Quick Ideas for RPG's

[piosenniel]

The RPG 'Seed' ideas listed directly below came originally from the Shire forum (part of a previous incarnation of the RPG Forum).

Following these 'Seed' suggestions are 'Inklings of Ideas' for RPGS which originated in the Rohan section of that same previous RPG Forum incarnation.

Make use of any idea you find here; give it your own twist. And remember, any "title" attached to the idea is completely temporary - change it as you wish.

Please feel free to leave an idea on the thread - a few sentences, a few paragraphs, as much as you'd like to share with your fellow gamers.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

HOBBITS

1. "The Long Winter" - Weather in The Shire has grown devastatingly cold. It is the Third Age in the year 1159 (Shire Reckoning). The winter of 1158 has never lifted and the Northlands have been covered in snow even through the summer. The Brandywine River has frozen over and hungry Wargs are threatening the borders of The Shire. There has been no harvest and provisions are running short. Join a group of Hobbits in a desparate journey to Rivendell and back as they seek to purchase needed food and supplies. But watch out! Packs of wolves will be hunting you and your friends!

2. “Hobbit's Gift” -- Bilbo wants to plan a surprise party for the still young Frodo. PCs must assist in planning and procure supplies from surrounding towns while keeping it a secret. However, bandits have been plaguing the area, and the Sackville-Baggins family is vowing to wreck havoc on all the plans. All hobbits better watch their step!.

3. “Bungo’s Great Project” –ca. 1290 TA. The tale of how Bag-end was built. Bungo Baggins wants to build a luxurious hole for his wife Belladonna. Bungo must persuade his reluctant father-in-law Gerontius Took to lend him the money, deal with the plottings of his sister-in-law Camelia Sackville, and juggle the responsibilities of being the father of the newborn Bilbo, along with all his other responsibilities.

4. “The Old Forest” – An odd place to be and make no mistake about it! But the trees have decided to attack the Hedge, and the Brandybucks must fight them off before their land becomes part of The Old Forest.

5. “Sailing Away” – Several young Tooks, inspired by tales from their elders, decide to build a boat and sail the Brandywine. Their voyage takes a turn for the worse, when their craft is swept away on the river’s current and they capsize near Sarn Ford, well beyond the bounds of the Shire. The river journey is just the first part of their adventure. Accompany them as they struggle to return to the Shire from strange and unfamiliar lands inhabited by the Big Folk.

6. “Quest of the Brandybucks”– T.A. 2340 Join Gorhendad Oldbuck and his family as they move from the Marish where they have lived many years to a new site that will become known as Buckland. They must cross the River Brandywine and build Brandy Hall, while surviving many dangers that surround them, such as the Old Forest.

7. “The Hobbit Migrations: Escape from the Witch King” – In 1300 TA, Angmar established a realm in the north of the Misty Mountains to purge the area of his Black Master’s enemies. With the onset of war, the hobbits were forced to flee their homes and go west towards Bree-land. Can the Fallohides and Harfoots learn to cooperate to escape from the war torn lands and survive the many dangers on the road?

8. “The Hobbit Migrations: Big and Little Folk" – The Hobbits have successfully escaped from the clutches of the Witch King, but now face the suspicions of the Big Folk in Bree-land. Bree’s ancient dike, heavy gate, and thick hedge is almost ready to collapse. Can the Big and Little Folk join together to reinforce these defenses and fight off an attack by marauding bandits?

9. "The Fell Winter" It is the winter of 2911 TA, and very snowy. In fact, the Brandywine has frozen over, and White Wolves are invading from the North! Bilbo is just twenty-one years old, still a young and foolhardy tweener. Can he join with his friends and outwit the wolves in Hobbiton to survive until Spring?

10. "A Land to Call Their Own" - Two hobbit brothers, Marcho and Blanco, lead their people from Bree to a land that later becomes the Shire. The story would cover the journey rather than the settling of the Shire, and would end when the hobbits cross the Bridge of Stonebows.

11. "Help for Arnor" - In the last battle between Angmar and Arnor, the Thain of the Shire allegedly sent a troop of bowmen to the aid of the King. No human records state their being there. What happened to them? Did they arrive or not, and if they did, why were they left out of the records?

[piosenniel]

ELVES

1. "Roll Out The Barrel" -- Several elves journey to Laketown and back to restock Thranduil's wine cellar. It would involve river travel and shrewd bargaining with the Men of the Lake. Perhaps a Spider could even be seen.

2. “Lorien War” -- The happenings in Lothlorien during the War of the Ring, particularly near the end when they're increasingly under attack by Sauron. Perhaps a few elves find themselves under attack and have to fend off the orcs while informing Celeborn and Galadriel.

3. “Ungoliant’s Children,” -- The Spiders are increasing in number and encroaching upon the lands of the Elven King. When a scout does not return from his journey, Thranduil decides that something must be done. Join the Elven king for a Spider hunt beneath the trees.

4. "Elves to the Rescue" -Fangorn is being attacked by some unknown force! They're burning and cutting down trees, but the Ents have no idea where they are coming from. They send a messenger to the elves in Mirkwood telling of the destruction that is going on and if they could help. The Elves will head to Fangorn, fight out who is behind the attacks, and try to help stop them.

5. "The Island of Sorrow"- After the War of the Ring, six Noldorin Elves-two of Lothlorien, two of Rivendell and two of Lindon-meet at the Grey Havens. They are the last survivors of the host that followed Maedhros, and they are planning to sail to the isle of Himling where the ruins of Himring still stand. After paying this last visit to the fortress that was once their home, they intend to sail West at last. They cannot know that there is more danger on this silent, grim remnant of Beleriand than anyone would guess...

The aim is to reach Himling, explore the fortress and return to the Grey Havens to sail away with Cirdan and the Ringbearers.

[piosenniel]

MEN

1. "Holiday in the Sun" - A family and friends from Minas Tirith have journeyed to Belfalas for a summer holiday when the Corsairs of Umbar attack. Avoid the Men of the Corsairs and race back to Minas Tirith to warn the King of the assault.

2. "Famine in the Southlands" -- There is drought in Gondor, causing plants to refuse to grow and animals to head North for more hospitable climes. A group of Gondorians must be sent North as well to ask aid of the realms who aren't suffering from the famine caused by the drought.

3. “Farmer in the Dale” -- Dale, 2770. You are an innocent tradesman, loading barrels on a sun-dappled afternoon, when you hear the ominous flapping of great wings approaching. You must rescue your family, help your neighbors and escape the City.

4. "Evacuate” -- A small human settlement near Minas Tirith has mysteriously dropped off the radar screen. A group of soldiers are sent to investigate. They discover that a small orcish raiding party has razed the town and carted off most of the families. However, said orcs weren't the smartest creatures and are still camped about a mile away. Rescue the villagers and evacuate all civilians back to Minas Tirith.

5. “For Their Sport” - "What is a thrall? A man who was a man but is treated as a beast. Fed only to keep alive, kept alive only to toil, toiling only for fear of pain or death. And from these robbers he may get pain or death just for their sport.”

The Easterlings are a cruel sort. You have toiled as a slave for these unkind masters, and now you have been chosen to meet a cruel end as quarry for one of their hunts. Released without weapons or gear, tired and malnourished from months or years of imprisonment, far from hope and home, you must use your wits and cooperate with your fellow prisoners if you hope to turn the tables on the hunters and escape to freedom by crossing the Anduin into Gondor and linking up with friendly forces.

6. "Homeward Bound" - Sixteen years after the fall of Barad Dur, the Easterling Slaves of Nurn have become a minority and are the victims of attack by Haradrim. Although they've been given land in Nurn they desire to return to their homeland to the North East, around the Sea of Rhun. They must escape from the Haradrim in Nurn, the Orcs that still lurk in the Ered Lithui, and Gondorian vigilantes and scouts determined that they stay put and cause no trouble.

7. "To Claim My Own" - Bandits have come to Rohan and killed a farmer, taking his land and animals as their own. But now the farmer's son has returned from his trip to Gondor, and is told what has happened. He now must gather an 'army' to take back his land and destroy the bandits and rescue his other relatives.

8. “Golden and Proud” – T.A. 2565-8. Brego, King of the Mark, has undertaken the building of the Golden Hall, also called Meduseld. The Hall was about to be completed when the builders ran out of gold for the roof. A group of riders is summoned to ride to Dol Amroth where they must exchange several fine breeding mares for the needed gold. Their return is threatened by greedy bandits, and the threat of Sauron’s agents.

9. “Attack of the Men of Eothed” – In 2510 TA, Gondor is simultaneously attacked by a host of wild men out of the Brown-lands and by Orcs coming down from the mountains. Cirion, the steward of Gondor, sends a message to Eorl, the King of the Eothads. Trace the fortunes of war as Eorl and his men fight their way southward, turns the tide of battle at the last moment, and go on to receive a grant of land which becomes the Mark of the Riders of Rohan.

10. “The Siege of Gundabad”- Some years after the War of the Ring, it has been decided by King Elessar to send a troop of able-bodied soldiers to the Misty Mountains to resolve the situation of the orcs who dwell there. The orcs of Mount Gundabad may be offered alliance, but will probably refuse. In this case, the soldiers have been told to destroy this last orc refuge, but these goblins have plenty of strength left and are willing to fight to the end.

11. " The Prisoner of Númenor" In the reign of King Ar-Pharazôn. Sauron’s cult worship is at its height. His secret police arrest an important underground leader of the Faithful scant days before they’re supposed to board one of Elendil’s ships. They must rescue him or her from jail and get their endangered people onto the ship before Sauron kills the underground leader, for the faithful won’t sail without him or her.

[piosenniel]

DWARVES

1. "The High Pass" -- A group of Dwarves travels over the High Pass of the Misty Mountains. Bad weather and worse goblins make the trip a dangerous one. Start near Rivendell area and end at the Anduin.

2. “Tales from Erebor Book 1: The Investigation” -- The year is 2999. The Dwarves of Erebor are prospering and the Men of Dale are growing mighty. However a shadow looms over the land. The memory of Smaug lingers still. Foul things are becoming more bold. The axes of the Lonely Mountain are growing restless and the Bows of the Long Lake are wary. Several shipments of toys musical instruments and most importantly Weapons and Armor have been lost between Bree and Greenwood the Great. King Dain has dispatched a group of Dwarves to investigate. The King hopes that this is not an omen of things to come.

3. “Search for a Bride” – TA 2591 In 2589 TA, most of the dwarves departed from the Grey Mountains to go to Erebor, after Dain I was killed by a cold drake (a fireless dragon). However, a small group of dwarves, including a number of young dwarf women who have expressed a wish to make respectable marriages, remain behind with their families in the Grey Mountains. They face the continuing wrath of a cold-drake. A group of young dwarf adventurers from Erebor swear to free their comrades, rescue the women, and present themselves as suitors to their families.

3. "Terror in Moria" - 2994, Third Age. Re-enact the sad tale of Balin and the other dwarves of Khazad-Dum who meet their untimely death. The challenge will be to stay true to what Tolkien told us about this tale, and use your imaginations to fill in the rest.

4. "The Dominion of Smaug" - This would start out with a brief recap of Dwarvish history, from when the Dwarves under the Lonely Mountain were at the height of their power to when Thorin & company decide to travel to the burrow of Bilbo Baggins in the Shire. And originally, Thorin may have started with more than the twelve companions that showed up on the Hobbit’s doorstep.

The goal of the game is to reach the Shire, and Thorin might have had more than his known 12 companions when he started the journey.

Trouble will follow them the entire journey.

[piosenniel]

VARIOUS

1. "The Trollshaws" -- A group of Rangers and Elves patrolling the area near Weathertop as attacked by Trolls. Some of your friends are wounded. You must bring them to Rivendell where they may be healed. But the Trolls are still around. Beware as you pass by The Trollshaws!

2. “Pest control!” -- The peaceful area of the Shire/Rivendell/Mirkwood/Dale, etc. are being terrorized by an unknown force. This force regularly destroys crops and livestock but have not attacked any inhabitants. You and your friends must track these miscreants down and end their raids

3. "To Catch a Scoundrel" - This game starts from Laketown in the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies. Characters could be dwarves, wood elves or men. Laketown is being rebuilt with the help of the elves and dwarves, when a rumour suggests that the old Master of Esgaroth has absconded with the town's treasury. An opportunity for a band of young soldiers with some battle experience to follow his trail into the wilderness, with the lure of cold hard cash if successful!

4. "The Great Caravan" - This game starts from Dale, the year of Bilbo's eleventy-first party. Characters could be dwarves or men of Dale or Esgaroth. An enormous order for goods from Dale has been received from the little-known land called the Shire. These include musical instruments, gifts and toys of superior dwarven workmanship, and a number of mysterious casks added by that strange Wizard, Gandalf (who oddly specifies that no-one is to set light to any of them!). Dain, King under the Mountain, hires guards to transport these goods to Esgaroth, then through Mirkwood to Rivendell where the casks are to be delivered to Gandalf's workshop. Although the Wood-elves and Beornings may help you if you treat them politely, the area contains many inhabitants partial to pony steak, while perhaps some more sinister characters may be interested in Gandalf's special casks!

5. "Battle for the Bay" - With peace returning to Middle-Earth after the final destruction of Sauron, people have begun doing things that were thought unsafe. Without the threat of a Corsair attack, a man re-opens a sea-race that was founded by his ancestors a long time ago. The race is called The Mariners’ Delight, as it runs from the Havens of Harlond, near the Grey Havens, to the island of Tolfalas in the Bay of Belfalas. Men and Elves come from all regions to sail for the honor, the glory, and of course, the gold. On the open water, there are no rules, and it's every man for themself, fighting for their share of the sea. But when a violent storm enters the Bay, the mariners must choose weather to sail on, or to quit and rest their sails.

[piosenniel]

And now for the Inklings:

from Aylwen Dreamsong

Drama:

1. It was an ill omen when the daughter of Tar-Aldarion, Tar-Ancalimë, became the only heir to the Sceptre of Numenor. Many were not happy when her father Tar-Aldarion changed the laws of succession to allow for a female ruling monarch. Tell the story of how Tar-Anclimë had to win the right to rule Numenor. (The experience of Elizabeth Tutor, who became England's Elizabeth I, can suggest ideas here.) See the chapter "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor" in Unfinished Tales for the brief outline of Tar-Ancalimë's rule and the competition between her and Soronto and her forced unhappy marriage with Hallacar.

2. Crossing of the Helcaraxë - Having been left by Fëanor, Fingolfin and his host are forced to pass through the icy region of the Helcaraxë on their journey to Middle-Earth. (Idea courtesy of Carrûn)

Action/Adventure:

1. What adventures led to the queer nightmares about the Old Forest that so frighten Fatty Bolger? This game plays out the events of long ago when the hobbits attacked the forest by cutting down the trees and burning them in the Bonfire Glade. The chapter "The Old Forest" in Lord of the Rings tells the story from the hobbits' perspective, but would the trees have a different story to tell? This game can be written from the trees' perspective or can combine the two perspectives.

2. The year is 2002 (Third Age), and Earnil is king of Gondor. He and his son, Earnur, have had confrontations with the Ringwraiths, and Earnur has earned the chief hatred of the Witch-king. Minas Ithil is weakening, and it is up to the soldiers at the tower to save Gondor's first line of defence against Mordor from the Ringwraiths. Recommended reading for historical background is Appendix B and the Chronology in the back of Rotk. (Idea submitted by Orual)

Mystery:

1. Why or how and when were the Glittering Caves delved by the dwarves? How came they to be abandoned and lost to general knowledge? Create a story of argument and intrigue and betrayal between the Rohirrim and the dwarves that led to the abandonment of Aglarond, the Glittering Caves. Or was it a foul creature who forced the dwarves to abandon Aglarond?

2. The Dead have fulfilled their oath and recieved eternal peace. Subsequently, the lands around Morthond Vale have once again become habaitable. Men from the townships along the Ciril river have gradually settled in the outer edges of the previously cursed land. Especially enterprising (and stupidly brave) merchants would sometimes send small shipments directly through the Paths of the Dead into Rohan. But soon, a number of these shipments began disappearing. Outlying villages were raided. The Dead had many secrets, and not all rest lightly. (Idea courtesy of Ransom)

3. Isengar Took, youngest son of Gerontius, is said to have "gone to sea in his youth". Did he go adventuring with friends? Did he join a trading party with some men? Did he maybe go to the Havens (following the Elves?) Maybe he got attacked at some point? Perhaps a mystery for later Hobbit generations to figure out? (Idea courtesy of Lyra Greenleaf)

Romance

1.The stories of fair lasses running away from arranged marriages are many, and even stories of their revenge are not few in counting. But what about the poor boys that the pretty girls are forced to marry? The door swings both ways, they say. In this game, a boy from Gondor runs away from home to escape an arranged marriage, taking his ‘true love’ along with him. But there are always obstacles to pass through, and the lover’s parents and the former bride’s parents go on the hunt for the runaways.

2. (With compliments to William Shakespeare) It's 1168 SR and Gormadoc Brandybuck and Malva Headstrong want to marry. The only problem is that Malva's Great Grandfather (on the basis of some rather dodgy genealogical evidence) made a claim to being the true Master of Buckland, and the family (living up to their name) have kept up the claim ever since. There is deep enmity between the families...(Idea submitted by Lyra Greenleaf)

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Ransom

Horror/Mystery

1. The Dead have fulfilled their oath and recieved eternal peace. Subsequently, the lands around Morthond Vale have once again become habaitable. Men from the townships along the Ciril river have gradually settled in the outer edges of the previously cursed land. Especially enterprising (and stupidly brave) merchants would sometimes send small shipments directly through the Paths of the Dead into Rohan. But soon, a number of these shipments began disappearing. Outlying villages were raided. The Dead had many secrets, and not all rest lightly.

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Carrûn

Drama

Crossing of the Helcaraxë
Having been left by Fëanor, Fingolfin and his host are forced to pass through the icy region of the Helcaraxë on their journey to Middle-Earth.

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Orual

Action/Adventure

The year is 2002 (Third Age), and Earnil is king of Gondor. He and his son, Earnur, have had confrontations with the Ringwraiths, and Earnur has earned the chief hatred of the Witch-king. Minas Ithil is weakening, and it is up to the soldiers at the tower to save Gondor's first line of defence against Mordor from the Ringwraiths.

It would be the defense of Minas Ithil, ending in its fall. I know most games end happily, but this one would definitely not. In the Chronology, it lists 2002 TA as the year that Minas Ithil fell and soon after it became Minas Morgul. It was nearly thirty years earlier that Earnur and Earnil had their main battles with the Nazgul, but the fact that the Witch-King really, really didn't like Earnur, I think, had something to do with the fall of the tower.

Plus players who like bad characters would get to be Nazgul! Awesome...

(For more historical background, consult Appendix B and the Chronology in the back of RotK.)

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Lyra Greenleaf

These really are "inklings" of ideas, but here goes.

Mystery/ Adventure: Isengar Took, youngest son of Gerontius, is said to have "gone to sea in his youth". Did he go adventuring with friends? Did he join a trading party with some men? Did he maybe go to the Havens (following the Elves? Maybe he got attacked at some point?

Romance: (With compliments to William Shakespeare) It's 1168 SR and Gormadoc Brandybuck and Malva Headstrong want to marry. The only problem is that Malva's Great Grandfather (on the basis of some rather dodgy genealogical-sp?- evidence) made a claim to being the true Master of Buckland, and the family (living up to their name) have kept up the claim ever since. There is deep enmity between the families...
The problem with this is it's a situation rather than a plot!

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Ransom

Action/Adventure: Good != Nice

Even before the current confrontation, the kingdom of Gondor was known throughout the world for its experiene and excellence at siege warfare. The entire western bank has been transform into the longest defensive front in the history of human civilizations. Gondorian defensive doctrine directs front line commanders to minimize their casualties at any cost. Many officers have come up with ingenious but cruel or inhuman methods kill orks without endangering any of the men. An archivist in the White Tower has discovered a text detail the production of Numenorian fire, a volitile mixture that would burst into flame upon contact with water. Siege engineers have convinced the Steward that Numenorian fire can be employed against any naval crossing of the Anduin by means of catapults and balista. While most of the ingredients can be quickly obtained, the recepie requires a secret ingredient that can be found in the mountains south of Morthond Vale. Lead an expedition to discover the location of the ingredient and report on the possibility of mining/harvesting/refinement.

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Bêthberry

It is early in the 4th age.

Some orcs survive the battles of the War of the Ring.

Sauron is gone.

What will the orcs do without him? Tell their story.

[piosenniel]

An Inkling of an Idea:

from Fordim Hedgethistle

Here's one that I bet never gets past muster (or is that passed mustard?)

It is 1916 of the Seventh Age and war is once more raging. This time it is Germany and her allies fighting against the French and the British for control of Europe. A young British officer called "Tollers" by his friends has been sent into the maelstrom.

During a horrific battle he is separated from his company and seeks shelter in a cave where he meets a strange race of beings who claim to be immortal Elves. They say that they have brought Tollers to them to help them against a terrible foe, for they are not the only creatures of the ancient world to survive. . . A demon of the ancient world, cloaked in darkness and made of fire and shadow, has arisen and threatens their existence. They reveal to Tollers that he is the very last descendent of an ancient race of Men, allied to the Elves through marriage in the depths of time, and he alone holds the key to destroying the monster forever. . .

Sorry -- I simply could not resist!

[Merrymatt]

Inkwell of an Idea

For The Orcs

“Inferno”- Set after the conquest of Moria; a small group of Orcs and two trolls are sent by their overlords to delve into the further levels of the underground kingdom. Their main quest at hand is to plunder and scrounge treasures in the deeper mines; mithril ore would definitely garner a smaller orc a promotion or a new loincloth for the Trolls. However one must be careful, the dwarves have delved too deep with their mining and fouler things have risened from ancient slumber; ready to unleash horror upon any unarmed soul…

“Snaga’s a Spying”- After gaining some assistance from a few sinister beings, Saruman sends out several Snaga spies to relay a message towards a “Dubious” fellow in Bree. A written message to start his campaign on harvesting Pipe-Weed…

“Strawheads Reckoning”- An odd white robed being had stepped foot upon Dunland soil; his words bearing powerful strife of the rohirrim coming to finish their past assaults and will come for their blood. Willing to assist them with weapons and terrifying allies; the feared “Wildmen of Dunland” have unsheathed their bloodlust and now start a renewed war from long ago. Their first target…a large city in Rohan, a prosperous target (Note: This is Wildmen-Centric but it’s also Orc revolved as well, either side can work)

“The Ballots of Little-Pimple”- Set upon fulfilling Saruman’s rule of the Shire; several orcs have been sent to assist a group of Ruffians in harassing the locals, allowing an increase in Lotho Sackville-Bagginses ballot in the election. All of the orcs have been given full-reign in whatever they do to the voters, the torturous the better.