@@RedMageGM I think Shawn is doing the solo rules for this as well? And also Gareth Hanrahan is one of my favorites in the hobby. Very excited for this.
@@RedMageGM I know him mostly from Trail of Cthulhu-stuff. His "Cthulhu City" is absolutely amazing, albeit with some of the worst art in a ttrpg-book.
The art you like so much is by Alvaro Tapia, who did the cover art for the Swedish editions of the Harry Potter books. Those covers are by many regarded as better than the original art.
It's hard to keep track of all the RPG kickstarters and then vet them for quality; would love more content like this that let's me know about good kickstarters in time to still back them.
I think one of the problems with this for RPGs (as opposed to board games, for example) is that there usually isn't a very large window to late pledge once backers start getting partially or mostly completed PDFs of the game.
another beautiful and useful book from Free League. I will buy it on release. It a must buy and it will complete my collection of The One Ring books. The solo play rules can be used for DMing, not only for the tables but also the oracles can inspire things that can get fuel and challenge your imagination that you did not expect. There are 'wow' moments if you try a few times. I started with the Strider Mode for The One Ring and Moria solo play seems to bases on that and expanded. I would also recommend another book Solo OSR that introduce plot twist and helping make scene interesting. Solo play helps me to improvise situations and enrich my story. For example if your goblins start to patrol after the PC, you could send them and use the oracle for an outcome that you didn't think. If you get a result that is ill-fortune or good fortune, your patrol that you think was just patrolling may all take an nap (good fortune) or there is 2 patrol or an wild dogs that has joined them because of the ill-fortune roll. I love how creative my session have been with the use of those tools. Highly recommanded to try, it's a world to explore and I use it learn new systems.
Im super excited to get my copy of Moria. I've loved everything ive gotten from Free League. Also, hearing the Warcraft 2 music sent me tumbling back in time lol. Great video!
Sounds really cool! I may have to get all these One Ring supplements and actually try a game. I would still especially love a Shire game based on the starter box but I don't know how to make it exciting as an adventure rather than just feel cool in my head 😅
@@RedMageGM Yeah! Tharbad now with Moria as an option too. Could be a really really fun campaign. I only have the Tharbad book in pdf and there's that one I don't even have. I've had to cut back on Free League books as there are too many. The One Ring books especially are so enticing. This coming week I should finally get to start a Gods of the Forbidden North campaign so One Ring has to wait 😅
I had a terrible time navigating the interface between the regular kickstarter and the Free League store, and the Backerkit, and everything in between. They definitely could have used a better system there.
Ok, you sold me. I just backed it. This looks fantastic. I still LOVE dwarf stuff. I know some are burnt out. Just wondering, how do I get an alpha download?
I backed the kickstarter early on, so I was sent the Alpha when it became available. I'm not sure there's a way to get it without maybe contacting them directly?
Thanks for the review! I don’t play One Ring or 5e. Do you think the info in the book (tables, monster descriptions) are generic enough to port into other systems?? Thanks!!
The monster stats are certainly pretty specific. It's a hard system to convert (The One Ring) I'd say. The tables are good, as are the descriptions! But you should check around to see some samples of the stat blocks before you buy.
Thanks so much for the response and the insight. Ya I figured I’d have to change the stats for the monsters (which isn’t a major issues as I play more rules lighter systems like EZD6 and Crown and Skull) What I was looking for is an evocative dungeon with flavour and lore and rich with content to use. So I’m sure they’re lots of descriptions in this book, and I love the aesthetic, but are there even more TOR rules wrapped up in it besides just the monsters?
Oh I see. There would be some conversion throughout, yes. But I think the flavor, lore, and content is also quite good! It is absolutely evocative and full of good ideas.
The actual printed stats are very specific for The One Ring Doors of Durin system. But The One Ring Shadow of Khazad Dum is very similar descriptive information but set in the style of Dungeons and Dragons with compatible stats and DnD mechanisms. Free League and the authors have deliberately done this parallel development. So the DnD 5e version should be very easily portable: stats and all; the TOR version not so. And, to be clear, Shadow of K.D. is the DnD version, Doors of Durin is the less compatible twin version.
I would say that ICE's Moria is muuuch more interested in being an encyclopedic "here's what Moria is". This is much more aware that it is a game, with adventure and play at the forefront. I think ICE has a whole section on like the ecology and plants that grow in Moria, whereas this is like "here are rumors, treasures, and bad guys." Although, I do think they would work really well together - the ICE could be like a knowledge foundation, on which this would play.
ICE's Moria, indeed, tends to be encyclopedic, designed as a campaign setting as much as a playable mega-dungeon. This version, while a campaign setting too, appears to cleave more so to dungeon exploration and its inhabitants. While I love the former, a direct interplay between the mechanics of The One Ring and the dungeon is very compelling. Thanks very much for your response and review
If you're familiar with the One Ring style of games, I'd say this fits right in with the rest of the system. Shorter 3-5 session excursions with a heavy narrative emphasis, rather than random exploration.
@@RedMageGM The final ruleset does allow for random exploration, with rules on generating rooms/chambers at random. It could foreseeably be used as a solo dungeon crawler quite easily IMO.
@@RedMageGM Honestly, the only real issue I've had with any Free League produced book was their Aliens Rpg books. The quality, look and feel were awesome. The problem for me was due to how they made the pages black and slightly glossy, they were really hard to read. The Blade Runner Rpgs are toned down in that style and more readable as an aside. Regardless, beautifully crafted books.
I realize you are being cute for clickbait, but BLACKMOOR was the first D&D dungeon and until the mid 1980's Moria was just a place in a book. Otherwise an interesting vid.
Yep that's Fistful of Dice Matt Click. His dad, Shawn Tomkin, did the solo rules for The One Ring
Wow! You learn something new every day! That's awesome!
Fun fact, that is Matt Click and he is also the son of Shawn Tomkin, creator of Ironsworn.
That's awesome!!
@@RedMageGM I think Shawn is doing the solo rules for this as well?
And also Gareth Hanrahan is one of my favorites in the hobby. Very excited for this.
I don't think I know Gareth Hanrahan from elsewhere...
@@RedMageGM I know him mostly from Trail of Cthulhu-stuff. His "Cthulhu City" is absolutely amazing, albeit with some of the worst art in a ttrpg-book.
I'll definitely have to check that out!
Cant wait to get this book in my hands, as you say, so gorgeous!
Yeah, it's just a gorgeous book absolutely!
Good flip through! Thanks. Waiting for my LOTR 5e version
Thanks!
Impressive. The maps and art are so evocative, another thing I didn't know I needed until now.
haha that was how I felt when I saw it!
The art you like so much is by Alvaro Tapia, who did the cover art for the Swedish editions of the Harry Potter books. Those covers are by many regarded as better than the original art.
Thank you! I'll look that up!
It's hard to keep track of all the RPG kickstarters and then vet them for quality; would love more content like this that let's me know about good kickstarters in time to still back them.
That's a good idea...I mean, I definitely back enough of them to do something like that. :D
I think one of the problems with this for RPGs (as opposed to board games, for example) is that there usually isn't a very large window to late pledge once backers start getting partially or mostly completed PDFs of the game.
Oh hey, I backed this product. Good to hear I made a good decision
It was a great decision. :)
It is looking incredible already. Also a backer!
I was wondering where my money went. When's delivery due, does anybody know please?
I think they said July?
another beautiful and useful book from Free League. I will buy it on release. It a must buy and it will complete my collection of The One Ring books. The solo play rules can be used for DMing, not only for the tables but also the oracles can inspire things that can get fuel and challenge your imagination that you did not expect. There are 'wow' moments if you try a few times. I started with the Strider Mode for The One Ring and Moria solo play seems to bases on that and expanded. I would also recommend another book Solo OSR that introduce plot twist and helping make scene interesting. Solo play helps me to improvise situations and enrich my story. For example if your goblins start to patrol after the PC, you could send them and use the oracle for an outcome that you didn't think. If you get a result that is ill-fortune or good fortune, your patrol that you think was just patrolling may all take an nap (good fortune) or there is 2 patrol or an wild dogs that has joined them because of the ill-fortune roll. I love how creative my session have been with the use of those tools. Highly recommanded to try, it's a world to explore and I use it learn new systems.
If I try out solo play, I'll probably play Strider Mode, for sure!
That's great to hear! This is my limited experience as well using randomization tools for creation as GM as well.
I pledged both version of the book, and bought all the maps. I plan on running everything for my dad.
Oh yeah, I got all the cloth maps as well!
Collector's Ed and cloth map gang!
Mine just arrived, and I couldn't be happier with them!
@@RedMageGM mine did little over a week ago. I love the maps.
Im super excited to get my copy of Moria. I've loved everything ive gotten from Free League. Also, hearing the Warcraft 2 music sent me tumbling back in time lol. Great video!
I'm glad you liked the video! I'm super excited for the print copy too!!
Iron Crown published a Moria supplement years ago. For MERP .
Yeah, I've read through that! It's quite interesting!
That map of the mines makes me so jealous as I look at my sparsely decorated map...
I always think of great maps as aspirational! Something for me to work towards with my own. :)
The scarlet citadel was published in the 9030s and conan was undeniably and inflience on d&d
Yeah, that's certainly true! Maybe Moria is the first megadungeon then. :D
That's quite an impressive book!
Agreed!
Urist McMapNerd, peasant, cancels Doing Laundry:
For good cause. :D
Wow! This is so exciting!
I totally agree!
I'll take a look.
I'd definitely recommend it!
Looks rad! Sounds rad!
Yessir, that is a fair assessment! :)
Sounds really cool! I may have to get all these One Ring supplements and actually try a game. I would still especially love a Shire game based on the starter box but I don't know how to make it exciting as an adventure rather than just feel cool in my head 😅
Yeah, I've never been sure how to run Shire things and make them interesting. I've found myself fascinated by Tharbad - it's such a cool "hub" town.
@@RedMageGM Yeah! Tharbad now with Moria as an option too. Could be a really really fun campaign. I only have the Tharbad book in pdf and there's that one I don't even have. I've had to cut back on Free League books as there are too many. The One Ring books especially are so enticing. This coming week I should finally get to start a Gods of the Forbidden North campaign so One Ring has to wait 😅
Oooh! You'll have to let me know how the GotFN campaign goes!
@@RedMageGM Sure thing! Funny thing is I actually kinda hope they stumble into the Caves of Chaos I'm throwing in there as well 😅
Oh wowww! The caves of chaos as well?! That'll be an epic campaign!
Did anyone else have a hard time navigating the late pledge? I really want these two books in hard copy but I can’t make a new account…frustrating
I had a terrible time navigating the interface between the regular kickstarter and the Free League store, and the Backerkit, and everything in between. They definitely could have used a better system there.
Ok, you sold me. I just backed it. This looks fantastic. I still LOVE dwarf stuff. I know some are burnt out. Just wondering, how do I get an alpha download?
I backed the kickstarter early on, so I was sent the Alpha when it became available. I'm not sure there's a way to get it without maybe contacting them directly?
Thanks for the review! I don’t play One Ring or 5e. Do you think the info in the book (tables, monster descriptions) are generic enough to port into other systems?? Thanks!!
The monster stats are certainly pretty specific. It's a hard system to convert (The One Ring) I'd say. The tables are good, as are the descriptions! But you should check around to see some samples of the stat blocks before you buy.
Thanks so much for the response and the insight. Ya I figured I’d have to change the stats for the monsters (which isn’t a major issues as I play more rules lighter systems like EZD6 and Crown and Skull)
What I was looking for is an evocative dungeon with flavour and lore and rich with content to use. So I’m sure they’re lots of descriptions in this book, and I love the aesthetic, but are there even more TOR rules wrapped up in it besides just the monsters?
Oh I see. There would be some conversion throughout, yes. But I think the flavor, lore, and content is also quite good! It is absolutely evocative and full of good ideas.
The actual printed stats are very specific for The One Ring Doors of Durin system. But The One Ring Shadow of Khazad Dum is very similar descriptive information but set in the style of Dungeons and Dragons with compatible stats and DnD mechanisms. Free League and the authors have deliberately done this parallel development. So the DnD 5e version should be very easily portable: stats and all; the TOR version not so. And, to be clear, Shadow of K.D. is the DnD version, Doors of Durin is the less compatible twin version.
Aesthetics aside, how does it hold up against ICE’s Moria?
I would say that ICE's Moria is muuuch more interested in being an encyclopedic "here's what Moria is". This is much more aware that it is a game, with adventure and play at the forefront. I think ICE has a whole section on like the ecology and plants that grow in Moria, whereas this is like "here are rumors, treasures, and bad guys." Although, I do think they would work really well together - the ICE could be like a knowledge foundation, on which this would play.
ICE's Moria, indeed, tends to be encyclopedic, designed as a campaign setting as much as a playable mega-dungeon. This version, while a campaign setting too, appears to cleave more so to dungeon exploration and its inhabitants. While I love the former, a direct interplay between the mechanics of The One Ring and the dungeon is very compelling. Thanks very much for your response and review
What sort of adventures does this encourage? Is it set up for a mega dungeon style experience where you go in a bit and explore / more player driven?
If you're familiar with the One Ring style of games, I'd say this fits right in with the rest of the system. Shorter 3-5 session excursions with a heavy narrative emphasis, rather than random exploration.
@@RedMageGM
The final ruleset does allow for random exploration, with rules on generating rooms/chambers at random. It could foreseeably be used as a solo dungeon crawler quite easily IMO.
I love this.
It's so good!
Are you going to cover the official product now that it's released/delivered to most backers?
I might cover it in a "haul" type video, but probably won't dedicate a full video to it.
Total fanboy of anything Free League does. I back everything they do basically. I love the look and feel and quality of the work they do.
I'm definitely getting there myself - I haven't run across a bad Free League book yet.
@@RedMageGM Honestly, the only real issue I've had with any Free League produced book was their Aliens Rpg books. The quality, look and feel were awesome. The problem for me was due to how they made the pages black and slightly glossy, they were really hard to read.
The Blade Runner Rpgs are toned down in that style and more readable as an aside. Regardless, beautifully crafted books.
I realize you are being cute for clickbait, but BLACKMOOR was the first D&D dungeon and until the mid 1980's Moria was just a place in a book. Otherwise an interesting vid.
I'm sorry if the title rubbed you the wrong way - I always think of Moria as the archetype for the DnD dungeon.
click-baity title. I was expecting something from the mid-1970s.
I figured with the thumbnail that said Moria, as well as the quotation marks around "DnD" people would get the idea. :D