Table Top Role Play.

Hi and welcome to our new News segment on Table Top based RPG'S mainly focusing on Middle Earth Role Playing (MERP) ICE series. Quick introduction, I am Rick and have been gaming for nigh on twenty years. I first started playing War Hammer and then moved on to Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D) the next step was MERP having loved Tolkiens The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings it was a natural progression. I have a great bunch of friends who love to Game and Role Play and we have Merped every Sunday night since.

The great thing about Tolkiens Works are the depth in which they stand, there is a new world out there waiting for you and if you enjoy Tolkien there is no better way then to play it yourself. Imagine meeting Gandalf or Elrond, trying your strength against the Witch King or just visiting the Prancing Pony for a pint, all possible within MERP. Another great thing about MERP is that the source books are so informative, there are Maps, inner stories , history, all relevant and sanctioned by Tolkien Estate.

Thanks for reading and there will be more posts to come about recent Modules we are playing, characters, adventures and more,. If you have any questions on RPG's or any content you would like to discuss please contact me. Happy Gaming.

Official Release Dates and Titles for 'The Hobbit' Films Announced!

The official release dates and titles for The Hobbit films have been announced! Mark your calendars...

"THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY" -December 14, 2012

"THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN" -December 13, 2013

BREAKING: New Photos of Rivendell Set in Route to Hobbit Studios

Thanks to our new reporter, Jack Machiela, for taking these photos! Jack is a Tour Guide in Wellington, NZ and an avid Tolkien Fan. His job gives him access to ground zero for Hobbit happenings and the list of LOTR/Hobbit cast member’s he’s bumped into is staggering!

Jack took these pictures on the road, as he came up from behind the truck. It was a "very sunny day" he said, so don't mind the reflections from his car window.

Here you can see par of a stone wall.

This shows the wood supporting the stone wall.

The bundle of wood appears to be fencing of some kind.

If you look closely,  you can see the intricate carvings in the stone wall.

I am very proud to have Jack as a member of the middleearthnews team! Make sure you check out his own amazing blog, The Noldor Blog, and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Peter Jackson Officially Announces Orlando Bloom as Part of 'The Hobbit' Cast

After months of speculation and rumors Orlando Bloom has been confirmed by Peter Jackson as a cast member in The Hobbit. The news was posted on Jackson’s Facebook page stating,

“Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf.”

Welcome back Legolas!

Sideshow Collectibles Releases New LOTR Teaser Video

Our friends over at Sideshow Collectibles sent us the link to a teaser video showing clips of their newest creation. The caption reads: “Get a gander at our newest Production Peek video! Think you can guess what collectible we’re working on now?” Once you’ve watched the video, be sure to visit Sideshow Collectibles and check out their newest line-up of Lord of the Rings statues.

Mmm, is it me, or was that the Horn of Gondor?

Middleearthnews is Reaching Our 1,000th Twitter Follower -Time to Celebrate!

Since it’s January 12th debut into the world of Twitter, middleearthnews has grown and expanded in ways I never thought possible. In just five months I’ve gone from a “me” to a “we”, teaming up with with Middle-earth Network, becoming their News Director, and adding an entire team of news reporters to insure the most accurate and up to date news coverage on all things Middle-earth. And now it seems we are to reach another milestone with our 1,000th Twitter follower. To help celebrate, I’ve decided to give away something every Ringer would want: The Map of the Dwarves! This brilliant work of art was hand crafted by artist Daniel Govar specifically for Middle-earth Network Radio, and I will be giving the Map away to a randomly selected Twitter follower who retweets this link from now until Friday May 27th at 5 PM EST. Remember, you have to be a follower of middleearthnews.

At 17 x 22 on #60 Astroparche text in full color, this map looks just like the one Bilbo Baggins described during one of his most famousest of adventures. So, follow middleearthnews on Twitter and be sure to retweet the word to your family, friends, Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves...well, you get the idea.

Should you not be the chosen winner, but would still love to get your hands on one (or more) of these maps, don’t worry! The Map of the Dwarves is Middle-earth Network’s gift to anyone who donates to the Radio Station. You can find all the information you need here.

The Map of the Dwarves is an artistic recreation based on the works of J. R. R. Tolkien and is in no way affiliated with Middle-earth Enterprises, the Tolkien Estate, or New Line Cinema.

Bid on Autographed Copy of 'The Hobbit' and Help Christchurch Recover

To help those affected by the February earthquake that struck the south island of New Zealand, the Hobbit cast has signed a beautifully bound copy of ‘The Hobbit’ for Rise Up Christchurch. Alongside their autographs, many of the cast wrote personal notes to Christchurch. Here are some examples:

Richard Armitage- “For Christchurch Love, Richard A”

John Callen-  “Kia Kaha Chirstchurch John Callen”

Ken Stott- “Best Wishes, Ken Stott”

Adam Brown- “All the Best Adam Brown (Ori) OX”

James Nesbitt- “Best Wishes, James Nesbitt (Bofur)”

Stephen Hunter- “Stay Strong Christchurch! We are all behind you Stephan Hunter ( Bombur)”

Peter Hambleton- “Go ChCh! Peter Hambleton”

Dean O’Gorman- “Hang in there Chch! Dean O’Gorman”

Graham McTavish- “All the very best to Christchurch Graham R. McTavish”

Sir Ian McKellen went even as far to sketch a full page drawing of Gandalf enjoying some long bottom leaf with the message, “love from Middle Earth Ian McKellen 2011”. Other autographs include Sir Christopher Lee, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy and more.

If you’d like to get your hands on this gem, you have until Thursday June 2nd, 2011, so get bidding and help Christchurch recover!

BREAKING: Small Explosion at Peter Jackson's Hobbit Studios

Miramar Studios

A small explosion is reported to have rocked Peter Jackson's Hobbit Studios, injuring two employees. Ceris Price, the Hobbit unit publicist is calling the reports a "slight overstatement" and went on to explain the two victims where drilling a statue in one of the workshops when the explosion took place. Price reported the two victims to have "mild burns but nothing serious...One of them had some burnt nostril hairs and apparently if that's he case, there is always the risk of inhalations so they get checked out." Both employees where taken to the hospital and investigation is underway as to what exactly caused the explosion.

Server Maintenance

The scheduled maintenance and Update 3 upload was originally scheduled from 6am to 11am (EST) today. This server downtime has been extended to 2pm.

Martin Freeman Leaks Benedict Cumberbatch’s Involvement in ‘The Hobbit’

Benedict Cumberbatch

Thanks to Martin Freeman, who goes by Bilbo Baggins in Middle-earth, we now know his his co-star Benedict Cumberbatch (from the UK show Sherlock) has landed a part in The Hobbit. The news was leaked during the Bafta Awards this past Sunday by non other than Freeman himself who later commented about his inability to keep secrets saying, “I knew I was a sort of a big mouth but I didn't realise to what extent I was a big mouth, and I've just ruined everything...I might not actually go back to a job - they might have just sacked me." When asked what his exact roll would be in the film, Cumberbatch’s only response was, “I can't say at the moment, thank you very much." Seems he is more apt to keep the information secret and safe.

The Steed of Night returns!

For a limited time only the Lord of the Rings Online Store will be offering the massively popular Steed of Night for 1,995 Turbine Points! As an added bonus, if between May 20th and May 22nd you can use the coupon code c73cathu to get 20% off the purchase of this mount! The Steed of Night will be available from Friday, May 20th at 12AM until Friday, May 27th, 3AM.

'The Hobbit' Cast Has Expanded Again With The Addition of Stephan Fry, Ryan Gage, and Conan Stevens

Stephan Fry

The Hobbit cast has expanded again! Just moments ago, Peter Jackson announced on his Facebook page the involvement of three more cast members. The ever entertaining Stephan Fry (Blackadder, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Gosford Park, V for Vendetta, Kingdom, Bones, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, etc) will be playing The Master of Laketown with Ryan Gage playing Alfrid, the Master’s civil servant. And as always in Middle-earth you need devious orcs, and who better to play the part of Azog the Orc than the towering Conan Stevens.

Along with the casting news, Peter Jackson assured fans he has the answers to the 20 Questions many posted on his Facebook page, so be on the look out! Perhaps one of them is yours...

Sir Ian McKellen Watches Gandalf in 3D

There he sits, Sir Ian McKellen in full Gandalf garb, sporting a snazzy pair of 3D glasses on the set of The Hobbit. The photo was released through McKellen's Flicker account, giving the snapshot's credit to non other than Peter Jackson! On closer inspection, you can see McKellen glancing over as the shot was taken. It was just two days ago, fans where treated to another post on McKellen's blog, confirming several cast members: Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Bret McKenzie as Lindir, and Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown.

Tolkien Inspired Swordsmiths Reveal Thor Movie Deal

A big round of applause is due for Andy Davis and David DelaGardelle, owners of Mad Dwarf Workshop. Their swordsmithing talent caught Hollywood’s eye back in November 2009 when they were asked by Thor’s production team (Marvel) to take on the task of creating Heimdall’s sword. Without hesitation they jumped on board but were under strict instructions to keep the project a secret.

Two years later in Feburary 2011, Mad Dwarf Workshop became the first Q&A middleearthnews conducted, posting the interview in two parts (One and Two). It was in part two they revealed their involvement with Marvel and that a movie deal was in the works, but all we could be told was Kenneth Branagh’s (Director of Thor) name had something to do with it. It’s been three months, and the premiere of Thor is here and their secret is out! The finished sword is 5 ½ feet in length with intricate carvings along the hilt. A masterpiece fit for an all-seeing and all-hearing guardian sentry of Asgard. Well done, guys!

You can view pictures of conceptual designs, the forging of the sword, and the finished project here.

John Rhys-Davies Goes Geek Over 48 Frames And Expresses Wish To Join Hobbit Cast

John Rhys-Davies (Gilmi the Dwarf and the voice of Treebeard in LOTR), was among the other stars to gain press this week. In an interview with  STV’s The Hour he stated, “Jackson is actually going to change the way films are made. It’s really a paradigm change. Just shooting at 48 frames for instance, I’m sorry if this is all technical boring stuff but we who are in the business really love this. Films are never going to be the same after this film comes out. ‘The Hobbit’ is not as profound a film as ‘Lord of the Rings’, but it is so loved.”

It was a visit to the set of The Hobbit, when Davis realized how much he wanted to be a part of the film. He told Belfast Telegraph “It was a very strange feeling going back and seeing so many old faces... Seeing Ian McKellen and young [Andy Serkis] Gollum...It was like going back to your old school where you were being a person of real importance and they treated you courteously, but you're no longer part of it. It really plucks the heart strings. So I grovelled as obsequiously as I could, to no avail, but Peter's a very merciful chap... Let's put it this way. I have been sending pushy, grovelling signals.”

Those Pesky Hobbit Casting Rumors Answered!

Saoirse Ronan

Take in a sigh of relief because those annoying and all too frequent Saoirse Ronan rumors have officially been laid to rest. The Irish actress admitted today that "It's probably not going to work out with ‘The Hobbit’ unfortunately... I would have been working for about a year on it and there were other projects that I was very interested in, but Pete and Fran have been very good about it and very understanding.” As far as visiting the set she stated, "I'll have to just go back down to New Zealand for a holiday and hang out with the hobbits."

Lee Pace

Dean O'Gorman

Other casting news broke last week after The Hobbit suddenly lost Robert Kazinsky who had been cast as Fili the Dwarf. Fans had been eager to hear who would replace him and the announcement came April 30th that Kiwi actor Dean O’Gorman would fill the gap, and play Fili, along with the unexpected news that Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) has been cast as the Elven-King Thranduil, ending all David Tennant rumors. Meanwhile Hugo Weaving fans got a treat when Peter Jackson posted a picture of them both on the set of The Hobbit, and within a short time it was announced that he will be reclaiming his roll as Elrond for the film.