D&D General Quest hook for my players?

[aco175]

You have a good plot with the rats to take the PCs from levels 1-5 when they encounter the rat king and save the outer city. They can find out another p[lot near the end of this to lead they to either the orc problem, the noble demon problem, or the dwarf umber hulk problem. This may take the PCs to level 10 when they save the whole city from that. You gave them a choice on what path they wanted to take and along the next path you can drop hints about the other problems they did not take. Maybe the nobles are now plotting against the PCs if they are becoming heroes in the city and dealing with the orcs after the rats. Maybe the giants join the orcs if the PCs are dealing with the nobles. Develop the longer plot based on the PCs actions.

Another thing you want to develop are NPCs. Maybe the PCs stay out in the villages and farms. The farmers will ask the PCs to deal with the problem through the local innkeeper. There should also be other adventuring groups trying to deal with the problem, but having a hard time. Team up with a group to deal with a sewer den of rats and a mid-level boss, then have the group contract the disease to maybe fight the PCs later. Eventually, everyone cheers the PCs for solving the problem.

 

[Krachek]

If you need help for hook, describe your world only won’t help me, you should describe the characters played too.

 

[Bird Of Play]

If you need help for hook, describe your world only won’t help me, you should describe the characters played too.

A silent, mysterious warlock of an undefinible alignment: he's definitely Lawful, and he acts as if he's Lawful Good - yet his powers are dark eerie stuff.... Lawful Evil stuff.
A wise gnome, friendly and clever, who is usually almost Gandalflike but, as gnomes often do, from time to time will do something Chaotic if it looks amusing to him.... Chaotic Good.
A young thief who recently multiclassed into bard after an encounter with a lich NPC unlocked the magic he's always tried to have - he's in many ways the typical horny bard archetype, but he does play it well, including the attentionseeking.... Neutral Pure.

 

[Eltab]

One of the secret demon-cultist agents is around when the PCs get into a fight and sees the Warlock's powers. The agent knows (or he thinks he knows) that such use of dark power makes the PC a potential recruit for the cult. "We can show you the true path to power; be no one's tool or patsy but your own master." Serve the agent right, of course, if the PC patiently spies the cult out and eventually leads his friends to the main lair - taking down the wannabee-rival to his patron.

Additional complication: an honest 'Commissioner Gordon' will help 'Batman' get equipment to spy out and take down the cult but this all must happen with plausible deniability - not ever "Stop in the name of the Law!" from the PCs.

 

[Bird Of Play]

One of the secret demon-cultist agents is around when the PCs get into a fight and sees the Warlock's powers. The agent knows (or he thinks he knows) that such use of dark power makes the PC a potential recruit for the cult. "We can show you the true path to power; be no one's tool or patsy but your own master." Serve the agent right, of course, if the PC patiently spies the cult out and eventually leads his friends to the main lair - taking down the wannabee-rival to his patron.

Additional complication: an honest 'Commissioner Gordon' will help 'Batman' get equipment to spy out and take down the cult but this all must happen with plausible deniability - not ever "Stop in the name of the Law!" from the PCs.

Oooh why didn't I think of THIS!!
I like that! On one hand, someone might be trying to stop the cult from the inside, thus helping the players. On the other hand.... the cult approaching the warlock once they find out his powers.
Now on to make sure they do find out he's a warlock!

 

[Krachek]

A silent, mysterious warlock of an undefinible alignment: he's definitely Lawful, and he acts as if he's Lawful Good - yet his powers are dark eerie stuff.... Lawful Evil stuff.
A wise gnome, friendly and clever, who is usually almost Gandalflike but, as gnomes often do, from time to time will do something Chaotic if it looks amusing to him.... Chaotic Good.
A young thief who recently multiclassed into bard after an encounter with a lich NPC unlocked the magic he's always tried to have - he's in many ways the typical horny bard archetype, but he does play it well, including the attentionseeking.... Neutral Pure.

A rogue-bard and a warlock may be appeal by the duergar, drow, dwarf interaction.
The situation may get worse enough to force the embassador to use an external neutral help to help him solve internal conflict. He can be a good Patron for this adventure part. Friends make in drinking competition are irreplaceable!
the looking for attention seeking may find nice to be ask to help an ambassador, and a lawful character should not say no to an official job. Being ask after knowing they are not totally welcome may add a little sweet and sour mix to the plot.