MORIA: Through the Doors of Durin | The One Ring 2e | PbP

Creating your character

Start by going to https://tinyurl.com/tor-charsheet and clicking Use Template in the upper right corner. This makes a new, blank sheet in your own Google Drive. Next, change the sheet name in the upper left (your character's name is a good choice) here, then complete the character sheet by following the instructions on the Instructions tab (you did read the Instructions, right?). I will also provide access to the TOR 2nd edition core rulebook! All characters will begin at 1st level. I strongly suggest playing as a Dwarf, unless you have a REALLY good reason to delve into Moria. I am open-minded about this but I also think it will be more fun for YOU, the player, to play as a Dwarf in this campaign. Maps are sent through Discord as well, though we may opt to use Owlbear Rodeo.

Preparing for the session

Access to Discord and Google Drive is required, and an Owlbear Rodeo account is recommended, but other than that, I'd love for you to be able to just jump in and play! However, if you've never played The One Ring 2nd Edition, I do humbly request that you at least read the rules, which I will provide you via PDF if you don't have a copy. Rest assured, I will help new players as much as I can, and I look forward to learning a few things from you, as well; TTRPGs are a learning experience for all of us, even the DM! As for PbP, I will be reaching out with tips and guidance on how to get the most out of a text-based game. The big thing is planning for contingencies -- for example, "If I fail this Stealth check, I'd instead like to roll for Persuasion and try to negotiate my way through." Again, we'll talk through these things during the Session 0!

What DM_Alex | Zoological Gardens brings to the table

In addition to access to a copy of the rules, you'll join my private Discord server with an out-of-character (OOC) lobby, play-by-post tips and tricks, and all sorts of other channels. In game, I will post AT LEAST three times per weekday (or five days out of the week). I ask that players try to post at least twice per weekday (or five days out of the week). Please also make generous use of the SKIP SESSION feature on Start Playing, especially if you're going to be inactive on a given week (illness, vacation, low funds, etc.). Since it's PbP, and in light of my stance on affordability, you can still play regardless of whether the session is skipped! While I don't check to see who skipped or not, I kindly ask that you not overuse this feature, as I am a mere librarian who does appreciate compensation from time to time! As a Loremaster, I focus on two things: the story, and you, the player. I make them work seamlessly with each other and encourage emergent storytelling as much as possible to make this a memorable, worthwhile experience for all involved. MY AVAILABILITY: I am typically available throughout the week during standard business hours (all Eastern Time/UTC-4). This is the best time to reach me about anything regarding your game. You'll have a personal channel for in my server where you can ask me questions, catch up on posts, flesh out your character backstory, talk through your character's motivations, or pretty much anything else! Just a side note, there will be a day or two each week where I am not able to get on Discord much, if at all (sadly, I do have a life outside of TTRPGs). These days usually end up being Friday or Saturday and Sunday. I try to mitigate the lull by keeping PC-only threads that don't require my involvement.

How DM_Alex | Zoological Gardens creates a safe table

The content will not push any further than the material shown in the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films or the Amazon Prime Rings of Power show. Think mid-to-hard PG-13. I'm open to something more hardcore if all players agree. We will do a Lines & Veils survey, which will be compiled and shared as part of a campaign one-sheet for each player. It incorporates many of the resources listed above. X, N, & O's can be privately messaged to be on Discord, or opened messaged if the player feels comfortable.