Thinking out loud
I've been musing about the major NPCs in my campaign, and thought I'd give them classes/levels and see what this group thinks. Keep in mind my group is now fifth level and may go as far as twelth level (before I move to Japan).
Gil-galad (Ari10) - High King of the Elves in Lindon, around 1800 years old, was too young to experience most of the fighting in the First Age, remains in Lindon
Elrond (Ari7) - Now around 1700 years old, also without significant combat experience, but leads Lindon's armies to the defense of Eregion
Celebrimbor (Exp15) - Rather than making him a cleric, I'll make him what he was: greatest craftsman among the Noldor of Eregion.
Celeborn (Ari8) - Like Elrond, has not fought in many battles to this date, but leads the sortie that holds back Sauron's vanguard until the main army reaches Eregion
Galadriel (Sor15) - According to Tolkien, the only equal to Galadriel among the elves was Feanor (he being more physical and she being more mental). She remains in Lorien during this war.
Amroth (Ari8) - Lord of the elves of Lorien, allies with the Dwarves of Moria to ambush Sauron's forces from the rear
Durin (Ftr10) - Have to check the appendix to see if one of the Durins was king of Moria at this time, but the dwarves had frequent combat experience with the various orcs in the Misty Mountains (Gundabad, etc)
Tar-Minastir (Ari10) - Current King of Numenor, does not go to war himself, but sends his navy and army to the rescue of Lindon
Ciryatur (Ftr12) - A great captain of the ships of Numenor, sets forces ashore in Lindon and Vinyalonde to stop Sauron's advance.
Sauron (Sor20) - He has the One Ring. Clearly a powerful sorceror even in the First Age, now he's leading armies into battle. I don't plan on having the party ever get near him.
I'll give them more detail as needed.
Derek