An Idea for an Evil Campaign

[Stormonu]

I was simply letting my mind wander, when this wonderous, devious idea struck my brain for a campaign premise:

This scene plays out before character creation, as sort of a campaign pitch.

The players are all individuals in the employ of Lord Falicious, a tyrant of a bastard Baron-claiming-princehood who has now openly declared war against his brothers in a bid for the throne of the recently poisoned King.

The characters have just retired to a semi-private room after completing their day's duty, to unwind and talk.

Player 1: "When I signed up for this gig, it wasn't to get myself killed."

Player 2: "By the gods, where did the Baron get these goons? - present company excluded - of course. They're mad as hares and twice as stupid."

Player 3: "Luckily, they are a hair smarter than the forces of the Princes. We did win after all."

Player 4: "Well, we wouldn't have if we hadn't been there. Sooner or later, our luck will run out. If the Princes ever stop their own bickering, Falicious will be outnumbered and it will be our necks."

Player 1: "Then perhaps we should save our own necks."

Player 2: "What? And desert? To the other side? Think of the gold we'd be missing and those goody-goody Princes would hang us before they took us in."

Player 1: "No, we don't desert. We turn this to our advantage. We all know we're far more capable than the Baron. We can pull this off where that blundering idiot will get us killed."

Player 4: "But it is only us four. Our own forces are blindingly loyal to the Baron. As much as the Princes outnumber the Baron, the Baron's men outnumber us."

Player 3: "Perhaps for now. But I've to deliver an offer of alliance to the hobgoblins in the Low Mountains. Unfortunately, the hobs can't read common and the terms might be misinterpreted favorable, but a bit too harsh. Mayhaps for a few favors, we might turn a blind eye to some of the more "egregious" demands of our eccentric Baron and still forge an alliance?"

Player 1: "Aye, not a bad start. My liege has given me leave to manage the roster, I can arrange your escort as us."

Player 4: "Then we are agreed to this madness?"

Player 2: "Aye, 'tis better to rule in Hell than to serve, says I."

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TLDR: The PCs decide to join together and backstab the evil lord they work for to eventually take over for themselves, using the evil lord's own forces as a cover for their activities.

Adventures could include:

- Raids for gear, slaves and off troops too loyal to Baron.
- Quests in the name of Baron that inexplicably "fail" and empower the PCs
- Manipulations and/or alienation of allies to strengthen the character's own positions
- Covert removal of rivals in the Baron's own ranks to edge closer to taking down the Baron himself
- Direct strikes against the armies of the Princes to weaken enemy forces
- Quests to thwart the "heroes" of the Princes

 

[TarionzCousin]

It's clever.

Do you have players who would jump at the chance to play this?

 

[Traveon Wyvernspur]

Sounds like it'd be a fun campaign, though I'm a bit foggy on the set-up.

It sounds like you made it all up with the "Players" dialogue included as a campaign pitch? Or did this dialogue actually happen and you didn't clarify that in your post? I think it'd be awesome if the players actually had this conversation and decided on the course of action as stated above, then you could create your campaign around this seed of an idea, otherwise it kind of "railroads" the players to play these characters you created for them.

 

[Stormonu]

Sounds like it'd be a fun campaign, though I'm a bit foggy on the set-up.

It sounds like you made it all up with the "Players" dialogue included as a campaign pitch? Or did this dialogue actually happen and you didn't clarify that in your post? I think it'd be awesome if the players actually had this conversation and decided on the course of action as stated above, then you could create your campaign around this seed of an idea, otherwise it kind of "railroads" the players to play these characters you created for them.

I was posing it as an example, to perhaps prompt what the PCs *might* say. I don't think I'd force them to choose characters based on this conversation, more just to say "you have a conversation that goes something like this:" as well as throw out a hook for their first adventure to get them started.

(I have seen and been one of the players that read such a dialogue back for the d6 WEG Star Wars game. For me, they were fun ways to introduce the adventure, however YMMV.)

Most of my group would probably jump at this sort of campaign, but I've got at least two who'd likely refuse to play an "evil" game, even one probably this mild.

 

[Janx]

To avoid a railroad risk, perhaps figure out how to setup the situaton, opportunity and mindset that leads the PCs to have that kind of conversation.

So the players are to build PCs in the employ of the evil baron.

each holds a position of moderate authority as 1st level PCs (compared to the 0th level guards, lackeys, etc).

run them through a 1st adventure under orders from the baron.

Through in some role-play scenes where the baron asks for their advice, demonstrates less smart tactics, etc.

the PCs may decide to work as the brains behind the throne (after all, he has position and title amongst others, the PCs do not).

As the PCs advance in level, have the baron promote them (if they keep working for him).

provide opportunities for the PCs to skim off the top, advance themselves, etc.

 

[khantroll]

I like it, especially considering I'm about launch a campaign with a similar adventure layout if not the same principle. In my game, the PCs are going to be guerrilla fighters against impossibly evil overlords. But it will be very much about hit an runs, assassinations, and sabotage from within and without.

As far as the "evil" aspect, pitch it as "neutral". The PCs are better then the baron, will be better rulers then the baron, and the prince is probably not a lawful good paladin. A little less "Homeland", a little more "Sonic the Hedgehog SatAM", and the black becomes gray.