Play by Post (PbP): LOTR 5E - SHADOW OF KHAZAD-DÛM
The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying 5e, Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Campaign
About the adventure
A perilous descent into the lost halls of Durin’s folk. 🔦 Delve into the Darkness – The Mines of Moria, once the greatest stronghold of the dwarves, now stand in ruin and shadow. Its vast halls echo with the whispers of the past, the clatter of unseen dangers, and the promise of fortune and discovery. You and your companions are among the few brave—or desperate—enough to seek what lies within. 💎 What Calls You to the Deeps? – The mines hold many secrets, and each adventurer has their reason for venturing beyond the Dimrill Gate. Do you seek the fabled mithril veins buried in the depths? Are you driven by vengeance against the nameless horrors lurking in the dark? Or do you hunt for lost relics—the preserved fragments of the lore of the Ring-smiths of Eregion? Whatever your purpose, Khazad-dûm will test your resolve. ⚔️ Survival in the Shadowed Halls – This is no gentle journey. The ruined mines are a place of peril. Crumbling bridges span bottomless chasms. The remnants of Durin’s people are buried beneath layers of dust and dread. Creatures skulk in the darkness, and supplies are scarce. You must rely on wit, steel, and the strength of your fellowship to endure. 🏹 A Campaign of Exploration and Grit – This game is for those who seek adventure in its rawest form. Navigate the forgotten ways, uncover the fate of Moria’s last inhabitants, and survive the ancient evils that stir in the deep. Whether you are new to Tolkien’s world or a seasoned explorer of Middle-earth, this play-by-post campaign offers an immersive, player-driven experience using the LOTR 5E system with Avrae for seamless integration. 🔥 The dark calls—but will you answer?
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
“Roleplay Heavy” games place the focus on the story, the characters, and the world they live within, and tend to lean hard into the various roleplaying elements of the game. These games will frequently find the party talking with NPCs, exploring the personal elements of their backstories, or even having emotional moments around the camp fire.
Rules as Written (RaW)
Games that are ran “Rules as Written” emphasize realism and stick to the letter of the rules, allowing players to explore creative solutions while still operating under a consistent rule set. Players have the ability to utilize the rules in creative ways to create awesome characters and moments in the game.
Theater of the Mind
“Theater of the Mind” uses little to no visuals for scene settings and combat. Instead, the narrative imagery comes from the Game Master’s descriptions and character action and movement comes from Players’ descriptions.
5.0
(152)
2 years on StartPlaying
1901 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Storytelling
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
Game Master Reviews (152)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Teacher
Storytelling
Santiago Cardona
New review
Played 3 sessions
Really organised and makes it very easy to get get started. Knowledgable, patient and fun.
GM Gator
New review
Played 6 sessions
I've only been Noralf's PbP game for a few weeks, but am blown away. Their discord site is well organized, the game is well run, and Noralf really knows how to engage the players without railroading them. Getting into one of their sessions is like getting a Nat 20 on a luck check - you won't be disappointed!
Fiznaut
New review
Played 3 sessions
Noralf is detail oriented, and focuses on immersion. He has refined his GM craft, making it an art. He also is kind and gracious-he had to step away for a week and reduced the rate for the missed week-was very up front about it. The only feedback is perhaps add a requested minimum number of posts for players to keep engaged-this amps up the value of the game because the campaign moves at a steady and reliable pace.
Michael Cope
New review
Played 3 sessions
Noralf has creative and deep insights into the worlds he runs. Magic items are bountiful and the Party seemed to know each other really well, which means he fosters a strong community. I highly recommend for anyone seeking a casual experience with rich storytelling, lots of loot and great systems to interact with. He has a great community.
David
Played 8 sessions
I highly recommend Noralf as a Dungeon Master. Having played with him in a play-by-post format, I’ve seen firsthand his skill in storytelling, game mechanics, and managing AVRAE for smooth Discord-based play. He knows the rules well and balances structure with flexibility, making the game engaging for both new and experienced players. Though I never had the chance to play a live session with him, I have no doubt he would be just as exceptional in that setting. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and dedicated DM, Noralf is a fantastic choice.
Justin Salonko
Played 1 sessions
Noralf was an incredible GM! It was our groups first time playing D&D online and he was very patient and helpful getting us going. We reached out for a one shot and he was very responsive and worked with us to find the perfect game for what we wanted. He was incredibly nice and authentic and we had a great time. His voices and style of play were entertaining and kept us engaged the entire time. His use of TTV maps added a layer of experience we had not had before. If you're looking for a GM either for a campaign or just a one shot I would highly recommend reaching out to him!
Additional details
How to prepare
💬 Discord: Ensure you have access to Discord and a good quality mic. 🎲 D&D Basics: Familiarity with D&D 5e rules is a plus, but not essential. New players are welcome and guidance will be provided. 📖 Character Sheets: Use D&D Beyond for creating and managing your character sheets. 🧠 Mindset: Bring your imagination and a cooperative spirit for a fun, engaging storytelling experience!
What I provide
What I'll Bring to Our Tabletop Adventure: 📚 D&D Beyond Content: You'll have access to all official D&D sourcebooks and adventure modules. Character sheets and resources will be available and easily accessible to enhance our game sessions. 🎨 Creative Storytelling and Ambient Music: Expect a rich, immersive narrative enhanced with ambient music to set the mood and deepen the gaming experience. 🤖 Tactical and Intense Combat: Prepare for strategically challenging encounters. I aim to balance tactical depth with fast-paced action to keep combat exciting and engaging. 🗺️ Custom Maps and Tokens: Visual aids like custom maps and tokens will be used to enrich your understanding of the environment and help track your adventures visually. 🎲 Rule of Cool: I embrace the Rule of Cool, prioritizing fun and dramatic moments over strict adherence to rules. 📖 Third-Party Sourcebooks and Custom Crafting Rules: Open to using third-party content to enrich the game, provided it enhances our adventure and maintains game balance. Additionally, custom crafting rules will be available to allow more personalized gear and items.
Gameplay details
🚫 Lines and Veils: We'll define clear lines (topics off-limits) and veils (topics to address indirectly) to ensure everyone's comfort. 🚪 Open Door Policy: Your well-being is important. Feel free to step away from the game if needed. ✅ Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist: We'll use this checklist to align on themes and scenarios, respecting everyone's boundaries. 🎲 Our sessions will unfold on Discord, with DND Beyond for character management and Avrae for dice rolls and combat. We prioritize fun, inclusivity, and respectful interaction, fostering a creative and cooperative atmosphere.
Content warnings
• Character Death
• Illness
• Snakes
• Spiders
• Trauma
• Blood
• Suffocation
Safety tools used
• Lines and Veils
• Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist
• Open Door
• Session 0
How will character creation work
🤝 Session Zero Collaboration: We'll collaboratively create characters during our session zero. 💻 Platform: Characters will be created using D&D Beyond. 📚 Source Material: All D&D 5E sourcebooks available on D&D Beyond can be used. 🛠️ Character Creation Assistance: I'm here to help you craft a character that fits both your vision and our campaign’s theme. Let’s bring your hero to life together!. ✨ Personal Touch: Encouraged to bring your own unique ideas and creativity to your character's story and abilities.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
Medium
Roleplay
High
Puzzles
Medium
Experience level
Open to all
Platforms used
• Owlbear Rodeo
• D&D Beyond
• Text/Play by Post
• Discord
$30.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Weekly / Sunday - 8:00 PM UTC
3-168 Hour duration
2 / 7 Seats filled
Requirements
Experience required: Open to all
Age: 18+