New Map

Just finished this map for the Edge of Darkness campaign.

Looks like EoD is going to be a semi modular campaign; the area I've mapped out is so large, and the possible stories within it are so varied, that I can run multiple iterations of the same campaign, simultaneously.

Many possibilities, one map.

The basics: The Cardinal Empire, in the middle of the map, is an expanding empire; it's taking over any kingdom it can conquer. However, the Emperor is not a hasty conqueror; he has time on his side, and makes sure to thoroughly pacify any newly acquired territory. The kingdoms around the Empire are attempting to secure their borders, and some kingdoms are trying to convince their neighbors to ally against the Imperial threat. Players can choose to play within the Empire, within one of the allied kingdoms, or in the wilderness at the edges of Imperial and Allied territory. They can be refugees, revolutionaries, reformists, diplomats, spies, or assassins. They can be mercenaries just looking for the next job. They can be bent on revenge against the Emperor or they can be devoted followers of the Imperial ideal. They can be tribal champions defending the ways of their people against the "civilized" forces trying to tame them. There are literally dozens of possible story arcs.

So far there have been three iterations of the campaign; my notes are beginning to get little sub titles of "EoD II" or "EoD: Imperial Agents." I've been very lucky to have patient players who understand about the sorts of random disruption and insanity that attack my gaming life with no warning. I've been able to accommodate a group of four players, a group of three players, and yet another group of three, and still one more group of (I think) three...after this weekend I'll probably have a grand total of 13 characters spread among 10 players. One of my players has a different character in every iteration (thank you so much, my loving husband, for being willing to be that guy).

I'm looking forward to seeing how this new, many-headed beast of mine grows and changes with the influence of new and different players.