Episode II - Tests of the Godking
Introduction:
The second instalment of our Green Vipers adventures sees the team begin the Long Shot campaign. This adventure took three sessions to run and made use of the published adventure "Tests of the Godking" which featured in West End Games' "Classic Adventures" book. I own none of the images, all of which were sourced from Google. This is an advert-free, non-for-profit blog.
Pirates of the Void:
Dropping out of hyperspace, the Long Shot receive a message from a Captain Jayhawk who claims to be a member of the Rebellion. Jayhawk tells them they will be boarded and supplies confiscated for the Rebellion - but their YT-1300, the Martinette, is not a known Rebel vessel and its configuration, with boosted sublight engines and heavy shielding, attracts suspicion.
Music Cue: Into the Trap
Both ships exchange fire and a chase ensues... However, unable to outrun the vessel, a stalemate ensues as neither ship's weapons is able to inflict any damage on the other. Although smuggler Jaden Jericho has proven more than capable of preventing the vessel docking with some impressive evasive manoeuvres, he decides to allow the enemy vessel to dock.
Music Cue: Into the Trap
Both ships exchange fire and a chase ensues... However, unable to outrun the vessel, a stalemate ensues as neither ship's weapons is able to inflict any damage on the other. Although smuggler Jaden Jericho has proven more than capable of preventing the vessel docking with some impressive evasive manoeuvres, he decides to allow the enemy vessel to dock.
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| Smuggler Jaden Jericho |
Music Cue: Imperial Attack
Sword drawn, JiBa climbs the ladders up to the airlock door. He plans to board the enemy vessel as soon as they open the airlock. But the airlock is blown apart and JiBa severely wounded! He lands upon Tarrik Nightburner below - painful for both of them! As JiBa crawls to safety, the prone Tarrik is shot by blasters and incapacitated!
Sword drawn, JiBa climbs the ladders up to the airlock door. He plans to board the enemy vessel as soon as they open the airlock. But the airlock is blown apart and JiBa severely wounded! He lands upon Tarrik Nightburner below - painful for both of them! As JiBa crawls to safety, the prone Tarrik is shot by blasters and incapacitated!
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| Tough Native JiBa |
Despite the hostile fire, the Rebel team set blasters to stun in case the boarding party are working for the Rebellion. A fierce firefight ensues with both sides trading blaster shots. Several of the boarding party are knocked unconscious before Jericho hurtles a stun grenade onto the Martinette, subduing the remaining attackers!
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| Captain Jayhawk |
The team board the ship, discovering the crew of the Martinette are not Rebels but pirates! JiBa begins lancing the incapacitated pirates with his blade - "they failed in battle and deserve an honourable death" - much to the dismay of fellow Rebels Skye Bodelyn and Kira Rishkar! After an angry exchange with the bemused JiBa, Skye puts herself between JiBa and his next intended victim. Told that he can kill the pirates later, JiBa relents and the the unconscious Captain Jayhawk and her crew are thrown into the brig on the Long Shot.
Kira cracks open several medpacks to revive and patch up JiBa and Nightburner. Against the wishes of Captain Ixsthmus who wants to contact Nowhere to have other Rebels pick the ship up, Jericho and JiBa take control of the Martinette. Jimi Ackbar performs sensors scans of Masterhome, and they discover that the forest world only has one major city where approximately 20,000 of the so-called "Anointed Ones" live. They take both ships down. As they near the ground, Jericho detaches from the Long Shot and performs several loops, while JiBa fires several shots to display their firepower. Observing from the Long Shot, Captain Ixsthmus is appalled as, at the very least, this goes against the spirit of the instructions the team were given by Santhou onboard Nowhere: "Remember, we are the good guys. No coercion, no extortion, no threats..."
Rebels in the Godking's Court
Music Cue: The Little People Work followed by Luke and Leia
With both ships now having touched down, they are approached by the lizard people - the Anointed Ones - who live in the city. They are in awe of their "sky chariots" and, on the rebel's instruction, take them to the castle where the Godking can be found. An honour guard meet them at the castle and take them inside.
With both ships now having touched down, they are approached by the lizard people - the Anointed Ones - who live in the city. They are in awe of their "sky chariots" and, on the rebel's instruction, take them to the castle where the Godking can be found. An honour guard meet them at the castle and take them inside.
The Godking himself is the most unremarkable of his species and seems slightly aloof to his subjects, not to mention unimpressed by the strangers. Nightburner explains the reason for their mission but the Godking is wary of aiding the rebels, and points out that their technology has not aided their cause in defeating this Empire. Indeed, when they inform him that the Empire had the ability to destroy worlds, his reluctance increases. When Nightburner boasts that the Death Star was destroyed thanks to the heroics of Green Squadron, the Godking requests that they talk more over a feast of griff-meat.
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| The Anointed Ones |
JiBa decides he wants to pay a visit to the local weapon-smith but, with the honour-guard of twenty Anointed Ones assigned to accompany them, he cannot sneak away unnoticed by the rest of the group. Concerned as to what damage he might get into, the entire party - excepting smuggler Jaden - accompany him to the store. Unimpressed by the quality of blades at their disposal, JiBa spots that the honour-guard carry a bespoke "Blade of Honour" and learns that they can only attained by defeating a dangerous creature called an "eater".
Jaden seeks out the closest thing there is to a casino and attempts to join a game of cards. Unfortunately, the Anointed Ones only gamble gold and not Imperial credits - and he fails in his bid to dupe the technologically challenged creatures into believing that a comlink is a communicator to their gods. As the gamblers react angrily, Jaden's guard escort him away before he causes a riot.
Music Cue: The City in the Clouds
At the feast, the group are served roasted bugs and skewered rodents. Tarrik Nightburner feels drowsy while Jimi feels nauseous and Kira feels agonising pain in her stomach! Not wishing to offend their hosts, they manage to mask their discomfort. Tarrik is challenged by the Godking to an arm-wresting contest, but is defeated by the deceptively strong Godking. JiBa boasts that he would not be so easily bested and the Godking accepts the challenge. Unfortunately for JiBa, he too underestimates his opponent and is flipped on to the floor! Kaleban is quietly approached by another Anointed One - Satrank - who informs him that the Godking is weak and that with their help, he can be overthrown. Kaleban does not commit do any course of action, deciding instead to discuss the proposal with the group in a more discreet location later on. The Godking brings the feast to a close by inviting the team to a hunt the following day. They then return to the Long Shot.
In the morning, Captain Ixthsmus is displeased by their apparent lack of progress - and the disrespectful responses he receives! Washing his hands of them, Kaleban explains to the team the proposal from Satrank. The team discuss assassinating the Godking, but, at the insistence of Jimi, put their plans on hold until they learn more about how the people feel about the Godking.
Music Cue: The Land of the Sandpeople
The Godking leads the group - mounted on riding beasts called Likkas - into the forest and, abandoning them in a clearing where there are cattle-like griffs, he and his group disappear into the tree-line to watch the team at work. They make short work of putting down the docile creatures and JiBa revels in the moment as he slices open the jugular of one of the beasts, drenching him in blood! Delighted with their work, they shout to the Godking that their task is completed. The Godking laughs and explains that the hunt has only just begun...
Music Cue: General Grevious
A fearsome roar emanates from the tree-line and JiBa leaps into the stream, hurriedly trying to wash the griff blood off him! A huge beast, an eater, bursts into the clearing and lunges at him, biting at his head!
Its monstrous teeth puncture the helm he wears, but somewhat miraculously, he survives the attack. The battle is long and fierce as the group shoot upon the terrifying beast from a variety of positions...and the creature is blasted into submission and, eventually put out of its misery, with Kira delivering the killing blow. The Godking and his party come out from their hiding places and congratulate the party on their achievement, with Kira being gifted with a Blade of Honour!
After the hunt, Jimi slips off into the city where he learns that the Godking is loved by his people and that their warlike reputation is a misunderstanding; the creatures enjoy mass-brawls but these are largely bloodless affairs which do not cost lives. Returning to the group unseen, he reports his findings and the plan to assassinate the Godking is abandoned.
When they rejoin the Godking, he reveals that he has been testing the group for the past few days - testing their honesty, biology, strength, and skill in combat - and that as they have passed with flying colours, he agrees to supply the Rebels with the vital food supplies. Before any celebrations can be held however, Sienne Symm contacts the team, informing them that a damaged Imperial shuttle is inbound and that they have to make an emergency blast off, and for the team to lie low while the Long Shot gets help.
As the stricken ship touches down mere moments after the Long Shot has blasted off, the Godking and the team watch from a castle balcony, staring in disbelief as thirty Stormtroopers pour off the vessel! Some of the Godking's people rush to greet the newcomers but their cries of excitement turn to screams of terror as the ship's blaster cannon mercilessly blasts through their ranks, dealing out terrible carnage. Grief-stricken, the Godking, turns to the party and tearfully mutters "Looks like we've joined the Rebellion after all."
Music Cue: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
The gates open and the quartet ride into the plains at full pelt, attracting the Imperials' attention as planned. Fearing a massacre, Jimi leaps out of the well and begins opening fire upon the Stormtroopers nearby the ship. Much of the Stormtrooper fire tears up the well around him - and more Stormtroopers rush from the far side of the ship to engage the Rebel threat!
Music Cue: The Forest Battle
JiBa and Jaden also spring out from the well and make a charge towards the stricken ship, engaging and wounding several Stormtroopers on their way! Skye's beast is hit and she crashes to the ground, but she deftly rolls to avoid taking too much punishment!
Kaleban and Kira close in on the ship and blast Stormtroopers from their mounts. Jimi continues to blast at the Stormtroopers, but he is still under heavy fire, with the cover being the only thing saving him! Tarrik whips his mount to send it into a frenzied attack upon three Stormtroopers in the nearest foxhole, goring them badly!
Music Cue: The Return of the Jedi
JiBa's crazed charge leads him inside the shuttle where, after goring a Stormtrooper with his blade, he reaches the blaster cannon and turns it upon the Stormtroopers outside - tearing through their ranks with deadly efficiency! He is attacked by Imperial Agent Marska who swings a vibe-blade at his skull! It deflects off his helm - the second time in a day it has saved him! - and he returns the compliment, dispatching Marska by driving his own sword through her leg and tearing the wound open with a vicious twist of the blade, spraying blood everywhere! Jimi, now backed up by Skye and the marauding Kira and Kaleban, manage to subdue the remaining Stormtroopers on their side of the ship but seconds before JiBa can disintegrate them with the ship's cannon, Jaden is blasted in the chest and passes out. Furious, Jiba and Tarrik outside finish off the last Stormtroopers before the team pour on to the shuttle and the remaining Imperials onboard surrender!
The Godking sends his warriors into the forest where, in territory they are familiar with, they are able to ambush the remaining Stormtroopers, finally bringing the threat to the Anointed Ones to a close.
Music Cue: The Throne Room and End Title
The team are then treated to a feast and presented with medals for their valour in defending his people. JiBa asks for a Blade of Honour and is told that one will be made for each of them, but there are none spare, arranging to have them sent with the first food shipment from Masterhome to Nowhere. He apologises for mistrusting them, explaining that humans had came to visit some months previously - and stolen the Saviour Sword. When pressed, he explains that there was a prophecy that the sword would be wielded by someone from the stars who would lead them to salvation. He believes the prophecy was misread and that, instead, the sword was to be stolen by someone from the stars. As the Long Shot returns, Tarrik drags Jayhawk from the brig and asks the Godking if this is the person who stole the Saviour Sword. He says it is and demands to know where the sword is now. Jayhawk fearfully explains that Vangar, her pirate boss on Pilahni has the weapon. The team persuade the Godking that cold-blooded murder is not their way and Jayhawk is returned to the Long Shot. The Godking thanks them all warmly for their help in saving his people from further horror and bids them goodbye. The Rebels patch up the Imperial shuttle and, along with the Long Shot and the Martinette, blast off. Although they are keen to travel to Palahni to retrieve the Saviour Sword, they decide to return first to Nowhere.
To be continued...
I made a huge mistake during the battle, as I got too tied up in what the Stormtroopers were doing, forgetting to use that ship blaster against the marauding Rebels. Next time I will not make such a glaring error - my players have been warned! Once scale was taken into consideration, the ship's cannon was dealing out a massive 12D of damage. That would have vaporised anyone it hit!
I was forced to improvise a few times too, as, against what is set in the text, my players decided they would keep the pirates' Martinette and land it in a forest clearing not far from the castle. This worked in their favour as it meant, spotting it while landing, the Imperials dispatched fifteen Stormtroopers to investigate! In addition, the players sought another route out of the castle (there wasn't one) so when I spotted the well, I came up with the idea that the sewers led there and also allowed them to ride the Likkas when it was suggested. I hate to say "no" to my players when they come up with ideas and think it's good GMing to try to accommodate their plans where possible. None of what they were asking seemed unreasonable, so I was happy to roll with their plans, especially since it seemed fun to do so.
I also added a few extra touches to the original text of the published adventure, the Blade of Honour and the Saviour Sword being obvious examples. While Jayhawk had always thieved from the Godking, I decided that she would have passed the Saviour Sword on to her boss, Vangar, who, Star Wars REUP GMs will be familiar with. He is usually found on Prexiar but it made sense to relocate his operations to Pilahni, another world in the Fakir Sector where this campaign is set. I'm trying to find ways to disguise the obvious episodic and unavoidable standalone nature of the published adventures. The idea is to form a coherent narrative which feels as though the PCs are in charge of their adventures even though they are on fairly rigid rails.
One major criticism I have of the published adventure is that the suggested Character Point rewards of 3-6 points for the entire adventure seems extremely harsh; the team dealt with pirates, an incredibly tough Likka and over 20 Stormtroopers in the climactic battle. I personally would give that kind of reward each week, but perhaps I'm overly generous in my player rewards. Everyone has accepted though that we'll stick to the guidelines. One the plus side, this should prevent the team becoming overpowered for a long time to come...
Musical Cues: I know at least one fellow GM liked the mention of musical cues in a previous post, so I've outlined those cues below and will continue to do so in future write ups. It is something I take some time thinking about ahead of sessions, as I want to evoke certain scenes or bring a certain feeling to certain encounters. I know this is stretching things a little, but I do want my players to feel like John Williams has scored the game for them!
Pirate Ship Attack: Into the Trap
Pirate Ship Boarding Party: Imperial Attack
Meeting the Anointed Ones: The Little People Work / Luke and Leia
Meeting the Godking: The City in the Clouds
The Hunt: The Land of the Sandpeople
The Appearance of the Eater: General Grevious
The Imperials Arrive: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
The Battle: The Forest Battle / The Return of the Jedi
Rewards and Conclusion: The Throne Room and End Title
Jaden seeks out the closest thing there is to a casino and attempts to join a game of cards. Unfortunately, the Anointed Ones only gamble gold and not Imperial credits - and he fails in his bid to dupe the technologically challenged creatures into believing that a comlink is a communicator to their gods. As the gamblers react angrily, Jaden's guard escort him away before he causes a riot.
Music Cue: The City in the Clouds
At the feast, the group are served roasted bugs and skewered rodents. Tarrik Nightburner feels drowsy while Jimi feels nauseous and Kira feels agonising pain in her stomach! Not wishing to offend their hosts, they manage to mask their discomfort. Tarrik is challenged by the Godking to an arm-wresting contest, but is defeated by the deceptively strong Godking. JiBa boasts that he would not be so easily bested and the Godking accepts the challenge. Unfortunately for JiBa, he too underestimates his opponent and is flipped on to the floor! Kaleban is quietly approached by another Anointed One - Satrank - who informs him that the Godking is weak and that with their help, he can be overthrown. Kaleban does not commit do any course of action, deciding instead to discuss the proposal with the group in a more discreet location later on. The Godking brings the feast to a close by inviting the team to a hunt the following day. They then return to the Long Shot.
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| Former Mercenary Kaleban Maars |
Music Cue: The Land of the Sandpeople
The Godking leads the group - mounted on riding beasts called Likkas - into the forest and, abandoning them in a clearing where there are cattle-like griffs, he and his group disappear into the tree-line to watch the team at work. They make short work of putting down the docile creatures and JiBa revels in the moment as he slices open the jugular of one of the beasts, drenching him in blood! Delighted with their work, they shout to the Godking that their task is completed. The Godking laughs and explains that the hunt has only just begun...
Music Cue: General Grevious
A fearsome roar emanates from the tree-line and JiBa leaps into the stream, hurriedly trying to wash the griff blood off him! A huge beast, an eater, bursts into the clearing and lunges at him, biting at his head!
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| Eater |
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| Outlaw Kira Riskar |
When they rejoin the Godking, he reveals that he has been testing the group for the past few days - testing their honesty, biology, strength, and skill in combat - and that as they have passed with flying colours, he agrees to supply the Rebels with the vital food supplies. Before any celebrations can be held however, Sienne Symm contacts the team, informing them that a damaged Imperial shuttle is inbound and that they have to make an emergency blast off, and for the team to lie low while the Long Shot gets help.
As the stricken ship touches down mere moments after the Long Shot has blasted off, the Godking and the team watch from a castle balcony, staring in disbelief as thirty Stormtroopers pour off the vessel! Some of the Godking's people rush to greet the newcomers but their cries of excitement turn to screams of terror as the ship's blaster cannon mercilessly blasts through their ranks, dealing out terrible carnage. Grief-stricken, the Godking, turns to the party and tearfully mutters "Looks like we've joined the Rebellion after all."
A Deadly Little War
The Godking is ready to send two hundred of his troops to deal with the intruders, but the team are concerned they are no match for the Empire's might and decide to try to figure out a plan to deal with the Imperial party. They witness fifteen Stormtroopers leave the shuttle, headed off into the woods. They rightly guess that they spotted the YT-1300 they had confiscated from Jayhawk's pirates and are headed out to learn more about the vessel. It is a pivotal moment as the team decide this is their best opportunity to deal with the Imperial party. Asking if there is another way out of the castle, the Godking informs them that the sewers lead to a well not far from where the ship has landed. The party splits into two with Tarrik, Kira, Skye and Kaleban mounting Likkas to stage a diversion, while Jaden, JiBa and Jimi climb up through the well to spring an attack upon the distracted Stormtroopers.
Music Cue: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
The gates open and the quartet ride into the plains at full pelt, attracting the Imperials' attention as planned. Fearing a massacre, Jimi leaps out of the well and begins opening fire upon the Stormtroopers nearby the ship. Much of the Stormtrooper fire tears up the well around him - and more Stormtroopers rush from the far side of the ship to engage the Rebel threat!
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| Mon Calamari Jimi Ackbar |
JiBa and Jaden also spring out from the well and make a charge towards the stricken ship, engaging and wounding several Stormtroopers on their way! Skye's beast is hit and she crashes to the ground, but she deftly rolls to avoid taking too much punishment!
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| Scout Skye Bodelyn |
Music Cue: The Return of the Jedi
JiBa's crazed charge leads him inside the shuttle where, after goring a Stormtrooper with his blade, he reaches the blaster cannon and turns it upon the Stormtroopers outside - tearing through their ranks with deadly efficiency! He is attacked by Imperial Agent Marska who swings a vibe-blade at his skull! It deflects off his helm - the second time in a day it has saved him! - and he returns the compliment, dispatching Marska by driving his own sword through her leg and tearing the wound open with a vicious twist of the blade, spraying blood everywhere! Jimi, now backed up by Skye and the marauding Kira and Kaleban, manage to subdue the remaining Stormtroopers on their side of the ship but seconds before JiBa can disintegrate them with the ship's cannon, Jaden is blasted in the chest and passes out. Furious, Jiba and Tarrik outside finish off the last Stormtroopers before the team pour on to the shuttle and the remaining Imperials onboard surrender!
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| Brash Pilot Tarrik Nightburner |
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| Blade of Honour |
Music Cue: The Throne Room and End Title
The team are then treated to a feast and presented with medals for their valour in defending his people. JiBa asks for a Blade of Honour and is told that one will be made for each of them, but there are none spare, arranging to have them sent with the first food shipment from Masterhome to Nowhere. He apologises for mistrusting them, explaining that humans had came to visit some months previously - and stolen the Saviour Sword. When pressed, he explains that there was a prophecy that the sword would be wielded by someone from the stars who would lead them to salvation. He believes the prophecy was misread and that, instead, the sword was to be stolen by someone from the stars. As the Long Shot returns, Tarrik drags Jayhawk from the brig and asks the Godking if this is the person who stole the Saviour Sword. He says it is and demands to know where the sword is now. Jayhawk fearfully explains that Vangar, her pirate boss on Pilahni has the weapon. The team persuade the Godking that cold-blooded murder is not their way and Jayhawk is returned to the Long Shot. The Godking thanks them all warmly for their help in saving his people from further horror and bids them goodbye. The Rebels patch up the Imperial shuttle and, along with the Long Shot and the Martinette, blast off. Although they are keen to travel to Palahni to retrieve the Saviour Sword, they decide to return first to Nowhere.
To be continued...
Closing Reflections:
As mentioned at the top of the post, this adventure was played across three sessions and was fairly challenging for the party. I must admit being fairly shocked when I read how many Stormtroopers would be pouring off that shuttle. JiBa in particular was extremely fortunate to make it through alive, being badly wounded in the battle with the pirates, nearly having his head torn off by the Eater, and then running past dozens of Stormtroopers to get on board the Imperial shuttle. Without med-packs, and successful medical skill rolls from his fellow PCs, he would not have made it. Oh, and he and a few of the characters also survived the final battle because of Force Points! It was the perfect time to use them though!I made a huge mistake during the battle, as I got too tied up in what the Stormtroopers were doing, forgetting to use that ship blaster against the marauding Rebels. Next time I will not make such a glaring error - my players have been warned! Once scale was taken into consideration, the ship's cannon was dealing out a massive 12D of damage. That would have vaporised anyone it hit!
I was forced to improvise a few times too, as, against what is set in the text, my players decided they would keep the pirates' Martinette and land it in a forest clearing not far from the castle. This worked in their favour as it meant, spotting it while landing, the Imperials dispatched fifteen Stormtroopers to investigate! In addition, the players sought another route out of the castle (there wasn't one) so when I spotted the well, I came up with the idea that the sewers led there and also allowed them to ride the Likkas when it was suggested. I hate to say "no" to my players when they come up with ideas and think it's good GMing to try to accommodate their plans where possible. None of what they were asking seemed unreasonable, so I was happy to roll with their plans, especially since it seemed fun to do so.
I also added a few extra touches to the original text of the published adventure, the Blade of Honour and the Saviour Sword being obvious examples. While Jayhawk had always thieved from the Godking, I decided that she would have passed the Saviour Sword on to her boss, Vangar, who, Star Wars REUP GMs will be familiar with. He is usually found on Prexiar but it made sense to relocate his operations to Pilahni, another world in the Fakir Sector where this campaign is set. I'm trying to find ways to disguise the obvious episodic and unavoidable standalone nature of the published adventures. The idea is to form a coherent narrative which feels as though the PCs are in charge of their adventures even though they are on fairly rigid rails.
One major criticism I have of the published adventure is that the suggested Character Point rewards of 3-6 points for the entire adventure seems extremely harsh; the team dealt with pirates, an incredibly tough Likka and over 20 Stormtroopers in the climactic battle. I personally would give that kind of reward each week, but perhaps I'm overly generous in my player rewards. Everyone has accepted though that we'll stick to the guidelines. One the plus side, this should prevent the team becoming overpowered for a long time to come...
Musical Cues: I know at least one fellow GM liked the mention of musical cues in a previous post, so I've outlined those cues below and will continue to do so in future write ups. It is something I take some time thinking about ahead of sessions, as I want to evoke certain scenes or bring a certain feeling to certain encounters. I know this is stretching things a little, but I do want my players to feel like John Williams has scored the game for them!
Pirate Ship Attack: Into the Trap
Pirate Ship Boarding Party: Imperial Attack
Meeting the Anointed Ones: The Little People Work / Luke and Leia
Meeting the Godking: The City in the Clouds
The Hunt: The Land of the Sandpeople
The Appearance of the Eater: General Grevious
The Imperials Arrive: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
The Battle: The Forest Battle / The Return of the Jedi
Rewards and Conclusion: The Throne Room and End Title
