|
Post by weaselcreature on Mar 17, 2015 10:22:42 GMT -8
So I've had an idea for a Star Wars game running in my head, where there's a good chance of a big twist at the beginning of the game. I was having trouble figuring out how to keep some of it hidden from the characters until I listened to Bill's playcast: freeze them in carbonite!
The party will be an Imperial Spec Ops team, and the end of their training will be to put the team in carbonite as a final test, and they will be awakened after a short period.
Their training would start just before Ep IV, and the potential twist could mean that R2 never reaches the Rebellion, and thus Yavin is destroyed as well as the leaders of the Rebellion.
All that is fine by me (and preferable). While it would be a major victory for the Empire, the destruction of Alderaan and Yavin and loss of these leaders is going to drive more people to the Rebellion. Military assets will consolidate more in the Outer Rim, but there will be an increase of guerrilla cells and subversive types throughout the galaxy.
The question is...what do I have the PCs do? -send them on missions to disrupt cells -send them on more missions to disrupt cells -send them on more missions to disrupt cells
That would get old. I could have another force-sensitive figure emerge (I highly doubt that Luke and Leia are the only ones to develop the power...just the ones known) that could be a recurring, long-term plotline and goal.
Any other ideas?
|
|
|
Post by stork on Mar 17, 2015 11:38:32 GMT -8
Remember to use elements from the PC back story as well. Depending on what they include in their back story, they may decide to follow them and not your plot thread at all.
If your running Bills SW Traveller hack you will have more than enough unresolved plot lines to pick up after char gen. If not, require the PCs to come up with back stories. You can even make a list like Stu does that is posted somewhere on the forum.
|
|
|
Post by weaselcreature on Mar 17, 2015 13:39:14 GMT -8
Yeah, I definitely throw in PC backstory stuff in my games, and let players go where they choose, but I want to have some kind of path in mind I can guide the characters down, if they so choose, so it's not just a series of military missions if they don't follow other hooks.
I wasn't planning on running Bills hack (I don't own Traveller and haven't played it since the '80s); probably the new Edge of the Empire. Although I've been contemplating reskinning WestEnd Games Shatterzone, but that sounds like too much work. I like the card mechanic they use (I played a LOT of TORG in my day).
|
|
tomes
Supporter
Hello madness
Posts: 1,438
Currently Running: Dungeon World, hippie games, Fallout Shelter RPG hack
|
Post by tomes on Mar 17, 2015 14:27:01 GMT -8
It'd be interesting in giving them some back story elements that allows them to be on the line between empire and alliance. It's all good to have them very imperial focused at first, but I like that option of changing allegiances, or going bounty hunter, or going on the run.
I have a campaign where I had them working for the army of a fantasy world empire, and as it happened they all built characters that were pretty focused on personal matters, working their as a side-effect of other things (one PC even came to infiltrate the army to extract revenge on his fallen family). What's nice is it allowed me to use other rebel forces to tempt them off the beaten path.
Maybe even have them each give you character threads that would both have them be anti-rebels, as WELL as threads that would make them anti-empire. Then you could pull those strings as necessary or when appropriate.
|
|
tomes
Supporter
Hello madness
Posts: 1,438
Currently Running: Dungeon World, hippie games, Fallout Shelter RPG hack
|
Post by tomes on Mar 17, 2015 14:30:40 GMT -8
... but I want to have some kind of path in mind I can guide the characters down, if they so choose, so it's not just a series of military missions if they don't follow other hooks. Oh, maybe make some missions seem simple at first, but then have their immediate boss really be an agent for the rebels who sends them on a mission that fucks with the empire. Will the PCs be blamed as the actual rebel spies? How can they convince the forces that be that they were duped? Or alternatively have a mission that has them catch a rebel spy, but that spy turns out to know things about the empire that the PCs themselves would have issues with (such as maybe the empire is bombing one of their home planets, or is conducting themselves in opposition to the PCs moral stances - assuming they have any)
|
|
|
Post by weaselcreature on Mar 17, 2015 14:48:51 GMT -8
I like where those thoughts are going! I'd have no issue with them switching sides on their own (even if I did have some big bad set up for them to defeat...hey, now he's their boss!). The idea of them being double crossed and scapegoated is good. Especially since there's going to be an increase in hidden Rebel sympathy after the atrocities (and possible executions) performed by the Empire. It would put them into a position of introspection on their allegiences; get court-martialled but be true to the Empire and try and uncover the traitor, or see the Empire for what it is and switch sides. Thanks, that got some brain-juice flowing. Keep it up!
|
|
D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
|
Post by D.T. Pints on Mar 18, 2015 5:35:50 GMT -8
I've got a question. I am not the most versed in the Star Wars 'verse. But, I am currently running an Edge of the Empire campaign where the PCs are smugglers, bounty hunters, thugs, gallivanting rich kid, and a wookie hair stylist...don't ask. Anyway, I'm currently watching the last season of the Clone Wars which I absolutely love. Dual lightsaber wielding Palpatine vs Darth Maul with cybernetic legs!?! Yes! What I am trying to wrap my head around is how did the "hey we wanna help you guys!" boy scout style of the Republic forces become "EVIL!" nazi's of the Empire? I get it that Palpatine rises to power as the Emperor but suddenly all of those other galactic spanning armies become tyrannical black hats ?
Its those transitions and their justifications that I'm hoping to highlight in our campaign.
|
|
|
Post by weaselcreature on Mar 18, 2015 7:29:33 GMT -8
Yeah...that's why you should pretend Ep's I-III don't exist. My guess would be that the Empire had a great propaganda campaign that they blitzed out, showcasing the Rebellion as terrorists who want to disrupt the order of the galaxy. The new threat of these violent and dangerous terrorists and guerrilla fighters put the populace of the Empire in fear mode, granting the Empire the political and military capital to continue with their campaign of evil. That's how I'm going to be portraying the Rebellion (from the Imperial perspective). We're seeing the movies (and thus the Empire) from the perspective of the Rebels...the "good guys." The Imperials (at least the troops and populace) see themselves as the good guys; the majority don't see the more blatant evil acts of Vader and the Emperor. The poor privates who witness Vader force-choking his officers even when he's not physically there are too scared to put the word out.
|
|
tomes
Supporter
Hello madness
Posts: 1,438
Currently Running: Dungeon World, hippie games, Fallout Shelter RPG hack
|
Post by tomes on Mar 18, 2015 8:13:04 GMT -8
What I am trying to wrap my head around is how did the "hey we wanna help you guys!" boy scout style of the Republic forces become "EVIL!" nazi's of the Empire? With these thoughts in mind, and given I'm here in the US and most of my players grew up here, I'd base much of the empire on the good ol' U.S. of A. Specifically, a USA which starts going down the path of more and more big brother, less and less freedoms, more and more restrictions, and you start feeling that slippery slope, but there should still be much "good" in the foundation and the background. It's also important that NPCs contribute to this feeling that the empire is not all bad. The merchants should talk up about the stability of the empire, and the disruptions that the rebellion causes. Perhaps the trade routes that have now been in flux due to rebellion activity have contributed to some star systems having food shortages. Now, that's not caused by the rebellion per se, but the people would definitely not feel sympathy to the rebels when it means no food on the plate. Have most NPCs be more concerned about the day-to-day activities, for which the empire is an important factor. It's not that people love the empire, but that they fear what the lack of empire means. Sure the rebellion is fighting for "freedom", but with the tear-down of central authority there is a great risk of civil wars and chaos. Perhaps make more NPCs have the outlook of "let's change things for the good within the system of the empire" (despite the fact that the empires power hierarchy will really not allow that to happen in the long-term; those in power would probably favor a situation where the people still think they can influency the hierarchy). Also, depending on your political lean, you can see how power being collected by a few = the ability to abuse that power. A la the whole backlash on the Koch brothers here in the US by many moderate and most liberal leaning citizens... have some of those out there to diffuse the blame on the empire itself, and blame these local abusers of power. It's very similar to how Palpatine (in the 1-3 movies) would use local bad guys to shift the blame of evil... it was Dooku, or someone else, who was the asshole, while poor old Palpatine was trying to help ensure the empire was working for all its citizens. (FYI, as much as I dislike much of movies 1-3, I loved Palpatine as an actor and character, he was brilliantly played.)
|
|
D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
|
Post by D.T. Pints on Mar 19, 2015 5:33:20 GMT -8
This is great tomes! I think the idea of an EVIL! Empire is fine for a two hour movie but gets quickly stale and boring in a year long campaign. We started out on Tatooine (right after the destruction of the deathstar) and I've given it a very much "occupied Afghanistan" feel. With Storm Trooper recruitment centers and SADOA (Sons And Daughters of Alderan) blowing them up with bombs strapped to droids. Albeit ham fisted at times I think its been cool to let my players know while we are playing in the Star Wars universe this will not be a rehash of the movies. I really want the players to be stuck in the middle and not easily decide who's got the moral high ground. The road to Hoth being paved with good intentions... And weaselcreature I think a good way for imperial characters not to get stuck in a rut is to emphasize those conflicts of intention. Some players might be in lockstep with the Empire blowing up an entire planet just to make a point while others might have actually had family on Alderaan. I now find the Ep. 1-3 more enjoyable after watching the Clone Wars. While the time span feels wonky the overall story arc results in a richer more interesting galaxy for our games.
|
|
|
Post by Kainguru on Mar 19, 2015 7:19:01 GMT -8
I've got a question. I am not the most versed in the Star Wars 'verse. But, I am currently running an Edge of the Empire campaign where the PCs are smugglers, bounty hunters, thugs, gallivanting rich kid, and a wookie hair stylist...don't ask. Anyway, I'm currently watching the last season of the Clone Wars which I absolutely love. Dual lightsaber wielding Palpatine vs Darth Maul with cybernetic legs!?! Yes! What I am trying to wrap my head around is how did the "hey we wanna help you guys!" boy scout style of the Republic forces become "EVIL!" nazi's of the Empire? I get it that Palpatine rises to power as the Emperor but suddenly all of those other galactic spanning armies become tyrannical black hats ? Its those transitions and their justifications that I'm hoping to highlight in our campaign. I would go so far as to suggest looking at modern history - the colonial era with expansion of the British Empire and, specifically, during it's slow decline as it attempted to maintain its colonial territories. Combined with a belief in 'Empire' and its benefits and 'white mans burden' it's easy to see the transition from 'benevolent' mutualism to dictatorial conservatism. The same British establishment that gave birth to the concept of human rights, the abolition of slavery, etc was also guilty of questionable conduct during the Boer War and the Indian Uprising. I always thought that Lucas modelled his Empire on this precisely because he called it an 'Empire' and many of the Naval Officer's affected British accents. Aaron
|
|
|
Post by weaselcreature on Mar 19, 2015 7:53:45 GMT -8
Love the posters, D.T. Pints
YOINK!
|
|
|
Post by Bill Roper on Mar 19, 2015 13:03:52 GMT -8
One of things that has come to light in my campaign where the players are all working FOR the Empire is that they represent the established, stabilizing government. Rebels are criminals. Jedi are hunted. There has been a great deal of propaganda done by the Empire to reinforce this and the common citizen doesn't question why things are done - just that they are being taken care of, trade is good, and a strong military presence = safety.
A villain is always the hero of their own story.
|
|
|
Post by guitarspider on Mar 19, 2015 22:49:55 GMT -8
A villain is always the hero of their own story. This. Also consider how Stalin is viewed in Russia today. You can google and find in-depth articles about this, but the short version is, that pupils aren't taught that Stalin murdered millions, they're taught that he modernized the country and staved off the Germans. So obviously there was no coup by Palpatine, the Jedi tried to kill a rightfully elected head of state. Obviously they're terrorists. And without a way to prove anything else, besides some of those Rebels, who tell a different story and seem determined to try the same thing the Jedi did, who do you believe, really?
|
|
D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
|
Post by D.T. Pints on Mar 20, 2015 5:25:29 GMT -8
Just to keep tyler happy I'll quote Monty Python.
|
|