The first step would be to run a campaign when the heroes are getting to be "People of Note" - sort of a "Three WeaponThanes" thing, where we see how the group gets together, they go on quests/assignments together, make relationships, etc. Eventually, they will become people of note in their locality - The Young Kid will be accepted into the King's Huscarls, etc. Play a few games at this level (call it 15w for sake of putting a number on it) to cement the new order in everyone's minds. Then end the campaign and play something else.
Later, resurrect the campaign with the old Three WeaponThanes characters, but it is now 20 years on. Give them 20 "Advanced Experience" points to add to their Keywords. Give them 20 HP to spend on any abilities they want (subject to maximum of 10 in any one ability, just like Character creation). Then ask them to write a new 100- (or 50) word description telling what they have done in the interim between the last episode and now. Give them 20 points to add to any new abilities they've picked up in the interval. Start the new abilites at 17, 5w or even 10w - remember, they've possibly spent 20 adult years doing this thing, whatever it is.
Now mix up the background. Old personal enemies may have become friends or at least forced to become partners, old friends and patrons may have died, new supporting cast have appeared, etc. The political situation vis-a-vis neighboring localities may have changed, etc.
Finally, there is a new threat to bring the heroes out of retirement. The new king is wicked, an enemy cult/clan/city has gotten the upper hand, a chaos source has opened up, an invasion is threatened, etc. The heroes are going to verging on Superhero status (depending on where you ended the previous campaign), and they should have relationships galore, items, etc. Most threats are going to be pretty mundane to them - The new breed of King's Huscarls are in awe of the character that was made their captain, and he can beat any of them handily, etc.
Relationships, politics and other "soft abilities" are going to be the things tested - sure, your King's huscarl Captain has Sword and Shield Fighting 17w3, but how about his "Loyalty King"? Will he be able to see the evil in the kid that he has guarded for the last 17 years? When the Godi calls him outcast, what will he do? Will the King see him as a mentor, a threat, or a pawn? How will the captain react when his old friends say "We have to overthrow the king"?
RR
It is by my order and for the good of the state that the bearer of this has
done what he has done.
- Richelieu
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