Themes and Premises

[PencilBoy99]

A bunch of RPG advice I've read suggests that keeping a list of themes/premises for your campaign at the ready helps you, as a GM, give the game a feel. These are brief, evocative sentences or quotes. Cool Example

"The days of our kind are numberèd...The spirits of wood and stream grow silent. It's the way of things." — Merlin, Excalibur

What themes / premises would you use for a One Ring - Darkening of Mirkwood campaign.

[zedturtle]

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

[Glorelendil]

"Surely you don’t disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?"

[PencilBoy99]

Good starters.!

[Arthur Fisher]

“These grey days wasted in wearily going over, over and over again, the dreary topics, the dull backwaters of the art of killing, are not enjoyable.”

[cuthalion]

"It is a fair tale, though it is sad, as are all the tales of Middle-earth, and yet it may lift up your hearts."

[Falenthal]

“There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!”

[zedturtle]

Some of these sound overly optimistic for a Darkening of Mirkwood campaign.

[Indur Dawndeath]

Saruman: "You did not seriously think that a hobbit could contend with the will of Sauron? There are none who can."

Saruman: "Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory. We must join with him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend."

[Rich H]

"I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you!"