Since the One Ring was used not once but twice to win wars ie the War
of the Last Alliance and the War of the Ring it is absolutly a part
of the Mythos of the game. It took overcoming extraordinary
difficulties for Frodo to get the Ring to Mt Doom and I think the
game replicates that quite well.
Using the destruction of the One Ring or the delivery of the One ring
is very difficult but I do know for certain that it can be done.
Ed Mills' teams have done it twice within the last 2 years and almost
did it to my team in another game. They failed because the nation
collapsed just as they got to Mt Doom.
It should be very difficult to end the game with the One Ring, first
because the Free want to destroy the Ring and it doesn't want to be
destroyed. Remember much of Sauron's essence is in the ring itself.
The ring in a way is Sauron and he definately does not want to be
destroyed. Second the Minions of Sauron all became so because of
their ambitions. They are evil and ambitious, they want to be the
Master as well. If the Ring twisted Boromir who was basically good
and wanted possession of the ring out of a want to do good with it,
imagine the effect it would have on a ruthless meglomaniac. Only the
innate innocence of the Hobbit characters allowed them to resist the
power of the ring for so long.
Again there was a call to change the game. Quit. The game may have
some programing flaws. It may have quirks that sometimes make
outcomes a bit unbelievable, but basically the premise of the game is
well thought out. Most of the changes suggested here are not well
thought out and would in my opinion be for the worse. If there were a
fatal flaw I would support these calls for change, but I see the game
as basically successful as hundreds of players have played and
continue to play for years. If you want variety try another scenario,
Clint and company have many options available for you.
Brad