A few "designer's notes", so to speak: D&D's settings are usually much more high-powered than "The Lord of the Rings", with magic being much more prevalent, and the system reflects that. Thus, rather than try and make a completely faithful adaptation - which would be impossible -, I decided to translate the character's concepts into D&D.
This is why their levels are so high, for example: while in terms of power even Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas should be at mid-Paragon at the most, their actions are truly realm-changing, even world-changing, which is why I've decided to make them level 20 character. The Hobbits were the only ones who I'd have said were at level 1, but only in the beginning of the books, and I chose to make them level 10 characters to reflect how much more experienced they were in the "The Scouring of the Shire" chapter.
Any comments, criticisms and suggestions are more than welcome!
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Aragorn, son of Arathorn, level 20
Half-Elf, Warlord, Knight Commander
Commanding Presence: Inspiring Presence
Background: Half-Elf - Cultural Half-Elf (+2 to History)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 21, Con 14, Dex 15, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 19.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 12.
AC: 35 Fort: 30 Reflex: 27 Will: 31
HP: 121 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 30
TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +17, Heal +17, Athletics +20, Diplomacy +21, Perception +17, Nature +17
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +12, Arcana +10, Bluff +14, Dungeoneering +12, History +12, Insight +14, Intimidate +14, Religion +10, Stealth +16, Streetwise +14, Thievery +12
FEATS
Level 1: Warrior of the Wild
Level 2: Skill Training (Nature)
Level 4: Expert Tracker
Level 6: Inspired Tactics
Level 8: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Level 10: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade)
Level 11: Versatile Master
Level 12: Armor Specialization (Chainmail)
Level 14: Hunter's Resurgence
Level 16: Vital Inspiration
Level 18: Combat Commander
Level 20: Iron Will
POWERS
Dilettante: Valiant Strike
Warlord at-will 1: Viper's Strike
Warlord at-will 1: Wolf Pack Tactics
Warlord encounter 1: Guarding Attack
Warlord daily 1: Bastion of Defense
Warlord utility 2: Shake It Off
Warlord encounter 3: Inspiring War Cry
Warlord daily 5: Stand the Fallen
Warlord utility 6: Rousing Words
Warlord encounter 7: War of Attrition
Warlord daily 9: White Raven Strike
Warlord utility 10: Bolstering Shout
Warlord encounter 13: Bolstering Blow (replaces Guarding Attack)
Warlord daily 15: Renew the Troops (replaces Stand the Fallen)
Warlord utility 16: Encouraging Remark
Warlord encounter 17: Battle On (replaces Inspiring War Cry)
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Exalted Forgemail +4, Sunblade Longsword +4, Elven Cloak +4, Iron Armbands of Power (paragon tier), Breaching Gauntlets (paragon tier), Light Shield
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Boromir, level 20
Human, Fighter, Sword Marshal
Fighter Talents: One-handed Weapon Talent
Background: Society - Noble (Insight class skill)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 21, Con 14, Dex 16, Int 11, Wis 11, Cha 19.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 13, Dex 15, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14.
AC: 37 Fort: 34 Reflex: 30 Will: 31
HP: 143 Surges: 11 Surge Value: 35
TRAINED SKILLS
Intimidate +19, Heal +15, Insight +15, Athletics +18, Endurance +15, Diplomacy +19
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +11, Arcana +10, Bluff +14, Dungeoneering +10, History +10, Nature +10, Perception +10, Religion +10, Stealth +15, Streetwise +14, Thievery +11
FEATS
Human: Inspiring Leader
Level 1: Student of Battle
Level 2: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Level 4: Novice Power
Level 6: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade)
Level 8: Acolyte Power
Level 10: Adept Power
Level 11: Armor Specialization (Scale)
Level 12: Heavy Blade Opportunity
Level 14: Devastating Critical
Level 16: Reckless Attacker
Level 18: Iron Will
Level 20: Great Fortitude
POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Tide of Iron
Fighter at-will 1: Brash Strike
Fighter at-will 1: Cleave
Fighter encounter 1: Spinning Sweep
Fighter daily 1: Flanking Assault (retrained to Bastion of Defense at Adept Power)
Fighter utility 2: No Opening (retrained to Shake It Off at Acolyte Power)
Fighter encounter 3: Parry and Riposte (retrained to Inspiring War Cry at Novice Power)
Fighter daily 5: Crack the Shell
Fighter utility 6: Unbreakable
Fighter encounter 7: Griffon's Wrath
Fighter daily 9: Piquing Dare
Fighter utility 10: Stalwart Guard
Fighter encounter 13: Anvil of Doom (replaces Spinning Sweep)
Fighter daily 15: Dragon's Fangs (replaces Crack the Shell)
Fighter utility 16: Interposing Shield
Fighter encounter 17: Boggling Smash (replaces Anvil of Doom)
Fighter daily 19: Strike of the Watchful Guard (replaces Piquing Dare)
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Heartening Wyrmscale Armor +4, Quick Longsword +4, Iron Armbands of Power (paragon tier), Battlestrider Greaves (paragon tier), Gloves of Missile Deflection (paragon tier), Elven Cloak +4, Ironskin Belt (paragon tier), Horn of Summons (heroic tier), Heavy Shield
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Frodo Baggins, level 10
Halfling, Bard|Rogue
Hybrid Bard: Hybrid Bard Will
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 10, Dex 20, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 20.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 10, Dex 16, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 16.
AC: 24 Fort: 17 Reflex: 23 Will: 23
HP: 67 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 16
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +13, Perception +11, Stealth +17, History +13, Insight +11, Religion +13
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +13, Bluff +11, Diplomacy +11, Dungeoneering +9, Endurance +8, Heal +7, Intimidate +11, Nature +9, Streetwise +13, Thievery +13, Athletics +5
FEATS
Level 1: Bardic Knowledge
Level 2: Lost in the Crowd
Level 4: Halfling Agility
Level 6: Improved Majestic Word
Level 8: Lucky Skirmisher
Level 10: Weapon Expertise (Light Blade)
POWERS
Hybrid Bard at-will 1: Guiding Strike
Hybrid Rogue at-will 1: Sly Flourish
Hybrid encounter 1: Inspiring Refrain
Hybrid daily 1: Slayer's Song
Hybrid utility 2: Inspire Competence
Hybrid encounter 3: Trickster's Blade
Hybrid daily 5: Flashy Riposte
Hybrid utility 6: Ferret Out Frailty
Hybrid encounter 7: Sand in the Eyes
Hybrid daily 9: Into Harm's Way
Hybrid utility 10: Song of Recovery
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Leather Armor of Exploits +2, Righteous Short sword +2, Couters of Second Chances (heroic tier), Parry Gauntlets (heroic tier), Belt of Endurance (heroic tier), Elven Cloak +2
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Gandalf the White, level 30
Deva, Invoker|Wizard, Flame of Hope, Demigod
Covenant Manifestation: Manifestation of Preservation
Hybrid Invoker: Hybrid Invoker Will
Hybrid Talent: Arcane Implement Mastery
Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Intelligence
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Wisdom
Background: Arcane Sentinel (+2 to Arcana)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 14, Dex 12, Int 28, Wis 28, Cha 14.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 12, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 12.
AC: 43 Fort: 33 Reflex: 46 Will: 48
HP: 140 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 38
TRAINED SKILLS
Insight +29, History +31, Arcana +31, Religion +31
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +16, Bluff +17, Diplomacy +17, Dungeoneering +24, Endurance +17, Heal +24, Intimidate +23, Nature +24, Perception +24, Stealth +16, Streetwise +17, Thievery +16, Athletics +15
FEATS
Level 1: Initiate of the Faith
Level 2: Linguist
Level 4: Hybrid Talent
Level 6: Surging Flame
Level 8: Ritual Caster
Level 10: Implement Expertise (staff)
Level 11: War Wizardry
Level 12: Spell Focus
Level 14: Improved Second Wind
Level 16: Quick Recovery
Level 18: Iron Will (retrained to Indomitable Will at Level 21)
Level 20: Lightning Reflexes (retrained to Opportune Reflexes at Level 22)
Level 21: Spell Accuracy
Level 22: Irresistible Flame
Level 24: Font of Radiance
Level 26: Arcane Mastery
Level 28: Epic Will
Level 30: Epic Reflexes
POWERS
Hybrid Invoker at-will 1: Divine Bolts
Hybrid Wizard at-will 1: Scorching Burst
Hybrid encounter 1: Burning Hands
Hybrid daily 1: Purging Flame
Hybrid utility 2: Emissary of the Gods
Hybrid encounter 3: Glyph of Imprisonment
Hybrid daily 5: Fireball
Hybrid utility 6: Dispel Magic
Hybrid encounter 7: Lightning Bolt
Hybrid daily 9: Wall of Fire
Hybrid utility 10: True Seeing
Hybrid encounter 13: Pillar of Guardian Flame (replaces Glyph of Imprisonment)
Hybrid daily 15: Mark of Anathema (replaces Purging Flame)
Hybrid utility 16: Shield of Justice
Hybrid encounter 17: Combust (replaces Burning Hands)
Hybrid daily 19: Astral Tempest (replaces Fireball)
Hybrid utility 22: Invoke Heroism
Hybrid encounter 23: Chain Lightning (replaces Lightning Bolt)
Hybrid daily 25: Cinder Storm (replaces Wall of Fire)
Hybrid encounter 27: Soul Fire (replaces Combust)
Hybrid daily 29: Fires of the Silver Gate (replaces Mark of Anathema)
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Robe of Scintillation Starweave Armor +6, Staff of Ultimate Defense +6, Flamewrath Cape +6, Righteous Longsword +5, Eladrin Boots (paragon tier), Ring of Fireblazing (paragon tier), Star Opal Ring (epic tier), Belt of Vigor (epic tier), Celestial Charger, Impenetrable Barding (epic tier), Ritual Book, Alchemical Reagents (Arcana) (35000), Rare Herbs (Nature) (35000), Sanctified Incense (Religion) (35001)
RITUALS
Arcane Mark, Comprehend Language, Pyrotechnics, Affect Normal Fire, Undead Ward, Arcane Lock, Hand of Fate, Knock, Magic Circle, Speak with Nature, Preserve Flame, Steed Summons, Wizard's Sight, Consult Mystic Sages, History Revealed, Shadow Walk, Control Weather, View Location, Consult Oracle, Farsight, Forbiddance, Divine Sight
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Gimli, son of Gloin, level 20
Dwarf, Fighter, Dreadnought
Fighter Talents: Two-handed Weapon Talent
Background: Geography - Mountains (Dungeoneering class skill)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 21, Con 21, Dex 12, Int 11, Wis 17, Cha 11.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 14, Dex 11, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.
AC: 34 Fort: 33 Reflex: 25 Will: 27
HP: 170 Surges: 18 Surge Value: 47
TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +26, Dungeoneering +20, Athletics +20
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +11, Arcana +10, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +10, Heal +13, History +10, Insight +13, Intimidate +10, Nature +13, Perception +13, Religion +10, Stealth +15, Streetwise +10, Thievery +11
FEATS
Level 1: Dwarven Weapon Training
Level 2: Toughness
Level 4: Durable
Level 6: Defensive Resilience
Level 8: Timely Respite
Level 10: Weapon Expertise (Axe)
Level 11: Dwarven Durability
Level 12: Improved Second Wind
Level 14: Deadly Axe
Level 16: Enduring Wallop
Level 18: Deep Gash
Level 20: Great Fortitude
POWERS
Fighter at-will 1: Cleave
Fighter at-will 1: Reaping Strike
Fighter encounter 1: Passing Attack
Fighter daily 1: Comeback Strike
Fighter utility 2: Boundless Endurance
Fighter encounter 3: Sweeping Blow
Fighter daily 5: Rain of Steel
Fighter utility 6: Unbreakable
Fighter encounter 7: Come and Get It
Fighter daily 9: Thicket of Blades
Fighter utility 10: Strength From Pain
Fighter encounter 13: Giant's Wake (replaces Passing Attack)
Fighter daily 15: Unyielding Avalanche (replaces Rain of Steel)
Fighter utility 16: Iron Warrior
Fighter encounter 17: Buffeting Torque (replaces Come and Get It)
Fighter daily 19: Devastation's Wake (replaces Thicket of Blades)
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Dwarven Wyrmscale Armor +4, Elven Cloak +4, Iron Armbands of Power (paragon tier), Breaching Gauntlets (paragon tier), Wounding Execution axe +4
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Legolas Greenleaf, level 20
Elf, Ranger, Sharpshooter
Fighting Style: Archer Fighting Style
Background: Elf - Fey Ally (+2 to Arcana)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 16, Dex 23, Int 13, Wis 17, Cha 13.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12.
AC: 35 Fort: 28 Reflex: 31 Will: 27
HP: 123 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 30
TRAINED SKILLS
Nature +20, Perception +20, Stealth +26, Acrobatics +25, Heal +18
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +13, Bluff +11, Diplomacy +11, Dungeoneering +13, Endurance +13, History +11, Insight +13, Intimidate +11, Religion +11, Streetwise +11, Thievery +16, Athletics +14
FEATS
Level 1: Light Step
Level 2: Wood Elf Agility
Level 4: Secure Encampment
Level 6: Far Shot
Level 8: Hunter's Aim (retrained to Lethal Hunter at Level 16)
Level 10: Weapon Expertise (Bow)
Level 11: Distant Shot
Level 12: Running Shot
Level 14: Armor Specialization (Hide)
Level 16: Secret Stride
Level 18: Evasion
Level 20: Fleet-Footed
POWERS
Ranger at-will 1: Careful Attack
Ranger at-will 1: Nimble Strike
Ranger encounter 1: Singular Shot
Ranger daily 1: Hunter's Bear Trap
Ranger utility 2: Crucial Advice
Ranger encounter 3: Shadow Wasp Strike
Ranger daily 5: Excruciating Shot
Ranger utility 6: Evade Ambush
Ranger encounter 7: Hawk's Talon
Ranger daily 9: Ranger's Recovery
Ranger utility 10: Undaunted Stride
Ranger encounter 13: Bloodlust Strike (replaces Singular Shot)
Ranger daily 15: Arterial Strike (replaces Hunter's Bear Trap)
Ranger utility 16: Curving Shot
Ranger encounter 17: Pounding Barrage (replaces Shadow Wasp Strike)
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Elven Battle Darkhide Armor +4, Vicious Longbow +4, Arrows (300), Bracers of Archery (paragon tier), Elven Cloak +4, Sandals of Precise Stepping (paragon tier), Magic Short sword +3
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Meriadoc Brandybuck & Peregrin Tûk, level 10
Halfling, Rogue
Rogue Tactics: Artful Dodger
Background: Society - Noble (Diplomacy class skill)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 13, Dex 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 18.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14.
AC: 24 Fort: 18 Reflex: 24 Will: 21
HP: 70 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 17
TRAINED SKILLS
Stealth +17, Thievery +17, Insight +10, Streetwise +14, Bluff +14, Diplomacy +14, Endurance +11
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +12, Arcana +5, Dungeoneering +5, Heal +5, History +5, Intimidate +9, Nature +5, Perception +5, Religion +5, Athletics +6
FEATS
Level 1: Lost in the Crowd
Level 2: Melee Training (Dexterity)
Level 4: Weapon Expertise (Light Blade)
Level 6: Nimble Blade
Level 8: Blade Opportunist
Level 10: Inspiring Leader
POWERS
Rogue at-will 1: Sly Flourish
Rogue at-will 1: Piercing Strike
Rogue encounter 1: Positioning Strike
Rogue daily 1: Trick Strike
Rogue utility 2: Master of Deceit
Rogue encounter 3: Trickster's Blade
Rogue daily 5: Flashy Riposte
Rogue utility 6: Slippery Mind
Rogue encounter 7: Rogue's Luck
Rogue daily 9: Into Harm's Way
Rogue utility 10: Shadow Stride
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Leather Armor of Exploits +2, Righteous Short sword +2, Iron Armbands of Power (heroic tier), Parry Gauntlets (heroic tier), Ironskin Belt (heroic tier), Elven Cloak +2
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Samwise Gamgee, level 10
Halfling, Fighter|Rogue
Background: Occupation - Farmer (Endurance class skill)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 18, Con 12, Dex 20, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 14.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 12, Dex 16, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 12.
AC: 24 Fort: 22 Reflex: 23 Will: 19
HP: 75 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 18
TRAINED SKILLS
Athletics +14, Perception +10, Stealth +17, Streetwise +12, Endurance +11
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +12, Arcana +4, Bluff +7, Diplomacy +7, Dungeoneering +5, Heal +5, History +4, Insight +5, Intimidate +7, Nature +5, Religion +4, Thievery +12
FEATS
Level 1: Halfling Agility
Level 2: Lost in the Crowd
Level 4: Toughness
Level 6: Durable
Level 8: Weapon Expertise (Light Blade)
Level 10: Weapon Focus (Light Blade)
POWERS
Hybrid Fighter at-will 1: Cleave
Hybrid Rogue at-will 1: Piercing Strike
Hybrid encounter 1: Guarded Attack
Hybrid daily 1: Lasting Threat
Hybrid utility 2: Double Take
Hybrid encounter 3: Rain of Blows
Hybrid daily 5: Clever Riposte
Hybrid utility 6: Unbreakable
Hybrid encounter 7: Circling Predator
Hybrid daily 9: Crimson Edge
Hybrid utility 10: Gap in the Armor
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Climber's Kit, Veteran's Leather Armor +2, Righteous Short sword +2, Elven Cloak +2, Iron Armbands of Power (heroic tier), Parry Gauntlets (heroic tier), Ironskin Belt (heroic tier)
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I'd say knock everyone down to single digit levels.
The levels are... high.
I'd say knock everyone down to single digit levels.
Sorry, I should have mentioned this in my first post: while I intend to remain as faithful as possible to the source material - specifically, the books -, I realize that is impossible: D&D's settings are usually much more high-powered than "The Lord of the Rings", with magic being much more prevalent, and the system reflects that. Thus, rather than try and make a completely faithful adaptation - which would be impossible -, I decided to translate the character's concepts into D&D.
This is why their levels are so high: while in terms of power even Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas should be at mid-Paragon at the most, their actions are truly realm-changing, even world-changing, which is why I've decided to make them level 20 character. The Hobbits were the only ones who I'd have said were at level 1, but only in the beginning of the books, and I chose to make them level 10 characters to reflect how much more experienced they were in the "The Scouring of the Shire" chapter.
Frodo never gets above lv1. He is weak and worthless through out the entire story. He is more of a plot device than a character.
I actually did consider treating Frodo as merely an NPC, but decided to leave it open to the GM. That way, if someone actually wants to play as Frodo, he can!
But even as an NPC, I don't he'd remain level 1. Consider all the Skill Challenges he had to go through, after all!
I applaud the work and time you put into this Thorvald.
Thanks! :D
Hobbits level 1
Everyone Else level 3-5 (based on individual favoritism)
DM of the Rings
You mean the ones someone else was always helping him with?
I think you're seriously underestimating Frodo.
He was nowhere as useless as you seem to think he was; just because he didn't stab the freakin' Witch King in the foot, or face Shelob in a one-on-one fight, doesn't mean he did his fair share to destroy the Ring - and his share was much higher than the others', him being the Ringbearer and all. :DThat said, even if he was completely useless, he still gained XP from the adventures, thus he leveled up just like the others. :P
Gandalf level 16
Hobbits level 1
Everyone Else level 3-5 (based on individual favoritism)
Really? Do you honestly consider Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli to be essentially a party of novices?
If Middle-Earth was a setting as magic-rich as, say, Faerun, would you still think of Gandalf as only a mid-Paragon Wizard?
I don't fully remember the book, but at least in the movie he... cast light, Dispel magic, and mount, frightful presence, shatter... and then the fightscene between him and Saurumon which in 4E I'd call them trading thunderwaves... so aside from being incredibly smart and wise and coming back to life (DM Fiat) he's not that powerful.... aside from being an angel.... but that's unrelated.
Gandalf Deva Wizard(staff)
Considering Gandalf didn't do a whole lot of magic at any point...
My point exactly.
He only performed relatively low-level spells because Middle Earth is, for the most part, a low-magic setting. If Middle Earth had the same level of magic as Faerun or Oerth, Gandalf's spells would also have been much more powerfulGandalf Deva Wizard(staff)
...Isn't that pretty much what I converted him as ?
Why did you make Aragorn a half-elf?
To better represent his Númenórean lineage.