your information on Erebor, Dale and surrounding lands, among lots of other great stuff (dragons and dwarven-smithing!).

The Darkening campaign doesn't contemplate travels to Rohan or Rivendell (with one exception, but I'm not going to spoil it for you). But I can assure you that Wilderland is so deeply described that it won't feel claustrophobic at all. Well, Mirkwood will, but than again, it is supposed to.
That said, you can of cours alter or add some elements of the campaign so that the heroes can do isolated trips to distant lands not included in Darkening (Lórien and Rhûn being the most believable, although probably Isengard at some point could be introduced, too).

EDIT: In case you want to read, here's a link to my own campaign, that mixed Tales with Darkening.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2453&hilit=falentha ... w+campaign

[amajo]

My second part of the question: except for "hearts", "tales" and "darkening", would you get any of the other supplements early on? Or is this whole epic campaign strictly confined to wilderlands? I heard from a friend that it is, which sounds strangely claustrophobic to me. Will my players visit Rivendell, Rohan, Erebor and so on early on in the campaign? If yes, in which order should i get those supplements?
( i know that it's not a MUST to have them, i'm wondering if it's a great advantage at some point in the campaign...)

Hello and welcome to the forum!
I'd definitely use Tales from Wilderland intertwined with the Darkening of Mirkwood. There are players in this forum who have done this, I'm sure they'll give you great advice.

As for your second question, I'd highly recommend at least Rivendell. Not only because of the region in case your players try to cross the Misty Mountains, but it is a "major" supplement rules-wise. New Fellowship phase Undertakings (including There and Back Again which allows the heroes to recover Hope), new rules and extra abilities for adversaries (including new opponents such as the Lord of the Nazgûl!), rules on how to create Precious Objects, Woundrous Artefacts and personalized Famous Weapons and Armour for your campaign, including rules for how the heroes can find these objects, rules for the Eye Awareness, the "Hunt" of the company by the Shadow, rules on how to write songs and make a company's list of songs and their mechanical effects... I think you get the point

I hope you enjoy the game, and welcome to the TOR community!

Amado

[zedturtle]

There is much wisdom here. 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.

Tales will carry the heroes (eventually) to Dale and Erebor, so it might not be a terrible idea to get pick that up at some point. That said, what you need for the campaign is all in there, so don't sweat it too much.

Tales can end on a happier note, whereas Darkening of Mirkwood... well, the name says it all. Mixing the two can allow the heroes to have an earlier victory, while still experience the loss that is endemic to Middle-earth.

[Platon]

There are several threads with lots of ideas in them, regarding how to mix Tales and Darkening.

One of the most recent is:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7433

Thank you! I must confess however that reading that tread doesn't make me much wiser since they're discusing specifik sessions, NPCs and details. Has anyone previously posted a list, specifying the order in which they played the adventures in Tales and darkening? Maybe that's to much to ask for

There is much wisdom here. 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.

Tales will carry the heroes (eventually) to Dale and Erebor, so it might not be a terrible idea to get pick that up at some point. That said, what you need for the campaign is all in there, so don't sweat it too much.

I hear you guys. So Rivendell and Erebor. Would you say that it's an advantage to have rivendell BEFORE making your player-heroes (so the players can develop their characters with the extra rules in rivendell in mind) och can it be added later on without any friction whatsoever?

[Glorelendil]

If your players are new to TOR I would not recommend letting them choose Noldor or Ranger, so no you don't need Rivendell for character creation.

[Platon]

If your players are new to TOR I would not recommend letting them choose Noldor or Ranger, so no you don't need Rivendell for character creation.

Alright, cool. Thanx.

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

[amajo]

If your players are new to TOR I would not recommend letting them choose Noldor or Ranger, so no you don't need Rivendell for character creation.

Alright, cool. Thanx.

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

Only the core book has been revised. The supplements pre-revised are fully compatible with the revised edition
Edit: I almost forgot the new hardback edition of Tales from Wilderland. If you don't have it yet, look for that one. In any case the soft back verstion is compatible too with minor adjustments.

[jamesrbrown]

The only thing I would add at this point is that since you are a "newbie" Tales from Wilderland contains complete adventures that form a series and you may find it easier to start with. Darkening needs some creative fill.

[Otaku-sempai]

So you already possess Journeys & Maps, is that right? The additional guidance for journeys (including water travel and suggested hazards) might be helpful even before your game moves beyond Rhovanion. Ruins of the North is a series of adventures tailored to Eastern Eriador. And the upcoming (and yet to be officially announced) Bree sourcebook will probably fill in the blanks for most of the remainder of Eriador.