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[[Image:merp_logo.png|thumb|MERP 2nd Ed. logotype]]
[[Image:merp_logo.png|300px|thumb|MERP 2nd Ed. logotype]]


'''Middle-earth Role Playing''' (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] [[Middle-earth]] and published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]].   
'''Middle-earth Role Playing''' (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Middle-earth]] and published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]].   


== Description ==
== Description ==
The system was somewhat like [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Fighter, Mage, Ranger and Scout (Rogue). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.
[[Image:Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover).jpg|thumb|left|Cover of [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|''MERP'', 2nd ed.]]]]
The system was somewhat like [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Mage, Ranger, Scout (Thief) and Warrior (Fighter). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.


In the MERP game system, attributes are rating between 0 and 100, and skills can surpass these limits (under 0 or over 100).  An attack roll would consist of a percentile roll + skill rating + attribute rating - target's dodge rating.  This result was looked up on a table against the victim's armor type (leather/plate). Most hits in combat would cause a 'critical' which would be rolled and looked up on separate tables.  For some, these criticals are quite entertaining due to their variety and creativeness, but for others the task of adding and subtracting high numbers and then consulting a table is the height of roll-playing, not role-playing.
In the MERP game system, attributes are rating between 0 and 100, and skills can surpass these limits (under 0 or over 100).  An attack roll would consist of a percentile roll + skill rating + attribute rating - target's dodge rating.  This result was looked up on a table against the victim's armor type (leather/plate). Most hits in combat would cause a 'critical' which would be rolled and looked up on separate tables.  For some, these criticals are quite entertaining due to their variety and creativeness, but for others the task of adding and subtracting high numbers and then consulting a table is the height of roll-playing, not role-playing.
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=== Metal miniatures ===
=== Metal miniatures ===


Two different companies issued authorized figures for use with MERP. In 1985, [[Grenadier Models Inc.|Grenadier Models]] released their ''Lord of the Rings Middle Earth'' series. In 1987, the license was transferred to [[Mithril Miniatures]], which still issues Middle-earth metal miniatures (although post-[[ICE]] figures have no reference to MERP).
Two different companies issued authorized figures for use with MERP. In 1985, [[Grenadier Models Inc.|Grenadier Models]] released their ''Lord of the Rings Middle Earth'' series. In 1987, the license was transferred to [[Mithril Miniatures]], which still produces Middle-earth metal miniatures (although post-[[Iron Crown Enterprises|ICE]] figures have no reference to MERP).


== Publications ==
== Publications ==
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=== MERP 1st Edition ===
=== MERP 1st Edition ===


*(1982) 2100 [[MERP: An Artist's Interpretation of Middle Earth|An Artist's Interpretation of Middle Earth]]
*(1982) 2100 ''[[An Artist's Interpretation of Middle Earth]]''
*(1982) 2200 [[MERP: A Campaign and Adventure Guidebook for Middle-earth|A Campaign and Adventure Guidebook for Middle-earth]]
*(1982) 2200 ''[[A Campaign and Adventure Guidebook for Middle-earth]]''
*(1982) 2300 [[MERP: Angmar, Land of the Witch King|Angmar, Land of the Witch King]]
*(1982) 2300 ''[[Angmar: Land of the Witch King]]''
*(1982) 2400 [[MERP: Umbar, Haven of the Corsairs|Umbar, Haven of the Corsairs]]
*(1982) 2400 ''[[Umbar: Haven of the Corsairs]]''
*(1982) 2500 [[MERP: The Court of Ardor|The Court of Ardor]]
*(1982) 2500 ''[[The Court of Ardor]]''
*(1983) 2600 [[MERP: Northern Mirkwood (1983)|Northern Mirkwood (1983)]]
*(1983) 2600 [[Northern Mirkwood (1983)|''Northern Mirkwood'' (1983)]]
*(1983) 2700 [[MERP: Southern Mirkwood|Southern Mirkwood]]
*(1983) 2700 ''[[Southern Mirkwood|Southern Mirkwood: Haunt of the Necromancer]]''
*(1983) 2800 [[MERP: Isengard and Northern Gondor|Isengard and Northern Gondor]]
*(1983) 2800 ''[[Isengard and Northern Gondor]]''
*(1984) 2600 [[MERP: Northern Mirkwood (1984)|Northern Mirkwood (1984)]]
*(1984) 2600 [[Northern Mirkwood (1984)|''Northern Mirkwood'' (1984)]]
*(1984) 2900 [[MERP: Moria, The Dwarven City|Moria, The Dwarven City]]
*(1984) 2900 ''[[Moria: The Dwarven City]]''
*(1984) 3000 [[MERP: Rangers of the North|Rangers of the North]]
*(1984) 3000 [[Rangers of the North (book)|''Rangers of the North: The Kingdom of Arthedain'']]
*(1984) 8000 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing|Middle-earth Role Playing]]  
*(1984) 8000 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (book)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'']]  
*(1984) 8001 [[MERP: Combat Screen]]  
*(1984) 8001 ''[[Combat Screen]]''
*(1984) 8010 [[MERP: Bree and the Barrow-Downs|Bree and the Barrow-Downs]]
*(1984) 8010 ''[[Bree and the Barrow-Downs]]''
*(1984) 8020 [[MERP: Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes|Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes]]
*(1984) 8020 ''[[Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes]]''
*(1984) 8030 [[MERP: The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair|The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair]]
*(1984) 8030 ''[[The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair]]''
*(1984) 8040 [[MERP: Hillmen of the Trollshaws|Hillmen of the Trollshaws]]
*(1984) 8040 ''[[Hillmen of the Trollshaws]]''
*(1985) 3100 [[MERP: Riders of Rohan|Riders of Rohan]]
*(1985) 3100 [[Riders of Rohan (1985 book)|''Riders of Rohan'']]
*(1985) 8050 [[MERP: Thieves of Tharbad|Thieves of Tharbad]]  
*(1985) 8050 ''[[Thieves of Tharbad]]''
*(1985) 8060 [[MERP: Erech and the Paths of the Dead|Erech and the Paths of the Dead]]
*(1985) 8060 ''[[Erech and the Paths of the Dead]]''
*(1985) 8070 [[MERP: Goblin-gate and Eagles' Eyrie|Goblin-gate and Eagles' Eyrie]]
*(1985) 8070 ''[[Goblin-gate and Eagle's Eyrie]]''
*(1985) XXXX [[MERP: Middle-earth, The Role-playing Game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's World|Middle-earth: The Role-playing Game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]
*(1985) XXXX ''[[Middle-earth: The Role-playing Game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]''
*(1985) 8101 [[MERP: Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings|Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings]]
*(1985) 8101 ''[[Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings]]''
*(1986) 3200 [[MERP: Lórien and the Halls of the Elven Smiths|Lórien & the Halls of the Elven Smiths]]
*(1986) 3200 ''[[Lórien and the Halls of the Elven Smiths|Lórien & the Halls of the Elven Smiths]]''
*(1986) 8000 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing - The Role Playing Game of J.R.R. Tolkien's World|Middle-earth Role Playing - The Role Playing Game of J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]
*(1986) 8000 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing: The Role Playing Game of J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]''
*(1986) 8100 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)|Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)]]
*(1986) 8100 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (boxed set)]]
*(1986) 8002 [[MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol I|Lords of Middle-earth Vol I: The Immortals]]  
*(1986) 8002 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. I|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. I - The Immortals'']]  
*(1986) 8102 [[MERP: Phantom of the Northern Marches|Phantom of the Northern Marches]]
*(1986) 8102 ''[[Phantom of the Northern Marches]]''
*(1986) 8103 [[MERP: Trolls of the Misty Mountains|Trolls of the Misty Mountains]]  
*(1986) 8103 ''[[Trolls of the Misty Mountains]]''
*(1987) 2800 [[MERP: Isengard and Northern Gondor (2nd edition)|Isengard and Northern Gondor (2nd edition)]]
*(1987) 2800 [[Isengard and Northern Gondor (1987 book)|''Isengard and Northern Gondor'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1987) 3100 [[MERP: Riders of Rohan (2nd edition)|Riders of Rohan (2nd edition)]]  
*(1987) 3100 [[Riders of Rohan (1987 book)|''Riders of Rohan'' (2nd edition)]]  
*(1987) 3300 [[MERP: Havens of Gondor|Havens of Gondor]]
*(1987) 3300 ''[[Havens of Gondor]]''
*(1987) 3400 [[MERP: Sea-Lords of Gondor|Sea-Lords of Gondor]]  
*(1987) 3400 ''[[Sea-Lords of Gondor]]''
*(1987) 3500 [[MERP: Ents of Fangorn|Ents of Fangorn]]  
*(1987) 3500 ''[[Ents of Fangorn]]''
*(1987) 3600 [[MERP: Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains|Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains]]
*(1987) 3600 ''[[Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains]]''
*(1987) 3700 [[MERP: Lost Realm of Cardolan|Lost Realm of Cardolan]]  
*(1987) 3700 ''[[Lost Realm of Cardolan]]''
*(1987) 8003 [[MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol II|Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races]]  
*(1987) 8003 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. II|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. II - The Mannish Races'']]  
*(1987) 8080 [[MERP: Rivendell, The House of Elrond|Rivendell, The House of Elrond]]  
*(1987) 8080 ''[[Rivendell: The House of Elrond]]''
*(1987) 8090 [[MERP: Brigands of Mirkwood|Brigands of Mirkwood]]  
*(1987) 8090 ''[[Brigands of Mirkwood]]''
*(1987) 8104 [[MERP: Pirates of Pelargir|Pirates of Pelargir]]
*(1987) 8104 ''[[Pirates of Pelargir]]''
*(1987) 8105 [[MERP: Gates of Mordor|Gates of Mordor]]
*(1987) 8105 [[Gates of Mordor (book)|''Gates of Mordor'']]
*(1987) 8106 [[MERP: Assassins of Dol Amroth|Assassins of Dol Amroth]]  
*(1987) 8106 ''[[Assassins of Dol Amroth]]''
*(1987) 8107 [[MERP: Woses of the Black Wood|Woses of the Black Wood]]
*(1987) 8107 ''[[Woses of the Black Wood]]''
*(1987) 8201 [[MERP: Weathertop, Tower of the Wind|Weathertop, Tower of the Wind]]  
*(1987) 8201 ''[[Weathertop: Tower of the Wind]]''
*(1988) 3800 [[MERP: Far Harad, The Scorched Land|Far Harad, The Scorched Land]]
*(1988) 3800 ''[[Far Harad: The Scorched Land]]''
*(1988) 3900 [[MERP: Shadow in the South|Shadow in the South]]
*(1988) 3900 ''[[Shadow in the South]]''
*(1988) 4010 [[MERP: Mirkwood, The Wilds of Rhovanion|Mirkwood, The Wilds of Rhovanion]]
*(1988) 4010 ''[[Mirkwood: The Wilds of Rhovanion]]''
*(1988) 8005 [[MERP: Creatures of Middle-Earth|Creatures of Middle-Earth]]
*(1988) 8005 ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth]]''
*(1988) 8011 [[MERP: Mouths of the Entwash|Mouths of the Entwash]]
*(1988) 8011 ''[[Mouths of the Entwash]]''
*(1988) 8108 [[MERP: Raiders of Cardolan|Raiders of Cardolan]]
*(1988) 8108 ''[[Raiders of Cardolan]]''
*(1988) 8202 [[MERP: Teeth of Mordor|Teeth of Mordor]]  
*(1988) 8202 [[Teeth of Mordor (book)|''Teeth of Mordor'']]  
*(1988) 8204 [[MERP: Halls of the Elven-king|Halls of the Elven-king]]
*(1988) 8204 ''[[Halls of the Elven-king]]''
*(1988) 8301 [[MERP: Minas Tirith|Minas Tirith]]  
*(1988) 8301 [[Minas Tirith (1988 book)|''Minas Tirith'']]
*(1989) 2210 [[MERP: Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II|Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II]]
*(1989) 2210 ''[[Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II]]''
*(1989) 3110 [[MERP: Mount Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]]
*(1989) 3110 [[Mount Gundabad (book)|''Mount Gundabad'']]
*(1989) 4020 [[MERP: Empire of the Witch King|Empire of the Witch King]]
*(1989) 4020 ''[[Empire of the Witch-king]]''
*(1989) 8001 [[MERP: Combat Screen (2nd edition)]]
*(1989) 8001 [[Combat Screen (2nd edition)|''Combat Screen'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1989) 8004 [[MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol III|Lords of Middle-earth Vol III: Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls]]
*(1989) 8004 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. III|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. III - Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls'']]
*(1989) 8006 [[MERP: Treasures of Middle-earth|Treasures of Middle-earth]]
*(1989) 8006 ''[[Treasures of Middle-earth]]''
*(1989) 8012 [[MERP: Warlords of the Desert|Warlords of the Desert]]
*(1989) 8012 ''[[Warlords of the Desert]]''
*(1989) 8013 [[MERP: Dark Mage of Rhudaur|Dark Mage of Rhudaur]]
*(1989) 8013 ''[[Dark Mage of Rhudaur]]''
*(1989) 8015 [[MERP: Forest of Tears|Forest of Tears]]
*(1989) 8015 ''[[Forest of Tears]]''
*(1989) 8109 [[MERP: Ghosts of the Southern Anduin|Ghosts of the Southern Anduin]]  
*(1989) 8109 ''[[Ghosts of the Southern Anduin]]''
*(1989) 8110 [[MERP: Perils on the Sea of Rhûn|Perils on the Sea of Rhûn]]
*(1989) 8110 ''[[Perils on the Sea of Rhûn]]''
*(1989) 8111 [[MERP: Denizens of the Dark Wood|Denizens of the Dark Wood]]
*(1989) 8111 ''[[Denizens of the Dark Wood]]''
*(1990) 3111 [[MERP: Greater Harad|Greater Harad]]
*(1990) 3111 ''[[Greater Harad]]''
*(1990) 3112 [[MERP: Gorgoroth|Gorgoroth]]  
*(1990) 3112 ''[[Gorgoroth (book)|Gorgoroth]]''
*(1990) 4000 [[MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas|Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas]] (combined Gazetteer & Map)  
*(1990) 4000 [[Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas|''Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas'']] (combined Gazetteer & Map)  
*(1990) 8007 [[Angus McBride's Characters of Middle-earth]]  
*(1990) 8007 ''[[Angus McBride's Characters of Middle-earth]]''
*(1990) 8014 [[MERP: Rogues of the Borderlands|Rogues of the Borderlands]]
*(1990) 8014 ''[[Rogues of the Borderlands]]''
*(1990) 8016 [[MERP: Ghost Warriors|Ghost Warriors]]  
*(1990) 8016 ''[[Ghost Warriors]]''
*(1990) 8112 [[MERP: Hazards of the Harad Wood|Hazards of the Harad Wood]]
*(1990) 8112 ''[[Hazards of the Harad Wood]]''
*(1990) 8113 [[MERP: The Necromancer's Lieutenant|The Necromancer's Lieutenant]]
*(1990) 8113 ''[[The Necromancer's Lieutenant]]''
*(1990) 8203 [[MERP: Calenhad, A Beacon of Gondor|Calenhad, A Beacon of Gondor]]  
*(1990) 8203 ''[[Calenhad: A Beacon of Gondor]]''
*(1991) 8205 [[MERP: Nazgûl's Citadel|Nazgûl's Citadel]]  
*(1991) 8205 ''[[Nazgûl's Citadel]]''
*(1991) 8302 [[MERP: Minas Ithil|Minas Ithil]]  
*(1991) 8302 ''[[Minas Ithil (book)|Minas Ithil]]''
*(1992) 3113 [[MERP: The Grey Mountains|The Grey Mountains]]
*(1992) 3113 ''[[The Grey Mountains]]''
*(1992) 4002 [[MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer|Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer]]
*(1992) 4002 ''[[Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer]]''
*(1992) 8114 [[MERP: River Running|River Running]]
*(1992) 8114 ''[[River Running (book)|River Running]]''
*(1994) 4001 [[MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Map Set|Northwestern Middle-earth Map Set]]
*(1994) 4001 ''[[Northwestern Middle-earth Map Set]]''


=== MERP 2nd Edition ===
=== MERP 2nd Edition ===


*(1993) 2000 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)]]
*(1993) 2000 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (2nd edition, hardcover)]]
*(1993) 2001 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)|Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)]]
*(1993) 2001 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (2nd edition, softcover)]]
*(1993) 2003 [[MERP: Middle-earth Campaign Guide|Middle-earth Campaign Guide]]
*(1993) 2003 ''[[Middle-earth Campaign Guide]]''
*(1993) 2004 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets|Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets]]
*(1993) 2004 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets]]''
*(1993) 2006 [[MERP: Valar and Maiar|Valar and Maiar]]
*(1993) 2006 ''[[Valar and Maiar]]''
*(1994) 2002 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack|Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack]]
*(1994) 2002 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack]]''
*(1994) 2005 [[MERP: Arnor, The Realm|Arnor, The Realm]]
*(1994) 2005 ''[[Arnor: The Realm]]''
*(1994) 2007 [[MERP: Minas Tirith (2nd edition)|Minas Tirith (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2007 [[Minas Tirith (1994 book)|''Minas Tirith'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2008 [[MERP: Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps|Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps]]
*(1994) 2008 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps]]''
*(1994) 2009 [[MERP: Palantír Quest|Palantír Quest]]
*(1994) 2009 ''[[Palantír Quest]]''
*(1994) 2010 [[MERP: Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2010 [[Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Treasures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2011 [[MERP: Moria (2nd edition)|Moria (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2011 [[Moria (1994 book)|''Moria'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2012 [[MERP: Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2012 [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2013 [[MERP: Elves|Elves]]  
*(1994) 2013 [[Elves (book)|''Elves'']]  
*(1995) 2014 [[MERP: Dol Guldur|Dol Guldur]]
*(1995) 2014 [[Dol Guldur (book)|''Dol Guldur'']]
*(1995) 2015 [[MERP: The Kin-strife|The Kin-strife]]  
*(1995) 2015 ''[[The Kin-strife]]''
*(1995) 2016 [[MERP: Lake-town|Lake-town]]
*(1995) 2016 ''[[Lake-town (book)|Lake-town]]''
*(1995) 2017 [[MERP: The Shire|The Shire]]
*(1995) 2017 [[The Shire (book)|''The Shire'']]
*(1995) 2018 [[MERP: Angmar (2nd edition)|Angmar (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2018 [[Angmar (book)|''Angmar'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2019 [[MERP: Mirkwood (2nd edition)|Mirkwood (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2019 [[Mirkwood (book)|''Mirkwood'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1996) 2020 [[MERP: Southern Gondor, The People|Southern Gondor, The People]]
*(1996) 2020 ''[[Southern Gondor: The People]]''
*(1996) 2021 [[MERP: Southern Gondor, The Land|Southern Gondor, The Land]]
*(1996) 2021 ''[[Southern Gondor: The Land]]''
*(1996) 2022 [[MERP: Arnor, The People|Arnor, The People]]
*(1996) 2022 ''[[Arnor: The People]]''
*(1997) 2023 [[MERP: Arnor, The Land|Arnor, The Land]]
*(1997) 2023 ''[[Arnor: The Land]]''
*(1997) 2024 [[MERP: Lord of the Rings Poster Map|Lord of the Rings Poster Map]]
*(1997) 2024 ''[[Lord of the Rings Poster Map]]''
*(1997) 2025 [[MERP: The Northern Waste|The Northern Waste]]
*(1997) 2025 ''[[The Northern Waste]]''
*(1997) 2026 [[MERP: Hands of the Healer|Hands of the Healer]]
*(1997) 2026 ''[[Hands of the Healer]]''
 
===Unpublished supplements===
 
*1990s: ''[[Lindon (MERP)|Lindon]]''
*1990s: ''Mithlond''
*1990s: ''[[The Inland Sea]]''


== Translations ==
== Translations ==


*Finnish: ''Keskimaa Roolipeli'' (KERP)
*Finnish: ''Keskimaa Roolipeli'' (KERP)
*French: ''Le Jeu De Role Des Terres Du Milieu'' (1987-2000)
*French: ''Le Jeu de Rôle des Terres du Milieu'' (JRTM) (1987-2000)
*German: ''Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System'' (1987-1998)
*German: ''Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System'' (MERS) (1987-1998)
*Italian: ''Il gioco di ruolo del signore degli anelli''
*Italian: ''Il gioco di ruolo del signore degli anelli'' (GiRSA) (1984-2002)
*Japanese: ''?''  
*Japanese: 指輪物語ロールプレイング ''Yubiwa Monogatari Rōrupureingu'' (1987-?)
*Polish: ''?''  
*Polish: ''Śródziemie: Gra Fabularna''  
*Spanish: ''El Señor de los Anillos'' (Castellano), ''El Senyor dels Anells'' (Catalan) (1989-2004)
*Spanish: ''El Señor de los Anillos'' (Castellano), ''El Senyor dels Anells'' (Catalan) (1989-2004)
*Swedish: ''Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet'' (1986-1990)
*Swedish: ''Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet'' (1986-1990)
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==External Links==
==External Links==
* {{WP|MERP}}
* {{WP|Middle-earth Role Playing}}
* [http://www.merp.com MERP.com (fan-run website)]<br>
* [http://www.merp.com MERP.com (fan-run website)]<br>
*[http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/MERP/PrintingEditionReference.html Printing and Edition Reference for MERP]
*[http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/MERP/PrintingEditionReference.html Printing and Edition Reference for MERP]
 
{{rpg}}
[[Category:Role playing games]]
{{title|italics}}
[[CATEGORY:Publications by title]]
[[Category:MERP| ]]
[[Category:Publications by title]]

Latest revision as of 05:11, 2 January 2024

MERP 2nd Ed. logotype

Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and published by Iron Crown Enterprises.

Description[edit | edit source]

Cover of MERP, 2nd ed.

The system was somewhat like Dungeons & Dragons with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Mage, Ranger, Scout (Thief) and Warrior (Fighter). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.

In the MERP game system, attributes are rating between 0 and 100, and skills can surpass these limits (under 0 or over 100). An attack roll would consist of a percentile roll + skill rating + attribute rating - target's dodge rating. This result was looked up on a table against the victim's armor type (leather/plate). Most hits in combat would cause a 'critical' which would be rolled and looked up on separate tables. For some, these criticals are quite entertaining due to their variety and creativeness, but for others the task of adding and subtracting high numbers and then consulting a table is the height of roll-playing, not role-playing.

Spell casters had the unique advantage in MERP that they learned lists of 10 spells (1 per level) as a unit. Once a character learned the Healing list, he would be able to cast increasingly better healing spells as his level increased.

The setting for this game predates the War of the Ring by around 1400 years (the majority of the modules were set in the years after the Great Plague, ca. Third Age 1640) and as such it represented a version of Middle-earth different to that seen in The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.

Metal miniatures[edit | edit source]

Two different companies issued authorized figures for use with MERP. In 1985, Grenadier Models released their Lord of the Rings Middle Earth series. In 1987, the license was transferred to Mithril Miniatures, which still produces Middle-earth metal miniatures (although post-ICE figures have no reference to MERP).

Publications[edit | edit source]

  • (Year) Stock# Title

MERP 1st Edition[edit | edit source]

MERP 2nd Edition[edit | edit source]

Unpublished supplements[edit | edit source]

Translations[edit | edit source]

  • Finnish: Keskimaa Roolipeli (KERP)
  • French: Le Jeu de Rôle des Terres du Milieu (JRTM) (1987-2000)
  • German: Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System (MERS) (1987-1998)
  • Italian: Il gioco di ruolo del signore degli anelli (GiRSA) (1984-2002)
  • Japanese: 指輪物語ロールプレイング Yubiwa Monogatari Rōrupureingu (1987-?)
  • Polish: Śródziemie: Gra Fabularna
  • Spanish: El Señor de los Anillos (Castellano), El Senyor dels Anells (Catalan) (1989-2004)
  • Swedish: Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet (1986-1990)

Further developments[edit | edit source]

MERP has a loyal and strong following, which can be seen in the multitude of material which has been written for the system since ICE lost their license. The main channels are:

External Links[edit | edit source]

Licensed Pen-and-paper RPGs set in Middle-earth
 Iron Crown Enterprises:  (1982-1997) Middle-earth Role Playing · (1991-1993) Lord of the Rings Adventure Game
 Decipher:  (2002-2005) The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game · (2001) The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Adventure Game
 Cubicle 7:  (2011-2019) The One Ring · (2016-2019) Adventures in Middle-earth
 Free League:  (2021-) The One Ring