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[PRE-ALPHA] Tales of Middle-Earth - Development Thread
- Thread starter Tenzhiro
- Start date
CEO of CipSoft
New Member
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An ambitious project but it appears to be shaping up beautifully.
Harmonia
New Member
I've just started to re-read all the books again, from The Hobbit to History of Middle-Earth part 12.
Finding this thread made me really happy, from us all we say thanks for taking so much of your own time in this project and I'll hope it will prosper to something beautiful.
I can't wait to try it out on alpha, just joined the discord as well.
Finding this thread made me really happy, from us all we say thanks for taking so much of your own time in this project and I'll hope it will prosper to something beautiful.
I can't wait to try it out on alpha, just joined the discord as well.
OP
OP
Tenzhiro
Fool of a Took!
- Joined
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Been also quite some time since i've updated this thread, most of the changes made are written in the Discord as I've noticed keeping up so early in development, writing things, on these platforms, is time-consuming and I've almost stopped doing it, going from a weekly patch note to a monthly, these patch-notes are mostly to be transparent about progression and players can give direct input during development.
"It's better to forget until it's here" -- a procrastinator
------------------------------------
All critical systems that I want to have, pre-release, are in and (almost) stable and configured; it is all about mapping now.
Currently working on Frogmorten, leading towards Scary and the Quarry, (the empty plateau in the middle of the image) which holds the first Party Quest and is the to-go place for any mining enthusiasts among us.
Furthermore, the Main Story Quest: The Lord of the Rings, up until the Chapter: A Knife In The Dark is almost fully completed, this will mark the inevitable start of your grand adventure, where you will leave your home behind, become part of a Fellowship, and go on unexpected adventures.
Also busy with a Gitbook which has a Roadmap and explains most features and should be available in the upcoming weeks.
Home is behind, the world ahead~
--------------------------
When this is filled, we are ready for testing!
OP
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Tenzhiro
Fool of a Took!
- Joined
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Mapping wise, mostly filler left...(don't mind the northern-central part)
Programming wise, starting on the last and easiest Chapter of The Lord of the Rings.
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony which is your meeting with Strider, and the stalking of the Nazgul. Making your way into the Midgewater Marshes to the final of Weathertop.
I also updated the main post to be somewhat more clearer in the information given.
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Tenzhiro
Fool of a Took!
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
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Slowly but surely the dangers of Middle-Earth are rising.
(Thanks to BalrogOTS for allowing the use of the Balrog, and User known by the name Vans for contributing and editing)
"I felt something terrible. I thought at first it was only a great cave-troll out there, but it was something else. There was an ancient evil there. I could not hold it back.
The counter-spell nearly broke me. Ah! what an evil fortune! and I am already weary." - Gandalf the Grey, The Fellowship of the Ring; Chapter 5.
Surely if you wait until Sunrise they'll all turn to stone, right?
Did you know the beasts the Nazgul ride on have a beak, like a bird, but yet it is no bird..
A foul stench, a menacing screech, leathery wings and no feathers, almost like a bat.
People call them Fellbeasts but in reality there is no name for a creature so foul.
(Thanks to BalrogOTS for allowing the use of the Balrog, and User known by the name Vans for contributing and editing)
"I felt something terrible. I thought at first it was only a great cave-troll out there, but it was something else. There was an ancient evil there. I could not hold it back.
The counter-spell nearly broke me. Ah! what an evil fortune! and I am already weary." - Gandalf the Grey, The Fellowship of the Ring; Chapter 5.
Surely if you wait until Sunrise they'll all turn to stone, right?
Did you know the beasts the Nazgul ride on have a beak, like a bird, but yet it is no bird..
A foul stench, a menacing screech, leathery wings and no feathers, almost like a bat.
People call them Fellbeasts but in reality there is no name for a creature so foul.
OP
OP
Tenzhiro
Fool of a Took!
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 433
- Solutions
- 5
- Reaction score
- 464
Recent Developments
“The world of Middle-earth continues to grow..”
“The world of Middle-earth continues to grow..”
Graverobbing
When a player falls in battle, a gravestone is left behind at the place of death.
Beneath it lies their corpse, containing any items they dropped at the time.
If the rightful owner finds their grave, they may recover a portion of lost EXP and reclaim their belongings.
Others, however, may attempt to dig up the corpse if their Thieving Skill is high enough.
This grim act allows them to steal items and train their skill further, but comes at the cost of Honor.
Beneath it lies their corpse, containing any items they dropped at the time.
If the rightful owner finds their grave, they may recover a portion of lost EXP and reclaim their belongings.
Others, however, may attempt to dig up the corpse if their Thieving Skill is high enough.
This grim act allows them to steal items and train their skill further, but comes at the cost of Honor.
Footprints & Player Tracking
Depending on a player’s Survival Skill and the terrain, they may leave behind a trail of footprints.
Masters of the craft seldom leave any trace.
Investigating footprints reveals more information as your skill grows:
• Direction of movement
• Race of the player
• Age of the print
• Eventually, the full name of your quarry
This new system will replace Exiva as we know it, but its essence remains now rooted in the world itself.
Masters of the craft seldom leave any trace.
Investigating footprints reveals more information as your skill grows:
• Direction of movement
• Race of the player
• Age of the print
• Eventually, the full name of your quarry
This new system will replace Exiva as we know it, but its essence remains now rooted in the world itself.
Combat & Storytelling
"A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night."
During combat, heavy hits and critical strikes now create dynamic blood splashes painted across walls or the ground depending on the scene. The stronger the hit relative to your foe’s health, the more blood you’ll see.
Blood and corpses can also be investigated for valuable information:
– Type of damage dealt
– Weapon used
– Whether the victim survived or bled out
This investigation ties directly into player tracking, letting you deduce whether you’re entering another’s hunting grounds... or their graveyard.
During combat, heavy hits and critical strikes now create dynamic blood splashes painted across walls or the ground depending on the scene. The stronger the hit relative to your foe’s health, the more blood you’ll see.
Blood and corpses can also be investigated for valuable information:
– Type of damage dealt
– Weapon used
– Whether the victim survived or bled out
This investigation ties directly into player tracking, letting you deduce whether you’re entering another’s hunting grounds... or their graveyard.
Seasons, Weather & Cycles
The world now moves through four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Each day lasts 24 real-time hours, with a season spanning 30 days.
Seasons influence everything:
– Lighting and atmosphere
– Weather patterns
– Creature behaviors
– Resource gathering (Farming, Fishing, Mining, Woodcutting, Foraging)
Special celestial events add further depth, a few examples:
• Full Moons (every 28 days)
• Red Moons (every 84 days)
• Solstices (every 90 days)
• Durin’s Day
• Lairemerendë (The Greenfest)
These cycles subtly transform the world, from glistering rivers under a Full Moon to eerie crimson nights beneath a Red Sun.
Each day lasts 24 real-time hours, with a season spanning 30 days.
Seasons influence everything:
– Lighting and atmosphere
– Weather patterns
– Creature behaviors
– Resource gathering (Farming, Fishing, Mining, Woodcutting, Foraging)
Special celestial events add further depth, a few examples:
• Full Moons (every 28 days)
• Red Moons (every 84 days)
• Solstices (every 90 days)
• Durin’s Day
• Lairemerendë (The Greenfest)
These cycles subtly transform the world, from glistering rivers under a Full Moon to eerie crimson nights beneath a Red Sun.
Personal Library
Bookcases are no longer empty they hold knowledge.
Each region contains its own writings across many categories:
Recipes, Combat Knowledge, Mysteries, History, Lore, Wildlife, and more.
When you find a book, you receive both a physical copy and an entry in your virtual library, accessible anywhere, anytime.
Your collection will grow as you explore Middle-earth one bookshelf at a time.
Each region contains its own writings across many categories:
Recipes, Combat Knowledge, Mysteries, History, Lore, Wildlife, and more.
When you find a book, you receive both a physical copy and an entry in your virtual library, accessible anywhere, anytime.
Your collection will grow as you explore Middle-earth one bookshelf at a time.
"For more updated information please visit out Discord!"
Post automatically merged:
Continuied..
Pickpocket, Lockpicking & Thievery
"Hold it right there, you criminal scum!"
A Thievery System has been introduced, allowing players to live a more... questionable lifestyle.
But every crime comes with risk and consequence.
Pickpocket
Players may now attempt to pickpocket NPCs based on their profession.
Merchants, travelers, nobles each may carry unique valuables or coins.
However, every theft has its price.
Nearby guards may be alerted, marking you as a criminal, chasing you down, and in some cases, attempting to throw you in prison.
If no guards are nearby, your chances of success rise, but there’s always a chance for a guard to spawn close by to investigate your deeds.
Success trains your Thieving Skill and fills your pockets... for as long as you can stay out of sight.
Lockpicking
Doors and containers throughout Middle-Earth may now be locked.
With a set of Lockpicks and sufficient Thieving Skill, players can attempt to pick locked doors and gain access to restricted areas.
Failures may break your lockpick or worse, alert nearby guards with suspicious noises.
Success opens new paths, shortcuts, and hidden areas previously barred to common folk.
NPC Owned Chests
Not all treasure lies in dungeons. Some can be found under the watchful eyes of townsfolk.
NPC Owned Chests may now contain gold, valuables, or unique goods depending on their owner’s profession.
Attempting to steal from these chests will flag you as a criminal and can lead to guards being summoned to the scene.
Success grants you loot and Thieving experience, while failure might leave you running for your life.
"Steal wisely, thief... the night has eyes."
A Thievery System has been introduced, allowing players to live a more... questionable lifestyle.
But every crime comes with risk and consequence.
Pickpocket
Players may now attempt to pickpocket NPCs based on their profession.
Merchants, travelers, nobles each may carry unique valuables or coins.
However, every theft has its price.
Nearby guards may be alerted, marking you as a criminal, chasing you down, and in some cases, attempting to throw you in prison.
If no guards are nearby, your chances of success rise, but there’s always a chance for a guard to spawn close by to investigate your deeds.
Success trains your Thieving Skill and fills your pockets... for as long as you can stay out of sight.
Lockpicking
Doors and containers throughout Middle-Earth may now be locked.
With a set of Lockpicks and sufficient Thieving Skill, players can attempt to pick locked doors and gain access to restricted areas.
Failures may break your lockpick or worse, alert nearby guards with suspicious noises.
Success opens new paths, shortcuts, and hidden areas previously barred to common folk.
NPC Owned Chests
Not all treasure lies in dungeons. Some can be found under the watchful eyes of townsfolk.
NPC Owned Chests may now contain gold, valuables, or unique goods depending on their owner’s profession.
Attempting to steal from these chests will flag you as a criminal and can lead to guards being summoned to the scene.
Success grants you loot and Thieving experience, while failure might leave you running for your life.
"Steal wisely, thief... the night has eyes."
Event Calendar
"Ready for Spring?"
The lands of Middle-Earth now celebrate the passing of time through an Event Calendar.
From solemn rituals to joyous festivals, each race honors their own traditions.
Some celebrate life, others the harvest, and a few pay homage to Eru himself.
The calendar displays:
• Racial and regional events
• Moon cycles and special celestial days
• World events and announcements
Certain days such as Full Moons or Red Moons can affect world lighting, turning peaceful nights into perilous ones. Whether you’re a Hobbit awaiting Lairemerendë or a Dwarf marking Durin’s Day, the calendar ensures you’ll never miss the turning of fate’s wheel again.
The lands of Middle-Earth now celebrate the passing of time through an Event Calendar.
From solemn rituals to joyous festivals, each race honors their own traditions.
Some celebrate life, others the harvest, and a few pay homage to Eru himself.
The calendar displays:
• Racial and regional events
• Moon cycles and special celestial days
• World events and announcements
Certain days such as Full Moons or Red Moons can affect world lighting, turning peaceful nights into perilous ones. Whether you’re a Hobbit awaiting Lairemerendë or a Dwarf marking Durin’s Day, the calendar ensures you’ll never miss the turning of fate’s wheel again.
"From thievery in the shadows to festivals under the stars..."
Last edited:
OP
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Tenzhiro
Fool of a Took!
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 433
- Solutions
- 5
- Reaction score
- 464
Concerning The Rings of Power
“The account of these things I write down, that the lessons of the past be not forgotten.”
– Gandalf the Grey, in the ending years of the Third Age
“The account of these things I write down, that the lessons of the past be not forgotten.”
– Gandalf the Grey, in the ending years of the Third Age
Of the Forging and the Struggle Thereafter
In those ancient days, when the craft of the Eldar was still bright and the pride of Men unbroken, there were forged Twenty Rings of Power.
They were wrought for dominion, not for peace, each a vessel of untold power, binding the fate of Middle-Earth to their bearers.
In this later age, their powers stir once more.
As the realms of light and shadow are getting out of balance, every blade of grass from The White Towers to the dark and sad waters of Sea of Nurnen, may fall beneath one banner or the other. It is no swift war, but a tug of war, village by village, region by region, where the combined effort of many hearts may turn the tide.
So it was, and so it shall be again.
They were wrought for dominion, not for peace, each a vessel of untold power, binding the fate of Middle-Earth to their bearers.
In this later age, their powers stir once more.
As the realms of light and shadow are getting out of balance, every blade of grass from The White Towers to the dark and sad waters of Sea of Nurnen, may fall beneath one banner or the other. It is no swift war, but a tug of war, village by village, region by region, where the combined effort of many hearts may turn the tide.
So it was, and so it shall be again.
Of the Rings and Their Kind
Three Rings for the Elven-Kings under the sky,
– Narya, Nenya, Vilya: their power was of preservation and regenerationl.
Where they are borne, life clings more dearly, and the weary find rest.
Both the bearer and those near are strengthened.
Seven for the Dwarf-Lords in their halls of stone,
Forged with stubborn fire, granting might of body and craft.
They bring endurance to the miner and fury to the warrior, though beneath their gleam ever stirs the hunger for gold.
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
Each a gift from the fair seeming Annatar, Lord of Gifts.
To some he came in shadow, to others in moments of light, offering mastery over their fellow men.
Yet all them were deceived. Their power became their chain, and in time their names were lost, known thereafter as the Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths, servants of the Will that made the One.
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
The One Ring: the One to rule them all. Its finding hastens the doom of this age.
All powers used from the other Rings, for good or evil, are bound to the One.
For wherever and whenever it is found, the Nine set out, and the shadow lengthens.
Until it is cast into the fire whence it came, peace cannot endure in any land.
– Narya, Nenya, Vilya: their power was of preservation and regenerationl.
Where they are borne, life clings more dearly, and the weary find rest.
Both the bearer and those near are strengthened.
Seven for the Dwarf-Lords in their halls of stone,
Forged with stubborn fire, granting might of body and craft.
They bring endurance to the miner and fury to the warrior, though beneath their gleam ever stirs the hunger for gold.
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
Each a gift from the fair seeming Annatar, Lord of Gifts.
To some he came in shadow, to others in moments of light, offering mastery over their fellow men.
Yet all them were deceived. Their power became their chain, and in time their names were lost, known thereafter as the Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths, servants of the Will that made the One.
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
The One Ring: the One to rule them all. Its finding hastens the doom of this age.
All powers used from the other Rings, for good or evil, are bound to the One.
For wherever and whenever it is found, the Nine set out, and the shadow lengthens.
Until it is cast into the fire whence it came, peace cannot endure in any land.
Of Their Finding and the Peril Within
• The One Ring lies hidden beneath water and stone, to be found perchance by the unwary fisherman or the delver in deep caves.
Yet woe to the one who lifts it, for the Nazgûl will hunt them as shadows upon a scent that never fades.
• The Rings of the Dwarves are unearthed in the veins of the mountains or among the Seven Dwarven Treasure Hoards, their glitter found only by miners of great skill and courage. Each grants endurance and strength beyond mortal measure.
• The Rings of the Elves pass only through deed and destiny, their blessings given to those who heal, not harm.
They grant quiet power, the mending of wounds, and the couraging of hearts.
• The Rings of Men come by the hand of Annatar himself.
He appears without warning, clothed in wisdom and gentleness, offering “gifts” to the ambitious.
Yet in his words lies deceit, and in his gifts, an unbreakable bond.
For those who walk this path, the world should be prepared..
When the One Ring is found, the world’s balance tilts swiftly; settlements fall faster, wars burn brighter, and the fate of the Free Peoples is bound to the bearer’s faith in the fight for either the Shadow or the Light.
Should the One Ring be destroyed, a great light will sweep the lands clean, and the Age of Rings will end.
All rings will lose their powers for the cycle to repeat again after an age of Peace.
But if it is delivered to its maker... then darkness shall have dominion once more until you find courage to challenge the full power of the Dark Lord Sauron.
Yet woe to the one who lifts it, for the Nazgûl will hunt them as shadows upon a scent that never fades.
• The Rings of the Dwarves are unearthed in the veins of the mountains or among the Seven Dwarven Treasure Hoards, their glitter found only by miners of great skill and courage. Each grants endurance and strength beyond mortal measure.
• The Rings of the Elves pass only through deed and destiny, their blessings given to those who heal, not harm.
They grant quiet power, the mending of wounds, and the couraging of hearts.
• The Rings of Men come by the hand of Annatar himself.
He appears without warning, clothed in wisdom and gentleness, offering “gifts” to the ambitious.
Yet in his words lies deceit, and in his gifts, an unbreakable bond.
For those who walk this path, the world should be prepared..
When the One Ring is found, the world’s balance tilts swiftly; settlements fall faster, wars burn brighter, and the fate of the Free Peoples is bound to the bearer’s faith in the fight for either the Shadow or the Light.
Should the One Ring be destroyed, a great light will sweep the lands clean, and the Age of Rings will end.
All rings will lose their powers for the cycle to repeat again after an age of Peace.
But if it is delivered to its maker... then darkness shall have dominion once more until you find courage to challenge the full power of the Dark Lord Sauron.
"Thus I set these words onto parchment, lest the folly of pride once again lead the wise to ruin."
– Gandalf the Grey
– Gandalf the Grey
Attachments
Eiffel
EternumOT Mapper/Designer
You give me hope Tenzhiro. I envy your work ethic and dedication to the project. So many times I start and stop because it feels overwhelming but my scope isn't even close to what you're doing here.
Sorky
Veteran OT User
Didn't see it earlier, pretty neat idea with those NPC dialogues. I've implemented something similar (just in a pop-up window). Didn't even think it could be done like that
