I love pies, but don't know how to bake a pecan pie... pronounced peeeecan pie here in the south.
Well pecan pie is made with pecans (obviously), eggs, butter, and sugar.
I have had a Derby Pie, which sounds about the same, but it has chocolate in it I think.
There are quite a few variations, like you said with chocolate, but also with the sugar that they use including white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or even honey.
oh brown sugar and honey!  I should have eaten lunch before we discussed pies!  I wonder how hard they are to bake.
I just ate so that helps haha. There are a lot of other flavors added like salt and vanilla too.
I have tried to make a lemon meringue pie before, but it looked like pea soup.  The meringue didn't rise or whip right.  Maybe a pecan pie is a safer bet. 
Probably, meringue is a bit more finicky. Another additive that sounds great and is fairly popular is bourbon whiskey.