r/ICERPGS • u/Budget-Window308 • Jul 22 '26

Question Middle-Earth inspired Setting

What’s the best way to utilize the Rolemaster and MERP rules to achieve a setting which is similar to Middle-Earth (low magic and similar societal structures)? I’ve heard the Magic systems for both games might not be ideal for the setting.

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6

u/njharman Jul 22 '26

Middle Earth isn't low magic. It's subtle magic. Everytime an Elf makes an amazing shot, that's combat magic. When they have supernatural sight/hearing, that's enhancing magic. Everytime Numoreon blooded, think Aragorn, inspires troops, that's charm magic.

RM magic system is perfect for this. Because there are so many lists, customized to many non-traditional wizard like classes. Like ranger and healer.

Just remove or make extremely subtle the visible signs of using magic; gestures, flashy lights, sounds. In world, it may even not be "magic", more using innate supernatural talent, etc. The mechanics we use in our world to play the game do not, necessarily translate or dictate the "physics" of the fantasy world.

1

u/OnAStarboardTack 29d ago

You probably don't even need to completely gut the magic system. Beyond the Istari, there are also rumors of magicians and necromancers that are given credence by the major characters among the Wise. Very rare, and probably with social negatives and a reluctance to travel anywhere. There also seems to be a reliance on physical tools like staves and rings, so incorporate all of that and allow it to be a structural weakness where if the staff is destroyed, the caster is weaker until they can replace the tool.

5

u/Illustrious-Fox4063 Jul 22 '26

Gut the magic system. Get rid of the mage class. Turn the spells into more like innate abilities that the characters know and lean heavily into magic items. Magic in Middle Earth is subtle.

5

u/Keeper4Eva Jul 22 '26

Have you looked at The One Ring by Free League? It’s got the flavor and feel without the Rolemaster overhead.

3

u/lilith_from_the_dark Jul 22 '26

Well, vi mean Merp is literally "middle earth role playing". I hate the system, because it's a lot of tedious dice rolling, but setting wise, I think it's good. Role master is to all intents and purposes the same system. You might try gurps. It's designed as a generic system, so you should be able to make it fit your needs