Creating a LotR Party

[TheAmazingOopah]

Creating a LotR Party (May Contain LotR Spoilers)

Hello,

The idea of creating an Icewind Dale party after the characters of the Lord of the Rings saga, may not be very original, probably done before more than once, but I'm at the moment half-way with The Hobbit, and I truly love the Middle Earth world and all her characters and adventures. I've seen the two movies two years ago, and about a year ago, I read the first three books of the LotR; strangely, I got bored half-way The Two Towers, though I'm very sure I will continue reading to the end, this time.
Still, having read more than a half, I am a bit informed about the characters, and had this party in mind:

Frodo
Aragorn
Gandalf
Gimli
Legolas
Arwen

Yes, I thought of including Arwen to the fellowship too. Even though she doesn't take part of the journey to Mordor (as far as I read), she makes an interesting character, and it's nice to have at least one woman in the team, and you could say she's simply one of the "good guys".

(At first, I thought about combining the heroes from The Hobbit with the heroes from the LotR, meaning to replace Frodo with Bilbo, and Gimli with Thorin Oakenshield; I felt it would be easier to decide Bilbo's profession (thief) than Frodo's, as Bilbo went along on the trip as 'the burglar', and I thought that Thorin Oakenshield would make a more interesting character than Gimli. But then I dropped the idea, feeling that it wouldn't be quite logical, chronical speaking, and that I'm also fine with this party)

Now the whole reason why I am posting this board, is partly because I'm not sure about some professions and some alignments. Until now, I had this in mind:

Frodo Baggins - Halfling, Thief, ??? (Short Sword & Bow)
Aragorn - Human, Ranger, Chaotic Good (Long Sword & Bow)
Gandalf the Grey - Human, "Some sort of Wizard", Chaotic Good/Neutral Good (Sling)
Gimli - Dwarf, Fighter, Lawful Good (Axe & Crossbow)
Legolas - Elf, Fighter, ??? (Great Sword & Bow)
Arwen - Elf, Druid, True Neutral (Scimitar & Sling)

Now here come my questions:

-If I would have created Bilbo, I'd probably make him True Neutral, feeling that he always tries to have things balanced. With Frodo, I'm not sure. Also neutral, or rather good? (and in that case, what kind of good)

-In the books, Gandalf simply gets reverred to as a wizard, though his spells often seem to be filled with some tricks. So I'm leaning towards Illusionist or just Mage.

-Gandalf clearly is good of alligment, and he seems rather Chaotic Good to me, as he strolls around the country, people often not knowing where he is, though then again, he seems to settle every once in a while (neutral good?). What would you say?

-Then a question about the two elves. Arwen seems a bit like a wizard, but I already have Gandalf, and a priest is needed in IWD. As she seems more of a nature-kind druid then a religion-based cleric to me, I decided the first, making her automaticly True Neutral (which I am okay with). But how about Legolas? At first, I thought about him being Lawful Neutral, as he seems to be taking orders by the fellowship, without really giving his opinion very often. But then again, he really seems to be fighting for the good, so I probably will go for that. Neutral Good..? Chaotic Good..?

-The last question is probably a bit laughable, seeming a bit too over-precise. But if I'm doing this, I want to do it right. The thing is, that I thought that you had a character portrait resembling very much Frodo... or rather Elijah Wood dressed up as Frodo in the movies. But now it simply seems to be gone! I'm very sure it was there, since I already tried to make this sort of a party before, after seeing the first movie a few years ago - though with a lot less thinking - and I created a Frodo with that picture (small person, curly brown hair, not much attributes). It seems impossible that a portrait could dissapear like that, but I'm very sure that I saw it. Does anyone know what I mean? (Am I going crazy..?)

Well, that were the questions. By the time you've read all this, I want to thank you first for your patience. If you could also give me advice, regarding my questions, that would be really helpful. Of course, if you have completely different thoughts, about completely different professions, different weapon profincies or even characters, please do not hesitate to post them; just share how you would do it. And oh, if you know the full names of these characters, that would be very interesting too.

Seems to be all.

~Oopah

[CFM]

BTW, very cool thread! (Althought a shock went up my spine when I saw the words 'bored' and 'Two Towers' in the same sentence... I have since recovered.)

Something to consider, some maybe's:

Maybe Aragorn as LG? King = civilization = Lawful?
Maybe Aragorn as CG? Ranger = wilderness = Chaotic?

Maybe Gandalf as LG? Counsellor to kings = civilization = Lawful?
Maybe Gandalf as CG? As you said, he was all over the place.

Maybe they are both NG, if only to balance the wide range of characteristics and actions that both characters seem to portray?

If Gandalf is an Illusionist, he'll have to skip Necromancy and Abjuration spells (I think). Necromancy is probably appropriate, but didn't he do things that resembled Abjuration magic? Maybe make him a straight wizard, and skip the Necromancy spells?

Maybe Gimli as LG, and Legolas as CG?
D&D seems to have the generic elf as Chaotic (wilderness = Chaotic), and the generic dwarf as Lawful (underground mines = organization = Lawful)?
Wasn't D&D, to a large degree, inspired by LOTR?
(IMO, they are both straight Fighters all the way.)

Arwen was certainly the closest thing to a Priest, and you gotta have one of those. We can all just overlook that little part in the movie when she draws a sword...

Maybe Bilbo as LN or NG? (Thieves cannot do LG.) He disliked the unexpected, yet he was so proper and civillized when all those funky dwarves showed up at his front door for tea...

Last thought: what would your *evil* IWD LOTR party be?

[CFM]

"Forgots us, so they did, Precious..."

[Philos]

Evil group from LotR

Hmmmm!? I am thinking book here and not necessarily the movie.

Saruman Wizard (of course)
WormTongue Bard
Witch King Fighter/Mage
Mouth of Sauron Fighter
Leader of the Uruk-Hai army going against Helm's Deep (I've forgotten the name) Fighter


Balrog ???? could probably solo it!!

I left Gollum out as I am not sure what he could be classified as and depending on your point of view was he really completely evil? Not sure enough to put him in with an evil party.

[lompo]

I would make Gandalf a fighter duall to mage (at 3rd lev.): if you notice he uses a staff and/or a sword (magical), and its well proficient with melee fighting, so I would have him start as a fighter and dual him at 3rd lev. with proficiency in staff and long sword.

As for Aragorn, I would also opt for a paladin: in the beginning he is more a ranger (CG), but later his behaviour turns more to a LG, he shows some special abilities that resemble the lay on hands and protection from evil, in the end he gets a "special sword", and finally he becom king (LG!).

Legolas: he doesn't use great sword, so go for short sword/scimitar or eventually long sword. And he is definetly of good alignement.

Frodo: uses short sword and slings! As his class I would see him more like a bard type, although he doesnt cast. He isnt a thief, while his hobbit companions could be F/T.

[CFM]

Gollum: the little sneak would, of course, be a thief.

And certainly not a good-guy. "He's a villian, Mr. Frodo." I agree, Samwise.

Maybe the Mouth of Sauron could be an evil Fighter/Cleric, just to have a well rounded party?

Witch-King: Fighter/Mage
Orc Leader: Fighter
Mouth: Fighter/Cleric
Worm: Bard (funny having him with high Charisma)
Sauruman: Wizard
Smeagol: Thief

[sologdin]

just make your party an all hoobit group, like in the beginning escape from the shire, as in tFotR.


frodo as fighter/thief.
merry and pip as fighters
sam as a paladin

limit it to a four member group?
or add fatty bolger as...something else? hmm.
or add bilbo as a thief?
or add gollum as thief?
or add the mushroom farmer guy as a barbarian? heh.

with no mage or cleric, it'd be high difficulty. you'd get slaughtered on the first map. but it'd be fun, watching the idiot hobbits get killed off.

[Philos]

Evil 6 pack

CFM,
You reminded me of a very important thing I had forgotten. Gollum's origin, ie, being Smeagol the hobbit. I thought as you did that thief was obvious as the class but was a little unsure in terms of which "race" to use in the game. So halfling of course. I guess I might include him in an evil LotR party, especially to provide a thief.

I still do have some hesitation however in regards to his truly being evil. There are times I think he is and other times I think no he's not. Although Sam saw him as a villain and rightfully so; Frodo also saw his good side as Smeagol. Whose personality was corrupted, overwhelmed, and submerged by the power of the ring. Frodo usually addressed Gollum as Smeagol, trying I think to bring him back. Granted Smeagol killed his brother (or cousin, I forget which) Deagol to get the ring which is an evil act. But given the ring's immense power was he truly acting as Smeagol or was the ring using the first available victim to try to get back to its true owner. Gandalf said that the ring was always trying to accomplish that. Frodo withstood the ring's power (at great difficulty) for some time so perhaps the ring merely exploiting an already existing evil bent or weakness. I guess I hesitate merely because of how powerful the ring was. To me evil is a choice and I am not quite sure Gollum/Smeagol may have had one.

Regarding Wormtongue I think his influence over Theoden is right in line with a bard. Charisma is more than just physical appearance, it is presence, and the ability to influence. Thinking of Wormtongue in those terms I would think he would have a very high charisma.

[CFM]

Great point w/Wormtongue and his Charisma! Very justifiable having him as a Bard. Neutral Evil is where I'd put him.

Not sure what Smeagol was like before finding the Ring and becoming Gollum, and he probably would have reverted back to Smeagol (whatever that was) if he was still around after the Ring was destroyed, kinda like Frodo did. But...

Since finding the Ring, Smeagol became Gollum. He punked Deagol, and tried to punk Frodo and Sam (with Bilbo, he was just hungry: we'll let that slide).

If we're talking Smeagol, ie before (after?) the Ring:
Take your pick of alignment. Anybody's guess.

If we're talking Gollum:
Whatever the reason, cause, or influence... murder's gotta be evil.

[Philos]

Tough Call

Following that thought,
Not only was there the evil of murder but of treachery (leading Frodo and Sam to Shelob's Lair), and others, I'm sure among Gollum's evil acts. So Gollum was the manifestation of the evil in that character to be sure. And Smeagol then perhaps was the manifestation of the "good" side. Perhaps a lesson in how evil can corrupt the soul being put forth by Tolkien.

Although I usually refer to him as Gollum, thinking more on it, I really tend to see and think of the "character" as both and not just one. That is a part of why I think of him as I do. Two personalities fighting for possession. The evil side unfortunately usually winning out. So, yes as "Gollum", I think he would be evil which would put him squarely in an evil party.

[TheAmazingOopah]

Wow, quite some responses. Which is great of course, though now I've realised that I think it's better to read the whole book, before actually making the party (both good as evil), as there seem to occur some important changes with the characters, and (obviously) some new faces appearing on the way, like Wormtongue or the Witch King (which I never heard of before). Also, your posts may contain some spoilers for me, may it be not evidently, but that is of course inevitable and something that could have been expected... which doesn't mean that you guys should stop posting these excellent and very helpful messages. The solution is of course for me to simply read the book, and to leave this board for what it is for a while.

As said, I already started reading in the book - two years ago - though in German. Yeah, that's right. I quite regret doing that, but I got the book in a very nice print by my German grandmother, and I didn't really minded at that point. Even though I am of German descent, I am slightly more familiar with English writings - probably because English is such a widespread language in the world. I am especially very bad with German written translation of other languages, and if you have so much translated poetic descriptions of the Middle Earth landscape, the book just drags on and on, as I sometimes even find these parts a bit hard in the original language, having to concentrate just a bit more there.
It took me about half a year to read The Fellowship, and then I decided to quit and continue in English. It was a bit too late then, as I wasn't really gripped by the magic of the first part, which has in my opinion a better story than the second one. Also, I only read every night a few pages, which didn't really do the trick. So there I managed to use the term 'bored' and 'The Two Towers' in one sentence. A few chapters before the fourth book, the adventure came to a halt...

But now, things have finally changed

I've finished The Hobbit (loved it!), and right now, Fatty waved Frodo, Pippin, Merry and Samwise goodbye at the loomy border of the Old Forest. I have at least five more weeks of vacation at my command, so that should work out for the better.
I will indeed leave this board for what it is, and return after I'm well informed. Just one more thing: I had indeed some ideas for an evil LotR party, including of course Saruman (wizard) and Smeagul (thief, halfing, as his original tribe is described as forefathers of the Stoors), and also a Black Rider (fighter). These sniffing guys are just so spooky, and it finally gives me an opurtunity to give a PC that voiceset of unintelligable cries and moans...

The Old Forest awaits me. Keep up the good writing.

~Oopah

[krunchyfrogg]

Gandalf: Fighter 13>Wizard LG
Aragorn: Paladin X (I think he's closer to a Paladin than Ranger)
Sam: Hobbit Fighter/Thief
Frodo: Hobbit commoner (I guess make him a Thief, and never level him past 3rd level! )
Arwen: Half-Elf Druid (remember, her dad is actually a Half-Elf)
Legolas: Elf Fighter
Gimli: Dwarf Fighter

Of course, that's 7. Drop Arwen, she doesn't do anything in the books.