Middle-earth Role Playing
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| Middle-earth Role Playing | |
 MERP rulebook cover, 1st edition |
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| Designer | Coleman Charlton |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Iron Crown Enterprises |
| Publication date | 1993 (2nd edition) |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| System | Rolemaster System |
Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) is a role-playing game based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien (specifically The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) under license from Tolkien Enterprises. Iron Crown Enterprises (I.C.E.) published the game until they lost the license on 22 Sep 1999.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Setting
The setting for MERP is an expanded version of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. Published campaign sourcebooks are usually set either around the year 1600 of the Third Age, or just after the War of the Ring. Therefore, MERP represents an interpretation of Middle-earth that does not directly involve the players in the continuity of Tolkien's published works. Several of the campaign modules depict lands to the east and south of the lands described by Tolkien, and I.C.E. may be seen as having created an original setting, inspired by and including several elements of The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion.[citation needed]
[edit] System
The rules system of the game is a streamlined version of I.C.E.'s generic fantasy RPG, Rolemaster.
Characters possess Attributes and Skills rated between 0 and 100. Skills can be modified to a rating above or below these limits (i.e. under 0 or over 100). An attack roll consists of a percentile roll, to which the attacker's skill rating and appropriate attribute rating are added and the defender's dodge rating is subtracted. The result is compared to the defender's armor type and looked up on a table to determine success or failure. A separate critical table is used if the initial chart result called for it.
Spell casters learn lists of ten spells as a unit. Each of the spells is based on a theme (e.g. Healing spells.)
[edit] Critical reaction
MERP was generally well received, although not recommended for beginners.[2] Some commentators disliked how the system handled magic. In Tolkien's books, magic is a rare, subtle force only used by a few powerful characters, whereas in MERP magic (from healing to throwing thunderbolts) was possible for nearly any Player Character. This lack of continuity with the source material was seen to upset the games authenticity.[3] However, in many early reviews the game play was described as being true to the spirit of Tolkien's work and a pleasure to play[4]. Others, such as Jonathan Sutherland, enjoyed the detail of the maps and praised many of early adventures.
[edit] History
I.C.E. published a First and a Second Edition of the MERP ruleset, along with many adventure and campaign modules, until Tolkien Enterprises revoked the license for games based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in 1999. I.C.E. subsequently declared bankruptcy in 2000.
A UK edition was published by Games Workshop in 1985. It featured the First Edition rules, with new box and booklet art by Chris Achilleos, along with 25mm floorplans for the sample adventure.
In Sweden a translated version called "Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet" was released in 1986 by Target Games, followed by several translated modules, but it never became popular, possibly because most fans of the setting already had bought the U.S. version and others preferred the popular Drakar och Demoner.[citation needed]
A Finnish language edition ("Keski-Maa Roolipeli" or KERP) was published in 1990 and the game became one of the most popular fantasy role playing games in Finland.[citation needed]
A subsequent Middle-earth based RPG, the Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game, was published by Decipher Inc. Except for the original source material, the Decipher game shares no link to ICE's MERP and uses an entirely different rules system.
[edit] References
- ^ merp.com
- ^ Sutehrland, Jonathan (February 1984). "Open Box: Lord of the Rings" (review). White Dwarf (Issue 50): 12-13. Games Workshop.
- ^ Staplehurst, Graham The Road Goes Ever On: Inside Middle Earth Role-Playing, White Dwarf 66, June 1985 pp.12-13
- ^ Vasey, Charles (February 1984). "Counterpoint: Fellowship fo the Ring" (review). White Dwarf (Issue 50): 33. Games Workshop.
