"DM of the Rings" - Of Women and the Undead Quiz

Answer: Both of these.

In an episode brilliantly named "Girl Trouble", Eowyn approaches Aragorn and asks to come along with him through the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn sees no reason not to let the (hot) lady tag along, but this doesn't fit in with the story. So Eowyn goes on about her duties and how she must remain behind, to which Aragorn also agrees. This swinging-door fun goes on until Aragorn decides to leave the crazy woman alone.

This is a good example of how a simple bit of dialogue in a written piece has no chance of proceeding the same way in an improvisational game. Aragorn can't really be expected to bother himself with her troubles - he's only looking forward to finding some treasure!

Answer: Gimli

The Dungeon Master makes the mistake of telling Gimli's player that his character is "frozen by fear" at the sight of the Dark Door. Gimli is outraged, and goes on to describe an encounter from his last "Call of Cthulhu" horror role-playing campaign, where his party met with a monstrous abomination too terrible for words. He then proceeds to PUT THE HORROR INTO WORDS, to illustrate his point, and then walks angrily through the door.

Building up a scary moment is one thing, but telling the players that their characters are afraid is a big no-no in role-playing games. After all, the entire point in role-playing is letting the players decide how their characters react!

Answer: Stunted growth.

Gimli is trying to make a point as to why they should not be making an alliance with the hordes of the undead. His attempts at role-playing are obviously annoying the Dungeon Master, as the story dictates that an alliance is the only reason why they should be there in the first place. Of course, annoying the Dungeon Master is the team's favourite pastime!

Answer: Treasure

If you haven't figured it out yet, the most important thing in the "DM of the Rings" campaign is loot, because there's practically none of it to be found anywhere. This becomes Aragorn's obsession - In fact, upon entering the hall for the first time he actually commands everyone to start searching for plunder!

Answer: Negotiations

Aragorn has just made a pact with the King of the Dead, and now thousands of skulls are flooding into the chamber. This has to be one of the most inexplicable events in the Lord of the Rings movie (it does not occur in the book). An entire episode is spent with the characters discussing the absurdity of this contraption whose sole purpose is to dump a massive quantity of cranial bones on unsuspecting visitors, and Aragorn goes so far as to point out that the negotiations in question (which apparently triggered the trap) were actually SUCCESSFUL.

The notes for this episode mention that traps are a great way for a Dungeon Master to divert attention from something else - in this case, from Aragorn's incessant lust for gold.

Answer: A computer-parts manufacturer.

The party members seem to know the definition of "Coeurl" and "Ceratosaur", but don't know what "Corsair" means? If you don't either, it means "privateer", a state-sanctioned pirate.

Answer: Destroy the ships.

The ships are, of course, essential to the plot, so the King of the Dead tries his best to dissuade Aragorn from sinking them. Aragorn is extremely dense though - he wouldn't know a good clue if it crashed into his skull.

Answer: Go into the city and resupply.

Actually, upon their arrival, the Dungeon Master forgets to describe that a massive battle is taking place, so our hapless band of misfits try to enter the city to look for shops and entertainment. Of course, it's pointed out that they probably would've done the same thing even if they knew a battle was on.

Answer: The Rohirrim

Once again showing his true worth as a strategist, Aragorn orders the Army of the Dead to attack "those mounted units", waving vaguely in the direction of the battle. He might have meant the Mumakil. Or maybe he didn't.

Answer: Fi-tor

This is pointed out by the Dungeon Master after being accused by Aragorn that he has no imagination - constantly throwing orcs at them, with minimal variation including "Orcs on Wargs" and "lots of Orcs". In fact, he indirectly accuses J.R.R. Tolkien for having been unimaginative with his monsters.

Answer: FALSE

He comes up with the idea to climb up the elephant's back, cut the tower loose, and then fill the animal's brains with arrows. Unfortunately, that would require five grapple checks against a huge-sized creature, in other words virtually impossible. This goes to point out one of those places where a Role-Playing System can stifle one's imagination. Sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.

Answer: One

DM of the Rings plays this bit "by the book", so this question is also relevant to the novel and the movie. Theoden dies in the battle, and Denethor (not really a king) dies by fire. There are also the Lich King (the great Ring-Wraith) and the King of the Dead, as well as eight other Nazgul who are all past kings, but they're all dead (or rather undead) so they don't leave the battle alive.
Aragorn is the only surviving king.

Answer: Darth Vader

The guys are trying to decide whether or not to release the Army of the Dead, now that the battle is over. Eventually, to the King's plea for release, Aragorn replies with Vader's infamous line: "I am altering the deal. Pray I do not alter it any further!".

He gets +100 experience points for role-playing (finally!), and -1000 points for role-playing the wrong character (but it was worth it!).

Answer: Gandalf will walk in the door.

And Gandalf walks straight in!

This happens at the Throne room after the Battle of Minas-Tirith. Gandalf is coming to tell them that the forces of Sauron have not yet been destroyed - which of course they already knew. Their hatred of Captain "Obvious" Gandalf has by now reached colossal proportions.

Answer: true

In yet another brilliant turn of events, Aragorn comes up with a strategy that fits in perfectly with the intended story - for all the wrong reasons! Gandalf is trying to convey the same idea (attack Mordor to give Frodo a chance to destroy the ring), but is interrupted by Aragorn who (as the new King) will have none of it! He wants to come up with his own plan, something that would preferably bring an end to this entirely miserable campaign. Gandalf (played by the Dungeon Master) with his old wily charms, agrees quietly and diplomatically, knowing that the plot is safely back on track.

Knowing Aragorn though, he was just as likely to attack Rohan instead.