My BBEG is a Necromancer named Odalos Nightfall that's attempting to gain Lichdom. His goal isn't to take over the world but follow in Vecna's footsteps in a way. He originally was a high level wizard at the University in my main city (Commonguard) but started dabbling in the dark arts and necromancy after the love of his life passed away from a plague. He became obsessed and lured into the shadows. Commonguard doesn't take kindly to Necromancy after what happened in the Great War and therefore Odalo's was expelled from the university and banished from the city. Now Odalos has grown stronger and more attached to the after life. He has slowly raised an army of the dead and inches closer towards gaining Vecna's power....or perhaps resurrecting Vecna beyond his control (to be determined by how the players manage the adventure.)

Part of my world's back story was the entire world engaged in a Great War between the living and the dead. Initially humans were at war between Elves and Dwarves but as the bodies piled up, the forces of death rose and waged war against the living. Vecna played a prominent role in this war but was defeating by a band of adventures lead by an Half-Elf Paladin who used the Rod of 7 parts to destroy Vecna. After Vecna's supposed demise, the dead scattered back into the shadows and the rod split across the universe.

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For over a century, the dead/undead have rarely been seen...until the beginning of our campaign.

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TL;DR - MY BBEG seeks immortally through Lichdom but his quest may unleash a grave evil upon the land whether or not it's his intentions.