User:Sam Kay/Lord of the Rings/Races
Races[edit]
Because of the huge differences between the races of D&D, and J.R.R Tolkien’s races in the Lord of the Rings, there is a revision in the core races for D&D when playing in Arda. The races are categorized into two main sections; The Free Peoples and The Races of Darkness. The Free Peoples are always good, and The Races of Darkness are always evil.
The Free Peoples[edit]
The Free Peoples are Elves, Dwarves, Men and Hobbits. Each of these is a playable race as detailed here.
Languages[edit]
The Free Peoples speak many different languages; the most complicated are the elven tongues; Sindarin and Quendi, of which there are several variants, though knowing one branch allows one to speak them all. There is also the common tongue, which all the free peoples know and use. There is also a secret tongue, the tongue of the dwarves, that remains almost completely secret, and only dwarves know.
There are also written tongues; the runes of the elves, and Tengwar, the curled script of the elves. And there are the secret Dwarven Runes, as used in moria of old.
| Race | Ability Adjustment | Favoured Class |
|---|---|---|
| Elf | +2 Dex, +4 Cha, -4 Con | Fighter/Rogue |
| Dwarf | +2 Con, -2 Cha | Fighter |
| Hobbit | +2 Dex, -2 Str | Rogue |
| Man | None | Any |
| Dûnédain Lord | +2 Str | Any |
Use the raceial traits below rather than the ones in the players handbook.
A character speaks all the automatic languages that their class knows, and for every two points of intelligence above 11, they can know another. These bonus languages are taken from the list in the Racial Traits section for the specific Race.
Men[edit]
Men are the second-born of Ilúvatar, the mortal race, the sons of Númenor.
Personality: Men are greedy, and easily succumb to the darkness. Yet they are noble, and will not let the west fall while men defend it.
Physical Description: Men are tall and broad, and are about 5 ‘to 6’ 6" high. They weigh about 125-250 pounds. Men are strong and the men of westernnse are pale skinned with noble but grim faces.
Relations: Dwarves generally get on well with men, and so do elves (though elves think them weak-minded). They are avoided by hobbits, because hobbits think the "big-folk" to be far too big and rough. Though several hobbits have met men that they like (such as Aragorn and Frodo). Occasionally, men and elves fall in love, but it is few and far between.
Alignment: The Men of Westernnse are all of the "good" alignment.
Lands: Men dwell in 3 realms: Númenor, Arnor, Gondor and Rohan (although Númenor sank beneath the sea in 2219, and Arnor fell in 1409-1974. Arnor was re-forged from 3019 onwards). Human cities are full of splendour, and are usually fortified heavily from attack.
Valar: Few men are actually aware of the valar, but those that are worship them as gods rather than revering them as the Eldar do.
Names: Male examples: Théodred, Théoden, Arathorn, Aragorn, Boromir, and Faramir est. Female examples: Éowyn, est.
Heroes: Human heroes are generally mighty warriors who fight the orcs of Sauron. Men do not generally go on adventures, but stay and defend their homes.
Racial Traits[edit]
- Medium
- 30ft speed
- +1 Bonus feat at 1st Level. Dûnédain Lords do not get this bonus feat.
- +4 Bonus Skill Points at first level, +1 at each other level (2nd, 3rd est.) Dûnédain Lords do not get these bonus skill points.
- Automatic Language: Common. Bonus Languages: Quendi, Sindarin, (written) Runes, Tengwar
- Any Favoured Class
- Dûnédain Lord: +2 Str
- Lifespan: 70+D10 Dûnédain Lord: 210+3D10
Dwarves[edit]
Dwarves where created by Aulë when he grew impatient and desired to create life of his own. But when Ilúvatar found out he put them to sleep until the Elves and Men had awoken. Because of this, there has been much strife between elves and dwarves.
Personality: Dwarves are gruff, and greedy for gold, and have a hatred of all orcs. They are slow to laugh or jest, and generally value gold over everything else.
Physical Description: Dwarves are short (about 4’ high) and all male dwarves have huge beards. Dwarves are broader than humans, and are very tough.
Relations: Men get on well with dwarves, but elves do not get on with dwarves, thinking them too greedy and not at all fun, while dwarves think elves are vain and foolish. Odd elf-dwarf friendships have been known to occur (such as between Legolas and Gimli). Dwarves do tend to get on well with hobbits.
Dwarven Lands: Dwarven cities (such as the Dwarrowdelf) tend to be underground, such as moria, under the lonely mountain, and in the Iron Hills.
Names: Male examples: Gimli, Dwarlin, Balin, Thorin, Fili, Kili and Durin est.
Valar: The dwarves love Aulë above the other valar, for he created the dwarves long ago.
Heroes: Great Dwarven heroes tend to be mighty orc or Dragon-slayers, or dwarves who earn great riches.
Racial Traits[edit]
- +2 Con, -2 Cha
- Medium
- 20ft speed
- Darkvision 60ft
- +2 Search and Spot checks on stone
- Exotic Proficiency: Dwarven War axe
- +2 saving throw against poison
- +4 AC against Trolls and Stone Giants
- +2 bonus on Appraise Checks
- +2 Bonus on Craft checks on metal or stone
- Automatic Languages: Common, Dwarven, (written) Dwarven Runes. Bonus Languages: Quendi, Sindarin, (Written) Runes, Tengwar
- Favoured class: Fighter
- Dwarven War songs/War cries
- Lifespan: 250+2D100 years
Elves[edit]
Elves are fair beyond mere words. They are masters of lore, and love to sing, dance and laugh. But when the forces of darkness are at large, the elves will fight them with the greatest martial prowess and battle strategy.
Personality: Elves love to dance and sing, and often sing merry, but nonsensical, songs. If you told them that their songs made no sense, they would just laugh and sing all the more!
| “ | Oh what are you doing, And where are you going? Your ponies need shoeing, |
” |
— The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien
Physical Description: Elves are tall and fair beyond belief, and a light shines in their eyes. They have pointed ears, and are amazingly gracious and dexterous.
Relations: Elves get on well with men, but elves think humans to be weak minded (but some elf-man love relationships do occur, but rarely, as an elf must give up her immortality to love a man). Elves think dwarves to be too greedy and not at all fun, while dwarves think elves to be foolish or get annoyed with them easily. But odd exceptions do occur (like the friendship between Legolas and Gimli). Elves get on very well with hobbits, but hobbits are a little afraid of elves.
Alignment: All elves are chaotic good (without exception). Elves do follow laws unless it seems for the better of all to them to break them.
Elven Lands: The elven lands of old where in Beleriand, but some dwell in middle earth in Eregion and Rivendell, fair places (like Gondolin of old) beyond word or description. Wood elves live in two kingdoms: Lothlórien and Greenwood (now called Mirkwood). They where both Fair in their day,
Names: Male examples: Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Ecthellion, Glorfindel, Gil-Galad and Erestor est. Female Names: Galadriel, Arwen and Celerían est.
Valar: The elves love all of the Valar, but above all they love Elbareth Gilthoniel, the starlight queen, because she was fair beyond all else.
Heroes: Elven heroes are mighty warriors or elf lords of great skill and lineage. They do not lust for gold, and give freely of their gold, but they battle the darkness with the martial prowess only an elf can achieve.
Racial Traits[edit]
- Medium
- 40ft speed
- Immortal: Elves only die if they are killed in battle. If an elf falls in love with a man, however, they must give up their immortality. If the man dies and they have done this, then the elf dies in 2D100 years
- +2 Dex, +4 Cha, -4 Con
- Low Light vision: An elf sees twice as far as a man in low light, and retains the ability to see colour
- "keen are the eyes of the elves": an elf sees twice as far as a man, and retains the ability to see details at a distance
- Weapon Proficiency: Longsword, Bow.
- +2 bonus to listen, spot and search checks, and +4 bonus on move silently checks
- Automatic Languages: Quendi, Sindarin, common (written) Tengwar, Runes. Bonus Languages: The Black Speech
- Favoured Class: Ranger or Fighter
- Elven Songs
Hobbits[edit]
Hobbits are a small, timid folk, who avoid "the big folk" at all costs. They never do anything unexpected and avoid adventures. However, those of Took descent occasionally go on such "uncomfortable" things…
Personality: Hobbits or Halflings are timid people, who love to drink ale, eat or sit in a nice comfy armchair and smoke old Toby or longbottom leaf.
Physical Description: Hobbits are short, about 3ft high, and have large bellies. They do not wear shoes, because their feet have natural leathery soles, and have thick hair on their feet and hair. They wear mostly greens and browns.
Relations: Hobbits do not get on with men "the big-folk", avoid dwarves (though some like dwarves, like Bilbo Baggins) but they do like elves (and are a little afraid of them).
Alignment: Always lawful good or lawful neutral. (no exceptions).
Hobbit Lands: Hobbits live in Nice, comfortable lands, with nice rolling plains, and peaceful woodland. Hobbits live in the areas around the Shire.
Names: Male examples: Bilbo, Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam est. Female Names: Lobelia, Rose, Elanor and Belladonna est.
Valar: The hobbits are unaware of the Valar.
Heroes: The hobbits only heroes are those carted off by chance. Hobbits do not look up to heroes.
Racial Traits[edit]
- Small
- +2 Dex, -2 Str
- 20ft speed
- +2 on climb, and move silently checks
- -2 on jump checks
- +2 bonus on reflex saves
- +6 bonus on will saves
- -6 on fear checks
- +2 bonus on listen checks
- Automatic Language: common, Bonus
- Maximum age: 90+4D10
The Races of Darkness[edit]
In the armies of Sauron, there are hordes of horrifying creatures, Orcs, Uruk-Hai, Goblins, Trolls, and the slave race: snaga. Each are deformed scum that deface arda, and slay for pleasure…
Language[edit]
All of the races of darkness speak common and the black speech. The races of darkness never get animal empathy of any kind.
| Race | Ability Adjustment | Favoured Class |
|---|---|---|
| Orc | -4 Cha and Int | Warrior |
| Snaga | -2 Str, -4 Cha and Int | Slave |
| Goblin | +2 Dex, -2 Str, Int, Cha | Warrior |
| Uruk-Hai | +4 Str, -2 Int, Cha | Warrior/Fighter |
| Troll | +8 Str, -6 Dex, Int, Wis, Cha | Barbarian |
| Man | None | Any |
Orcs[edit]
Orcs are discussing, nasty creatures, who care nothing of others and love to cause suffering and death.
Personality: Orcs are crude creatures, who love to cause pain and suffering. The orcs show no respect to others and delight in the torture of captives or weaker beings.
Physical Description: A Snaga is smaller than a man, with mean eyes and disgusting brown teeth. They have, dirty scarred blackish
Relations: Orcs hate all other living things. They fear trolls and Uruk-Hai, and love to torture Snaga.
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil (no Exceptions).
Orc Lands: Dark places such as Mordor, or the fortresses of Morgoth. Orcs always are under the command of greater powers.
Names: Anything crude (Uglúk).
Valar: The orcs do not know the valar, but many served the traitor who is no longer counted among their number, Morgoth. Others serve Sauron.
Heroes: Orcs are incapable of being heroic.
Racial Traits[edit]
- -4 Cha and Int
- -6 to fear checks
- 2D4 starting gold
- -2 level adjustment
- Favoured Class: Warrior
- Automatic Language: Common, The Black Speech
- Medium
- Dark vision 60ft
- Light Blindness: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as sunlight or a daylight spell) blinds orcs for 1 round. On subsequent rounds, they are dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area.
- Lifespan: 20+D20
Snaga[edit]
Snaga are a slave race of orcs. They are small, weak and often abused, or even eaten, by the orcs.
Personality: Snaga are crude creatures, who love to cause pain and suffering. They are weak though, and cowardly.
Physical description: Snaga are merely a smaller breed of orc.
Relations: Snaga hate and fear all other creatures, and hide if they can.
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil (no exceptions).
Snaga Lands: Snaga live in the same places as orcs do.
Names: Anything Crude (Uglúk).
Valar: Snaga have the same knowledge of the Valar that the orcs do.
Heroes: Snaga are incapable of being heroic.
Racial Traits[edit]
- -2 Str, -4 Wis, Cha and Int
- -8 to fear checks
- D4 starting gold
- -3 level adjustment
- Favoured Class: Slave
- Cannot choose a class other than slave
- Automatic Language: Common, The Black Speech
- Small
- Darkvision 60ft
- Light Blindness: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as sunlight or a daylight spell) blinds snaga for 1 round. On subsequent rounds, they are dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area.
- Lifespan: 20+D20
Goblin[edit]
Goblins are, in truth, a weaker race of orcs. However goblins are more dexterous and cunning than any orc.
Personality: goblins are crude creatures, who love to cause pain and suffering. They are weak though, and cowardly.
Physical description: Goblins are merely a smaller breed of orc
Relations: Orcs hate all other living things. They fear trolls and Uruk-Hai, and love to torture Snaga.
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil (no Exceptions).
Orc Lands: Dark places such as Mordor, or the fortresses of Morgoth. Orcs always are under the command of greater powers.
Names: Anything crude (Uglúk).
Valar: The orcs do not know the valar, but many served the traitor who is no longer counted among their number, Morgoth. Others serve Sauron.
Heroes: Orcs are incapable of being heroic.
Racial Traits[edit]
- +2 Dex, -2 Str, Int, -4 Cha, Wis
- -4 to fear checks
- 2D4x5 starting gold
- -1 level adjustment
- Favoured Class: Warrior
- Automatic Language: Common, The Black Speech
- Medium
- Darkvision 60ft
- Light Blindness: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as sunlight or a daylight spell) blinds goblins for 2 rounds. On subsequent rounds, they are dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area. Goblins take double the dazzled penalty.
- Lifespan: 20+D20
Uruk-Hai[edit]
Uruk-Hai where bread by the Dark Lord Sauron in the year 2475, as a super-orc to use in his armies.
Personality: Uruk-Hai are brutal, super strong, fearless and cunning. They love fighting, hence;
| “ | We are the fighting Uruk-Hai! | ” |
— The Two Towers, By J.R.R. Tolkien
Physical Description: Uruk-Hai are large, brutal and have lots of muscle.
Relations: Uruk-Hai believe all others to be weak, but they respect trolls for their strength.
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil (no Exceptions).
Orc Lands: Mordor or Isengard.
Names: Anything crude (Uglúk).
Valar: The Uruk-Hai do not know the valar, they just serve Saruman or Sauron.
Heroes: Uruk-Hai are incapable of being heroic.
Racial Traits[edit]
- +4 Str, -2 Int, Cha
- +4 to fear checks
- 2D4x10 Starting Gold
- Favoured Class: Warrior or Fighter (choose one)
- Automatic Language: Common, The Black Speech
- Medium
- Darkvision 60ft
- Levl Adjustment +1
- Lifespan: 20+D20
Trolls[edit]
Trolls where bred by Morgoth in mockery and envy of the ents. Then, Sauron bred them to withstand sunlight, creating the Super-Trolls, the Olag-Hai.
Personality: Trolls have no personality, merely brutality and crudeness.
Physical Description: Trolls are huge, stony hided creatures that wear little more than loin-cloths. They often carry large chains and brutal, but crude, bludgeoning weapons.
Relations: Trolls respect no-one!
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil (no Exceptions).
Orc Lands: Mordor, Isengard, or the misty mountains. Anywhere orcs can be found.
Names: Anything crude.
Valar: The Trolls are too crude to know of the Valar.
Heroes: Trolls are incapable of being heroic.
Racial Traits[edit]
- +8 Str,+6 Con, -6 Dex, Int, Wis, Cha
- Base HD of 6D8
- +4 level adjustment
- +4 to fear checks
- 2D4 Starting Gold
- Favoured Class: Barbarian.
- Automatic Language: The Black Speech, common
- Large
- Dark-vision 60ft
- Regeneration 5
- Natural Armour +11
- Scent
- If touched by sunlight (not merely a light-causing spell), a troll turns to stone.
- Light Blindness: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as a daylight spell) blinds trolls for 2 rounds. On subsequent rounds, they are dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area. Trolls take double the dazzled penalty.
- Lifespan: 40+D6
Men[edit]
The men who serve Sauron where tricked by him long ago, and hate him, though they still follow him.
Personality: Men are greedy, and easily succumb to the darkness.
Physical Description: Men are tall and broad, and are about 5 ‘to 6’ 6" high. They weigh about 125-250 pounds. Men are strong and the men of westernnse are pale skinned with noble but grim faces.
Relations: None, though they will fight alongside the orc and the troll.
Alignment: The men who serve Sauron are all of the "evil" alignment. More specifically:
- Dunleadings: Chaotic Evil
- Haradrim/Khandish: Lawful Evil
- Easterlings/Khandish mercenaries: Chaotic Evil
- Black Númanorian
- Ruffians: Chaotic Evil
Lands: The men who serve Sauron live in Rhûn and Khand and Harrad.
Valar: THe evil men of sauron and morgoth hate the valar (believing them to be evil), but worship Sauron and Morgoth.
Names: Maleexamples: Théodred, Théoden, Arathorn, Aragorn, Boromir, and Faramir est. Female examples: Éowyn, est.
Heroes: Human heroes are generally mighty warriors who fight the orcs of Sauron. Men do not generally go on adventures, but stay and defend their homes.
Racial Traits[edit]
- Medium
- 30ft speed
- +1 Bonus feat at 1st Level
- +4 Bonus Skill Points at first level, +1 at each other level (2nd, 3rd est.)
- Automatic Language: Common. Bonus Languages: The Black Speech. Bonus Languages:
- Dunleadings: -
- Haradrim: Harad Languages
- Easterlings: Eastern Languages
- Black Númanorian
- Ruffians: -
- Khandish/ Khandish mercenaries: Khandish
- Any Favoured Class
- Equipment from the free peoples’ equipment list.
- Lifespan: 70+D10
This page is based on J.R.R Tolkiens "The Lord of the Rings