The Great Plague

[Hermes Serpent]

I've been doing some thinking about plotlines and background for my One Ring game and thought back to the Great Plague of the first part of the 17th century T.A. Material I've read seems to suggest that it may have been a way of reducing or eliminating the forces keeping watch on Mordor and somehow linked to the return of Sauron. I'm thinking that some current scholar's may see a reflection of the circumstances surrounding the Plague in the strengthening of Shadow in Mirkwood. This could predicate some research into the symptoms and possible cures for the Plague leading to quests for potential 'miracle cures' from the plants and herbs either in Rhovanion or further afield.

Comments?

[Rocmistro]

Are you thinking about introducing (or threatening to introduce) your players to a new late third age plague?

I think it's great, as personally I like going off-book with Middle-earth campaigns.

It seems reasonable to me that Sauron would have been the author of such a thing (plague), although in truth it's not quite in keeping with Sauron's character: I see him as more of a megalomaniac where as Melkor is/was a nihilist. Plague would have been more up Morgoth's alley.