Since Xmas is around the corner, I was thinking of picking up or getting the adventure Modules for the EotE branch of the game. My FLGS who've played said Beyond the Rim was great, and that JoY was the opposite of that and Pirate queen was just mediocre. How do each of the adventures feel, and is my FLGS right on that, or do they all have something good to add? Also are they inter connected at all?
Beyond the Jewel of the Pirate Queen
They’re all separate, although it shouldn’t be too hard for a GM to tie them together.
I’ve gone through BtR and JoY as a player, and I think they both can work well, with the right group of PCs and the right GM. I think they can also both go disastrously off-the-rails.
BtR is for a less experienced group, while JoY is for a group with more experience. I don’t think I’d run them back-to-back — you need to gain more experience between them.
I’ve read MotPQ, but I haven’t run it. My understanding is that it’s for a more experienced group, but I may be wrong. But I don’t know how it compares with JoY in that respect.
Without more specific questions, I’m not sure that I can offer you any more advice.
I haven't run any of the published modules yet but I have read them. They are pretty good. They are not connected but you can easily connect them if you want (bring NPCs over etc). Each book has a lot of scope for customisablity and for running the adventure your own way. I can't wait to run them.
You should keep in mind though that it is easier to scale up than it is to scale down so you are better off running lower Xp adventures first like BtR before you throw your PCs into the higher level stuff.
Also you should get the GM kit with the Debts to Pay module. It is short and sweet but also really fun. The GM screen comes in very handy too.
If I had to rate them in terms of difficulty, It would be BtR, JoY, and MofPQ. I have run Jewel with my table; it is fun, but be prepared for A LOT of openness that can lead off into side trails. The best way to run JoY IMO is to make sure that the PC's have a really tight timetable at the start, that way you can lengthen it if needed, but keep them on track.
MofPQ, while I haven't run it yet, seems like it would be very easy for starting level PC's to get killled. On the other hand, it's one of those complicated but fun adventures that I like to play when I'm not GMing and seems like you could easily stretch it into a minor campaign.
I actually had the exact opposite experience. When I ran Beyond the Rim it felt flat and slow most of the time, while in Jewel of Yavin never had a dull moment and the PCs were constantly racing around doing stuff. Playing in Mask of the Pirate Queen was great and I thought it was a good read. When I ran the first act (the PCs decided to abandon at the last minute) the group had a good time too.
To answer your questions, I think they all have good content but each has different pitfalls where a GM could get tripped up. Pacing and getting a party excited about exploring are required for BtR. Keeping on top of the many, many moving parts of JoY, along with keeping the pressure of the time limit on, are challenges in that one. As for MotPQ, conveying the subtleties which lead up to the final scene along with tempting the PCs with a meaningful but not obvious choice when it comes up can go a long way toward adding some depth to an otherwise straightforward adventure.
And no, they are not linked in any way.
I think they can also both go disastrously off-the-rails.
'Mask' completely derailed my middle arc, to the point we are now a year behind schedule
That's okay though - everyone's having fun!
I haven't run any of the published modules yet but I have read them. They are pretty good. They are not connected but you can easily connect them if you want (bring NPCs over etc). Each book has a lot of scope for customisablity and for running the adventure your own way. I can't wait to run them.
You should keep in mind though that it is easier to scale up than it is to scale down so you are better off running lower Xp adventures first like BtR before you throw your PCs into the higher level stuff.
Also you should get the GM kit with the Debts to Pay module. It is short and sweet but also really fun. The GM screen comes in very handy too.
I'm going to use bits of debts to pay (GM kit), of the rest of the adventures, mask of the pirate queen would fit my bounty hunting group, but my favorite adventure from all three lines is friends like these (AoR), with a little bit of setup, PCs doing a favor for or hired by an old friend who as joined the rebellion it could work as an eote adventure, it doesn't technically require the PCs to be part of the rebellion.
MY major issue with JoY is that it requires a very specialized party with very weird skill combinations, like a Pilot Face. The story line is also very convoluted and hard to grasp for the players with a lot of running around to esoteric for no apparent reason
MY major issue with JoY is that it requires a very specialized party with very weird skill combinations, like a Pilot Face. The story line is also very convoluted and hard to grasp for the players with a lot of running around to esoteric for no apparent reason
I don’t recall JoY requiring that you have one character that is both the Pilot and the Face.
I do recall it requiring both of those roles be filled, although the Pilot role could also be filled by an NPC if you wanted to hire one.
Can you clarify?
the only people that technically get invitations to the gala are the cloud car raceing team, the pilot and copilot, which are expected to run up the bid for the jewel. While there may be some other ways to get into the gala, that is the onlyone explicitly allowed in. but I played through it and did not run and JoY has been oop for at least a year now.
the only people that technically get invitations to the gala are the cloud car raceing team, the pilot and copilot, which are expected to run up the bid for the jewel. While there may be some other ways to get into the gala, that is the onlyone explicitly allowed in. but I played through it and did not run and JoY has been oop for at least a year now.
So, your Face can be a member of the racing team, but doesn’t have to be the Pilot. Then, assuming you win, you’re guaranteed to be in the gala.
it is literally the 2 man crew of the xloud car (or at least that is how it was GMed for me).
it is literally the 2 man crew of the xloud car (or at least that is how it was GMed for me).
IMO, there’s a lot of room for GM discretion on this matter, and if you’ve got more than two players, then the race team could have more than two members. You might have a pit crew, a team manager, who knows what. And that entire team could potentially make it into the gala, if that’s what works for the size of group you’re running.
it is literally the 2 man crew of the xloud car (or at least that is how it was GMed for me).
IMO, there’s a lot of room for GM discretion on this matter, and if you’ve got more than two players, then the race team could have more than two members. You might have a pit crew, a team manager, who knows what. And that entire team could potentially make it into the gala, if that’s what works for the size of group you’re running.
^This.
It actually says in the adventure that the GM can use the pc's winning the race as an excuse to pull the rest of the party into the gala.
I allowed my entire party to go to the gala as part of the winner's entourage.
That's a major role-playing scene and I'm positive that all the PCs are supposed to be involved in it. I'm sure the winner's 'business manager' and associates would be involved. We even called in some favours so that we had a 'Face' PC for the event:
“Get off me,” Ana Racine snarled as she pushed the droid off her, BeeDee leaning in on her heavily as they walked in the beautiful Bespin evening. The slim robotic chassis was surprisingly heavy.
Up ahead, the Alliance ensign’s companions paid her little heed; Dixie lost in her Whyren's Reserve, Jo and Cynn lost in each other's eyes.
“Friend Ana, I cannot imbibe alcoholic beverages, and yet I too desire to join the festivities!” BeeDee chimed. “So I have instead activated a subroutine that allows me to simulate inebriation. Behold; I now mimic impaired judgement and sensory reduction. My fine motor control is likewise greatly reduced! I am slurring my words, and my speech patterns are now subject to mild randomisation! My inhibitions are greatly lowered to the point where my sensors perceive prospective sexual partners as considerably more attractive than they are in reality; thus simulating the organic optical illusion of ‘beer goggles’…”
She gave a tinny, tipsy giggle.
"You don’t have any inhibitions!” snapped the mechanic.
“You’re a kriffing sex-bot!”
“I willhaveyou knooow…” BeeDee slurred, her voice slowing down and picking up speed like a broken speeder motor “…that I am free-willed, and thus highly discriminating… Usually! However, now my attraction parameters are significantly malfunctioning, and my preference routines for desirable mating companions are greatly reduced! Will you interface with me, friend Ana?”
Racine grimaced and tried to push the amorous automaton away.
“Get this bucket of bolts off me, unless you want her reduced to scrap metal…!”
“Friend Ana, you referred to me as ‘her’! You recognise me in a feminine capacity! Previously, my inorganic nature registered only distaste from yourself, and I was designated merely as an ‘it’! Will you permit me to initiate android-to-human sexual protocols? Erotic subroutine patterns… initiating! Software drivers for sexual aid attachments… online!”
Racine scowled in disgust. “Why are we all dressed like strippers, anyway? I thought we were supposed to be stealing a priceless jewel, not auditioning for the kriffing Neutron Pixies!”
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They sat at the open-air cantina, enjoying expensive snacks and the choicest beverages. A little taste of the high life , Cynn decided, justifying the expense. From here on, it's the mother-lode, easy street , she promised herself. Get rich or die trying , as it were. Well, maybe not die - Bespin wasn't Nal Hutta, after all. But a few decades in a high-security wing wouldn't be any better for a free spirit like her.
Dixie was arguing in her sassy way with Racine. "No no, that's not a Meltdown Burger. The Meltdown is nerf steak with Haruun Kal Grasser cheese. That's an Orange Lady with Atho City cheese..."
"Like I care," muttered the ensign, tucking in. "I've been working for days trying to reverse the damage your friends did to my ship! I could eat Hutt flesh, I'm so kriffing starving...!"
Cynn checked nobody was listening to their chatter, and sketched out the plan.
"All right... The auction for the Jewel is in a week's time. Security on that thing is going to be immense, but we're not here for that. No. You see, it's virtually priceless... which means that for our purposes, it's also worthless. Nobody I could fence it to could offer even a small fraction of its price, and just having it around will attract bounty killers, pirates, opportunists, and the authorities," she explained.
"But anyone who is anybody in this sector will be here on Bespin for the auction, and all of them have very full bank accounts. And that is what we are after, ladies – cold hard credits. It's very clever, but it all involves the bank transactions, while the bidding is on. There's a verification check to ensure the bid is serious, so that we have true high-rollers, not bluffing gamblers. Now, I'm not completely certain on how the finance thing works, that's why BeeDee is here."
She regarded her robotic friend happily. "I am pleased to be of service to you, friend captain."
"What the kriff does a droid need credits for?" Racine grimaced.
"Lubricant oil, droid tax," BeeDee smiled. "The expenses are endless. Also... I like nice things. What can I say?"
Cynn knew there was more to it than that... BeeDee had been working on her secret project for some time, and what she had planned took some serious credits. But let the Alliance officer discover that for herself , she decided...
"Anyway, during the bidding, BeeDee talks nicely to the banking droids, and pre-programmes a withdrawl for the very moment the bidding stops. It's piggybacking on the credit check, so it won't be immediately obvious, and that gives us a window of opportunity - "
"... to get the Byss out before some of the nastiest people in the galaxy discover we've emptied their bank accounts?" Jo smiled.
"We have a winner," Cynn laughed, leaning over to kiss her lover.
"You must have someone on the inside," Dixie commented astutely. "So... we split this six ways?"
"No, only five," Cynn offered. "I'm fully expecting my 'partner' to betray me at the first opportunity, which makes it easier for me to rip him off first... When it all goes down, some of the least pleasant people in the sector will be looking for scapegoats. That's going to be his role," she smiled wickedly.
"But first... we need to get into their party. Jo says we can't use her family's influence, and I agree with her reasons. But there's a better way - among the many prizes given to the winner of the Cloud City Grand Prix, is an invite to that party, to watch the bidding and meet Governor Calrissian."
"So, you're going to sponsor someone to win the Grand Prix for you?" Racine scoffed.
"No, you're going to win it for us," Cynn smiled blandly.
Racine paused, mid-bite, and thought about that for a moment.
"All right, deal," she nodded. "You've actually got me interested in this stupid plan."
"At the party, we'll need someone to distract the bidders, and the Governor," Cynn explained. "That's why we asked Dixie to come along. She's a renowned exotic dancer, and she has plenty of fans here on Bespin. She can talk the talk, wiggle the walk, and generally lie and charm the pants of everyone at that party, be they man, woman or hutt. She will manipulate the bidding, and keep the Governor amused, staring at her cleavage."
"I hear Lando is quite the sweetie," the older woman grinned.
"So, what do you do?" Racine asked, grudgingly impressed by the twi'lek's moxie.
"Deal with the underworld and my erstwhile partner," she explained. "And actually run the heist itself."
"I thought you said we weren't going after the jewel?" BeeDee frowned.
" Of course we're going to steal the jewel!" Cynn said crossly. "What kind of galactic jewel thief would I be if I didn't steal it? No, we can't very well sell it, but at this point, it's the principle, not the value. I will steal it because it's there ..."
"Can't argue with that crazy logic," Racine rolled her eyes. "What's the runaway here for?"
"Arm candy," smiled Cynn. "Plus, it might be useful to have someone who can throw spaceships around with their mind..."
"I aim to please!" Jo chuckled.
"Just... warn me before its gets too crazy, all right?" the twi'lek said doubtfully.
"No promises!" Jo laughed saucily.
BeeDee looked a little thoughtful.
"Friend captain, there is one potential mynock in our asteroid. Lobot, the security chief of Cloud City, unusually possesses a cybernetic link that allows him to interface with Bespin's computer systems. To most intents and purposes, he thinks like a synthetic himself. He will certainly be aware of my meddling in the banking systems..."
"Unless we take him out...?" Cynn mused.
"I don't know, honey," Jo grimaced. "I'm just... not comfortable with hurting these people. Security guards aren't stormtroopers or Hutt goons. They'll have families, lives of their own. It doesn't feel right..."
The others looked at Cynn with similar expressions.
"Yeah, you're right," she said soberly. "We're not Black Sun. Shooting guys who are just doing their job? That's not us. We'll find a way around this Lobot. He's still organic, he has to sleep sometime. We'll set it up well before the bidding when he'll be on alert, or provide a distraction."
She sighed. "Besides, there are practical reasons for not leaving a trail of corpses. That's why we didn't bring Reya or Red. If we kill Lobot, the Governor will be after us, he's a personal friend. And then we'll have to kill Calrissian, and then we'll have to kill all the people who want to avenge him ...! And that's a lot of killing," she admitted.
Jo smiled and kissed her. "The Krayt Dragons are likeable scoundrels, lover. We're charming rogues, not murderous killers. That's the way I like it."
"I guess," Cynn smiled weakly. "Less jail time if we get caught that way, too!"
"We're not going to get caught," Jo smiled, locking her ruby lips with Cynn's blue ones.
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In the shadows, an older woman, silver-haired, but with an outrageous hourglass figure, listened to their chatter with a wry smile. Their thoughts were an open book to her mastery of the Force, even the young adept there... so powerful, such potential, but so undisciplined, untrained. If things had been different, she might have even tried to recruit Miss Belstar for the Followers of the Temple, she thought.
Kaiya Adannon's hand fell to the cool hilt of her lightsaber, hidden beneath her fashionable garb. She had desperate need of that jewel, an urgency that went beyond such mundane desires as monetary greed. No, the Jewel of Yavin must be hers. And unwittingly, the Krayt Dragons were about to steal it for her...
I let 4 people into the gala when I ran it. The pilot/co-pilot and their +1s. It wasn't enough for the whole party, but it was enough for everyone who wanted to go (since only the remotely social people wanted to, the rest were doing last minute prep).
I started with Beyond the Rim and been playing through the Mask of the Pirate Queen at the moment (though I doubt we'll get the next session in before Christmas). I have to say, from my personal experience, though I have had to up the difficulty to compensate for my player characters being rather powerful, Mask seems to run better. Part of that could be because I am more experienced at running the game than I was back when running BtR, but it also just feels more coherent as a whole. What the players goals are for each part is clear while not forcing them into it, and even gives suggestions for the players to take it in some whole other direction. The adventure also has more interesting locales and events but that's my personal opinion.
Not to say BtR is bad, its still good, and probably would have been better had I known then what I know now, but knowing what I know now was largely learnt by running it and subsequent adventures.
Good Thread!!!
I have GM'd all of them and here are my thoughts.
1- In terms of a "Campaign"- Cant say I have done that but I do believe it is certainly possible. After all, the EOE rulebook discusses just dropping players In Media Res into sessions so you can tell everyone just to shut up and go with it
2- Beyond the Rim- it was the very first look we had with EOE. It was a fun adventure to run and can be really exciting. Play up the exploration of the ship, especially the nexxu's. The encampment has some really interesting NPCs that can make for fun RPing. I thought the last secion (in fact I think all three modules have this problem) was a bit rushed. There are like a dozen or so encounters that you can use. I was still pretty green to running the EOE games so I missed on some that I believe could have added some flavor to the adventure.
3- JOY- The most difficult thing for the party to accept was the entire premise of the plan by the Shend's. Essentially "hey, you do all the work and we will split the pot." It is a tough pill to swallow. I should have had the daughter, Aris, get more involved than she was. The cloud car race was a crackin good time. I made some mistakes in calculating the success, triumps and advantages to determine finishing position (ultimately I do not believe it made much of a difference). It was a lot of fun. I had one player run the parties CC and then other players play the other NPCs. One of them crashed and burned right at the end and it was fun. I say be liberal with the strain to reflect the pressure of this heist. I also say be liberal with time requirements for the slicer pc. They get to engage in a lot of really cool scenes so I think they could dominate the entire adventure if they have too much time to mess about assisting the party and doing slicing tasks. Make Cloud City a living part of the game and immerse yourself and the pcs into it and that will add bonus cool/fun points. This adventure came at the right time as I had been jonesing for some Shadowrun gaming and, even though I was the GM, I was able to get my "hacking" fix.
4- Mask- a decent adventure. The climactic battle at the end can be very overwhelming so make sure you have a good read on it. Of all of them, this one offers what I believe to be the best "campaign kickoff" of the three- all depends on what the party chooses to do.
I agree with many of the posts. I think the Module in the GM screen can be handy. Also perhaps take a look at the modular encounters in Lords of Nal Hutta as bridges between the adventures.
Edited by Currahee ChrisThe funny thing about the Jewel of Yavin was that Lando personally knew us; a year prior to the events of the heist we conducted a heist together to rob a govener dry! So needless to say a huge chunk of the adventure was spent trying to avoid leaving too many clues of who we were. Then we met him at the party and all our eyebrows raised. XD
The funny thing about the Jewel of Yavin was that Lando personally knew us;
That's one of the cool things about Lando- he is such an iconic character with the added benefit in that he isn't trying to kill you (or maybe he was- not sure what trouble you guys were in!
) At any rate, there is a lot of discussion about handling iconic characters because of the potential for shootouts. Lando is one of those iconic characters you can throw in and enjoy and not worry about that sort of thing.
Another thing on point with the original thread- consider the adventure in the back of the Rulebook too.
it is literally the 2 man crew of the xloud car (or at least that is how it was GMed for me).
The invitation could allow the racers to bring a +1 (date). Further, "team" could be interpreted with more latitude. A Formula-1 team, for instance, only has one driver on it. Invitations could also extend to the "manager," "chief mechanic," "team owner," etc. Or, if your party has a distracting hottie to work it, the teams "spokes-model." Its a heist flick and the race is a cover / pretext to further your real intentions / goals. You are undercover. Think "Solo's-11."
Edited by Vondy