Quote Originally Posted by Catullus64 View Post
If taking over the world, rather than just being evil generally, is the goal here, the campaign should start at Level 10, at the very least. Low-to-mid-level characters shouldn't have goals that broad.
i don't like this take, especially in light of your continuation. its like saying that teenagers shouldn't have goals that include major accomplishments, like becoming president, or getting rich. Obviously a low level character is unlikely to be able to achieve their goals, as a low level character. but there's plenty they can do to work towards those goals. in fact, if you're aiming for a lofty goal, its highly recommended that you begin laying the foundation when you're younger/weaker.



Or, if you do want to have them begin at low level, have them start as underlings to a much more powerful would-be conqueror, in which the low levels are quests to further his schemes. As the players become more powerful, they can scheme to depose him and take over whatever resources and power he commands, and then begin conquering the world for themselves. If it doesn't occur to them to depose him, the overlord probably realizes that they are threats to him and tries to do away with them anyway.
I really wouldn't want to force the players down a specific path. if the entire conceit of the campaign is going to be based on personal ambition, then the players are going to be far more invested if they're the ones that setup how that ambition looks. If you try to set it up with a motivation in place, the players will often find themselves wanting to pursue a means that is outside of that, just as a matter of course. which can lead to meta level frustration and friction.

IMO its far better to pitch this as a "take over the world" campaign. and if the players go for it, you talk to them about how they might want to go about doing it. This also offers them the opportunity to build their characters in such a way that it suits the campaign. Or start them off as kinda generic adventurers with the far more nebulous goal of taking over the world. and as they navigate the first 5ish levels, lets them work out how they might enjoy going about taking over the world. in other words, sandbox over linear.