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Loyal citizens of the Empire, welcome to the program.
I'll be selecting 6 pilots to undertake dangerous missions that will combine both space superiority and ground operations. Using these combined arms approaches to special operations, we intend to retake many of the core worlds we have lost in recent years.
The Year: 11 ABY
The Faction: Imperial Navy
Character creation guidelines: Level 5 starting. Feel free to multiclass.
Stat minimums- Str and Con 10+, Dex 12+, (Commander only) Cha + Wis 12+.
8: –2
9: –1
10: 0
11: 1
12: 2
13: 3
14: 5
15: 7
16: 10
17: 13
18: 17
Classes allowed: Any except jedi or force oriented prestige classes.
Bonus skill: 1 rank of pilot every level.
Bonus feat: Vehicular combat.
Races: Human preferred. Chiss, Rodian, Trandoshan, Zabrak, Devonarian, Near Human, Duros, Gungan, Noghri and Quarren are more accepted non-human races. No Yuzhan Vong. Most other races allowed, but will experience distrust and discrimination.
Equipment will be provided.
Characters may be force sensitive and take other force feats, but I'd prefer to keep it very low force.
I'll likely be using Roll20.net for maps, but combat and all rolls will be here on the forums.
Recruitment will run until Monday, May 20th at 10am.
Feel free to ask any questions you need answered in the thread.
Sir! Perallus Alden, electronics and equipment specialist, reporting for duty. I specialize in network intrusion and progressive technology research. Anything needs fixed, broken, or modified, I'm your man, sir.
What sourcebooks are allowed?
Also, why do races outside of that list experience trust and discrimination? If the Empire is already allowing aliens, what makes one alien more alien than another alien?
Also, what's the deal with armor proficiencies? RAW, Soldiers are the only ones with any sort of armor proficiency at all by default, everyone else has to spend a feat. If this is an Empire-centric game, it might be good to make sure we know how to wear our own flightsuits at the very least.
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Most, if not all of the sourcebooks should be fine (Jedi Academy is iffy). The Empire is allowing aliens, but those with Republic held homeworlds (the exceptions being the widely spread Duros and Mon Calamari hating Quarren) are looked on with extreme suspicion. Particularly Wookies, Bothans, Mon Calamari and Sullustans. Many lesser known races from the outer rim are also discriminated against, but mainly due to reputations as little more than pirates or backwaters.
I'll be looking into the armor proficiency issue. It will not cost you a feat to wear your flight suit.
It's a shame Saga doesn't have an online SRD available, otherwise I would work on my character over lunch break. As it stands, I'll only be able to make progress after work this week.
What's the Empire's outlook on Twi'leks? They're not mentioned in the above list.
The bonus skill point to pilot; Does it replace the raw +1/2 level skill bonus or stack with it?
With nothing better to do over my lunch break, I'll continue hounding you with questions. :)
I've got a few character concepts I'm rolling around in my head that I want to run by you for suitability. What do you look for in a character?
Do you try to build a balanced group of PCs?
Do you like inter-PC collaboration (shared backstories, that sort of thing)?
Do you like reading richly detailed backstories with lots of plot and NPC hooks, or do you just like to get a quick snapshot of the character and watch how they perform in the game?
How often do you expect people to post, at minimum? Several times per day? Once a day? Once every other day?
How often do you expect to be posting?
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I'll likely be attempting to build a team with some semblence of balance in their roles. Tech specialist, melee specialist (if at all), Demolitions expert, Sniper, Face, commander, medic, etc. are all roles that we would really only need one true specialist in, but that's not a hard and fast rule. It depends really on how many applicants.
It's not a bad idea for multiple people to be skilled in stealth for instance, or to be skilled in first aid.
I like backstories, but they're not the sole thing I would use to determine if the character "fits". If two players want a shared backstory, by all means have at.
I expect at least a post a day, and I will post at least once per day (even if it's simple things like background conversations between NPC's that you can overhear). I like to go faster if the group can do so, but understand that real life comes first.
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The bonus skill point to pilot; Does it replace the raw +1/2 level skill bonus or stack with it?
When I get home tonight, I'll get back to you after checking the books. I'm simply intending to have it so that you're fully trained pilots, regardless of class and don't have to worry about putting points into it unless you want to be a BETTER pilot.
heavy weapons sergeant reporting in
ill check my stats and whatnot after my class tonight making sure im on par for the game.
The way skills work in Saga is that there are no "points" or "ranks". There is simply Untrained and Trained, with the option of taking Skill Focus on top of that. There are also certain items that give bonuses, but Saga is a very character-dependent system, rather than item-dependent. There are no "magic" items in Saga, no +1 Blaster Rifles, etc.
In Saga, all skills gain a bonus of 1/2 the character's total level. For example, a Scoundrel has the option to select Stealth as a Trained skill. By selecting it as Trained, he gains a one-time bonus of +5. That's it. He never needs to worry about putting ranks into it or improving it ever again, because he gains +1/2 his level to it. If he wants, he can take Skill Focus: Stealth, for another one-time bonus of +5.
(Note that a character can become trained in additional skills later down the line, but he must take the Skill Training feat to do so.)
Not bad. However, he decides that as a proper Scout Trooper, he needs a bit more. So, he talks to his DM and picks up Helmet Package to represent the Empire's advanced armor systems. A Helmet Package provides +2 Perception and low-light vision via a Night Vision mode. This raises his Perception check up to a +10. Pretty good, for a level 1 Scout Trooper!
Still, his dream of flying never went away. He put in a transfer request to his superior officer, but as a level 1 Soldier with 12 DEX, his Pilot check is only a +1. Pretty bad. His officer pulls some strings and puts Suvam in the simulator to test his skills anyway, just to humor the kid.
With his +1, Suvam doesn't do very well, failing to meet the DC 15 Pilot check required to beat the simulated X-Wing pilots. "Sorry, kid," his officer tells him. "Head on back to your post, but keep your ears open. The Navy has openings every year."
Suvam is disappointed, but goes back to his duties. A few months later, his outpost is attacked by a swoop gang! An intense firefight erupts, and the gang leader guns his engine and starts flying away. With a burst of desperation, Suvam jumps on one of the captured swoop bikes from the gang and races after him, while calling on the comms for backup. The gangster is an experienced biker, but with a lucky roll of 18, Suvam manages to Pilot his swoop close enough for a shot from his blaster rifle.
POW! Clutching his injured shoulder, the gangster falls off his swoop and meets a nasty end when he hits the rocky ground at 200 km/h.
Suvam is hailed as a badass among his fellow stormtroopers, and his GM decides that his adventure lets him level up! At level 2, Suvam continues to advance as a Soldier, but he decides that to represent his recent achievement, he takes the Skill Training: Pilot feat (since Soldiers gain a bonus feat at level 2).
Excited, he talks to his superior again, who reluctantly pulls some strings and gets Suvam another run in the simulator. Now that he's level 2, Suvam's Pilot check is 1 (DEX) + 5 (Training) + 1 (1/2 level) = +7. Much better!
Drawing on his experiences from the swoop chase, Suvam's reflexes are honed and sharpened, and with a bit of luck, he beats the same DC 15 Pilot check needed to smoke those simulated X-wings into nothing but pixelated dust. His officer sends the data in to the Navy, and three months later, Suvam gets a notice: He's being transferred to the TIE Fighter Rookie division!
Go, Suvam!
That went a little bit longer than I thought, but hopefully that gives you a good idea of how skills work in Saga, and how advancing skills can be done in the middle of the game.
i see that your scars have healed, ianthe :)
Kira Wyndaru, reporting as ordered, sir. As you may or may not be aware, I have several skills which may help in this particular mission. I'm trained in a variety of different weapons, from Blasters to Starship weapons to hand to hand combat. I have a black belt in Teräs Käsi. If nothing else, I am extremely adaptable. And believe me, I am something else.
@kira: lol at the gender issue. I have over a dozen aliases, some in games running as we speak, roughly half of them female. Never seen anyone bat an eyelash.
I'm also kind of a fan of SE, in that it seemed to be a halfway point between 3.5 and 4E rules, trying to combine some of the simplicity of 4E with a bit of the depth of previous d20 systems. Haven't got much chance to playtest it yet, but I'm looking forward to it either way. It's Star Wars, after all. Who doesn't like Star Wars?
I must confess I'm rather antsy about figuring out our gear, as that was the most fun part of making this character: deciding what gear he would want and how he would spend his cash tweaking it. Standard issue stuff won't bother me, but the moment we get any credits and freedom to use them, you can bet I'll be brokering out my services as a customizer to the group.
+1 attack rolls on all weapons, anyone?
@kira: lol at the gender issue. I have over a dozen aliases, some in games running as we speak, roughly half of them female. Never seen anyone bat an eyelash.
I'm also kind of a fan of SE, in that it seemed to be a halfway point between 3.5 and 4E rules, trying to combine some of the simplicity of 4E with a bit of the depth of previous d20 systems. Haven't got much chance to playtest it yet, but I'm looking forward to it either way. It's Star Wars, after all. Who doesn't like Star Wars?
Well, some GMs aren't too thrilled about people playing opposite genders, so I figured I'd ask. (First time I did that kind of roleplaying lead to some humourous moments).
I must confess I'm rather antsy about figuring out our gear, as that was the most fun part of making this character: deciding what gear he would want and how he would spend his cash tweaking it. Standard issue stuff won't bother me, but the moment we get any credits and freedom to use them, you can bet I'll be brokering out my services as a customizer to the group.
+1 attack rolls on all weapons, anyone?
I'll take that, and ask a pretty please +1 armour upgrade with sugar on top? ;-)
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A few things, now that I think of them, that will help me in my selections.
Why is the character joining the navy?
Where were they born/raised?
Why are they a loyal citizen of the Empire?
Are they racist against other species? Sexist?
Do they have a particular hatred of the New Republic?
As a fifth level character, and an officer (You must be an officer to fly), what sort of military service has the character seen up to this point?
Well played, Kira. well played.
ah! interviews! right on.
I'll get the chance to fly, maybe see a bit of the galaxy, and keep the peace from the rebellion and their bombing acts. Plus I hear the Navy always needs good techs.
I was born and raised on Coruscant, as an accountant's son. Bookkeeping didn't look interesting at the time so I got into computers instead.
I've never been wronged by the empire, my family has good standing, and I think keeping the peace is a much better career choice than bombing peaceful worlds. Besides, the rebellion cost me an arm, and the empire gave it back. That's a fairly strong argument.
Not really. Never got out enough to care whether any alien or woman was better than me at anything.
Well, I don't know if I hate them, but I am about 20% inorganic thanks to one of their slicers, so I don't think I'll have a problem shooting them anytime soon.
I've trained in marksmanship, demolitions work, and squad tactics while continuing my education in technology. I've served with several military outposts on Coruscant, sometimes as communications officer, sometimes as part of strike teams, focusing on electronic intrusion to known rebel hiedouts. I've also spent regular hours in military hangar bays repairing TIE fighters and speeder bikes. Even spotted and defused a rebel explosive on the underside of a Lieutenant's bomber hull once during a docking in a high orbit star destroyer. Defusing a ten-kilo detonite charge in zero-g was fun, especially since the lieutenant had to sit tight in the middle of his fully armed bomber while I did it. Rebels really like their bombs, I guess.
I am also interested in playing this... Don't see anything on it so far, nor any questions asked yet, so I'll throw it out there: could I play a droid? (I enjoy playing droids)
It'd almost definitely be of the combat variety, of course.
Why is the character joining the navy?
Kira is a member of the Mistryl Shadow Guard, an all-female mercenary group, based upon the world Emberlene. She was contracted by the Empire for some special jobs that could not have any official links to the Empire. Because of her accomplishments, she has been put on permanent retainer from the Imperial Navy.
Where were they born/raised?
Kira was born on the planet Emberlene. You can read the Wookiepedia entry here: Emberlene on Wookiepedia
Why are they a loyal citizen of the Empire?
Based upon the destruction her homeworld faces, she hopes that her excellent service to the Empire will bring her homeworld aid, and allow it to be rebuilt.
Are they racist against other species? Sexist?
No to both questions.
Do they have a particular hatred of the New Republic?
No. Her primary concern is to rebuild Emberlene, and if the destruction of the New Republic will allow that, then so be it.
As a fifth level character, and an officer (You must be an officer to fly), what sort of military service has the character seen up to this point?
Her main military accomplishments have been in private wars financed by Fringe elements: Hutt clans, private corporations, etc. Recently though, she has accomplished various clandestine military operations that could not normally be linked back to the Empire. Covert missions deep into New Republic space, sabotage and assassinations of key individuals within the New Republic heirarchy, plus destabilization of various independent groups to make them more sympathetic to the Empire, or make them blame their misfortunes on the New Republic.
What's the status of the galaxy? When does this take place? What's the status of the Empire, and why is it allowing aliens in? What's going on with the New Republic?
Also, do we roll for HP? If so, how and where? If not, do we take average? Max?
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And that's a good question. I didn't bring it over from the interest check thread yet. The state of the Galaxy is a stalemate, due to this not being the canon world.
The year is 11 ABY (after battle of Yavin).
Luke Skywalker died on the Deathstar with Darth Vader and the Emperor.
As such, the Jedi are extinct, and events have played out differently.
The Empire did not lose Coruscant (Imperial Center).
Grand Admiral Thrawn's campaign was stopped not over Bilbringi, but attempting to destroy the shipyards on Mon Calamari.
The Imperial ruling council, in a move to unify the splintered Empire, declared Thrawn the Supreme Commander of Imperial forces.
Clones of the Emperor were found, and destroyed by Imperial Intelligence by directive of the Supreme Commander.
In 10 ABY, Thrawn enacted many sweeping changes to Imperial doctrine. Humanocentric cultural indoctrination has been abolished. Slavery has been abolished. Female and non-human soldiers now have "equal" treatment in the Imperial military. These changes were brought in to forment unity and loyalty amongst the remaining Imperial worlds.
Good stuff. I'm just about done with my character.
All this info should probably be added to the original post.
I second Loup Blanc...
Droids are allowed?
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Actually, as a droid can simply walk through most hazardous conditions that a party would have to actually think or work to circumvent, I don't think a droid would be a good idea to allow. Radiation, Vacuum, Heat, Cold, gas, etc. are all things that a droid would simply ignore. I think it's pretty boring to basically never use those things in a game as a challenge.
Ta-dah, all done. Presenting Melgora Kormanthul, Twi'lek sniper / Scout Trooper extraordinaire! Stats are in the alias profile.
I couldn't really find a terribly good portrait since this site is geared for Pathfinder (obviously), but I did what I could.
Let me know what you think!
You tryin' to muscle in on my spot, Ianthe? For one who don't like hutts, you sure got their methods down, heh.
Thought of some additional questions:
1) It's been some time since I looked through my Saga books, but what is a "standard issue Imperial military kit"?
2) For hit points, if we decide to take the average, is it rounded up or down? For instance, the average of a d10 is 5.5; does that mean it's 5 HP or 6 HP? (I'd assume it rounds up, but I didn't want to be presumptous).
The campaign sounds eerily similar to the one I ran for my home group.
It was set in a similar time frame, about 11 ABY. In it, the second Death Star was destroyed, but the Emperor survived; Luke and Darth Vader died.
The New Republic was losing ground as the Emperor's push to crush the Rebels strengthened. Leia, now the only prospect for the Jedi, has taken it upon herself to try to find out more about the Force.
It took no time for the Emperor to find a new apprentice: Darth Praxus. He is presumed to be human, but it is hard to know for sure. For his face is said to be hideously scarred, and thus wears a black mask, and dresses in black clothing and gloves. He is every bit as ruthless as Darth Vader was.
Only difference was my campaign had the heroes being hired by General Wedge Antilles to run some errands for them, and they find themselves smack dab in the middle of the eternal conflict.
I even had planned out a remarkable battle between Leia and Darth Praxus, with the heroes battling Darth Praxus' minions and watching it unfold. It would have been to true Star Wars fashion, but sadly the campaign ended before it got that far.
I'm not going to reveal much more, on the off-chance it crosses too much ground for this campaign (and if it does, I suspect I may have to sit this one out, heh).
Why is the character joining the navy?
To get out and see the galaxy. There had to be something better than the trees on Kashyyk..
Where were they born/raised? I was born on a human colony on Kashyyk..
Why are they a loyal citizen of the Empire? ill get back to you on this one
Are they racist against other species? Sexist? Harry is equally speciest and sexist against all races, sexes, and breeds throughout the galaxy. Except for Wookies, he has just a mild dislike of them..
Do they have a particular hatred of the New Republic? Just another army to attack and inflict damage upon, all for the name of the empire.
As a fifth level character, and an officer (You must be an officer to fly), what sort of military service has the character seen up to this point?
Harry has been in the military for the last 15 years, and would be a Colonel by this time, if he would learn to not speak his mind openly infront of everyone. Harry has no problem telling it how it is, and to whomever had just spoken, be it an Admiral or General.
Just thought of additional questions (hopefully I'm not being annoying, heh):
1A) Are there any house rules we should be aware of, or is it all official rules?
1B) How will healing be handled? With limited or no access to Vital Transfer, we're left with healing from Treat Injury (either performing surgery to recover HP or with the use of a medpac, but it's limited to once per day). I ask because in our group it was a common houserule to use Jedi Counseling 114 by Gary Sarli ("Critical Care" application of the Treat Injury skill and toning down Vital Transfer) and thus made healing a little easier on the group.
2) Are we using Destinies, Backgrounds (from the Rebel Era Campaign Guide I think?), or neither?
With the exception of putting together starting equipment, Kira is ready for review, I think.
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Just thought of additional questions (hopefully I'm not being annoying, heh):
1A) Are there any house rules we should be aware of, or is it all official rules?
1B) How will healing be handled? With limited or no access to Vital Transfer, we're left with healing from Treat Injury (either performing surgery to recover HP or with the use of a medpac, but it's limited to once per day). I ask because in our group it was a common houserule to use Jedi Counseling 114 by Gary Sarli ("Critical Care" application of the Treat Injury skill and toning down Vital Transfer) and thus made healing a little easier on the group.
2) Are we using Destinies, Backgrounds (from the Rebel Era Campaign Guide I think?), or neither?With the exception of putting together starting equipment, Kira is ready for review, I think.
Healing will be done completely by the Treat Injury skill. Perhaps a Medic on the team would be a helpful addition. =)
Yes, I understand that this will make the game very lethal. That's sort of the point, as I'm going for a military based campaign that goes into the horrors of war, moral and ethical choices, comeraderie, etc.
I'm still trying to determine if I want to use Destinies or Backgrounds. It will most likely be Backgrounds in this type of a campaign.
Healing will be done completely by the Treat Injury skill. Perhaps a Medic on the team would be a helpful addition. =)
Hmm, good to know. Thanks!
Makes me wonder which feat to drop to get Surgical Expertise again. Oh, decision, decisions...
EDIT: Alrighty, dropping proficiency with Heavy Weapons for Surgical Expertise looks like the best bet for my character. That plus Fool's Luck should get my Treat Injury up high enough for healing.
I can only hope that using Fool's Luck will last for as long as I'm making Treat Injury checks out of combat, or that'll make me run out of Force Points fast :)
Let's try this concept. His name is Airos Nowandi. He is an assassin and sentry removal specialist. He is that guy that his superiors turn to ask for "little jobs" and that's how he climbed the ladder.
Why am I joining the navy?
Killing is the main dish in Airos' family. As family of warriors, they saw the Empire as an opportunity for status and fortune. So you can say that's a family tradition to aid the Empire.
Where was I born and raised?
Where the Empire started? There.
Why am I a loyal citizen of the empire?
Because of family tradition, status and they pay my bills.
Am I racist or sexist?
No. But he fulfills his orders even if they have this kind of nature.
Do I have a particular hatred of the new Republic?
Not exactly. Actually he wants to protect his family legacy.
What sort of service have I seen up to this point?
continuing...
What sort of service have I seen up to this point?
Inside assassination for the superiors, infiltration, sabotage, information retrieval, that sort of thing... That's nothing personal, it's all business...
"Well, Ianthe, the day is still young. "