| Author |
Topic:
New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Forever_Lost
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
10/12/07 5:41pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Thanks man.  I've managed to take back control of Zander on the original game board. After his fight with Darth Primeous, he settled on a planet with his wife Skyler and his daughter Caelyn; with the return of his Jedi Master (Revan, now a Sith Lord), Zander's been forced to return to the frontline.
To give you an idea of what Zander's like, below is an excert from the game:
Darth Praesolus (Circa the end of the Mandalorian Wars)
CL 13; Medium Human Jedi 7 / Jedi Knight 5 / Sith Apprentice 1
Destiny 6; Force 12, Strong in the Force; Dark Side 14
Init +15; Senses Perception +13
Languages Basic, Binary, Huttese, Shyriiwook
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Defences Ref 29 (flat-footed 25), Fort 27, Will 27; Block, Deflect
HP 131; Threshold 27
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Speed 6 squares
Melee lightsaber +18 (2d8+12/x3) or
Melee lightsaber +16 (3d8+12/x3) with Rapid Strike or
Melee lightsaber +13/+13 (2d8+12/x3) with Double Attack or
Melee lightsaber +11/+11 (3d8+12/x3) with Double Attack and Rapid Strike
Ranged by weapon +17
Base Atk +13; Grp +17
Atk Options Double Attack, Rapid Strike, Severing Strike
Special Actions Djem So, Redirect Shot
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +19):
Battle Strike, Farseeing, Force Thrust, Mind Trick, Move Object, Negate Energy, Rebuke, Surge
Force Secrets None
Force Techniques Force Point Recovery, Improved Move Light Object
________________________________________
Abilities Str 15, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 16
Talents Block, Deflect, Djem So, Greater Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Greater Weapon Specialization (lightsabers), Redirect Shot, Severing Strike, Weapon Specialization (lightsabers)
Feats Double Attack (lightsabers), Force Sensitivity, Force Training (3), Rapid Strike, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Strong in the Force, Triple Crit (lightsabers), Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Weapon Proficiency (lightsabers, simple weapons)
Skills Acrobatics +15, Endurance +13, Initiative +15, Knowledge (tactics) +14, Perception +13, Use the Force +19
Possessions Lightsaber (self-built), Sith Robes, Utility Belt (with Medpac)
Blood.
There was so much of it. It drained off of the shimmering floor tiles. Like a malicious coat, it rested snugly over the floor, laying waste to any attempt to see beyond it to the previously immaculate metallic plates. The thin trail of light that filtered in through the doorway leading off south granted the crimson sea a crisp glow, as though tiny sprites were dancing about beneath the surface of the liquid.
Zander's eyes were wide, the light held therein choked with panic, alarm and shock. His small hands, covered with a thick layer of grime and oil, was now speckled with flecks of red; now and then, a droplet would trail off of the tip of his finger, and drop to the floor with an unnaturally loud splash. The boy's hair, formerly so thick and lustrous -- despite the demanding lifestyle of a slave -- was now twisted and frayed, dangling in awkward directions and clawing away at his temple in a vain attempt to get away.
A whimper escaped Zander's trembling lips, but beyond that he made no noise. He couldn't: his body refused to obey his commands, and his voice was no longer alive. In his mind, a parade of thoughts and emotions raced, each one battling for attention; at the forefront of these thoughts was a vivid image, a replay of the scene which, moments previous, had been enacted with untold clarity. Only this time, inside Zander's head, the details seemed all the more extreme, like each motion, each scream, were being ascended beyond the realms of the believable; deamons, surely, had taken possession of his mind, and were trying to drive him mad with the detail.
And it was working. The youth's shaking became uncontrollable, and his legs began to buckle beneath his frail, bruised body. He tumbled backwards, his half-hearted attempt to catch himself destroyed by the slick coat of blood that licked at his heel. The back of his head struck the ground hard; pain barely registering, Zander nevertheless let forth a yell, one that was formed through the breeding of panic, pain and distress. Gathering himself, the young boy tried to scramble backwards, his eyes once again finding purchase upon the object that lay a few meters away from him -- the object that had formed the basis of his disbelief and terror.
The Hutt was still smouldering, the hole in its massive forehead broken inwards. Those two large eyes, cat-like in design, were held open in perpetual alarm and amazement; one might wonder whether the Hutt had had time to register the white-hot bolt of energy cutting through his leathery flesh before his brain was evaporated. The young slave didn't know, and at the time, his focus was hardly on figuring out the answer: he needed to get out of there. He had killed a Hutt; he was going to die.
The ultimate sin, the voice whispered, its tone a mixture of terror, amusement and intrigue. If you're found, they will kill you. No, they're torture you first, and then lock you away for years and years; they won't let you die until you've been broken entirely. Remember what happened to the last slave who Vogo had before you? Zander trembled: he could remember. The previous slave had been a young girl, who had been strung out on the side of Vogo's palace, supported only by rusted chains, before she finally died of starvation. Her crime? She had failed to get to an auction in time to place the Hutt's bid on a decorative piece before it was bought by a Rodian merchant. If that had been her fate, then what would be that of Zander, who had committed the most unthinkable, most devious and criminal offence known to the inhabitants of Nar Shaddaa?
The boy's terror echoed to new heights, and the youth failed to exert control over his body before he released his fluid into the depths of torn trousers. He didn't notice: all his could register was the sound of approaching footsteps launched into his mind from the southern passageway. Someone was coming. Someone had heard the blaster shot. His instincts kicking in, Zander threw himself forwards, his hands struggling to find purchase upon the ground through the slick coating of red; inch by inch he dragged himself towards the far wall, his fuel the terror in his heart. After a moment he reached the broken form of Vogo's Nikto bodyguard; he crawled up and over it, his small hands reaching shakily for the grating that led into the fortress's inner walls. Encased in the darkness, the body sobbed to himself, his body shaking, his mind working frantically to surge his limbs into moving. Slowly, very slowly, Zander pulled himself away from the bloodbath, and drew himself into the shadows, where the only one who could catch him was the blackness of his own mental enemies. But the further that Zander went, the more likely it seemed that he would evade pursuit: there came no sound of guards or the readying of a blaster. If he could keep moving, keep his composure, then he might just make it out alive.
But the blood would remain. Forever it would rest upon his palms, searing its way into his skin and marking his very soul.
________________________________________
Praesolus jerked upwards sharply, his body screaming out in silent assault. The Sith Lord opened his eyes, trying to find himself in the overwhelming darkness that seemed to have slithered over him -- but he couldn't find himself. The shadows did not recede to light; the darkness, if it did anything, only seemed to grow more dense, and Praesolus felt a deep desire to pull himself back, to lash out and cut a hole through the darkness. Maybe, if he cut deep enough, he would bring forth a light, a guide. But no matter how hard tried, he couldn't force his arms into motion. He felt weightless, as though he no longer possessed a body.
"There you are. He said you might be here."
Praesolus tried to turn; he found he could not. "Where is here? Who are you?"
"You're awfully quiet. Is anything wrong?" This voice, unlike the previous one, sounded familiar to Praesolus, and the Sith Lord found himself thrashing about, trying in vain to find the source of the voice.
"Kolanda? Is that you?" The young Sith's voice sounded oddly quiet against the silence that suffocated the atmosphere.
"Maybe he wants to be alone."
"Who are you?" Praesolus demanded.
"I don't know... He wouldn't have sent us here if He wanted to be alone." There was a pause, and then the second voice -- that of Kolanda, Praesolus thought -- replied, saying, "Maybe he's broken."
"Broken?"
The third voice snickered, and the formerly strange tone came into possession of a strange, boyish quality. "Then fix him then. I thought you could fix anything..."
"Sounds like a challenge."
"Do you think He knows that He's faulty?"
"Who in Hoth are you!?" Praesolus thundered. He felt his voice waver as his worry began to build. Unable to move, and shrouded in blackness, he felt alone and vulnerable. He gave it a moment, hoping that there would come a reply; none came. The Sith felt his resolve slipping rapidly. "Hello? Please... someone... Speak to me."
"He's not moved at all. He hasn't said a word. Do you think we should come back later?"
"But... I can hear you..."
"I don't know... I've got things to do."
"I'm busy too."
"Please..."
"Well, I can hardly fix him alone!"
"Why not get Skyler to help? She can fix anything, even better than you can, or so they say."
Instantly, Praesolus's mind began jerking involuntarily. He tried to turn, using every ounce of strength of will he possessed to motive a manoeuvre, but nothing came from him by a quiet, dying sentences: "...Skyler?"
"No. She's broken too."
The thrashing, the pain: they both increased. As though he had fallen into liquid magma, Praesolus felt his body bubble with white-hot pain. He wanted to scream -- oh, how he wanted to scream -- but his mind wouldn't let him. These people, whoever they were, knew something about Skyler; they had to tell him what they knew. "Skyler? Please, tell me what's happened. How do you know her?" The Sith Lord waited, but the silence continued, and with the lengthening muteness grew Praesolus's terror and frustration. He tried to call out, to let the words form, but as his mouth opened, the only sound that came was a scream -- it erupted outwards with all the force of a hurricane, propelling Praesolus into the depths of a darkness that he could not escape.
And then, as his senses died, pain was all he knew.
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Praesolus's scream was whole, breaking outwards from its bounds, ricocheting off of the walls and rebounding upon the Sith himself. But the man didn't notice: his eyes were sealed shut, his teeth clenching together tightly as a wave of pain shook him. He rocked from side to side, sending the sheet of his bunk flailing away from him; unsure of his balance, Praesolus leaned too far to one side and tumbled in that direction, falling out of his bed out onto the floor. His knees struck the ground first, and then his palms, pulsing with rocking sensations, as his skin rippled. Muscles flexed and contracted beneath the surface of his tunic, writhing in a strange, thrashing, uneven dance.
Fingers, cutting into palms, spasmed, as, in the depths of Praesolus's conscious, a voice screamed. It was a single word that was voiced, but it was said with such volume that it broke Praesolus's own pain-ridden vocal into nothing. "ZANDER!" His name, his former name, was fuelled with desperation and despair, and each syllable was belted forth with a painful wince. And the moment that it was finished, when the last trace of pain had disappeared, it started up again, this time with more power and force; Praesolus collapsed onto his front, his head reeling, his mind fearing that his skull might be splitting into two.
And then, suddenly, his eyes shot open, a strange mist encasing his formerly brown pupils. The room, as it was, disappeared, and in the place of his desolate personal quarters rose a large building. It was old in design, and was grander in scale than any other building in the entire city -- the Palace. It rose up high over its neighbouring spires, and shadowed the city's centre with a foreboding sense of dread. Praesolus could recall wondering, for a moment, at least, what kind of artefacts or knowledge lay within those walls, for it had always been a place that Primeous had forbidden him from entering, at least for the time being. But now, as it rose upwards in Praesolus's mind, he couldn't help but wonder...
The screaming rose again, cutting off Praesolus's line of thought. The blackness that had originally threatened to suffocate the Sith Lord intensified slightly, and through it came an image. It shifted slightly, and yet despite the shadows cast across it, Praesolus could make out the events clearly: he could see a table, lined with sharp instruments, all jutting upwards, all stained with a crimson liquid that was fresh, at least Praesolus assumed it was by the way it glistened; beyond the table, resting a wrinkled hand upon a long, rusted lever, was a Skrie, garbed in a set of resplendent robes that marked him as a High Priest of Primeous -- the most highly regarded rank awarded to the servants of the Sith.
And there was Skyler. She dangled, suspended over the murderous table, her hair hanging lifeless around her face, hiding her from view. But despite his blindness, Praesolus could feel her pain, for it rippled through him, too; he yanked back his head, and let forth a bestial howl. But it was not a howl of pain; it was a howl of murderous, unfathomable rage. The image of the Skrie -- of the smile on his face -- scolded Praesolus deeply, just as the eternal cries of the Sith Lord's beloved did. Combined, the two forces overloaded Praesolus's senses, and -- before he knew what he was doing -- he was being thrown backwards, his form pulled from the vision that he had been so unceremoniously thrusted into.
The room returned, and with it came the dull greys and the moulded cast of shadows; were it not for the images in the young Sith's mind, that would be all that he saw. But with Skyler's pained cries came a visage of red, of murderous crimson, a dye curtained over Praesolus's sight. His hands, completely unfeeling over the pain that wracked the Sith's other limbs, leapt outwards, and from the small hollow in the wall sang his lightsaber, which slapped down into his palm with a snarl. Praesolus's cloak -- which had been left on prior to his collapse into the dream realm -- fluttered angrily as its master marched towards the exit, throwing the door open vengefully. Beyond the metal seal stood two Skrie, both of which span around quickly, surprise registering too late on their faces as they opened their mouths to speak. Praesolus, in a single swipe, sent their heads tumbling off in diverse directions, his arcing slice bringing him forwards with such anger and force that the momentum carried him forwards fast enough for him to reach the other exit before the two guards bodies had hit the floor. The darkness, that familiar depth of bleakness, lay beyond, and waited for its young charge with open arms.
This time, Praesolus approached with an open mind, one free of fear or doubt. This time, he wouldn't fight the darkness -- he would become it.
________________________________________
Anger.
Pure. Hot. White. Burning through the endless sea of uncertainty. It grants one focus, and through that focus one can achieve a power greater than anyone else could ever hope to garner.
Use your anger, and bring the retribution of the Sith upon your enemies.
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Another body dropped and, together with its fellows, congregated upon the floor in an untidy heap. Blood, dried and congealing, splattered across the ground, and limbs of both kinds came to rest with wet, resounding thuds.
The Skrie came in drones, each one amassing with his fellows, his leathery hands gripping the handle of a wooden, make-shift spear, or rusted sword. By twos they charged, and sometimes in more, each man trying to use the movements of his companion to flank the Sith Lord. Their actions, though daring, lacked any real conviction of hope -- the Skrie knew, even before they had entered the arena, that they were about to give up their lives, and suffer a painful death.
The azure blade was dazzling, rocketing towards a specific point in the air before it vanished, only to appear elsewhere, flamed with an equal degree of force and power as its previous movement. And with each slash came a movement that echoed through the legs, carrying the young Lord through the lengthy, forlorn hallways with a certain degree of terrifying grace. Nothing halted his progress: those who tried to do so were cut down during a strike, or as they readied a crossbow bolt. A single Skrie, the scout and front-runner of his unit, rounded the corner as Praesolus moved on by; seizing the opportunity, the Skrie let forth a wooden bolt at the exposed back of his Dark Lord. Praesolus, without warning, span around, and brought his palm to bear; the bolt came to a sudden halt and, without warning, splintered into a few dozen pieces, as the Force crushed it beneath its heel.
The hallway, beyond the turn, split into two pathways, both of which rounded off in a circular formation, before coming to a meeting point on the far side. The walls, decorated only by a few burning torches, were bare, but the lithe shadows that illuminated them made it appear otherwise. It was down this pathway that Praesolus danced, his blade flashing in a living figure-eight, cutting down any and all of the Skrie warriors who erupted forth from any of the doorways that were dotted on either side of the Sith Lord’s path. Each one attempted to strike him down, or hold him up, but in both attempts they failed – their blows never landed, and their screams never ceased. Together, they created an endless chorus of blood-curdling cries – cries that sent a wave of pleasure down Praesolus’s spine.
They deserved this fate. For helping Primeous, for trying to stop Darth Praesolus from getting to the woman he loved, they were inviting this destruction upon themselves. And he, their benefactor and champion, would deliver them the good for which they so obviously longed. With a snap-hiss and a scream, their world was brought to an abrupt end, and their pain was silenced forever.
As he marched – his booted heel crunching upon the ground, the liquid remains of the Skrie attached stubbornly to his heel – Praesolus allowed himself a brief moment to forgo his wholehearted fixation upon those around him, and instead sent his thoughts ahead, to the place where Skyler lay, beaten, broken, and dying. The sensations that he saw there fuelled him on, re-vitalising his drive and his desire; he cut down another Skrie as it moved past him, not even giving it a chance to recognise the presence of the Dark Lord.
The last corner came and went, and Praesolus found himself standing in a small, semi-circle chamber, which was lit entirely by two torches. Beneath the flickering fire-light stood, ready and waiting, twenty-four Skrie warriors, some of which Praesolus recognised as his own, hand-chosen men. They eyed him cautiously, a hint of pro-dominant fear in their eyes; Praesolus glared back at them, his eyes surging into the depths of a sickly crimson colour, as his anger and hatred fuelled him with the passion he needed to do what he must.
The Force slithered into the hall, and the two torches lost their lives; the Skrie were cast into complete darkness. The only reprieve from the endless abyss of black, they realised, was the glow that came from the burning blue bar; the very bar that was dancing towards them through the gloom. There was a shout, a yell of command, and then they, like all the others before them, gave way to scream upon scream of tortured failure.
The azure light danced the Dance of Death, until the Skrie opposition lay in ruin at the heel of the Dark Lord of the Sith. The cloaked figure gave the collection of corpses and silent glance before he started past them, moving into the last box room that would take him into the torture chamber, and into the presence of Skyler.
Within the small room, standing not too far away from the door through which he had just come, Praesolus saw two Skrie warriors standing before a single, electronic door, their focus placed entirely upon the barrier that held them away from the room beyond. At first glance, they appeared to be half-way through their attempt to beat the door down manually; when one of them noticed Praesolus, he reached out for his companion’s shoulder, to turn him around; by the time his arm had began to move, Praesolus had sent forth a surge of energy, that caught both beings across the throat, sending them head first into the door with a loud, clumsy thud. They both grunted, and then crumpled to the floor, no longer moving.
Without further warning, the door that the Skrie had been trying to knock down buckled, and then flew inwards, ripped off of its hinges through pure force. The echo of its weight smacking into the opposite wall could be heard in both chambers, and Praesolus listened to it as he moved into the doorway. His lightsaber humming impatiently at his side, Praesolus allowed his yellow-red eyes to scan the entirety of the room in one, slow, assessive stare.
But when his gaze fell upon Skyler, the colour drained away instantly, and once more his expression became what it should have been: the eyes bred a deep brown; the skin gained a tint of red, where the blood was once more able to run beneath his skin; his muscles relaxed slightly, shifting his expression from one of pure malevolent anger to deep, unsettling concern. For a moment the young man hung there, as though unsure what to do; then, his legs parted, and he began striding towards her, his steps urgent and excited. His eagerness, however, was met with opposition: about half-way between his destination and his beginnings, Praesolus was forced to halt, as the bright blade of a lightsaber shot towards his throat.
"No further." For a moment, it took Praesolus a time to understand what it was that was being said to him, let alone who it was that was speaking the words. He looked around with difficulty, his eyes attaching to the face of the young Jedi who now stood in his way.
And the longer he looked, the more his rage began to renew. The azure lightsaber that sat in his palm sang hungrily for the youth’s blood, and for the longest time Praesolus longed to fulfil its request: what right did this Jedi have to try and hold Praesolus back from Skyler? Whatever their age, the Jedi seemed only to want to hold Praesolus at bay, to separate him and Skyler for all time. It was because they were afraid, Praesolus realised: they knew how powerful he would become with Skyler with him, being his motivation and his light. Together, they would know no limits, and never again would Praesolus have to lose sleep over the never-ending fear that Skyler might never be free of some unknown enemy.
Well, no longer. As a former Jedi himself, Praesolus had hoped that a confrontation with his former Order might be avoided, but now it looked like they couldn’t help but interfere. Even this far out into space, they somehow tracked him down, and were again trying to keep him from what he treasured the most. The anger at this rippled beneath the flesh of the young Sith, and subconsciously he began calling to himself the beginning ripples of the dark, morphing them into a fist over the young man’s heart…
"Turos!"
The trance ended, and in an instant Praesolus’s hatred and dark-side energy subsided. He swung his gaze back around to Skyler, as she looked upon Praesolus with a stare that the young Sith could not recognise. Was it fear? Was it resentment? Was it confusion? He could not tell; whatever was her reasoning for it, she could do little to inform him further of her feelings: her voice was broken and barely audible, and her body lay broken upon the table. It was enough to make one weep, and for the longest time Praesolus was certain that the pain in his chest would make him do just that; no tears came, but the pain etched its way across the Sith’s expression.
The young Jedi, Turos was his name, deactivated his lightsaber after the look he received from Skyler; he said something – though what it was Praesolus did not hear – and then started towards the exit of the room. As the pain of what Praesolus saw looking upon Skyler began to heighten, he granted himself a momentary reprieve by looking away from her; he turned instead to watch Turos leave, after which he used the Force to lift the broken door away from his temporary setting on the room’s far side, and set it back into its original place.
And then the Sith Lord breathed in deeply, albeit quietly, and prepared himself.
For all his powers, for all his training and his anger and his realisations, Praesolus was still nothing when it came to the woman sat before him. When he turned to look upon her, as he had longed to do for so long, he was overcome with a barrage of emotions so strong, he would swear that his body would be ripped apart by their volume. The first thing that he felt, standing there, was unbelievable joy – joy at finally being able to see her, be able to touch her and hold her and touch her, as he had longed to do for what seemed like a millennia; then he would notice her condition, her bruising and her bleeding, and his joy would turn ice cold. Hatred, terror, disbelief and loathing would sweep over his subconscious, threatening to overcome him, and send him into a fit of rage so powerful that even the Force itself would not be able to subdue him.
And then there was the fear.
It was no secret in Praesolus’s mind that walking down the path he had would make him an enemy of the Republic, of the people that he once served. This he knew, and had been willing to accept… but he had never been able to hold Skyler’s view. Would she hate him for becoming this? Would she be able to forgive him, be able to understand that he had no choice? And what if she didn’t? What if she loathed him as much as he loathed himself? What if he were to reach out and touch her now – as he so longed to do – and she swatted him away, her eyes burning with fury?
Then Praesolus would brake, just as easily as if he had taken a lightsaber to the heart.
For the sake of his sanity, Praesolus tried to distract himself from his terror, by taking a closer look at Skyler – since his departure from the Stargazer, all he had had to remember her by was the Hero documentary, and the images that orbited his dreams… or, at least, used to. But she was here now, much to his standing disbelief. Was this real? Was she truly there, standing before him? If he touched her, would she respond, or smile back at him knowingly, just as he realised that he was dreaming?
Instantly, his face fell. He could not touch her. He wanted to more than he had ever wanted anything in his life, but the fear intensified within him at the very thought of it. Everywhere he looked at her, there lay evidence of her abuse – bruises, blood, cuts and the like. Every one that he spotted sent a spasm of anger and sadness washing over him, until his form began to shake involuntarily. If he touched her, he might break her, or cause her harm. He couldn’t hurt her, not even to see if she was really there. And besides, the very thought that she might refuse his touch was too much to bear.
No, he couldn’t touch her. The decision ripped his heart into three, but he stood by it none-the-less. Instead, he tried to summon the words that he longed to say. He wanted to open his mouth, and say anything, if only to provoke her into singing her beautiful words back at him. But no words would come; his mouth would fall open, and his tongue would ready itself to form the words, but no sound would come.
And then, suddenly, there was movement: Skyler, despite her broken form and exhaustion, began lifting herself away from the bed where she lay, and began struggling forwards, upon steps that were far from steady and wrecked with pain. Praesolus watched, completely amazed and startled, unable to move forwards and help her, despite his desire to. All he could do was watch, his eyes unblinking, his mouth held closed to suppress the whimper of pure sadness and terror that he knew was welling up inside of him. When she was standing only a short distance away, she slowly raised her hand, and brought it shivering towards his cheek. Instantly, he became dead still, as though culled by anticipation and dominated by a completely paralysed body. Her hand came to a stop an inch away from his cheek, where it hovered for what seemed like an eternity.
When she touched him, her cold, smooth skin brushing his cheek, her was tackled with an overpowering need for her, as well as a surge of relief and satisfaction so strong that his head began to spin. He kept his eyes trained upon Skyler intently, noting – to his worry – how she had begun to shiver more profusely. Then, her beautiful, perfect lips parted, and through them came two words, words that were choked more than spoken: “You’re here....”
The support that Skyler had managed to summon unto herself died away with her words, and her damaged legs buckled beneath her, causing her to fall forwards. Despite his fear and self-loathing, Praesolus found himself a slave to his need and better drives, and rushed forwards to meet her. His lightsaber slipped from between his fingers, and clattered to the floor loudly as the blade burnt out; his arms spread, and his knees dipped, putting him low enough to get to her descending level. Midway down, Praesolus caught Skyler beneath the arms, and, despite her condition, clutched her to him desperately: his desire and relief consumed him, and her closed his eyes, claiming her as his own as he sealed off his world. It was only them now, just as it should have been.
”Skyler, I…” The words died on his lips. What could he say? He didn’t know, no more than he could force himself to relinquish his hold on her. Very slowly, he let his knees bend, and he gently lowered Skyler to the ground, where he held her to his chest, cradling her like a child.
”I’m so sorry.”
There, he had said it. The real thing that he had needed to say. She was hurt now, nearing death, because Praesolus had, yet again, proven himself inadequate. Would she have been this way if he had been stronger? Would she be so close to demise if Praesolus had destroyed Primeous, and his legion of brainwashed Skrie? No. She would be at his side on some far off planet, living in peace, away from wars, battle, blood and pain. They would have been free.
But no, she had come to harm, despite his wishes. He hadn’t been strong enough then, and maybe, now that he had turned on Primeous, he would never be strong enough. That was always the case: Praesolus had always let his weakness overcome him, and whenever it had someone had suffered. His parents, Kolanda, Rorwooken, Roland… they had all paid the price for his inability. But not Skyler: he wouldn’t let her be taken from him.
The realisation that Skyler was there finally set in, and Praesolus found his body shaking with relief stricken, silent tears. He bowed his head, and turned himself in towards her, holding her as tightly as he dared to given her condition.
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Jedi_Matt
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
10/16/07 11:32am
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Jedi Counselling 107 is up now, well actually as of the 4th October. As is The Force Unleashed Preview 1.
So the Secret Apprentice is obviously a Jedi Guardian style guy. As of the stats he's in his early apprenticeship years, as a level 10 character!
So, who's your choice, It's looking more like that guy from the Last of the Jedi series, Ferus Olin, if only because the person is considered a Jedi Knight, hinting at Ferus' progression through the series up until falling into Imperial hands.
Maybe it's Kyle Katarn, who unleashes the Force by growing a particularly impressive beard. That Arc Hammer thing was a cake walk really, he didn't even need to use the Force to complete that mission! 
Seriously though... listed within his feats is 'Unleashed', and he's also a master of the Juyo and Soresu forms. While one of his selected powers is 'corruption', which means he may be a recruiter as well as a Darth Maul style weapon of the Dark Side.
-----signature-----
Excellence - "'Cause some American-accent informed me Kun is Koon and Yun is Yoon doesn't mean I'm going to Megazord myself into robotic obediance."
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Forever_Lost
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
10/17/07 2:16pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Can anyone offer opinions of the short story excerpt?
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Forever_Lost
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Sep '05
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Date Posted:
10/28/07 5:53pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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At the moment, we're playing a table top game, in which we play out an alternate universe from the one that I spoke about previously. In this one, Zander killed Darth Primeous, but remained a Sith Lord. Now, with an army of Skrie troops at his side, he's waged a silent war against those who would deny his collection of the Sith Holocrons scattered throughout the galaxy.
These are his stats as of two days ago.
Darth Praesolus
CL 16; Medium Human Jedi 7 / Jedi Knight 5 / Sith Apprentice 3 / Sith Lord 1
Destiny 5; Force 15, Strong in the Force; Dark Side 15
Init +17; Senses Perception +15
Languages Basic, Binary, Huttese, Shyriiwook
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Defences Ref 33 (flat-footed 29), Fort 31, Will 31; Block, Deflect
HP 152; Threshold 31
Immune fear effects
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Speed 6 squares
Melee lightsaber +21 (2d8+14/x3) or
Melee lightsaber +19 (3d8+14/x3) with Rapid Strike or
Melee lightsaber +16/+16 (2d8+14/x3) with Double Attack or
Melee lightsaber +14/+14 (3d8+14/x3) with Double Attack and Rapid Strike
Ranged by weapon +20
Base Atk +16; Grp +20
Atk Options Double Attack, Rapid Strike, Severing Strike
Special Actions Djem So, Redirect Shot, temptation
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +21):
Battle Strike, Dark Rage (2), Farseeing, Force Grip, Force Thrust, Mind Trick, Move Object, Negate Energy (2), Rebuke, Surge
Force Secrets None
Force Techniques Force Point Recovery, Improved Move Light Object, Improved Sense Force
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Abilities Str 15, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 17, Wis 15, Cha 16
Talents Block, Dark Scourge, Dark Side Adept, Deflect, Djem So, Greater Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Greater Weapon Specialization (lightsabers), Redirect Shot, Severing Strike, Weapon Specialization (lightsabers)
Feats Double Attack (lightsabers), Force Sensitivity, Force Training (4), Rapid Strike, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Strong in the Force, Triple Crit (lightsabers), Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Weapon Proficiency (lightsabers, simple weapons)
Skills Acrobatics +17, Endurance +15, Initiative +17, Knowledge (tactics) +16, Perception +15, Use the Force +21 (may reroll when using [dark side] Force powers)
Possessions lightsaber (self-built), Sith robes, utility belt (with medpac)
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Forever_Lost
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
10/28/07 5:56pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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At the moment, we're playing a table top game, in which we play out an alternate universe from the one that I spoke about previously. In this one, Zander killed Darth Primeous, but remained a Sith Lord. Now, with an army of Skrie troops at his side, he's waged a silent war against those who would deny his collection of the Sith Holocrons scattered throughout the galaxy.
These are his stats as of two days ago.
Darth Praesolus
CL 16; Medium Human Jedi 7 / Jedi Knight 5 / Sith Apprentice 3 / Sith Lord 1
Destiny 5; Force 15, Strong in the Force; Dark Side 15
Init +17; Senses Perception +15
Languages Basic, Binary, Huttese, Shyriiwook
________________________________________
Defences Ref 33 (flat-footed 29), Fort 31, Will 31; Block, Deflect
HP 152; Threshold 31
Immune fear effects
________________________________________
Speed 6 squares
Melee lightsaber +21 (2d8+14/x3) or
Melee lightsaber +19 (3d8+14/x3) with Rapid Strike or
Melee lightsaber +16/+16 (2d8+14/x3) with Double Attack or
Melee lightsaber +14/+14 (3d8+14/x3) with Double Attack and Rapid Strike
Ranged by weapon +20
Base Atk +16; Grp +20
Atk Options Double Attack, Rapid Strike, Severing Strike
Special Actions Djem So, Redirect Shot, temptation
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +21):
Battle Strike, Dark Rage (2), Farseeing, Force Grip, Force Thrust, Mind Trick, Move Object, Negate Energy (2), Rebuke, Surge
Force Secrets None
Force Techniques Force Point Recovery, Improved Move Light Object, Improved Sense Force
________________________________________
Abilities Str 15, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 17, Wis 15, Cha 16
Talents Block, Dark Scourge, Dark Side Adept, Deflect, Djem So, Greater Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Greater Weapon Specialization (lightsabers), Redirect Shot, Severing Strike, Weapon Specialization (lightsabers)
Feats Double Attack (lightsabers), Force Sensitivity, Force Training (4), Rapid Strike, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Strong in the Force, Triple Crit (lightsabers), Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Weapon Proficiency (lightsabers, simple weapons)
Skills Acrobatics +17, Endurance +15, Initiative +17, Knowledge (tactics) +16, Perception +15, Use the Force +21 (may reroll when using [dark side] Force powers)
Possessions lightsaber (self-built), Sith robes, utility belt (with medpac)
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Jedi_Matt
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
11/7/07 1:42pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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sheesh this forum's quiet lately, i've just been on holiday, can't believe the d6 thread is still on page 20.
Anyhow, on the wizards site, they have new Force Unleashed stuff, as well as stats for Darth Revan
Darth Revan CL 16
Medium Human Jedi 7/Jedi Knight 5/Sith Apprentice 3/Sith Lord 1
Destiny 4; Force 6: Strong in the ForceDark Side 17
Init +16; Senses Perception +16
Languages Basic, Mando'a, Sith
Defenses Ref 33 (flat-footed 30), Fort 33, Will 32
hp 145; Threshold 38
Immune fear effects
Speed 6 squares
Melee lightsaber +21 (2d8+11) or
Melee lightsaber +18/+18 (2d8+11) with Double Attack or
Melee lightsaber +13/+13/+13 (2d8+11) with Triple Attack or
Melee unarmed +19 (1d6+11) or
Ranged blaster pistol +19 (3d6+8)
Base Atk +16; Grp +19
Atk Options Double Attack, Triple Attack
Special Actions Adept Negotiator, Dark Side Adept, Force Focus, Skilled Advisor, temptation
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +17): battle strike, dark rage, farseeing, Force grip, Force lightning, Force stun, move object, mind trick
Force Techniques Force point recovery, Force power mastery (battlestrike), improved sense Force
Abilities Str 16, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 15, Wis 17, Cha 19
SQ Fearless, Temptation
Talents Adept Negotiator, Armored Defense, Block, Dark Presence, Deflect, Force Deception, Force Focus, Multiattack Proficiency (lightsabers), Power of the Dark Side, Skilled Advisor
Feats Armor Proficiency (light), Double Attack, Force Sensitivity, Force Training (2), Improved Damage Threshold, Martial Arts I, Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Strong in the Force, Triple Attack, Weapon Proficiencies (lightsabers, pistols, simple weapons)
Skills Initiative +16, Knowledge (Tactics) +15, Acrobatics +16, Persuasion +17, Use the Force +17
Possessions lightsaber, Darth Revan's armor
Darth Revan's Armor: Cost: not available for sale; armor check penalty –5; armor bonus to Reflex Defense +7; equipment bonus to Fortitude Defense +2; weight 5 kg; availability: unique. Darth Revan's unique armor provides better protection than the average light armor thanks to ancient Rakata technology.
Now... I'm certain Revan was wearing that armour when he and Malak entered the place on Dantooine where the quarter of the star forge map was, so was this 'dark armour' simple armour enhanced by the Rakatan tech, or is it a continuity mistake, as the footage showed him in search of the maps to the star forge.
Those stats are as of his return from the unknown regions, before being bested by the Jedi Council and rewired
-----signature-----
Excellence - "'Cause some American-accent informed me Kun is Koon and Yun is Yoon doesn't mean I'm going to Megazord myself into robotic obediance."
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Jedi Merkurian
Title: Games: RPG d20 GM
Registered:
May '00
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Date Posted:
11/8/07 9:19am
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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He might've been wearing just robes & a mask, or a non dark version of the armor...
-----signature-----
Striking down can result in common side effects including fear, anger, aggresion, nausea, dry mouth, hatred, suffering, headaches, IBS, & in some extreme cases has been linked to lava burns
Please consult your doctor before striking anyone down
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Jedi_Matt
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
11/8/07 1:28pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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aye I know, but that seems strange. Sith Alchemy would do that, which he wouldn't need the Rakata for. Just makes me think they tried to do something swish which doesn't work cos of a cutscene.
Has my opinion of wizards etc dropped so sharply that I would think that? 
Unfortunately so 
-----signature-----
Excellence - "'Cause some American-accent informed me Kun is Koon and Yun is Yoon doesn't mean I'm going to Megazord myself into robotic obediance."
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Blithe
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
12/30/07 9:59am
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
- Date Edited:
12/30/07 10:22am (6 edits total)
Edited By:
Blithe
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Hey, guys. It looks like I'm a little behind everyone else in getting to SAGa, but I've been reading over SAGA for the past few days, making a few characters, and getting a feel for things.
In a nutshell:
Pros:
- Streamlining the skills into things like Persuasion, Mechanics, Acrobatics, etc. is a really good move.
- Taking d20 more towards its abstract roots is for the best.
- Character creation is a breeze, which from a GM perspective, is very refreshing, since it is much better for newer players, or players who still struggled with parts of the d20 system even after a few adventures.
- The way the Force is handled is a vast improvement over the broken, inaccurate, and uncanonical mess of the RCRB.
- Destiny Points are great.
- I like the new Action Point-like Force Points. (Though I wish left-overs carried to the next level)
- Prestige classes are a more welcome edition then they were for me in the RCRB.
- The Talent Tree stuff is not nearly as WoWish as I initially thought.
- Core classes are more balanced now that everyone is getting the same amount of bonus feats.
- Reflex Defense, Fortitude Defense, and Will Defense is a much more logically sound way of handling things.
- HP! 
Cons:
- While the streamlined skill setup is a welcome edition, the "trained" or "untrained" mechanic makes things too simple. Sure it is easier on the players, but most of my group did not have a problem with dispersing skill points, honestly. Also, I don't like how higher level characters are usually better at everything -- as far as skills go -- then even low levels who may try to specialize and be "pros" in one or two skills.
- The new Force mechanics are for the better, but I think only having one Use the Force skill is a little too simplified; personally, it makes more sense to me, canonically speaking, that there should be a Use the Force skill for Control, Sense, and Alter, individually, and a Control, Sense, and Alter Feat needed to be able to use them, which much more in line with what we've seen, continuity wise.
- The continual inclusion of "squares" and Attacks of Opportunity are an eyesore as usual.
- I understand the concept behind the Jedi delfection mechanics, but I'm still not sure if I like it or not.
- Feats seem weak. Any good munchking would be much better off selecting Skill Focus over and over.
- Again, no epic level rules...
Overall: After getting a chance to really go over the book, I was pleasantly surprised by a few things. It is not nearly as bad in some areas as I had initially thought. However, not all of the additions are necessarily good for my gaming group. Technically, it is better than the RCRB, but for everything it fixes, it brings with it something puzzling. The net result is still an improvement, and for that, I'm very thankful. The lack of fluff material and new artwork is dissapointing, though. And the RCRB had a lot more stats in it as well.
Anyway, I had a few questions, too.
dizfactor, what exactly did you find to be so backwards about the Dark Side mechanics, if you don't mind?
dp4m, I follow you on the oversimplification of the skills, and the weirdness of the deflect mechanics, but what were your thoughts on the the way the Force was handled? Did you particularly think it was an improvement over the RCRB?
(Oh, 2nd ed. D6 > 2nd ed. R&E D6 > SAGA > RCRB > 1st ed. D6 > OCRB)
-----signature-----
Golden Ewok recipient x 2
Special Golden Ewok recipient x 2
Improbable Nogrhi recipient
"Great. We have a AAA credit rating and 9 trillion in debt. That's about as worthwhile to us as a 12 inch penis that can't get hard." - rogue_wookiee
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dizfactor
Registered:
Aug '02
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Date Posted:
12/30/07 11:52am
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Blithe posted:
dizfactor, what exactly did you find to be so backwards about the Dark Side mechanics, if you don't mind?
To tap into the dark side to gain power, you need to make a decision beforehand to make a permanent investment of resources into dark side force powers and talents. Dark side points, once earned, are pretty easy to burn off.
That's totally backwards. The dark side is supposed to be easy to tap into spontaneously in a moment of doubt or weakness for a quick boost of power, but once its taint is on you, it should be hard as hell to get rid of it. You can't get that slow slide into the dark side you should be able to have, where your back is to the wall and you tap into the dark side "just this once" to wipe the floor with your enemies, and then it happens again, etc.
You have to pretty much make a premeditated choice to turn to the dark side before you get the goodies, whereas the goodies should lure you in, but once you're in, they fade a bit, and you're trapped.
-----signature-----
"Play is going to be for the 21st century what steam was to the 19th century."
Julian Dibbell
"You gotta love an elite killing force that you can fool by putting on a hat."
Gryph
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Blithe
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
12/31/07 8:32am
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
- Date Edited:
12/31/07 8:39am (3 edits total)
Edited By:
Blithe
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I've been reading more through the book, and I see more and more of what dizfactor is saying. This is really becoming a major gripe for me in this edition: Force Points can burn-off Dark Side Points, there are no Dark Side powers that can be used untrained anymore, despite canonical instances of it happening (SBS, Traitor), and worst of all, there is absolutely no temptation for a PC to give in to the Dark Side -- ever. All the Dark Side powers have to be learned first, so that's out of the question anyway. You CAN'T call upon the Dark Side when using a Force Point until you pick a talent. There are not any rules for gaining Destiny/Force Points/whatever in exchange for Dark Side points anymore, either. And there is no tempting bonus for having Dark Side points on hand, like in the old WEG system.
The concept of the Dark Side is an area that the RCRB was superior in hands down. In SAGA, there is no "give into the Dark Side in a moment of desperation" factor anymore. And that is very unlike Star Wars.
On a smaller note, there doesn't seem to be a way for a Force-user to increase his physical prowess. Surge is great for movement and Jump, but what if I want to beef-up my STR, DEX, and CON a little?
Now, about Vader vs. Luke in Empire. This is where the the the "One use of a particular power per encounter" gets a little wacky. That could not have been a use of Move Light Object, since it is clear he was throwing stuff a lot bigger than 5kg. Yes, he could use Force Points to keep doing it, but in that instance, he would have had to use three or four! It just seems a little silly for a casual beat down of a Jedi newb to cost so much.
Force Disarm seems a little redundant, honestly. Why is that even a power? Wouldn't regular Move Light Object work just the same for snatching a blaster out of someone's hand? Simply let the opponent have his relfex save as normal, no silly powers.
-----signature-----
Golden Ewok recipient x 2
Special Golden Ewok recipient x 2
Improbable Nogrhi recipient
"Great. We have a AAA credit rating and 9 trillion in debt. That's about as worthwhile to us as a 12 inch penis that can't get hard." - rogue_wookiee
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HansHunkyChest
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
1/1 1:30am
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Blithe posted:
Now, about Vader vs. Luke in Empire. This is where the the the "One use of a particular power per encounter" gets a little wacky. That could not have been a use of Move Light Object, since it is clear he was throwing stuff a lot bigger than 5kg. Yes, he could use Force Points to keep doing it, but in that instance, he would have had to use three or four! It just seems a little silly for a casual beat down of a Jedi newb to cost so much.
Vader was trying to wear Luke down to get him to give in to the Dark Side and help him overthrow the Emperor. If he was looking to simply beat down Luke he could have done so fairly easily.
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Blithe
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
1/1 1:20pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
- Date Edited:
1/1 1:23pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Blithe
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That is certainly a plausible explanation. However, I still think it is a little strange that he would have to burn so many Force Points in order to wear away at him. Previous editions made this scenario a little more logical.
But the Vader and Luke on Bespin things isn't all of what irks me about SAGA. Take Vader and Luke, again, on the DS II. It has been a tradition since WAY back in the old WEG 2nd ed. that, in concordance with the ROTJ script and novelization, the Dark Side was actively feeding both Luke and Vader, tempting either to use its power and strike the other down. In game terms, this was shown as a "favor" mechanic, where the Dark Side would on rare events offer a Force-user a free Dark Side Force Point, without the Force-user having to actively call upon the Dark Side, in an attempt to lure him in. Roughly the same concept for the ROTJ duel was carried over to the d20 editions; in this case, Luke uses a Force Point to put the smack-down on Vader, but perverts it with his anger, and of course, receives his Dark Side Point for it.
No such mechanism exists for SAGA, though it is clear that the Dark Side was offering Luke extra power during that duel. Sure, Luke's "PC" could role-play the anger and hate, but no actual bonus would be given for giving in to it.
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Golden Ewok recipient x 2
Special Golden Ewok recipient x 2
Improbable Nogrhi recipient
"Great. We have a AAA credit rating and 9 trillion in debt. That's about as worthwhile to us as a 12 inch penis that can't get hard." - rogue_wookiee
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Rogue_Thunder
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
1/2 3:57pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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Blithe posted:
That is certainly a plausible explanation. However, I still think it is a little strange that he would have to burn so many Force Points in order to wear away at him. Previous editions made this scenario a little more logical.
But the Vader and Luke on Bespin things isn't all of what irks me about SAGA. Take Vader and Luke, again, on the DS II. It has been a tradition since WAY back in the old WEG 2nd ed. that, in concordance with the ROTJ script and novelization, the Dark Side was actively feeding both Luke and Vader, tempting either to use its power and strike the other down. In game terms, this was shown as a "favor" mechanic, where the Dark Side would on rare events offer a Force-user a free Dark Side Force Point, without the Force-user having to actively call upon the Dark Side, in an attempt to lure him in. Roughly the same concept for the ROTJ duel was carried over to the d20 editions; in this case, Luke uses a Force Point to put the smack-down on Vader, but perverts it with his anger, and of course, receives his Dark Side Point for it.
No such mechanism exists for SAGA, though it is clear that the Dark Side was offering Luke extra power during that duel. Sure, Luke's "PC" could role-play the anger and hate, but no actual bonus would be given for giving in to it.
QFT. I'm going to be running my first SE game in a couple weeks, and one of the things I actually wanted to try this time was to tempt my PC's to the dark side. I'm gonna have to "house rule" it, because if there's no support, then I'm not gonna have much fun with it. Any ideas what dark-side powers should be "untrained" ones?
-----signature-----
I'll fly a starship across the universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain, but I will remain, and I'll be back again...
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Koohii
Title: Games: RPG d6 GM
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
1/2 6:00pm
Subject:
RE: New Star Wars RPG Core Rulebook Coming!
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TK Force Choke/Injure/kill.
That is by far and away the biggest, since it is just a perversion of TK.
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Create happy mediums: Free prozac to all psychics & Jedi
I'm met 6yo adults and 36yo children
Still working toward Ni-Kyu Go Ju Ryu
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