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I have a few ideas I am bouncing around, but only borad ideas, nothing so specific as place names or anything.

The first is a Robin Hood style campaign, where the PCs will be "bandits" waging a guerilla war against some evil noble. I hae even considered taking that idea all the way (probably because I have been playing WAAAAAY too much Medieval II lately) and making my campaign world a "D&D-ized" version of 13th/14th century Earth, with France being an elven kingdom, Scandanavia being the homeland of the Dwarves, etc. But I am unsure if I want to go with that concept.

Another, more vague idea, is to have my players make characters and intentionally tell them not to make backgrounds at all. Then have them wake up somewhere with no memories at all or knowledge of their world. I figure I could make up details (such as what happened or the details of the world) as they go along, since the characters will start as in the dark about these things as the players.

A third idea (which I could actually combine with the second) is my own take on their "points of light" thingy. To have a world that was once ruled by a world spanning empire that collapsed for whatever reason, but not entirely. The PCs live out on in what used to be the fringes of the empire, which is now a collection of tiny kingdoms and independant towns left to their own devices. But the old empire still exists in the heart of its original territories and may start trying to reassert dominance over some of its lost provinces. The only specific I have thought for this one is that the "old empire" would be a Magocracy, with the nobility all being powerful wizards.

Not sure which idea, if any I'll go with, though. Maybe I'll come up with something more original in the next few months.

I'm also toying with the ancient-continent-spanning-empire idea, except that instead of it being a long-dead remnant of the past, it's going to still exist and still span the continent. However, it's going to be in that short frame of time when the empire starts to rip itself to shreds.

Basically, the old king was a genius, and could keep any poor event from scarring his reign. Rebellions were quietly put down before they even started. Nobles who could become dangerous or power-hungry were played against one another and kept themselves in check. Powerful adventurers were given high-prestige quests that sent them to the far corners of the earth for a few decades and out of local politics in the meantime.

But now the king is dead, and none of his possible heirs have the kind of ability he had, and the whole thing's blowing up in their faces. Adventurers are coming back, nobles are starting to win their feuds, and it seems like every local rebellion the king quelled is coming back all at once. Enter the PCs.

Not only would this be fun to DM, but it gives some ability to look at the new things 4th Edition adds. Getting involved in the revolutions or noble house wars lets me try throwing larger groups of enemies at the PCs to test the new streamlined combat system, and the Points of Light flavor would come into play wherever the cracks in the empire are starting to show.

While thinking about this at lunch, I had another idea. Have a world where all the sentient races are slaves and thralls of the Mind Flayers. Then have the PCs get involved with a rebellion against their hated masters. A rebellion led by a human wizard named Gith...


Obviously inspired by the rash of "prequel-itis" Hollywood has of late.

I have an idea for my 4th edition campaign, which I'll kick around till I think of something better.

The world is called, for want of a better name, 'Utopia' and a dominant theme is that of mythical utopias or paradises. There are currently five paradises in the world - islands, realms or city-states which are stunningly beautiful vistas with perpetually happy inhabitants. Well, that's how ordinary folk in villages and towns across the world think of them. Everyone dreams of being able to leave their point of light to go live under a great beacon of light, but very few ever do. In fact, many people believe the paradises to be fictional places made up to distract ordinary people from the harshness of their existence.

However, those who do live in the paradises have their own concerns. No paradise has ever lasted longer than a few thousand years, and the inhabitants of each one can see the end on the horizon. The surrounding darkness is forever threatening to swallow their dreamworlds up, but most inhabitants wouldn't dare leave their paradise to combat threats to it. Therefore, adventurers can find great renown.

In Utopia, dreams and wishes can have a real effect. The humble desire of villagers to be freed of a warlock's yoke can spur a group of adventurers into forming. A half-elf maiden developing a sudden love for unicorns by reading about them can make a nearby forest glade grow beautiful enough to attract them. These wishes must be genuine, and never have any effect if the wishers are deliberately trying to invoke this magic. Conversely, powerful fears, hates and grudges can enhance or create dark monsters and places.

WOW!!!! Thanks for posting, y'all!!! There are going to be some really cool campaigns starting up next year! Glad to see I'm not the only one getting ready early! LOL.


More on Rethelheld:

The city is ruled nominally by Parliament, a council of elected officials, some of whom represent the city's inhabitants (each district elects one Councilman) and others who represent the various guilds (each "major" guild elects one Councilman). This high council is well known for its layers (upon layers) of red tape when trying to determine how best to rule the landhold. Fortunately, there is the Rethelgaard, the city's militia. Captain "Whatshisname" is very heavy-handed when dealing with threats to "his" city, and is well renowned for it. Though Parliament worries that the Captain may have more sway over the city folk than they, his popularity and effective methods keep them from wanting to reign him in.

Thanks again for the good responses! Great Gaming!

Be well in all things,
Rave