LOTR Middle Earth variant FULL (looking for reserves)

[bluestreaksoccer]

Im on spring break this week so i could give it a try

[Mouse]

Is there a good country to play? It is ironic looking over the map of Middle Earth VIII and thinking, "but they all suck!" Still, that in a way makes it sort of balanced?

[asudevil]

Is there a good country to play? It is ironic looking over the map of Middle Earth VIII and thinking, "but they all suck!" Still, that in a way makes it sort of balanced?

Careful Mouse, if he's doing blind auction...you dont want to talk about what country you want...or you may get booted.

[Mouse]

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. But still, it is an interesting variant due to the fact that few countries are guaranteed a first year build. Makes it more cut-throat.

[Mouse]

I think it should be a nine player game with one person playing the single supply center of "Dol Guldur".

[ninjaruler]

I think it should be a nine player game with one person playing the single supply center of "Dol Guldur".

I think Dol Guldur is apart of Mordor.

[Mouse]

It was a sick joke. Imagine if it was a ninth country... single supply center.

[Freddafred]

I will be an EG or reserve.

[VGhost]

Alright, reserve works too.

[Glorfindel]

Dude, I am about to unveil a game exactly like this. I have the map set and everything! It took me FOREVER to get it right, but I just finished! I love LOTR and perhaps you could let me GM this variant?

Apparently fans of LoTR also enjoy diplomacy (who would have guessed that?) because I've also been working on a LoTR theme since I started creating units and updating the map for another diplo variant. I just finished re-reading the books a few weeks ago so the detail is fresh in my mind and all the concept art by Lee, Howe and the bros Hildebrandt have made it easy to create unique units. However, the map has not been as simple. I didn't realise that there were already other variants but Middle Earth really is a character in the story so I've focused on creating a map that captures that and makes the terrain integral to strategy. I've also tried to make fleets play a more important role than I think they will in the current variants.

Although I had started out with the intention of keeping it true to Diplomacy, I have a close friend who's a Tolkien aficionado and he's given me a several ideas that seem too cool not to include. It would make it more like a Stuff Happens variant (which I normally wouldn't enjoy because I like that the only random event in diplomacy is how the players behave) but I really wouldn't mind getting dislodged from a territory that borders Fangorn because the Ents rose up and gave a +1 to the attacking faction- which is an example of one of the things that's been suggested.

It will be some time before everything is finished because it's a labor of love, so I feel like I have to do it justice, but I have no interest whatsoever in GM'ing it so I will gladly hand it off to you or anyone else that wants to GM. I'm just really looking forward to playing it, which is another reason I'm taking such a painstaking approach to balancing the factions and getting the map just right. I'd like to touch base with you so we can share ideas and maybe come up with a map that includes the best of everything so please drop me a PM if you get some time.

I apologise for temporarily hijacking this thread but it seems like the best place to solicit suggestions for a LoTR variant. Anyone/Everyone- please PM with any ideas you'd like to see included in a community created LoTR variant!