Eä RPG Tolkien Role Playing Gaming Website

This site is focused on trying to modify and create the optimal game system(s) for role playing in J.R.R. Tolkien's universe. All Tolkien-based game systems are supported, including conversion of non-Tolkien game systems to fit a Tolkien campaign setting. All Tolkien RPG (role playing game) systems are welcomed. There are two specific versions of the Eä Role Playing Game on this site: The Eä d20 RPG which is an adaptation of D&D d20 3.5 to be more "Tolkieneqsue" and the original Eä RPG System which is built from scratch specifically for gaming in Tolkien settings. The Eä RPGS is offered at three levels, Basic, Standard, and Advanced.

Eä: “Ilúvatar called to them, and said: 'I know the desire of your minds that what ye have seen should verily be, not only in your thought, but even as ye yourselves are, and yet other. Therefore I say: Eä! Let these things Be! And I will send forth into the Void, the Flame Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and the World shall Be; and those of you that will may go down into it.' And suddenly the Ainur saw afar off a light, as it were a cloud with a living heart of flame; and they knew that this was no vision only, but that Ilúvatar had made a new thing: Eä, the World that Is.” --J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, Ainulindalë (The Music of the Ainur). Arda: “Long they labored in the regions of Ea, which is vast beyond the thought of Elves and Men, until in the time appointed was made Arda, the Kingdom of Earth. Then they put on the raiment of Earth and descended into it, and dwelt therein.” --J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, Valaquenta This website is dedicated to helping modify, create, and organize role playing gaming systems and source materials optimally fitting J.R.R. Tolkien's world of Middle-earth, Endor, Arda, and Eä. The Eä d20 RPG Modifies D&D d20 3.5 to be more "Tolkieneqsue". The attempt is made to stick to as much existing published d20 rules as possible, with only a minimum modification of "original" rules. The Two most significant books are the Eä d20 RPG Races & Cultures book, and the Eä d20 RPG Magic in Middle-earth book. The Eä RPGS Eä RPGS is a community-built role playing game system designed from scratch specifically to best fit gaming in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and beyond. The Eä RPGS is offered in 3 versions to fit different players game system complexity levels of interest and experience: * Eä RPGS Basic Rules * Eä RPGS Standard Rules * Eä RPGS Advanced Rules Since the Eä Role Playing Game System puts the strongest emphasis on role-playing rather than rules-mechanics-manipulation, there really isn't such a thing as a “bad” or “good” character in the sense of quality statistics. Bilbo was NOT the ideal adventurer when he began his travels with the Dwarves, he learned, and developed, but most importantly he was “in character” as all that was Bilbo. It was his overall decisions based on his personality character strengths that won out over any weaknesses or flaws. Even if your character might be considered “weak” in the eyes of number crunching experienced gamers, if you develop and most importantly play your character with a strong background story, playing the character “accurately” fitting the personality and story of the character, you may very well survive, advance, and even thrive better than those who focus on trying to manipulate the rules of the system for what they feel are the most advantageous statistics to have. The Game Master is regularly reminded to encourage role playing befitting the Tolkien-setting, following the adage of “story trumps rules”. This of course will vary somewhat between different GM's and and player groups, but overall this means that characters with rich background stories that are role played in a way matching their character description, will advance much faster than those that constantly focus purely on the number crunching. So as you create your character, focus more on the “character” aspects, and less on the numerical aspects of your Player Character. This gives you maximum flexibility to have fun and be more fully immersed in the setting, and less time is spent “worrying” about what are the “best stats” to have. Eä Role Playing Game System Basic Rules The basic rules were created to help those who are new to role playing gaming in general, or those who just want a very "quick and dirty" get up and running simple system for a Tolkien gaming RPG system. The goal is to have the players and GM able to be running an actual adventure in the shortest time possible. We are shooting for the GM only needing to spend about 30-60 minutes reading the rules and example scenarios, and the players should not have to take any longer than 15 minutes maximum to create a character from scratch (or can just use the provided templates to start almost immediately). The basic rules only require a pencil, paper, and 1 six sided die (which most households can find lying around in almost any boardgame). Eä Role Playing Game System Standard Rules The standard rules attempt to reach the ever-debatable "sweet spot" of compexity, simplicity, realisms, playability, speed, detail, and other factors necessary for a more "true" Tolkien Role Playing Gaming setting experience. The system is percentage based to make it simple to understand, while offering a broad range of variables. Eä Role Playing Game System Advanced Rules The advanced rules are designed for those who really like a LOT of detail and "realism" in their game system. We try to keep the game speed and playability as smooth as possible, but cater to those who really love details in their systems, detailed location based criticals, complex combat and action techniques, very detailed "magic" system, and more. This website supports all Tolkien RPG systems are supported. Some systems currently being worked on include: * Eä d20 ( D&D Dungeons and Dragons 3.5) * Eä RPGS (Basic Rules, Standard Rules, & Advanced Rules) * Arda Marred * Cubicle7 Lord of the Rings RPG (when released) * Decipher LotR RPG - Lord of the Rings Role Playing Game * Iron Crown Enterprises MERP - Middle-earth Role Playing 1st and 2nd edition * Iron Crown Enterprises RM, RM2, RMFRP, RMSS - Rolemaster variants adapted to Middle-earth * Steve Jackson Games GURPS - Generic Universal Role Playing System adapted to Tolkien settings * Chaosium BRP - Basc Role Playing adapted to Tolkien campaigns * Ambarquenta * Hither-lands * Any others that volunteers wish to have listed... You can participate with development of the Eä RPG System and Eä d20 RPG Systems a number of ways. If you prefer web-based forums, see the forum section on the website. If you prefer email lists here is information on subscribing to the email list of choice: * Eä d20 Role Playing Game System email list (adaptation of D&D 3.5 to Middle-earth), send a blank email to d20-subscribe@earpg.com (from a NON-MICROSOFT-based email account), then wait for a verification email (should only take a few minutes, check your spam folder. Then reply to the confirmation email and you will be subscribed. You post new messages after you are subscribed by sending to d20@earpg.com. All postings show up to all list members. * Eä Role Playing Game System email list (new system from scratch built specifically for gaming in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and beyond), send a blank email to earpgs-subscribe@earpg.com (from a NON-MICROSOFT-based email account), then wait for a verification email (should only take a few minutes, check your spam folder. Then reply to the confirmation email and you will be subscribed. You post new messages after you are subscribed by sending to earpgs@earpg.com. All postings show up to all list members. If you have an problems with the website or email list, feel free to email earpgs at gmail dot com.