H is for Heists (v2.0)

This post expounds upon the original;  adding far more nuance, detail and complexity to what is arguably the most useful and most used part of an Edge of the Empire campaign.

Heists are the backbone of the Edge of the Empire game, an ‘adventure’ in Dungeons & Dragons parlance. While highly complex and nuanced plots can be easily lost on players at the table, a Heist that is too straightforward, linear, and predictable is boring and might not challenge the players creativity enough for their liking.

To generate a Heist, choose or roll 2d10 on each of the columns below. Each Heist starts with a basic premise: the Crew accepts an Action, such as “kidnap”, from a particular Client, such as “Rebel Alliance Command”. Often, the Heist demands some sort of object or target, which falls upon the Galaxy Master to create on the fly.

The Crew know full well the base fee the Client is offering, as well as the Inside Information that makes this Heist a good plan. Unfortunately, all Heists have at least one Unforeseen Complication that will force the Crew to quickly change their plans and/or come up with a creative solution to the new problem.

Lastly, each Heist takes place at a unique setting that inspires awe, terror, or wonder; see L is for Location.

Examples of Heists can be seen throughout the Star Wars films:

• rescue Han Solo from Jabba’s Palace
• smuggle goods for Jabba the Hutt, try not to dump cargo at the first sign of the Imperials
• rescue Princess Leia from the Imperial Death Star
• escort Rebel Alliance transports past an Imperial blockade at Hoth
• covertly destroy the shield generator on Endor
• smuggle cargo through the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs
• deliver Han Solo to the highest bidder

2d10		ACTION		CLIENT
2		Protect		Local Politician
3		Destroy		Corporate (manufacturing)
4		Kidnap		Corporate (mining)
5		Steal		Corporate (technology)
6		Deliver Passengers		Merchant or Trader
7		Smuggle Passengers		Oppressed Cult
8		Deliver Cargo		Scholar or Academy
9		Smuggle Cargo		Criminal (Hutts)
10		Rescue		Criminal (other)
11		Win a Tournament		It’s Your Idea!
12		Collect Bounty(alive)		A Community in Need
13		Collect Bounty (dead or alive)		Rebel Alliance (local cell)
14		Investigate / Reconnaissance		Rebel Alliance (Command)
15		Salvage		Old Friend or Loved One
16		Discover		Imperial Military
17		Assassinate		Pirates
18		Evacuate		Desperate Rival or Enemy
19		Repossess		Planetary Governor
20		Roll Twice, combining into a complex Heist		Imperial Intelligence

2d10		INSIDE INFORMATION		UNFORESEEN COMPLICATIONS
2		Nothing special		Betrayal! A spy or traitor reveals themselves during the Heist
3		We can gamble while we’re there		T is for it’s a Trap!
4		The Location is under siege		An old N is for Nemesis shows up to cause trouble
5		The Location is hidden		A friend or loved one becomes endangered during the Heist
6		The Client is wealthy; +500 credits profit		The Heist draws the attention of organized crime
7		We’ve got someone on the inside		Innocent civilians become involved, perhaps as hostages
8		Will benefit a friend or loved one		Authorities are tipped off. Upgrade all enemy Vigilance and Perception checks
9		We can ride local B is for Beasts		An unexpected hostile military presence is in the area
10		We have the security codes		I’ve got a bad feeling about this. The Crew may not spend Destiny Points during the Heist
11		Will reduce one of our Obligations		Something about the Heist turns out to be far more dangerous than previously thought
12		We have forged permits		A moral quandary crops up affecting a Crew Member’s Motivation
13		We can use ground vehicles		A strict time limit prohibits regaining Strain outside of combat
14		It leads to an A is for Artifact		Pulling off this Heist will increase the Crew’s Obligation(s)
15		This will deal a setback to a hated N is for Nemesis		The Heist needs to be secret and the Client won’t pay for sloppy work
16		It’s only lightly guarded		The Client is just a proxy. The real patron is something far less savory
17		We’ve got a good feeling about this; start the Heist with all Light Side Destiny Points		The Crew are confronted with something utterly terrifying during the Heist; see F is for Fear
18		Most people avoid it or are afraid		A weird cult is involved, such as a Z is for Zealot
19		The Location is abandoned		A rival Crew of smugglers, scoundrels, and/or bounty hunters are on the job as well
20		Roll twice, adding both results		Roll twice, adding both results