Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

The game's in-character (IC) narrative.
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SanguineAngel
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Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#1

Post by SanguineAngel » Wed Dec 05, 2018 9:07 am

Rashk, you are a trainee at Imperial Facilty 341, a secret academy training agents of the Emperor's Hand. You are amongst the first trainees ready to graduate from this experimental programme. Your final test has been assigned and you have been singled out for an important mission. Vidarr Hoss has singled you out from the other students - perhaps not something that surprises you. In a secluded briefing, he briefs you on a solo assignment which will act as your trial. Someone out there is dealing in contraband and have gotten their hands on a highly illegal Kyber crystal.

The crystal is known to be in the hands of:
  1. A black marketeer in a crowded metropolis in the Mid Rim
  2. A band of pirates operating out of a hidden base in the Outer Rim
  3. An academic working at a university campus in the Expansion Region


{@kanila Let's see how this goes! Please do let me know if you're not feeling it as it's something of an experiment for me. You can feel free to be as brief or verbose as you like in responding to these questions - it's more a background generation than a proper play session, so your input in how you want to shape events is most welcome. Following your answer, I'll pose the next question, right up to the end of your trial.}

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#2

Post by kanila » Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:53 pm

Vidar Hoss sent Rashk to retrieve the illegal Kyber crystal in the hands of a black market dealer. This was a special case as not only could a black market dealer be dealt with but could lead to other potential force users that could either be 'recruited' or eliminated. Plus, who would suspect a Wookiee as working for the Empire. If things went south the official report could list the whole event as being perpetrated by a rival black marketeer and not a failing by an Imperial Agent. Rashk is expendable after all.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:45 pm
Location: UK

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#3

Post by SanguineAngel » Thu Dec 06, 2018 2:46 pm

Your journey to the city is circuitous - dropped off by the Academy's shuttle in a neighbouring system and using cheap passenger transport to reach your destination. On disembarking, you join throngs of new arrivals passing through security control at an expansive but run down spaceport. Eventually, you make it into the city proper.

It could be any large city on a hundred worlds - countless people roaming the rubbish strewn streets, hundreds of speeders zipping between towering buildings webbed with a network of multilevel walkways and public spaces. Periodically, you can make out patches of blue sky between sky scrapers but not often. But after the isolation of the academy on Codia...

Somewhere in this teeming metropolis, your target awaits. Now, though, you are on your own and free to operate as you see fit. Your first order of business is to:
  1. make sure you have the equipment you need.
  2. make some 'enquiries' and find a lead on the black marketeer
  3. make time to let off a little steam. You're on your own time now.
  4. something else

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#4

Post by kanila » Thu Dec 06, 2018 2:53 pm

No time like the present to start tracking down some leads. With a city as sprawling as this the black marketeer he is looking for could be anywhere. It was time to pressure some of the locals.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#5

Post by SanguineAngel » Fri Dec 07, 2018 11:10 am

Reports of the suspects activty originated from a cantina in low town, the Dusty Mynock. You head straight there. Low town sits on the ground level, in the shadow of one of the most affluent parts of the city. Although it's light out, the area here is so crammed with the tallest buildings and expansive overpasses that it might as well be the middle of the night. Only the neon signs of local storefronts provide any illumination.

A host of speederbikes parked out front, the flickering neon sign, and a boarded up window clue you in to the nature of the Dusty Mynock's clientele. You decide to play this:
  1. safe. Keep your head down and scope the joint. If the suspect is operating out of here, he's bound to materialise sooner or later.
  2. direct. Find trouble before trouble finds you. You're sure you can make someone talk.
  3. subtle. Slip in and make some friends - maybe someone is willing to talk for the price of a drink or two.
  4. creatively. You do something else.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#6

Post by kanila » Fri Dec 07, 2018 1:38 pm

Seeing no sense in being intimidated by the potentially dangerous clientele of this sort of dive bar Rashk walls straight in. Heading to the bar he orders himself a drink and sits at one end of the bar so that he has a good view of anyone going in or out. Certainly word would have gotten to his target that he was looking for him. The ball was in theblack marketeer's court now. If anything he would believe that Rashk was looking for the crystal as a buyer. No sense asking around since people in here were potentially bodyguards for his target.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:45 pm
Location: UK

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#7

Post by SanguineAngel » Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:20 pm

You sit at the bar and work on your drink(s) for a couple of hours. A stream of some of lowlives pass through the bar, drinking chatting, flirting, playing. The barman lines up your next drink before you even need to ask. Eventually:
  1. a likely suspect makes an entrance. Subtle, but you catch him making a few underhand deals at his table.
  2. you spot company. Someone keeping an eye on you.
  3. you give it up, word must be out and the suspect keeping clear. Time to try a new approach.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#8

Post by kanila » Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:59 pm

With so much time passing without his target showing up Rashk was about to leave and search for a fresh lead when he noticed someone watching him. Was it his target or someone else. Leaving his newest drink on the bar he approached the one watching him. Either way it would be good to find out what they wanted. He didn’t need someone getting in his way.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#9

Post by SanguineAngel » Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:10 am

A flash of panic crosses your stalker's face as you clock him and make your way over. A Klatooinian like this would usually be the toughest guy in the room but a you know full well the effect a big, angry Wookie bearing down on them can have on people.

  1. You try to put him at ease, maybe he'll talk. maybe he'll take you to his boss.
  2. You pull him aside discretely and make him talk.
  3. He makes a break for it as you approach. You give chase.
  4. You try a different approach.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#10

Post by kanila » Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:33 pm

Rashk pulls the Klatooinian aside and makes him answer some questions. He has already wasted enough time sitting around and this was a perfect chance to let out some frustration.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#11

Post by SanguineAngel » Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:23 pm

In a dimly lit corridor leading off the bar, you go to work. The Klatooinian looked tough but he folds like a faulty power converter under a little pressure. He tells you how he'd been sent to rough up anyone asking awkward questions down at the cantina. As the only non-regular in bar all night he'd figured you must be the one but evidently they hadn't been expecting someone as intimidating or perhaps they wouldn't have sent a half-rate goon.

The address takes you to:
  1. A small time operation running out of a low rent lockup in the heart of an industrial district. You wouldn't be surprised if your Klatooinian friend was the only 'employee'.
  2. A camoflaged landing pad far outside the city, with enough space for the single frieghter sited there and a crew presmably smuggling items into the city.
  3. A disused factory in the middle of an industrial wasteland crawling with a small army's worth of thugs.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#12

Post by kanila » Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:54 pm

Arriving in the middle of the industrial wasteland Rashk wondered why they only sent the one thug. Clearly they had more just lounging around. This would be a good workout before reaching his prize.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#13

Post by SanguineAngel » Mon Dec 17, 2018 12:49 pm

The factory is situated on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a complex of delapidated or totally demolished buildings. A perimeter fence encircles the compound and there are numerous guards posted outside. Occassionally, you spot foot traffic passing through the gate and large ground vehicles presumably carrying illicit good to and from the factory.

  1. You find a way inside without alerting the guards.
  2. You are just spoiling for a fight. Gearing up, you choose to tackle the facility solo.
  3. You recruit a few local toughs to help clear out this nest of vipers.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#14

Post by kanila » Mon Dec 17, 2018 1:41 pm

With a toothy grin Rashk walks away to recruit some local toughs. He wanted this whole den of thieves wiped out. But to ensure it was gone for good he needed to place a new group in its place, one that he could control.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#15

Post by SanguineAngel » Fri Dec 21, 2018 5:18 pm

A stranger to this system, you have no pre-existing contacts to leverage and no academy support to fall back on. Unable to take the base alone, you spend a few days gathering together the manpower you need to crack the factory compound. The team you put together is comprised of hired guns and criminals.

  1. You lead the charge and storm the gate. The battle is glorious.
  2. Use the chaos of battle stroll into the facility virtually unchallenged.
  3. You just don't have the numbers. Your attack is rebuffed and you are forced to fall back and regroup.

kanila
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#16

Post by kanila » Fri Dec 21, 2018 5:58 pm

Not one to back down from a fight Rashk leads the charge into glorious battle! Besides if he hopes to put a shadow underworld element in place to exploit later they needed to see that he wasn’t one to double cross!
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#17

Post by SanguineAngel » Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:50 pm

The gates are flattened beneath the tracks of a largely delapidated Iron Crawler transport. Once inside you and your crew leap from the truck under a hail of blaster fire and enter into a pitched battle. Resistance is tough as the defenders throw an alarming number of men and munitions at your invading force. Many of your comrades fall but, inspired by your fearless display, together they are spurned on to rush the enemy. With surprising speed, you are able to secure the area and breach the factory itself.

Inside you find a stunning amount of contraband material. The factory is stuffed to its broken rafters with crates of ill-gotten goods, a fleet of transport vehicles in various states of loading, and:
  1. A couple dozen frightened workers bound together by chains. Looks like contraband goods aren't the only thing being trafficked here.
  2. A worriesome number of weapons and starfighter parts. Are these criminals supplying the rebellion?
  3. A surprisingly extensive collection of antiquities and art treasures. Who are these people supplying?
  4. Something else or nothing of greater interest than the crystal - wherever that is in this mess.


Rounding up the rest of the gang takes some time but eventually you have arrayed before you a number of dealers and enforcers. One of your guys points out the dealer operating out of the Dusty Mynock.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
Posts: 4260
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#18

Post by kanila » Sat Dec 22, 2018 7:25 pm

With a snarl Rashk sneers at the chained up workers and then turns his eyes on the one that was pointed out to him. He would deal with him soon enough. Freeing the slaves, he releases them to leave. He then turned to the group he gathered. ”It’s all yours now boys! Remember who did this for you.”

Snatching up the dealer he began his own interrogation to retrieve the kyber crystal he was after. Once he was able to get what he came for he would deal with this scum in the only manner fitting for him.... a gruesome death!
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#19

Post by SanguineAngel » Tue Jan 01, 2019 1:15 pm

The black marketeer is just one of dozens operating out of this facility. In the ruins of the criminal organisation's stronghold, his will crumbles quickly and it takes relatively little violence to extract the location of the saferoom where his merchandise is stored and the code to open it. Further interrogation provides another key piece of information:
  1. The marketeer had made contact with a potential buyer for the crystal. The contact details are contained within his encrypted ledger.
  2. The name of the dealer who supplied the group with their slave labour - a representative of a menacing Trandoshan slaver ring operating out of the Kastolar Sector.
  3. Details of a personal fortune, amassed over the course of his dubious career. Retrieving it would be tricky.

Having extracted all the information you can from the marketeer, you deal with him as you see fit.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
Posts: 4260
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#20

Post by kanila » Tue Jan 01, 2019 2:36 pm

Spoiler:
Really torn on which one to pick!
Receiving the name of a vile Trandoshan slaver, Rashk wanted nothing more than to travel to the Kastolar Sector and eliminate the threat. But his mission had to come first if he hoped to be able to carry out his revenge.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#21

Post by SanguineAngel » Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:37 pm

The marketeer's saferoom is a treasure trove of contraband. From illicit substances to illegal weaponry and everything in between. But chief amongst it all, for you, is the crystal stored on a delicate metal plinth within a small, plastiglass display case at the back of the room. It is easy to spot but you could have pointed to it even if had been hidden within the walls. You felt its presence the moment you stepped into the room, resonating with your spirit with you like a tuning fork.
  1. You feel as though you have found a piece of yourself that you hadn't realised was missing.
  2. A torrent of memories overwhelm you, unbidden and haunting.
  3. A thrill of savage power awaiting your grasp starts your heart racing.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
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Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#22

Post by kanila » Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:20 pm

The thrill of raw savage power calls to Rashk. It’s like a magnet pulling him towards it. Every step towards his goal feels heavy but steady. The piles of contraband merely passing by his view as he is solely fixated on the crystal.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:45 pm
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Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#23

Post by SanguineAngel » Mon Jan 07, 2019 4:52 pm

Taking up the crystal, you complete your assignment - the suspect is dealt with and you can remove the dangerous artifact into Imperial custody. You leave behind a new criminal organisation that seemlessly fills the void of the old, though at least this one owes you a favour. In the days of travel back to the Academy, the crystal's presence remains a constant.

On your return to the Academy there is no parade to welcome the returning hero. The training ground is empty. There are no students roaming the halls. You pass several tutors or other staff who gaze at you curiously as you make your way from the landing pad to the debrief auditorium were:
  1. You are debriefed by Dr. Trask; the officous academy administrator and principal Imperial tutor. She takes you to task for your barbaric methodology.
  2. You are debriefed by Vidarr Hoss, your mentor and just about the only tutor to treat you with any respect, who ruefully reprimands you for your "barbaric" methodology.
  3. You skip debrief; it's long, and tedious, and you've got better things to do than be talked down to.

kanila
Jedi Initiate
Posts: 4260
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:34 pm

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#24

Post by kanila » Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:55 pm

I’ll go with A, seems like an interesting option.
Achex Rococa, Torax Ubac, Rade Trah, CT-9564 "Doc", Varc Jesk - Jedi, Meddaar Vampor - Monk

SanguineAngel
Flyboy
Posts: 926
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:45 pm
Location: UK

Re: Character Prologue: Rashk's Trial

#25

Post by SanguineAngel » Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:14 pm

Dr Trask's tirade is coolly delivered but with a content that speaks of a closely held passion; covering everything from the do's and don'ts of official Imperial law enfrocement to your dubious cultural and familial heritage. Throughout the painful process, the dimly lit room is illuminated by a large central holo-projector displaying a variety of dryly illustrated graphs and statistics about societal trends, criminal statistics and other irrelevancies. In all, the experience is not dissimilar from one of the hundreds of classes Trask has delivered over the years. Without the usual audience, however, her focused ire is much less palatable.

You leave the debrief with a sense that:
  1. despite your earlier bouyancy, you have made a mess of this mission.
  2. Dr. Trask can go take a short walk off a long cliff. Who does she think she is?
  3. you must have done a really good job, if Trask has to resort to personal insults!

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