A Conspiracy Most Cracked - A Beginner's Dive into LOTR 5E
Step out from Bag End into the comforts and wider world of The Shire, as a troop of adventurous hobbits cause a ruccs at the behest of Bilbo Baggins.
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SYSTEM
LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$10.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Tuesday - 6:30 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
Campaign Length / 6–8 Sessions
1 / 5 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
1/5
About the adventure
Campaign Description For those looking to dip their hairy toes into Middle-earth — beginners and veterans alike — you’re welcome to join a band of weirdos, adventurers, and thoroughly cracked hobbits as they cause a bit of mischief in the Shire. The Premise Mad Baggins is at it again. At Bag End he has gathered a small cabal of curious souls — whom he has proudly named The Conspirators of the Red Book. While preparing his great book of adventures, Bilbo has discovered that the history of the Shire is not always as tidy as the hobbits claim. Under promise of coin, curiosity, and just a little danger, he has asked these conspirators to help him uncover the truth behind certain tales of the Shire and its people. What begins as harmless curiosity soon leads beyond garden walls — to forgotten paths, strange rumours, and the quiet mysteries that even the Shire would rather leave buried.
Game style
Combat Lite
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Roleplay Lite
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Teacher, World Builder, Inclusive
About me
I’m a narrative-focused Game Master from the UK with a deep passion for immersive, character-driven storytelling. I approach tabletop RPGs as collaborative drama — where player choices, psychology, and moral tension shape the direction of the campaign. Much of my work centers on The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying (5E) by Free League Publishing. I build grounded, lore-respectful campaigns rooted in atmosphere, political tension, and meaningful consequence. I care deeply about tone consistency and designing worlds that feel alive and reactive to the decisions of the players and their playing styles. While I’m not a decades-long veteran GM, I prepare intentionally and take the craft seriously. I’m committed to learning and improving alongside my players, refining pacing, rulings, and narrative structure as we grow together. Whether you’re new to tabletop RPGs or experienced and looking for thematic depth, my goal is the same: create a collaborative story that feels cinematic, immersive, and authentic.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Pre-generated characters are available, as well as the possibility to create your own level 1 hobbit character. The pre-made characters and the creation of a new one will be available in the campaign on DND Beyond.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
An account on Discord and DND Beyond is a must.
What Joshua Rochelle-Bates brings to the table
I will offer a session 0 to everyone at a time that will be most appropriate to discuss the game, mechanics, and to try and answer any questions that may be asked. I want there to be an opportunity for the players to meet one another and to build a bond of fellowship (sorry I couldn't help myself) that will carry throughout the adventures!
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Joshua Rochelle-Bates creates a safe table
I have an open door policy where I will act upon anything that the players deem to be of importance. The game should be safe and welcoming for everyone.
Content warnings
Safety tools used