Ok... so I don't like certain parts of certain APs.
I also don't like this and that about Golarion (particularly the pantheon)
I've been planning for ages (since about 2007, yes that ages!) to make a frozen world campaign but have been too involved with life to full develop it.
So here's my idea.
To totally mish mosh different AP's into a full alternate Golarion story line for my group.
Basically, I'm going with Cheliax and Irrisen being basically the same place.
The Queen of Irissen, has chosen to depose her mother baba yaga as per normal, but in order to do so has joined forces with summoned devils, I plan on merging the whole Kazavon possession from crimson throne into this here, stealing some elements from that story line, giving a reason why the current queen could build up enough power to thwart the legendary immortal baba yaga.
this also makes more sense to me why characters might choose to champion Baba Yagas causes (choosing the lesser of two evils) but I dont want it to be the only way to defeat the ultimate bad guy...just an easier way.
Also, in my world there is no secret underground Darklands, Drow spontaneously combust out of elves (I love that part) but havent done so in large enough amounts to create their own society/nation.
Instead the Red Mantis are mostly populated by Drow, who worship a Duke of hell who is mantis-like, the helmets both disguise the fact that they are Drow, and help off set their light blindness. Their sub plot (also stolen a bit from crimson throne) is the disease plot in that the Red Mantis have developed a poison that can actually cause the transformation into a Drow through injection or poisoned weapons.
this is a sub plot, and helps with the origin of one of the players who is playing a modified Drow, using the Ultimate Race book. She doesn't know anything about other Drow, and has been raised by a coven of Druids.
I'm thinking of incorporating the asteroid calling device, but not as an earthkiller, but has a terror weapon (taking out a whole city for example but not ending the world)
instead of traveling to different worlds (like 1920 earth) the artifacts/keys the players will need are hidden all over their own world (stealing sites from crimson throne, shattered star, and serpents skull that I liked)
anyway still working on it, looking for in put/ideas... like to work in numerian/ustalvian portions as well.
there world is definitely going to be slightly steam punky, no alkenstar per se, but alchemy and clockwork is going to be present in big cities on an almost normal level.
Tentative Characters seem to be:
Female drow inquisitor (two weapon fighter with either short sword and rapier, shield and scorpion whip, two bladed sword, or sawtoothed sabres... she hasnt made up her mind)
Half-orc Mounted Fury Barbarian (going for a knight. with anger issues)
he also might go rage prophet....it depends
Horse lord dwarf ranger
a Human magus who might go Kensai (torn between armor/no armor)
The inquisitor might chose to make a cavalier who goes battle herald ...its similar character concept with two builds in mind...
the whole group is meant to be mounted and far traveling (a challenge for the magus, but hoping he might be able to overcome that with spells and possibly leadership)
havent gotten a solid pantheon yet, but I like the concept of Song of ice and fire (old gods and new gods)
Want to work in lovecraftian critters/old ones mixed with alchemy and clockwork (vorstagg and grime are definitely going to be bad guys... going to make their lab a destination, definitely!)
asmodeus is still on the list for Awful Evil God... I like him good choice.
I think druidic tradition will be the standard "normal people" faith, with the clerics and gods being new and upstart type religions in answer to the old ones, with oracles and inquisitor types being far more common than a fully vested cleric.
thoughts, additions?
Lots and lots of changes... Interesting ideas, though.
First question that your post sparked:
Drow-transforming disease - how it interacts with half-elves, non-elves?
What is the expected finale of the campaign? Either destroying Baba Yaga or helping her thwart her upstart daughter and banishing the devils?
doesnt work on non elves... just some kind of con drain poison, make it easy to save against since it's not built to their physiology
half elves have elf blood so it would work,,, transform them into half drow, maybe give them a better save for being half human. Depending on how the half elf were built (with ARG) it might not work at all.
the other change I was going to make is cities run together... there isn't much in the way of untamed wild, parts of the massive sprawling city are abandoned, ancient ruins etc being partially reclaimed by the wild, or vast gardens maintained by druids.. etc..., the wild IS out there (land of the linorm kings) but it's way way far out, and people think it's just a myth.
What is the expected finale of the campaign? Either destroying Baba Yaga or helping her thwart her upstart daughter and banishing the devils?
expected finale is undetermined/ sand boxy.
These things happen whether the players interact with them or not.
but basically, they begin living in a cheliaxian type world (mash up of irissen, cheliax and crimson throne society)
all sorts or reasons to hate corrupt/overbearing government regardless of alignment.
Pcs could seek favor with Baba Yaga and instill themselves as new governmental over lords, they could strike out on their own, operating within the existing power frame.
the players usually have an "tolkien elf king" type mentality, by the I mean "oh, dragon took over your home? really... well dems the breaks... hope you don't want food or a place to stay, because I like my food storage and extra living space, have a nice walk to the Iron hills! tata!"
they do get involved in things, but on their own terms (that is to say plot hooks rarely work on them)
It's generally, "what are you doing" and then things happen from there... if you mention something about red mantis, poison, or the hell knights at level 3, they get around to being curious about that stuff around level 9, yknow after they have searched under every rug for some random adventure they have never heard of....
so basically I'm just giving them a bunch of stuff to look at, they may decide to wander off and find frozen forests totally ignoring diabolical plots the freeze the entire planet, summon devils and subjugate the planet, but did you realize they just found an ice cave full of troll dung?! cmon lets search further!
It's just how they play... Ive grown to enjoy it and so sand box it is!