MERP on Scribd

[Billiam Babble]

Okay, I know this is naughty because when you shine a light at something good you run the risk of a lawyer somewhere yelling "rights!".

I had the UK / GW version, but this is the Iron Crown copy of MERP on Scribd.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/10046930/Middle-Earth-Role-Playing-MERP-First-Edition

I remember it having more actual illustrations in than the GW versions (as opposed to cheap 19th woodcuts of the countryside!)

I rather liked the system in MERP, but used to be intimidated by players who knew the books better, although I never progressed to Rolemaster.

[MortiS-the-Lost]

Billiam Babble wrote

Okay, I know this is naughty because when you shine a light at something good you run the risk of a lawyer somewhere yelling "rights!".

that's why I down loaded an archived all the ICE stuff on Scribd when I came across it

MERP is a great system and being set in one of the best established setting (arguably THE fantasy setting from which all others come) makes it even more of a delight. I'm always surprised it didn't survive better than it did or make a big come back when the PJ films came out ... ah well, all that could have been

[Billiam Babble]

I'm sure I remember flipping through a hardback RPG rule book with photos from the film.  It certainly wasn't MERP, and it wasn't GW's skirmish game either.  It was more like something Mongoose would bring out - a Chaosm/RQ/Palladium style system?  I think it had pre-gen characters in, which always reminds me of TSR's boxed Indy Jones.  Playing characters from films reminds me way too much of being a kid and arguing about who gets to be Han Solo, but when you're older you want to make your own make by inventing a Jedi-stormtrooper or something - but I digress...
Further research is required.
The secret here may be down to rights: I.C.E vs. PJ's LotR's publicity photo clip art vs Tolkein estate = a one off film spin off?

[Billiam Babble]

Bingo!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Roleplaying_Game

Doesn't look like it's still available.

The mechanics employ the CODA system.  Most curious.

Further research:
The complete SRD (rule book) for the CODA system can be found here:
http://home.mchsi.com/~gandalfofborg/bsr.html