Cypher System Middle Earth

 With the release of Godforsaken, there is some more guidance for fans of the Cypher System on creating a more conventional fantasy setting.

What is the mother of all conventional fantasy but Middle Earth?

As a timesaver, I will use ‘The One RIng’ as my source. It is a phenomenal game in its own right, but why leave well enough alone?

Step One: Culture

What is a Culture? Following one of the options in Godforsaken, we will have each character have TWO descriptors, one being the normal Descriptor , followed by a cultural Descriptor.

(Ex.  Sharpeyed Woodsman Explorer who Controls Beasts or the Learned Hobbit Speaker who Doesnt Do Much.)

For this  ‘conversion’ each culture is also going to get some training in specific weapons, that will upgrade a character’s ability with that by one step.

(Ex. Bardings are known for their ability with the Great Bow. If there was a Barding Speaker, Speakers normally suffer a Hindrance AND an inability with Heavy Weapons. For the the case of the Great Bow (A Heavy Weapon), a Barding Speaker would only have an Inability. If this was a Warrior who can use all weapons without penalty, she would count as Trained for the Great bow ONLY.)

Each culture may have some Assets and Hindrances relating to positive interactions with other Cultures.

Examples:

Culture: Bardings

Sharp Eyed: +2 to Speed Pool

Skill: You are trained in resisting fear and fear like effects. As Bard himself faced Smaug the Dreadful, so you are prepared to face whatever the Enemy has in store for you and your people.

Skill: You are trained in the arts of persuasion and inspiration. Dale is the emerging center of culture and the art of diplomacy is valued by all.

Weapons: Great Bow. 

Culture: Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain

Strong Back: +4 to Might Pool

Skill: You are trained in skills related to mines and underground construction.

Skill: You are trained in skills relating to the forging of fine weapons and armor.

In Dark Places: You suffer no penalties for being in the dark.

Small but Mighty: You have an asset when it comes to non combat related Might related tasks.

Grudges: You have an inability to positive social skills with Beornings, as well as an inability and a Hindrance when dealing with Elves.

We Neither Sprint nor Float : You have an inability with Running and Swimming related activities.

Weapons:All Axes

Type and Focus would be selected with some modifications (Not many robots to fight or build in the 3rd Age…)

Audiences:

The stock rules should handle these.

Journeys:

Need to give this some thought, but since the entire Cypher system depends on ‘bleeding’ out pools over time this seems like something that doesn’t require an entire subsystem.