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BluWizard1
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Not Enough Magic? (Proposed spells and Istari Heroic Culture)

Mon 11 May 2026, 16:11

I run the 5e version and I have a player that their only frame of reference for RPGs is Baldur's Gate 3. Started a group of heros off at level 1 and my BG3 player quits after one session because "there isn't enough magic". He wants fireball and other such spells, like in BG3. I tried to explain that even in D&D a level 1 character isn't going to have fireball or flashy spells. No one in the group had played d&d or LOTR 5e before, which is why we started at level 1. Now, I did a session 0 thing explaining the style of LOTR and this person likes and knows about LOTR, which is why they joined. This person told me they wanted more magic. (They were a dwarf scholar.) I told them that was good feedback and there were definitely ways we could make the character more magical, like with the broken spells virtue or an item with a blessing, or a magical weapon.

But it just left me crestfallen, after their abrupt departure 30 minutes before the monthly game started. Maybe the way this person left just has me feeling this way. My remaining two players are really invested, take notes, and are enjoying the game, so yay for that.
Never attribute to maliciousness what can be explained by incompetence.

Pallando the Blu
 
KelvinsLaw
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun 10 Nov 2024, 23:15

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Mon 11 May 2026, 19:45

You had a session zero and the players were told what you are doing. The problem player had no actual experience and certain expectations despite being told. You did what you could. I wouldn’t have even tried to appease him honestly. You don’t change the game system you change the game if that a problem. The others were fine with it. This stuff happens. An established group with proper communication doesn’t have this issue but until you set your players things like this do happen. Luckily you have two who are sold. Two out of three is a win.
 
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Runang
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat 25 Apr 2026, 10:47

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Mon 11 May 2026, 19:49

Hi BlueWizard1,
check out the homebrewn "Istari of Valinor - Heroic Culture" for your player: https://ko-fi.com/s/a5c1caeaad
And one of the latest OtherMinds issues features a really great article about the Istari, which should provide more than enough background for introducing more magic to your gameplay: https://www.otherminds.net/downloads/ot ... art:int=20
It's quite sophisticated, though.
Good luck and keep us posted how that dwarf scholar becomes a mighty wizard one day... provided that player gets it, that, to my understanding, Middle-earth is a place of "high fantasy and low magic", but if magic happens, it is usually way more impressive/beautiful/dramatic than in any other fantasy realm. I still remember the awe-struck faces of my players, when Nellie Longarm (a Troll Hole, TftLL) made fog (with some green sparks) over that lake in Morglynd. It was the only magic occuring in that adventure, and it was just awesome.
Through the Darkness to the Light.
 
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_ArthurDallas_
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Joined: Wed 04 Mar 2020, 03:22

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Mon 11 May 2026, 21:51

I run the 5e version and I have a player that their only frame of reference for RPGs is Baldur's Gate 3. Started a group of heros off at level 1 and my BG3 player quits after one session because "there isn't enough magic". He wants fireball and other such spells, like in BG3. I tried to explain that even in D&D a level 1 character isn't going to have fireball or flashy spells. No one in the group had played d&d or LOTR 5e before, which is why we started at level 1. Now, I did a session 0 thing explaining the style of LOTR and this person likes and knows about LOTR, which is why they joined. This person told me they wanted more magic. (They were a dwarf scholar.) I told them that was good feedback and there were definitely ways we could make the character more magical, like with the broken spells virtue or an item with a blessing, or a magical weapon.

But it just left me crestfallen, after their abrupt departure 30 minutes before the monthly game started. Maybe the way this person left just has me feeling this way. My remaining two players are really invested, take notes, and are enjoying the game, so yay for that.
...

BluWizard1, thank you for the feedback; it's an excellent comment with a lot to discuss.

Indeed, I think it's best to have a session zero with all the players around your table. The idea is to understand their expectations. It's very important. I play with very close friends and my wife. They're not going to leave the table angry. But for players you don't know, it's better to know their tastes and what excites them about this universe, the best settings, and the type of characters they like. That's the foundation.

You can certainly add a lot of magic with magical items or weapons in TOR. You just need to integrate these ideas into the stories and your gaming group. You'll also need to tell them that the more magic there is, the more the Fellowship will attract the attention of the Shadow and become a target of Sauron. So, proceed gradually; the players should understand that.

The player who left wasn't a good "fit" for your table or TOR, and that's for the best (for you). I wish you many more adventures and a great time with the remaining players.

Arthur.
Moderator (Free League Alien RPG Forums)
 
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Linklite
Posts: 361
Joined: Wed 21 Jun 2023, 23:44

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Tue 12 May 2026, 01:24

There was a set of misguided expectations. They wanted D&D, and LotR is not D&D. One of the key differences is that issue - LotR just doesn't have that kind of magic every day. I can only think of one instance in the novels where a fireball-like spell happens. I hope they find a D&D group to play with, but if they're set in Fireballs, then it's for the best that they got out before they wasted much of your time and theirs playing a game that wasn't a match for them.

I am confused as to why they'd expect that kind of game for LotR given the nature of the books, but sometimes people are guided more by wishful thinking than facts on the ground. It's a shame they left and made you feel bad, but you have two players still that seem to be a great fit and should make a good campaign with you. Maybe you could find a couple more players to have a full Company. Either way though, I hope you have fun and don't let your experience deter you!
 
bisupsz
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri 26 May 2023, 16:24
Location: Hungary

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Tue 12 May 2026, 10:46

Hi BlueWizard1,
check out the homebrewn "Istari of Valinor - Heroic Culture" for your player: https://ko-fi.com/s/a5c1caeaad
And one of the latest OtherMinds issues features a really great article about the Istari, which should provide more than enough background for introducing more magic to your gameplay: https://www.otherminds.net/downloads/ot ... art:int=20
It's quite sophisticated, though.
Good luck and keep us posted how that dwarf scholar becomes a mighty wizard one day... provided that player gets it, that, to my understanding, Middle-earth is a place of "high fantasy and low magic", but if magic happens, it is usually way more impressive/beautiful/dramatic than in any other fantasy realm. I still remember the awe-struck faces of my players, when Nellie Longarm (a Troll Hole, TftLL) made fog (with some green sparks) over that lake in Morglynd. It was the only magic occuring in that adventure, and it was just awesome.
Sorry,what I want to say is a little off-topic but I have to ask.This Will at the World's End source is amazing, I wish there was a 5e edition of the content available here, since my group (old D&D guys) plays it, and I’d be happy to support the creator. Do you happen to know where I can reach him, maybe here on the forum?
 
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Linklite
Posts: 361
Joined: Wed 21 Jun 2023, 23:44

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Tue 12 May 2026, 14:07

I don't know if he's on the forum (don't think he frequents it much if he is), but he's on the unofficial TOR/LotRRP Discord Server.
 
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_ArthurDallas_
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Posts: 1388
Joined: Wed 04 Mar 2020, 03:22

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Wed 13 May 2026, 15:47

Hi BlueWizard1,
check out the homebrewn "Istari of Valinor - Heroic Culture" for your player: https://ko-fi.com/s/a5c1caeaad
And one of the latest OtherMinds issues features a really great article about the Istari, which should provide more than enough background for introducing more magic to your gameplay: https://www.otherminds.net/downloads/ot ... art:int=20
It's quite sophisticated, though.
Good luck and keep us posted how that dwarf scholar becomes a mighty wizard one day... provided that player gets it, that, to my understanding, Middle-earth is a place of "high fantasy and low magic", but if magic happens, it is usually way more impressive/beautiful/dramatic than in any other fantasy realm. I still remember the awe-struck faces of my players, when Nellie Longarm (a Troll Hole, TftLL) made fog (with some green sparks) over that lake in Morglynd. It was the only magic occuring in that adventure, and it was just awesome.
...

Hey Runang, I checked out this Istari of Valinor Heroic Culture homebrew yesterday. It's really interesting. Wow, there's a lot of imagination and a lot of work involved. Who made this?! They deserve congratulations. There's a lot of potential for roleplaying here. The Istari character can discover their powers without being aware that He is a demigod (it's certain that their time in Middle-earth makes them mortal for the moment). You can play on the fact that the character might feel like an imposter (at times). Wow, so many ideas come to mind with this Heroic Culture. It can take time to find the right mage's staff that gives them 100% of their powers (I can easily imagine a staff that gives 50% of their powers for the first staff found). The mage has to go on a quest to find the right staff. Wow, so many ideas! Thanks for finding this amazing gem.

Arthur.
Moderator (Free League Alien RPG Forums)
 
User avatar
_ArthurDallas_
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Posts: 1388
Joined: Wed 04 Mar 2020, 03:22

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Wed 13 May 2026, 16:00

Hi BlueWizard1,
check out the homebrewn "Istari of Valinor - Heroic Culture" for your player: https://ko-fi.com/s/a5c1caeaad
And one of the latest OtherMinds issues features a really great article about the Istari, which should provide more than enough background for introducing more magic to your gameplay: https://www.otherminds.net/downloads/ot ... art:int=20
It's quite sophisticated, though.
Good luck and keep us posted how that dwarf scholar becomes a mighty wizard one day... provided that player gets it, that, to my understanding, Middle-earth is a place of "high fantasy and low magic", but if magic happens, it is usually way more impressive/beautiful/dramatic than in any other fantasy realm. I still remember the awe-struck faces of my players, when Nellie Longarm (a Troll Hole, TftLL) made fog (with some green sparks) over that lake in Morglynd. It was the only magic occuring in that adventure, and it was just awesome.
Sorry,what I want to say is a little off-topic but I have to ask.This Will at the World's End source is amazing, I wish there was a 5e edition of the content available here, since my group (old D&D guys) plays it, and I’d be happy to support the creator. Do you happen to know where I can reach him, maybe here on the forum?
...

Bisupsz, you can "support" the guy on his own "Patron" link, I think... dig around a bit here and you'll find other documents developed that you can "support" if you want. It's still a very interesting homebrew project. I hope he can answer us here one day.

https://ko-fi.com/N4N2JRCS5/shop

youtube link
https://www.youtube.com/@willattheworldsend/featured

Arthur.
Moderator (Free League Alien RPG Forums)
 
User avatar
Runang
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat 25 Apr 2026, 10:47

Re: Not Enough Magic?

Wed 13 May 2026, 19:35

Hi BlueWizard1,
check out the homebrewn "Istari of Valinor - Heroic Culture" for your player: https://ko-fi.com/s/a5c1caeaad
And one of the latest OtherMinds issues features a really great article about the Istari, which should provide more than enough background for introducing more magic to your gameplay: https://www.otherminds.net/downloads/ot ... art:int=20
It's quite sophisticated, though.
Good luck and keep us posted how that dwarf scholar becomes a mighty wizard one day... provided that player gets it, that, to my understanding, Middle-earth is a place of "high fantasy and low magic", but if magic happens, it is usually way more impressive/beautiful/dramatic than in any other fantasy realm. I still remember the awe-struck faces of my players, when Nellie Longarm (a Troll Hole, TftLL) made fog (with some green sparks) over that lake in Morglynd. It was the only magic occuring in that adventure, and it was just awesome.
...

Hey Runang, I checked out this Istari of Valinor Heroic Culture homebrew yesterday. It's really interesting. Wow, there's a lot of imagination and a lot of work involved. Who made this?! They deserve congratulations. There's a lot of potential for roleplaying here. The Istari character can discover their powers without being aware that He is a demigod (it's certain that their time in Middle-earth makes them mortal for the moment). You can play on the fact that the character might feel like an imposter (at times). Wow, so many ideas come to mind with this Heroic Culture. It can take time to find the right mage's staff that gives them 100% of their powers (I can easily imagine a staff that gives 50% of their powers for the first staff found). The mage has to go on a quest to find the right staff. Wow, so many ideas! Thanks for finding this amazing gem.

Arthur.
Arthur,
yes, this Will at the World's End is a prolific TOR creator and his videos on YouTube helped me to no small amount to understand all the rules from the core rulebook in depth because of the practical examples. Looking forward exploring with my players some of the Landmarks he created.
Inspired by Gandalf (and, as I learned,also Saruman, to a certain extent), the idea to roleplay a wizard is very appealing to many potential TT RPG players. And maybe some shy away from TOR because this is not foreseen as such in the system. So I wonder whether Free League should include this in a next edition of the core rulebook? Or even create an Arcana / Book of Magic for TOR. I think this could be feasible and must not deviate from true Tolkien lore. Probably this would make many TOR loremasters and players happy and could even draw more people towards playing TOR...
Through the Darkness to the Light.

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