Moria

[DavetheLost]

What about maps and the like? Do you think we'll get a gorgeous map of Moria? Perhaps a set of cards, that can interlock randomly, producing variations of hallways etc? Would this card set tie in with any delving rules?

I am pretty sure the Dwarrowdelve is too big for a single detailed map showing every room and passage to be practical. If the cartography were mine to do I would make a large poster map showing the significant features and rgions of Moria, accomapnied by detail maps of key points, and a set of generic map modules or geomorphs that could be used to fill in the rest.

The thought of geomorphic map tiles intercting with a larger map calls to mind TSR's Lankmar which had blank squares on its map allowing individual DMs to insert square geomorphs to customize and individualize the city map. I am still not sure that this was an advantage over just finishing the map.

I think for Moria a nodal map, rather than a detailing of every room, corridor, and hall might be a better approach. Assign nodes to teh major halls and features of interest then connect them by lines labled to indicate what sort fo route they were. An adaptation to the existing Journey rules could be made for travelling withing Moria.

[Farath]

I agree. I once played ICEs “Dol Guldur” citadel book as LM. This book is truly terrific. So much about history, LM characters and adventure ideas. Every room is described over 9 floors. It’s huge!
In one session I played out every room, which turned out being pretty boring. Next session I concentrated on the main rooms and narrated a lot in between, which worked so much better.

[farwyl]

I'd be all in for a black on black Moria dice set. Somehow, I'd also like if the box cover looked like the advertisement picture.
I remember the sheer amazement I felt when I was first exploring Moria through Professor Tolkien's writings. This is the most exciting TOR/AiME product for me so far.

[Falenthal]

Now we know its a boxed set what do we all think will be included in it?

A black cover that has the Gate of Moria in gloss, and only visible with a certain reflection of the light (ithildin would be cool, but would probably increase the price too much...). Have you seen the covers for the LotR books by Harper Collins? One of their editions (the one I have) is like that:



A mithril coin.

A campaign book (like Oaths of the Riddermark) whose last page finishes with an ink blurr and the sentence: "---we cannot get out. The end comes soon. We hear drums, drums in the deep.""

Some handouts for the players, related to findings from the adventures, depicting things like dwarven runes, torn pages of records, incomplete maps,... Very much like the good Call of Cthulhu campaigns.

A set of cards with the format of the ones from Hobbit Tales (consider it an expansion for the game) that depict places of Moria (Chamber of Mazarbul, the Bridge, the West-gate, etc.), objects (Durin's Axe), findings (the junction Gandalf had to stop at), as well as adversaries ("They have a cave-troll!") or hazards (eyes in the darkness; drums, drums; collapsed bridge). They can both be used with Hobbit Tales, or as pictures to show the players while exploring Moria.

A thematic set of dice (Red and Black / Fire and Shadow), with the Balrog horned head instead of the Eye of Sauron. Similar to the ones for the Shadow player in the War of the Ring boardgame.


Rules for travelling underground.

A description of how to use in the game the Redhorn Pass, that is also a probable route for companies travelling from Wilderland to Eriador, even if that's not part of the Moria campaign.

[Glorelendil]

Really, the black on black dice should have numbers made from charcoal, so that you have to light them on fire at the start of the game in order to read them.

[Falenthal]

A small drum for the LM to beat rhythmically while the players try to think of clever plans to escape.

[Glorelendil]

A small drum for the LM to beat rhythmically while the players try to think of clever plans to escape.

Or a large drum. They haven’t yet specified how large this “box” is.

[Indur Dawndeath]

And traps. Perhaps as new hazard episodes...
New monsters. 'There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world.'
New powerful abilities of adversaries: Immolation
An epic campaign!!
Lorien region and the misty mountains... or perhaps that is too much??

Cheers

[Falenthal]

A small drum for the LM to beat rhythmically while the players try to think of clever plans to escape.

Or a large drum. They haven’t yet specified how large this “box” is.

Being a "deluxe box", I'm sure it can contain a whip, too.

[Falenthal]

Lorien region and the misty mountains... or perhaps that is too much??

I'd love to, although I think Lorien would be beyond the scope of a box named "Moria".
But maybe more detail to Eregion would make some sense, having been brother regions in the past.