Hi guys,

So I'm making a new campaign for my players to play, and I'm having some ideas and would like you to give your opinion about them.

This group I'm playing with is a 4th level group, and we already played some campaigns before. We live in a (in game) city called Dragonport, and are already quite familiar with each other.

This city is along the sea shore, and a lot of merchants pass through, but lately (And here is my campaign) a lot of oriental ships are coming in, and that's unusual. Thing is, this ships are bringing immigrants, who need to leave their home because of really bad social conditions and a very bad life. They wish they could go back

The party will then travel abroad (by ship) and when they get there they will face very sad life conditions. They eventually will find out that the city's commander (emperor, maybe) is mad, and is not being able to think rationally anymore.

From then on, I haven't really had any ideas on how to develop the story, but what I've considered:

During the ship sail, they will suffer from a giant sea creature attack (probably a classic tentacle monster), and also from a mutiny, which they are supposed to deal with diplomacy, not war)

They are probably gonna have to defeat the commander, which will be the "boss battle", but that is after making a small quest for him. The quest will be an excuse for him to prepare an ambush against the heroes, and when they get back, there will be a fight and the emperor trying to get away (We have a large tripper, so I don't think he will make it, which will lead to a fight)

Now.. Should I let the PC's kill him? The city will be rendered without a command, and some people (The richies) do like him, which can cause some rebelion
On the other hand, if he survives, the city will continue to suffer..

So what are your thoughts and ideas? Anything is welcome (Including possible classes for the emperor)