This thread is for feedback/input on the campaign idea I'm working on for my brothers and their summer break.  Hopefully this will grow into something we can carry over, but we'll see.

I'm going break the thread up into multiple posts for easier quoting.

Josh, Ben, Kelli, Sean - this is not for you.  You know who you are.  Don't spoil the surprise...

This is a Pathfinder campaign, by request.  I can share the character gen rules if need be, but we're using basically everything.

Next up is the public synopsis...

The first map outlines the basic geography of the area. It is dominated by a mountain chain to the west and has limited access to the sea to the east.

The second is a political map outlining the five major regions of the campaign.

Starting at the top and going clockwise...

Nalesskelurn is ruled by the evil Queen Skelacktia, mostly under the boots of her mighty black-armored legions. It is rumored that she has been arresting pregnant mothers of late, many of which do not return.

The twisted avian Nechrath control the land they have recently renamed Draksis. Their might is due to dark magics and mighty mechanical automatons.

Beyond the mountains to the south west lie the steppes of Shyfia. Here hordes of horsemen are the greatest concern, for they plunder the defenseless villagers in service of a great snake cult.

Jaraeq is home to mostly miners and farmers. This land is also widely known to have fallen under the control of the mighty dragon Verioth, who demands sacrifices and regular tributes.

Nestled in the crook of the mountains is the great maze of Lyeilia. Goblins emanate from within, menacing the countryside regularly. While the land on the map is technically claimed by neighboring factions, the shaded area is distinctly within goblin control.

At the mouth of the river between Draksis and Nalesskelurn is the trade port Ataraxia. Aligned with Abadar this LN city upholds the peace at all costs. All deals are fair and consistent with the law, but otherwise, pretty much anything goes - so long as it is out of sight and does not disturb the peace. Nalesskelurn claims the land, but demands no nor receives any tribute, and Ataraxia sees to its own security with a strong City Guard and a formidable Navy.

The kick-off adventure will begin in Ataraxia.

Now the GM information...

This idea was borne from this link - http://www.critical-hits.com/blog/2009/07/29/using-the-5x5-method-for-adventuredesign/

So I picked five 80's fantasy movies and am melding them together.  The protagonists have mostly been replaced by opportunities for the PCs, with the exception of Dragonslayer.

The basic idea is to treat it like a sandbox.  Those of us of a certain age remember the films, and can use that as a basis for expanding a 'what-if' style story.  The brothers, though are too young to remember them, if they even have seen them all.  This, to me at least, is brilliant.

But that's also the snow job, because if they find out and go watch the movies, they'll probably/possibly have less fun.

Next up the movies, then I have to run to work...

Dragon-oriented story based on Dragonslayer.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082288/synopsis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonslayer

To appease Verioth, King Natiner offers him virgin girls selected by lottery twice a year. The great sorcerer, Benral of Graoma faced the dragon and was destroyed. His young apprentice Gahnalam Bel now seeks to fulfill his master's quest and save the realm of Jeraeg.

Based on the movie Willow...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096446/plotsummary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_(film)

Emora D'mosina is the child prophesied to bring about the doom of the evil Queen Skelacktia. Skelacktia's greatest allies are her magic, her army (for she rules the nation of Nalesskelurn), her great General Skelg, and her daughter Tudala.

Among her army are the Dragonslayers. Known for their prowess as troubleshooters, Skelactia has lent them out over the years, typically at some terrible price.

Based on the movie Labyrinth...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/synopsis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinth_(film)

The mad priest Jaloun, worshipper of Lamashtu, has discovered a way to turn humanoid babies into goblins. Declaring himself the "Goblin King", he hides in the heart of the great maze Lyeilia massing his unholy forces.

Based on the film The Dark Crystal.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083791/synopsis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Crystal

The Gramcrag is a great monolith pulsating with a vile hue and featuring a deep crack along its face. It is worshiped within a blashpemous temple, constructed around it by the frail, bird-like Nechrath. They use the power of the stone for all manner of dark magic, the greatest-known of which to power their army of juggernauts, called Dalkgar. These are used in great numbers to crush any who would oppose the Nechrathian rule over what they now call Draksis.

Not terribly far from the Gramcrag live the peaceful and wise Cephen. Resembling great sloths in both shape and behavior, the Cephen mostly contemplate the universe and worship their own idol, which they simply call the Essence. It lies deep in a cave, but always resonates moonlight as though reflecting it from the sky. It is in this light the Cephen spend most of their time.

Inexplicably, the Nechrath behave as if the Cephen simply do not exist. And since they do not interfere with meditations, the Cephen essentially do likewise.

Based on the essence of the two Conan movies, Beastmaster, and Red Sonja.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082198/synopsis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_the_Barbarian_(1982_film)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087078/synopsis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_the_Destroyer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083630/plotsummary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beastmaster_(film)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089893/plotsummary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sonja_(film)

Of the three cults of the great snake, Ophidiaxis, only two are known to be active. The greatest is the Sinaka who also control a legion of Shyf horsemen they use to subjugate the wilderness people. Of late they have grown fat and lazy, more interested in capturing sacrifices to Ophidiaxis than expanding their territory. Their temples are lush and fat. Only fear keeps them from being looted. Second are the Naga. They are masters of the mystic arts, spending much of their energies in search of the Phylactery of Night, for it is said it holds the power to destroy the very world, ushering in the next age, giving birth to the old gods anew.

In opposition to these is the cult of the Oliphaunt. Revering a great elephant with down-turned tusks, this relatively small cult seeks to smash the snake cultists as though underfoot of the great beast. In order to keep this cult from ever rising to power, the Ophidiaxis defiled their idol, each stealing a tusk and securing it somewhere within their vaults or libraries.

Those are all good sources to steal uh, I mean get inspiration from. One thing I always recommend to those looking to create their own stuff is to cast a wider net when looking for inspiration. Don't just crib from the usual sources like fantasy/S&S novels and movies. Westerns are very easy to repackage for D&D, as are pirate yarns. In fact, just about any adventure movie can be used as a template for a D&D adventure.