I absolutely agree, south east asia 1930s sounds very fun.  especially the british colony of singapore.<br/><br/>My gut says we ought to start out with the Nazis though passively as you laid out.  It's a function attended by Nazis.  Perhaps there's an artifact that might be stolen or someone is murdered or some sort of mystery that would draw the characters together at the start.<br/><br/>i've been mulling over ideas for my character -- i wanna make someone who'd catalyze some parts of the plot without needing to drive it.  so i'm thinking he's soviet foreign service, but by the time the game starts, I think he's just about had it with his position.