This short (11 pp.) adventure does a very fine job of introducing/illustrating the world, tone, and mechanics of The One Ring RPG. It has a reasonably fun storyline. Also, it will help GMs and players get to know the system, and will introduce the characters to important NPCs (the Elvenking of Mirkwood and Radagast the Brown)—a good start to a campaign.

Words of the Wise is a short, free adventure for The One Ring RPG that is useful for gamers looking to structure their own adventures. This was the adventure ran in Gencon 2011 to showcase the game. It is well organized and concise, with a very narrative feel. Whenever a skill is called for, it is bolded to stand out from the rest of the text, such that it doesn't get lost within the narration prose. The adventure takes characters from a routine hunting trip out to the edges of the Mirkwood, and into a grand domain of the Elves, and finally to a terrible battle at the Woodland Hall. There's a wide variety of interactions possible within the adventure, and it appears overall entertaining for a game of The One Ring. I'm not sure how long the adventure would last you, as it seems very short, but it's a good show of everything The One Ring does as a system, from exploration, to interaction and combat.

A great module and one that can really easily get you into "THE ONE RING" as a game. Recommended.

The scenario is decent but the illustrations are simply stunning.

Well fit for Middleearth, focused on the adventure itself, light on rules and combat system, strong in interesting mechanisms, well fit for newbies. Excellent work!

Overall: 5

Utility: 4 (Adventure for The One Ring system)

Art: 5 (High quality artist renditions within the work)

Writing: 5 (Very well written, clear and engaging)

Cost: 5 (cannot beat free)

Comments: This is intended as a standalone adventure for the One Ring system but can be used as part of a larger campaign. It was originally used as a convention module at the debut and was given a full production makeover. The art is fantastic and really enhances the work. The layout of the adventure is clear and easily followed, with italicized “read aloud” flavor text and well plotted GM insight text. This adventure is great for new players and gamemasters as well as veterans.

The adventure itself is quick, but not rushed with plenty of opportunity for roleplaying. The pacing is good, and the entire adventure can be played in an evening or can easily be extended to last several game sessions.