I’ve been rather badly under the weather for the past few days, and not inclined to work too hard. Today, to take a break from outstanding projects, I decided to sit down and tinker with a recent purchase: the second edition of The One Ring, possibly the best tabletop RPG ever published set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

The four starting heroes I drew up this afternoon are based on characters I ran in the Lord of the Rings Online MMO years ago. Leonore and Morlindiel are taken almost directly from the online game, Reinald is a looser adaptation of another online character, whereas Náli is more or less original to today’s effort. In any case, I think this group would make a pretty decent starting party for the tabletop game.

I don’t know what, if anything, I’m going to do with these characters. I’ve been known to write some Tolkien fan-fiction in the past, but in recent years I’ve been trying to get away from fan-fic in favor of original work. Still, the new edition of The One Ring has certainly attracted my interest. I may even go looking for a group to play the new game with . . . in my copious free time.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s a small band of adventurers, ready to set out into the wilds of Eriador in the decades leading up to the War of the Ring.

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Leonore Rushlight

Leonore is the daughter and only child of an alderman of Bree. Her parents took the unusual step of educating her as best they could, even acquiring books for her to read. She grew up rather quiet and thoughtful, and the other Bree-folk think her a bit strange, but she has already learned as much about the true history of Middle-earth as any of her people. Recently she met Gandalf the Grey at the Prancing Pony. Her long conversations with the wizard have encouraged her to seek out knowledge wherever she can find it, even if it means leaving the safety of Bree far behind.

Culture – Men of Bree

Blessing – Bree-blood (+1 Fellowship Rating)

Calling – Scholar

Standard of Living – Common

Distinctive Features – Fair-spoken, Subtle, and Rhymes of Lore

Shadow Path – Lure of Secrets

Flaws –

Rewards – Cunning Make (Leather Corslet)

Virtues – Confidence

Strength 3 (TN 17)	Endurance 23	Valour 1
Heart 4 (TN 16)	Hope 16	Wisdom 1
Wits 7 (TN 13)	Parry 17

Skills

Awe 0	Enhearten 2	Persuade 2
Athletics 1	Travel 1	Stealth 1
Awareness 1	Insight 2	Scan 1
Hunting 1	Healing 2	Explore 1
Song 1	Courtesy 3	Riddle 2 (Favored)
Craft 2 (Favored)	Battle 1	Lore 3 (Favored)

Combat Proficiencies

• Axes 2
• Bows 1
• Spears 0
• Swords 0

Gear

• Treasure – 30
• Axe (Damage 5, Injury 18, 2 Load)
• Bow (Damage 3, Injury 14, 2 Load)
• Leather Corslet (Protection 2d, 4 Load, Cunning Make)
• Travelling Gear, balm to soothe pain (Healing), book of history (Lore)
• Pony (Vigour 1)

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Morlindiel

Morlindiel is a latter-day Elf, descended from Sindar who survived the fall of Thingol’s kingdom in the Elder Days. She has many years of experience as a ranger in the wilderness, protecting the Grey Havens and the borders of the dwindling Elf-realm of Lindon. In recent years she has taken to wandering far and wide across the lands of Eriador, sensing that great events are stirring and there may yet be a part for Elves to play. She has just arrived in Bree, only to meet Gandalf the Grey and a young woman named Leonore, soon becoming snarled in an adventure.

Culture – Elves of Lindon

Blessing – Elven-skill (Spend 1 Hope to gain a Magical success on a skill roll)

Calling – Champion

Standard of Living – Frugal

Distinctive Features – Keen-eyed, Swift, and Orc-lore

Shadow Path – Curse of Vengeance

Flaws – The Long Defeat (Lose maximum 1 Shadow during Fellowship Phase)

Rewards – Close-fitting (Leather Corslet)

Virtues – Mastery

Strength 5 (TN 15)	Endurance 25	Valour 1
Heart 4 (TN 16)	Hope 12	Wisdom 1
Wits 5 (TN 15)	Parry 17

Skills

Awe 2	Enhearten 1	Persuade 0
Athletics 2 (Favored)	Travel 2 (Favored)	Stealth 3
Awareness 2	Insight 0	Scan 0
Hunting 3 (Favored)	Healing 1	Explore 1 (Favored)
Song 2 (Favored)	Courtesy 0	Riddle 0
Craft 2	Battle 0	Lore 3

Combat Proficiencies

• Axes 0
• Bows 2
• Spears 0
• Swords 1

Gear

• Treasure – 0
• Sword (Damage 4, Injury 16, 2 Load)
• Great Bow (Damage 4, Injury 16, 4 Load)
• Leather Corslet (Protection 2d+2, 6 Load, Close-fitting)
• Travelling Gear, knife for skinning and cleaning game (Hunting)

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Náli Silvertongue

Náli was born in the Iron Hills, moving to the renewed kingdom of Erebor after the death of the Dragon. There he has prospered, serving as an envoy and trade representative for King Dáin Ironfoot. Náli left Erebor early this year, traveling with a company of Dwarves on their way to the old mines in the Blue Mountains. On the journey, he met and befriended Reinald of Dale. Now that the Dwarf-caravan has reached Bree safely, Náli seems prepared to join Reinald on any adventures he might find.

Culture – Dwarves of Durin’s Folk

Blessing – Redoubtable (Halve the Load of any armor or helm, rounded up)

Calling – Messenger

Standard of Living – Prosperous

Distinctive Features – Fierce, Proud, and Folk-lore

Shadow Path – Wandering-madness

Flaws – Naugrim (Cannot use great bow, great spear, or great shield)

Rewards – Grievous (Great Axe)

Virtues – Hardiness

Strength 7 (TN 13)	Endurance 31	Valour 1
Heart 3 (TN 17)	Hope 11	Wisdom 1
Wits 4 (TN 16)	Parry 14

Skills

Awe 2	Enhearten 1	Persuade 1
Athletics 1	Travel 3 (Favored)	Stealth 1
Awareness 0	Insight 0	Scan 3
Hunting 0	Healing 0	Explore 2
Song 1 (Favored)	Courtesy 3 (Favored)	Riddle 2
Craft 2	Battle 2	Lore 1

Combat Proficiencies

• Axes 2
• Bows 0
• Spears 1
• Swords 0

Gear

• Treasure – 90
• Great Axe (Damage 8, Injury 20, 4 Load, Grievous)
• Short Spear (Damage 3, Injury 14, 2 Load, can be thrown)
• Coat of Mail (Protection 4d, 6 Load)
• Helm (Protection +1d, 2 Load)
• Travelling Gear, fiddle (Song), fine tools for personal grooming (Courtesy), magnifying glass (Scan)
• Pony (Vigour 2)

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Reinald of Dale

Reinald comes from a prosperous trading family in Dale. As a younger son, he was never likely to inherit a big share in the family trade, so he sought out a position as one of King Bard’s huscarls instead. He served the king for several years, earning experience as a warrior and war-captain. Early this year, he (apparently) left the king’s service to join a band of Dwarves traveling to their old dwellings in the far-off Blue Mountains. During the journey, he met and befriended Náli Silvertongue. Now that the Dwarves have arrived safely in Bree, Reinald has left their company, and intends to seek adventure in the lands of Eriador.

Culture – Bardings

Blessing – Stout-hearted (Valour rolls are Favored)

Calling – Captain

Standard of Living – Prosperous

Distinctive Features – Bold, Generous, and Leadership

Shadow Path – Lure of Power

Flaws –

Rewards – Fell (Sword)

Virtues – Dour-handed (+1 damage on a Heavy Blow)

Strength 6 (TN 14)	Endurance 26	Valour 1
Heart 6 (TN 14)	Hope 14	Wisdom 1
Wits 2 (TN 18)	Parry 14

Skills

Awe 1	Enhearten 2 (Favored)	Persuade 3
Athletics 1 (Favored)	Travel 1	Stealth 0
Awareness 1	Insight 2	Scan 1
Hunting 2	Healing 0	Explore 1
Song 1	Courtesy 2	Riddle 0
Craft 1	Battle 3 (Favored)	Lore 1

Combat Proficiencies

• Axes 0
• Bows 1
• Spears 0
• Swords 3

Gear

• Treasure – 90
• Sword (Damage 4, Injury 18, 2 Load, Fell)
• Bow (Damage 3, Injury 14, 2 Load)
• Mail-shirt (Protection 3d, 9 Load)
• Shield (Parry +2, 4 Load)
• Travelling Gear, coil of rope for climbing (Athletics), lodestone (Travel), fine pipe for relaxation (Insight)
• Pony (Vigour 2)