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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AntiStateQuixote" data-source="post: 3419696" data-attributes="member: 30770">So, we're starting up a new D&D campaign and I'm breaking a cardinal rule of mine . . . I'm allowing the PCs to play evil charcters.In an effort to head-off any PC-on-PC action (fighting and killing, you perverts!) we have worked out (mostly) a group template a la <a href="http://feartheboot.com/" target="_blank">Fear the Boot</a> as follows:-- BEGIN GROUP TEMPLATE --In just a few words, what is this group supposed to be?The PCs are all street urchins and/or thugs on the mean streets of Roth, the capital city of the Oshland Empire.  They are childhood friends who have grown up supporting and helping each other survive in one of the worst parts of the city.  What common experiences has the party been through?This is one event.  Each player will present an event to the group for approval as part of the "shared history" for the group:About five years ago, when you were all still young teenagers, [one of the female characters] was approached by a pimp.  He offered various monetary and other enticements for her to join his stable of girls.  When she refused several such offers he decided to resort to force.  He sought to kidnap her and take her to another part of the city where she would work for him.  [Another character] was tipped off to the plot by a talkative kid who heard about it from a friend of a friend . . . When the rest of you found out about the plan you worked together to set up an ambush of the pimp and his bully boy guard.  The five of you together beat the guard senseless and killed the pimp.  You dumped his body in the Great Lake where it was later discovered by the city guard.  Members of the Dockworkers Union provided alibis and hideouts for you all to keep you out of trouble on this count.  This was your first involvement with the Union.  They would later seek "payment" for their services . . .  What's the current status of the group and its members? Where are they? What are they doing? What sorts of things are they interested in right now?The PCs live in the same slum neighborhood in Roth where they grew up.  Everyone is directly or indirectly affiliated with The Dockworkers Union, a petty thieves' guild, street gang and labor union.  The Dockworkers Union controls an area of about 25 square blocks near the northern docks in Roth.  The PCs are expected to pay fees to the gang for any loot taken in thieving, mugging, burglary or con jobs.  Those who are directly affiliated with the Union pay only 10% of their take, but have duties to the gang and take orders from the higher ups in the gang.  Those who are not directly affiliated are free to go their own way, but must pay 50% to the gang.The PCs are scratching a living out and trying to survive from day-to-day.  There is some nebulous idea of taking control of the gang or the city or the kingdom . . . someday, but it's far off and not something anyone has thought or talked much about . . . it's just such a long way away and it doesn't put food on the table today.  But one day you'll be able to take back from the rest of the world all of the good things that were denied you as children.-- END GROUP TEMPLATE --So, now everyone is working up new PCs to fit into that "group template," and I'm trying to work out a long term storyline for the game.  The vast majority of my experience as a DM is "you are heroes . . . save the world" kind of games.This is my plea for help . . . what kind of overarching plot do I put in front of these characters?  We talked about what the game focus would be, and there is a desire for an overall campaign plot in addition to normal character development, etc.</blockquote>

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