Great, so we can spend background options and the like to obtain magic items or gear from heirlooms etc? Since we'll be in Rohan and the like can we get an adventure to scavenge the ruins of Isengard or such? *grin*

I will begin crafting a Mage or Sorcerer with RMFRP (compatiable with RMSS) and likely use the race info from MERP 2nd.

LoL!

As for backgrounds, I have no issue with magic items, as long as you are willing to eat the points cost.

I might just have a way to get you into Isengard, and to get you to have mass amounts of fun in the ruins.

Sounds good, I've decided to work on a Silvan Elven Mage so I'll be from Mirkwood and have some skill with a bow most likely to help when I can't use spells.

Is this still being planned? I am a very experienced RPG player, having started way back with the classic 80s red box D&D basic game all the way to the present. I have good knowledge of Middle Earth but by no means a Tolkien scholar. I have never played MERP and will look to grab the PDFs if you have a spot open. What day/time you looking at doing this? Also, just how crunchy is MERP? I saw you mention toward the beginning of the thread that it was one of the crunchiest/rules heaviest systems out there. I tend to prefer lighter crunch games myself where the mechanics fade to the background a bit, to allow an easier time with telling a good story.

Which edition of MERP will you be running?

One more thing...if you don't mind...how are you guys making mages, given the extremely limited number of them, given the source material?

The system is a d100 based system with points to build pcs based on race/class etc. The combat is very harsh, it has critical tables for everything in it from puncture to slashing wounds in severity from A to like D/E and whatnot. I've been playing/GMing it since the 1980s. It has standard classes like Fighter, Ranger etc. I believe he's still recruiting players. There are actually lots of mages in Middle-Earth, the problem was magic could corrupt you since Morgoth/Sauron used the taint of the Simarils and The One Ring to seduce them. Most magic was focused in crafting of arms/armor and various things like rings, amulets, medallions etc. Dwarves and Elves being the best working with various materials. There is tons of stuff in the various books about it all.

The Witch King was a powerful Numeorean sorcerer who was corrupted by the his ring for example, but that was Sauron's intention of course.

I think Sat 10-1 am was the timezone (the one that worked for me, if everyone else agrees). I could possibly do a afternoon game, but I think he works most Saturdays. I'm a Tolkien scholar and got all the MERP books (most in print, lots in pdf). Send me your email and I can help you out since MERP is long out of print. We're using 2nd edition MERP mixed with RMFRP/RMSS if you own Rolemaster. MERP is a simplier version of Rolemaster. Rolemaster is even compatiable with old AD&D (1st edition primarily).

I was able to find a complete archive of all MERP materials from 1e and 2e. I can start reading feverishly to learn how the game works and I appreciate your help, Lando. Did you guys know that right now as we speak that Cubicle 7 is working on a brand new LotR RPG based on the books? They have the license for everything except The Silmarillion.

Yea, heard its been delayed. MERP was a very good game, highly detailed and very true to Tolkien. They lasted over 2 decades and the game books are highly sought after on Ebay etc. Its a system played by devoted Tolkien gamers like myself. I think the miniature game of LOTR/WOTR by Games Workshop makes some fine miniatures that would work well with it. I own a ton of Tolkien material and am hoping this game works out as I would love to play it again.

Since the GM is setting it after the War of the Ring, we don't have to worry about dying by nazgul either... lol...

If you need any help let me know. I'm actually using Rolemaster to make my pc, so my pc is a bit more indepth to make than the standard MERP 2nd edition Mage. Depending on what you wish to play (I'd recommend a Warrior/Ranger/Thief to start with, the magic system takes a little getting used too) I can recommend what sources to get background/ideas from.

Maybe I could meet with you online sometime soon and discuss what kind of character I should make. A ranger or a warrior interest me pretty well.

Should I grab RMSS, RMC, or MERP 2e? I found a copy of MERP 2e online for a good price.

Have you considered HARP?

A ranger is very useful, a warrior of course is good too. Are you thinking Dunedain or some other race? With it being set after the War its more likely men and dwarves will be more prevelant again, but you could always still play an elf who hasn't gone across the sea yet. I've only glanced at HARP. I know RM/MERP pretty well and RM hasn't changed a great deal in the years since MERP. RM is the more complex detailed version of MERP, but MERP 2nd edition is pretty detailed and works good, its just limited to like 10th lvl. RM goes to 50th lvl and beyond. If you like MERP or just want to build a more detailed pc, RMSS/RMFRP is the way to go (they redid RMSS as RMFRP).

http://www.icewebring.com/rmss-vs-rmfrp/

I own RM 2nd edition (lots of books), RMRPG (pdfs bought from ICE), MERP 1st/2nd edition books (and some pdfs)

I'm online most of the time due to still job hunting (9 months unemployed, yuck) and going back to school (first semester of graduate program). So you can reach me at master_lando at yahoo.com. I have classes Mon/Wed nights so I'm usually on during the day until like 3-4 pm est. Otherwise I'm usually around. My email works too if you want to try to catch me on it.

I'm in the same boat....currently unemployed too. Very yucky indeed. I just can't decide between buying a copy of MERP 2e or RMSS or RMC. If I got a copy of Rolemaster would it have the professions found in MERP that are inherent to Middle Earth?

If I were to buy MERP 2e what would I do if we went past lvl 10? Would the combat be slightly different in RMSS/RMFRP than in MERP 2e? Would my skill list in MERP 2e be too short compared to RMSS and RMFRP?