Survivor Middle Earth is hilarious!

Someone's mentioned portals, which bears repeating. Also:
-mysterious keys or mysterious boxes/chests that lack a key
-prophecies or crystal balls that predict the future
-books (or scrolls or runes) with secret, powerful information the hero needs and the enemies try to get
-dark dungeons, caves, or pits into which your hero is cast
I agree with the people who said keep an eye out for stereotypes. In addition to dwarves, elves, etc. watch out for:
-cackling, old witches who primarily cast spells or brew potions
-ditto for wizards with long, white beards
-fire-breathing, flying dragons protecting dragon eggs
-hideous, brutish ogres or trolls wielding clubs
-orphaned heroes in the "care" of nasty relatives