Middle-earth Role Playing

Middle-earth Role Playing

MERP rulebook cover, 1st edition
Designer(s)	Coleman Charlton
Publisher(s)	Iron Crown Enterprises
Publication date	1984 (1st edition)
Genre(s)	Fantasy
System(s)	Rolemaster System

Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) is a 1984 role-playing game based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien (specifically The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) under license from Tolkien Enterprises. Iron Crown Enterprises (I.C.E.) published the game until they lost the license on 22 September 1999.

The rules system of the game is a streamlined version of I.C.E.'s generic fantasy RPG, Rolemaster.

Characters possess Attributes and Skills rated between 0 and 100 on a percentile die (d100) or two ten-sided dice (2d10). Skills can be modified to a rating above or below these limits (i.e. under 0 or over 100, with open-ended merp options to add or subtract additional d100). An attack roll consists of a percentile roll, to which the attacker's skill rating and appropriate attribute rating are added and the defender's dodge rating is subtracted. The result is compared to the defender's armor type and looked up on a table to determine success or failure. A separate critical table is used if the initial chart result called for it.

Spell casters learn lists of ten spells as a unit. Each of the spells is based on a theme (e.g. Healing spells.)

MERP was generally well received, although not recommended for beginners. Some commentators disliked how the system handled magic. In Tolkien's books, magic is a rare, subtle force only used by a few powerful characters, whereas in MERP magic (from healing to throwing thunderbolts) was possible for nearly any player character. This lack of continuity with the source material was seen to upset the game's authenticity. However, in many early reviews the game play was described as being true to the spirit of Tolkien's work and a pleasure to play.

The game's early editions were later printed in many countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Spain and France.

I.C.E. published a First and a Second Edition of the MERP ruleset, and was working on the third edition that was not published, along with many adventure and campaign modules, until Tolkien Enterprises revoked the license for games based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in 1999. I.C.E. subsequently declared bankruptcy in 2000.