STAR WARS

Shadows of the Future
Episode I: A Fallen Light

It is a time of darkness. DARTH REVAN sits on the throne

of the galaxy, and has ushered in an era of peace and

prosperity for the evil Sith Empire.

Broken and battered, the remnants of the Old Republic

gather at the fringes of civilization, forming a Resistance

even while the light of freedom fades fast.

But not all hope is lost. The Resistance, seeking

the aid of the once mighty Jedi Knights, has sent

a team of heroes to the Deep Core world of

TYTHON in search of allies against the Sith...

A Dark Side Destiny Point is now being spent. Our scene opens thusly, over the terrestrial world of Tython, deep in the galactic core...

It happened before the crew of the Wintermander even had a chance to react. Firan Cadera had brought the ship out hyperspace perfectly, in high orbit above the lost, verdant world, and immediately had been set upon by a patrol of Sith fighters. What the Sith were doing so far into the Core was anyone’s guess, but that matter was academic, considering the brilliant orange laserfire that was slamming into the Wintermander’s ailing shields. Jonas Cray and Seifer Halcyon ran to the guns.

In a short but fierce battle, the crew were able to fend off many of their attackers, destroying several enemy fighters before they themselves were shot down over the remote planet. The remainder of the Sith squadron peeled off, their job done, and their targets obviously doomed.

Clouds, then flames, obscured the forward transparisteel viewport. Xan Yarr took the initiative, ensuring that the crew donned their crash webbing as the crippled transport plummeted towards the surface. Then, clearing the cloud cover, a beautiful mountainscape loomed on the horizon. The four heroes gazed at the setting sun casting a fiery glow over the range, which was mirrored in the flames that now enveloped the starship...

Night was falling, and Kovin Daur knew that it was just about time to go hunting. Maya still had a long way to go, even though she had a natural talent for tracking and stalking. Tonight might prove to be a good success, and then maybe she could take the next hunting trip by herself. All in good time, of course.

Off a ways, Maya suddenly stiffened. They are coming. A bright flash exploded in the darkening sky: a meteor? No, it...felt different. Abandoning thoughts of the hunt, drawn inexplicably towards the comet-like shape hurtling towards the ground, the duo made haste to where they knew the crash site would be.

Welcome to the game! Your ship, an aging Corellian transport, is done for, and a crash is imminent.

Now that Destiny Point Pool has been generated (and is visible in my signature), I would like to obtain a skill check from each of you, made at a Hard ( ) Difficulty, upgraded once, to avoid the strenuousness—and potential lethality—of the situation. Please narrate what you are doing, either before or after the crash, in the attempt to mitigate the impact on your persons. In Kovin and Maya’s case, they have just traversed the dangerous jungle ground at a rather unsafe speed, so the checks are to see how they fared. The check can be made with any skill, so long as you can fit it into the narrative of the situation at hand, and your primary concern should be keeping yourself (or others) safe from harm.

If you're looking for ideas, I would recommend you play to your character's strengths!

Kovin darts back into the cave he shares with Maya. He pulls on his robes and gathers his possessions into a satchel. " We're going out. " She doesn't look at all surprised, and they make their way down towards the growing plume of smoke. With an unspoken agreement they pick up speed towards the crash site. " Hold on, " Kovin tells Maya. " I can find the best way there. "

I'm making a Survival test - Kovin has to track himself and Maya through the jungle, while avoiding nasties, trip hazards and other bad things.

Survival check : 2eP+1eA+1eC+2eD 1 failure, 2 advantage

Though I've failed, I spend my 2 advantage to give Maya some help.

" I'm sorry , " down in the jungle, Kovin has lost his way. " I don't know where to go. But perhaps I've helped put you on the right track? "

Having secured the crew as best he can, Xan Yarr straps himself into the crash webbing and slips into a meditative trance, hoping to relax his body enough to weather the impact of the crash.

Making a Discipline test:

: 3eA+1eP+2eD+1eC 2 successes, 4 threat, 1 Triumph

I guess I use the Triumph to upgrade the Pilot's next check, since we're not down yet.

"Well," Jonas remarks with a sigh as he takes a look at the sunset -certainly a beautiful sight- and then at the landscape below them, "the ground seems awfully eager to meet and greet us. It also seems awfully... well, hard. And painful." The crash is inevitable, that much he can tell despite being neither a pilot nor an engineer. So, what remains? Perhaps finding a spot that might make for the most appropriate landing site? Considering the circumstances that is. 'Perhaps something with not too many rocks,' he thinks to himself. His senses are sharp, made sharper still by his connection to the Force, and he puts them to good use as his eyes scan what he can see of the planet below them, the act made easier by the fact that it appears to be getting closer and closer by the second.

"There," he finally says, pointing as at the same time a smile appears on his lips, hope dawning just as the sun is setting on the world they are soon to be crash-landing on. "There is a clearing over there, can you see it? The one with that small lake next to it? If you can steer the ship towards it... well, perhaps, just perhaps, it -and we- will not break into too many little pieces."

I hope it is appropriate...

Perception : 1eB+1eP+2eA+1eC+2eD 2 successes, 1 advantage, 1 Triumph

Perhaps the 1 Advantage can be used to add a Boost die to the next guy's skill check (from those in the ship, meaning either Seifer or Firan)? And maybe the Triumph can be used to upgrade the pilot's Piloting check so he might be able to get us down safely and in one piece more or less?

" That looks like it's as soft as we're gonna get, good eye."

Firan grips the controls tightly and attempts to steer the ship towards the clearing as best he can.

Gonna grab that upgrade from Jonas' triumph.

Pilot Space : 1eP+3eA+2eD+1eC 1 success, 2 advantage

Focus, focus. I just need to to fall as softly as possible. No pressure. Firan thinks to himself as he struggles to aim the giant hurdling space ship. As difficult as it is without full power or the engines, they're at least falling in the right direction. There's still quite a bit of distance till they hit, there's a chance they'll live through this.

Maya frowned. Kovin had led them into a dense thicket. The flora had grown heavy in this area. Backtracking would take too long. The young Togruta could feel the anxiety build within her. With a deep breath, she surveyed the area, hoping to find a path that would get them out of this predicament without wasting more time.

Adding a boost die from Kovin's previous check.

Perception check : 1eB+2eP+1eA+2eD+1eC 2 successes

"There! I think this is the right way."

Maya grabbed Kovin's hand and led them through a tight path within the foliage. She was small enough that it was easy for her to navigate the woods, but poor Kovin had to duck a few times to avoid a low-hanging branch.

"Gotta get the repulsorlift back on line!" Seifer thought as his he desperately worked reroute enough of the auxiliary power to stabilize the ships descent.

Grabbing the boost from Jonas' roll to make a mechanics test

Firan looks to the sensors to his side after hearing Seifer's message. He was right! The sensors that indicated the repulserlifts had shifted from flashing red to a burnt orange-yellow that in any other occasion would have instilled a sense of panic, but in this particular situation created a wash of confidence.

The path leads Maya and Kovin into a broad clearing, a lake glittering in the sunlight. Pausing to remove a few stray branches from his montrals, Kovin looks up at the sight Maya is staring at. A ship is bearing down towards the lake, sweeping in at a steep angle that speaks of a less-than-gentle descent. " Could it be? " he thinks. " A rescuer ."

" Hey! Hey! " he shouts, waving his arms, ignoring the fact that the pilot wouldn't hear him and likely has greater worries anyway. Still, he's amazed. Rescue at last .

As the ship plummets down, Xan, having slipped into a meditative state, slowly murmurs the Jedi Code to himself:

"There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

There is no death, there is the Force."

Xan, having creating a bubble of serenity around himself, attempts to extend the calming influence to the pilot to help steady his hand and open his senses.

By the way, I'm using the Triumph I rolled above to upgrade the next piloting check. Hopefully, that will help get us down in one piece.

Having done all he can with the engines, Seifer straps himself to ride out the rest of the descent.

Xan Yarr takes 4 strain from smoke inhalation, and Kovin Daur takes 1 wound from a particularly nasty jungle undergrowth. .

I still count one unused Triumph (from Xan Yarr's Discipline check). All checks have been made, and are largely successful...go ahead and pat yourselves on the back

What narrative application would you like to use the Triumph for?

Can the Triumph be used to stop Kovin and Maya getting pulped by the rather large hunk of duranium flying towards them? Just kidding. Perhaps there are some useful supplies aboard that survive the crash and can be salvaged for use later?

I assume we all survive the landing then? Do all the crew survive as well? If not, I suppose I'll use the Triumph to increase the survival rate, possibly through extending the calming aura I've created to others to help them relax their bodies to counter to stress of the crash. If not, perhaps I could extend it to the pilot to aid his efforts in getting the ship down in one piece to salvage needed gear and supplies and/or allowing the ship to survive in good enough condition where it might be repairable?

Kovin is relieved to see the ship level out somewhat as it comes across the lake. However, as it draws closer he realises that though it is out of danger, he and Maya are not so lucky. " Down! " he calls to her, grabbing her and crouching as the ship shoots over their heads. There is a scream of tortured metal, the roar of engines and then a splintering crack as the ship plows into the trees. After a moment it stops moving, the ship coming to rest in a deep furrow of earth, vines draped across its hull. The engines sputter, cough once and then die. Cautiously, Kovin stands and moves towards the cooling wreck, Maya following some way behind.

Having never done a PbP before I've no idea of what etiquette on posting is but since the ship apparently gets down alright(ish) I thought I'd move things on a bit.

As suggested in the other thread, I'll use the Triumph to salvage a crash kit. Having centered himself in the Force and cleared his mind of all distractions, Xan sees with clarity (or is the Force giving him a hint?) that obtaining the kit will increase their chances of survival, so he quickly does so and straps in again before impact.

Excellent! You're fine. I'll let you know if you're overstepping. I like it when players narrate things; it makes it feel far less monotonous!

The Wintermander fell like a rock, but Seifer's quick power reroute did the job: the ship lurched under the sudden strain, grazing the tops of the jungle trees (and setting them alight) before skimming the surface of the lake, rising again, and finally slamming into the dense jungle on the far side of the water.

The crew came to, and realized that their surroundings were literally going up in flames. They'd have to get out, now...and probably get clear of tree cover, for good measure.

Xan can either suffer 2 strain right now to have grabbed the kit, or flip a Destiny Point and go with the "already remembered to grab it" route.

Having gotten clear of the ship Seifer takes stock of his gear and checks his lightsaber to make sure it's fully functional after the crash.

I'm gonna take this opportunity to quick do my mods, if that's kosher.

You have time for one skill check right at this moment, possibly more depending on how things unfold! Go for the check. Please apply a Setback for general disorientation.

So I spend a Triumph and then take strain damage or use a Destiny Point?

Well, I've already suffered a fair amount of strain damage, so if it's okay with everyone else, I'll flip a Destiny Point.

Oh, and I'll make a Leadership test to help guide everyone out quickly.

"Thanks" breathed May as she quickly got back to her feet. She looked past the lake, towards the wreckage of the craft. Already smoke was starting to plume and she saw the faintest signs of fire forming around the site. "I don't think the ship is going anywhere anytime soon. But there could be survivors"

With renewed focus, the two began to skirt the lake, closing the distance to the Wintermander.

It will probably take us some time to close the distance.

"Oh my head, my aching head." Thinks Firan, " I think I may have dented my helmet."

Struggling to get to his feet, he grabs the few belongings he had near him in the cockpit, and moves his way towards the exit. His pistol and knife were already at his side, " Just in case, " he thought. On his way towards the emergency exit he was able to grab his jetpack and carbine, locking them into place on his back.

Looking around through the smoke that was filling up the cabin, he calls out, " Anybody still in here? We've got to get moving!" Smoke plumes out into the open as he lifts up the emergency exit hatch.

Oh, and I'll make a Leadership test to help guide everyone out quickly.

Sounds like Firan is trying the same thing. Go ahead and make an Assisted Leadership check (add a Boost die from Firan). You may use Advantage from the check to recover strain. Please a Setback for the disorienting effects of the crash.

Having ensured his lightsaber is in working order, Seifer scans the horizon, searching for signs of trouble.

Seifer is currently modding his lightsaber, so once everyone else has had the time to make skill checks I'll let you know about the horizon.

It will probably take us some time to close the distance.

Maya and Kovin were amazed at the distance...they couldn't be less than a minute or two from the crash site. How in the world had they managed to so pinpoint where the ship would end up?