Would such a thing be available?
If so, what branch of the Empire would distribute them? (for instance, the Imperial Space Ministry B.O.S.S distributes captain's licenses and permits)
What viable (or legal) reasons would one have to be granted such a license?
Um, yes they have them. Many different people or groups can get special weapons. Many bounty hunters van carry guns that would otherwise be illegal for civilians to carry. I know some of the old WEG books actually had handouts that you could use for these permits. I guess you could get permits from about any planetary ISB office.
Special Imperial Allied merc units can get permits for heavy ordnance, grenades, and big blasters. I would imagine that the Imperial Army or ISB would issue such permits.
Are you the GM?
I suppose such a thing could be available, but if it is the empire would have records and be able to track heroes down. A better idea might be to develop some role play where the heroes befriend a local enforcer and bribe him so he and his men look the other way when the heroes walk down the street with huge weapons.
I am the GM, yes.
Any idea which WEG books to look in for the permits you mentioned?
You could turn this into an adventure, because the PCs would need to pass clearance first. EVERY group has done some... questionable things, so throw them back at them! Maybe Random Street Tough #789 had some friends who reported his killers to the authorities, or the investigators researching that stormtrooper squad declared "missing" found some ties to the PCs. Anything's possible, moreso if there's an Obligation (Criminal and Bounty would work best for this). Then say that even if they pass all the clearance tests, the Empire's still going to be watching them
Yes. I used the license in the old Bounty Hunters Galaxy Guide from West End Games. I even printed off the license provided it that book, added my player's character's picture to it, laminated the license, and handed it to my player in game when his character received it. My players thought that was really cool. Whenever an Imperial or authority figure demanded to see the bounty hunter's identification or permissions to carry restricted weapons, it was always fun to see that player whip out his license and throw it on the gaming table IMMEDIATELY. Ha.
Edited by SemperSargeI know Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters had the IPKC in it. GG9: Fragments of the Rim, might have had some too. You photocopy the page to make your own. As far as weapon permits, I would have to go though my collection. But I would try Tramp Freighters, and the Platt smugglers books.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_Peace-Keeping_Certificate
I know Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters had the IPKC in it. GG9: Fragments of the Rim, might have had some too. You photocopy the page to make your own. As far as weapon permits, I would have to go though my collection. But I would try Tramp Freighters, and the Platt smugglers books.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_Peace-Keeping_Certificate
i'll check it out, thanks!
i've started a template based off the BOSS license...
so the license would be distributed by the IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU...would there be a certain department?
like OFFICE OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION or COMMISSION OF OPERATIONS?
According to the back of that certificate, it would be the “Imperial Office of Criminal Investigations”.
Out of curiosity, doesn’t “The Bounty Hunters Code” also have one of these?
It has a bounty hunter's license, I believe
(I'm wanting something for non-bounty hunter's)
here's how it's looking so far...
am I missing anything?
It has a bounty hunter's license, I believe
(I'm wanting something for non-bounty hunter’s)
Ahh, right.
here's how it's looking so far...
am I missing anything?
Did you want a place for a photo/hologram of the permit holder?
What if the permit holder was a droid? How would you tell one droid of a particular type from another?
What if the permit holder was a shape-shifter? Or a species that has to be kept inside of a special container (like Ooroo), otherwise they will die in most atmospheres that humanoids would find breathable?
What are some other ways you might be able to uniquely distinguish one from another?
Maybe do up the back side of the permit kind of like the one from the IPKC, to include a digital DNA sample as well as a digital retina scan?
EDIT: What about modifications to the weapon? Are there any which might be prohibited, unless licensed? Or are any modifications to a weapon prohibited once the license is issued?
Edited by bradknowles
It has a bounty hunter's license, I believe
(I'm wanting something for non-bounty hunter’s)
Ahh, right.
here's how it's looking so far...
am I missing anything?
Did you want a place for a photo/hologram of the permit holder?
What if the permit holder was a droid? How would you tell one droid of a particular type from another?
What if the permit holder was a shape-shifter? Or a species that has to be kept inside of a special container (like Ooroo), otherwise they will die in most atmospheres that humanoids would find breathable?
What are some other ways you might be able to uniquely distinguish one from another?
Maybe do up the back side of the permit kind of like the one from the IPKC, to include a digital DNA sample as well as a digital retina scan?
EDIT: What about modifications to the weapon? Are there any which might be prohibited, unless licensed? Or are any modifications to a weapon prohibited once the license is issued?
Great ideas, Brad!
I'll see what I can come up with for the back of the license...
the box on the right hand side is for a picture/hologram
If you’re looking for real-world examples to crib from, take a look at the following:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/concealed-carry-permit-guns-utah
here's how it's looking so far...
am I missing anything?
What if the permit holder was a droid? How would you tell one droid of a particular type from another?
What would the droid equivalent of genetic code (dna) be?
here's how it's looking so far...
am I missing anything?
What if the permit holder was a droid? How would you tell one droid of a particular type from another?
What would the droid equivalent of genetic code (dna) be?
Full serial number? Encryption key? VIN number? 
What would the droid equivalent of genetic code (dna) be?
Good question. Maybe a the public part of their cryptographic key that is burned into their boot code in their ROM? That couldn’t be changed without completely changing the ROM, and if the boot code was encrypted only to that key, then the boot code couldn’t be read if the key was changed.
At least, that’s an idea.
Ahh, they also have to have a section of the chip that includes a Secure Enclave that is highly tamper-resistent, so it has to check and approve the crypto key before the key can be used to decrypt the boot ROM, otherwise the boot process halts right there.
In addition, there is a section of code in the Secure Enclave that does a crypto-hash check of the boot ROM and compares that against the crypto-hash that was signed with the private part of the crypto key from the droid, and that private part of the key only exists in the Secure Enclave.
So, if the public part of the key or the boot ROM ever get changed, nothing will check out or decrypt properly, and you get gibberish.
Yes, I am bringing in some of the modern Trusted Computing concepts. Deal with it.
I'd love an empty version of Bossk's license (or the one for Boba Fett that you get in the Bounty Hunters Code Vault Edition)
Isn't IOCI a separate organization from the ISB?
Like the looks of that, but have a simple question. When walking down the street with your Heavy hanging out and you meet Stormtroopers, how likely are they to ask to see your ID versus opening fire? Do they really get close enough to find out or just assume that any civilian (aka non-Imperial) with a questionable weapon is dangerous? I guess you could throw down your weapon and reach for your ID real quick-like... that should work well... no thermal detonators here...
On the other side, I can see your buddies snickering as they holler at you to "Show 'em your card!"
Like the looks of that, but have a simple question. When walking down the street with your Heavy hanging out and you meet Stormtroopers, how likely are they to ask to see your ID versus opening fire? Do they really get close enough to find out or just assume that any civilian (aka non-Imperial) with a questionable weapon is dangerous? I guess you could throw down your weapon and reach for your ID real quick-like... that should work well... no thermal detonators here...
On the other side, I can see your buddies snickering as they holler at you to "Show 'em your card!"
If the STs were on a standard patrol and the PC wasn't doing anything aggressive with the weapon, they'd probably cover him and tell him to halt. Consider it very much like this situation: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/29/here-s-what-happens-when-a-black-man-open-carries-a-gun.html
If, however, there were reports of a firefight and the STs were responding to a 'shots fired' call, they'd come in guns blazing (and, naturally, completely missing everything).
Hopefully this will be in the Bounty Hunters source book when it comes out.
I can only find the Pilot's License, the ship registration with load out permit, and the IPKC in the old WEG books of mine. I can't find any Heavy Weapons or restricted weapons permits. Here is an ID I made a long time ago for the pilot in one of my games. I am ashamed to say how long I spent this... (sorry, I don't know how to resize the picture...) But in this blown up version, you can see the detail of the watermarks, and how they interact with the pictures, lending a touch of authenticity to it. And yes, that is a functional bar code...
In my game, there are 3 licenses.
The standard license, which is just aquired on purchasing anything from a droid to a weapon that isn't restricted.
The restricted license, which is normally reserved for governmental/military use.
The special license, which is used for non-restricted but sensitive tech. Medical droids, security droids that are not restricted but heavily regulated. Usually a full background check + interview process to aquire anything with a special license attached to it.