Star Wars D6 Adventure: The Heat Of Freedom

Star Wars: The Heat Of Freedom


Introduction: This adventure is intended for the Star Wars D6 RPG system and expands upon the outline provided in the Long Shot Campaign adventure of the same name - which can be found in West End Games' Classic Campaigns supplement. A copy of this supplement and Star Wars REUP rules, the latter of which is *available here* is assumed before play begins.

Please note that I do not own the images contained in this adventure, they were all sourced from Google images, although I have altered some of them to provide information. This is a not for profit, advert free blog.

Special thanks to members of the Rancor Pit for providing me with stats for the Maintenance and Control Droids, apologies for liberties taken in altering with a few of the stats!


Expanded information on the adventure outlined in the Classic Campaigns supplement. Note that it assumes the players have already completed the first mission Tests of the Godking.


Alabash, where most of the mission takes place


Visit to Nowhere: 


Note: Nowhere is the same ship referred to as Home in the original material. 


The team are told to report to Lens Reekeene to provide a debriefing of their time on Masterhome - she will be joined by her husband and her advisor Santhou. Captain Ixsthmus will report any of the team's transgressions during the mission to Lens, such as if the team went against orders and threatened the Anointed Ones from that mission. It assumed that they recovered Moff Dixton has been interrogated or the players recovered his data-tapes. 


Lens will be scathing about their behaviour and will be dismissive of any request to find the Saviour Sword from the pirate named Vangar on Pilahni. She demands that smuggler Jaden Jericho be reassigned to pilot a transport full of supplies while she sends the others on a different mission.


Lens Reekeene: As a result of your mission to Masterhome, and your encounter with Fakir Sector’s next Governor General, Moff Dixton, we've gleaned some important information. Santhou, if you would explain…


General Lens Reekeene


Santhou: Thank you General Reekeene. The tapes indicated that the Imperial Resource Procurement Bureau (ReProBu) have set up an automated mining operation on the world of Alabash on the far edge of our sector. A young world, we believed the world’s extremely volatile volcanic system - which covers most of the planet’s surface - would have made such an operation too hazardous and expensive to contemplate, yet the Empire has found a way. They are now pulling in 600 tonnes of high-grade alantium a month from the station on the planet, a significant boost to the Empire’s ship-building operations elsewhere in the galaxy. We want this operation shut down - permanently. Captain Hark’r will provide you with ReProBu passes and passwords obtained from the datatapes - as well as weapons and other supplies… Any questions?


Santhou


Even if they do have questions, Santo can repeat what he has told them but can’t tell them any more. Allow the team to visit Captain Hark'r and receive the equipment as set out in the "Outfitting" section in the Classic Adventures supplement. The thermal detonators they are provided will be key to succeeding in this mission, especially as there are some incredibly tough droid enemies! From there, the team will report to the Long Shot and pick their positions on the ship.


Given the information already provided, the following title scroll isn't necessary, but I find it helps get the players in the mood as the adventure gets underway proper!




A Needle in a Molten Ocean:


As per what has been written - add an encounter with Aeractyl which attacks the ship. Stats are the same as for a Varactyl on page 329 on REUP - except that it can fly (it has two large flaps of skin between its front and hind legs and floats upon the rising hot air from the lava pits below). It mistakes the ship for prey and will try to land on it and before tearing at the metal plating on the hull. The players must dislodge it from the ship before it does too much damage. Ixsthmus will be extremely distressed by the attack.

The Aeractyl is the airborne cousin of the Varactyl pictured above


Abandon All Hope:


The mining complex is a huge 500 metre x 500 metre slab of technology which floats 20 metres above the ground, sucking up a 100 metre wide swathe of land, extracting the valuable elements and spewing out a huge gout of fine pulverised dust in its wake. Huge repulsorlifts keep the platform aloft and heat shielding protects the platform from the scorching heat of the volcanic surface. 


Run the adventure as set out. The main thing that's missing is that no map and little detail has been provided about the facility. Hopefully, what follows will help you but feel free to expand upon anything else! 


Facility Overview Map with Intake and Refuse Devices



Facility Overview Map with Intake and Refuse Devices: GM Copy with Key



Key:


  1. Intake Suction Devices
  2. Refuse Disposal Sprayers
  3. Landing Pad
  4. Reception area/Sensors
  5. Repulsorlift Engines
  6. Elemental Separators
  7. Storage
  8. Droid Repair Centre
  9. Control Area
  10. Shields and Weapons Systems



As outlined, the PCs land on the Landing Pad set out on the map. Details follow about the sections on the map.


  1. Intake Suction Device: this is beneath the platform but there are grills above ground. Should any PC attempt to enter the area, they will find themselves in a storm of hot earth - damage will be 8D, no dodge possible. Throwing thermal detonators into the intake does nothing; the device is designed to tolerate scooping up molten lava. The tunnel leads through to the Elemental Separators. 
  2. Refuse Disposal Sprayer: sprays the fine dust out behind the platform, inflicting 3D damage on anyone who attempts to enter the sprayer. Stamina rolls with an increasing difficulty of 5 per round will be required to crawl through the space for anyone without breathing apparatus. The tunnel leads through to the Elemental Separators.
  3. Landing Pad: Descends when the ship lands, and huge blast doors over, preventing escape.
  4. Reception Area/Sensors: Staffed by 6 CZ-Series Reception Droids, (page 376 REUP for stats). They will not cause any trouble. Once the team blow the doors to force their way forward, 2 Droidekas, (page 377 of REUP), are positioned just beyond the room and will engage the team if they attempt to proceed. Assuming they eliminate the Droidekas, the control computer activates vermin control which consists of 30 Battle Droids and 2 Super Battle Droids, (page 377) of REUP which act as overseers. They are split into 2 groups of 15 Battle Droids with a Super Battle Droid leader each. 1 squad is based at the Droid Repair Centre, while the other starts in Storage. Move the teams to intercept the team as desired. 
  5. Repulsorlift Engines: There is a huge maintenance droid in here which will attack if they enter. If the engines are shut down, the whole platform falls from the air and starts to sink in the molten ground - start a clock. The team have 1 hour real time to escape the facility before lava starts filling up in the Elemental Separators and spreading from there.
  6. Elemental Separators: This room is a cyclone of flying debris where the material is separated to be siphoned off to storage or to the Refuse Disposal Sprayer. Simply entering this room will inflict 8D Damage (3D damage just for opening the door) - if they can somehow fool droids into entering this room, they will trash the lot!
  7. Storage: The valuable resources are received here via a conveyor belt which links this room to the Elemental Separators, dropping into a huge pit beneath where storage lies, a massive silo which is the size of the upper floor. A huge number of labour droids (50) move the material around the silo but cannot get to the upper level unless the grabbing device is used to lift them out. There is nothing to be gained by going down - the labour droids will try to bludgeon anyone who does.
  8. Droid Repair Centre: There is little of interest here except for a player looking for droid parts - they can find anything they are looking for but not anything to carry them with. A player can only carry one droid part per free hand. Backpacks can carry three parts. An EV Supervisor Droid will resist any attempt to take parts along with any vermin control droids still here.
  9. Control Area: The Control Droid is a huge machine with large tentacles that will try to crush the team. If a thermal detonator is thrown at it, it will drop down a hole in the room to a platform below which overhangs rivers of lava. There are two such platforms which run parallel to each other. The droid will use its limbs to climb under the platforms and leap between them, making it incredibly difficult to destroy. Also, if it is not pursued, the droid will return to the Control Area: it has sensors and cameras all over the room which must be destroyed to make it ‘blind’ to the PCs’ endeavours here. 
  10. Shields and Weapons Systems: This gives the PCs control over a number of the platform's central systems. A Moderate Computer Programming roll is required to access the system. They can open or close doors across the station, including the doors which keep the Long Shot trapped. Deactivating the shields means the underside of the station will be slowly cooked. It can stand up to 2 hours of shields being deactivated until the repulsorlifts are cooked and the platform crashes as per 5 above. Guidance systems will allow the PCs to guide the platform's direction and can potentially guide it into a volcano! The weapons systems allow the PCs to launch missiles. Cornered in this dead end, my PCs used the missiles to blow a hole between this room and the one beneath it, giving them an escape route!

If the PCs do not dispatch the Control Droid but manage to sabotage the station, it will be hellbent on destroying the Long Shot - it launches a series of missiles on nearby volcanoes to induce massive eruptions, before running across the upper exterior of the facility to the landing platform. When the Long Shot emerges, it will be up to the PCs to try to shoot it off or find some other ingenious way to dislodge it (activating hyperspace being an example).

Super Battle Droid flanked by Battle Droids


Maintenance Droid

Control Droid


Platforms beneath the chute in the Control Area


Escape from the Facility:
As they take off, at least one volcano detonates (two if the control droid fired missiles) and the PCs must evade incoming volcanic rocks to fly to safety. If you want to up the difficulty, have up to 3 Vulture Class Droid Starfighters pursue the ship before hyperspace can be initiated.


Droid Notes and Stats:

Both Droids can be hacked with Droid Programming, Moderate for the Maintenance Droid, Very Difficult for the Control Droid.


Maintenance Droid:

Dexterity 3D

Knowledge 1D

Mechanical 1D

Perception 1D: Search 2D

Strength 8D

Technical 1D

Equipped with: 2 hydrological legs, 2 heavy manipulator arms, layered durasteel plating (+2D physical, +1 energy), Industrial grade plasma torch (7D damage, left palm), Laser cutter (5D damage, right palm), Shearing maw (STR+2D damage), internal fusion furnace, handheld remote commander.

Move: 6

Size: 6 meters tall


Control Droid:

Dexterity 4D

Knowledge 1D

Mechanical 1D

Perception 4D

Strength 8D

Technical 1D

Equipped with: 8 hydrological legs with pincers (STR +1D) layered durasteel plating (+2D physical, +1 energy).

Note: The Control Droid can be blinded but can continue to "see" through other cameras on the base. -1D to all actions when using cameras to attack, otherwise -2D to all actions.

Move: 6

Size: 6 meters tall



To learn how my players got on, the write up is available here!


Thanks for reading!



Star Wars D6: Green Vipers Episode IV

Episode IV - The Pirates of Pilahni

Introduction:

The Long Shot campaign continues with the published adventure "The Pirates of Prexiar" which features in the excellent Star Wars D6 REUP rulebook which you can find here by clicking on this text. This adventure took 2 sessions to run. As usual, I own none of the images which were mostly sourced from google, and thieved from the REUP book. Please note that this is an advert free, not for profit blog. 
Additionally, please visit The Rancor Pit. The support shown to me by fellow GMs and players there has been wonderful - thanks again to all of you who are reading these write ups! 

The Pirate Camp:


Jungle on Pilahni

Music Cue: Mouse Robot and Blasting Off
Not knowing what the data cache looks like, the Vipers decide to worry about that later, and simply focus on getting to the supply crates. The first hurdle they encounter is crawling under the shock fence by the stream. All goes well until the last Rebel - Skye Bodelyn - clips the fence. The electrical shock is amplified by the stream she is crawling through and she is knocked unconscious! Jimi pulls her free and Kira cracks open a medkit to revive her friend. The team push on past the kitchens and then head for the tool shop.

Note the PCs in the red box on the bottom left hand corner

Time is running out before dawn and they hug the shadows as best as they can, but as they make a break for clear grounds, Jimi looses his footing on some loose stones, and not seeing him in the dusk light, Skye trips over him! Nearby guards approach to investigate. Kira and JiBa make it behind the landing struts, while mercenary Kaleban lies down and eyes the pirates approach through his rifle sight. The spooked guards fire a blind shot into the dark. Although Jimi and Skye regain their footing, the sound of them rushing across the open ground draws in the guards further - with further guards rushing from the rear of the corvette!


Music Cue: Return of the Jedi
As the guards unwittingly approach them, JiBa and Kira spring from the shadows and stab repeatedly at the pirate sentries, killing both after a brief scuffle! Kira checks the pirate communicators and realises that they've been detected! With the sun now rising and reinforcements on the way, they need to move fast! JiBa climbs the landing gear and impressively uses the fine gaps in the ship's hull plating to climb the overhang and get on top of the ship! 
JiBa

JiBa provides a distraction from above the corvette, drawing the guards below towards him, providing Kira and Kaleban the opportunity to catch the guards in a crossfire, killing both! Jimi and Skye get bogged down in a firefight with the two guards guarding the cargo, but eventually both are incapacitated and the way is cleared for them!



JiBa leaps from the corvette on to the skiff which Kira takes control of. The rest approach the crates while more pirates - guards from nearby warehouses - close in on them!


Jimi hears shouting coming from his crate. His gun at the ready, he flips the crate open - and a protocol droid springs out! 

C4-S0: Thank the maker! Master Lens Reekeene must have sent you to save me!

Jimi: I'm not so sure about that!

C4-S0: Oh dear! Please help me escape this awful place!

C4-S0

Skye discovers a light repeating blaster in the crates and, aided by Kaleban and Jimi, opens fire upon the pirates! Kira revs up the skiff and launches it through those not cut down by the withering Rebel fire! The team load up the skiff with the cargo crates and hop on board. C4 waves his hands despairingly!

C4-S0: Wait for meeeeeee!

Jimi hauls the protocol droid on board as Kaleban takes over the skiff's controls and guns it for the entrance! Kira deploys the repeating blaster on the tripod at the rear of the skiff and blasts a guard from one of the towers! He falls upon the shock fence, electrocuted in his last moments! Seeing ten pirates ahead of him, Kaleban floors the accelerator and mows down the entire mob - but is shot from the tower! 



With Kaleban collapsing, Skye desperately grabs the controls and just manages to slow the skiff enough to spin it around, the rear smashing a tower down! The scaffolding crashing around them, a guard crashes on to the deck. JiBa is quick to react, instantly driving his sword through the prone pirate! Skye brings the skiff around and drives it out into the jungle...

Skye Bodelyn
Jungle Chase:
Music Cue: Duel of the Fates
Before long though, the Vipers hear the sound of speeder bikes! Six pirates quickly make up ground on the slow-moving skiff and trade blaster shots with the Vipers! C4-S0 barks suggestions to aid Skye in her piloting the skiff, but if the robot's demands to pull on different levers annoy her, she doesn't let it affect her. JiBa screams insults at the riders, daring them to pull up alongside so he can spear them with his sword, while Jimi and Kaleban take potshots at the bikers. Jimi's shots go astray but Kaleban blasts a biker from his mount! Kira looses several volleys from the repeating blaster - to deadly effect, taking down another two bikers and wounding another! 

Kira Rishkar
Music Cue: General Grevious
The bikers break off the pursuit as the skiff heads through a clearing...no one spots two AT-PT walkers waiting at the far end of the clearing to ambush the skiff! 

Pirates and AT-PT Walkers


Heavy fire from the walkers broadside the skiff - knocking C4-S0 from the skiff - and, smoke billowing from one side, it comes to a standstill. Kaleban leaps from the skiff and rushes off to one side, taking potshots at one walker to draw its fire from the skiff. The walkers advance, but, somewhat fortuitously miss both Kaleban and the skiff! Jimi realises that if they switch a power coupling over, they can bring the skiff back online. Skye snatches the cables from him, and the engines roar to life. Kira's repeating blaster strikes a power regulator on one of the walkers, and it is disabled! Meanwhile, JiBa refuses to lift the 'dumb droid' back on the skiff, only relenting when Kaleban moves to do so! With both back on board, Skye guns the skiff forward at break-neck speed and away from the last walker!

Kaleban Maars

The Pirate Corvette
Music Cue: The Forest Battle
As they Vipers finally return to the Long Shot, they see the pirate corvette circling in the sky, searching the jungle for them - but 10 pirates have been dropped off and are planting detonite charges on the ship! Skye brings the skiff in close to the ship and Jimi tells Captain Ixthmus to take off to shake the boarding party loose. He starts firing up the engines - while a deadly firefight ensues between the Vipers and the pirates! With the whole team laying down heavy fire, the pirates are cut down one after another - but Jimi takes a blaster shot to the head. He recovers and incapacitates another with his stun weapon! But the last pirate standing returns another shot - and he is hit on the head a second time...killing him!

Jimi Ackbar

Music Cue: Into the Trap
Finishing off the last pirates, they take his body on board the Long Shot and make a hasty blast-off. Vangar's corvette follows them in quick pursuit, but a pinpoint shot from Kaleban on the turbolasers punches through the shields and hull to damage the generators! Vangar is forced to make a hasty landing while the Long Shot makes the jump to hyperspace.

C4-S0 reveals that he is the data package that Lens sent them to retrieve; the Rebel Transport he was on was sending supplies to Callonia to prepare for Operation Retribution.

On return to Nowhere, Lens Reekeene shares the Vipers' grief at the lost of Captain Jimi Ackbar. The team decide that they will bury him at sea when they are next on an appropriate planet to give him a proper send off. Lens also reveals that Tarrik Nightburner's old droid R3-FU has had its power restored and a brand new motivator installed. It will need a variety of other parts to be brought up to full functionality, but, despite being worried by Kaleban's amusement that the droid will prove a magnet for blaster fire, it is brought into the team. C4-S0 seems happy as he doesn't understand human behaviour - although when FU cheeks him, he slams its dome in anger! Lens promises that she will have another rebel assigned to their squad to replace Jimi. Lens points out that the team needs a new leader. JiBa leaps at the opportunity, and this time no one objects. He will be their captain with immediate effect! 

R3-FU

Battered and broken at the loss of Jimi, the Vipers wonder what role they will have to play in Operation Retribution....

To be continued... 


Closing Reflections

Another fun adventure! Skye once again used a force point when she gunned the skiff away from the AT-PT and recovered it. It was really sad that Jimi was killed outright - a difference of 16 is an automatic kill and gallingly that was the difference. Jimi's player took it well and agreed fair's fair as we said we'd stand by rolls and avoid fudging, even if it meant character death. I thought it was fun to make new player character C4-S0 be the actual data that the team were looking for - and Operation Retribution was brought into the game background as that is the next one in the Long Shot campaign. 

Watch out for another report soon!



 

Star Wars D6: Green Vipers Episode III

Episode III - The Heat of Freedom

Introduction:

The third instalment of our Green Vipers adventures sees the team continue the Long Shot campaign. This adventure took three sessions to run and made use of the published outline "The Heat of Freedom" which featured in West End Games' "Classic Adventures" book. I had to find an image for the factory and then flesh out all of the locations. I own none of the images, all of which were sourced from Google. This is an advert-free, non-for-profit blog.

Numbers in brackets refer to locations on the GM Map (see further down).

Nowhere:

Music Cue: Rebel Briefing

Returning to the capital ship Nowhere, the team are told to report to Lens Reekeene to provide an account of their time on Masterhome. As they approach the room, a black-haired wookiee barges through their midst. A grim-faced woman barely notices the Vipers as she follows in the wookiee's wake.

Falynn Voidstepper
Kentara

























Lens and Mikka Reekeene are in the room, along with their advisor Santhou. Captain Ixsthmus and Sienne Symm follow the Vipers inside and all take a seat.

Lens: We understand that your mission was a success and that the Godking will provide us with aid. Perhaps you could provide us with a brief outline of events on Masterhome?

Lens allows Tarrik Nightburner to set out the events before her demeanour hardens and the questioning begins to feel more like an interrogation.

Lens: Captain Ixsthmus sent me on a report before you arrived. He gave you a strict instruction to contact the Rebellion to pick up the pirate ship - the Martinette - yet you chose to claim the vessel for yourselves. Furthermore, in the process of landing, that vessel made a display of its firepower. My recollection of your instructions when dealing with these technologically challenged people were that they were very clear. How did you put it advisor?

Santhou: I believe I said 'remember, we are the good guys. No coercion, no extortion, no threats'.

Tarrik denies any recollection of that being said and insists Santhou is mistaken. Santhou draws a holographic projector from his pocket and replays this fragment of the conversation. It repeats his words verbatim. Tarrik's demeanour darkens and he falls silent.

Lens: Yes, 'no threats'. Captain Ixsthmus also had a conversation with the Godking before you left. One of the Godking's tests was of loyalty; when he sent one of his people with a suggestion to depose him, you did nothing to raise this with the Godking. Indeed, he believed you may have been considering assassinating him! Hardly a ringing endorsement for the Rebellion, is it?

General Lens Reekeene
The group - and Nightburner in particular - respond angrily, explaining that they did what they thought was right. The display of firepower was not intended to cow the Anointed Ones, rather to show them the kind of firepower the Empire could bring to bear upon their people. On top of that, the Martinette was the reason that 15 Stormtroopers were sent into the forest to investigate: had that not happened, they may have all been killed on the assault upon the shuttle.

Lens: This Rebellion depends on people who can follow orders! And any more insubordination from you Nightburner, and you can spend the next few months on the brig! Jericho, you're needed for pilot duties on one of our transports, report back to the hangar bay for reassignment.

Jaden sighs and, with an annoyed grunt, waves goodbye to the group. Lens waits until he has exited before continuing.

Lens: However...you did manage to do some things right. On board that ship and among those you captured was Moff Dixton. He was headed for Doneer'so when some of our boys hit his vessel. The Imperials managed to make the jump before we could finish the job - hence their impromptu and unfortunate landing on Masterhome. Dixon's interrogation is about to begin, but we've already discovered important information from the data tapes recovered, thanks to Sienne Symm on the return journey. And that's where you come in. Santhou, if you'd explain...

Santhou sets out a mission to the volcanic world of Alabash where the team have to shut down an automated mining platform, highlighting that the Vipers are being sent because diplomacy is not required on this mission. They are then sent to visit Captain Hark'r for supplies.

Hark'r is excited to see the Vipers as they report to him.

Hark'r: Sssss-chk-chk! The excellent and most resourceful Green Vipers! What a delight to see you again! I have some very exciting supplies for you! ReProBu uniforms, passwords, identities, protective coats for the heat - [to Jimi] yes, you'll like those my Mon Calamari friend - chk-chk-chk! But best of all, I have 25 detonators for you! Hasn't old Captain Hark'r done well for you, eh, my good friends? Chk-chk-chk! Now, one good turn deserves another! Perhaps you could smuggle me off this cold, dark ship, eh? Chk-chk-chk!

Captain Hark'r
Nightburner: Yeah, we're headed to a world torn apart by active volcanoes. We can drop you off there.

Hark'r: Ssss-chk-chk! Perhaps not this time, but when you visit a more hospitable world, eh?

The team ask why Hark'r wants off Nowhere. He explains that he is a trader and who had the misfortune to stumble across Nowhere. The Rebels insisted he stay and he's been stuck here in the store ever since, a complete waste of his talents. The team are distracted to by the sound of distant screaming and ask Hark'r what is going on.

Hark'r: Sss-chk-chk! Yessss...the interrogation of your prisoner begins! I understand that is why Falynn Voidstepper and her sidekick Kentara are here. Dixon doesn't stand a chance, no! He'll talk all right! He'll spill all of his secrets - or Kentara will spill his guts! Chk-chk-chk!

The group feel uneasy about the situation, but, collect together their supplies and head to the Long Shot. On board, they are met by Captain Ixsthmus.

Ixsthmus: Ah, Vipers! I trust that I will not have to file any further reports for insubordination! While you're under my command, I want you to treat this ship like your own home - but show me some manners and respect and we'll all get on well.

Captain Ixsthmus
The Vipers do not respond, simply strapping themselves in as Nightburner blasts off. In a show of petulance, he buzzes Nowhere's bridge before engaging light speed.

Watch the video for the full lowdown on the mission...


A Needle in a Molten Ocean

Music Cue: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul

Coming out of hyperspace, the Vipers discover a communications satellite in orbit. Kaleban Maars puts on a vacuum suit as Nightburner brings the Long Shot in close to the satellite. Kaleban sets a timer on a thermal detonator for two and a half hours, planting it on the satellite before returning to the ship.

The Long Shot descends through the thick black plumes of noxious gas that fill Alabash's choked skies, and, soon after a close call with a huge flying beast, they discover the platform. Jimi Ackbar opens communications and a droid voice asks him to state their business. Explaining they are ReProBu representatives, he provides passwords and the Long Shot is given permission to land.

As they approach, they see a huge 500 metre by 500 metre slab of technology floating above the ground. At the front of the platform, huge tubes suck in a swathe of land 100 metres wide (1), while exhaust ports spray out huge gouts of pulverised dust in their wake (2). Huge repulsorlifts keep the platform aloft and heat shielding protects it from the scorching heat of the molten surface below.
GM Map
Nightburner carefully avoids the plumes, following the beacon in to a platform (3). When they touch down, the pad descends into a cavern below, while huge doors close above, sealing them in. Leaving Ixsthmus and Symm on board the Long Shot, the team disembark and enter the facility where they are met by reception droids (4) who instruct the group to take a seat and wait. As time passes, they ask the droids to show them around. They are informed that their passes and codes are out of date and that they must wait 48 hours until their identities can be verified. Huge blast doors seal the room off from the Long Shot.

Trapped, they decide to wait until the communications satellite is destroyed by Kaleban's thermal detonator before making their move...

Nightburner: I have a very bad feeling about this.

Abandon All Hope...

Not knowing for sure if the communications satellite was destroyed by the thermal detonator, the Vipers make their move. They hack the terminal leading into the facility. The blast doors slide open, only to discover two Droidekas blocking their path!

Droideka
Watching his friends' blaster bolts simply bouncing off the droid shields, Jimi Ackbar seizes the initiative by tossing a thermal detonator into the corridor and hastily closes the door back over again. When the doors reopen, there is nothing left except a puddle of molten metal!

Jimi Ackbar
Music Cue: The Battle in the Snow

Rushing to the repulsorlift engine room (5), they are confronted by a huge maintenance droid which has a range of deadly hardware in its toolkit! As it lumbers towards the, they pepper it with blaster fire but its armour is so thick, they barely dent it - and so beat a hasty retreat! Even the normally cavalier JiBa is forced to flee!

Maintenance Droid
Music Cue: The Sith Spacecraft and the Droid Battle

Seeking an alternative route through the centre of the plant, the group encounter a number of battle droids. Exchanges of blaster fire are fierce, but slowly the team pushes on until they arrive at the corridor which leads into the storage room (7). There they engage in a firefight with another 6 battle droids but, just as they begin to make progress through the corridor, a Superbattle Droid appears at the doorway and shoves a Battle Droid to one side, opening fire upon JiBa!

Battle and Super Battle Droids in action!
For once, his ability to dodge incoming enemy fire fails and he is struck in the chest by the droid's heavy laser fire! Jimi calls on all his reserves to hurriedly drag the unconscious JiBa into the relative safety out of sight from the firefight into the adjacent corridor, while Kaleban and Kira step up to blast at the still-advancing droids. The last survivor from Yavin's Green Squadron, Tarrik Nightburner, rolls a thermal detonator into the midst of the cluster of droids and a massive explosion tears through the corridor!

Tarrik Nightburner
The droids are blasted into oblivion - but the heroes are too close to the explosion! Realising his error in the last moment, Tarrik throws himself in front of Kira to save her. Both she and Kaleban are badly burned in the explosion, and are knocked unconscious. When Jimi returns to the corridor, he finds his friends incapacitated...and Tarrik's charred skeletal remains.

Jimi and Skye have no time for mourning as they now have three incapacitated warriors to attend to. All of their remaining medkits are cracked open and, fortunately, their combined attentions are enough to revive their friends and partially heal some of their wounds. Jimi mournfully searches the corridor where Tarrik fell and finds a scorched remnant of Tarrik's flight suit which displays the Green Squadron badge. Pocketing it, he realises that the last of the heroes who drew off the Death Star's TIE squadrons to allow Red and Gold Squadrons to make their attack on the has now fallen. Their sacrifice - and Tarrik's last act which undoubtedly saved Kira from certain death - will never be forgotten.

Music Cue: General Grevious

Pushing into the Storage Room (7), a huge conveyor belt dumps metal into a pit in the centre of the room. Jimi sees that in that huge pit, dozens of docile labour droids sift through the metals, looking for precious alantium. Of more concern is another approaching group of battle droids and yet another firefight ensues! Several droids are picked off in the battle, providing JiBa with the perfect cover to rush around the outer rim of the room - and tossing a thermal detonator into the droids' midst! All are torn apart, and this time the team are far away enough to be unaffected by the explosion! The battle over, all suddenly seems quiet.

JiBa
The team push into the Droid Maintenance bay (8) but only find a harmless Overseer Droid, before pressing on to the Control Area (9). Jimi is first in and looks upon the huge piece of machinery in the centre of the room. He doesn't recognise what it is...but he has a very bad feeling about it!

Music Cue: Battle of the Heroes

What looked to be eight solid struts suddenly rise up with a fluidity that stuns and amazes the party. Out the centre of the cluster of tentacles, a Control Droid rises up, the red glow of its eye suggesting malevolent intent. "You are not permitted here," a familiar voice, the one that guided them into the platform announces. "You will be disassembled."

Control Droid
One of the tentacles lashes out at Jimi, slamming into the wall behind him, and tearing plaster loose as it retracts! Jimi turns and flees. Kaleban and JiBa prime another thermal detonator and hurl it at the machine...but it fails to detonate! The machine casually flicks a tentacle to bat it right back between the two Rebels - while another stabs out at Kaleban! Its pincer pierces straight through Kaleban's leg before retracting once again! Clutching at the gaping wound, he collapses from shock and blood loss, and once again passes out!

Kaleban Maars
JiBa picks up the thermal detonator and, determined to save his friends, activates it and rushes at the machine - but sensing the danger, it suddenly plummets down a pipe it was nesting upon. Gazing down into the hole, JiBa sees that a platform, illuminated by the red glow of lava, lies fifteen feet below. Crucially, the machine has already scuttled out of sight. JiBa hurls the thermal detonator down the pipe in the nick of time as it suddenly detonates and knocks him back from the blast! The group use the opportunity to retreat and regroup - but cannot revive the unconscious Kaleban as they have no medpacs left!

Dragging their incapacitated mercenary friend along with them, they make a desperate break for the Control Room (10) and frantically try to override the security protocols to open the doors. A tentacle re-emerges from the chute, and then another. The control droid pulls itself out of the pipe and pursues them to the Control Room. The door slides open and the team throw themselves inside. Jimi hurls another thermal detonator at the mechanical monstrosity, but it barely causes the machine to pause.

Inside the Control Room, Skye and Kira disable the heat shields which protect the platform from the intense heat of the lava, while Jimi unlocks the computer systems. As Kaleban begins to regain consciousness, JiBa issues urgent calls for them to move quickly as the control droid starts battering at the locked doors to the control room. Trapped, it seems they are facing a certain and horrendous death at the hands of the tentacled droid. As Kira and Skye rejoin Jimi and also hack the computer systems, Kira activates a magnetic lock on the door, causing the droid to emit a high-pitched scream and suddenly cease it's assault upon the door.

Kira Rishkar
Seeing no other way out, Skye activates the missile defence system and targets the far end of the room. Everyone dives for cover as the rockets are launched...and moments later the room is blown apart! Fortunately, the impact crater from the explosion has provided an escape route to another part of the facility! Jimi releases the huge hangar doors imprisoning the Long Shot and overrides the facility's navigational controls, and, switching them to manual, he sets the platform on a course for a nearby volcano!

Skye Bodelyn
Music Cue: Anakin v Obi-Wan

With Skye offering the limping Kaleban support, the team embark upon a mad dash across the base. Soon, returning to the Long Shot, they discover Captain Ixsthmus and Sienne Symm were knocked unconscious by gas! Fortunately, the team were provided breathing apparatus by Captain Hark'r and, piloted by Skye and Kira, make a hurried blast off. As they clear the hangar, Skye spots something leaping from the lip of the hangar and cries a warning. At the same moment, the mining platform teeters on the edge of the volcano before suddenly flipping over and down into the lava pit! Skye and Kira take evasive manoeuvres as the volcano is sent into cataclysm and the explosion threatens to engulf the Long Shot! Skye and Kira struggle to keep the ship in the air as boiling boulders rain down all around them!

The Mining Facility is no more!
Though still badly wounded, JiBa mans the ship's laser cannon and spins the gunnery chair around...only to come face to face with the Control Droid which is climbing across the surface by stabbing its tentacles into the ship's hull! Though the sudden fright of the mechanical overlord causes him to jump in his chair, he instinctively clenches the trigger and, unleashes a volley of shots which sever several of the machine's tentacled legs off, and, untethered, the Control Droid slides off the ship's hull and into the volcanic inferno! Skye and Kira gun the ship high into the sky and, moments later, make the jump to hyperspace.

Skye: We're clear!

Return to Nowhere

Music Cue: Rebel Briefing

Back on the base, General Lens Reekeene thanks them for making the mission a complete success. She is saddened to hear of Tarrik Nightburner's death - although JiBa is unimpressed, being quick to explain that his demise was due to his own idiocy in mishandling thermal detonators. With Tarrik dead though, she needs a new Captain to lead the group. JiBa volunteers, but the team vocal in their concerns about allowing the unpredictable native taking command. Somewhat reluctantly, Mon Calamari Jimi Ackbar accepts the team's call for him to take command.

Jimi: You do me great honour. I will do my upmost to lead the Green Vipers to further success.

Lens has more grim news for the Vipers, showing a transmission from Jaden Jericho who was piloting a Rebel Transport. He calls for aid, but before the end of the transmission he draws two heavy blaster pistols and opens fire upon pirates who have boarded the ship. Several pirates fall under his fire...until Jaden is finally overwhelmed and, he too, falls under blaster fire!

Jaden Jericho
Lens: As well as Jericho, we lost several other valued Rebel operatives...and, worse still, data critical to the security of this base. If it falls into the wrong hands... We were wrong to ignore this pirate menace. The information you learned on Masterhome identified their base as being on Pilahni. We want you to go to Pilahni and retrieve the data. Given that you have a personal stake in this, I know you'll need no encouragement to do whatever's in your power to shut this operation down for good - but any other objectives are secondary to retrieving the data! Go, and may the force be with you!

The team report to Captain Hark'r but, instead of providing the team with equipment, he demands the return of any thermal detonators the team still have! Everyone returns theirs, but JiBa cons Hark'r into believing that he has none. Thinking he has got away with it, JiBa is in a buoyant mood as they head back to the Long Shot...only to be met by a Rebel security team who demand the return of the five thermal detonators he is still carrying! Sensing betrayal from his own team, he casts accusing glances at his fellow crew - but can't tell who - if any of them - are responsible! Furious, he hands over the grenades and storms on to the Long Shot. The moment gives the team a moment for shared amusement, but it is tempered by a sense of loss. In as many days, they have lost two of their teammates. Which one of them might be next?

Music Cue: Finale (The Empire Strikes Back)

As they blast off from Nowhere, they see that weapons are being fitted to the capital ship, and R2 units continue to weld armour plating to the hull. Things seem to be looking up for General Reekeene's Capital Ship Base. If only the same could be said for the Green Vipers...

Nowhere

To be continued...

Closing Reflections

The adventure outline in the campaign pack was extremely thin on the detail required to run what was essentially a grinding dungeon crawler of a mission. I'll put up another post with all of my additions for other GMs to use and do with as they please if they have interest in running the adventure. 

I did try to balance the threat with that set out in the previous adventure and from the other outlines: They faced two teams of 15 Battle Droids, each headed by a Super-Battle Droid, but the Maintenance Droid, and Control Droid in particular really put the fear into the players - and rightly so as their armour made them formidable opponents! The obvious way to deal with them was to use Thermal Detonators, but after Tarrik's blunder, they were understandably reluctant to use them! Jimi was also unfortunate that his thermal detonator which delivered 10D damage against the 8D armour of the droid only caused a stun. There's no doubt that the firefights with the two droid teams were punishing, and it was interesting to see just how powerful the thermal detonators were. Tarrik's misjudgement of the blast radius proved fatal for him and could easily have killed both Kaleban and Kira - thankfully, they were 'only' incapacitated! With medpacs exhausted and most of the team wounded, the closing stages of the adventure had the players on edge and I had personal concerns that a TPK was a possible outcome!

Once they hit the control room, they were completely trapped, but I had accounted for there being access to weapons systems and Skye's quick thinking about trying to blow a hole between the control room and another room behind it was one of those moments of inspired player ingenuity that a GM should always roll with. Rolls were made for dodges as huge pieces of machinery were blown across the room, and Kaleban in particular was fortunate not to suffer yet further damage - but the idea was their salvation!

Jaden Jericho was killed off because he had a player drop out, but Tarrik's demise came as a result of in-game play. I was sorry to see him go as he was an interesting character - but pleased that it was all of his own doing, and not as a direct consequence of any of my machinations as GM! Despite this character death, the feedback is that the players are thriving on the challenges they are facing!









   
  








Star Wars D6: Green Vipers Episode II

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.

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!
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! 

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.

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.

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.

Former Mercenary Kaleban Maars
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!

Eater
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!

Outlaw Kira Riskar
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."

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!

Mon Calamari Jimi Ackbar
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!

Scout Skye Bodelyn
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!

Brash Pilot Tarrik Nightburner


Blade of Honour
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...

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











  











Strontium Dog Miniatures Game - Mutant Army Generals

Mutant Army Generals Strontium Dog Mutant Generals Image (c) Warlord Games Along with the Kreelers, one of the last sets that was released f...