Middle-earth Role Playing: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
No edit summary
(46 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Middle-earth Role Playing''' (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] [[Middle-earth]] and published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]].   
[[Image:merp_logo.png|thumb|MERP 2nd Ed. logotype]]
 
'''Middle-earth Role Playing''' (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Middle-earth]] and published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]].   


== Description ==
== Description ==
[[Image:Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover).jpg|thumb|left|Cover of [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|''MERP'', 2nd ed.]]]]
The system was somewhat like [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Fighter, Mage, Ranger and  Scout (Rogue). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.
The system was somewhat like [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Fighter, Mage, Ranger and  Scout (Rogue). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.


Line 8: Line 11:
Spell casters had the unique advantage in MERP that they learned lists of 10 spells (1 per level) as a unit. Once a character learned the Healing list, he would be able to cast increasingly better healing spells as his level increased.
Spell casters had the unique advantage in MERP that they learned lists of 10 spells (1 per level) as a unit. Once a character learned the Healing list, he would be able to cast increasingly better healing spells as his level increased.


The setting for this game predates the [[War of the Ring]] by around 1400 years and as such it represented a version of [[Middle-earth]] radically different to that seen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''  or ''[[The Hobbit]]''.
The setting for this game predates the [[War of the Ring]] by around 1400 years (the majority of the modules were set in the years after the [[Great Plague]], ca. [[Third Age]] 1640) and as such it represented a version of [[Middle-earth]] different to that seen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''  or ''[[The Hobbit]]''.


The game has a loyal and strong following.
=== Metal miniatures ===


This was the first licensed role-playing game based on this setting; the second was the [[Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]] from [[Decipher Inc.]]
Two different companies issued authorized figures for use with MERP. In 1985, [[Grenadier Models Inc.|Grenadier Models]] released their ''Lord of the Rings Middle Earth'' series. In 1987, the license was transferred to [[Mithril Miniatures]], which still produces Middle-earth metal miniatures (although post-[[Iron Crown Enterprises|ICE]] figures have no reference to MERP).


== Publications ==
== Publications ==
Line 20: Line 23:
=== MERP 1st Edition ===
=== MERP 1st Edition ===


*(1982) 2200 [[MERP: Middle Earth Roleplaying Campaign and Adventure Guidebook|Middle Earth Roleplaying Campaign and Adventure Guidebook]]
*(1982) 2100 ''[[An Artist's Interpretation of Middle Earth]]''
*(1982) 2399 [[MERP: Angmar, Land of the Witch King|Angmar, Land of the Witch King]]
*(1982) 2200 ''[[A Campaign and Adventure Guidebook for Middle-earth]]''
*(1982) 2400 [[MERP: Umbar, Haven of the Corsairs|Umbar, Haven of the Corsairs]]
*(1982) 2300 ''[[Angmar: Land of the Witch King]]''
*(1982) 2500 [[MERP: The Court of Ardor|The Court of Ardor]]
*(1982) 2400 ''[[Umbar: Haven of the Corsairs]]''
*(1983) 2600 [[MERP: Northern Mirkwood|Northern Mirkwood]]
*(1982) 2500 ''[[The Court of Ardor]]''
*(1983) 2700 [[MERP: Southern Mirkwood|Southern Mirkwood]]
*(1983) 2600 [[Northern Mirkwood (1983)|''Northern Mirkwood'' (1983)]]
*(1983) 2800 [[MERP: Isengard and Northern Gondor|Isengard and Northern Gondor]]
*(1983) 2700 ''[[Southern Mirkwood|Southern Mirkwood: Haunt of the Necromancer]]''
*(1984) 2900 [[MERP: Moria, The Dwarven City|Moria, The Dwarven City]]
*(1983) 2800 ''[[Isengard and Northern Gondor]]''
*(1984) 3000 [[MERP: Rangers of the North|Rangers of the North]]
*(1984) 2600 [[Northern Mirkwood (1984)|''Northern Mirkwood'' (1984)]]
*(1984) 8000 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing|Middle-earth Role Playing]]  
*(1984) 2900 ''[[Moria: The Dwarven City]]''
*(1984) 8001 [[MERP: Combat Screen]]  
*(1984) 3000 [[Rangers of the North (book)|''Rangers of the North: The Kingdom of Arthedain'']]
*(1984) 8010 [[MERP: Bree and the Barrow Downs|Bree and the Barrow Downs]]
*(1984) 8000 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (book)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'']]  
*(1984) 8020 [[MERP: Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes|Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes]]
*(1984) 8001 ''[[Combat Screen]]''
*(1984) 8030 [[MERP: The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair|The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair]]
*(1984) 8010 ''[[Bree and the Barrow-Downs]]''
*(1984) 8040 [[MERP: Hillmen of the Trollshaws|Hillmen of the Trollshaws]]
*(1984) 8020 ''[[Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes]]''
*(1985) 3100 [[MERP: Riders of Rohan|Riders of Rohan]]
*(1984) 8030 ''[[The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair]]''
*(1985) 8050 [[MERP: Thieves of Tharbad|Thieves of Tharbad]]  
*(1984) 8040 ''[[Hillmen of the Trollshaws]]''
*(1985) 8060 [[MERP: Erech and the Paths of the Dead|Erech and the Paths of the Dead]]
*(1985) 3100 [[Riders of Rohan (1985 book)|''Riders of Rohan'']]
*(1985) 8070 [[MERP: Goblin-gate and Eagles' Eyrie|Goblin-gate and Eagles' Eyrie]]
*(1985) 8050 ''[[Thieves of Tharbad]]''
*(1985) 8100 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)|Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)]]
*(1985) 8060 ''[[Erech and the Paths of the Dead]]''
*(1985) 8101 [[MERP: Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings|Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings]]
*(1985) 8070 ''[[Goblin-gate and Eagle's Eyrie]]''
*(1986) 3200 [[MERP: Lórien & the Halls of the Elven Smiths|Lórien & the Halls of the Elven Smiths]]
*(1985) XXXX ''[[Middle-earth: The Role-playing Game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]''
*(1986) 8000 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing, rev. ed.|Middle-earth Role Playing, rev. ed.]]
*(1985) 8101 ''[[Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings]]''
*(1986) 8002 [[MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol I|Lords of Middle-earth Vol I: The Immortals]]  
*(1986) 3200 ''[[Lórien and the Halls of the Elven Smiths|Lórien & the Halls of the Elven Smiths]]''
*(1986) 8102 [[MERP: Phantom of the Northern Marches|Phantom of the Northern Marches]]
*(1986) 8000 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing: The Role Playing Game of J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]''
*(1986) 8103 [[MERP: Trolls of the Misty Mountains|Trolls of the Misty Mountains]]  
*(1986) 8100 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (boxed set)]]
*(1987) 2800 [[MERP: Isengard and Northern Gondor (2nd edition)|Isengard and Northern Gondor (2nd edition)]]
*(1986) 8002 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. I|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. I - The Immortals'']]  
*(1987) 3100 [[MERP: Riders of Rohan (2nd edition)|Riders of Rohan (2nd edition)]]  
*(1986) 8102 ''[[Phantom of the Northern Marches]]''
*(1987) 3300 [[MERP: Havens of Gondor|Havens of Gondor]]
*(1986) 8103 ''[[Trolls of the Misty Mountains]]''
*(1987) 3400 [[MERP: Sea-Lords of Gondor|Sea-Lords of Gondor]]  
*(1987) 2800 [[Isengard and Northern Gondor (1987 book)|''Isengard and Northern Gondor'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1987) 3500 [[MERP: Ents of Fangorn|Ents of Fangorn]]  
*(1987) 3100 [[Riders of Rohan (1987 book)|''Riders of Rohan'' (2nd edition)]]  
*(1987) 3600 [[MERP: Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains|Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains]]  
*(1987) 3300 ''[[Havens of Gondor]]''
*(1987) 3700 [[MERP: Lost Realm of Cardolan|Lost Realm of Cardolan]]
*(1987) 3400 ''[[Sea-Lords of Gondor]]''
*(1987) 8003 [[MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol II|Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races]]  
*(1987) 3500 ''[[Ents of Fangorn]]''
*(1987) 8080 [[MERP: Rivendell, The House of Elrond|Rivendell, The House of Elrond]]
*(1987) 3600 ''[[Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains]]''
*(1987) 8090 [[MERP: Brigands of Mirkwood|Brigands of Mirkwood]]  
*(1987) 3700 ''[[Lost Realm of Cardolan]]''
*(1987) 8104 [[MERP: Pirates of Pelargir|Pirates of Pelargir]]
*(1987) 8003 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. II|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. II - The Mannish Races'']]  
*(1987) 8105 [[MERP: Gates of Mordor|Gates of Mordor]]
*(1987) 8080 ''[[Rivendell: The House of Elrond]]''
*(1987) 8106 [[MERP: Assassins of Dol Amroth|Assassins of Dol Amroth]]  
*(1987) 8090 ''[[Brigands of Mirkwood]]''
*(1987) 8107 [[MERP: Woses of the Black Wood|Woses of the Black Wood]]
*(1987) 8104 ''[[Pirates of Pelargir]]''
*(1987) 8201 [[MERP: Weathertop, Tower of the Wind|Weathertop, Tower of the Wind]]  
*(1987) 8105 [[Gates of Mordor (book)|''Gates of Mordor'']]
*(1988) 3800 [[MERP: Far Harad, The Scorched Land|Far Harad, The Scorched Land]]  
*(1987) 8106 ''[[Assassins of Dol Amroth]]''
*(1988) 3900 [[MERP: Shadow in the South|Shadow in the South]]
*(1987) 8107 ''[[Woses of the Black Wood]]''
*(1988) 4010 [[MERP: Mirkwood, The Wilds of Rhovanion|Mirkwood, The Wilds of Rhovanion]]
*(1987) 8201 ''[[Weathertop: Tower of the Wind]]''
*(1988) 8005 [[MERP: Creatures of Middle-Earth|Creatures of Middle-Earth]]
*(1988) 3800 ''[[Far Harad: The Scorched Land]]''
*(1988) 8011 [[MERP: Mouths of the Entwash|Mouths of the Entwash]]
*(1988) 3900 ''[[Shadow in the South]]''
*(1988) 8108 [[MERP: Raiders of Cardolan|Raiders of Cardolan]]
*(1988) 4010 ''[[Mirkwood: The Wilds of Rhovanion]]''
*(1988) 8202 [[MERP: Teeth of Mordor|Teeth of Mordor]]  
*(1988) 8005 ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth]]''
*(1988) 8204 [[MERP: Halls of the Elven-king|Halls of the Elven-king]]
*(1988) 8011 ''[[Mouths of the Entwash]]''
*(1988) 8301 [[MERP: Minas Tirith|Minas Tirith]]  
*(1988) 8108 ''[[Raiders of Cardolan]]''
*(1989) 2210 [[MERP: Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II|Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II]]
*(1988) 8202 [[Teeth of Mordor (book)|''Teeth of Mordor'']]  
*(1989) 3110 [[MERP: Mount Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]]
*(1988) 8204 ''[[Halls of the Elven-king]]''
*(1989) 4020 [[MERP: Empire of the Witch King|Empire of the Witch King]]
*(1988) 8301 [[Minas Tirith (1988 book)|''Minas Tirith'']]
*(1989) 8001 [[MERP: Combat Screen (2nd edition)]]
*(1989) 2210 ''[[Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II]]''
*(1989) 8004 [[MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol III|Lords of Middle-earth Vol III: Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls]]
*(1989) 3110 [[Mount Gundabad (book)|''Mount Gundabad'']]
*(1989) 8006 [[MERP: Treasures of Middle-earth|Treasures of Middle-earth]]
*(1989) 4020 ''[[Empire of the Witch-king]]''
*(1989) 8012 [[MERP: Warlords of the Desert|Warlords of the Desert]]
*(1989) 8001 [[Combat Screen (2nd edition)|''Combat Screen'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1989) 8013 [[MERP: Dark Mage of Rhudaur|Dark Mage of Rhudaur]]
*(1989) 8004 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. III|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. III - Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls'']]
*(1989) 8015 [[MERP: Forest of Tears|Forest of Tears]]
*(1989) 8006 ''[[Treasures of Middle-earth]]''
*(1989) 8109 [[MERP: Ghosts of the Southern Anduin|Ghosts of the Southern Anduin]]  
*(1989) 8012 ''[[Warlords of the Desert]]''
*(1989) 8110 [[MERP: Perils on the Sea of Rhûn|Perils on the Sea of Rhûn]]
*(1989) 8013 ''[[Dark Mage of Rhudaur]]''
*(1989) 8111 [[MERP: Denizens of the Dark Wood|Denizens of the Dark Wood]]
*(1989) 8015 ''[[Forest of Tears]]''
*(1990) 3111 [[MERP: Greater Harad|Greater Harad]]
*(1989) 8109 ''[[Ghosts of the Southern Anduin]]''
*(1990) 3112 [[MERP: Gorgoroth|Gorgoroth]]  
*(1989) 8110 ''[[Perils on the Sea of Rhûn]]''
*(1990) 4000 [[MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas|Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas]] (combined Gazetteer & Map)  
*(1989) 8111 ''[[Denizens of the Dark Wood]]''
*(1990) 8007 [[MERP: Characters of Middle-earth|Characters of Middle-earth]]  
*(1990) 3111 ''[[Greater Harad]]''
*(1990) 8014 [[MERP: Rogues of the Borderlands|Rogues of the Borderlands]]
*(1990) 3112 ''[[Gorgoroth (book)|Gorgoroth]]''
*(1990) 8016 [[MERP: Ghost Warriors|Ghost Warriors]]  
*(1990) 4000 [[Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas|''Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas'']] (combined Gazetteer & Map)  
*(1990) 8112 [[MERP: Hazards of the Harad Wood|Hazards of the Harad Wood]]
*(1990) 8007 ''[[Angus McBride's Characters of Middle-earth]]''
*(1990) 8113 [[MERP: The Necromancer's Lieutenant|The Necromancer's Lieutenant]]
*(1990) 8014 ''[[Rogues of the Borderlands]]''
*(1990) 8203 [[MERP: Calenhad, A Beacon of Gondor|Calenhad, A Beacon of Gondor]]  
*(1990) 8016 ''[[Ghost Warriors]]''
*(1991) 8205 [[MERP: Nazgûl's Citadel|Nazgûl's Citadel]]  
*(1990) 8112 ''[[Hazards of the Harad Wood]]''
*(1991) 8302 [[MERP: Minas Ithil|Minas Ithil]]  
*(1990) 8113 ''[[The Necromancer's Lieutenant]]''
*(1992) 3113 [[MERP: The Grey Mountains|The Grey Mountains]]
*(1990) 8203 ''[[Calenhad: A Beacon of Gondor]]''
*(1992) 4002 [[MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer|Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer]]
*(1991) 8205 ''[[Nazgûl's Citadel]]''
*(1992) 8114 [[MERP: River Running|River Running]]
*(1991) 8302 ''[[Minas Ithil (book)|Minas Ithil]]''
*(1994) 4001 [[MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Map-set|Northwestern Middle-earth Map-set]]
*(1992) 3113 ''[[The Grey Mountains]]''
*(1992) 4002 ''[[Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer]]''
*(1992) 8114 ''[[River Running (book)|River Running]]''
*(1994) 4001 ''[[Northwestern Middle-earth Map Set]]''


=== MERP 2nd Edition ===
=== MERP 2nd Edition ===


*(1993) 2000 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)]]
*(1993) 2000 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (2nd edition, hardcover)]]
*(1993) 2001 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)|Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)]]
*(1993) 2001 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (2nd edition, softcover)]]
*(1993) 2003 [[MERP: Middle-earth Campaign Guide|Middle-earth Campaign Guide]]
*(1993) 2003 ''[[Middle-earth Campaign Guide]]''
*(1993) 2004 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets|Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets]]
*(1993) 2004 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets]]''
*(1993) 2006 [[MERP: Valar and Maiar|Valar and Maiar]]
*(1993) 2006 ''[[Valar and Maiar]]''
*(1994) 2002 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack|Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack]]
*(1994) 2002 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack]]''
*(1994) 2005 [[MERP: Arnor, The Realm|Arnor, The Realm]]
*(1994) 2005 ''[[Arnor: The Realm]]''
*(1994) 2007 [[MERP: Minas Tirith (2nd edition)|Minas Tirith (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2007 [[Minas Tirith (1994 book)|''Minas Tirith'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2008 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps|Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps]]
*(1994) 2008 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps]]''
*(1994) 2009 [[MERP: Palantír Quest|Palantír Quest]]
*(1994) 2009 ''[[Palantír Quest]]''
*(1994) 2010 [[MERP: Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2010 [[Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Treasures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2011 [[MERP: Moria (2nd edition)|Moria (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2011 [[Moria (1994 book)|''Moria'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2012 [[MERP: Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2012 [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2013 [[MERP: Elves|Elves]]  
*(1994) 2013 [[Elves (book)|''Elves'']]  
*(1995) 2014 [[MERP: Dol Guldur|Dol Guldur]]
*(1995) 2014 [[Dol Guldur (book)|''Dol Guldur'']]
*(1995) 2015 [[MERP: The Kin-strife|The Kin-strife]]  
*(1995) 2015 ''[[The Kin-strife]]''
*(1995) 2016 [[MERP: Lake-town|Lake-town]]
*(1995) 2016 ''[[Lake-town (book)|Lake-town]]''
*(1995) 2017 [[MERP: The Shire|The Shire]]
*(1995) 2017 [[The Shire (book)|''The Shire'']]
*(1995) 2018 [[MERP: Angmar (2nd edition)|Angmar (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2018 [[Angmar (book)|''Angmar'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2019 [[MERP: Mirkwood (2nd edition)|Mirkwood (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2019 [[Mirkwood (book)|''Mirkwood'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1996) 2020 [[MERP: Southern Gondor, The People|Southern Gondor, The People]]
*(1996) 2020 ''[[Southern Gondor: The People]]''
*(1996) 2021 [[MERP: Southern Gondor, The Land|Southern Gondor, The Land]]
*(1996) 2021 ''[[Southern Gondor: The Land]]''
*(1996) 2022 [[MERP: Arnor, The People|Arnor, The People]]
*(1996) 2022 ''[[Arnor: The People]]''
*(1997) 2023 [[MERP: Arnor, The Land|Arnor, The Land]]
*(1997) 2023 ''[[Arnor: The Land]]''
*(1997) 2024 [[MERP: Lord of the Rings Poster Map|Lord of the Rings Poster Map]]
*(1997) 2024 ''[[Lord of the Rings Poster Map]]''
*(1997) 2025 [[MERP: The Northern Waste|The Northern Waste]]
*(1997) 2025 ''[[The Northern Waste]]''
*(1997) 2026 [[MERP: Hands of the Healer|Hands of the Healer]]
*(1997) 2026 ''[[Hands of the Healer]]''
 
===Unpublished supplements===
 
*1990s: ''[[Lindon (MERP)|Lindon]]''
*1990s: ''Mithlond''
*1990s: ''[[The Inland Sea]]''


== Translations ==
== Translations ==


*French: ''Le Jeu De Role Des Terres Du Milieu'' (1987-2000)
*Finnish: ''Keskimaa Roolipeli'' (KERP)
*German: ''Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System'' (1987-1998)
*French: ''Le Jeu de Rôle des Terres du Milieu'' (JRTM) (1987-2000)
*Spanish: ''El señor de los anillos'' (1989-2004)
*German: ''Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System'' (MERS) (1987-1998)
*Italian: ''Il gioco di ruolo del signore degli anelli'' (GiRSA) (1984-2002)
*Japanese: ''?''
*Polish: ''?''
*Spanish: ''El Señor de los Anillos'' (Castellano), ''El Senyor dels Anells'' (Catalan) (1989-2004)
*Swedish: ''Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet'' (1986-1990)
*Swedish: ''Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet'' (1986-1990)
== Further developments ==
MERP has a loyal and strong following, which can be seen in the multitude of material which has been written for the system since ICE lost their license. The main channels are:
*''[[Other Hands]]'' (official magazine)
*''[[Other Minds]]'' (unofficial magazine)
*''[[Yahoo Fan modules]]'' (Yahoo group and mailing list, also hosting a web site)
*''MERP.com'' (fan-run website, see link below)


==External Links==
==External Links==
* {{WP|MERP}}
* [http://www.merp.com MERP.com (fan-run website)]<br>
* [http://www.merp.com MERP.com (fan-run website)]<br>
*[http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/MERP/PrintingEditionReference.html Printing and Edition Reference for MERP]
*[http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/MERP/PrintingEditionReference.html Printing and Edition Reference for MERP]
 
{{rpg}}
[[Category:Role playing games]]
{{title|italics}}
[[Category:MERP| ]]
[[Category:Publications by title]]

Revision as of 14:50, 27 June 2014

MERP 2nd Ed. logotype

Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and published by Iron Crown Enterprises.

Description

Cover of MERP, 2nd ed.

The system was somewhat like Dungeons & Dragons with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Fighter, Mage, Ranger and Scout (Rogue). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.

In the MERP game system, attributes are rating between 0 and 100, and skills can surpass these limits (under 0 or over 100). An attack roll would consist of a percentile roll + skill rating + attribute rating - target's dodge rating. This result was looked up on a table against the victim's armor type (leather/plate). Most hits in combat would cause a 'critical' which would be rolled and looked up on separate tables. For some, these criticals are quite entertaining due to their variety and creativeness, but for others the task of adding and subtracting high numbers and then consulting a table is the height of roll-playing, not role-playing.

Spell casters had the unique advantage in MERP that they learned lists of 10 spells (1 per level) as a unit. Once a character learned the Healing list, he would be able to cast increasingly better healing spells as his level increased.

The setting for this game predates the War of the Ring by around 1400 years (the majority of the modules were set in the years after the Great Plague, ca. Third Age 1640) and as such it represented a version of Middle-earth different to that seen in The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.

Metal miniatures

Two different companies issued authorized figures for use with MERP. In 1985, Grenadier Models released their Lord of the Rings Middle Earth series. In 1987, the license was transferred to Mithril Miniatures, which still produces Middle-earth metal miniatures (although post-ICE figures have no reference to MERP).

Publications

  • (Year) Stock# Title

MERP 1st Edition

MERP 2nd Edition

Unpublished supplements

Translations

  • Finnish: Keskimaa Roolipeli (KERP)
  • French: Le Jeu de Rôle des Terres du Milieu (JRTM) (1987-2000)
  • German: Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System (MERS) (1987-1998)
  • Italian: Il gioco di ruolo del signore degli anelli (GiRSA) (1984-2002)
  • Japanese: ?
  • Polish: ?
  • Spanish: El Señor de los Anillos (Castellano), El Senyor dels Anells (Catalan) (1989-2004)
  • Swedish: Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet (1986-1990)

Further developments

MERP has a loyal and strong following, which can be seen in the multitude of material which has been written for the system since ICE lost their license. The main channels are:

External Links

Licensed Pen-and-paper RPGs set in Middle-earth
 Iron Crown Enterprises:  (1982-1997) Middle-earth Role Playing · (1991-1993) Lord of the Rings Adventure Game
 Decipher:  (2002-2005) The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game · (2001) The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Adventure Game
 Cubicle 7:  (2011-2019) The One Ring · (2016-2019) Adventures in Middle-earth
 Free League:  (2021-) The One Ring