[inglorion]

I think Sauron relied more on the ruggedness of the terrain, the Mountains of Shadow and of Ash, then on misty incantations, which I don't believe are his style - that's more a thing Galadriel would do. He just placed hordes of his servants at the few entrances into Mordor to keep anybody from entering unbidden.
The darkness and the fumes are a product of Mount Doom - just another natural phenomenon which he possibly encouraged by 'adding some choals to the fire'. If I remember rightly Sauron used to be a servant of Aule, so he should have some knowledge on geology and chemistry.

Btw, great signature Daniel Telcontar! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

greetings, gildor