It's Talk Like A Pirate Day!!!.

In honor of that day, I give you the prelude to tonight's adventure, properly translated....


A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars
Episode IV
Homecoming

Though t' newly formed galactic Empire has promised its citizens peace, it will be a long time in comin'. Thought t' war against t' separatists be over, t' galaxy be far from safe – pirates, mercenaries, pocket empires, and revolutionaries plague t' galaxy.

T' forest world o' Rheltooine in t' Taina Sector has been especially troubled by pirates who funnel stolen medicines t' t' black market.

Maya Fleet be headin' t' her home planet o' Rheltooine where t' battle with t' pirates will be taken t' a new level…



Camera pans from starfield t' a medical freighter in t' outer reaches o' t' Rheltooine system. It be escorted by a pair o' Cloakshape fighters. Within t' freighter's cramped cockpit, a nervous captain turns t' his navigator. A veteran o' many runs, he knows what a temptin' target a ship full o' medicalAhoy!plies be for pirates. “How much longer?”


A few more minutes captain – with t' holonet bein' restricted for military use only it takes longer.”

“Sir, eneme vessels approachin'!” A pair o' gun tugs – fighter sized vessels armed both with tractor beams and blaster six pounders – begin closin' smartly, accompanied by a light cruiser t' carry a boardin' party.



On board a different freighter, one modifed for fightin' Palpatine's grab for power, Maya Fleet explained her home life prior t' t' Clone Wars t' her crewmates – “Well aye it sounds borin' t' you sellin' and servicin' speeders. By t' end, with t' Federation blockade we were mainly a reair shop - nearly drove me parents out o' business. T' repair business kept us in operation. But we had t' make house calls – when a speed breaks down in t' middle o' t' forest you can't just strap it t' your aft. And gettin' t' t' job was half t' fun - you should see a weeirk sometime – especially an angry mother. T' say nothin' o' t' pirates and raiders who were always anxious for parts. Which reminds me.” She looked at t' navigation panel – they were due t' emerge in realspace soon. “I should get t' t' hangar – just in case.”

With that, their ship emerged from hyperspace – just in time t' see t' gun tugs openin' fire on t' medical freighter, havin' finished off its escort fighters…

Episode IV - Homecoming - Prelude

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars
Episode IV
Homecoming

Though the newly formed galactic Empire has promised its citizens peace, it will be a long time in coming. Thought the war against the separatists is over, the galaxy is far from safe – pirates, mercenaries, pocket empires, and revolutionaries plague the galaxy.

The forest world of Rheltooine in the Taina Sector has been especially troubled by pirates who funnel stolen medicines to the black market.

Maya Fleet is heading to her home planet of Rheltooine where the battle with the pirates will be taken to a new level…


Camera pans from starfield to a medical freighter in the outer reaches of the Rheltooine system. It is escorted by a pair of Cloakshape fighters. Within the freighter's cramped cockpit, a nervous captain turns to his navigator. A veteran of many runs, he knows what a tempting target a ship full of medical supplies is for pirates. “How much longer?”

“A few more minutes captain – with the holonet being restricted for military use only it takes longer.”

“Sir, enemy vessels approaching!” A pair of gun tugs – fighter sized vessels armed both with tractor beams and blaster cannons – begin closing quickly, accompanied by a light cruiser to carry a boarding party.


On board a different freighter, one modifed for fighting Palpatine's grab for power, Maya Fleet explained her home life prior to the Clone Wars to her crewmates – “Well sure it sounds boring to you selling and servicing speeders. By the end, with the Federation blockade we were mainly a reair shop - nearly drove my parents out of business. The repair business kept us in operation. But we had to make house calls – when a speed breaks down in the middle of the forest you can't just strap it to your back. And getting to the job was half the fun - you should see a weeirk sometime – especially an angry mother. To say nothing of the pirates and raiders who were always anxious for parts. Which reminds me.” She looked at the navigation panel – they were due to emerge in realspace soon. “I should get to the hangar – just in case.”

With that, their ship emerged from hyperspace – just in time to see the gun tugs opening fire on the medical freighter, having finished off its escort fighters…”

Episode III Part II - Dark Legacies
Played – September 5, 2005
Characters – Adigo, renegade clone trooper (Mike); Maya Fleet, fighter pilot (Heather), R2-JB, astromech droid (Patrick); Tappa Keeg, Duros Jedi Padawan (Ben), GM (Dan)


Koth Bal-Lon, one of the few Bothan Jedi in history, spent much of his time in the shadows. He was one the best eyes and ears of the order, but most of those he interacted with never even knew he was a Jedi.

Koth was not overjoyed to receive an apprentice, though Master Yoda insisted there was much knowledge he could impart. Koth's first apprentice was "Prince" Dar D'yela, the third son of a noble ruler. The D'yela family was unwilling to give the Jedi order the first two sons, wanting to assure themselves of an heir, but they gave the order their third son, Dar. However, when Dar was ten, tragedy struck the D'yela family - Dar's two older brothers were killed in a shuttlecraft "accident". The D'yela family petioned the Jedi order to return their third son but the Jedi refused, indicating they were not the child's legal guardians - and returning him would be dangerous for all concerned

Shortly thereafter Dar became Master Koth's apprentice. Dar was very powerful in the Force, but always puhing his luck when it came to rules. He often snuck out of the temple to go swoop racing. Many viewed this as a side-effect of traveling with Koth so much.

Things grew rapidly worse when Chancellor Palpatine came into power after the invasion of Naboo. A friend of the D'yela family, he arranged for the family to come into contact with their son. D'yela took on something of a "punk aristocratic" air - he often dyed his hair blue while wearing regal robes. Koth was less than pleased with this arrangement but saw some advantages, seeing how proficient his apprentice grew at interacting with all sorts of people - swoop gang members, aristocracy, criminal elements, etc.

About six months after the Battle of Naboo, Koth had to go deeply undercover to seek information about the return of the Sith and was forced to leave Dar behind. Dar himself went on an extended side-mission investigate slavery on the outer rim. Dar was not ready for this independence - he soon found himself taking the quicker path to power - the Dark Side of the Force. When reunited with Koth several attempts were made to reform him, but the damage was done. Dar D'yela was expelled from the Jedi Order. Rumor has it he rejoined his family and returned to his ancestral holding

Though hesitant to do so, Koth was eventually persuaded to take on a second padawan, Tappa Keeg. He spent much more time with him and the pair worked well together. However, as the Clone Wars raged on and the ranks of the Jedi were thinned out, the two began finding themselves forced to go on separate missions. The two were separated when Order 66 was issued. Tappa Keeg survived it. Koth's fate is unknown, He spent very little time with Clone Troopers so it is quite possible he surived the Order. If so it is certain the Emperor's sinister agents are searching for him...


HAL informed the rebels to be that they would have to travel to Ares to meet his employer. However, they found the area around their ship to be guarded by Imperial Clonetroopers. R2-JB snuck up ahead (no one ever pays attention to droids…) and discovered the troopers were indeed guarding their ship. Tappa tried a Jedi mind trick on them, informing them they didn’t need to see any identification. When that failed to work, Adigo showed them identification – which, much to the surprise of his companions (who were unaware of his background), was accepted. Loading the outer door which had been cut off so the troopers could inspect the ship, our heroes blasted off. The Imperials quickly realized their mistake and began pursuing with fighters and Star Destroyers. The rebels barely had time to jump into hyperspace – a bad jump which took them far out of their way.


During the trip, Tappa continued his training of Adigo and Maya into the ways of the Force, while R2-JB worked on repairing the damage to the outer door. Their journey was marred by frequent power fluctuations. Eventually they became so bad they were forced to investigate engineering – when they found themselves under attack by a 2-meter long mutant Fefze beetle – normally scavengers, this one had been modified – and had been clearly tainted by the Dark Side of the Force. Clinging to the ceiling, it spat acid down at them. Eventually Tappa pulled it down using the Force. Somewhat annoyed at Adigo’s constant “suggestions” (the habits of an officer in the Clone Wars died hard). Tappa finally delivered it right to Adigo. Luck – or the Force – was with them and they finally finished it off, none the wiser how it managed to get aboard.


Eventually they reached Ares. Tan Hiel was hiding in some remote mountains. Landing on a sturdy ledge in the mountains, our heroes followed HAL down a slope to a stone bridge crossing a gap between two ledges. As they approached a rockslide, with a bad sense of timing, tried to trample them. R2-JB felt this was a fine time to perform a rocket jump over the canyon. The rest made do, dodging rocks as best they could.

Tan Hiel was in a luxurious apartment on the other side. She told them the knowledge she had about Finn Numm…

Finn Numm, at the time of the Trade Federation of the MCA, was vice-president in charge of new technologies, a very important position. The MCA was a vast organization – an assembly of countless other corporations, so large that it was a government unto itself. Which gave the ability of plausible deniability for many “black projects”.

One of those black projects was Charitin Gas – a vile toxin used in many brushfire wars prior to the Clone War – and in the war itself, until Obi-Wan Kenobi developed a cure. Unknown to the galaxy, Charitin was developed by a black ops division of the MCA, chartered and approved by Finn Numm himself. The gas was used in limited engagements before the war.

When the MCA was acquired by the Trade Federation, Numm find himself reporting to a Neimodian named Tan Hiel. She was briefed on the details of the Charitin Gas and fully approved of it.

“And I have evidence proving his role. Finn Numm came up with a weapons program that killed millions in the Clone Wars. Perhaps that is worth amnesty – or at least an apartment in Cloud City?”


Heading back over the bridge, Adigo suddenly felt phantom fingers wrapped around his throat. Emerging from behind cover they saw a man in his early 30’s wearing fine, black aristocratic clothing. His hair contrasted with his fine clothing – blue and spiked. The right side of his face, including his right eye, had been replaced with cybernetics. Tappa immediately recognized him – “Prince” Dar D’yela – expelled from the Jedi Order – and his own Master Koth’s previous student. D’yela taunted them in a sing-song voice (perhaps his voice-box was cybernetic as well) – “It was astonishingly easy to hide myself aboard your ship on Moelbarae. You are clearly a threat to the Empire. As an Imperial Inquisitor, I order you to surrender yourselves. By the way, Tappa, have you been to Nar Shadda lately? Looked up your old master by any chance?”

Tappa and Adigo ignited their lightsabers and crossed the bridge while Maya and R2-JB readied their ranged weapons. D’yela drew a pair of sabers – one blue, much like the one he had used as a padawan – and strongly resembling Koth’s blade. The other the red color favored by the Sith. Early on he landed several telling blows, going so far as to impale Tappa with a lunge he barely survived. Eventually the strain of too many combatants wore him down and our heroes triumphed – but were denied a final victory, with D’yela falling off the ledge – and no body was recovered…


Taina Network News
16:6:18/JK829/TAI/TAI/JBJ/POL.969
Tarheena Takes Lead in Latest Poll

It now seems the tight schedule for the special election is working against the previously heavily favored Finn Numm. The supposedly independent “Clone War Veterans for Truth” continued their campaign against Numm, bringing to light more documents highlighting his role in various black-ops weapon projects. In the most recent poll, Tarheena leads Numm by 5 points – taking into consideration that votes on MCA worlds are weighted by stock owned in the MCA. Just counting voters, Tarheena leads all candidates with 45% of the vote. Numm currently has 35% of the vote. 10%, mainly from worlds of the Kantosus Theocracy, support the arch-conservative candidate Bas Duranion who continued to campaign against Tarheena’s “sinful lifestyle”, making several allegations about the candidates private life.


Taina Network News
16:6:18/BN768/TAI/RLT/PRT/SEC.87
Port Town, Rheltooine Struck by Pirates

The Hiseiri made their boldest strike yet, raiding the capital of Rheltooine yesterday. Twenty-five citizens have been reported dead, with many more injured and missing. Eyewitnesses report that several of the missing were taken prisoner by the pirates. Allegations persist that the Hiseiri have been selling prisoners as slave in illicit ports in the Roche Asteroid Field. The pirates were driven off when Lieutenant Eldin Fleet, formerly of Green Squadron, made emergency repairs to the defensive batteries that had been damaged in the first wave of the Hiseiri attack.

Endicon Tarheena reiterated his pledge to file legislation reinstating the Taina Sector’s Green Squadron – and to make it easier for other sector militias to receive Imperial sanction. In a speech on Rheltooine, Tarheena said that “while I applaud his majesty’s devotion to security and desire for peace, I feel we must consider the value of reinstating many of the sector and planetary militias which fought so valiantly in defense of the Republic. With piracy running rampant in systems outside the core worlds, the people have a right to protect themselves. While no one would question the loyalty of the soldiers of the Empire, having people who have lived their whole lives in the sectors they will defend has an obvious value.”

Episode III - Dark Legacies


A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away…

Star Wars
Episode III
Dark Legacies

The newly formed Evil Galactic Empire has begun cementing its hold on the galaxy. Political opponents are being silenced by imprisonment and assassination.

With the recent “accidental” death the senator from the Taina sector – a critic of Imperial power – the governor has made an interim appointment until a special election can be held. Finn Numm, Chief Executive Officer of the Moelbarae Commerce Alliance, has been made interim senator. A staunch supporter of Emperor Palpatine, his securing the seat would be a blow to democracy in the Taina Sector.

Opposing him in the upcoming election is Lord Endicot Tarheena, a long-time critic of Palpatine and proponent of a restoration of the Republic. However, Tarheena ran for this office before, a decade ago. Though he won that election after many disputes in the courts, his victory plunged the sector into a civil war which prevented him from ever taking his seat in the Senate…

Played – August 22, 2005
Characters – Adigo, renegade clone trooper (Mike); Maya Fleet, fighter pilot (Heather), R2-JB, astromech droid (Patrick); Tappa Keeg, Duros Jedi Padawan (Ben), GM (Dan)


Summary:

The Gungan ambassador, Meesa Meesa Groll took our heroes on a journey from Naboo to the ruins of a spice-mining colony on one of its moons. The colony had been wiped out in the Clone War by a Separatist chemical weapon – the deadly Charitin Gas, whose cure was found a year into the war – after the death of many millions… On the moon waiting for them was the newly appointed Senator from Naboo – Jar Jar Binks. And the senatorial candicate for the Tainia Sector – Endicot Tarheena. Neither was friendly to the Empire and were in the process of organizing clandestine resistance to the new dictatorship.

The first order of business to this resistance was getting Tarheena to a place where he could better fight the Empire – the Imperial Senate. Though Tarheena had a decade before technically won the Tainan senate seat, his victory plunged his sector into civil war and he never did sit in the senate. As a compromise, in the aftermath of the war, his long-time friend Arrani had taken the seat. Now with Arrani dead in a “tragic accident”, Tarheena was attempting to secure the seat for himself in an upcoming special election – though the governor had already appointed Finn Numm, CEO of the Moelbarae Commerce Alliance to temporarily take the seat – and Numm was favored by Emperor Palpatine.

Tarheena explained to our heroes that an enemy of Finn Numm, a Neimodian named Tan Hiel, claimed to have information that would prevent Numm from securing the seat. In the aftermath of the Taina Civil War, the Moelbarae Commerce Alliance was a spent entity – it had dedicated far too much of its resources to trying to gain political power. Suffering from several losing quarters in the aftermath of the war, the MCA was acquired by the Trade Federation in, if not a hostile takeover, was an unwelcome takeover.

Finn Numm, at the time of the acquisition, was vice-president in charge of new technologies, a very important position. When the MCA was acquired by the Trade Federation, Numm found himself reporting to Tan Hiel – so she would be in a position to have dirt on him.

When the Clone War broke out, the Republic declared the acquisition null and void and made the MCA to again be an independent entity – this led to a lot of chaos, with various divisions pledging themselves to the separatists or the Republic – much like the rest of the galaxy.

The Republic named the ambitious Finn Numm CEO of the new MCA. This did not sit well with the Trade Federation. Numm didn’t care much for either government, but he did like the idea of being in charge…

(Tarheena also told Maya of the happy news that her sister Artemis had given birth to a baby girl, explaining her absence from the command of Green Squadron in recent months.)


Tarheena and Binks arranged for our rebels to have some new equipment. Aware that some of them had begun studying the Jedi arts under the tutelage of Tappa Keeg (himself still a Padawan), they provided them with some spare lightsabers – half of Darth Maul’s old double-bladed lightsbaer went to Adigo (who had begun studying the rare two-sword form) and Obi-Wan’s original weapon went to Maya (both were recovered by a utility crew from the bottom of an almost-bottomless shaft). They also equipped them with some grenades, a flamethrower for R2-JB (he always wanted one), and most importantly, a pair of ships – a beat-up Correllian YT-1355 freighter and a Z-95 Headhunter starfighter (with a hangar in the freighter for the fighter). Both ships could be found at any spaceport and were very inconspicuous. They would need transportation, for Hiel was unwilling to arrange a direct meeting – first they would have to pick up a package at the lowest level of a Moelbarae city…


Moelbarae was a city originally colonized by the Sullustans. Its architecture reflected that – its surface nearly uninhabitable, the cities were carved into craters hundreds of levels deep. After landing at the main spaceport the rebels locked their ship tight and took a speeder through an hours-long highway journey from one crater to another. To make the journey more exciting a swoop gang attacked them. Though they were dispatched with relative ease, there was evidence that someone knew of their mission…


In the middle of the night, down in the deepest slum-levels of a crater our heroes approached the warehouse. It was a narrow, tall building – level after level of balconies around a central pit, with the lockers within the outer walls. Finding the proper level, R2-JB and Adigo headed for the locker while Maya and Tappa waited in the speeder “outside”. A cloaked wino was suspiciously near the locker they needed. It was a Gran, armed only with a staff – and of course he attacked them. He turned out to be a deadly martial artist. Though he landed several lightsaber blows, Adigo was taken out of the fight, badly wounded. As Maya and Tappa came to give relief, R2-JB was taken out of the fight as well, his circuits overloaded by a solid kick amplified by a twirl around the quarterstaff. Maya tumbled past him, trying to shove him out of the way to apply a medpack to Adigo and a repair kit to R2. Finally, after much trying, Tappa managed to use the Force to send the Gran flying off the balcony.

Badly wounded but stabilized, our heroes opened the storage locker. Inside was a Verpine Worker Drone Droid. Designed to be a competitive protocol droid, the Verpine, while technically astute, were not too familiar with what most begins felt comfortable with. This droid came to life, introducing himself in a maddeningly calm voice as J-HAL-9000-86 (Hal for short). He would take them to Tan Hiel…


Miscellaneous Notes:
Force point awarded to Maya for heroically charging at and past the Gran martial artist to save Adigo and R2-JB.




Imperial Network News
16:6:1/INN/COR/COR/GBUBV/GOV
Office of Imperial Inquisition Founded

In an effort to protect the newly founded Galactic Empire and its loyal citizens from the scourge of renegade separatists and Jedi terrorists, Imperial Advisor Ars Dangor announced that Emperor Palpatine, per the terms of the recently enacted Imperial Security Act, has founded the Office of Imperial Inquisition. The Inquisition’s goals are to protect the citizens of the galaxy by finding and hunting down these renegades. In a prepared statement Ars Dangor stated that “while heroes like Darth Vader have been tireless in their efforts to bring these terrorists to justice, quite simply they need help. The Inquisition has the authority and resources needed to both investigate reports of terrorist activity and bring them to Imperial justice.”





Moelbarae 27 Hour News
16:6:10/M27HN/TAI/MOL/JHUI/TRA.1030
Swoop Racing Accident in Spaceport Tunnel 128 Delays Traffic

Spaceport authorities continue cleanup efforts to clear the debris in Inter-Crater Tunnel 128 (outbound). Authorities recommend taking tunnel 95 instead.

Episode II - Kashyyyk Breakout

Star Wars

Episode II

Kashyyyk Breakout

The Galactic Republic which had stood for a thousand years is no more. In its place is the First Galactic Empire. The Empire was born in the blood of betrayal – the Jedi Knights, guardians of peace and justice in the old Republic, have been betrayed and are all but extinct.

A band of heroes who have tried to stem the tide of darkness is marooned on Kashyyyk, unable to escape due to an Imperial blockade. The valiant Wookies have earned the ire of the Empire in their effort to save the Jedi master Yoda from betrayal.

During the blockade many Wookies have been shipped off to unknown locations. Information encoded within an R2 unit may hold the key to their fate – and in so doing expose the crimes of the Empire…

===============================================

Played – July 29, 2005

Characters – Adigo, renegade clone trooper (Mike); Maya Fleet, fighter pilot (Heather), R2-JB, astromech droid (Patrick); Tappa Keeg, Duros Jedi Padawan (Ben), GM (Dan)

===============================================

Prelude – A Republic Cruiser heads towards Kashyyyk. An R2 unit beeps at an Imperial senator insistently. The senator and his wookie companion turn towards the small droid. He mentally translates the series of beeps coming from the droid. “Yes, I believe you that the computer warned you about sabotage. If true though I don’t see how we can act on that information. – I doubt our clone bodyguards would allow me to wait in escape pod. Besides, do you think it likely they’d kill their own just to eliminate an old troublemaker like me… I suppose so. Why don’t you download the information from Kallapirr and wait near the escape pods… Just in case – I have a friend who is a reporter down on Kashyyyk.”

A few minutes later the cruiser explodes. An escape pod flies out of the debris and heads for the planet below. A short time later a landing craft follows.

===============================================

Our heroes had spent the past two weeks hiding on Kashyyyk, shelteed by the Wookies. Rumors were flying everywhere about the nature of this new Empire. While the galaxy as a whole seemed quite pleased about this new development, the Wookies of Kashyyyk felt differently – Wookies were constantly being shipped off to “secure locations” as “enemy combatants”. They were clearly paying the price for the aid they provided to Jedi Master Yoda…

Kavilo Standro, a Rodian reporter, had indicated to them that a contact in the senate was willing to put him in touch with someone who had proof that Wookies were being shipped off to Kessel for slave labor. However that contact seemed to have exploded on approach to Kashyyyk. But if the characters could reach an escape pod which had launched from the yatch first…

Maya piloted a Wookie catamaran for our heroes to the location of the escape pod landing – just in time to see a series of clone troopers mounted on speeder bikes arriving. However, they proved no match for our heroes – who received unexpected aid from the escape pod’s sole occupant – a purple painted astromech droid, R2-JB, who had a few additional attachments – like a blaster and grenade launcher.

Returning to Kavilo, they were able to find a recording within R2. Playing it back, a hologram of a Twi’lek flickered to life – a message to the late Senator Arani of the Taina Sector – “Senator I’ll thank you not to mention me if you act on this… Yes, the rumors you have heard are true – many of the so-called Wookie “traitors” are indeed getting shipped here to the spice minds of Kessel – they aren’t being charged with anything, simply being put into work in the mines as slave laborers. There are quite a few ships coming from Kashyyyk regularly with wookie slaves – Trandoshan ships mainly. They got this operation set up pretty quickly – no way they did this after the Wookie betrayal they keep talking about… I’ve attached a list of ships they use to haul slaves – maybe it will be of some use…”

Kavilo indicated that proof that Wookies were being shipped off to the spice mines of Kessel without so much as a trial could aid efforts against the Emprie.

A day later our heroes were looking at the Gorth – a modular freighter refitted to serve as a prison ship – its two cargo pods being inaccessible from the rest of the ship while in flight. The Gorth was nearing the completion of some minor repairs – apparently it had flowin too close to a black hole. Tappa Keeg used a Jedi Mind trick to persuade the clone trooper guards they were part of the repair crew. And that it would be advisable to forget they had ever been there.

Hiding in an emergency thruster room, our heroes emerged after the Gorth took off and entered hyperspace. R2-JB closed a blast door to separate the command pod from the engineering portion of the ship while Adigo valiantly (or recklessly, depending on your point of view) charged the bridge and dispatched the Trandoshan crew up their with his lightsaber. They then took on the rest of the small crew – with Tappa Keeg taking a severe blaster injury. In the end they were able to finish off the crew, including the flamethrower-wielding Captain Bozk, who did not go down quietly.

Having secured the ship, Tappa Keeg took the ship out of hyperspace and plotted a new course for Naboo, to meet with a Gungan contact of his, Meesa Meesa Groll. Though unpopular among Gungans (owing to his “speech impediment”, though Tappa thought he spoke just fine), Groll had contacts within the Naboo government – hopefully he would be able find sanctuary for the Wookie prisoners. They arrived to find Naboo in an official state of mourning – their beloved senator, Padme Amidala, had died in mysterious circumstances.

===============================================

Galaxy News Sevice

16:5:33/GNS/KAS/KAS/JRV.9/GOV

Senator Arani Dies in Starship Accident

Senator Arrani’s starship, the Abregado-Rae Sunrise, exploded shortly after emerging from hyperspace in the Kashyyyk system. Senator Arrani was on a fact-finding mission to investigate unfounded rumors concerning the treatment of Wookie terrorists who aided the Jedi in their coup against then-Chancellor Palpatine.

Governor Mell Soren declared a sector-wide period of mourning and appointed Finn Numm as interim senator for the sector until a special election can be held.

Imperial Security is currently investigating the accident. Though quick to point out he is not under official suspicion, they have confirmed they are focusing their questioning on Endicot Tarheena, long-time aid to the late senator.

===============================================

Imperial NewsNet

16:6:5/INN/KAS/KAS/HJI..87/GOV

Separatist Terrorists Destroy Famine Relief Ship

The freighter Gorth has failed to reach its destination of the famine-plagued world Mar Rauros. Details are now coming forth that Separatist terrorists, refusing to abide by the Treaty of Mustafar, hijacked and destroyed the Gorth rather than allow it to provide relief to the starving on Mar Rauros.

Imperial Advisor Ars Dangor, in an exclusive interview with INN, said “you can now see how fortunate we are to have streamlined the bureaucracy of the obsolete republic into the more efficient Empire. Even as we speak valiant Imperial troops are hunting down these terrorists, which are rumored to include renegade Jedi cultists. We can see how important it is that the senate approve the Galactic Security Bill currently being debated. We live in dangerous times and must protect ourselves from cowardly terrorists who seek to destroy our way of life.”

Tappa Keeg
(as of DBtD Episodes I-II)

Tappa Keeg: Adult Male Duros, Jedi Consular 3; Init +4 (+4 Dex); Def 18 (+4 Dex, +4 Class); Spd 10m; VP/WP 17/10; Atk +0 melee (2d8, crit 19-20, Lightsaber), +2 melee (1d3, punch), +6 ranged (by weapon), -4 melee (1d8, Spear); SQ +1 dodge bonus to space transport's defense against a specific target, Deflect (Attack -4, Defense +1); SV Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +4; SZ M; FP: 3; Rep: +1; Str 10 (+0), Dex 18 (+4), Con 10 (+0), Int 16 (+3), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 12 (+1).
Equipment: Flight suit [Padded] (Damage Reduction: 2, +2 to Fortitude saves made to resist cold environments), Lightsaber, Medical Kit (Medical Scanner, Medical Computer, Spray Hypo with several Medical Vials, Laser Cauterizer, Spray Splint and Bandage, Sonic Scalpel, Bone Stabilizer Compound, Sample Analyzer) x3, Medpac, Spear
Skills: Balance +2 (+4 Dex, -2 misc), Bluff +4 (+1 Cha, +1 ranks, +2 misc), Climb -2 (-2 misc), Computer Use +6 (+3 Int, +3 ranks), Diplomacy +4 (+1 Cha, +3 ranks), Escape Artist +2 (+4 Dex, -2 misc), Gather Information +4 (+1 Cha, +3 ranks), Hide +2 (+4 Dex, -2 misc), Intimidate +6 (+1 Cha, +3 ranks, +2 misc), Jump -2 (-2 misc), Move Silently +2 (+4 Dex, -2 misc), Pilot +12 (+4 Dex, +6 ranks, +2 misc), Read/Write Basic, Read/Write Durese, Repair +4 (+3 Int, +1 ranks), Sense Motive +5 (+1 Wis, +4 ranks), Speak Basic, Speak Durese, Swim -2 (-2 misc), Treat Injury +4 (+1 Wis, +3 ranks)
Force Skills: Affect Mind +5 (+1 Cha, +4 ranks), Enhance Ability +4 (+4 ranks), Enhance Senses +2 (+1 Wis, +1 ranks), Farseeing +3 (+1 Wis, +2 ranks), Force Strike +5 (+3 Int, +2 ranks), Friendship +3 (+1 Cha, +2 ranks), Heal Another +3 (+1 Wis, +2 ranks), Move Object +7 (+3 Int, +4 ranks), See Force +5 (+1 Wis, +4 ranks), Telepathy +2 (+1 Wis, +1 ranks)
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (lightsaber), Force-Sensitive, Persuasive, Spacer, Starship Dodge (space transport), Starship Operation (space transport), Weapons Group Proficiency (blaster pistols, simple weapons)
Force Feats: Alter, Sense

Tappa usually wears a space suit when flying, but will pull on a hooded cloak when visiting a new planet. This is of course unless he is trying to disguise himself as one of his many covers, then he will dress appropriately.

Tappa comes from one of the larger orbiting cities around the home planet of Duros. The city is owned by the Keeg family, but Tappa is a distant relative (nephew of a 3rd cousin). When the Force was found to be strong with Tappa at a young age, he was sent to Jedi temple on Corsecunt. Tappa spent only a few years at the temple learning the ways of the Force. Being exceptionally mature for his young years, Tappa was apprenticed at an early age and has spent most of his time in space working for the Jedi.

Probably Tappa’s closest friend was Meesa-Meesa Groll, a Gungan he worked with extensively while infiltrating the trade federation’s actions on Naboo. The best part about Meesa according to Tappa, is that he is the least energetic, most stable and capable Gungan he has ever meet. Meesa actually lived with the humans on Naboobecause he had been banished by his tribe. Appaently his attitude was not liked by his fellow Gungans, and to top it off, he had a horrible speech impediment (to a Gungan anyway…). Tappa just thought it made him easier to understand, especially when speaking basic.

Tappa was the Padawan of Koth Bal-Lon, perhaps the only known Bothan Jedi. They spent many years together spying for the Jedi Order. Tappa currently does not know the location of his master, and after order 66, fears him to be dead. Although, the fact that he was probably under deep cover at the time may have saved him.

Tappa along with his master Koth spent the majority of the of the clone wars visiting various outer rim planets looking for information on the source of the separatist’s instructions and the leadership that was running the War.

R2-JB
(as of DBtD Episode II)

R2-JB: Expert 4/Scoundrel 1; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Def 14 (+2 Dex, +1 Class, +1 Size); Spd 8m; VP/WP 8/14; Atk +6 melee (1d4+2, claw), +6 melee (1d4+2, Saw, Astromech), +6 melee (2d6+2, Arc Welder, Astromech), +6 or +2/+2 ranged (3d6, Blaster [Pistol]), +6 ranged (4d6+1, Grenade [Frag]); SQ 2nd Degree Droid, Astromech Chassis, Expert class skill (Astrogate, Computer Use, Demolitions, Disable Device, Knowledge, Pilot, Repair), Illicit barter; SV Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5; SZ S; FP: 0; Rep: +1; Str 14 (+2), Dex 14 (+2), Con 14 (+2), Int 18 (+4), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 11 (+0).
Equipment: Arc Welder, Astromech, Blaster [Pistol], Comlink, Diagnostics Package, Fire Extinquisher, Grenade [Frag], Heuristic Processor, Improved Sensor Package, Infrared Vision, Internal Storage, Locked Access, Magnetic Feet, Recording Unit (holo), Rocket Pack [Aratech 'Jumper'], Saw, Astromech, Spring-loaded Internal Storage, Telescopic Appendage, Tool Mount x4
Skills: Astrogate +15 (+4 Int, +8 ranks, +3 misc), Computer Use +12 (+4 Int, +8 ranks), Demolitions +12 (+4 Int, +8 ranks), Disable Device +12 (+4 Int, +8 ranks), Hide +11 (+2 Dex, +5 ranks, +4 misc), Knowledge (Astronomy) +11 (+4 Int, +7 ranks), Knowledge (Technology) +12 (+4 Int, +8 ranks), Listen +3 (+1 Wis, +2 misc), Move Silently +7 (+2 Dex, +5 ranks), Pilot +9 (+2 Dex, +7 ranks), Read/Write Binary, Repair +15 (+4 Int, +8 ranks, +3 misc), Search +6 (+4 Int, +2 misc), Speak Basic (Understand Only), Speak Binary, Spot +6 (+1 Wis, +3 ranks, +2 misc)
Feats: Ambidexterity, Skill Emphasis (Astrogate, Repair), Weapons Group Proficiency (blaster pistols, simple weapons)


R2-JB had a good life serving on the yacht of a prominent senator, Senator Arani of the Taina Sector. Senator Arani speaks out against empire. Yacht mysteriously explodes in orbit aroubnd Kashyyyk, but computer tells R2-JB about sabotage right before the explosion. R2-JB shot into space through escape pod. R2-JB liked senator (although not crazy about silly paint job). R2-JB mad. R2-JB want smash things. R2-JB add 2 and 2 and get 4. R2-JB want smash empire.

Maya Fleet
(as of DBtD Episodes I-II)


Maya Fleet: Adult Female Human, Fringer 3; Init +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Bonus); Def 17 (+3 Dex, +4 Class); Spd 10m; VP/WP 19/12; Atk +2 melee (1d3, punch), +2 melee (1d4, Knife), +5 or +1/+1 ranged (3d8, Blaster [Heavy Pistol]); SQ Barter, Fringer bonus class skill (Repair), Jury-rig +2; SV Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +3; SZ M; FP: 4; Rep: +0; Str 10 (+0), Dex 16 (+3), Con 12 (+1), Int 12 (+1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 14 (+2).
Equipment: 425 credits, Blaster [Heavy Pistol], Comlink, Field Kit (Contains 2x condensing canteens with water purification, 1x sunshield roll, 1x week's worth of food rations, 2x glow rods, 2x breath masks, 24x filters, 12x atmospheric canisters, and an all-temperature cloak.), Flight suit, Knife, Medpac, Tool kit (Contains Fusion Cutter, Vibro-cutter, Hydrospanner, Laser Welder, Sonic Welder, Power Calibrator, Power Prybar, Probe Sensors, Circuts and Connector Wires, Welding Goggles)
Skills: Astrogate +6 (+1 Int, +3 ranks, +2 misc), Climb +1 (+1 ranks), Computer Use +2 (+1 Int, +1 ranks), Craft (speeders) +7 (+1 Int, +4 ranks, +2 misc), Craft +3 (+1 Int, +2 misc), Craft +3 (+1 Int, +2 misc), Disable Device +2 (+1 Int, +1 ranks), Gamble +4 (+2 Wis, +2 ranks), Hide +5 (+3 Dex, +2 ranks), Jump +1 (+1 ranks), Listen +4 (+2 Wis, +2 ranks), Pilot +11 (+3 Dex, +6 ranks, +2 misc), Read/Write Basic, Repair +9 (+1 Int, +6 ranks, +2 misc), Ride +4 (+3 Dex, +1 ranks), Search +3 (+1 Int, +2 ranks), Speak Basic, Spot +4 (+2 Wis, +2 ranks), Survival +4 (+2 Wis, +2 ranks), Swim +1 (+1 ranks)
Force Skills: Enhance Ability +7 (+1 Con, +6 ranks)
Feats: Force-Sensitive, Improved Initiative, Spacer, Starship Operation (starfighter), Weapons Group Proficiency (blaster pistols, primitive weapons, simple weapons)
Force Feats:

Description and personality:

Lieutenant Maya Fleet is a 19-year-old² female human Fringer, and a member of the Green Squadron of the Outer Division of the Taina Sector Militia³. She is 5'4" tall and 120 lbs, with brown eyes. Her hair, cut to chin length, is dark brown, almost black, at the roots. Following the unofficial custom among hairy species of the Outer Taina Militia's fighter squadrons, she has dyed her hair green. Maya typically wears clothing that is flashy but functional, and wears some jewelry but very little makeup. She carries a heavy blaster in a belt holster, as well as a small toolkit and a large knife (the type you would wear in the woods, not in the 'hood). She is outgoing, adventurous, idealistic, and loyal to the Republic. She is not contemplative or scholarly. She is an impulsive, instinctive fighter who sometimes seems to be able to target enemies before she could possibly see them.

Home world and history up to and including the Clone Wars:

Ythro (52-year-old male Fringer/Tech Specialist) and Madri (50-year-old female Fringer) Fleet ran a small but successful business selling, renting, and repairing heavy-duty speeder bikes in the outskirts of Port City on the forested world of Rheltooine. Rheltooine, an Unaffiliated World located towards the Outer Rim away from Solarius, is a small colony settled some 200 years ago from Taina itself. Rheltooine's forests provide everything that its small number of colonists need for simple survival - lumber, game, fruits and vegetables, medicinal herbs, even raw material for clothing. However, the colonists must trade for technological goods as well as their scarce luxury items. Fortunately, there is a market among the wealthy nobility of the Taina sector for Rheltooine's distinctive lumber, unusual medical herbs, and werrik pelts and meat. The heavy-duty speeder bike, capable of traversing great distance, yet able to navigate narrow trails, is the preferred method of transportation for the herbalists, hunters, and trappers of Rheltooine, allowing them to rotate their territories often and to avoid depleting the resources of a given area.

Maya Fleet is the fourth child of Ythro and Madri. A routine blood test indicated a high Midichlorian count, high enough to recommend contacting the Jedi temple on Coruscant. Instead, over the next six years Ythro made sure to bring Maya with him on service calls deep within the forest on the rare occasions when a Jedi ship was in port. Once the danger was past, Maya was raised as a typical child living in a small city on a rural world.

In the years leading up to the Clone Wars, the Trade Federation blockaded many Mid Rim worlds, including Rheltooine. Thanks to the abundant forests, the colonists on Rheltooine were in little danger of starvation or malnutrition. However, certain colonists were affected more than others. Fleet Speederbikes did not QUITE go out of business, but without the ability to import parts and electronics, the "sale" part of the business quickly dried up, the "rental" soon followed, leaving only the "repair" part. With the poor reliability of the jury-rigged repairs that Ythro was forced to make, some customers chose to rely upon pack animals rather than speeder bikes, further harming business. The dispute was resolved before the Fleets went out of business, but it left Maya and her siblings with little sympathy for the Separatists and their allies the Trade Federation.

When the Clone War broke out, Maya's older siblings immediately volunteered for the Taina Sector Militia, fighting on the side of the Republic. Two years later, at the age of 18, Maya joined them, serving in the Green Squadron of the Outer Division of the Taina Sector Militia. Beginning as a mechanic, she became a pilot as soon as she demonstrated sufficient ability with a fighter craft.

Family, friends, allies, and associates:

Captain Artemis Fleet⁵ is a 26-year-old female human Fringer, and the captain of the Green Squadron of the Outer Division of the Taina Sector Militia. She is 5'6" tall and 130 lbs, with brown eyes. Her hair is short and spiky, and dyed green (a tradition of the Taina fighter squadrons). She also wears a lot of makeup and jewelry, usually including heavy black eyeliner and clunky, native Aresian bead work. Her clothing is flashy but functional. She carries a heavy blaster in a belt holster, a holdout blaster in a boot top, and a small toolkit. Artemis is outgoing, adventurous, and somewhat idealistic, although a little more cynical than her younger sister Maya. She is a sound strategist as well as a daring pilot, and has led Green Squadron to many victories. Her duties as captain often bring her into contact with soldiers in other branches of the militia, as well as its civilian leadership and the small contingent of Jedi stationed in this region of the Taina sector. Unfortunately, Artemis has recently had to delegate some early-morning missions due to illness...

Captain Ilarri Fleet is a 24-year-old female human Fringer/Soldier. She is 5'8" tall and 150 lbs. She has brown eyes and long, dark brown, almost black, hair, worn in an off-the-shoulder style while on duty. Her clothing is loose-fitting and often in camoflauge-like colors even off duty, and she wears very little makeup or jewelry. Off-duty, she carries a heavy blaster in a belt holster, as well as a large knife (the type you would wear in the woods, not in the 'hood). While on duty, she adds a blaster rifle, as well as several grenades and a survival kit. Although she is as innovative and daring on the ground as her siblings are in space, Ilarri is more serious and thoughtful than they are, allowing her a more balanced perspective on the war between the Separatists and the Republic, as well as the machinations of the Senate, the Supreme Chancellor, and the Jedi Order. She is particularly suspicious of the Supreme Chancellor's motivations (although she has no idea that he is actually involved with the Separatists).

Lieutenant¹ Eldin Fleet is a 21-year-old male human Fringer/Tech Specialist. He is 5'7" tall and 140 lbs. He has brown eyes and dark brown, almost black hair, which is cut a little too infrequently to be neat. His clothing is quite functional, with little regard for fashion. His standard-issue blaster, on which he has made numerous, unauthorized modifications, is carried in a belt holster, and he has stowed an enormous array of tools and electronic parts in various pockets and pouches. He is clever and innovative; a technical maverick and a wizard at keeping the Green Squadron's ships functioning at peak efficiency despite the scarcity of equipment and parts in the often-blockaded Taina sector. Away from his ships he is often absent-minded and awkward, although he is not without charm.

Lieutenant (JG) Derrin Fleet is an 18-year-old male human Fringer. He is 5'10" tall and 160 lbs. He has brown eyes and short, medium brown hair, with a thick green streak dyed in the front. His clothing is flashy but functional. He carries 2 heavy blasters in belt holsters, as well as a large knife (the type you would wear in the woods, not in the 'hood), and a holdout blaster in a boot top. He is outgoing, adventurous, and loyal to the Republic, but a little reckless. He is new to the Green Squadron, but is already making a name for himself for daring and accuracy, although he is not as instinctive as his sister Maya.

Lieutenant Commander¹ T'Larikaar, a 22-year-old male Aresian Scout, is Maya Fleet's wingman. He is 6'1" tall and 170 lbs. He has green eyes and gray fur, dyed green in a wide stripe from the top of his head down his back. He wears loosely fitting clothing and a traditional Aresian bead necklace. He carries a blaster in a belt holster and a small toolkit. On the ground, T'Larikaar is soft-spoken and even-tempered with a dry, understated sense of humor, and often reins in his more impetuous wingman. In the cockpit of his Z-95 Headhunter, however, he is as daring and reckless as any other fighter jock in Green Squadron.

Lord Endicon Tarheena IV is a 30-year-old male human Noble. He is an aide to the current senator of the Taina Sector, and acting as liason to the forces in the outer Taina region. It is well-known that he has political ambitions of his own...and is likely to be successful, given his family name and connections. He is 5'10" tall and 170 lbs. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes, and wears clothing that is richly tailored but functional, as well as a blaster in a belt holster made of the finest natural leather. Despite his married status, he is a popular topic of conversation among the female pilots in the militia squadrons (the captain of Green Squadron is uncharacteristically silent during these conversations, just sitting there with a small smile on her face; no doubt this is due to the professionalism required by her rank). Despite his lineage, Endicon gets along as well with the rough, unpolished elements of the outskirts of the Taina sector as he does with the Tainan nobility, and despite his ambition, he truly cares about the welfare of his people.

Enemy:

The fiercest fighting of the Clone Wars has occurred on the outskirts of the Republic. Sectors such as the Auril Sector, the Juvex sector, and the Taina Sector have borne the brunt of Trade Federation blockades and Separatist attacks. The lightly-populated worlds of these sectors are hard-pressed to provide enough soldiers and pilots to repel the Separatists. Core Worlds such as Coruscant, Corellia, and Sacorria have reinforced these Mid Rim sectors, bringing together people of diverse backgrounds to fight for a common goal.

In theory, that is. In fact, the rivalries between the Mid Rim and Core World forces have become legendary. The Core World forces, typically highly trained and strictly regimented, often look down on their Mid Rim allies as disorganized and haphazard amateurs. The Mid Rim forces, usually comprised of planetary or sector militia, tend to regard their Core World reinforcements as polished dandies who would not recognize initiative if it shot them in the ass.

Zack Bran Gen (24-year-old male human Noble) is a rising star in the Sacorrian Fighter Unit's 17th Squadron of the Republic Space Navy. He would be rising even more quickly if that jumped-up hick Maya Fleet didn't keep poaching his kills. To be fair, Bran Gen has poached a number of Fleet's kills as well. But a green-haired, Mid Rim barbarian like Fleet ought to know her place. Officially, both Captain Kai Nezzo (29-year-old male Duros Scout) of the 17th Squadron and Captain Artemis Fleet of the Green Squadron have condemned this practice of poaching a rival's kills as detrimental to the combined squadron's tactical effectiveness. In practice, Captains Nezzo and Fleet are among the worst offenders. So are Lieutenants Fleet and Bran Gen, and their wingmen T'Larikaar and Zillah Tarool (23-year-old female Twi'lek Scout).

Clone Lieutenant Adigo (CL-1773)

(as of DBtD Episodes I-II)

Adigo: Adult Male Human, Soldier 2/Jedi Guardian 1; Init +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Bonus); Def 16 (+2 Dex, +4 Class); Spd 10m; VP/WP 27/13; Atk +4 melee (1d3+1, punch), +5 melee (1d4+1, Knife), +5 melee (2d6+1, Vibroblade), +5 melee (2d8+1, crit 19-20, Lightsaber), +5 or +1/+1 ranged (3d6, Blaster [Pistol]), +5 or +1/+1 ranged (3d8, crit 19-20, Blaster [Rifle]); SQ Deflect (Defense +1); SV Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +3; SZ M; FP: 4; Rep: +2; Str 13 (+1), Dex 14 (+2), Con 13 (+1), Int 12 (+1), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 12 (+1).

Equipment: All-Temperature cloak (+2 to Fortitude saves made to resist severe weather), Blast Vest and Helmet (Damage Reduction: 2), Blaster [Pistol], Blaster [Rifle], Comlink, Glow rod, Knife x4, Lightsaber, Medical Kit (Medical Scanner, Medical Computer, Spray Hypo with several Medical Vials, Laser Cauterizer, Spray Splint and Bandage, Sonic Scalpel, Bone Stabilizer Compound, Sample Analyzer), Medpac x3, Vibroblade

Skills: Balance +1 (+2 Dex, -1 misc), Climb +0 (+1 Str, -1 misc), Demolitions +4 (+1 Int, +3 ranks), Disguise +3 (+1 Cha, +2 ranks), Escape Artist +1 (+2 Dex, -1 misc), Hide +1 (+2 Dex, -1 misc), Intimidate +6 (+1 Cha, +5 ranks), Jump +0 (+1 Str, -1 misc), Knowledge (Tactics) +7 (+1 Int, +6 ranks), Move Silently +1 (+2 Dex, -1 misc), Pilot +5 (+2 Dex, +3 ranks), Read/Write Basic, Read/Write Shyriiwook, Speak Basic, Swim +0 (+1 Str, -1 misc), Treat Injury +4 (+2 Wis, +2 ranks)
Force Skills: Battlemind +3 (+1 Con, +2 ranks), Empathy +4 (+2 Wis, +2 ranks), Enhance Ability +5 (+1 Con, +4 ranks), Force Stealth +3 (+1 Cha, +2 ranks), Friendship +3 (+1 Cha, +2 ranks), Heal Self +2 (+1 Cha, +1 ranks)
Feats: Armor Proficiency (light), Combat Reflexes, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (lightsaber), Force-Sensitive, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse (Knife, Lightsaber, Vibroblade), Weapons Group Proficiency (blaster pistols, blaster rifles, heavy weapons, simple weapons, vibro weapons)
Force Feats: Control

Background:

Adigo was born as part of the second wave of clone troopers. For reasons that were unclear, he excelled in manners he was originally not designed for, and showed a penchant for planning and an affinity for bladed weapons that was not in his intended genetic makeup. He served during the clone wars and was promoted to Lieutenant for his quick mind and skill on the battlefield. Because he was such a valuable resource, he served directly underneath Jedi Master Yoda, and grew to immensely respect the diminutive master, who saved his life on one occasion. Master Yoda told him that he foresaw a future beyond that of a soldier in him, but never had a chance to elaborate. As the clone wars came to an end, he was placed in charge of a platoon.

Home:

Adigo has no home per se, having been born and raised on Kamino. He has spent his adult life as a soldier and has no permanent home.

Family/Friends:

Adigo feels a strong debt of honor to Jedi Master Yoda and has immense respect for the Order, whom he feels fought bravely in the war. It is also his goal to seek Master Yoda and learn more about his destiny.

Adigo found it very difficult to integrate with his fellow clones, who did not understand him at all—as a result, he has several enemies amongst his siblings.

Personality/Character:

Adigo is a rather confused clone—he knows he is different but does not understand why, having been genetically engineered. He thinks carefully and plans his actions. He does not speak without thinking first, everything is very premeditated, and he excels at planning, which is what led to his promotions.

Adigo is extremely loyal, and believes there are bonds beyond human (or clone) understanding. He believes that actions justify respect, not position or authority. He has been criticized for questioning authority and the chain of command.

Adigo’s quest for understanding about his place can sometimes get in the way of his better judgement—he feels that if Master Yoda saw a higher purpose for him than being a soldier, there is one, and his belief in his own destiny has alienated him from many other clone troopers.

Appearance:

Adigo stands very tall (about 6’5”—abnormally so for a clone trooper) with a lean but muscular build. He has black hair cropped short and currently goes clean-shaven. Adigo has a rather large scar extending from his shoulder to his chest acquired during a battle. He wears somewhat customized clone trooper armor but dislikes wearing a helmet, saying he prefers to keep his senses open. He is also oddly fond of black cloaks.

Episode I – Order 66

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars – The Darkness Before the Dawn

Episode I – Order 66

War! The Republic is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Sith Lord, Count Dooku. There are heroes on both sides. Evil is everywhere.

The planet Ares is one of many planets with a split allegiance. On this wartorn world, Jedi Knights on a secret mission have obtained a mysterious holocron, keeper of wisdom from millennia past.

However, the evil Darth Sideous has sent his minions to aid Aresian separatists in an effort to prevent this artifact from being delivered to Jedi Master Yoda on Kashyyyk…

Played – July 11, 2005

Characters – Adigo (Mike), Maya Fleet (Heather) Tappa Keeg (Ben), GM (Dan)

Cutaway, Trade Federation Battlecruiser.

A twisted garden. A tall cloaked figure kneels before a holopod. A rough image of Darth Sideous materializes in the holpod, obscured by static.

Cloaked Figure: What is thy bidding master?

Sideous: The Jedi will soon depart for Kashyyyk. Join the assault force. Stop the Jedi and retrieve the holocron. Do not disappoint me.

Cloaked Figure: It will be as you command, my master.

The undercover Jedi agent, the Padawan Tappa Keeg, had obtained the Sith Holocron under orders from Jedi Master Yoda himself. His cover partially blown, Maya Fleet, part of the Taina Sector Loyalist Militia’s elite Green Squadron, had orders to escort him to Master Yoda on Kashyyyk. Accompanying them were several Clone Troopers. All they had left to do was cross a canyon bridge and they’d be able to escape from Ares safely. Which of course made it a perfect time for the Separatists and their Aresian rebel allies to attack. Several Aresians had rappelled down to the far side of the bridge. One of their Clone Trooper guards fell immediately to the projectile weapons on the Aresians. Maya got a slug in the chest as well before being able to open fire. A second clone joined them and began rapidly dispatching them, accompanied by Maya’s own blaster fire and Tappa using the Force to push one off the edge of the bridge.

Just as they were about to cross the bridge another figure approached them, shedding her dark cloak to reveal a sinister looking plant-like Ho’din female – Insu, Adept of the Dark Side and an apprentice to Dooku. When her polite request for the holocron was rebuffed she asked again, backed by Force Lightning which Tappa was barely able to deflect with his blue lightsaber. Despite her mastery of the Dark Side of the Force, our heroes were able to overcome her and drag her unconscious form to their ships.

On Kashyyyk, Yoda had assigned Clone Officer Adigo to lead a squad of Wookies to take out an anti-air artillery emplacement. Yoda was fond of Adigo and encouraged him to seek an identity beyond that of a clone – he sensed a powerful connection in the Force within Adigo. Adigo himself was from a mysterious background, from an unknown Clone template used in a small number of Clone Troopers, most of whom were used as officers or members of special ops teams.

The mission didn’t go all that well at first – one of the Wookies in his squad immediately went into a berserk rage and charged the emplacement. He was taken down by sniper fire from a hidden battle droid. Eventually they triumphed, taking out the sniper, the numerous other battle droids, and destroying the emplacement.

Returning to headquarters, Adigo received a secure communication from Coruscant – a hooded figure suggested him to implement Order 66. He knew what the order meant – it had been drilled into him from early on in his training, both consciously and unconsciously - the Jedi had betrayed the Republic and were to be taken out. But it made no sense to him. The cloaked figure glared at him, awaiting his reply. It did not approve of his reply – “Why is that? I don’t see any reason to do that sir.” The figure angrily cut off the communication. Several of his fellow troopers were already on their way to take out Yoda – he saw their backs as they headed up to Yoda’s command center. The sound of a humming lightsaber up above indicated that a previous attempt on Yoda’s life had failed. Quickly reaching a decision, he raised his blaster rifle and committed treason – opening fire on his fellow Clone Troopers to save Yoda. They spun around and charged at him. As they closed in on him he drew his vibroblade and waded into the thick of the battle with them.

Meanwhile, in space near Kashyyyk, Tappa piloted his Firespray towards the planet, escorted by Maya and her wingman T'Larikaar, an Aresian loyalist. Two clone-piloted ships joined them to escort them the rest of the way in. However, the escort turned to betrayal as the two clone fighters dropped back and opened fire on Tappa Keeg’s ship. Within his Firespray his trooper “escort” opened fire on him. Tappa spun his ship around to knock the trooper off balance as he tried to take out the trooper while evade the blaster fire heading for his ship. Maya’s attempts to warn the troopers off failed so she and T'Larikaar opened fire. Tappa eventually took out his personal betrayer and the three ships eventually took out the clone fighters. Maya at first had assumed that the fighters were actually separatists who had infiltrated the Republic forces, but Tappa explained it had happened within his ship – indeed through the Force he sensed many Jedi dying. Seeking answers, they didn’t bother asking for permission to land and instead quickly and, as stealthily as they could, brought their ships in for a landing.

Adigo dispatched the last of the Clone Troopers pursuing Yoda – and reinforcements which came as well. Before heading after Yoda himself he picked up a weapon one of the troopers had been carrying – a green lightsaber which had once belong to the Jedi Master Luminara Unduli – apparently she had already fallen. Catching up with Yoda (who was escorted by a pair of Wookies), Yoda informed him the Jedi had been betrayed. He asked Adigo to meet with Tappa and Maya and tell them what had transpired.

At the landing platform, Adigo did meet with them. It was fortunate he had taken off his uniform, as they were understandably trigger happy. But they were left with a pressing question – even if they could escape the blockade that had just been put around Kashyyyk, where in the galaxy could they be safe?

GalaxyWide NewsNets

Imperial Holovision

16:5:23/IHV/CORU/KTR.5/LFL/GOV

The Republic Betrayed!

Coruscant

Citizens of the Republic, a terrible truth has been revealed. The Jedi order, tasked with waging the Clone Wars over these past three years, has been hiding a shocking secret. They have been steadfastly eroding away the principles of the Republic, drawing power to themselves in a wicked bid to subvert our cherished institutions. The Jedi are treasonous! They have attempted to assassinate the Chancellor! They are enemies of the state!

Thankfully, the soldiers under their command are bred with unquestionable loyalty and integrity. At the executive behest of the Chancellor, they are rooting out the source of this betrayal. The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and be brought to justice. With the inefficiencies and treacherous elements of the Republic swept away, the New Order of the First Galactic Empire will stand ever stronger for a safe and secure society.

(Taken from http://www.starwars.com/databank/updates/news20050705.html)

Imperial Holovision

16:5:25/IHV/KAS/KAS/JHG/GOV

Treason on Kashyyyk

Kashyyyk

Imperial advisor Ars Dangor revealed today in an exclusive interview that all is not well on Kashyyyk. “Our valiant soldiers have done exceptionally well in a job they were never meant to perform – fighting treasonous Jedi! However, on Kashyyyk they faced even greater challenges – many Wookies have responded to the protection the Republic armies provided by turning on the Republic and siding with the Jedi.”

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Jedi have used their nefarious brainwashing techniques on some of the soldiers of the Empire, turning them against their oath to the Empire.

“Those Wookies who are involved in this treason have been declared ‘enemy combatants’ by Emperor Palpatine”, Dangor reveled in this interview. “They are being taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning.”

Galaxy News Sevice

16:5:26/GNS/KAS/KAS/IHH.3/GOV

Senator Arani Visiting Kashyyyk

Kashyyyk

Senator Arani of the Taina Sector confirmed that he is personally visiting Kashyyyk to investigate unconfirmed reports of thousands of Wookies being labeled “enemy combatants” and being rounded up to “undisclosed location”. His chief of staff and close political ally, Endicon Tarheena, indicated that the senator has no objection to “protecting the Republic – or Empire as the case may be”, but warned that “transparency and openness are needed in all of our legal processes.”

Imperial Advisor Ars Dangor spoke for the Emperor, stating “it is refreshing to see such compassion coming from the Taina Sector. However, it would be nice if this compassion were directed to those killed by the Jedi as opposed to those who have aided and abetted these cultist traitors. Also I find the Tarheena’s lack of patriotism disturbing – his tone does not seem to indicate he is proud of his new Empire – after all this Empire is for all of us. While he of course has the right to say whatever he wishes, I would suggest that Senator Arani dismiss Tarheena and replace him with someone who loves his Empire a bit more…”

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
Star Wars
Episode 3.0000001 - Order 66

Treason! The Jedi order have been accused of betraying the Republic. Per secret Order 66 of the vile Chancellor Palpatine, the Jedi Knights have been executed as traitors to the Republic, with but a handful of unorganized survivors.

Without the Jedi Knights to defend the Republic, Chancellor Palpatine has dissolved the Republic and declared himself first Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Unbeknowst to most of the galaxy, Palpatine is actually Darth Sideous, a Sith Lord who secretly controlled both sides of the Clone Wars - the war between the Separatists and Republic Forces was but a ruse to allow him to consolidate power.

A small band of unlikely heroes has banded together to help form an alliance to rebel against the Evil Galactic Empire. Emperor Palpatine is determined to crush this remaining spark of freedom before it can threaten the new order he has established...

At home we have made a mockery of being our brother's keeper by being his jail keeper. When we can no longer see the stars, the times are tragic. We must believe that it is the darkness before the dawn of a beautiful new galaxy; we will see it when we believe it.

(based on quote from Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals)

At home we have made a mockery of being our brother's keeper by being his jail keeper. When Americans can no longer see the stars, the times are tragic. We must believe that it is the darkness before the dawn of a beautiful new world; we will see it when we believe it.

Campaign Background

This game will begin in the period just prior to the issuing of Order 66 which sealed the doom of the Jedi Knights and transformed the Republic into the Evil Galactic Empire ™. It will follow a band of unlikely heroes who plant the first seeds of resistance against the Empire which will one day bloom into the Rebel Alliance that nearly 25 years later will destroy the Empire and found the New Republic.

In this period neither the Rebellion nor the Empire are yet what they are as seen in the classic Star Wars movies (Episodes IV-VI). For the most part, people believe the Empire to be a good thing. The years preceding the Clone Wars showed a Republic about as effective as our United Nations – disputes blossomed into wars, separatists splintered off of the Republic, and the Jedi (as far as most people believed) tried to take power by assassinating Chancellor Palpatine. Therefore Palpatine is seen by most as a strong leader for difficult times. The transition to Empire signifies how things are “getting better”.

That is most people. A lot of people are not happy with this new arrangement. While perhaps not knowing the whole story – how the Sith controlled both sides of the Clone Wars – they still see how Palpatine took advantage of situation after situation to increase his personal power. The novelization for “Revenge of the Sith” references a group of senators who protest Palpatine’s seizure of power in a petition – and are arrested for treason. In the movie we see how Bail Organa, senator from Alderaan, witnesses the massacre at the Jedi Temple and aids Yoda and Obi-Wan in their escape. There are other senators who have figured out some of what is going on as well. They will help start the Rebel Alliance – though for nearly twenty years rebellion against the Empire will not be united – various groups will all do their part against the Empire – some with conflicting goals. And some with less than noble goals – wanting to seize power for themselves. Shortly before the events of Episode IV do the main three factions of rebellion merge to form the Rebel Alliance. So at this point any rebellion is in pockets or in tiny cells. There is no Rebel Fleet - no squadron of X-Wing fighters to attack Star Destroyers. Rebellion is on the small scale – smuggling out of Jedi survivors, sabotage of Imperial shipyards, acquiring weapons and vessels to be used against the Empire. Your characters will have one or more patrons in the senate – whose identity your characters may not be aware of at first.

Fortunately, while the Rebellion is not yet fully formed, the Empire is young as well. The Emperor needs to leave some remnants of the Old Republic in place – it is not until Episode IV that he is finally able to disband the Senate, so there is at least some pretense of democracy. I would view his version of democracy as if all the conspiracy theories about George Bush from moveon.org, Michael Moore, George Soros, and Howard Dean are all true. Unpatriotic enemies vanishing at night. Terrorists deported to unknown camps – “these are bad people”. Jedi cultists constantly striking from the dark, wanting to kidnap your babies. Separatist fragments constantly planning terrorist actions. The people of the Empire will support it out of fear – eventually because they fear the Empire, but at first because they fear the alternative.

It is a period where heroes can still make a difference. For the darkness descending across the galaxy means even the smallest acts of heroism can shine brightly.

Your Characters

With all this talk of heroism, does this mean your characters have to be “goody-two-shoes”? Nope. Han Solo had one thing on his mind when he took on a farm-boy and an aging Jedi as passengers – money – to get out of debt to a crimelord. Not that a hero-type would be out of place.

Basically, your characters should all be characters who have reason to dislike to Empire. This can range to the Empire being bad for your business to being a Jedi Padawan who somehow survives Order 66. You can be a member of pretty much any species you like except for some really weird ones.

We will be using the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook as our rules set. It uses a game system really close to the D&D rules. I have a spare copy of the rules that I can lend out if anyone needs to borrow it between game sessions. If you want to get your own copy hobby and bookstores often have copies of it and I’ve seen it at various online shops. Some samples:

• frpgames.com - $31.96 + S&H
• rpgshop.com - $33.96 + S&H
• amzaon.com - $23.96 (takes 1-2 weeks to ship, which is never a good sign from amazon)
• BarnesAndNoble.com - $31.96, qualifies for free shipping
• Icon USA - $29.99 + S&H

A few important differences between D&D and Star Wars:

• You don’t have hit points. Instead you have wound points and vitality points. Wound points equal your constitution score. Vitality points are similar to hit points. You gain more vitality every level. When you run out of vitality points you begin taking wound damage. When you run out of wound points you are dying. Critical hits do not do double damage – instead they apply damage directly to wound points. That means a single blaster shot has a chance of seriously hurt you. It should be noted that unimportant characters do not have vitality, just wound points. This means a 20th level stormtrooper may be really good at combat, but a simple blaster shot has a good chance of killing him. Vitality represents your ability to avoid getting seriously hurt – near misses, parries, etc. Wound points indicate “real” damage. Vitality heals quickly. An example of a character who has run out of vitality points would be Luke towards the end of his duel with Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.

• Instead of armor class you have a defense rating. Your character class, level, feats, dexterity, and other factors influence your defense rating. Armor does not.
• Armor provides you with damage resistance, lowering the amount of damage you take. It only reduces damage to wound points, not vitality points (which tends to make it more popular with characters without vitality).

To make our characters we will be using a point-buy system for purchasing ability scores, as detailed on page 18 of the rules. You start off with 27 points. I liked Ben’s idea of giving bonus points for a good description so I will give one bonus point for each of the following:

• Describing what your character looks like – either via words, a picture, or describing what actor would play your character and how he or she dresses.
• Describing or naming your characters homeworld – mainly looking for big city, boonies, etc.
• Detailing at least one or two family members or friends.
• Describing a character flaw – something your character doesn’t like about himself. Or describing someone who just doesn’t like your character. (Who will no doubt show up at some point, so I’d suggest someone other than Darth Vader…)
• Describing what your character did during the Clone Wars. Stayed at home? Fought as a mercenary? Unaware of it? Tried to make money off of it? Was a separatist?

I’d prefer to avoid your characters running at the sight of womp rats, so I am going to have you start your characters above first level. Characters will start at third level – high enough level to have some experience, low enough to have plenty of room for development. You can start with any reasonable amount of normal equipment – no owning Star Destroyers, but any normal equipment like blasters, some grenades, medpacks, etc. would all be reasonable. If owning a small freighter or fighter would fit your character that is fine, though your vessel will be nearly unmodified – special modifications can come with time. I reserve the right to veto equipment choices.