KEY MEMORY

“Things that are uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and
take a deal of telling anyway.”

Memories are an essential part of who you has happened in one of your hero’s
are – no matter if good or bad. Your Key adventures.
Memory is from an important event in
your past. It can be a well of inspiration
Discover your Key
and perseverance, it might even be the
origin of your Calling, but it can also lead Memory
you further onto your Shadow Path.
Once per game session, you can use your To discover your hero’s Key Memory, roll
Key Memory to get a favoured roll, once on each of the Memory Tables,
provided you can explain how your depending on your Heroic Culture and
memory helps you in that situation. The your Calling. The 3rd and 5th Memory
Loremaster should be lenient. Table is the same for all Heroic Cultures
On the other hand can the Key Memory be and Callings.
used once per game by the Loremaster to You can re-roll a result that you don’t feel
give you a Shadow point, if it fits a fits your hero, but it is recommended to
particular situation. The Loremaster can first think about a way how the result
also use the Memory to bring new events might work regardless. After all nobody
and characters into the adventure. expected a Hobbit to be a cunning burglar.
You can also choose freely from all

Evolving Memories
Memory Table results, if the Loremaster
allows it.

Normally, you will not change your Key

Memory since it is an important part of
your character. However, if your hero has
lived through multiple adventures and
you discover that your Key Memory is no
longer relevant for any reason, you may
replace it as long as the Loremaster allows
it. You can either use the Memory Tables a
second time or create a unique new Key
Memory, perhaps based on something that

1
 Memory Table #1

Roll on the table for your Heroic Culture. If you play a younger Ranger of the North or an
older Dwarf, it might be more fitting to use one of the other Memory Tables.

Bardings, Hobbits of the Shire and Men 6 At least a decade ago.

of Bree
7 A few years back.

D6 WHEN DID IT HAPPEN? 8 Some weeks ago.

1 As a small child. The memory is

now hazy, but still unshakable. Elves of Lindon and High Elves of
Rivendell
2 During childhood. You remember
it very vividly.
D10 WHEN DID IT HAPPEN?
3 When you were a young teen. The
event will not leave you. 1 As a small child. The memory is
now hazy, but still unshakable.
4 In your time as an older teenager,
growing into a young adult. 2 During childhood. You remember
it very vividly.
5 A few years back.
3 When you were a young teen. The
6 Some weeks ago. event will not leave you.

4 In your time as an older teenager,

Rangers of the North and Dwarves of growing into a young adult.
Durin’s Folk
5 Over a few hundred years. It is a
fleeting dream, clinging onto you.
D8 WHEN DID IT HAPPEN?
6 Less than hundred years. Still, you
1 As a small child. The memory is remember it like yesteryear.
now hazy, but still unshakable.
7 Some decades back, even now it
2 During childhood. You remember
comes up in your thoughts.
it very vividly.
8 At least a decade ago.
3 When you were a young teen.
9 A few years back.
4 In your time as an older teenager,
growing into a young adult. 10 Some weeks ago.

5 Some decades back, even now it

comes up in your thoughts.

2
 Memory Table #2

Roll on the table for your Heroic Culture. If you have a hero that grew up or lived somewhere
outside their usual dwellings, for instance, a Bree-hobbit, use the appropriate Memory Table.

Bardings Dwarves of Durin’s Folk

D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN? D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?

C In a burned down house in Dale, C In the pitch-black darkness of

amongst ruins. Goblin-town.

1 On the bustling marketsquare in 1 Somewhere on the High Pass.

Dale.
2 Between the hot-glowing forges
2 While rowing or sailing on a in the Blue Mountains.
particular stormy Long Lake.
3 While perusing the many books
3 In a rowdy dwarven built alehouse and records in Erebor.
in Dale.
4 At a lonely campfire next to the
4 On a forlorn overgrown road, Great East Road.
travelling to Eriador.
5 During a journey in Eriador.
5 In the shadow of the Town-hall of
Lake-town. 6 In one of the deep mining shafts
in the Blue Mountains.
6 In a quiet room in the hospital of
Lake-town. 7 Wandering through the seemingly
quiet countryside of the Shire.
7 During a journey in Eriador.
8 During a comfortable stay in the
8 While visiting the mighty Upper Dwarf-House in Bree.
Halls of Erebor.
9 Travelling on the Great East Road.
9 On a quiet farmstead in the lands
around Long Lake. 10 In the wide feast-hall of King Dáin
in Erebor.
10 Between the treacherous Long
Marches at the river banks. A While paying respects at the stone
tomb of Thorin Oakenshield.
A During Dragontide in Lake-town,
the festival to celebrate the death
of Smaug.

3
 Elves of Lindon Hobbits of the Shire

D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN? D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?

C Among old Elven ruins, tainted by C Between howling trees in the

dark powers. eerie North Moors.

1 On a boat sailing near the coasts 1 While walking through the Old
of Lindon. Forest.

2 During a journey in Eriador. 2 During a fishing competition in

Buckland.
3 On a steep cliff at one of the
mountains of Ered Luin. 3 In an abandoned derelict Smial
somewhere in the Shire.
4 Travelling on the Greenway at a
misty evening. 4 Along the meandering shores of
the Brandywine River.
5 In front of the council chamber of
Círdan the Shipwright in Mithlond. 5 On the loud fish market in Stock.

6 In a busy shipyard in Mithlond. 6 During a journey in Eriador.

7 Sailing west on the silvery water 7 While having a break next to the
of the Gulf of Lhûn. Great East Road.

8 While visiting the hidden valley of 8 In the gnat infested marshy

Imladris and Elronds home. Rushock Bog.

9 Wandering through the white 9 During a stay in the lively Green

halls of Mithlonds Library. Dragon Inn in Bywater.

10 In a solemn grey hall in Forlond. 10 Wandering through the peaceful

countryside of the Shire.
A In the seeing room of Elostirion,
one of the White Towers and A During a magical fireworks show
home of one of the Palantírs. at the midsummer Free Fair near
Michel Delving.

4
 Men of Bree Rangers of the North

D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN? D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?

C While travelling through the C In the dark shadows of Mount

lonely and foggy Barrow-downs. Gram.

1 Walking along an overgrown path 1 Travelling through the forlorn hills

in the Chetwood. of Evendim.

2 In the boggy and fly infested 2 In a hidden Ranger-haven in the

Midgewater Marshes. wilderness of the Angle.

3 During a journey in Eriador. 3 In the steep hillsides of the

Barrow-downs.
4 Inside the crowded The Prancing
Pony inn in Bree. 4 While visiting the ancient bandit-
ruled city of Tharbad.
5 In one of the tiny huts in the tree-
tops in Archet. 5 Between the crumbled walls and
towers of Fornost Erain.
6 Visiting the shady ramshackle
Forsaken Inn at the eastern edge 6 On an abandoned overgrown part
of Bree-land. of the Greenway.

7 In an underground tunnel in the 7 On a sentry-post near Amun Sûl.

big Smial network in Staddle.
8 In a quiet backroom in The
8 In one of the stone houses at the Prancing Pony inn in Bree.
lower hillside in Bree.
9 During a journey in Eriador.
9 Wandering through the sheep
grazing Greens of Combe. 10 While visiting the serene valley of
Imladris.
10 In front of the Old Town Well in
Bree. A On a starry, moonless night on
top of the Western tower of
A During the Summer Smoke Ring Annúminas.
Festival on midsummer in Bree-
Land.

5
 High Elves of Rivendell

D12 WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?

C During a perilous travel through

cold and dark Angmar.

1 While travelling through the

lonely dales and hills of Eregion.

2 Between broken towers in the

stony highlands of the Trollshaws.

3 While wandering through the

High Gardens of Imladris.

4 During a journey in Eriador.

5 At the training grounds in

Imladris.

6 On the snow covered High Pass.

7 In the Great Hall of Elrond’s house

in Imladris.

8 During a visit of the solemn

Mithlond at the Gulf of Lhûn.

9 At the wide flooded Fords of

Bruinen.

10 In the lonely and too quiet ruins

of Ost-in-Edhil.

A While observing a meeting of the

White Council in the halls of
Elrond.

6
 Memory Table #3

Depending on where your Key Memory takes place, in a settlement or in the wilderness, one
of the two Memory Tables might be more appropriate. If you want and the Loremaster
agrees, you could even use both tables. For example, if you encounter a Troll while in the
company of a trusted friend. You can also roll a D6 first to determine which table to use.
Although an encounter with a beast is almost always dangerous, an encounter with a person
can be as equally perilous.

People or Beasts? Beasts

D6 WHO WAS THERE? D12 WHO WAS THERE?

1-3 Beasts C A Wraith, an undead faded being

consumed by evil power
4-6 People
1 Some Orcs or Goblins

People 2 A strong Orc-Chieftain

3 Either a Cave- or Stone-Troll

D12 WHO WAS THERE?
4 A Wight, an undead skeletal being
C A servant of Sauron
5 A pair of Wargs, an evil larger
1 Your parent(s) breed of Wolves

2 Your sibling or your child 6 A water-serpent or other water-

based creature
3 A superior or authority figure
7 A Huorn, an malevolent Ent-like
4 Your romantic partner
tree creature
5 A trusted friend
8 A spider of colossal size
6 A turncoat
9 The restless spirit of a Spectre
7 A group of people
10 Some big animal, like a boar or a
bear
8 A person in need

A One of the Great Eagles

9 A shadowy figure

10 No one but you

A A mentor or pupil

7
 Memory Table #4

Memory Table #4 is related to your Calling and might even be the reason why you have that
particular Calling. It could also show what temptation awaits on the Shadow Path.

Captain Champion

D12 WHAT HAPPENEND? D12 WHAT HAPPENEND?

C You saved yourself instead of C You wounded or killed someone

someone else. innocent.

1 You made an unforgivable 1 Someone accused you of ill deeds

compromise that cost dearly. and ill violence.

2 You or someone you know 2 You barely made it out alive out of
suffered because of the decisions a dangerous situation.
of someone else.
3 You took part in a mighty battle.
3 You tried to aid or protect some-
one and made matters worse. 4 You lost someone because of
revenge.
4 You took part in aid efforts after a
natural catastrophe. 5 A champion of great skill saved
your life.
5 You got the reward and glory of a
deed someone else did. 6 You suffered because of your own
recklessness.
6 A battle went poorly because of
faulty tactics and knowledge. 7 You have made a nemesis.

7 You suffered a breach of trust or 8 You took part in a violent crime, or

betrayal. witnessed one.

8 You didn’t listen to someone’s cry 9 You took things too far in an
for help. altercation.

9 You lost or got a position of 10 You were able to protect

power. someone.

10 You or someone else suffered A You felled an enemy much

because you helped someone. stronger than yourself.

A You made or witnessed a selfless

sacrifice.

8
 Messenger Scholar

D12 WHAT HAPPENEND? D12 WHAT HAPPENEND?

C You left someone behind in great C You used secret knowledge for
need. your own gain.

1 You took falls rumors for true. 1 Someone taught you the wrong
thing.
2 You gave someone the wrong
news. 2 You ignored everything else over
your research.
3 You suffered or witnessed a
horrible accident. 3 Someone tried to silence you or
buy your secret knowledge.
4 Someone reacted poorly to your
warnings. 4 You got someone in danger or
endangered yourself during your
5 You kept out of someone’s affairs search for knowledge.
for better or worse.
5 You could help someone with
6 You left everything behind. your knowledge.

7 You lost a message you were 6 You suffered because of a fool.

supposed to carry.
7 You lost or destroyed a piece of
8 A message you brought someone, ancient lore.
helped a great deal.
8 You did someone wrong for the
9 You got lost while travelling. chance of gaining secrets.

10 You or someone you know got 9 A mentor showed you ancient

saved by a message. knowledge.

A You saw something extraordinary 10 You witnessed a miracle.

that you cannot explain.
A You discovered a great artifact or
piece of knowledge.

9
 Treasure Hunter Warden

D12 WHAT HAPPENEND? D12 WHAT HAPPENEND?

C You have awoken a slumbering C You failed to save someone you’ve

being because of your search. sworn to protect.

1 You put yourself or someone you 1 Your self-doubt caused someone

know in danger because of else to suffer greatly.
treasures.
2 You turned your back on someone
2 You kept something valuable for that needed you.
yourself.
3 You gave into despair and
3 You lied to someone because of a hopelessness.
treasure.
4 You found a hidden worrisome
4 You stole from the wrong person thread.
or being.
5 Someone protected you from
5 You were able to retrieve danger.
something lost.
6 You mistrusted someone un-
6 Someone stole something from deserving.
you.
7 You lost an object you should
7 You got too greedy. have guarded.

8 A treasure you discovered ruins 8 You helped fend off adversaries.

everything.
9 You put yourself in grave to
9 You stole from the rich and gave danger to protect someone.
to the poor.
10 You saw through someone’s false
10 You discovered secret riches. words.

A You found something priceless. A You were able to protect a loved

one.

10
 Memory Table #5

Maybe you already have an idea how the Key Memory made your hero feel. If you don’t, you
can use this Memory Table to find out.

D12 HOW DID IT MAKE YOU FEEL?

C Tempted

1 Lost

2 Vulnerable

3 Jaded

4 Haunted

5 Blessed

6 Loved

7 Bold

8 Disgusted

9 Shameful

10 Terrified

A Hopeful

11
 KEY RELATIONSHIP
“I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you
deserve.”

Another important part of your hero is

Creating your
their Key Relationship. It is with a person
that takes on a big role in your life, for relationship
better or for worse. However, it should not
be another Player-hero. Typically, the Key To create your hero’s Key Relationship,
Relationship is with someone alive, but it roll once on each of the Relationship
could be someone dead, living on in your Tables.
memories. You can re-roll a result that you don’t feel
Your Key Relationship can be used by the fits your hero, but it is recommended to
Loremaster to bring new events into the first think about a way how the result
game. You can recover one Hope point might work regardless.
once per game, if you interact with your You can also choose freely from all
Key Relationship in any meaningful way. Relationship Table results or create the
Key Relationship on your own, if the

Relationships change
Loremaster allows it.
Finally, give your Key Relationship a
name.
As opposed to your Key Memory, your Key
Relationship can change over the course of
the game. After having experienced
multiple adventures you can replace the
Key Relationship, if you find that it is no
longer relevant for any reason and if the
Loremaster allows it. Pick a new Key
Relationship with someone you have met
during your journeys. You can also use the
Relationship Tables a second time.

12
 Relationship Table #1

The results don’t need to be taken literally –a “parent” could be a person that took care of you
or is an extended part of the family. The second table is optional and meant to find out, if the
relationship is with someone of your own Heroic Culture or not.

Other Culture
D12 WHO IS IT?

C Stranger
D12 WHO IS IT?
1 Parent
C Men of Minas Tirith
2 Sibling or Child
1 Woodmen of Wilderland
3 Romantic Partner
2 Dwarves of Durin’s Folk
4 Old friend
3 High Elves of Rivendell
5 Rival
4 Hobbits of the Shire
6 Neighbor
5 Men of Bree
7 Superior
6 Bardings
8 Business Partner
7 Elves of Lindon
9 New friend
8 Beornings
10 Companion
9 Riders of Rohan

A Mentor or Pupil
10 Dwarves of the Iron Hills

A Rangers of the North

Own culture or not?

If you roll your own Heroic Culture, it

D6 WHO IS IT?
might be a person that is seen as an
1-3 Other culture outsider although they belong to your
culture.
4-6 Own culture

13
 Relationship Table #2

The results don’t need to be taken literally – a “passionate” relationship doesn’t have to be
romantic and “only in your head” could still be the powers or curse of an evil being or object.

D12 WHAT’S YOUR RELATION LIKE?

C Only in your head

1 Passionate

2 Protective

3 Estranged

4 Violent

5 Deceitful

6 One-sided

7 Hateful

8 Distant

9 Friendly

10 Loving

A Trusting

14
 Relationship Table #3

Decide if you want a negative or positive event that has happened with your Key
Relationship. Either choose one of the tables or let the die decide. Depending on the
relationship table #2 you might feel different about the event. A positive event might have
turned sour or a big fight has brought you closer together.

Negative or positive event? Positive Event

D6 WHAT IS IT? D12 WHAT’S GOING ON?

1-3 Negative C You are indebted to them.

4-6 Positive 1 They teach you something

important.

Negative Event 2 They are indebted to you.

3 They help you out.

D12 WHAT’S GOING ON?
4 You are proud of them or
C Their life is in danger. impressed by them.

1 They have gone missing. 5 They are proud of you or

impressed by you.
2 You’re in a fight about something.
6 They gift you something of great
3 They want something from you.
value.
4 They want you to renounce your
7 You think they need help.
Calling.
8 They want to be near you.
5 You think they are hiding
something. 9 They are very supportive of your
Calling.
6 They constantly disappoint you.
10 You safe their life.
7 You constantly disappoint them.
A They safe your life.
8 They need help with something.

9 They are suspected of a crime.

10 They threaten you with

something.

A They know your deepest secret.

15