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[PbP] Star Wars: Crush the Rebellion - Group Besh
jdarksun
StrugglerCORegistered User regular
StrugglerCORegistered User regular
What is this?
Crush the Rebellion is a modification to - and Empire-themed skin of - Fantasy Flight Game's Age of Rebellion Star Wars roleplaying game.
How is Crush the Rebellion played?
The base game mechanics are identical to the other FFG Star Wars RPG products - to complete an opposed action, players assemble a dice pool based on their character's attributes and skills to pit against a difficulty pool. The results are totaled, conflicting dice are subtracted out, and the final result yields some combination of success and failure, advantage and setback, triumph and despair. Generally speaking, FFG's Star Wars system is a narrative RPG, with the theme of Age of Rebellion being the military, political, and social struggle of the Rebellion against the Empire.
Crush the Rebellion changes this in a few ways: instead of being a band of scrappy revolutionaries united together in their fight against a monolithic, oppressive regime, players take the role of elite Imperial special agents overtly working to destroy the Rebellion... but covertly working towards their own Secret Agenda. The main impetus and drive behind this Crush the Rebellion campaign is the inherent conflict, betrayal, and intrigue of working as an agent of the Emperor.
What's this about Secret Agendas?
Before the game begins, each player will choose one of the Secret Agendas for their character to pursue. The first player whose character accomplishes all five tasks of their Secret Agenda wins the campaign. The campaign will be composed of several Operations, each of which may give the players an opportunity to accomplish a task towards their Agenda. Before every session, players will choose which Operation to undertake by bidding on one of three publicly available Operations. Upon successfully completion of an Operation, each player may choose to: 1) Roll to advance their Agenda, 2) Assist another agent's agenda, 3) Set back another agent's Agenda, or 4) Learn a random step in another Agent's agenda.
But beware the Emperor's wrath: killing a fellow agent, or allowing a fellow agent to die while on an Operation, is a crime punishable by immediate execution. Neither should you let your Secret Agenda become public, for obvious reasons.
How are characters created?
Character creation will require a copy of Edge of the Empire, Age of Rebellion, or the beta for Force and Destiny. All characters must take the Duty mechanic; Obligation and Morality are optional. Characters can only gain the starting benefits from the Duty mechanic, though players are welcome to use the other two to flesh out their characters as desired. All published splat books are welcome to be used. If you do not have a copy of the game and still want to play, send me a PM and we can work something out.
To represent their status as elite Imperial special agents, players will get an additional 150 XP that can only be spent after character creation (ie, may not be used to directly raise Attributes). For equipment, any (reasonable) character scale off-the-shelf item should be considered free. Agents are granted a 10,000 credits stipend to spend on personalized gear - or a lightsaber.
Additionally, all players must answer the questions “Why has The Emperor chosen you? What impressive deed have you done to garner His attention?” for their submitted character.
What's the era in which this game takes place?
In Legends terminology, "The Rebellion Era": between A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Please note that liberties have been taken with the setting (for example, Emperor Palpatine ordered Darth Vader to capture, not kill, the younglings at the Jedi Temple) and we will not adhere to "canon" going forward.
What if I don't want to play a bad guy?
Several of the Secret Agendas deal with defecting from the Empire or assassinating the Emperor.
What if I do want to play a bad guy?
Several of the Secret Agenda deal with abusing your power for personal gain or overthrowing the Emperor.
Holy crap.
Yeah, it's gonna be awesome.
How will this game be played?
Play-by-Post, in one of two threads.
jdarksun on
0
Posts
Bartol, Raphal (Steelhawk)
Golgannon, Orell (PACherrn)
Munavri, Jassa (Kirindal)
Tark, Bryzen (The Brayster)
“You are here because the Emperor wills it.” A cloaked figure stood in the far corner of the Subsector Nen briefing room on Imperial Center. They had not moved an inch as you arrived, trickling in by yourself or perhaps with someone you had known in your previous service. When the fourth person had taken a seat, the figure spoke. “And for no other reason. Your service is exemplary, but if you betray the trust placed in you - if you displease the Emperor - you will be executed. Some of you know this.” The cloaked figured peered at the small group, letting his eyes rest on you for a moment. “But it bears repeating. You are being given immense latitude in tracking down the enemies of the Empire. If you abuse that trust, you will not live to regret it.”
“I am your handler. You may call me Priest. Recently, three situations have come to the Emperor’s attention. Collectively, you will decide which operation to undertake. If you succeed, rewards will be heaped upon you. If you fail, one of you will die.”
Priest walked to the center of the room, in front of the large central display. The screen illuminated, casting the room in shades of purple and gold. The three datapads in front of you also turned on, each displaying an operation, each with their own color - red, green, and blue.
“Discuss. Debate. Then choose. I await your decision.”
You have 24 hours to discuss the available Operations. At the end of this discussion period, you will vote by hidden ballot - PM me one of RED, GREEN, or BLUE. If you vote before the discussion has ended Priest will be displeased. If all votes are not received within 24 hours of the end of discussion, Priest will become displeased.
RED
The Emperor is concerned about Ssi-ruuvi Imperium, located in the mysterious Unknown Regions. Your unique talents are called for in this matter, due to the experimental, new technology wielded by your enemies. For your efforts, the Emperor will reward you with a new Vehicle (max. Silhouette 2) for each Agent. This Operation may be able to help our secret plans as it will offer an opportunity to advance Tech Procurement and Sabotage.
GREEN
The Emperor is concerned about space pirates, located in the industrialized Core Worlds. Your unique talents are called for in this matter, due to secret aid from the rebel terrorists. For your efforts, the Emperor will reward you with a Squadron of personal servants (max. Rarity 5) for each Agent. This Operation may be able to help our secret plans as it will offer an opportunity to advance Space Superiority and Support.
BLUE
The Emperor is concerned about organized crime and rampant smuggling, located in the lawless Outer Rim. Your unique talents are called for in this matter, due to a sympathetic populace AND Imperial secrets which must be protected For your efforts, the Emperor will reward you with a single new Vehicle (max. Silhouette 4) for your team. This Operation may be able to help our secret plans as it will offer an opportunity to advance Counter-Intelligence and Resource Acquisition.
"The Imperium are not of a concern. A lot of smugglers and pirates use the name to try to avoid our patrols and inspections".
Bryzen thumbs at his data pad a bit more.
"Pirate activity in the core worlds though, with rebel support to boot. That is frankly insulting."
PSN: TheBrayster_92
"Indeed. Terrorists and pirates in the Core need to be eliminated quickly and without mercy. However piracy and smugglers on the rim are not to be ignored either. That is a threat that grows daily and will prove to be a source of rebellion in the future. I have foreseen it. Also, this Imperium in the Unknown Regions can be crushed by the might of our Navy at a later date. That is a threat that can wait."
Green makes sense for my character, but Blue gives us the prospect of getting a ship. I can see the upside.
"Pirates in the core worlds. That's a serious matter. Even if they are working with the rebellion, that is a bold move. Others might see it as a sign of weakness on our side and exploit it. It needs to be dealt with." He pauses briefly as he picks the datapad up again. "The others are valid too of course, but you set your own house in order before dealing with what lies outside it.. You know?"
Kirindal BLUE
PACherrn GREEN
Steelhawk BLUE
The Brayster GREEN
It's a tie. You may discuss what to do among yourselves while the GM gets on a plane to Seattle. I will decide if consensus is not reached by the time I arrive at my destination.
The Core worlds are my characters usual playground and something that he's used to keeping secure and safe for the Emperor. And what self respecting agent of an evil empire doesn't want their own minions to do their bidding? I sure do!
BUT, going after the Rim smugglers and not the Core worlds pirates, we get a nice ship to use for our team. And from a meta-gaming point of view, that might be the better early game reward.
Maybe this is why the Emperor wanted us to agree before voting.
Also the information mentions that there is definitely Imperial secrets at risk of exposure. IC-wise, isn't that the purpose of our group to keep a tight lid on in order to deprive the Rebels of any advantages against the Empire as often possible?
Kirindal BLUE
PACherrn GREEN
Steelhawk BLUE
The Brayster GREEN
??? BLUE
BLUE is chosen.
"Hmm. A T-4a Lambda-class long range shuttle will be made available to you for your use in this operation. Attempt to return it in the same condition that you received it. Any supplies you need to can be requisitioned from the quartermaster." Priest stepped away from the screen, and the red and green operations vanished from your datapads. "Additional details on Operation Hidden Shark are now available to you. After we conquered the planet Bakura, the remnants previous government - a combination of dynastic corporation and elected senate - turned to systematic crime in order to weaken our new hold. Calling itself the Bakura Resistance Coalition (BRC), this organization doesn't bear any of the hallmarks of a traditional resistance movement, and instead seems content to steal as much from our coffers as it possibly can. Further hindering the matter is that the BRC reinvests its ill-gotten gains into the local population, which generates sympathy to their cause.
"As if that wasn't enough, these actions are putting a secret military installation at risk. Bakura was conquered not just for its satellites abundant native minerals, but also for the existence of repulsor coil foundries unmatched in that region of space. Both raw materials and finished product are vital to the construction of the installation, and the BRC's activities risks exposing the installation's location to our enemies.
"Most of the smuggling seems to be centered in and around the spaceport of Salis D'aar, the capital city. Crime is thickest there, with our transports frequently getting intercepted or disabled by insurgents within five kilometers of the starport. They attack our cargo haulers, strip them bare, then load up our critical supplies to be smuggled out of system.
"If you wish to make contact with local authorities, Wilek Nereus is the planetary governor and Commander Pter Thanas is in charge of the garrison. It is their failures that have allowed the situation to progress to this point, and you may deal with them as you see fit."
Priest returned to the corner of the room. "Destroy our enemies, in the Emperor's name."
You're free to leave whenever you wish. Non-customized, relatively common items are available from the Quartermaster. If you have any questions, want to dig further, or have any other actions you want to take - simply ask.
T-4A LAMBDA-CLASS LONG RANGE SHUTTLE
Speed 3
Handling +0
Defense 2 front / 1 rear
Armor 4
Hull Trauma 25
System Strain 15
Hyperdrive: Primary: Class 1 , Backup: Class 1 0
Navicomputer: Yes.
Sensor Range: Short.
Available positions: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, gunner, comms operator, and engineer.
Encumbrance Capacity: 200 (Without Passengers).
Passenger Capacity: 20 (1 Passenger = 10 Encumbrance).
Consumables: Two months.
"It would be wise to depart immediately. Upon our arrival, I will meet with the Governor and the military Commander of Bakura and be assured that they are doing all that they can to stifle these smugglers. If they are not one hundred percent loyal, they will suffer the Emperor's justice at my hand. Those of you, I'm sure, can apply your own special talents towards tracking down these smugglers and upstart rebels and together we will crush them."
And now you know where the mystery vote came from!
PSN: TheBrayster_92
Geth roll 1eF for Destiny
Geth roll 1eF for Destiny
That's the most evilest thing I can imagine. /sniffs happily while wiping away a tear.
The Destiny Pool represents the flow of the Force. Players can spend a Light Side tokens to activate some beneficial effect - suddenly have a piece of needed equipment, upgrade a check, downgrade an opponent's check, change the scene in your favor, etc. The GM can spend Dark Side tokens to do the opposite - to cause difficulties for the players in some way. Basically, the deck is totally stacked against you right now.
(I realize that using DS tokens for the players would make more sense in a Crush the Rebellion campaign, but the Force Die is actually balanced in favor of DS pips, so we'll just soldier forth and pretend it makes sense.)
OK folk, let me know how you're getting to (or near to) Bakura - the shuttle, booking transportation, your own personal starship, etc. Then we'll scene wipe to the Bakura system...
Any particular reason this shade of pink was chosen for OOC? It's actually kind of hard to read...oh well.
I assume I'll already be at Bakura, and will meet the party there. Since I don't own my own ship, I'll book passage on a freighter.
I use it because it's the color of Force Lightning. You guys are welcome to use any non-black color.
Geth, roll 2eA+1eP
Geth, roll 2eD for PACherrn's difficulty
@PACherrn Unfortunately, that's a rare total cancel. Nothing immediately spring to mind about Bakura or its capital city; you'd have to spend some time doing research to find any answers.
(which you can do, by the way. ask a question, we can still work out answers. you just don't know it immediately.)
I'm clearly playing a Dark Jedi, and we have a Pilot, a Slicer and I'm guessing some kind of bruiser who likes to stab people with a vibroknife? What else have we got, mystery voter?
After the long hyperspace flight, it is a relief to see the stars of real space twinkling out over the infinite universe. You have arrived at Bakura, a green and blue planet orbited by an old Baas-class space station called Bakura Point. The space traffic here is surprisingly heavy for an outer rim planet, with bulk freighters, transport ships, and escort vessels making their way between the hyperspace nav buoys, the space station, and various points on the planet itself. If there is smuggling going on here, it's going to be very difficult to tell.
What's not difficult to tell is that you've seemed to have picked up a tail. Three Z-95 Headhunters have pulled away from the light freighter they were escorting, and are heading in your direction.
Destiny Pool:
As the Z-95's turned towards them, Orell leaned forward to flick open a com-channel to them, whilst putting on his best Corellian fly-boy voice, devoid of any apparent imperial discipline, which wasn't too hard. He just had to think back to his days with CorSec.
"This is the Captain. Requesting coordinates for docking bay at Bakura Point. Been a long trip, and we're looking forward to some R&R."
"Captain Golgannon, is this what passes for system interdiction in Bakura? Who are these pilots?"
When the response channel opens, there's a short burst of static followed by some sort of horrible, squealing screech. The squealing devolves into grunts, which gets dialed down to background noise as an autotranslator kicks in. "Hey Captain, this is Void Wings territory. If you want to dock at Bakura Point, you need to pay an escort and introduction fee. Say, 250c?"