My Island Campaign
A while ago i read these articles(https://madgods.bearblog.dev/archipelago-hexcrawl-i-am-making/) and as i am currently running an island campaign myself and will probably steal one or to ideas from these posts I thought why not post stuff from my current campaign as well and maybe someone will find stuff interesting enough to steal for themselves.
In this post I am going to outline the greater themes I am going with in this campaign and the largest factions. I will also add a little island generator. While I only developed it quite recently and never used the generator for this campaign and might never as designing islands is too enjoyable I hope that it manages to get across the types of islands that are to come.
The majority of these island used to be ruled by an "ancient advanced civilization"
Said civilization did not bring prosperity to these people. In Fact the very opposite and now in this new age when the players step onto the stage the Empire has collapsed. In their exploration they will not only discover ancient treasure but also the many different ways in which the empires legacy molded the islands societies of today.
Besides the many minor factions populating the islands these 4 major factions are trying to expand/protect their influence.
The League of Durgon
The Durgon founding myth has it that they were the ones that brought the empire to its knees whether true or not the city and the League at large has one goal above all. KILL THE LAST DRAGON. As it is the last remnant of the empire. With this goal in mind the people of Durgon have spread far and wide establishing trade relations and outposts on many islands. And bit by bit those that contributed to the great struggle were granted privileges or even invited into the league. But at the end of the day only a true blooded citizen of Durgon has it in them to kill a dragon so do not dare to stand in their way or be struck down by their righteous fury.
The Moonpeople
Just like there are 2 suns of which one remains invisible there are 2 moons one up in the sky and the other at the bottom of the ocean and therefore invisible to most. This second moon has birthed children and only when the moon in the sky is at its fullest do they come out of the water. They do not speak and yet no matter ones language there is understanding. They seek many earthly possessions they cant get their hands on at the bottom of the ocean and will seek to trade for them. But their rationals are so alien bartering is selldom advisable for they do not value things the way they are valued above water. Where possible they will agitate the people against the League for their merchant ships bring with them enough of what the inhabitants need to forgo the cumbersome trade with the moonpeople.
The Prince of Blood
This powerful blood sorcerer from foreign lands learned of the sunken empire. He unified the pirates of his homewaters and set sail to come here. His people only seek gold and glory and his satisfaction as they fear his anger and without him they will never make it back home. While they do not seek to subjugate the local people they prefer to make an example of the people that oppose them disturbing the old ruins and instate a reign of fear and terror instead of engaging in diplomacy.
The next Generation
The empire might have fallen here in these island but the empire is so much more powerful than these mere mortals may understand. The Dragonqueen has send 3 of her children to retake what is rightfully hers. She isn't fond of sharing and only accepts winners among her children. For now the 3 expeditions are working together to resubjugate island after island but it is only a question of time until the beasts will cannibalize each other. one may only hope that in this time a strong united resistance forms or another millennium of despair is to come.
People
roll here to determine the type of society living here
1-2 new people
3-4 (self) enslaved (similiar to these https://goblinpunch.blogspot.com/2014/11/god-hates-orcs.html)
5-6 neo imperial(custodians awaiting the return of the empire)
7-8 neo imperial(claiming to have overthrown and usurped the empire)
9 anti imperial resistance
10 monstrosity
Outside Presence
roll here to determine the presence of the dominant major faction
1-3 Trade relations
4-6 Trading post
7-8 Plantation/Mine/Other extraction site
9 City
10 Outpost(major faction besides the dominant in this region)
Ruins
roll here to determine what ruins are left from the empire
1-3 Outpost
4-6 Plantation/Mine/other extraction site
7 City
8 Drake breeding colony
9-10 Civilization opposing the empire