Lightsaber Combat Form III

Form III

Soresu originated as a refinement on Shii-Cho’s blaster deflection maneuvers. It is similar to Makashi in that it minimizes movement and energy expenditure to allow the practitioner to defend over a prolonged engagement without tiring but unlike that earlier form, it is equally effective against close and distant foes. A skilled Soresu user can close with ranged combatants in broad steps while maintaining a tight defense even against multiple attackers. A master of the form can appear as the calm center in a raging storm of battle.

For one who is attuned to the Force, Soresu establishes nearly impenetrable resistance to most contemporary modes of attack and by the time of the Clone Wars was considered far more versatile than Makashi. Many Jedi habitually studied one or two favored Shii-Cho attacks while pursuing broader expertise in Soresu. If one Jedi was sorely beset, Soresu’s array of deflections, pivots and slips could ward off attackers until help arrived. Because Jedi students are always paired with a master, it was rare for a defender wait long for assistance. Nevertheless, Form III expertise certainly enabled a practitioner to forestall an extended onslaught if necessary.

As the utmost exemplification of the Jedi’s use of the Force for defense, Soresu’s shortcomings lie in limited offensive options. Even a master of the form, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, usually employed another style or Force abilities in order to best an opponent. Proper use of Form III requires a calm, even relaxed state of consciousness and few but the most advanced Jedi Masters can maintain this disposition while readying an offensive tactic from another style or a Force power. Soresu’s attacks are so close to the body that they must usually be performed in response to offensive action on the part of the target, either as an intercepting strike or a counterattack.

Several Soresu users survived into the age of the Empire and it is likely that significant knowledge of the form persists into the New Republic era. Luke Skywalker received instruction with Obi-Wan Kenobi who was the last living master of the form. The last padawan’s Jedi Master, Depa Billaba, also favored Soresu.

Advantages: Assessment, Defensive Attack, Redirect, Second Chance (resistance checks against Damage with the force descriptor), Seize Initiative, Uncanny Dodge

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Lightsaber Combat Form II

Form II

Makashi was established to contend with the threat of lightsaber wielding Force-sensitive antagonists, namely the Sith Order. A duel between two practitioners of Shii-Cho favored the more aggressive combatant, which was seriously disadvantageous to the Jedi Knights. In contrast to the rapid slashes and sweeping blows of Shii-Cho, Makashi employs gentle deflections, subtle feints and nimble jabs with an emphasis on weapon retention. The development of Form II led to the oft repeated maxim ‘this weapon is your life’ regarding the lightsaber.

The elegance and efficiency of Makashi was much more compatible with the Jedi way than the escalating ferocity of Shii-Cho. It allowed a dedicated adherent to exercise greater emotional control while exhausting their opponent with a seemingly effortless defense before finally executing a sudden riposte. Although practiced concurrently with later forms, Makashi was regarded as the salvation of the Jedi Order up until the defeat and apparent destruction of the Sith. By the time of the Clone Wars however, Makashi had fallen into disuse due to the preponderance of blaster weaponry in the galaxy.

Although the Makashi duelist enjoyed many advantages, this form suffered from a few significant flaws. It was entirely focused on contending with a single opponent and required a user facing more than one assailant to rely on their proficiency with the Force to stagger one foe, or else to switch to another form. Form II was also ill-suited to contend with ranged opponents necessitating that the lightsaber wielder quickly close with a target, rely on ranged Force powers, or simply withdraw. Finally, the Makashi reliance on turning strikes aside becomes far less effective against lightsaber wielders with superior physical strength.

All of the known Makashi masters perished by the end of the Clone Wars and only the most rudimentary understanding of Form II techniques were inherited by the last known Jedi, making Makashi effectively a lost art by the ascendance of New Republic.

Skills: Deception

Advantages: Accurate Attack, Defensive Attack,  Precise Attack, Second Chance (opposed check to resist being disarmed), Taunt, Uncanny Dodge, Weapon Bind.

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Lightsaber Combat Form I

Form I

Shii-Cho was the first lightsaber combat style created by the Jedi Order and was intended for use against opponents with no attunement to the Force. The rise of the Sith Order caused lightsaber wielders to abandon this form in favor of the more refined techniques of Form II. Shii-Cho was practiced as a means to become attuned to the both the Force and to the lightsaber provided by a master to the Jedi aspirant.

The strikes and counters of Shii-Cho are straightforward and deliberate attempts to disarm or otherwise render a foe incapable of inflicting harm as quickly as possible. It relies on speed and intensity, but is very much informed by the Jedi’s regard for life and peace. As such, it has a limited array of deadly strokes and these are usually part of sequential attacks that give the target time to recognize their peril and yield.

Although rarely practiced beyond the early stages of Jedi training, this style nevertheless often saw use by Jedi warriors when severely pressed or when other styles had proven ineffective. In fact, this form enjoyed a brief resurgence during the early Clone Wars when the Jedi regularly engaged large numbers of battle droids which lacked the programming and processing speed to counter a sudden Shii-Cho onslaught. Against humanoid foes with no lives to lose, Jedi generals could strike with uncharacteristic brutality.

Unfortunately, General Grievous was trained by Count Dooku to take advantage of this situation, particularly early on during the Separatist campaign when Grievous was thought of merely a droid general. Grievous’ combat versatility and superhuman reflexes made employing Shii-Cho attacks a deadly mistake made by many Jedi Knights.

Advantages: All-out Attack, Daze, Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Quick Draw

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Star Wars Campaign Lightsaber Technology

The origin of lightsaber technology is largely unknown during the years following the fall of the Galactic Empire. Indeed, some believe stories of these glowing blades of pure energy to be little more than fairy tales and an artifact of outdated religious beliefs. More learned beings know that these weapons once existed in great numbers, but even they are likely to doubt their supposed ability to sever bone, carapace, flesh, leather and metal with equal ease. Some conservational institutions or very wealthy individuals will pay a high premium to collect even non-functioning examples if they can be authenticated and the fabrication of counterfeits has become an exiguous but highly lucrative illicit trade.  

As beings who lived through the Clone Wars can attest, lightsabers are real and can be used to perform amazing deeds in the hands of a proficient wielder. To those with long memories or a more thorough knowledge of history, the lightsaber is virtually synonymous with the Jedi Order and is a symbol of the former Galactic Republic and pleasant remembrances of peace and plenty it has come to represent.

Despite this association, other persons or groups have been known to wield and even construct lightsabers. The most famous lightsaber duelist with no known connection to the Jedi was the Separatist general known as Grievous. There are also persistent accounts of Mandalorian warriors using laser swords both during and after the Clone Wars. Rumors surrounding the ruling class of the Tapani sector suggest that an insular handful of skilled craftsman can construct lightsabers, or at least a serviceable facsimile while a legendary guild referenced as the Bomerwrights of Sullest was said to craft laser swords in the ancient past. It is unknown if these Bomerwrights are connected to Sullust in anyway and the Sullustans deny any knowledge of such an organization.

Lightsaber

◊Descriptors – Energy, force, light

◊Effect – Damage • 1 point per rank

Laser Weapon (Damage)

◊Action – standard

◊Requirement – close attack check

◊Range – close

◊Duration – instant

◊Results – Damage

◊Resist – Toughness

Description

A blade of glowing plasma extends from a metallic hilt emitting light and a menacing hum.

A standard lightsaber consists of plasma focused into the shape of a blade by a kyber crystal contained within a metallic hilt. The blade’s color depends upon that of the crystal used to construct the lightsaber with blues and greens being most common among naturally occurring crystals.

Lightsabers have the potential to cut through nearly anything and may have ranks of the Penetrating extra. Penetrating lightsabers typically exchange the force descriptor with heat. Lightsabers can also deal Strength-based damage and double-bladed lightsabers may have the Split extra.

Against most living opponents, lightsaber cuts do not result in ongoing blood loss as the wound is cauterized by the plasma blade’s heat. Lightsabers stop when coming into contact with another lightsaber blade, ray shields and a few materials which are resistant to lightsabers (such as Zillo Beast hide).

All sorts of lightsaber variants can result in additional modifiers or alternate descriptors. Such deviations are usually the result of design choices made by the weapon’s creator which can include the type of crystal embedded in the hilt, the power source used to emit energy, or the properties of the plasma blade containment field.

Mystery of Ogana Major II

Dawn cleft the horizon as the shuttle Alert passed through the orange clouds over The Procession Street Market. Jasteen had never been to Kessel previously and had no desire to be there now. She glanced in disgust at the ruds, tektites, fols and other assorted vermin, some of it sentient, skirting the dusty avenue below the landing platform. KD-497 let out a poorly suppressed snicker before turning her attention back to her E-11. She’d cleared the weapon twice this jump and Jasteen had quickly lost count of the number of times the trooper had reviewed her power cell strength and cartridge pressure.

As the shuttle touched down, KD-497 replaced her helmet and snapped the gas cartridge back into her rifle. Jasteen gathered her datasheets and placed them neatly in the case at her side. As she stood, she caught sight of her rank plate and tried to level it once more. Something about the forus gas on board had reacted with the polymers of her uniform and she found the need to constantly readjust the fit. Belatedly, she sensed KD-497 watching her. Normally the woman’s cool umber face was easy to read, but behind the polished white plastoid composite of her helmet, Jasteen was left to guess. In this instance, she assumed the perennial frown of the Empire’s face masked a mocking smirk.

Jasteen’s own scowl deepened. The fact that she was handed this assignment in the wake of the catastrophe at Yavin bespoke of just how far out of favor she’d fallen in the eyes of management within the ISB. Jasteen straightened and clasped her hands in front of her chrome belt buckle. “Get the droid, please”, she said in a cool tone. KD-497’s helmet twisted negligibly for a moment and Jasteen raised an eyebrow immediately. The trooper withdrew.

The moment the storage room door began to contract behind the trooper, Jasteen hastened back to calibrating her uniform. Sixteen hours ago she’d lost sight of Coruscant. She resolved to adjourn this investigation with dispatch and return to her subblock GS-17 apartment. When I get back this can line Kuda’s kennel, she thought of her ruined uniform. She was mentally calculating the number of credits she could set aside for the three sets she figured would go to waste if the facilities on Kessel were as bad as the shuttle’s when KD-497 returned with the droid. More proof of her loss of status in Jasteen’s mind. 2D8 was a rusted out RA-type droid with a Cybot Galactica replacement chest and had to have been constructed well in advance of the Clone Wars. It had been assigned with feminine programming, unlike most other RAs. The ludicrously oversized photo-receptors gave droids of this cast a supposedly menacing insectoid countenance, but with 2D8’s ferric oxide “freckles” the effect was less than intimidating.

I’ve been given one trooper, a useless translator and a shuttle, she thought, and one of the three is about to return to a better world unless I can reach a conclusion in the next few hours. KD-497 took the lead exiting via the ISP-8B’s boarding ramp and the sullen agent stepped in smartly behind her. After a few moments, they had descended one and half flights of stairs along the side of the platform. For a moment, Jasteen could hear the low droning of 2D8 before it was cut off by a loud gas topping hiss. Without a word, both women widened their gait crossing the grated walk on the way to the next descent. The usually circumspect agent had let her lassitude and frustration overcome her earlier in the jump and she’d made no secret of her disfavor towards “Toodee”. No doubt KD-497 had registered this and was therefore surprised when Jasteen made her request for the mechanical being. Now she hoped that the two of them might lose the thing among the bustle on the way to the Fellian Arms Hotel where they were to be received by the Kesselian magistrate.

Stepping off the platform and seeing the market from ground level adjusted Jasteen’s assessment ever so slightly. Not as clean as upper Corusacnt to be sure, nor as crowded with eclectic shops, eateries and playhouses as the mid levels, but much more modish than she’d first thought. The wealth of Kessel was well known, of course, but Jasteen had to admit her view of the Kesselians as backcountry rubes might need reassessment. She could smell the morning’s last butte-rounds being set out to cool in a steephouse just across the avenue. She imagined that the Kesselian version, while inferior to those found in the Core, would surely be available with exotic local flavorings. As Jasteen watched a sign unfurl indicating the start of business, she pictured an extravagant nectarous glaze falling in great drops over a pan of rounds.

Jasteen turned to look at KD-497 and gestured. “Greyan Courseway is there”, she spoke mostly to cover the grumbling coming from behind her belt. She could hear a metallic stilted click away to here right rear and stepped quickly. The trooper overtook her almost at once with her long, easy stride and shot quick looks into doors and down alleys as she passed by them. As they approached a broad street at a three-path juncture, Jasteel allowed a fleeting look back at the steephouse and envied finely attired child who held two-thirds of a mangled sweet butte-round in one triumphant fist, squeezing some of the light yellow glaze so that it fell uselessly from in between plump fingers like tears on Kesselian stone.

Lurching into sight before Jasteen could refocus her attention was the stiff figure of Toodee. The freckled bug raised one hand to flash amid the intense beams of the mounting sun. Jasteen shot her face forward and felt a tendon release in an anomalous fashion which preceded a keen ache in her neck. “Agent Aneddu?” KD-497’s sonorous words came too late as Jasteen’s knee struck a low fruit cart pulled by a noknik. An awkward retreat placed her boot down on something that squished audibly and her sense of balance was thoroughly foiled. She landed with her left hip flush upon the street, her datacase behind her and boxing a kidney, and her gloved right hand beside her and sticking to something that she had evidently obliterated by way of her posterior.

KD-497’s left arm pulled her roughly to her feet and Jasteen appreciated the trooper’s alacrity. Unfortunately the lower end of her trapezius began to spasm unrelentingly in response. She bent to retrieve her case and found herself staring into the four nostrils of a meter tall rodentoid which was squeaking in an alarmed tone while it’s ears flattened menacingly. The cart owner evidently. Toodee began translating behind her in Bocce, which the buffoonish robot would consistently do by default until corrected. Having learned of Jasteen’s limitation with regard to this particular dialect a few hours before, KD-497 said helpfully “You crushed some melons. Want to pay for them or should I flash the iron?”

Jasteen remained angled uncomfortably for a moment, unsure of what move to make so as to avoid further injury. She hung her head and exhaled slowly, closed her eyes and placed her right hand on her knee. She opened her eyes as she recalled the crushed fruit. Slowly, and with some effort, she pulled her hand from her knee and saw the orange, sticky, seeded residue. She looked back up and the rodentoid was now growling and gesturing wildly at the cart as two more melons had fallen to the street and rolled about. Tooddee’s slow buzzing intonations switched to basic “I’m zorry miztress. mmI’d forgot-ten yyyour requez-ss-t to translate’t tto bazz-sic”.

“Pay.”, Jasteen choose to remain in place as she found her neck felt significantly improved when she let her head hang forward. Speaking to the ground she continued, “Offer double for recommending a techie with a vocabulator and who knows how to install it.” She considered her resources and wondered if management would reimburse the vocabulator. It had been made quite clear last time that additional uniforms were out of the question for the rest of the fiscal year. “Triple to get us in contact with someone in the market for a vintage droid”.

Mystery of Ogana Major I

Excerpts from Distinction Captain’s private log:

34th Father, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

This day and night traversed six parsecs. Dense gravity shadows. Reckoned only three parsecs, so that the hands might not over think the course.

2nd Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Off course near Norton’s Belt. Conducting exercises. Awaiting ansible upload. Communications distortions require data retransmit.

3rd Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Data secured. Relocating to Ogana Major to wait hyperwind storms.

3rd Sky-2, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Exercises on fifth moon. Crew at ease.

4th Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Detected unidentified transport near fourth moon. Kessel reports no known operation. Investigation underway.

4th Sky-2, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Smugglers. Quite different than standard operation. Asking approval for inquest.

4th Sky-3, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Astounding resources in use. Strange that these are not recognized subjects.

11th Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Tractor beam has made a catch. Giving ship’s captain time to consider the circumstances prior to debriefing.

11th Sky-2, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Technical review. G690 equipped with 4 quad-laser turrets; heavy shielding; class 1 hyperdrive. How this group managed to acquire this caliber of systems escapes me. Interested in hearing what the captain has to say.

11th Sky-3, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Technical review addendum: Navigation computer shows 12 jumps over 3 months 10 FROM the Forbidden Systems, 1 to Kessel, 1 to Ogana. Date of those jumps match fueling station X-7G recordings. How?

11th Sky-4, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Captain E. told an interesting tale. Seems impossible and yet, what other explanation is there?

13th Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Finished a repast with Cpt E., his mate and also Cmdr. Tolun, Cpt. Sear, and Lt. Volx. These fringe types are colorful. Cpt. E. impresses me with his audacity. I imagined my life after the Academy would be more like his, I suppose.

14th Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Advised Command regarding “Spice Row” and dispatched a shuttle with samples.

14th Sky-2, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Command ordered “Sightless” dismantled. We are to return with hyperdrive, navicomputer, the 2 mechanicals and all of the spice. Command indicated other spoils be distributed as appropriate. No word as to what is to be done with E. and crew. Our crew anxious. They think they know what’s to be done.

15th Sky, 19 AOE; Kessel Time

Command ordered we immediately deploy to Yavin system and destroy Sightless and her crew. Cmdr. Tolun, Cpt. Sear, Lt. Volx and myself agree to deposit Cpt. E and crew near Ogana in pod and destroy Sightless. Volx balked. Sear decked her. She’s young. Rest of the crew knows enough to not ask questions. Pod will be jettisoned along with refuse prior to jump. Curious. Priority order to Yavin. What could be there? Hope to find out more about this Spice Row after.

Fighters

Fighter

“Bring 'em on, I'd prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around.”

“You're pretty good in a fight. We could use you.”

        — Han Solo

“I was raised to do one thing... but I've got nothing to fight for.”

        — Finn

“You'll be dead!”

        — Dr. Cornelius Evazan

In a galaxy of conflict, there are always those prepared to take up arms whether motivated by greed, justice, vengeance or simple belligerence. Some fighters are disciplined soldiers selflessly putting their lives at risk to protect the ideals, people or systems they hold dear. Others are deadly bounty hunters or bodyguards for hire living a mercenary lifestyle by taking advantage of their inherent gifts as a way to earn credits. Some fighters enjoy the trifling glories of being a spaceport ruffian quick on the draw.

Fighters in the Galaxy

Despite the decisive outcome of the Battle of Jakku and the subsequent signing of the Galactic Concordance, all manner of petty conflicts linger on. The demilitarization of the New Republic gave rise to an unauthorized military movement formed by those who saw the withdrawal of Imperial warships to Unknown Regions as a calculated act with the potential for renewed antagonism. When a bellicose political wing of the New Republic known as the First Order seceded from the government and followed the Imperial remnant to the edge of the galaxy, General Leia Organa and her allies raised a warning voice to the Senate. That call has gone largely unheeded except by those choosing to join the General’s Resistance movement. The wealth of the New Republic allows them to maintain a small but highly advanced military force, while the Resistance slowly adds highly motivated albeit sorely underequipped fighters to its cause.

Beyond these more high-minded concerns, fighters of all stripes find countless opportunities to practice their avocation. The threat of piracy, particularly along spacelanes nominally patrolled by the Imperial remnant, is incessant. The Hutt Cartel, bereft of firm leadership, fights a shadow war on the streets of numerous worlds from Coruscant to the Smuggler’s Moon and all throughout Hutt Space and the Outer Rim. Meanwhile, the Black Sun organization seeks to take advantage of this infighting and expand its Outer Rim activities causing blood to flow, be it of faultless settlers, provincial law enforcement or vicious mobsters. The crime lords always need foot soldiers while those attempting to maintain the peace are desperate for honest recruits. Often, citizens must resign themselves to accepting the dubious care of a thuggish and abusive constabulary, itself only slightly more tolerable than the brigands they guard against.

The closing of the various Imperial Academies mandated by the Galactic Concordance resulted in the loss one mighty channel which once directed those of pugnacious temperament towards constructive achievements. Into that void enters a generation raised to perpetuate the series of conflicts beginning with the Clone Wars. Young men and women of all species trained to take part in the fight for a celebrated cause now find themselves forsaken by a galaxy desperate to put an end to the horrific struggles of the past. Directionless and embittered, this rejected breed tends to cling together in isolated gangs believing they are destined for something greater. In particular, the once proud warrior tradition of Mandalore, which had persisted in defiance of an intervening pacifist movement, faces a cultural impasse with the loss of its Imperial Academy.

Role

Engage and Endure. As part of a team, fighters endeavor to defend other characters by directly engaging with hostile targets or drawing enemy fire. Every fighter knows that the next blaster bolt could have his name on it so they take every possible precaution before hostilities begin. Fighters prefer to work with other fighters, sometimes to the exclusion of other classes, but greatly benefit from the presence of a leader or medic. They also tend to appreciate the support of scouts and snipers.

Abilities

Fighters favor abilities which enable them to outlast their enemies. Stamina may be the single most important ability for a typical fighter. Agility allows fighters to evade enemy fire more easily and improves their reaction time. Most of the galaxy’s fighters prefer ranged weapons making Dexterity a virtual prerequisite, however melee fighters would be wise to improve Fighting above all as it improved close attacks and their ability to parry close attacks.

Skills

Fighters focusing on a small number of weapons will want Close Combat, Ranged Combat or both. Many battlefield hazards can be circumvented using Acrobatics or Athletics. Intimidation allows fighters to reduce or eliminate potential threats without resorting to combat which can be of great benefit when encounters occur with high frequency. Although the biased or ignorant may assume that most (if not all) fighters are simple brutes, fighters often display a high degree of education and possess Expertise in disciplines like Astrogation, Demolitions, or Tactics. Fighters often need a decent Perception skill to react both quickly and effectively, while those relying on gear are likely to improve their Technology skill.

Advantages

Fighters often make use of Combat Advantages and Equipment, or use Interpose to place themselves in harm’s way to make sure the team objective is met. A high Intimidation skill makes Startle a viable option. Many fighters focus their development in areas other than skills but with the Teamwork advantage, they will rarely drag the team down when a group effort is called for. Other useful options include Extraordinary Effort, Favored Foe, Fearless or Great Endurance.

Powers

Most fighters rely on equipment or devices to provide most of their powers, however fighters can select class abilities that add or enhance Damage effects, Enhanced Trait effects that improve their defenses or durability, or effects that provide Healing for themselves (but typically not others).

Fighter Abilities 

• Acrobatic Attack, Armored Defense, Blanket Protection, Cautious, Combat Sense, Controlled Burst, Countervail, Cover Fire, Deadly Strike, Debilitating Shot, Decoy, Defensive Strike, Deflect Attack, Delayed Strike, Devastating Attack, Dodge Blasters, Draw Fire, Expert Grappler, Guts, Ignore Pain, Indomitable, Melee Smash, Remain Conscious, Second Skin, Shielding Strike, Stunning Strike, Surprising Vigor, Trigger Work and True Strike.

Complications

Soldiers may be bound by Honor or Responsibility, and inspired by Patriotism or a sense of Justice, while former soldiers may struggle with Addiction or a Disability or seek Acceptance in civilian life. Bounty hunters and mercenaries are motivated by Greed or the Thrills associated with their profession. Fighters of all sorts may be the subject of Prejudice, suffer from a poor Reputation or bad Temper. Many fighters form a Rivalry (or several) while seeking Recognition of their prowess.

Fighter

Abilities

Stamina +1

Skills

6 ranks divided among the following: Athletics, Close Combat (choose one), Expertise (Astrogation, Demolitions, or Tactics), Perception, Ranged Combat (choose one), Treatment or Vehicles

Advantages

Equipment 3 (choose armor and weapons)

Choose two Combat Advantages

Powers

Choose one of the Following:

Cautious

Guts

Character Points Abilities 2 + Skills 3 + Advantages 5 + Powers 2 = Total 11

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