Is This Enough of a Campaign Hook?

[Harlock]

I am starting a new campaign from the ground up. I wanted something I hadn't done before and something my players hadn't played before, while staying within the same system (in this case, BECMI D&D). The world just concluded a World War type scenario.

The regular four races are there: humans, dwarves, elves, halfings. During the war, the BBEG's main sorcerer general actually created the evil races as weapons of war. So, Orcs, goblins, giants, etc. are new to everyone. On top of that, only the BBEG and General are really gone, as they fell to fighting over who would rule the world. So we have a near post-apocalyptic setting where nearly everyone has been supporting the war effort, no clearly defined enemy (as of yet), new and undiscovered horrors like Dragons, and masses of displaced and refugee people who are trained war veterans.

I figure there is a lot of political intrigue available with the wealthy able to buy up whole armies. There should be plenty of exploration available with the opportunity to discover new races and maybe even influence how those races view the standard races. There is also the threat of someone else finding the key to continue making more orcs, giants, dragons, etc. And, of course, there is plenty of good old hack and slash available should the players want to just venture into a cave complex and look for evil things hoarding treasure.

I am hoping to strike a dire but hopeful tone. The sort of situation where you can make a name for yourself, and perhaps even a great name of renown if you can actually bring peace or even infamy if you decide to carve out your own niche.

Any thoughts on if this is enough of a hook or perhaps suggestions for improvements? It is widely accepted that the BBEG did die in the war, but his general may or may not be dead, I haven't completely decided.
Thanks for reading!

 

[the Jester]

Sounds pretty awesome to me. I would recommend having many factions rather than just one BBEG. Sounds like a good sandbox, where the pcs direct play and can go where they want, if you're good at improvising.

 

[Harlock]

Sounds pretty awesome to me. I would recommend having many factions rather than just one BBEG. Sounds like a good sandbox, where the pcs direct play and can go where they want, if you're good at improvising.

Thanks, Jester. That was the idea: to have plenty of factions with varying degrees of morality. I also hope to have the PCs negotiate some sort of peace between the standard races and one of the more playable monster races and reward them by opening that race up as a class of PC. I'd love to have Kobolds, Goblins or Orcs become a force for good, based on the players ability to bring them into the fold.

 

[Derren]

Sounds good.
Now if it is enough entirely depends on your players. Some players grab any chance to explore when something hooks their interest while others sit around all they till the DM tells them what to do.

If you have the first type of players this will work nicely.
One thing, you might not want to present this campaign as "World War" to your people because that sets some expectations, like a white vs. black scenario which you do not want.

 

[Traveon Wyvernspur]

I think it sounds like a whole lot of fun as well. I'd be interested if I was in your group. I'd add in at the same time that the PCs are carving their niche that others are doing the same thing, perhaps lieutenants of the previous BBEG or underlings that see opportunity in the chaos. There is always a power vacuum in scenarios like this I think, so it could be minor warlords and bandits all the way up to would be kings and emperors all vying for power with the PCs too.

 

[Harlock]

Sounds good.
Now if it is enough entirely depends on your players. Some players grab any chance to explore when something hooks their interest while others sit around all they till the DM tells them what to do.

If you have the first type of players this will work nicely.
One thing, you might not want to present this campaign as "World War" to your people because that sets some expectations, like a white vs. black scenario which you do not want.

Interesting that the party make up should arise. It is a very varied group. A few veteran players, one 12 year old who did play 4e, and possibly, from time to time, a 7 year old newbie. Yes, the kids are mine, and yes the other players are more than ok with them as they are family friends who have kids of their own.

I am trying to have a little something for everyone, but particularly enough for the older veterans to really find worthwhile. I think the kids will be happy, and they usually are, as long as there are enough encounters with combat, personal interaction, and seeing that their actions really do affect the game world as a whole.

I think it sounds like a whole lot of fun as well. I'd be interested if I was in your group. I'd add in at the same time that the PCs are carving their niche that others are doing the same thing, perhaps lieutenants of the previous BBEG or underlings that see opportunity in the chaos. There is always a power vacuum in scenarios like this I think, so it could be minor warlords and bandits all the way up to would be kings and emperors all vying for power with the PCs too.

That is exactly how I envisioned it.