Looking to brainstorm "better" plots

[Herobizkit]

[MENTION=6727861]PBEM66[/MENTION] - all good ideas, but you broke the code in my OP by using Guild, Cult, and Humanoids in your examples.

It's not easy to come up with 1st level adventures that don't include these things; this is why I usually start characters at 3rd.

 

[ThirdWizard]

In all honesty, I'm getting burned out on fantasy... if I were to run a Modern game with human characters who also interface and meet online in a fantasy (maybe sci-fantasy [like Phantasy Star Online]?) MMO, effectively having two characters... how could I best do this using a D&D system?

Why not just ditch the fantasy for a while? Shadowrun 5e is out. Star Wars has a new system, too. I'm running a post-apocalyptic game that's a ton of fun, and there are endless ways to take that genre. There's also pulp adventure, which is a blast. You say you're familiar with the Dresden Files, have you seen the Dresden Files RPG? It's amazing!

But, if you're going to stick with fantasy of some sort, how about swashbuckling open seas? The PCs could have their own ship, or they could use others to transport from island to island. I'm running a seafaring game and so far no war, no demons devils or undead (there has been a cult), no dragons, and no guilds. There's lots of room for interesting NPCs, lots of variety in locations, and less cliches.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Get shipwrecked on a Mysterious Island, perhaps?

 

[Herobizkit]

[MENTION=12037]ThirdWizard[/MENTION], your suggestion to ditch fantasy is most likely what I'm going to do. Our current game is in the vein of what you've suggested and I wouldn't want to 'double-up' on a theme already in play.

To wit, I'm considering to give ICONS another try and run a light-hearted trope-filled anime extravaganza. My only concern is that one of the players is still in his 'grimdark' phase and might rail against it.

I spoke at length with another player over FB this evening and he's all for it. He already wants to play the Cute Bookworm, an Asian 17-yr old female brainiac who may or may not have a scooter which is also a robot in disguise.