I am currently developing a custom campaign where the PCs will be prisoners working in a mine on the Imperial fortress world of Prakith. The prisoners are going to discover a lava tunnel which is large enough to provide them a hidden underground base with access to the outside world. Leaving the planet or even getting supplies on the plant is going to be extremely difficult (requiring missions to be carried out to acquire them).

My idea is to set this up as a guerrilla warfare “Hogan’s Hero’s” style campaign where the group will be completely isolated on a hostile planet and being prisoners in the mine is their only cover to avoid capture.

The nature of this campaign necessitates that the players begin with no equipment or finances besides basic mining supplies used by the prisoners. As I do not desire to handicap or jip the players in this game I have been trying to think of sufficient compensation to offer them in exchange for not receiving these starting resources. One possibility is awarding XP immediately after character creation.

What do you all recommend?

P.S. this campaign will be run as play by post if anyone is interested in participating. Though I will not begin recruiting until the other game on the site I use has completed their recruiting. (2-3 weeks)

Is the campaign about them escaping? or the first couple of sessions? I did a similar campaign intro a while back. One thing I considered was allowing them to pick starting gear as normal, and they would find that on the ship they eventually acquired. It's kind of inorganic, but it's fair. Extra XP isn't a bad idea. Or just feed them some extra credits or gear when/where possible.

Information, as in they overheard or somehow came into possession of one guard's PIN or whatever.

A contact they can try and develop that gets them the potential access to equipment.

A cush job for one of them with access to the computers.

An old droid in need of repair found in your lava tube.

A map to some sort of gear cache that will require a dangerous trip in the lava tube, lotsa climbing and jumping type checks.

Is the campaign about them escaping? or the first couple of sessions? I did a similar campaign intro a while back. One thing I considered was allowing them to pick starting gear as normal, and they would find that on the ship they eventually acquired. It's kind of inorganic, but it's fair. Extra XP isn't a bad idea. Or just feed them some extra credits or gear when/where possible.

My idea is for the PCs to develop a rebel cell from scratch on the planet. obtaining supplies, contacts, and eventually communication with the larger rebellion (around contribution rank 3 or 4) and transportation. I'll keep the idea of extra credits and gear in mind, it is a good idea.

Information, as in they overheard or somehow came into possession of one guard's PIN or whatever.

A contact they can try and develop that gets them the potential access to equipment.

A cush job for one of them with access to the computers.

An old droid in need of repair found in your lava tube.

A map to some sort of gear cache that will require a dangerous trip in the lava tube, lotsa climbing and jumping type checks.

I really like your idea of them overhearing something from the guards. A point of contact in town who is under suspicion and may be able to help them. That is a great way to give them some resources and a starting point. It also allows me to bring in edge characters a little easier if a PC would like this roll.

The old droid is also a good idea thought he would have a hard time getting parts to repair it at first, perhaps gear from an ill-fated exploration group.

Thank you both for the suggestions, these are much better than just giving extra xp.

I started all my players on the prison planet Ord Vaxal with nothing but the clothes on their back. No armour, no weapons.

Information, as in they overheard or somehow came into possession of one guard's PIN or whatever.

A contact they can try and develop that gets them the potential access to equipment.

A cush job for one of them with access to the computers.

An old droid in need of repair found in your lava tube.

A map to some sort of gear cache that will require a dangerous trip in the lava tube, lotsa climbing and jumping type checks.

Ditto this. On having a contact, they may eventually get to know a guard who questions his loyalty, and might be able to turn the other way when they go about their cell activities. (clearly inspired by the mention of Hogan's Heroes. "I saw nothing!")

Even though the prison is run by the Empire, it could technically be their base of operations, with various bonuses. (ie. Deception as a bonus career skill)

Overall, though, I think the limitation is OK, since you're letting players know in advance. If you're offering a good story, a way to overcome the limitations, and a chance to do something awesome, even without the cool gear, I think you'll get interested players. In fact, yes I would be. This looks like a good scenario for some of the overlooked careers. An Ace may not be the best choice here, but a Diplomat/Agitator will be more in his or her element.

edit: (Agitator, not Instigator)

Presumably you've explained the situation in advance, so I don't think anything has to be given at all to make things "fair". If I had a player who complained about his missing 500 credits I'd wonder why he was there, though maybe just saying "it's in a bank account if you can get off this rock" would be enough. Having info or other resources related to the escape should be part of the plot, not given as a replacement or compensation...that stuff is only useful once, but cash is forever

that stuff is only useful once, but cash is forever

You obviously have not seen me spend.

Be sure to give them a spoon and a pin-up poster.

Be sure to give them a spoon and a pin-up poster.

I've created a post at the site I'll be playing at to gauge interest. If you or anyone you know is interested drop a line.

http://nemeses.freeforums.org/prakith-cell-age-of-rebellion-t319.html

I'll post the link in the players section in about a week or two.

Be sure to give them a spoon and a pin-up poster.

I thought it was a rock hammer

I've created a post at the site I'll be playing at to gauge interest. If you or anyone you know is interested drop a line.

http://nemeses.freeforums.org/prakith-cell-age-of-rebellion-t319.html

I'll post the link in the players section in about a week or two.

Hmm...you may be right. It has been ages since I last saw that movie.