Dirty Tolkienism

I know I probably have been pretty vague and unclear in my previous post about Khuzud-dâm. When I talk about dirty tolkienism, I mean a bastardized Middle-earth. To be more concise.

The Known Lands: The Known Lands are just like Middle-earth. There have been multiple wars against an Enemy (which was eventually defeated), there is Gondor (which is called The Empire of Men), there is The Shire, and Mirkwood, the Misty Mountains (The Gray Mountains) and even Caradhras (The Kardhas). The real difference between the Known Lands and Middle-earth lies in the folks who inhabit it.

The Elves: Dndish Elves are much more human than Tolkien ones. They are mortal, they are not that powerful, and even not that fairish. Depending on the ruleset you're running elves may be both fighters and magic-users or only one of those at a time, and even thieves. Elven Thieves? Definitely not that tolkienian. But nor are they. I imagine most of the Elves of the Known Lands to be kinda like Tolkien's Wood Elves, only more human and definitely less melancholic, more curious and way more adventurous.

Half-orcs: Half-orcs are part of the Known Lands. I wouldn't go so far as to include Goblins as a playable race, but Half-orcs are definitely in. They are, for sure, mistrusted by most, but this doesn't necessary mean that every one of them is a dick or something.

Clerics: There is no such thing as clerics in Tolkien, but they are in D&D. They may be not as influential to the destiny of the Known Lands as they were in middle ages europe, but they are definitely there. And which god do they serve? Iluvatar, no way (although I would allow northern deities for Druids and such).

Magic-users: As a matter of fact, Magic-users in the Known Lands use vancian magic. And there are no such beings as Wizards. Where does magic come from? No one knows. Actually, no one gives a fuck.

Monsters: The Known Lands have PLENTY of weird monsters! Every single creature you can imagine is out there, lurking in the darkness, slowly crawling to your couch to kill you while you're sleeping. That said, the most common monsters are definitely orcs and dire animals. Oh, and there are demons there. Lots of awful demons.

Treasure: I've always been one of those guys who thinks that less is more when it comes to treasure, and magic items in particular. But given the bastardized Middle-earth seed, I think I should give the usual random treasure placement tables a try.

All in all, I think that around 90% of the action in the Khuzud-dâm campaign should revolve around the megadungeon itself, but I would like to have other ideas clear just in case the players should decide to go traveling around the wilderness. Actually, the thing that excites me the most is the possibility of using the original Middle-earth map (which is kinda my all time favorite) to run this bastardized world.