Moria in Middle-earth, in the Third Age, is the last remaining great work of previous ages not swallowed by the sea. While too vast to fully explore or reclaim in a single campaign, it could be the focus of ongoing treasure hunting for player characters daring enough to enter the mines. A gamemaster can create his own vision of these lost dwarf halls and build an underground world of danger, magic, and treasure for the PCs to explore. The secrets of lost ages and the wonder of great works revealed, and the horror of encroaching doom and the decaying loss conveyed can both be combined to bring the world of Middle-earth to life on a vast and underground scale.
My Thanks to Free League and Boel Bermann
As always, I want to thank Free League for supporting my coverage of their RPGs. While I backed the Kickstarter and have Moria in hand, they did send me a PDF copy. I also want to thank Boel Bermann who has been my contact at Free League for a long time and wish her the best in her future endeavors. Thanks, Free League, and thank you, Boel!
Building Middle-earth while Walking in Moria
Many campaign options exist for exploring Moria (looking for ring lore for Saruman is a particularly chilling idea I like). For this example, the premise is simple treasure hunting as a lost key to secretly entering Moria, a found journal penned by Gandalf, and an eager dwarven patron come together and propel the PCs headlong into exploring Moria. Before we enter the mines, however, a few basics.
Dwarves
Sons of Durin are forbidden from entering Moria during the current year of 2965. However, dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost are not under this restriction. Furthermore, these dwarves do not enjoy the wealth of their cousins and are much more likely to turn to treasure hunting, perhaps even braving the mine of Moria. These dwarves are fully detailed in Moria and are full of endurance and skilled in making enchanted weapons and armor.
Heroic Cultures
For a campaign of desperate treasure hunters entering Moria multiple times until they reach the amount of treasure they feel they can retire on, prosperous cultures do not fit well. Bardings and Dwarves of Durin’s Folk (and see Dwarvesabove) are not recommended for a treasure hunting campaign. The key to Moria opens on the east side of the mines, so Beornings, Wood elves, and Woodman from Peoples of Wilderland all work well in this campaign. Having a Beorning in the Company would be particularly helpful as the PCs are likely to be operating out of the Beorning-land.
Recalling the Search for Thrain
Gandalf first entered Moria in 2849, over hundred years before the current time. However, finding a journal or lore related to his quest could point the PCs towards areas to explore and treasures to retrieve. A campaign could kick off with the PCs being a handful of adventurers who found actual information about treasures in Moria. Each PC was quietly encouraged by Dwarves (who didn’t specify who their lord is) to travel to the Beoring-lands and find Daza the Redhanded who is looking for treasure hunters.
Patron: Daza the Redhanded
With a slight change to his background, Daza is a Dwarf of the Blue Mountains. He helped Floki avenge his brother, Flonar, and Daza was wounded in the process per the events in Tales From the Lone-lands. Floki gave him a key to Moria as a reward.
Daza in turn owes fealty to Lord Mjolin of Harmelt, although he will not speak of this connection with the PCs. He wants treasure to send to his lord and will reward those who aid him with Secrets of Rune-Scribing.
Daza is set up as a weaponsmith in the Beorning-lands, having worked to learn to smith with his good left arm. His chosen Company can quest from there south and into Moria. When Gandalf’s journal or lore about treasures in Moria are found by the PCs, a Dwarf quietly directs them to meet with Daza.
The Six Quests in Moria
The PCs have five known locations to seek out. They also have hints of a sixth location. Their goal is to reach a personal standard of living of Rich. Then they can retire.
Of course, finding a route to each of these locations and then getting out alive will take a bit of luck and a lot of effort. The Treasure recovered may be worth it, or the quest could cost all the PCs their lives. PCs who survive and find The Last Redoubt will find the chance of success swinging in their favor, akin to Bilbo finding the One Ring in level of importance.
The Vault of Uruktharbun
This dangerous vault is guarded by traps and a terrible monster. Inside are treasure vaults and even Mithril.
The Armouries of the Third Deep
Guarded by terrible poison that coats everything and hangs in the air, this armory contains a Greater Hoard. In the deepest level is possibly the final resting place of Durin’s Axe, a mighty weapon that will also draw the Eye of Sauron.
The Ledge of Woe
Treasure is not kept here, but prisoners are. PCs who free them may make worthy allies, especially if one is an Elf from Lothorien. The PCs might be able to spend Fellowship Phases there and not have to travel so far north to the Beorning-lands.
The Imperishable Hall
This hall holds a mighty forge giving a bonus to Craft and even allowing the processing of Mithril. Hints to the cursed rings of Nyi may also be found, which could in turn lead to learning the spell to open the doors of the Citadel of the Ring-Smiths but at the risk of being overwhelmed by the curse of Nyi and being overwhelmed by her very being.
The Den of Forgotten Stars
Prisoners could be rescued here, becoming new allies. This location is also where the Dwarves dug too deep and released the Balrog. It is possible the Seal here could be remade, but someone would have to lure the Balrog back into the halls beyond and be Sealed inside with it to imprison it once again.
Hint to The Last Redoubt
Gandalf guessed, correctly, that the followers of the last king of Moria, Nain I, would have been buried with all possible honors. When the PCs most need the treasure within, the Last Redoubt will be revealed. It holds the Ring of Keys, a magic item that opens many doors in Moria. There is also a Great Hoard and valuable lost lore found here.
Building a Middle-earth One Hall at a Time
Moria is an amazing book. Like all of Free League’s efforts, it is well made with two ribbons and a map of Moria included and stitched binding. Fifty years after RPGs kicked off, Moria is finally available to delve into.
If you enjoy fantasy RPGs, I can’t think of any reason you wouldn’t want to add Moria to your collection as soon as possible. After writing this article I’m leaning heavily to kicking of a campaign in Moria as my next campaign.
Picture credit: Pixabay
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