Shirelings

Not all of JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth literature is profound narrative or intricate legendry. In fact, his first foray into the world that would become Middle Earth was a bedtime story told to his son. There were no dark spirits, looming evils, or twisted morals. Instead, there were talking animals, singing goblins, and nothing more than what the MPAA would call “mild peril”. Shirelings is an effort to capture this side of the amazing body of Tolkien’s work: the spirit of nearly harmless fun and adventure often absent in modern interpretations and realizations of Middle Earth.

There are no blood and guts, dark spirits, or evil rings in Shirelings. Instead, you and your friends will play as a party of imaginative Hobbits trespassing in farmer’s fields, backyards, and perfectly safe local woodlands as they play out perilous adventures and thrilling quests all of their own invention—or, as it happens, of the invention of a creative older friend who heads out a day or two before their players to plant riddles, set up obstacles, and coerce locals to assume roles in the adventure. This older Hobbit (the Game Leader) then accompanies their imaginative players along their adventure in order to set scenes, give their players incredible powers, and provide voices and effects for all the monsters and allies they couldn’t rope other Hobbits into portraying.

Shirelings is a tabletop RPG for kids, or for adults who just need a fun romp in a magical world, without stakes, demons, or death. 

If you download the manual and play, please leave feedback below!