The GoblinFeatured in Tolkien’s books and Peter Jackson’s films, is an entry from Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual I, the goblin. Not as large as their hobgoblin cousin or as well known as the orc, the goblin was a race of fierce troublemakers and scavengers.
“Goblins range from yellow through dull-orange to brick red in skin color. Their eyes are reddish to lemon yellow.”
The OrcFrom Dungeons and Dragons: Monster Manual I, the Orc was a popular monster from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit lore.
“Orcs are cruel and hate living things in general … they take slaves for work, food, and entertainment …”
The DwarfAs seen in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, we take a closer look how this entry contributed, or sometimes not, our D&D adventures. From Monster Manual I, it is the Dwarf.
“[Dwarves] live no less than 300 years on the average.”
ranks prominently in D&D lore. We celebrate the release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, with an entry from Monster Manual I.
“… usually found dwelling in great hills or mountainous regions. … They are greedy and avaricious. “
The Treantinspired from J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, is one of many wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing type monsters. Cleverly renamed not to violate any copyright, this talking tree was only for fans of Middle Earth and not always well received.
“… strongly related to humans and trees, combining features of both species.”
From Dungeons and Dragons: Monster Manual I, the Halfling was adopted from J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Hobbits”. The Lord of the Rings inspired humanoid was described in the manual as revered in the Lord of the Rings films.
“Halflings are basically hardworking, orderly, and peaceful citizens …”
The adventures I mastered were never a “Rings” universe. Partly because I never read a Tolkien novel and it would be nearly another 30 years before the films. Therefore, the Halfling made rare appearances. Not they weren’t up to size of a great story, they were simply never popular. No one wanted to play a Hobbit. Not even fans of the book.