StarWars Imperial Commandos, A Deepening Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master Kip84

This adventure will be set shortly before the completion of the first Death Star. The Rebel Alliance is beginning to become more than just a nuisance. You have been selected from various divisions of the Imperial Army to form a new commando unit to spearhead battles, investigate rebel sleeper cells, and control and react to rebel terrorism in the core worlds. Everyone have been chosen for their outstanding excellence in a particular field of expertise. We cannot allow the rebel scum to destroy everything that we have worked so hard to build!

The Imperial Viewpoint:

Not all Imperial characters are evil, soulless beings in thrall to the Emperor. By the time of the Battle of Yavin, Emperor Palpatine has been in power for nearly three decades. For many of the young men and women serving in the Empire's military forces, Emperor Palpatine's rule is all they have ever known. In their eyes, imperial rule is the status quo. Their parents might remember the frightening years leading up to the Clone Wars, the campaigns against the Confederacy and the duplicity of the Jedi.

The past shows that Emperor Palpatine has single-handedly saved billions of loyal citizens from the enemies of his people, bringing the Republic back from the brink of anarchy. At a time when a strong hand is required to control the senate and the corruption that riddles it, the Emperor is unafraid of doing what is necessary. In the following years, he ensures that peace and prosperity become the right and privilege of every loyal imperial citizen. To deny these truths is to deny reality. A generation of loyal imperial citizens stand ready to defend their way of life. History is written by the victor, and Emperor Palpatine's victory over the Jedi has been told and retold a thousand times.

Character Creation:
Rules system: Saga StarWars (Main books used will be: Core rules, Galaxy at War and the Rebellion Era Campaign Guide. Material from other source books may be used after approval by the GM.)

Species allowed: Human only

Classes not allowed: Jedi. (also no one may select the force sensitive feat. Even rudimentary training in the force would have had you picked up by the Inquisitors long ago.)

Stats: The following array will be used for stats
Stat Array:
17, 15, 14, 13, 10, 9
Don't forget to add 1 to Two stats at Lvl 4

Starting Level: 5

The recently promoted Captain Quan Jenkins is looking for 5 specialists to fill the positions on his commando squad, think things like:

Slicer (Computer hacker)
Medic
Scout/Sniper
Heavy Weapons specialist
Mechanic/Demolitions expert

Jenkins reporting for duty.

I'm looking for specialists in their fields, people who are outside the bell-curve in their chosen areas, for the team.

Played a game like this back in the early days of d20 star wars (I remember us debating whether to use that or d6!), Imperial Agents, IIRC we were investigating the terrorist destruction of the Prototype Star-Class Space Station.

It's been a while since I've done any PbP but I'd be up for either the Slicer or Medic role.

I'll dig out my Saga rules and work something out.

I'd like to participate, please. I'm thinking of playing a scout/sniper type, since I don't think I've ever played one before in a Saga game.

Okay, here goes:

That build looks good James. I especially like your choice of the language "Military call sign" from the Galaxy at war guide. It would be handy if everyone picked that up.

Looking forward to seeing your build to Spinning Dice.

I should probably make a couple of things clear

I intend to post daily and my expectation is that players will to. However I know that RL can get in the way so if I don't see a post from a player within 48 hours I will move on, or if the group is waiting on an action from your character I will Npc that action. If that starts to happen regularly I will probably look for a replacement player. Hope that doesn't turn anybody off.

I want to give this game a very military feel. Your characters will be expected to follow orders etc. Cpt Quan Jenkins is played by a good friend of mine who has no insider knowledge into my plans. He's a fair player who I know won't abuse the power.

Also I forgot to mention gear in my opening post. I will be using the gear requisitioning system from the Galaxy at War book. Each mission gear is selected and given to the squad according to the needs of the mission. So no gear needs to be bought the army will provide. However please list gear that is optimal for your character in your build to make sure you can get the things your character needs (budget allowing)

Thanks for your interest :)

" As part of the Imperial Army, your equipment will be supplied. Using my rank as Warrant Officer I have secured a further 8,000 credits worth of gear. You will each be issued with Stormtrooper armour, and blasters and other gear appropriate to the mission. That being said, I am waiting for the Mission Brief before I submit the final requisition.

"The details have not yet been finalised, so I can listen to requests. However, as bureaucracy imposes it's red tape to all, the group budget will be the final consideration. Despite the limitations this can bring, it is the most efficient way to equip a small group of commandos."

all i heard was "blah blah blah" gear. I rasp out with a chuckle. i cant believe that they made you Warrant officer.

throw me in for the heavy gunner spot. ill mod my current avatar to work within the saga rules, although i am light on the war book.
I see harry just like the dirty harry movies, straight forward, uncouth, and not giving a damn for the implied rules but following the regs. If possible, id like to put forth that harry and Quan entered at the same time, and it was harry's mouth that kept him from promotion.

If possible, id like to put forth that harry and Quan entered at the same time, and it was harry's mouth that kept him from promotion.

I'm fine with that - I see Quan as bit of a loose cannon too, though someone above him realises just how useful he could be to the Empire (or to his own promotions). And perhaps Quan learned to keep his mouth shut from Harry's example.

tempting... Maybe a slicer martial artist... ooh, I dunno.

I'm going to sleep on it.

"Second Lieutenant Guillermo Manus reporting for duty, sir."

Here's my submission for a field engineer/demolitions officer.
I'm planning Guillermo, or Gil for short, to be a younger officer, who has shown being rather adept with machines and explosives and as such he has shown his value to the Empire, which is why he has been chosen for this assignment. Also, perhaps as a bit of a foil to Harry and/or Quan, he will be a more by-the-books soldier, mainly because of his lack of real combat experience.

Also, I have a quick question regarding character creation: Are you using Destinies and/or Backgrounds?

One more Character Creation question: Do you mind if I use the Outlaw Tech tree from Starships of the Galaxy? (It was also in the first free Web Enhancement put out by WotC)

(And Guillermo was my submission)

Here is his Character Sheet

Now that I have Gil mostly finished, he is primarily a Mechanic and Demo Man, though in a pinch he can hack and he isn't a half bad pilot either.

To give fair warning in regards to the pilot skill etc. I am planning to have nil/background focus on starship combat. However the pilot skill, vehicular Combat feats etc will come into play with ground based/Airspeeder type vehicles but probably not every mission.

Also everyone will start at the rank of Private, First Class. After missions rank will be reviewed and possible promotions will be handed out.

Quick question; What books are allowed?

Core, Galaxy at War and Rebellion Era seem to be fine. Other bits from other books will be approved on a case by case basis (and the GM likes a case of red wine :-p ).

thx, I'm thinking of applying for the medic spot, slicers and mecs seem to be all I play in SWSE. I'd like to try something different.

Cab Sav is the best, Cab Merlot is ok to...

I have most of the books. So ask and I'll probably say yes. Im just not familiar with every feat, talent and piece of gear from every book.

That'd be great. I think the GM wants to try out some new things, new ways to flex his GM-muscles. I get the impression we will need the medic dearly. I'm tempted to take a bit of medic myself, as an assistant surgeon.

The aid-another function is dearly underestimated IMO, any plans of taking the squad feats from GaW?

@AlanM; Where can I find the Imperial Military Training feat? Sounds like a must have for all aspiring imperial soldiers.

@AlanM; Where can I find the Imperial Military Training feat? Sounds like a must have for all aspiring imperial soldiers.

It's in the Rebellion Era book. Sigz, if you would rather play the scout/sniper role, I can roll up a medic. I'm pretty open.

" As part of the Imperial Army, your equipment will be supplied. Using my rank as Warrant Officer I have secured a further 8,000 credits worth of gear. You will each be issued with Stormtrooper armour, and blasters and other gear appropriate to the mission. That being said, I am waiting for the Mission Brief before I submit the final requisition.

"The details have not yet been finalised, so I can listen to requests. However, as bureaucracy imposes it's red tape to all, the group budget will be the final consideration. Despite the limitations this can bring, it is the most efficient way to equip a small group of commandos."

Sir, much as I enjoy being very bright and noticeable, would it be possible for the sniper to procure a Shadowsuit instead? It would make me less of a target for opposing snipers, sir.

-Pvt Iggins

Don't have that one, dang.

And don't worry about the roles, I'm cool with playing the medic, just having a little trouble settling on the concept...

Will it be the soldier who became the field medic through necesity and experience, the soldier who got sent to coruscant for schooling or the educated noble who joined the army to serve the greater good... who knows..

Don't have that one, dang.

And don't worry about the roles, I'm cool with playing the medic, just having a little trouble settling on the concept...

Will it be the soldier who became the field medic through necesity and experience, the soldier who got sent to coruscant for schooling or the educated noble who joined the army to serve the greater good... who knows..

It's a short feat. It states: You have been instilled with the sense of discipline and loyalty demanded by the Empire. Benefit: Once per encounter, as a free action on your turn, you can negate any one mind-affecting effect targeting or currently affecting you.

For your consideration;

I'm seeing the good doctor as a man who took his training to the outer core worlds to help the needy of the empire, treating blast wounds and explosive burns. When his clinic got targeted by the terrorists, resulting in Rolin loosing an arm and an eye (read; cybernetic prosthesis), he up and enlisted in the imperial army.

Oh! And I'd like the Memory Implant for him as well, making him a knowledge monster. *Aaaargh!*

bear with me guys, im learning this system while i create a character...

when i was in basic, one of my battle buddies was jenkins.
hey, jenkins, you miserable excuse of a human, here's what i need.
grenade launcher, 20 frag grenades, 20 stun grenades. The Merr-Sonn PLX Missle launcher with 15 missles. A heavy blaster rifle, the MarkIV carbine version, with 10 mags. 4 rolls of mesh tape, More bandoliers, oh, and while your out at supply, can you swing by the jawa hut and get me a ice mocha. thanks bud!

"Watch yourself, Calahan. I'll admit you are the better soldier in almost all ways, but your mouth will see you demoted from Private to mouse droid technician. You know how Requisition works - I'll be lucky to see 5% of that.
"It's good to see you again. I'd heard you were sent to Kessel?"

bear with me guys, im learning this system while i create a character...

Feel free to ask questions here, creating characters is a good way to learn the system. I know I've learned a lot making my first Noble. And I've learned of some other cool things from James just now.

James, I've had a look through the three main books for this campaign, but I can't find Shadowsuit... Where is it? Is it under Armour or under Equipment? Which book?

Last time i checked, Sir, it was Sergeant Calahan. He growls, making a fist, then pointing to the rank on his sleeve with his thumb.
then, extending the hand out, he proceeds to shake jenkins hand with a big smile.
aye, its good to see you too. Last i heard, you were waist deep some Hutt doo-doo on some random planet. As for me, yeah, i was out in Kessel, doing work for the emperor, crushing some puny rebellion. I literally crushed them, by destroying the building they were hold up in. Pity i couldnt keep that missle launcher, had her tweaked just right for maximum firepower. Now, ive been reduced to this small Janice here he pulls out the blaster, a quick glance showing that it is immaculately clean.

questions i have:

1) skill points. whats the cap/max per level? is it level+3 or something else?

Jenkins, it's in the Clone Wars book. Although, thinking about it, I'd rather just take a camouflage poncho. Since I'm not proficient with armor, it makes better sense.

questions i have:

1) skill points. whats the cap/max per level? is it level+3 or something else?

as a Soldier you choose 3+Int mod number of skills to be trained in - 5 for Harry it seems.

Skills calculations: Half level +Ability mod (+5 if trained)

Jenkins, it's in the Clone Wars book. Although, thinking about it, I'd rather just take a camouflage cloak. Since I'm not proficient with armor, it makes better sense.

Sounds good, can do.

Is everyone else happy with Stormtrooper armour?

Just to save a bit of time flicking through several books, can we all please list which book things are from?

so its not a total of skill points, but a set number of allocated skills to choose from, and once chosen, auto level with your PC level...got ya...i need to redue my character then.

how bout some battle armor for me? since ill be heavy gunner, and not very nimble, having some heavier armor would be awesome.

so its not a total of skill points, but a set number of allocated skills to choose from, and once chosen, auto level with your PC level...got ya...i need to redue my character then.

how bout some battle armor for me? since ill be heavy gunner, and not very nimble, having some heavier armor would be awesome.

Yes, that sounds about right. All skills auto-level with the PC, and the Trained skills all gain +5.

.

"I'll ask them at Requisitions. I'm sure I can convince them the usefulness of Battle Armour."

Been a while since I looked at SAGA, took a bit of reading to remember how it works...
Hopefully this is all okay? Maybe too much skill cross with Guillermo? If so let me know and I'll redo as something else.

Been a while since I looked at SAGA, took a bit of reading to remember how it works...

Hopefully this is all okay? Maybe too much skill cross with Guillermo? If so let me know and I'll redo as something else.

** spoiler omitted **

I don't think skill overlap is a problem. I have just completed Quan, and I have set him up to Aid Another with those important skills of Treat Injury, Mechanic, and Use Computer.

Quan will be using the Trust Talent a lot.
Trust: You can give up your standard action to give one ally within your line of sight an extra standard action or move action on his next turn, to do with as he pleases. The ally does not lose the action if line of sight is broken.

Oh yeah, starting off as PFC would be fine; I just chose a lesser rank than Captain as a RP standpoint. And does that mean we will be using the Background rules?
And regarding Pilot, that's what I more or less figured, but it's always good to have someone that knows what they are doing in a vehicle, both behind the wheel and under the hood. And I swapped a feat for Skill Training to get Treat Injury, so Gil can help out in the Medic role if need be.

As for SpinningDice; don't worry about skill overlap, it just means that they can help out each other if need be, but it's clear that each has their own specialty.

can someone look over my skills for me, just to make sure i set them up correctly? thanks

can someone look over my skills for me, just to make sure i set them up correctly? thanks

"All your paperwork looks to be in order, Calahan."

"Speaking of paperwork, I have a spreadsheet ready to go for the Gear Requisition, I'm just waiting on the Mission Brief to tailor the gear to suit.

"I would like to hear what weapons people specifically want. "

I remember that someone (or two) has a feat that increases the damage from a Heavy Blaster Rifle. So I need two of those at 2000 a piece. In terms of budget, the Blaster Carbines which dish out 3d8 are a bargain at only 900 each, which leaves a lot of credit for Frag Grenades and other goodies.

I'd assume that they'd come standard with the appropriate specialists, but I'd need (just off of the top of my head) at least a Security Kit and a Tool Kit, and a Medical Kit would be nice. I'd also assume medpacs would come standard with everyone?

And anything that makes nice, big booms would be appreciated for Gil.

I'd assume that they'd come standard with the appropriate specialists, but I'd need (just off of the top of my head) at least a Security Kit and a Tool Kit, and a Medical Kit would be nice. I'd also assume medpacs would come standard with everyone?

And anything that makes nice, big booms would be appreciated for Gil.

Done, done and done.

"Standard weapons and armor are fine sir, depending on mission parameters I could do with a Portable Computer, Security Kit and Tool Kit."
Given the Portable Computer's massive expense at 5000 credits, I think it's better we leave that off unless it's likely to specifically useful/

If we're short on budget things like Security Kits and Tool Kits could be switched around in the field as it's unlikely we'll all be using them at once - of course then you run the risk of it not being in the right place at the right time.

Well Cpt Quan Jenkins looks like your team is assembled!

James Martin with Pvt Hosh Iggins, Sniper/Stealth expert
Dewn Mou'tain with Pvt Harry Calahan, Heavy Weapons expert
AlanM with Pvt Guillermo Manus, Field Engineer/Demolitions expert
Sigz with Pvt Dr Avenus Rolin, Medic/Field Surgery expert
Spinningdice with Pvt Sciath Nalis, Slicer/Tech Expert

Recruitment is closed. Expect to see the first Gameplay post within 24hrs (starting with the Mission Briefing of course. I'll open the Discussion thread now. Please roll your HP there, Rerolling all 1s and 2s (I dislike low HP).

Discussion Thread here.

Thank you, Your Highness. It is exactly as you have foreseen it. Everything that has transpired has been according to your design.

I will have a list of Gear Requisition posted to the Discussion thread soon after the briefing, for player ideas and GM approval.

I can't wait to kick some Rebel Scum!

"Welcome aboard. Welcome to the Imperial Military might. Fate has brought us together, and with a little luck and a lot of skill we shall soon be known as Jenkin's Fist- the finest crack team this side of the 4077th! Or was that the 501st?

"Never mind that, I look forward to teaming up with you lot to crush the insurgents.

"Now where's that form 387b for Gear Requisition of Non-Standard Packages? Calahan, are you using it as a hand towel?"

jenkin's fist? nah, sounds kind of...lame. Harry's Hammerstrike, now that sounds fun!