Dawnforge
Well since I touted it in one thread I better step up to the plate and describe it here.
Dawnforge is a wonderful campaign setting that is full of back story, but leaves lots of room for the DM to add in his or her own preferences and plot lines.
In a nutshell, it is the Golden Age, before almost anything major occurs in the setting. That doesn't mean there isn't conflict, it just hasn't escalated into a continental/world-wide event yet.
Gods: There are no gods, but there are Immortals of much lower power who provide the spells. These Immortals are worshipped, but have not reached the power level of major gods.
Races: Most of your standards, plus some with flavor. Human races are divided up by region, each with their own racial traits and talents. The Dawn and Night elves are on the verge of splitting societies. Elves and Gnome are much more fey-like than other settings. You still have Dwarves, and Halflings. But there are a bunch of other races that fit in wonderfully and have excellent reasons to be in the game including orcs, doppelgangers, lizard folk, minotaurs, ogres, tieflings, and the Yuan -Ti Thinbloods. All of these races are ready for PC use with DM discretion.
Classes: All your standards can still apply, but there are some specific to the campaign world, just as there are specific PRCs.
Big note about PC's: They are powerful! Every level a PC has to choose a racial transformation or a racial talent that further evolves and empowers their character. Thus CR management can be difficult because all of this is stacked upon all the feats and skills earned by your class. I really like this innovation and it makes for a unique gaming experience.
The World: Giants have been pushed north, but rumblings are being heard from the 1/2 frost giant 1/2 dragon king. Dwarves have been pushed further underground due to their ongoing war with the giants and their mistrust of humans. Minotaurs are rare, and were former thralls of the giants before they rebelled. They are truly without a place to call home. Ogres are the thralls of the giants. Humans are scattered through out the world, but no one nation rules all of them, thus weakening them to humanoid incursion and the Tiefling Dominion. The Dominion is the most organized government on the face of the world and seeks to sublimated all to their rule, they have begun invading the main continent but have met some resistance from the Trueborns of the Kingsmarch. The Dawn and Night Elves have carved out a small nation for themselves, but little is known about them. The Night Elves seemed to be under the thumb of the Dawn Elves and may seek aid from the Tiefling Dominion in the future. Haflings are basically a nomadic race, traveling from area to area selling goods in order to survive. Gnomes are more fey and nature oriented than even Elves making them far more interesting than in any other campaign I have encountered. In the jungles of Zangala the Yuan Ti have risen up and could be a staunch enemy of the Tiefling or an incredibly powerful ally. Doppelgangers are a mysterious race with their own secrets and motivations, though they have been known to work for the Dominion. Orcs can be found everywhere and look to emulate human cities, dwarven architecture, and elven harmony with nature, however they are often misunderstood which leads them to violent conflict with many races. Lastly there is a whole unexplored continent called the Tamerland that has seen only exploratory expeditions sent to its coasts so far. Lizard folk reside in the Tamerland but it is unknown how organized they truly are.
Campaign overview: You are heroes who can shape the world, cause nations and factions to rise or fall, raise immortals to god-like worship, or destroy how cults. You can unite your race to overcome their enemy or get lost in the political maneuverings between nations. In essence the world is the DM’s and players oyster. You can make a truly epic campaign out of this setting, starting at relatively low levels.
I know that by the time I write all of this, someone will have done a better job, but I hope this gives you a feel for it.
Ask any questions, I know I left gaps.
-neg
