I have been running my campaign for going on a year now and my group has been getting closer and closer into the web of the BBEG. We are running a LoTR campaign based 100 years after the destruction of the ring of power.
Primary Info of the BBEG:
Variant Human, 3) Swashbuckler Rouge, 3) Gloomstalker Ranger, 2) Paladin He is the decendant of Saruman (Think Ben Kenobi worshiping Darth Vader obsession). He has been obsessed with completing his Grandfathers works in creating a new ring of power. I have laid out a list of things he needs to aquire to create the new ring. (Mithril, the original writings of the creation of the first rings, Sarumans notes) and he is getting closer to getting them all but I am stumbling when it comes to his primary motive.
World Power seems completely cliche at this point and I am struggling creatively at this point.
As for what happens if hes even able to create a new Ring of Power I had some thoughts,
Being of Maiar Decent I was thinking of some saving throws when putting on the ring to see if he can withstand the pull of turning into a wraith. If he succeded he would basically become the new Sauron. WYT?
Maybe he wants to bring back his grandfather from the dead, and the ring will allow him to. He is visited by the spirit of his grandfather, and wants to make him proud. He is possessed by Sauron, who is actually just trying to continue his work from 100 years ago. The ring will let him cast off the shell of his grandson’s body. The grandson himself is actually a pretty good guy, watching helplessly but would act to stop Sauron if only there was some group who could help him break through.
Wait, to be clear, is the guy a descendent of Saruman or Sauron? I'd never seen Saruman described as a lord and have a hard time seeing him with progeny.
One of the themes of LotR was the conflict between pre-industrial elf-types and industrial orc-types. You could advance time to the point of industrial revolution in Middle Earth and have the bad guy represent unrestricted industrialization.
Wait, to be clear, is the guy a descendent of Saruman or Sauron? I'd never seen Saruman described as a lord and have a hard time seeing him with progeny.
Sauruman was obsessed with the rings of power, and seeking to learn their secrets.
Honestly, neither Sauron nor Sauruman seem like the kids type, but IIRC there were Maia who had children with mortals, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.
Wait, to be clear, is the guy a descendent of Saruman or Sauron? I'd never seen Saruman described as a lord and have a hard time seeing him with progeny.
Sauruman was obsessed with the rings of power, and seeking to learn their secrets.
Honestly, neither Sauron nor Sauruman seem like the kids type, but IIRC there were Maia who had children with mortals, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.
Yeah, I mean that's why I interpret the OP to refer to Sauron, because while Sauron had every opportunity to mingle with mortals in secret, Saruman having children would have been a bit more conspicuous, especially before he fell.
Anyway, another angle that the OP could take is that the BBEG is still miffed about the ban of the valar, and is looking to forceably return the utter west to Middle Earth.
I really dig this idea, especially because it's a timeless subject in fantasy or IRL.
If you do decide to go down that path, I highly recommend you check out The Last Ringbearer by Kirill Eskov, if not just for some inspiration. It's a "fanfic" novel of what happened after the destruction of the One Ring but from the orc's view.
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Hi All,
I have been running my campaign for going on a year now and my group has been getting closer and closer into the web of the BBEG. We are running a LoTR campaign based 100 years after the destruction of the ring of power.
Primary Info of the BBEG:
Variant Human, 3) Swashbuckler Rouge, 3) Gloomstalker Ranger, 2) Paladin
He is the decendant of Saruman (Think Ben Kenobi worshiping Darth Vader obsession). He has been obsessed with completing his Grandfathers works in creating a new ring of power. I have laid out a list of things he needs to aquire to create the new ring. (Mithril, the original writings of the creation of the first rings, Sarumans notes) and he is getting closer to getting them all but I am stumbling when it comes to his primary motive.
World Power seems completely cliche at this point and I am struggling creatively at this point.
As for what happens if hes even able to create a new Ring of Power I had some thoughts,
Being of Maiar Decent I was thinking of some saving throws when putting on the ring to see if he can withstand the pull of turning into a wraith. If he succeded he would basically become the new Sauron. WYT?
Maybe he wants to bring back his grandfather from the dead, and the ring will allow him to.
He is visited by the spirit of his grandfather, and wants to make him proud.
He is possessed by Sauron, who is actually just trying to continue his work from 100 years ago. The ring will let him cast off the shell of his grandson’s body. The grandson himself is actually a pretty good guy, watching helplessly but would act to stop Sauron if only there was some group who could help him break through.
Wait, to be clear, is the guy a descendent of Saruman or Sauron? I'd never seen Saruman described as a lord and have a hard time seeing him with progeny.
Win a rivalry
These are some of my personal favorite motives. Don’t know much about LotR lore beyond having seen the movies, but I hope this helps.
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One of the themes of LotR was the conflict between pre-industrial elf-types and industrial orc-types. You could advance time to the point of industrial revolution in Middle Earth and have the bad guy represent unrestricted industrialization.
Sauruman was obsessed with the rings of power, and seeking to learn their secrets.
Honestly, neither Sauron nor Sauruman seem like the kids type, but IIRC there were Maia who had children with mortals, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.
Yeah, I mean that's why I interpret the OP to refer to Sauron, because while Sauron had every opportunity to mingle with mortals in secret, Saruman having children would have been a bit more conspicuous, especially before he fell.
Anyway, another angle that the OP could take is that the BBEG is still miffed about the ban of the valar, and is looking to forceably return the utter west to Middle Earth.
Sorry I was writing quickly on my lunch break. Hes a decendant of the Wizard Saruman. -_- Sorry for the Confusion.
No worries!
I really dig this idea, especially because it's a timeless subject in fantasy or IRL.
If you do decide to go down that path, I highly recommend you check out The Last Ringbearer by Kirill Eskov, if not just for some inspiration. It's a "fanfic" novel of what happened after the destruction of the One Ring but from the orc's view.