Shadows of Mordor (video game)

[SirKicley]

I love the idea of having a deeper insight into the inner workings of Mordor and orc society. In Tolkien's works there are not many moments when we get such insights, but when they occur they are rather intriguing as they give 'the enemy' more character. When orcs talk with each other they do indeed seemed like a mix between Victorian street thugs and First World War trenchers - especially when they bring up references to those higher in the hierarchy (e. g. 'Lugburz').

In another thread there's been a discussion of what TOR's Moria could be like. The problem, of course, is that Moria is really too dangerous for normal adventurers.

I was re-reading MERP's Moria, and one thing I liked was their description of three different factions of Orcs, and the rivalries/wars between them. Maybe one way adventurers could survive in Moria is by exploiting factional divisions. I'm working on some ideas around this; perhaps I'll try to write it up and post it.

There is some of this orc factions distinctions found within the LOTRO game with each having distinct aspects, and not always working together.

[Elmoth]

Managed to log in and set the settings low enough for me to play Let's explore ME...

[Arthadan]

I wrote a supplement about Necromancy in Middle-earth (please take a look to page 2 of the Basilisks thread for more details) and the plot of the game is not so far-fetched as it may seem at first sight. All that follows came from The History of Middle-earth books, for the exact quotes please take a look to the supplement.

Possesion does exist in Middle-earth, so Talion can be possesed (however this usually happens to people willingly trying to communicate with the spirits of the dead, the Houseless). So, Talion shouldn't die before being possesed and quite probably we would need very powerful spirit (probably a Maia) or a Necromancer to make the possesion happen.

Now, those spirits were mainly "corrupted" Elves who refused the Summon of Mandos.

Let's begin with speculation...
Would a Houseless dare to go against Sauron? I seriously doubt so because he's quite powerful in the necromantic arts and so are the Nazgûl. I think it would take a Maia to face Sauron and fanily enough I created one, a master of necromancy living in the far East who refused to obbey sauron after Morgoth's downfall and who was destroyed before Sauron. That would be a good candidate so the game makes perfect sense.

Also, this evil guy I created, taught Necromancy (to a lesser level) to mortals who could tap in the Morgothian element, thus creating a tie with the White Council thinking that the Necromancer of Dol Guldur was of little concern.