Key information
Free League Publishing surpassed its previous crowdfunding records by gathering $2.6 million on BackerKit for revised rules, a new campaign book, and a fresh bestiary based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. In 2021, the publisher raised $1.7 million on Kickstarter for the second edition of the tabletop role-playing game The One Ring.
Lead designer Francesco Nepitello explained that the updated core book will adopt Shawn Tomkin and Matt Click's Strider Mode solo rules digitally issued in 2022, which also appeared in the 2024 supplement Moria – Through the Doors of Durin. Additionally, the new rules introduce a combat initiative system to prevent players from constantly acting first and easily defeating adversaries.
Designer Gareth Hanrahan developed a new campaign book titled The White Tower and the Hall of Gold, which focuses on political intrigue and factions in Gondor and Rohan. Furthermore, the campaign funding covers versions compatible with the 5.5e rules following fan requests after Wizards of the Coast published new core books in 2024.
BackerKit pledges begin at $25 for digital core rules and $54 for standard edition books, with crowdfunding concluding on Oct. 15. Deliveries of the orders are anticipated by October 2027.
