Going To Middle Earth

As I mentioned in the last post, my kids want to go to Middle Earth.  Not a problem but I am now trying to figure out the scope of the thing.

Is this a one time excursion?  Is it the beginning of a full blown campaign?  The answer will determine how I write this adventure.

If it's a one time thing, I will make it a robust, wander all over Middle Earth kind of thing.  If it's the beginning of a new campaign, then I can give them a more modest and localized start.

At this point, their enthusiasm indicates a new campaign.  I don't think they read this blog, but I just can't be sure, so I won't be giving away details here, just "what if's".

For example, "what if" I begin them the same way the stories they have read begin, at Bags End.  This puts them in the Shire and an initial adventure could take them to the Barrows, Bree, all the little hobbit towns nearby.

They could start at Isengard.  Each enchantedly drawn to the place by some MU or maybe even an artifact.  Who knows, maybe Gandalf left behind some kind of magical beacon that would draw heroes together in case of an event happening at that dark spot.

I would be loathe to start them in Mordor. I doubt it's dark history has lessened much.  It surely stills draws the most evil beings to make their home there.

I figure starting them about 24 years after the departure of Frodo, Gandalf and the elves.  Major characters will be gone but then, many others are still around.  Sam, Pippin and Merri are still going strong.  While the non-human races are more in hiding, they are still active and about.  Though you have to go to their parts of the world to find them anymore.

Thus, some elves still remain.  Dwarves stay put under their mountains now.  Ents have become even more reclusive and legendary.  Dragons are fewer, but still terrible when they decide to stretch their wings. 

Middle Earth is a world of quests, both epic and trivial.  Goblins and orcs abound.  Oh and yes, as far as I am concerned, Tom Bombadil is still at home in his woods.  Some ringwraiths were not destroyed and continue to vex Middle Earth from their caves in Mordor.

I would be glad to entertain suggestions and ideas from you folks if you would like to share.  Of course, I will continue to think out loud here and as always, you are most welcome to take any ideas back with you.

Let the game begin.