Well, perhaps we could have a dark fantasy world in which the planet is growing increasingly dangerous. Several major empires have broken down in the wake of a world war and a plague, civil strife and rebellions have shattered the successor states to said empires, barbarians exploit the havoc and attack almost unopposed. Cities have withered due to a collapse in trade and currency is rare in many areas. Cash-strapped kingdoms adulterate their currency's value to pay their soldiers, many of whom have turned to mercenary work when they fail to be paid in time. Dragons and other powerful monsters carve out petty realms of their own, bandits stalk the roads... you get the idea. Things suck.

Powerful magic users have either added to the chaos, or have withdrawn into an increasingly isolated world of towers and fortresses. These strongholds may be safe from attack, but are insular and confining. We can play two of these powerful mages who have chosen to largely abandon the world rather than take on the increasingly dangerous errand of trying to save it. Kingdoms would still exist, but most of them would be on the edge of existence, frequently just one lost battle away from collapse, and mages would be considered powers in their own right, often with their towers constituting their own pocket-sized realms where they are subject to no law but their own. Although rarely evil, these archmages are often amoral, or at least are very concerned with themselves. Power, prestige, and relative gains and losses factor into their every major decision, and they must constantly be aware of the shifting sands of politics.

Is this a good start, at least? Should I PM you?