Avatar my friend
one thing about a success game is: to let people play what they truely like
the power of options
that also mean, the story should preferable not be plotted before hand. It'd be better if you let people design their characters, then you make a story based upon that, adding twists and surprised. argghhh.. DM's work, yes, a lot of patience is required, but talking about the joy of it
good luck