Still working on that Allaria update. So, I re-read this thread again, and I see a few options when it comes to the Unending Mire.
1. They are followers of Akneth, the black widow. I would make the leader(s) female.
2. They have tricked/manipulated Akneth; I would make the Black Dragon who wages the dragon wars a female offspring of Akneth. The leaders of the Mire themselves are not followers, but have presented themselves as such. Instead, they have their own motives.
3. The leader of the mire is a possessed follower of the Usurper.
4. The mire is a new, separate major evil influence. If I went this route, I haven't yet given much thought to their ultimate goals/motives; perhaps they seek the elimination of human and human-like species from power in favor of reptilian rule. I'd need to really think about this one more if #1-3 are not the option.
Your thoughts?