When I moved to Des Moines, I wanted a group. I didn't prefer DND but it was a good way to get a group together and then perhaps move onto other games after that.
I used a made up version of the Forgotten Realms for the campaign. I had moved the timeline forward, had a huge war happen which killed most of the big name characters, and tried to present a darker FR. I liked it and used it for over six years, fleshing it out more and more every year.
In the end, what probably ruined it for me was that I find DND doesn't do dark very well. At least, not that I have seen. The current campaign is probably more in line with the tone and mood I wanted to set and I am using default FR with Alternity rules.
In any case, if I find any notes, I will post them here.