Thread: Minstrel Class: Inspired by... ?

who was the minstrel class based on? for example, warden was inspired by Haldir etc.

Luthien, probably.

Luthien Tinuviel, I believe. She isn't in Lord of the Rings but rather The Silmarillion.

Shes in lord of the rings a little bit, although not directly

- As previously mentioned, the Minstrel has a solid connection with the Lore from The Silmarillion. This is in the Chapter: "Of Beren and Luthien" where an elf/maia, elf and man all sing songs of power.

And the title "minstrel" comes from that chapter when Luthien sings before Melkor/Morgoth.

She was not duanted by his eyes; and she named her own name, and offered her service to sing before him, after the manner of a minstrel.

I wouldn't put too much stock in who Turbine states is the inspiration for their player character classes. The connections are tenuous at best.

Originally Posted by oldbadgerbrock

I wouldn't put too much stock in who Turbine states is the inspiration for their player character classes. The connections are tenuous at best.

Agreed.

I always thought that Sam would have been a better inspiration for the minstrel. In the books, he was instrumental (ha ha) in keeping Frodo's morale up/countering the effects of the Ring by telling him stories.

Now the Guardian being inspired by Sam does lead up to one of the funniest moments in the game, where Sam pokes fun at Turbine for that choice.

The most renowned minstrel in Tolkien’s works was Daeron of Doriath, who was also a loremaster (not in LOTRO terms). He devised a runic alphabet, the Certhas Daeron, that was later adopted and modified by the Dwarves.

He it was that made music for the dance and song of Lúthien, before Beren came to Doriath; and he had loved her, and set all his thought of her in his music. He became the greatest of all the minstrels of the Elves east of the Sea, named even before Maglor son of Fëanor. But seeking for Lúthien in despair he wandered upon strange paths, and passing over the mountains he came into the East of Middle-earth, where for many ages he made lament beside dark waters for Lúthien, daughter of Thingol, most beautiful of all living things.

Source: Tolkien, J.R.R. 'Of Beren and Lúthien'. The Silmarillion.

Originally Posted by oldbadgerbrock

The most renowned minstrel in Tolkien’s works was Daeron of Doriath, who was also a loremaster (not in LOTRO terms). He devised a runic alphabet, the Certhas Daeron, that was later adopted and modified by the Dwarves.

Nice catch. There are several people in The Silmarillion who were great minstrels or who could sing songs of power. Besides Daeron, Maglor, the son of Fëanor was a great minstrel. And Finrod Felagund and Beren could sing songs of power.

So, why is Luthien singled out by Turbine?
First, I think it is because she is mentioned in LOTR. And Turbine does not have a license for The Silmarillion.
Second, Luthien succeeds in going against Sauron and Melkor.

Could be based on Luthien, Daeron or Maglor, really. Regardless of what IP the have license to - the inspiration can be from whatever outside it