Target Numbers: All Player-heroes start with calculating their Target Numbers from a Base 20. When an Adventuring Phase of a Company ends resulting in a Shadow reduction of 3 for the first time, the Base to calculate Target Numbers decreases to 18. This reflects a favor bestowed upon the Player-heroes by a Vala for their efforts against the Enemy. A shared Distinctive Feature is also gained to indicate this, i.e. Hound of Araw, Chosen of Elbereth, Emissary of Ulmo, etc.
Unarmed: Unarmed combat CAN cause a Piercing Blow (a la Helm Hammerhand). The Injury rating is 10.
Brawling Attack Combat Proficiencies: Specific Brawling Attacks (Unarmed, Dagger, Cudgel/Club, etc.) May be chosen as a Combat Proficiency and increased in rank by expending Adventure Points. If this is done, the specific Brawling Attack no longer follows the Brawling Attacks rules.
Stance Order: Rearward Stance missile attacks take place first in combat, then in order Forward, Open and Defensive. Adversary missile fire order is unchanged. This gives dedicated bowmen Player-heroes a greater contribution to a combat, as exemplified by Legolas in both book and movies.
Eye of Sauron in Combat: If an Eye of Sauron is rolled by a Player-hero (or a Gandalf Rune for an Adversary) in an otherwise successful attack, it is a Success with Woe, I.e. the blade is stuck in the foe or wrenched from the hand, the bowstring snaps after launching the arrow, etc.
Endurance Loss and Wounds: If the total Endurance loss goes into the negative, if that negative value equals the Strength Rating or Attribute Level, a Wound is incurred.
Infection/Fever: Endurance loss reflects exhaustion, minor cuts, gashes, bruises and bashings. After a Combat, every Player-hero (except Elves, who being of the World are less susceptible to its hardships) must have a successful Healing skill roll made on them, or contract an infection, a fever, etc. - represented by a Moderate Poison injury. Inspired by Aragorn checking for injuries and needed healing care after the Fellowship escaped Moria.
Guide: A Player-hero selected as Guide must also assume one of the other three Journey Roles (Hunter, Look-out Scout). This way that Player-hero is still at risk to be an Event Target. Also, ALL Player-heroes must have a Journey Role, even if this results in a duplicated Role, for the same reason, that all Player-heroes are a risk to be an Event Target.
Forced Marches with Mounts: The Vigour of a mount is reduced by 1 if a Forced March is made during a Journey. This is only temporary and for the purpose of determining Fatigue relief at the end of the Journey.
Trolls - Caustic Blood: New Fell Ability for all Trolls - Caustic Blood. All Sword, Axe and Spear weapons that do NOT have an Enchanted Reward loose 1 Damage point for every Wound they inflict on a Troll. At 0 Damage the weapon is destroyed. This also applies to Bows if it is roleplayed that the archer is using recovered, non-magical arrows that caused a Wound to a Troll. Look up Hurin at the Fen of Serech.
Comments/Opinions welcome!
