I ran RoRL a while ago, but managed to kill all but one PC in the battle at the conclusion of the second adventure (the halfling bard was charmed trying to escape). So, inspired by the Shadow Under Sandpoint campaign journal thread, I want to try and get a sequel campaign going with different PCs. So, here's a bunch of my random ideas that I want to coax into a true campaign and I would be happy to hear any feedback.
I plan on assuming that a different group of adventurers took out Karzoug at Xin-Shalast, but they've been corrupted by how powerful they became and went their separate ways. A different evil wizard and his apprentices have taken a seat in Xin-Shalast and spent the 5 years between the original AP and the start of this one clearing the city, forging alliances with the inhabitants and getting poised to expand into a new empire.
Sandpoint went through a lot; being almost destroyed by giants and a dragon during Karzoug and Mokmurian's rise. And while the people have rebuilt and moved on, it isn't quite the same. The town council is looking to be more proactive about their own defense and I want the PCs to be involved in it- Sheriff Hemlock would definitely be on the look out for some independent help while the Mayor and the rest decide how to go about forging alliances while trying to maintain their independence.
Titus Scarnetti, having survived a brush with the stone giants that wanted to abduct him, has been very generous in using his own funds to fortify the town against further attack (out of concern for Sandpoint's citizens or fear for himself is up for discussion) but he's also pushing to bring in Hellknights from Citadel Vraid to give the town what he feels would be greater stability. While Magnimar has set up a garrison of soldiers nearby, after five years without a major giant attack it's become a punishment post for officers out of favor with the city government and is less effective than it could be. Seeking a securing allies for Sandpoint can be a consistent goal of the campaign and allow the PCs to make their mark while working for Sheriff Hemlock and Mayor Deverin (or for Titus Scarnetti or another member of the town council). It bothers me that a lot of movies/video games/campaigns where a large invading force is going to attack the PC's kingdom requires that the player/protagonist gather allies and formulate defenses, etc. only after it's apparent a huge battle is coming.
Another change is almost like a gold rush of arcane scholars coming into Sandpoint after word of what the Old Light was gets out and what dungeons are beneath the town. Maybe the wizard adventurer consolidating his power in Xin-Shalast published a book of his findings and theories. While the initial rush is over, the influx of coin from visiting wizards helped a lot in funding the town's restoration and there are still several researchers still in town. A rival adventuring group may freelance for these researchers, running to old ruins to recover Thassilonian artifacts, etc.
The Sczarni make themselves useful in procuring access to the Catacombs of Wrath and some other sites for the less scrupulous researchers (they know about the underground access from the sea since the entrance in the Glassworks is sealed) under Hemlock's radar. They've even got a method for using the runewell for their own ends, exporting a potent alchemical concoction. That might end up as the low-level focus: Belor Hemlock's simmering war on the Sczarni and the PCs attempts to help close in on Jubrayl or work with Jubrayl to keep Hemlock off of their operations.
The hinterlands are more dangerous than ever with displaced giants and ogres from the Runelord's armies roaming loose. While the stone giants may go into seclusion, others won't be as quiet. Trade is more difficult by land route, except for one new trading company (which happens to be headed by the halfling bard from the previous party of PCs and his lamia mistress). I thought it would be fun to have Shayless Vinder as the point of contact in Sandpoint, since that PC wound up sleeping with her in RotRL. Naturally, this new merchant company is operated as an advanced scouting mission for the new would-be wizard king of Varisia.
I have some more ideas, but that's what I've got so far before I start taking this big mess and finessing it into something playable and coherent.
Sounds interesting; keep us posted on what you come up with!