Timeline:
http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/default.htm?http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/thirdage.htmlKije has convinced me that the final battles between Eriador and Angmar would make a really cool period for our game, so we're going to use it. I'm actually going to start a little early, though, in 1944, so we can defend Gondor from the wainrider invasion. This will let us deal with the invasion (and a three-pronged war), plus the death of the king and all his sons--and the ensuing political turmoil that results in the crowning of Earnil II).
Then we can jump ahead (since my group wants to do a generational chronicle) to 1974, to the destruction of Arthedain and subsequent destruction of Angmar, which should give us plenty of fodder for war, politics, dungeon crawls, and epic grandeur.
I'd like to follow that up with a visit to Moria, just in time for the release of the Balrog. The characters can help the Dwarves flee and wander around, and maybe even establish Erebor in 1999. I'd especially like to join the Eotheod for a while so we can get in on the slaying of Scatha. And of course, if the characters (or their ancestors) fought the Witch-King at Angmar, their experience would come in really handy when the Nagul invade Minas Ithil. Depending on how long we go, there's plenty of fodder on down through the War of the Ring and the Fourth Age.
I really like the idea of a generational chronicle. Some of the players will be playing Elves, who will (we hope) live long enough to participate in each segment of the story; others intend to play descendants of their original characters, and others want to just mix and match with new characters every time.
So here's a question for you: what narrative device can I use to explain why the characters all know each other and do what they do? I was originally planning to use them as agents of the White Council, but I don't think the White Council was established this long ago. Maybe the same idea, but in an alternate form?
And if ou have any other ideas for me, let's hear 'em.