Republic of Detroit
Scope
The motivation behind building Republic of Detroit
Scope: A D&D campaign where I (the GM) and my players are engaged and enjoy the game.
Stuff needs to make sense to me (the GM) so I can explain it to the players.
The goal of the project
I want to take this feeling I have about how the world should look and feel to the players and give it enough meat to allow the players to experience and become engaged in the world.
Republic of Detroit's Unique Selling point
My intent is a huge sandbox for the players to explore and find interesting things to become engaged with. I want to adapt my ideas with the thoughts of the players to create something together.
Theme
Genre
I will be using D&D 5th edition rules. Magic exists, though it is not a common experience for most people.
I will be using all of the PHB races, and some of the races from supplemental works if a player requests it.
Reader Experience
I want the players to be engaged. I want them to ask questions and then seek the answers.
Detroit should feel a little desperate for heroes, but not oppressive or doomed.
Reader Tone
Life is not easy, nothing is free.
There are good people and forces who will help.
There are agents of evil who will try to hold the players back.
Recurring Themes
Good deeds are rewarded in-kind.
Thoughtless actions can have far-reaching consequences.
Evil will draw more evil to itself.
Character Agency
The world is affected by the players and will respond to their actions. They are the center of the story, the camera follows them.
Choices have consequences, but it should feel not like punishment. (My players are super-sensitive.)
Focus
Drama
The campaigns in the Shadowfell by the Empress and the Dominion seem to be concluding. How much longer before they turn their attention to Detroit.
Are any of the major families collaborating with the Empress or the Dominion?
The subjects of the Serpent Empress are being trained to worship only her. The Gith revere their Undying Queen and disregard all other Powers. The gods of the world are concerned that if either triumph over Detroit the balance of the world will be disrupted and start to disolve into chaos. Chaos is already appearing in the world where Dominion or the Empire hold sway.
The Malestrom of Madness lurks in the northern ocean. There are great rewards of capturing and harvesting leviathans in the northern ocean. Ships who get too close to the Malestrom experience reality shifts which affect /change the sailors.