I was supposed to start small?

[pious.nerd]

Okay, well I am pretty new to ENWorld but I have taken myriad of new ideas and intersting tidbits from the boards so far...so Thank You!
Now to my issues.
I just started DMing my very first D&D campaign. I have been a RPer since 1st edition and have played many different platforms (GURPS, Earthdawn, Shadowrun, Wraith, etc.). My DM is a great DM whose evil side shines when he's behind the screen. So I have a level of quality to live up to with my group of gamers.
Now, I have been working on a homebrew for about 4-6 months with some side-by-side work with my DM. He is playing in my campaign but he is incredible about playing "ignorant" on the topics of our discussions.
I started my PC's off at 12th level, with a nice chunk of change to spend and a couple of freebie tattoos that are moderate in power.
I have an over-arching plot and several long-term goals for the game that culminate into the resolution of the over-arching plot, but I am having a terrible time filling in that enormously epic gap from start to finish.
I had each player write detailed backgrounds for their characters and they all have great hooks imbeded in them, but I still feel like I am in way over my head!
I am not only looking for advice on tying everything together but also utilities and the like that can help me manage everything. Maps of cities, stores in cities and people, etc.
Any directions for anything at all?

 

[Bront]

As a DM, I often take a fairly hands off approach and let the players lead me. It works fairly well, especialy when you let little tidbits of info out there. You can often lead them where you want them to end up, but you may find they may propose a better idea than you had when they get there, of what they're looking for.

Have fun, enjoy, and don't think too hard. If people have fun, it shouldn't realy matter if they get to the end you want or not.

 

[fusangite]

I'm afraid your question is so non-specific that I can't really tell what to say. Maybe you could ask a smaller question and we could have a go at that.

 

[lonesoldier]

You need one of two things:
A PDA (Money allowing)
or a 1.5 inch three ring binder.

I would go for the second (unless you already have a PDA, in which case: CURSE YOU!)

Now, there are several mapping utilities. Dunjinni (sp?) is very good, but you have to buy it. There is also AutoREALM, a shareware mapping utility. It's decent for overland maps (I cant do combat maps with it, but heh, I'm incompetant).

As far as plots go, try tying their adventures into the overall story plan. Maybe those high level hobgoblins are not just some random evil guys? Perhaps they are a scouting party for a war? Also, remember that D&D isn't just combat. Throw lots of pure roleplaying in, along with murder, scandals and intrigue. If your PCs own land, let someone try and reposses it. Reveal during their investigation someone in the nobility has something against them, etc, etc.

I find that forcing the PLAYERS to use their brains rather than just making INT checks is good no matter the level.

 

[yennico]

Okay, well I am pretty new to ENWorld but I have taken myriad of new ideas and intersting tidbits from the boards so far...so Thank You!

Welcome on board.

I just started DMing my very first D&D campaign.

I started my PC's off at 12th level,

I do not know if it is a good thing for a newbie GM to start at high level.

I am not only looking for advice on tying everything together but also utilities and the like that can help me manage everything. Maps of cities, stores in cities and people, etc.
Any directions for anything at all?

You can find free adventures here.

Maps:
WotCs map archive
Silverthorne Game´s maps
Phinea´s dungeon maps
Underdark maps

 

[amethal]

I do not know if it is a good thing for a newbie GM to start at high level.

I'd say it was generally a bad idea, but when someone asks you for directions it doesn't help to say "I wouldn't start from here"

If it was me, being the lazy DM that I am, I'd get the players to write up descriptions of all the adventures they've had to get to 12th level, to include details of where they got their magic items from etc.

I'd promise a reward for the best one, but then when I got them I'd "spontaneously decide" that as they were all so good everybody should get a reward.

This will give you loads of ideas to flesh out your campaign world. "Hmm, the Black Mountains are home to a group of flesh eating half-fiend kobolds, nice idea, and the players think they killed them all when they raided their temple."