The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Comes to D&D Beyond

D&D Beyond Expands Its 3P Library

The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying, developed by Free League Publishing, has joined the growing library of third-party (3P) content available on D&D Beyond. This adaptation of the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons ruleset invites players to step into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings with mechanics and features designed to reflect the setting’s unique flavor.

We covered the history behind how this game was developed in our review of the product back in June, but suffice it to say, this is the first official adaption of Lord of the Rings to D&D fifth edition. Not only is D&D 5e the most well-known TTRPG on the market, but the product’s integration with D&D Beyond’s toolset will certainly make this the easiest way to immerse your table in Tolkien’s world.

What Does The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Contain?

For those unfamiliar with the book, The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying is a comprehensive guide for running adventures in the third age of Middle-earth. It features character options, a campaign setting, new monsters, and unique mechanics:

• Adventures in Familiar Locations: The book provides detailed information for exploring Eriador during the third age, which includes iconic locations like the Shire, Rivendell, and Moria while leaving room for players to shape their own stories
• Cultures and Callings: Instead of traditional D&D races and backgrounds, characters are built using cultures (such as Hobbits, Dúnedain, or Dwarves of Durin’s Folk) and callings, which reflect motivations like Scholar, Wanderer, or Champion. These choices shape not only abilities but also how characters interact with the world.
• Low Magic, High Stakes. Adventurers only go up to level 10 and are almost completely non-magical, which makes facing down a pack of orcs an intense encounter no matter how skilled the heroes are.
• Unique Rules for Journeys and Shadow: The game introduces a dedicated journey system, emphasizing the challenges and risks of traveling across Middle-earth. The Shadow mechanic tracks corruption, adding stakes when confronting the darker elements of the setting.
• A Focus on Fellowship: Unlike the typical adventuring party dynamic in D&D, this system places a heavier narrative emphasis on collaboration and shared goals. Characters take on roles within the Fellowship, such as the Guide or the Look-out, to support the group during journeys.

We’ve examined this adaptation in-depth and found it a thoughtful application of the fifth edition framework. It stays true to Tolkien’s world while offering systems that enrich gameplay for both fans of Middle-earth and D&D enthusiasts. For a deeper dive, you can read our full review here.

Will the Expansions Also Be Released on D&D Beyond?

There are currently four official expansions for The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying available on Free League Publishing’s website, but there’s no word as to whether these books will also be brought to D&D Beyond’s catalog of  third-party content:

• Moria: Shadow of Khazad-dûm: Delve into Durin’s Halls in Moria and reclaim the doomed dwarvish settlement.
• Shire Adventures 5E: Turn the Shire into a full campaign setting full of eccentric Hobbits! Also contains five ready-to-play adventures.
• Ruins of Eriador 5E: Explore a lost civilization in the north of Eriador in this expansion dedicated to the lost kingdom of Arnor.
• Tales From Eriador 5E: Six ready-to-play adventures all set in the lone-lands of north-western Middle-earth

Wizards of the Coast will likely wait to see how well The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying sells on D&D Beyond before expanding their offerings, so if you’re interested in these books being added to the official toolset of Dungeons & Dragons, let them know!

Explore Middle-earth on D&D Beyond Today!

Now available on D&D Beyond, The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying allows players to blend the accessibility of fifth edition mechanics with the depth of Tolkien’s lore. Whether you’re building a Fellowship to guard the Shire or setting out on an epic journey to Mordor, this new addition brings Middle-earth to life at your table.

You can get the campaign setting for $29.99 on D&D Beyond’s marketplace today.