OOC: Character and Plot Ideas
Hey pal! Some good questions, some of which I haven't given much thought to. I'll try to get my ideas down, but feel free to adapt or invent as necessary.
1) The Skyrangers were establised by the Ilman, and are indeed predominantly Ilman outlanders. In truth, though, I envision them as a mish-mash roguish group, who would accept other races, especially outcasts or those with reason to shun their own societies. Add some Mearri, Eglani or even a gnome or minotaur if you wish. Outside of foraging, they like to make life difficult for the Daenorrim. They're like the A-Team or Brownshirts :D
2) The entrances to the Netherrealm are predominantly caves and caverns, of course. Some natural, and some artificial. I also envisioned one or two entrances to be in old temples or ruins. But, truly, feel free to do what you want with this...the Netherrealm is long established and I'M sure other entrnces have been produced...magical portal, illusionary wall, platform 3 and a quarter...really, whatever you fancy.
The netherealm is originally a sequence of vast underground chambers and caverns, carve by the great God Balzot and his minions thousands of years ago, for his sun-hating followers. The Ilman found them, etended them, and connected them. Now, the cities are built within vast caverns, and the connecting tunnels, sometimes 100 miles long, serve as roads and highways. Some parts are illuminated by glowing gems, created by the mage-seekers, and some of the cities are lit by huge sunstones built atop the highest spires. Other caverns are lit by glowing mushrooms, a'la Skyrim, or simple torches. Stretches are completely unlit. Away from the Ilman machinations, many other caverns are unexplored, and there are Earth drakes and mushroom-folk and whatever. There are forests of giant fungus, and crystal waterfalls, and whatever...I'm happy to hear what you come up with.
3) I must admit, I haven't thought too much about the politics here. I'm imagining that the Shadow Mage is happy to have new soldiers flocking to his banner, but a little bit miffed about the peasants who accompany them. Should said soldiers become ambitious, he would have no problem with slaughtering the lot of them.
He is pragmatic and, despite his loyalty to his mother, realises that Vancumar is no more. With the Empire at his doorstep, he will probably consolidate his borders for a while, and watch. He is also vying and warring with his other siblings (except for his siter, Zaria, who serves as his spymaster), one of whom is still operating in Pandarat. He has no time to be compassionate towards his mother's former minions (if he is even capable of compassion)- if they're not with him and fighting for him, then they're a hinderance.
In truth, he is probably aloof of such things, and his generals are the ones playing politics. So, I guess there are as many different parties with different loyalties.
4. Golems are the same as in most other settings- generally mindless automatons with a couple of commands or functions, given to them by their creator. That said, the Rolemaster magic system does allow for sentient golems, if the creator is a high-enough level. So, Lumber is a rarity, and not the norm, but certainly by no means unique.
I can't even begin to imagine the ethical ramifications of Golem sentience :D
Anyway, hope that helps at all- again, I appreciate your respect for the 'canon' but feel free to JJ Abrams whatever you want.