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Good luck! For me, I would lean heavily on the moral choices. See how far they are willing to take it. I am not usually keen on the "Evil" campaigns, so once they fully throw in, I would be done.
However, if you don't mind running with it, they could become his A-Team, and you can gear your campaign around the re-establishment of the Thassilonian empire. The real twist will be when the big K realizes that they are becoming powerful enough to pose a threat and his paranoia begins to take hold. Then... BETRAYAL!!!
Shattered Star could help.
When the PCs have dealt with the clockwork reliquary then Karzoug realises they pose a real threat for him and betrays them, as Aeshuura said.
The fifth module, "Into the Nightmare Rift", could also be very helpful in expanding the whole Leng part.
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You have various means of weakening the surrounding governments. K would probably be fine with starting with Magnimar, since they are closest to where they might be.
One of the moral choices that is most obvious, is to have them harvest greedy souls to hasten his return. Though it sounds that he must be close to being revived already.
If you want to go with moral issues you have many ways.
The PCs could become Big-K heralds, bringing word of his intention to unite Varisia under the banner of Xin-Shalast to Magnimar, Korvosa and the like. Big-K is a declared tyrant and will not esitate to use force if its needed, but he's not stupid. If he finds a way (the PCs) to persuade at least some of the largest Varisian cities to join his new empire without wasting resources with a war, he will be glad to do so.
Or, Big-K can send them to rescue some old ally (like Gargadros from module 3) or recruit new ones (
But in the end Big-K's true goal is to restore Thassilon with him at the top of the pyramid, so the line between what is acceptable to do for Varisia's sake and what is not will become more and more difficult to trespass (if your PCs aren't evil, obviously).
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely - the Runelords themselves are proof of this, as far as the Pathfinder setting goes. Simply apply this to the servants of the Runelords as well. Especially if the PCs become said servants.
The more the PCs work for "K," the more they should be tempted by the power and resources he wields. Greed is a powerful force, after all. Keep the rewards small at first, but keep them interesting, and keep them coming as long as the PCs succeed. Command of a small tribe of hill giants here, a magic sword tailored to the wielder's style there. Most importantly, adjust the important session-defining encounters the PCs face to be slightly tougher than normal. Not by much, but just enough to help them grow to rely on the gifts they've been given.
"K"'s plans will start somewhat small; even now, since he's still consolidating a power base. Raid some nearby ancient Thassilonian sites for cool Sihedron-emblazoned tech. Build new fortifications or re-build old ones. Help Mokmurian or, if he's dead, "K"'s new giant buddy take over other giant clans and negotiate with other possible allies - even by tempting city officials in Riddleport or Magnimar with greed in the alluring form of large sacks of gold pieces and magic items looted in a dungeon raid.
Make them want it all...and then, start giving them opportunities to leech it away of "K," bolster their own power without "K"'s knowledge, or generally set "K" up to take a fall. Maybe they discover some rebel cell, and help set them up to strike Xin-Shalast...while the PCs are out in the field, of course. Let them build up their resources and give them the opportunity they've waited so long for, to stab "K" in the back and take his loot and his empire. What happens after that, how the stuff is divided or how many more backstabbings occur...will be up to the players.
...And that's a wonderful framework, but that doesn't help you immediately. Hmmmm.
Read the RotR back sections for stuff on Thassilon and regional politics. I admit, I don't know the region and stuff very well, so I can't help you much there. I actually come here because people know the setting better than I, so ask around for others to lend their expertise. But I can list some ideas for interesting scenarios, and you can just fill in the names later.
- Raiding a Thassilonian armory, complete for runewells and fleshwarping pits for re-purposing living weapons. Squatters to toss into said pits are optional.
- Negotiate with some local dragon clans to get them some pro bono work from the great K. Possible contract conditions include eliminating other potential candidates for old grudges' sake.
- Destabilize local political theaters through bribery, blackmail, or even honest elections. Bonus points if one of the PC's becomes the de facto ruler of a city.
- Remind the PCs about that fort from HMM, and let them re-claim it with a task force of giants. If the PC's can get the nearby town on board, all the better.
Be careful about tempting your PCs, it can easily become a double-edged sword and destroy the party (personal experience).
Give them a taste of his own power and the benefits that it brings isn't something Big-K does deliberately. He has no interest in corrupting the PCs (unless he needs some other powerful greedy souls for something... hmm). All he wants is to exploit them as long as they are useful and then take them out once they become a hindrance.
Don't force the corruption on them. If they refuse the "evil" rewards Big-K offers, let them. This could also further increase Big-K's paranoia. ("Why do they help me without wanting anything in return? What are they up to?")
That said, working for Big-K will not be easy anyway. Even if the PCs manage to resist the many temptations of Xin-Shalast, Big-K's allies will not easily accept their presence there.
In brief, Xin-Shalast is a very dangerous place for the PCs, even with Big-K's protection.
I really hope your PCs take this road. This campaign looks more amazing every minute that pass!