(Anyone playing Admiral_Atredies' Age of The Sun Chronicle DO NOT READ! It will spoil the story for you and make your life a living hell! )
Hi everyone. I've come to you for some help on a predicament I've been having setting up my newest Decipher RPG Chronicle, mostly because I know the members here a bit bit more knowledgeable and respectful of Tolkien's work (a rarity among Rolplayers on many other forums).
Anyways, here's the situation; as I always strive to do, my newest campaign is far removed from the threats already established and detailed on by Tolkien (Sauron, Saruman, ect.), just to keep mostly in line with LotR canon. This new threat will be that of a fallen Numenorean lord of Forostar, who long disapeared from the lore of men and Elves. He was known primarily as agreat friend of the Dwarves, sharing a special bond with that folk due largely to his love of crafts and stonework. He even convinced his most beloved companion, a Dwarf-lord of the East, to come on one of his many sailing expiditions to the unknown lands. He was not killed (as is popularly believed) in his many adventures to the Northern Seas, but he rather settled in mountains near the Orocarni, where he began to craft many works and further his learnings even more through the tutelage and friendship of the Dwarves that he dwelt with. This continued for much of his life, until the Dwarves grew wary of the shadow that long dwelt in the Numenorean's heart, and left the Orocarni for lands west. And (of course), this man was turning to evil ways, feuled by his greed, and overall hatred for other peoples (something that is thought to be instilled in him by the Dwarves). So, long story short, his realm of horror has been awoken in the East, and he must now be contained by the heroes, lest he be revealed to the Witch-King or Sauron and used to destroy the folk of Rhovanion.
We now come to the real problem, which is this; I have already determined that he will have the typical repitoire of Orcs, Wargs, and possibly Goblin-Men like creatures in his service, and ay least one great Easterling King as one of his pawns. However, it has become quite difficult to make a more personified, menacing, and (preferably) magical villian, something to strike fear into the Player's hearts This is because I've already determined that the Numenorean is long dead, though he will actually have been preserved as a wraith, or a spirit that still commands his realm. This leaves the Easterling King, but he isn't too menacing or memorable. I would like to work in one (or a small number of) Demon-like servants somehw uncovered from ages past and lured into His service. In fact, I've even contemplated that these beings may be more or equal in power to the Black Numenorean, and may contest his weak hold over them. So, in essence, I'm looking to provide an ancient threat to the heroes, with elements of the Balrog or Nazgul, though not a carbon copy of each.
Thanks to everyone in advance, especially for reading this rather long-winded post.