As I explained in my first thread "New Berk on the Block," I shall be planning out the possibility of a Planescape MMORPG. Don't mistake this for actual development, just a sort of "this is how I'd do it" type thing.
Anyway, I have noted that most (if not all) MMORPGs have some level of grand conflict. It's makes the difference from randomly slaughtering things, to randomly slaughtering things for a cause. I've been toying with some ideas for conflict, and here are some of them:
The Blood War is escalating, and is encompassing more planes. Often times it spills out into the Upper Planes, which is getting the various celestials all uppity. So the while the Baatezu and Tanar'ri continually tear at each others throats, the Eladrin, Guardinals, Archons and various other celestials begin to defend themselves more heavily, sometimes ambushing either side to prevent them from crossing into their realm.
Meanwhile, mass combat is beginning to break out in Mechanus between the Formians and Modrons. Inevitables are getting twitchy with all the conflict breaking out all over the planes.
Githyanki are pulling out all the stops and going to all-out war with the Githzerai, modifying their astral ships for use in Limbo. The Githzerai have captured many of their modified ships and have begun to craft their own.
The Slaadi are having a blast with all the chaos in the planes now. Yugoloths are profiting immensely, assisting almost anyone who can pay their price.
Even the genies of the elemental planes are breaking out in small conflicts.
And through it all, Sigil remains as it has always been. There are occasional conflicts here and there, a few more than usual, anyway. But it remains one of the safest places in the multiverse.
Then along come the players, drawn into this conflict. Able to choose any side they wish, or even remain out of conflict. But sooner or later, the wars find you. A blood who gets pulled into the wars may well want to find out what's started this whole mess, which will can lead into the main story of the game.
What are your thoughts? And any ideas on what the Factions are doing amongst these various conflicts would be much appreciated (note this will be pre-Faction War).
Really no thoughts? Hm, well I guess it can't be helped.
Also, just so this isn't a bump-post, I'll ask another question. What would you think of a system to enable the movement of towns through the planes? For example, if enough people complete quests to break up the Council of Anarchy in Automata, the game could automatically make it slip into Mechanus. And if enough people complete quests FOR the Council of Anarchy, it could slip back into the Outlands. A sort of interactive geography.