My personal D&D group has recently taken on a few newcomers for our newest campaign. It being my turn to DM, I opted to make a homebrew world - but one based (loosely) around the existing 4e fluff, such as it is, in order to prevent confusion on the side of the new players and simply the reflavoring process overall. The result is that the generic, but slightly flavored descriptions of each race and class (except the Artificer and Swordmage, for obvious reasons) still generally hold true within this setting.
For now, I'll include the history of the known world and a (very) basic map. Certain races that very much exist (for example, goblins) are left out for that reason - this history is told as the mortal races currently know it.
What I'd love to have from you guys is flat critique - anything that comes off as cheesy, unoriginal, unbelievably, or if you spot some major plot hole. Of course, positive feedback is also welcome!
Sounds very interesting.
You could even run a "dual-prong" campaign where you have one party of eladrin and gnomes and one of other races. Both follow the clues (wittingly or not) that lead them to discover the threat about the Far Realm, the origins of their world and how this new (and old) threat could be vanquished or at least, avoided.
Just make sure that your players know right off the bat what the political and social situation is : nothing more annoying than being told you can't do the character you wanted to do. So make sure that the race mixing limitations/hardships are clear before you start setting up.
Otherwise, good writeup. Just wanted to chime in : too many good posts don't get attention on these boards if they don't start with "WotC RULES!" or "WotC SUCKS!"; with the attention they do get being the resulting flame war...
You could even run a "dual-prong" campaign where you have one party of eladrin and gnomes and one of other races. Both follow the clues (wittingly or not) that lead them to discover the threat about the Far Realm, the origins of their world and how this new (and old) threat could be vanquished or at least, avoided.
This is what I'm currently looking at, minus the dual-pronged bit (which is a really neat idea, actually). This backstory is designed for the current campaign, and obviously focuses on the Far Realm as a major antagonist, but the evils of the Abyss and the Nine Hells are both still very present, among others.
Just make sure that your players know right off the bat what the political and social situation is : nothing more annoying than being told you can't do the character you wanted to do. So make sure that the race mixing limitations/hardships are clear before you start setting up.
They were informed of this more unique racial divide before creating their characters, though I both condoned and commended a party with races from both "sides" - it allows the party to experience societal tension wherever they are (the elven sorcerer is going to draw some looks, and maybe a few angry mobs, in human and orcish cities, while the dwarven cleric and human druid will both be viewed with scorn when they visit the eastern elven bastions) but also grants them access to both sides of the conflict.
Otherwise, good writeup. Just wanted to chime in : too many good posts don't get attention on these boards if they don't start with "WotC RULES!" or "WotC SUCKS!"; with the attention they do get being the resulting flame war...
Well, thanks for the feedback! The dual-pronged idea is really good, to say the least - while it's too close to the world's maiden voyage to run an entire campaign based around it, I can imagine a few interludes that involve such a thing.