Next Major Campaign Book?

[Matthew]

A Moria campaign is kinda hard.

"Durin's Bane drops by. Roll up new characters."

That's what makes it a fun challenge to write.

The other thing that makes it hard is canon. How do you have meaningful adventures there without changing the official story? "Oh, hey Balin, we cleared the upper 6 levels for you."

I have bunches of ideas, but I'm keeping them secret for now.

You could have a series of low impact, scouting type adventures (locate chamber x where the lost treasure of Marzibal was located) or attempts to map and explore Moria prior to the Dwarves returning. This with a game mechanic that activates the Balrog if the characters do anything to bring the attention of the Balrog upon them (like the eye of Mordor mechanic - though i've not actually played the game using it?)

[Ernst-Jan]

Does it say anywhere explicitly who found the Axe of Durin during the colonisation?

[Glorelendil]

I can imagine that if the Dwarves outsourced some of the heavy lifting they might tend to not mention that part in their version of events.

[Blubbo Baggins]

You asked for other perspectives, and one problem I'm encountering is transferring Mogdred west of the Mountains. I like him (though I'm renaming him) and the plots that revolve around him, but I'm not comfortable with any of the forests for his lair. Rhudaur may be an exception, but it places him awfully close to Rivendell, which, IMHO, doesn't really fit the way Rhosgobel does. I'd prefer the Old Forest or the Chetwood, but they also just don't seem to fit. How are you handling him?

Mim,
What about Bill Ferny? He's not as powerful as Mogdred (I'd guess), but he could be integrated, or be a lackey of the equivalent of Mogdred in Eriador. I think Chetwood, or one of those places outside the Shire could work. Instead of Woodmen Town, Bree could be the center focus where politics happens.

[Er-Murazor]

The Moria expedition had reestablished the settlement for a number of years before they disturbed the Balrog and the Watcher.

Exactly. The Moria campaign could be built around some combat (clearing the Uruks leftover from The War of the Dwarves and Orcs) followed by exploration and then more intrigue.

[Angelalex242]

I got it.

There's a 10 count of Eyes. When you roll the 10th, the Balrog comes and gets you. Game Over (unless Gandalf happens to be around, in which case He Shall Not Pass.)

The Eye Counter only resets to 0 when you spend a Fellowship Phase outside of Moria. Otherwise, it's cumulative.

[Matthew]

I got it.

There's a 10 count of Eyes. When you roll the 10th, the Balrog comes and gets you. Game Over (unless Gandalf happens to be around, in which case He Shall Not Pass.)

The Eye Counter only resets to 0 when you spend a Fellowship Phase outside of Moria. Otherwise, it's cumulative.

Or maybe when the Balrog and his minions activate for the companions it leads to an attempt to escape/pursuit for extra tension?

[Mim]

Mim,
What about Bill Ferny? He's not as powerful as Mogdred (I'd guess), but he could be integrated, or be a lackey of the equivalent of Mogdred in Eriador. I think Chetwood, or one of those places outside the Shire could work. Instead of Woodmen Town, Bree could be the center focus where politics happens.

This is a great idea, thank you!

In addition to Bill Ferny, Harry (on the West Gate), and the "slant-eyed southerner" round out a dastardly trio nicely.

[Glorelendil]

My first thought was that Bill Ferny is a terrible candidate: he's just a petty thug.

But...what if that's just an act? What if he's really Sauron's point-man in Bree-land?

That sneaky devil. I never would have guessed.

[Subotai]

The Moria expedition had reestablished the settlement for a number of years before they disturbed the Balrog and the Watcher.

Exactly. The Moria campaign could be built around some combat (clearing the Uruks leftover from The War of the Dwarves and Orcs) followed by exploration and then more intrigue.

Great ideas. We also know Gandalf and Aragorn passed through Moria at some point (although probably not together) and Aragorn saw things so terrible he never wanted to talk about them...