I'm starting a chronicle based in the south. It will cover
territory between Harondor, and somewhat south of Umbar. Since it is
nearly impossible to find info on the area, I am seeking help. I am
planning to base the area on northern Africa and the Mediterranean as
far as terrain and climate go. I'm developing a desert area as well
as a portion of jungle to include a change of pace (jungle dwelling
elves?). Timeline will be placed before the War of the Ring, perhaps
twenty or thirty years prior to those events.
Initially I feel I want to explore the activities of the Blue
Wizard of the south in this chronicle. I'm not sure if I want to
paint him as an antagonist or benefactor to the players. Overall the
area will be quite hostile to those that support the agenda of the
Free Peoples. This will be a major hurdle for the players.
Some questions that are bothering me are as follows. What races
(other than men) seem appropriate for the setting? As hinted at
earlier, what role would the elves play in this area? Would there be
the possibility of dwarves in these lands? As far as the forces of
Shadow go I have some ideas, can anyone see mummies as a stand-in for
barrow wights? But the old standbys of orcs and trolls seem to be a
questionable inclusion here.
Feel free to bounce any ideas that you come up with into the
thread, and thanks for the input.

Luke