It wasn't created by the webmaster, you tool. It was created by some annonymous vBulletin developer, it's on by default with an installation of vb3. Chruser and WetWired are just too lazy to switch it off.
Can't say for any other games, but the entire Forgotten Realms series (Ice Wind Dale, Baulder's Gate, Neverwinter Nights... etc) Are based on either 2nd or 3rd edition rules.
If you look at D&D and LoTR, not much is in common. Just the creatures who have been made up way before both. LoTR had a magic ring, a wizard who did nothing and some bad guy who never faught but in the prologue and a few other magic items. Good book/movie but nothing to what D&D gave.