Honestly, as the guy who's usually GM-ing the game (because no one else wants to, or has the time), I really have no preference to any particular type of game (for "D&D-Style" games, it's almost exclusively Pathfinder, or Forgotten Realms [before 4th Ed.] using Pathfinder Rules). The major thing I really care about as a GM is that my Players are having fun. On this site, that partially translates to a game where my Players will consistently post.
As a Player (and to a lesser extent as a GM), I'm getting a bit tired of the "I'm the 'Good-Guy' off to save the world!" type game. Yes, it can be fun, but, in my opinion, they tend to be one-dimensional, and get a bit cliche easily. I like grittier games, ones that are a bit more "realistic" than the "Good-Guy Saves the World" game. "Evil Campaigns" are fun too, and I have no issue Gm-ing those (as long as I know what my Players want out of it first), or playing them.
I'd like to do something different. whether it simply be a "Standard" Pathfinder or Forgotten Realms game, with a few alterations/restrictions (or "extras"); to a completely new, home-brew setting (granted, this is a bit more exhaustive, but can be done).
With that in mind, I have a few basic ideas. All of them would have a few things in common
- Starting level: between 5th and 10th. I'll give the Players choice over whether or not to play as a Gestalt Character. Playing a Gestalt Character would mean that you start 2-3 levels lower.
- All the games would take place somewhere within either Golarion (Pathfinder Setting), or Faerun (Forgotten Realms Setting).
- Races and Classes would be themed to the game/setting.
- All the games would be something I want to be long-term (meaning you DO actually get to level-up, etc.).
- All the games would be what I classify as "semi-sand-box" (meaning you are able to go off and do other things, but there is an over-arching plot line to be discovered.)
First one:
Game takes place (mostly) in the Underdark. We'll use either Forgotten Realms, or Pathfinder for the Game world (which ever most people seem to like better), but for the most part, it won't make a much difference (except for Gods, flavor, etc.).
We'll use "Underdark" races only (I'll go through the Pathfinder & 3.5 Forgotten Realms and put them up in a Thread on the game).
Second one:
All the PC Races would be custom races (using the "Advanced Races" book from Pathfinder, the rules of which I will post in the game for convenience). Perhaps from magical experiments or something along those lines.
Maybe take place in a "frontier" or "backwoods" type setting.
Third one:
This game would make heavy use of the "Ultimate Campaign" book (specifically using downtime rules, rules for building things such as a town/kingdom, etc.
This game would obviously center around 1 location, and be little to no combat.
Like I said, these are just basic, bare-bones ideas, but you get the jist.