Fane of the Sith Lords – Adventure Flowchart

I’ve long held the belief, here, that by analyzing a simple flowchart of an adventure in a roleplaying game one can quickly deduce the level of “railroading” and linear plot devices inherent to that adventure. With that in mind, I am very proud to show off a flowchart I created for the upcoming Fane of the Sith Lords Star Wars adventure.

This flowchart serves multiple purposes.

Firstly, it shows off the interesting, complicated web of potential actions and exploration that could, though doesn’t necessarily have to, occur within the advneture. All of these criss-crossing lines represent many meaningful choices that the players must make, each with their own major impact on how the adventrue unfolds.

Secondly, I am proud to show off the stunning, evocative place names within the adventure. My hope is to further whet the appetite of the Star Wars RPG for this coming adventure. Who wouldn’t want to delve into the mysteries locked away in the FORBIDDEN ARCHIVE? Or shake in terror when trapped in the PTERO-RANCOR’S CRUCIBLE?

Lastly, this flowchart serves a very practical function for the Galaxy Masters across the globe who will be running this massively detailed and intricate adventure. Knowing which spaces connect to other spaces and where those connections are one- or two-way, is vitally important. The flowchart is an invaluable aid to running a smooth, seamless adventure at the table, allowing Galaxy Masters to focus on their delivery and presentation by cutting down on confusion as much as possible.

Age of Rebellion: Beta Update

A quick word that all of my Age of Rebellion Beta Stat Blocks have been updated with the recently released first update.

In addition, I’m releasing my stat blocks for the Age of Rebellion Beta starships now. I’ve had these all done for quite some time now, but was holding back in anticipation of a beta update to help manage the huge amount if dice rolls implied by the rules as written when dealing with large capital starships. That seems to be pushed off onto the far horizon for now, so I’m going ahead and sharing with the word where I’m at in terms of large-scale, apital starship combat. Behold!

• Starships (PDF) (Word)

NOTES:

The overall goal of these Stat Blocks is to provide as streamlined an experience as possible, for the benefit of overtaxed Galaxy Masters, while still retaining the utmost in accuracy. The following notes should help explain my formatting design and alleviate some confusion.

1. Abilities and qualities that have a strikethrough (oftentimes the Cumbersome quality) are there to show that some effect has already been integrated into the stat block and can largely be ignored.
2. Some abilities and qualities, such as those that add Boost to certain skills, are simply eliminated entirely off of the Stat Block with their effect built into the appropriate dice pools, etc. so that the Galaxy Master need never even think about them.
3. Often on starships, multiple embankments of the same weapon are indicated. Where possible, minion group rules have been used top upgrade the attacks of these weapons instead of requiring a Galaxy Master to make multiple attack rolls.
4. On rare occasions, all in the capital starships section, an exorbitant number of combat dice are indicated for large weapon batteries. In these cases, instead of upgrading the attack via minion group rules, the attack is instead given a +1 damage increase per gun emplacement beyond the first. Thanks go to FangGrip the Consummate Gamer for the idea.

Age of Rebellion Beta – Adversaries Stat Blocks

I originally began this post by writing out why I don’t like the “standard” FFG format of stat blocks, why I thought a well-designed stat block is important, and how I would choose to go about doing so. Then I remembered, oh yes that’s right, I had already done this many moths ago. You should read it, here, right now.

Now that the baseline stat blocks for Edge of the Empire are not only complete, but also accurate to the core rulebook, I have focused my attention on slowly piecing together the same treatment for the newly release Age of Rebellion beta. BEHOLD! They are done. In time, starships and vehicles will be presented in the same fashion, likely waiting for at least the first week of Beta Updates.

 

• Alliance (Word) (PDF)
• Core Worlders (Word) (PDF)
• Droids (Word) (PDF)
• Fringe Dwellers (Word) (PDF)
• Galactic Underworld (Word) (PDF)
• Imperial Bureaucracy (Word) (PDF)
• Imperial Military (Word) (PDF)

EotE Core Update – Stat Blocks

UPDATE: All Edge of the Empire Stat Blocks have been completed!

With the chaos of GenCon 2013 now behind us, Triumph & Despair can now get back to providing quality content for our beloved, patient readers. Long-time fan Will Patterson has graciously offered his editing skills and services to help update all of the Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition -style stat blocks from the Edge of the Empire Beta to be in line with the current Core Rulebook. A truly monumental task for which we are most grateful.

Here is Will’s first three entries. Keep an eye out for more stat block revisions, and a few surprises, coming out in the near future

• Galactic Underworld (PDF) (Word)
• Droids (PDF) (Word)
• Law & Order (PDF) (Word)
• Bounty Hunters (PDF) (Word)
• Galactic Oddities (PDF) (Word)
• Patrons & Clients (PDF) (Word)
• Spaceport Personnel (PDF) (Word)
• Core Worlders (PDF) (Word)

• Starships (PDF) (Word)

NOTES:

The overall goal of these Stat Blocks is to provide as streamlined an experience as possible, for the benefit of overtaxed Galaxy Masters, while still retaining the utmost in accuracy. The following notes should help explain my formatting design and alleviate some confusion.

1. Abilities and qualities that have a strikethrough (oftentimes the Cumbersome quality) are there to show that some effect has already been integrated into the stat block and can largely be ignored.
2. Some abilities and qualities, such as those that add Boost to certain skills, are simply eliminated entirely off of the Stat Block with their effect built into the appropriate dice pools, etc. so that the Galaxy Master need never even think about them.
3. Often on starships, multiple embankments of teh same weapon are indicated. Where possible, minion group rules have been used top upgrade the attacks of these weapons instead of requiring a Galaxy Master to make multiple attack rolls.
4. On rare occasions, all in the capital starships section, an exorbitant number of combat dice are indicated for large weapon batteries. In these cases, instead of upgrading the attack via minion group rules, the attack is instead given a +1 damage increase per gun emplacement beyond the first. Thanks go to FangGrip the Consummate Gamer for the idea.

Starship Sheets – More Updates

“Hey, it worked that way in the Beta. It’s not my fault!”

Someone called me out on my mistakes, giving me a swift kick in the pants. I hate to distribute inaccurate information, and that was what I was doing with all of my Starship Sheets. Gunnery difficulties, Boost Shields, and Damage Control were all just slightly off, and this I cannot abide.

Additionally, the YT-2400 Light Freighter was specifically requested by a fan and the siren call of Age of Rebellion demanded that I provide a convenient starship sheet for that freighter and the two-seater (pilot & gunner) variant on the A4 model, the BTL-S3 Y-Wing. Also, speeder bikes.

Thus, I present:

• Firespray System Patrol Craft (PDF) (Word)
• Firespray System Patrol Craft with Boarding Action house rule (PDF) (Word)
• Ghtroc 720 Light Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• Lambda T-4A Imperial Shuttle (PDF) (Word)
• Sorosuub Luxury 3000 Space Yacht (PDF) (Word)
• Wayfarer-Class Medium Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• YT-1300 Light Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• YT-2400 Light Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• BTL-S3 Y-Wing (PDF) (Word)
• 74-Z Military Speeder Bike (PDF) (Word)

One-Shot PreGens

A few weeks back at the debut weekend of the Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook, I decided to herald this exciting new release by running a one-shot heist at my local gaming store. The goal of the event was to introduce new players to the system and allow them a taste of what Edge of the Empire has to offer. Overall, it was a huge success.

The adventure itself, which might get further treatment here on Triumph & Despair, was a rollicking good time with speeder bikes, stormtroopers, repressed Wookiees, lightsabers, and a high-speed train derailment. I had 5 players at my table, only one of which had played any part of the EotE line of games. Everyone cheered throughout the game and left with smiles on their faces. Many had to be disappointed when I broke the news to them that I simply did not have the time or the extra table space to invite them into a regular home game.

So many games, so little time!

In preparation for what turned out to be an amazingly fun night of gaming, I created a set of six pre-generated characters for the players to choose from.

Alphabet eBook

Long-time Triumph & Despair reader, friend of the blog, and known galactic criminal Brendan Flattery has graciously put together a beautiful new product. Now, fans of the Edge of the Empire Alphabet may read the compiled first run of 26 articles, with bonus Appendix Full of Stars; leisurely, conveniently, and in a handy, portable fashion with the Edge of the Empire Alphabet eBook. Check out the links below to grab this awesome, free product in both ePub and Mobi formats. I’ve heard many requests for consolidated lists of these articles and I’m really happy and proud to show off the work Brendan has done here with this eBook. I hope you all enjoy it!

• Edge of the Empire Alphabet eBook (ePub) (Mobi)
• Epub for Apple
• Mobi for Amazon Kindle

 

This product is licensed under Creative Commons.
Licensees may copy, distribute, display, and perform work and make derivative works based on this product only for noncommercial purposes.

Core Book Update: Starship Sheets

As you are all no doubt fully aware, the Edge of the Empire core rulebook has finally been released and is out on store shelves. Huzzah! I’ve been joking with my regular Star Wars gaming group that we can now, after months of delving into our campaign, start playing the game properly.

I’d hate to disseminate incorrect information, so I’ll be updating the stat blocks and whatnot on Triumph & Despair to reflect the most accurate values. And if you spot something in error, please, send me an email about it.

The first thing that caught my eye upon perusing the new core rulebook were the stats on the Lambda Shuttle. It’s weapons are significantly upgraded, now able to reliably punch through enemy starships’ Armor. I simply can’t let that kind of easy-to-fix error slip through, so that has been updated. Also of particular interest was the substitution of the Ghtroc 720 Light Freighter for the Wayfarer-Class Medium Freighter for starting Crew starships. Lastly, the rules now stipulate potential alternate starting starships of  120,000cr or less. A close examination of the core book reveals only one alternative under that description not previously covered: the Sorosuub Luxury 3000 Space Yacht. The Yacht is underpowered, underdefended, and unarmed. It is a challenge and a thrill to try and survive in; one which only the most elite of Crews will even attempt.

Clearly, it behooves me to provide updated and new one-page 11×17 starship sheets for these spacefaring vessels.

• Lambda T4-A Imperial Shuttle (PDF) (Word)
• Wayfarer-Class Medium Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• Sorosuub Luxury 3000 Space Yacht (PDF) (Word)

Where is that shuttle going?

Fly casual.

The Lambda T4-A Imperial Shuttle presents an iconic image recognizable by all Star Wars fans. More than that, it functions as a grand prize to be stolen by a  brazen thief to show off the utmost drama, daring, and bravado on the part of said notorious scoundrel. But, when seen through the lens of Edge of the Empire, what a chaotic mess of confusing information!

Similar to the Starship Layout Guide done here back in April, I present to you a full 11×17 layout detailing the various functions and facets of using this spacefaring vessel. Of particular interest to me was how maneuverable (Handling +0) and fast (Hyperdrive Class I) the shuttle is, as well as its vast array of many weak (Damage 3) energy weapons; at least in comparison to the classic three starting starship options of YT-1300, Ghtroc 720, and Firespray. As expected, the passenger capacity of the shuttle is unrivaled among these Silhouette 4 starships, boasting the ability to ferry a total of 26 passengers & crew. What would one do with an assault squad of that size? I don’t really know too many good answers, but I bet if I had it at my disposal I could really cause some damage and wreck a nervous Galaxy Master’s overly-railroading, rigid plans.

• Lambda T4-A Imperial Shuttle (PDF) (Word)

Only Two Ways Home

Only Two Ways Home is a site-based heist / adventure for use with the Star Wars Edge of the Empire roleplaying game. In this scenario, an opportunistic Crew of interstellar misfits agrees to help the Galactic Imperial Navy bring a renegade commander back to face justice for his crimes.
Only Two Ways Home touches on and explores several key motifs that are encouraged by Edge of the Empire. While a wide variety of characters with varying Motivations will find this Heist interesting, those with the character Motivations of Religion/Spirituality, Droid Rights, and Support the Empire will find it especially so.
The title of this Heist comes from a quote from the 1979 film Apocalypse Now!. It describes the sentiments of the primary antagonists of both the film, Colonel Kurtz, and this scenario, Captain Kitano. The previous acts and deeply held moral convictions of these men have left them with a choice of only two options moving forward: victory, or death.

Download the Heist here!

Download the Handouts here!