Looking for a New Setting to Conquer

[Voadam]

Valus works, pretty gritty and fairly close to core, bunch of kingdoms ripe for conquering. Not lots of high level characters.

Dragonlance?

 

[kreynolds]

Only a thousand or so

Yeah, but I swear these are the only four truly capable of doing so (through admittedly, the Zhentarim are rebel rejects, and have hardly any hope of accomplishing their goals).

Mind Flayers, oh yeah, but that would just be a really odd game.

 

[naturaltwenty]

I know you requested a "core" setting but Scarred Lands is a great campaign world just waiting for one of many big-bads to take control. You've got all the deposed titans just aching for followers.

Even though it's OOP the books are readily available in just about every FLGS I've been to locally (yes I know that's redundant).

Take allegiance with a titan and you'll have whole countries ready to fight you.

Later

 

[Weinbehalter]

It does stray from "core", but my vote would be for Midnight. If your evil, whats better than working under the only god present pursuing rebel groups, hunting spell-casters, and defeating the elves and dwarves on the frontlines.

Its also probably one of the grittiest campaign settings out there. Its perfect for an evil campaign.

 

[SavageRobby]

Take a look at the Wilderlands. LOTS of area to take over there, and a few solid BBEG to work for.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Yeah, but I swear these are the only four truly capable of doing so (through admittedly, the Zhentarim are rebel rejects, and have hardly any hope of accomplishing their goals).

Mind Flayers, oh yeah, but that would just be a really odd game.

What's wrong with odd games?

But you might be correct. Those four - and the groups associated with them (Church of Bane for the Zhent, Shar for the Shades) - might be closest. Most other evil churches and faiths are either too small or too unorganised. Same goes for other groups/organisations, plus many have other agendas or set their goals lower.

I would count out the Cult, though, at least for now: their founder's dead - and this time, for real. Many of the dragons that previously worked with them are... annoyed at them.

 

[Steel_Wind]

One setting that would work exceptionally well for this theme is Cerilia, the setting of TSR's Birthright.

 

[kreynolds]

What's wrong with odd games?

Well, they're...odd! No, seriously, the mind flayer intellect is just completely alien to me. Same with the Gith. Maybe I just have not yet read some good source material on them.

I would count out the Cult, though, at least for now: their founder's dead - and this time, for real. Many of the dragons that previously worked with them are... annoyed at them.

Ah, yes, very good point. Forgot about that.

 

[Remathilis]

Might be fun to do Eberron here... Think about it.

Warforged Rebels Allied with the Lord of Blades against the "fleshy races"
Order of the Emerald Claw agents working for an important secret mission for Vol.
Inspired Agents of Riedia undermining Khorvarian Sovereignty.
Minions of an evil draconic member of the Chamber out for revenge against the elves
The elite of Karnath (or Aundair, or Thrane, or...) sent to ignite the Last War anew.
Ruthless Mercenaries looting Xen'drik's valuables for sale on the open market.
Sinister members of the Dragonmarked Houses trying to take total control of the land away from the aristocracy and put it THEIR hands...
Assassins for a silent power trying to stop the only people who know what REALLY happened on the Day of Mourning...
A group of shifters out for revenge against the silver flame for the Lycanthrope Purge.
Three Words: Sharn. Organized Crime.

And that's not mentioning the Aurum, the Cults of the Dragon Below, the Daelkyr, the drow, etc.

Thanks to Eberrons "looser" definition of good and evil, an evil party wouldn't even have to be "villains" but just dark anti-heroes out for their own advancement at the cost of all others. You could go political or standard dungeons. You could start war again, or act in silent coups. You could ally with an evil organization or go solo. Best of all: no Uber-wizards (Mordie, Elmy) to act like a schoolteacher and give your Evil PCs a time out for doing really terrible things. Really, Eberron is a great setting for playing non-heroes in since the world really does have a playable area of gray to use.

Check it out, it MIGHT be what your looking for. Oh, and the names aren't THAT silly, either.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Well, they're...odd! No, seriously, the mind flayer intellect is just completely alien to me. (...) Maybe I just have not yet read some good source material on them.

I liked their story in Lords of Madness.