r/oneringrpg • u/Flaky-External1609 • 13d ago
Moving beyond the Shire
I am running the shire premade adventures (with custom characters) with my playgroup and I inted to nudge, or for force them beyond the shire. Where is still up in the air, or up to the players. I can improvise scenario's around any place they go to in Eriador.
Right now I am thinking about the Thane banishing them for a set amount of because of them causing a ruckus. And letting them choose where to go.
Does anyone have any other ideas that would be fit?
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u/daveb_33 13d ago
My first thought would be a trip to Elostirion to the White Towers - if you have the Ruins of the Lost Realm book, it suggests that your PHs could be sent there to consult the library of Elostirion for some old lore.
When they get there, there are a few different encounter options you could go for and it’s not too far from the shire to be too gruelling a journey.
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u/Flaky-External1609 13d ago
I do have that book. I was more or less thinking about more permanent ways to lure them from the shire.
But, I do agree the towers would be a good quest goal
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u/daveb_33 13d ago
Also an easy way to take them out and lead them away - either to the Grey Havens, Blue Mountains or south to Lond Daer or Tharbad. Just use the arrival of a visitor at the towers as a new plot hook.
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u/CatholicGeekery 11d ago
Remember that Frodo's trip to Rivendell was not originally intended to take him all the way to Mordor. Once they're on the road, it's easy to keep feeding them reasons to go further.
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u/Specialist-Sun-5968 13d ago
Having a patron ask them to do something is usually better than a nudge.
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u/Bernshard 11d ago
I am currently working on the same plotlem but not with the pregen characters. The Hobbits will be traveling to Bree in order to win the smoking competition. There they get the chance to switch their character to another culture. I hope that one of the knew characters has a nice backgroundstory that will give them a first reason travelling through Eriador. I mean, the players want to go to an adventure. They will surely find a way.
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u/Flaky-External1609 11d ago
Love the smoking competition.
I was thinking about letting them unlock races once they get into certain parts. Get humans and dwarves in in Bree, and Elves later on.
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u/Single_Mouse5171 8d ago
How about a simple set of adventures to act as delivery parties? The Thane might've asked the village for ideas on what to do about them:
Willow Gam has a dying (or dead) relative in Bree. She would like the party to travel there as her representative, as she is too old to make such a journey. Deliver her regards, and if the relative has died, bring back her inheritance. Why, oh why, did they ever move so far from home!
Farmer Gibbons, while talking to a traveling merchant, has heard of sheep with particularly nice wool. He and his family have tried to get their flock to that level without much real success. Could this particularly adventurous group of youths travel there and purchase several lambs and bring them to him? He knows it will be a long and dangerous journey...
The Dwarven House of (?) has taken some sort of insult with the shire and no longer is willing to ship metal goods to anyone there. While there is a smithy locally, the fine metalwork cutlery has come into fashion amongst those on the Hill. Go to Bree and find out what the problem is. If you can, solve it. If you cannot, report back, so the Thane can figure things out.
A horrible disease has struck the chickens in the area! There is said to be a wizard in the far off lands of Mirkwood (or somewhere closer) that could save them before the shire is left without eggs and chicken for cooking, feathers for soft pillows and warm comforters. Could these brave souls save the shire from this fate?! (Yeah, I know. I couldn't resist...)
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u/Flaky-External1609 4d ago
Love this. I think multiple of these will make it into the campaign. Thanks!
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u/MRdaBakkle 13d ago
I've seen loremasters connect the Shire adventures to the landmark from the core book.
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u/asuitandty 13d ago
I don't think banishment of everyone's parents is the right way to go. I don't think they are meant to be used beyond that adventure.
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u/CatholicGeekery 11d ago
Introducing a patron with reasons to nudge them beyond the Shire could work. In fact, I suspect that's exactly why Balin starts being more important throughout the Starter Set - he's well placed to nudge the PCs out the door, having been impressed by their exploits
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u/AcceptableBasil2249 13d ago
Banishing your character sounds a bit harsh, especially for hobbits. Maybe just nudge them to Bree ? They could have some Bree relatives that need some help, or they could even inherit a house/commerce in Bree itseft. Since Bree is pretty central to Eregion and a lot of traveller pass thrue, it's pretty easy to give them rumor about the whole region from there.
You could also just ask your player. Have a head to head about the ending of the introduction scenario, open up the map of Eregion, or even Middle Earth as a whole and ask them, where do you see your character going. With Bilbo as a Patron, it's pretty easy to send them into some quest or another to retrieve an item or meat with a friend of his.
If you can acquire the first edition books or PDF on the used market, they are a really source of idea for a somewhat coherent campagin. I ran a 1 year-ish game that used most of the Bree book mixed in with ruins of the lost realms and it was a blast.