AMT-ARDA (A guide to Role-Playing the World of J.R.R. Tolkien in the Live Action Role-Playing Game Amtgard) by Courynn Syl’vil’naius of Crystal Groves (a.k.a. Paul B. Sturtevant) Table of Contents INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................................3 DOS AND DON’TS FOR ROLE-PLAYING TOLKIEN IN AMTGARD.........................................................................3 The Alternate Continent Concept..................................................................................................................... 4 CELESTIAL BEINGS IN TOLKIEN’S WORLD............................................................................................... 5 Eru, also known as Ilúvatar............................................................................................................................... 5 The Ainur.............................................................................................................................................................. 5 The Valar.............................................................................................................................................................. 5 The Maiar............................................................................................................................................................. 6 The Dark Powers................................................................................................................................................. 6 BASIC GEOGRAPHY OF ARDA ........................................................................................................................... 8 Eä ........................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Arda ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Aman—Also known as Valinor, the Undying Lands...................................................................................... 8 Middle-Earth........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Beleriand............................................................................................................................................................... 8 Other Continents.................................................................................................................................................. 9 HISTORY OF ARDA (A B RIEF TIMELINE) ...................................................................................................10 BEFORE THE CREATION OF EÄ...............................................................................................................................10 CREATION OF ARDA................................................................................................................................................10 C. 5000: YEARS OF THE LAMPS.............................................................................................................................10 C. 10000: YEARS OF THE TREES...........................................................................................................................10 YEARS OF THE STARS (IN MIDDLE EARTH).........................................................................................................11 C. 30000: YEARS OF THE SUN...............................................................................................................................13 First Age of the Sun, 583 years long..............................................................................................................13 Second Age of the Sun.......................................................................................................................................15 TOLKIEN’S RACES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR CHARACTERS IN AMTGARD...............16 ELVES (ALSO KNOWN AS THE ELDAR): ................................................................................................................16 Cultures of Elves................................................................................................................................................16 Suggested Classes for Elves: ...........................................................................................................................18 DWARVES:................................................................................................................................................................20 Suggested Classes for Dwarves: .....................................................................................................................20 HUMANS (ALSO KNOWN AS MEN): .......................................................................................................................21 Suggested Classes for Humans: ......................................................................................................................21 HOBBITS (ALSO KNOWN AS HALFLINGS): ............................................................................................................22 Suggested Classes for Hobbits:.......................................................................................................................22 MAGIC IN ARDA.......................................................................................................................................................23 WHAT TOLKIEN’S MAGIC-USERS CAN DO .........................................................................................................24 Alter Minds.........................................................................................................................................................24 Change their Appearance................................................................................................................................25 Bless and Curse .................................................................................................................................................25 Prophecy.............................................................................................................................................................25 Create Light / Darkness ...................................................................................................................................26 Create / Manipulate Fire..................................................................................................................................26 Craft Magical Items ..........................................................................................................................................27 Strengthen / Hide Things..................................................................................................................................27 Break Things......................................................................................................................................................27 Heal People........................................................................................................................................................28 1 Change the Weather..........................................................................................................................................28 Shape-Shift..........................................................................................................................................................28 Speak with Animals...........................................................................................................................................29 Contests of Power..............................................................................................................................................29 WHAT TOLKIEN’S MAGIC-USERS CAN NOT DO................................................................................................29 Speak over Long Distances..............................................................................................................................29 Resurrect.............................................................................................................................................................29 Fly / Teleport......................................................................................................................................................30 Create Powerful or Permanent Magic Quickly............................................................................................30 EVIL MAGIC..............................................................................................................................................................31 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TOLKIEN'S WORLD AND ROLE-PLAYING IN AMTGARD ..........32 WHAT ABOUT WIZARDS?.......................................................................................................................................32 What about everyone else who plays a Wizard?..........................................................................................32 WHAT ABOUT THE DROW?.....................................................................................................................................32