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Rapscallion,
like you, I'm loath to introduce in that city other sources of power (and corruption), as a dark gem or such. My reason is that there was already the terrible Marsh Bell, and for me as LM it was the focus of the darkness in that place. One of them paid the highest price to destroy it, if I create another source of power I'm diminishing their effort and somehow cheating them of their victory.

But a Queen? Yes, I think there is definitely a place for a Queen in the sunken city

BTW: I skimmed through The Heart of the Wild... there is no additional material on the Marsh Dwellers and their city, isn't it?

I should add that I see Rich's idea to begin down the road toward the Lord of the Rings, and away from the Hobbit, and I like it (he's enticed me to pick up DL1, and to seek out other older material). The idea of some grand corrupter, and its defeat would be excellent fodder for exciting Balin to enter Moria, especially if that corrupter were an ancient evil (albeit lesser). This is great for giving Balin thoughts that the Balrog is a manageable obstacle. Perhaps we'll see something like this come from the Darkening of Mirkwood book.

As for my campaign, I'm just a little hesitant to start toward the Lord of the Rings, I enjoy the Hobbit far more, and I'd like to wallow in it as long as possible before the War of the Ring alters the land. Worms and fowl queens definitely hearken to the Hobbit with Smaug and the Great Goblin as the inspirations.