Esgaroth during the War of the Ring

[Beran]

Idea #271:
A colossal black crocodile...large enough to destroy smaller boats...appears in the lake and takes up residence amidst Smaug's bones [snip]

Far from being niggling, but this interesting idea needs IMO some modification. Crocodiles (i.e. the various species of more or less large carnivorous reptiles we know from the real world) cannot survive at this northern latitude with a quite cool climate and thus would not be available as a naturally occurring predatory animal of the region when making him-/herself a nest amidst Smaug's remains. Thus it would be an idea to use another animal native to the area/climate as the basis for a monstrous predator endangering people and boats (perhaps a large predatory fish).
Another solution would be a much smaller relative of real dragons, as such a creature of the secondary world would be less subject to natural laws compared to an animal like a croco (and can thus survive in cool or even cold climates).

Cheers
Tolwen

Could be a larger terrestrial dragon. Akin to the Glaurung..do I have the name right? Only smaller.

[Heilemann]

Even dramatically, the destruction of Lake-town works so much better than if it's left standing. If Erebor is subject to a long siege, what's the dramatic purpose of also having a long siege at Lake-town?

[Glorelendil]

Tolwen: excellent point about climes and crocs. It was really the Watcher by the Gate (and Nessie) that inspired the idea, more than dragons, and I think the Lakemen have had their share of dragons. A giant fish could work, but maybe just a really, really big water snake? Still, the image of crocodile jaws snapping fishing boats in two appealed to me.

Admittedly not my best idea, just something to throw in the hopper.

Corvo: good observations, although I'd suggest (again) that Laketown only needs to be "neutralized" as you put it, not destroyed, so it could work as a semi-free city of spies and intrigue. And officer's quarters/entertainment for the Easterlings.

I also like the image of Easterlings, at least some of them, on horseback; I often have Ghenghis Khan in mind. That would, in turn, suggest lesser ability with siege engines. In some ways I'm glad Tolkien left them rather vague...gives us a lot of leeway in imagining them.

I also had a thought along the lines of your earthwork to expose Laketown: my idea was to demolish the upper part of Girion's Stair to lower the lake level.

[Glorelendil]

Even dramatically, the destruction of Lake-town works so much better than if it's left standing. If Erebor is subject to a long siege, what's the dramatic purpose of also having a long siege at Lake-town?

Doesn't Dale get destroyed? That's partly why I'd like to see something totally unexpected for Laketown.

[Heilemann]

You know what sucks for morale inside of Erebor? Seeing Lake-town residents enslaved and paraded around outside their gates.

[Glorelendil]

You know what sucks for morale inside of Erebor? Seeing Lake-town residents enslaved and paraded around outside their gates.

Unless they view Laketown residents as orc-loving traitors.