Post by Sauron on Jan 8, 2014 12:52:40 GMT -6
The Setting
WARNING, THERE WILL BE A SIXTY YEAR TIME SKIP LATER ON. PREPARE FOR THAT.
I am going to be blunt. To detail everything that has happened in the history of Middle-Earth would be a novel in and of itself, which really, the Silmarillion and the Appendices provide a pretty full picture of the backstory. Get those if you can; they are not necessary to RP here but other members might reference some obscure things and who knows, it might come in handy.
Moving on.
The setting for Into the West is the beginning of the Hobbit. Literally right before an Unexpected Party, the first chapter. However, rather than starting in TA 2941, we've skipped 17 years ahead to TA 2958 so we don't have to deal with the timeskip between Bilbo leaving and Frodo leaving, thus we don't have to force players to deal with two timeskips. While there are skirmishes with orcs and men of the east and other general nastiness, Middle-Earth is actually kind of peaceful. All areas save forbidden zones like Mordor are playable so most players have a fairly large expanse.
We have also put up optional site arcs for potential "what-ifs." We prize the ability to perhaps actually pull things off and make the situation a hell of a lot more hopeful than it was in canon. Or screw up even worse and realize just how boned we are. Yeah, this whole thing might end with Sauron ushering in an age of eternal darkness if we suck hard enough.
Also, people are children so long as they are 15 or below, adulthood is at 16.
The technology of the setting really depends on where you go. For the most part, it's Medieval Europe all around the world. Swords and bows and crossbows and such. However, the Orcs are somewhat industrious, though they don't have things like firearms.
As for race relations, humans are pissy about their short lifespan, hobbits don't care and want to be left alone, dwarves aren't very friendly with elves and vice versa. Humans and dwarves and humans and elves are okay. Dúnedain, despite being seen as shady rangers by the hobbits, are held in admiration by the elves, and most generally everyone else. As for politics; Mirkwood and Dale are on pretty good terms. Same with Imladris and Lorien, along with Gondor and Rohan.
Honestly; if you have any familiarity with standard fantasy, you'll be fine. Most of the trends were set in Tolkien's work anyway. That said, for things like the Istari, you might want to read up on them first.
One more thing; The canons do not exist. Mostly. The baddie canons are still around as NPCs. This account isn't named Sauron for show. He's an NPC. This is a retelling. Any characters around for the Hobbit or LOTR do not exist. Their roles do, but not the actual characters. So there's still a Grey Istari, but it's not Gandalf.
PHARAOH LEAP.