I wrote a few weeks ago about running RPG campaigns during the Third Age of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. As I’m a huge fan of dwarves, I thought to provide another five campaign seeds focused on Durin’s people.
We can not get out
Join Balin’s doomed Moria colony and explore the long abandoned realm of the dwarves, discover Durin’s Axe, and fight off the goblins deep under the earth. Do the players fight to the bitter end, falling along with Balin, or do they escape and bring news back to the Lonely Mountain of the colony’s destruction?
Search for a new home
Khazad-dûm has fallen and for two decades the dwarven people wander the world until Thráin I founds the Kingdom Under the Mountain. The players are the loyal subjects of Thráin, protecting the dwarven people in their exile and searching for a new homeland. What horrors need to be driven out from beneath Erebor before it’s safe for habitation? Discover the Arkenstone.
War of Dwarves and Dragons
The refugees of Khazad-dûm have been settled in the Grey Mountains for centuries, but now cold drakes from the far north have attacked their settlements. The players, brave dwarven soldiers or mercenaries hired by the dwarves, wage war across the north, slaying dragons and their goblin allies, while uncovering ancient artifacts, same dating from the times of Morgoth. Wield one of the seven rings of the dwarf-lords.
Defend the Iron Hills
Khazad-dûm is cursed; Erebor is in the clutches of Smaug; and the Grey Mountains have been conquered by dragons. Only the Iron Hills remain secure in the hands of the dwarves, but a new threat has arisen. Men from the east, Easterlings, are making forays into dwarven terrotory. The Lord of the Iron Hills has ordered the players to combat this treat, strengthening the dwarven kingdom any way they can, while also launching raids into the east to discover and combat the source of these invaders. The last dwarven kingdom must not fall.
In Thrór’s memory
Azog the orc has murdered and butchered King Thrór, and the War of the Dwarves and Orcs rages through the Misty Mountains. Scout orc-keeps among the high peaks, lead daring raids against unnamed goblin cities deep beneath Middle-earth, grow in power and prestige until you command an army of dwarves. Drive the orcs to near extinction as you fight your way to the very gates of Moria, but go no further. Durin’s Bane waits just beyond the door.
