Read First: Character Creation Discussion

SITH CONQUEST ORIGIN

This seems to be the general direction we're headed. So, I think I'm going to run with it and get started. Unless you guys change your minds, I see this as a very intriguing way to go. Part of it is the three way battle for the galaxy, which will make for interesting possibilities, not the least of which is that you can oppose both the Empire and the Rebellion (which will be a newly formed Republic by the time the Sith Conquest begins).
It's Star Wars, so we won't get too involved in crunching numbers, but I did do some math on the potential for a Sith colonization effort to flourish into a mighty power, and one thousand years is plenty of time, given their access to imported technology allowing them to take advantage of the massive, resource rich jungle/mountain planet, extraordinarily hidden from the eyes of the galaxy.

Regarding the Galactic Timeline:
The Battle of Yavin took place at the end of Episode IV, A New Hope, wherein the Rebels destroy the Death Star; it considered a zero point on the Galactic Standard Calendar.
BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin)
ABY (After the Battle of Yavin)

---A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF MODERN SITH HISTORY---



BIRTH OF AN EMPIRE: THE EXODUS OF VHRALL AKRULTA

It was a powerful Sith Lord named Vhrall Akrulta, extraordinarily gifted in his ability to see the future, who made preparations to avoid the downfall of the ancient Sith order, having foreseen over one thousand years ago in 1041 BBY. With almost twenty years to do so, he used his influence, power, and wealth to gather the resources necessary to colonize a new planet. As the fall of the Sith became more imminent, Lord Akrulta rallied other Sith to join him, despite the mockery he suffered from the vast majority of Sith Lords believing him to be a coward or insane. Approximately one year before the fall, Akrulta led a mass exodus of starships into a far flung corner of Wild Space, the dark side fueling his vision as he searched for a new home.

For a year they traveled Wild Space, the dark side pulling at Lord Akrulta. Slowly and surely this pull intensified, gaining a hold over him that manifested physically, sapping his strength as he gave direction from bedrest in his private chambers. Despite the growing threat of mutiny and the warnings of his highest ranking officers including the ship’s senior pilot, Lord Akrulta stayed the course, giving orders to set a hyperspace course he had seen in a dream.

When they arrived they had reached the heart of the maelstrom. It was here, embedded within a deep quagmire of dark nebulae, at the eye of the storm, that space suddenly cleared, and they came upon their new home world: massive, visibly lush and green, with towering mountain ranges that could be seen from orbit. Strangely, it was at this time that all astrogation and navigational systems failed. Even if Lord Akrulta wanted to continue his search, it would have been impossible to do so. However, he had no such intention, as he had foreseen this moment years ago. The dark side had drawn them to their new home, christened Akrultos at the behest of the Sith Lord’s increasingly loyal followers.



A NEW HOME: COLONIZATION AND THE DARK VEIL

Colonization began in 1023 BBY. As part of their expansion and rebirth, the Sith rapidly became highly industrialized, and as a further measure of security and secrecy, built downwards and inwards, toward the center of a planet strangely stable regarding geological phenomena. It was, in this way, that they further hid their existence from any who might happen to come upon Akrultos.

The occasional explorer who did stumble upon the planet wouldn't have been able to detect this flourishing Sith society, as entering the space around the planet rendered the navigational and sensor systems of star ships useless, limiting the pilot's exploration of the planet to only what they could see, trapping them within the shroud of dark nebulae. Over the centuries the Sith suffered from this strange phenomenon as well, as attempts to leave the planet for purposes of exploration failed, time and again, until the Sith simply gave up, accepting their fate. With time, the effect itself and the surrounding nebulae became known as the Dark Veil. Despite what the planet offered as a secure, well hidden, resource rich home, they were now prisoners. It was almost as if the planet wouldn't allow them to leave, somehow sentient, knowing the time was not yet right to strike.



BECOMING A GOD: ERASING HISTORY AND DIVINE ASCENSION

Time, and the galaxy, moved on and forgot about the Sith. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century, one thousand years went by. The names and the history of the ancient Sith were forgotten as well, as Vhrall Akrulta destroyed any records of Sith history prior to his unopposed rise to the title of Emperor Akrulta. To further ensure his prominence and legacy in this new world, he had those who tried to preserve ancient Sith history outright eliminated, having them assassinated or sentenced to death under false pretenses of treason.

His prominence as the leader of the exodus and status as a Sith Lord led to his rise to the title of Emperor Vhrall Akrulta, also known as First Emperor, First Sith, Progenitor, Deliverer, and the Creator. This only served to build upon his already legendary status, and in time he became worshipped as a divine being, a result of his own political machinations preying on the adulation of the public as a whole.



ENDING AN ERA: THE PROPHESY AND DEATH OF VHRALL AKRULTA

Before Vhrall Akrulta’s death in 908 BBY, he entered a deep slumber, not unlike a coma, lasting weeks as he had powerful visions of the future, wracked with spams of excruciating pain and suffering. The visions were so powerful they consumed what little may have remained of his years. On his death bed, a rapidly desiccating skeleton of his former self whose final moments were fast approaching, he prophesized that the Sith would one day conquer the galaxy. They would seize the most opportune of moments when the dark side of the force was again waxing in power, aligning itself favorably with the Sith. With his dying breath, he further foretold that this time would be heralded by great discovery, both terrible and wonderful.

The Great Houses of the Sith went into a frenzy and battled for the right to take Akultra's throne. In life, none had opposed his right to rule, his power and political skill maintaining an unprecedented level of order, far outside the the norm for the Sith. His death, however, plunged the nobility into chaos. In the ensuing bloodbath, the vast majority of Akrulta’s prodigious bloodline was exterminated, preyed upon by the Great Houses from all sides. Few escaped, and those that did went into hiding, fearing for their very lives.



LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: ORACLES AND THE EYES OF AKRULTA

However, it was on the day of the Emperor’s death, some even say at the exact moment of his death, that the first Oracle was born. From that moment on, there was always one Oracle, as the death of one led to the gift being passed within days to one of the Eyes of Akrulta. It was The Eyes of Akrulta, a religious sect that fervently worshipped Emperor Akrulta as a divine being, even beyond death, that safeguarded the Oracles against all threats seeking to blaspheme against Akultra's continued, albeit, slowly diminishing status as a divine being.

Viewed as a cult by some, The Eyes of Akrulta revered the Oracles as prophets, waiting for the day Emperor Akrulta’s prophesy would become reality. Despite Akrulta’s status as a divine being weakening somewhat over time, the Sith still had enough faith and belief in his vision, or divinity, to trust in the Oracles, amassing strength, forging and re-forging themselves into an increasingly powerful machine of war.



THE PURSUIT OF POWER: GENERATIONS OF UNREST

Power was passed from generation to generation through the years, sometimes from Emperor to heir, other times changing hands and Houses via political machinations or violent internal conflict. Lacking a common enemy to unite against, infighting was not uncommon, yet never escalated to the level of full scale civil war. Far more frequent was the struggle for position and rank among the most powerful Houses of the new Sith Lords, secretly moving against one another, always looking for an opening, always vying for supremacy.

However, despite a state of constant unrest, it was a deeply rooted faith in the First Emperor, Vhrall Akrulta, that kept them from destroying themselves completely. To this day, he is still revered as divine by many, and places of worship, some almost a thousand years old, still exist in his name. Even after death, his lasting influence still provides a foundation of strength for the Sith, born of an eternal hatred of the Jedi steeped in a seething desire for revenge and galactic conquest.



REVELATION AND CONQUEST: A PROPHESY FULFILLED

It was in 7 ABY that the revelations of Vhrall Akrulta came to pass. First came the discoveries. A brilliant engineer achieved the seemingly impossible, integrating force crystals into starship astrogation and navigation systems, allowing the Sith, for the first time in over a thousand years, to successfully navigate beyond the Dark Veil. Their exultation in this discovery was short-lived however, as one of their most esteemed scientists almost simultaneously revealed a recently learned and dreadful truth: Akrultos, their sanctuary and home that had shielded them from the galaxy for so long, was disengaging from its orbit at an alarming speed. Predictions had the planet hurtling through space in less than a decade, quite possibly within a few years, exposing their lives and very existence to the inherent dangers associated with living on a rogue planet.

It was during this time of great discoveries, both wonderful and terrible, that the Oracle came forward, reminding them all of the First Emperor’s great prophesy, and that it had clearly come to pass. Some still doubt any claims to Vhrall Akrulta’s status as divine, but for many faith was restored, and a there was a profound resurgence in his worship as a god.

As the dark side came into alignment with the Sith’s great purpose, what was initially a time of sorrow and mourning for the impending doom of their home world evolved into something else entirely. Whether considered coincidence, a foretelling aided by the power of the dark side, or a mystical prophesy divine, the Sith rejoiced as one, turning their eyes toward the galaxy, united by a common cause. Some hungered for conquest, others for vengeance prophesied by a god long ago. Martialing the vast might of their military power, the Sith made plans for war. Early in the year 8 ABY, they left their home and prison for the first time in over 1000 years as multiple fleets of Sith naval vessels pierced the Veil and began their Conquest of the Galaxy...

ON CHARACTER BACKGROUND DESIGN

Now that we’ve fully established an origin story for the group, feel free to devlop you character’s back stories within the culture. I’ll assume all of you are at least about 20 years of age or older (human scale; more specifically, you’ve been around for a while and are at least adults). Consider the fact that given your role in the conquest of the galaxy (that just sounds good!) in which you are one of multiple covert groups sent out to establish beach heads and scout ahead, you have likely been a part of the Sith conquest plans since an early age (force users, the Sith would pick you out in childhood, before you hit your teens) or at least a few years otherwise (non-force users) as military troops are recruited into the system before adulthood. As it is a caste society, this a great honor, even for the lowliest warrior, as being a civilian does not allow the possibility of joining the conquest.

For all players, as you consider background development, keep in mind what your character is good at. The Sith military would place your characters in roles they could excel at. For example, if you have a high Willpower or Coercion, you would likely be assigned the role of an Interrogator/Torturer. Characters with a high Presence and Cunning would likely have been trained as political infiltrators and spies, as they would excel at the necessary social graces of Charm and Deception. A high Agility would lend itself to Piloting and Stealth operations. A high Cunning would lend itself to Perception, and perhaps a role as a military investigator. Intellect and Computers/Mechanics would lend itself to a role of some kind in the tech department. Brawn type character would likely be considered as shock troops, capable of enduring more punishment and handling the adverse conditions of more dangerous alien planets.

Those are only ideas, and if you’re having trouble thinking of something, I’ll be glad to help. I can take a look at your character and make some recommendations.


Religious Affiliation:

If you so desire, worshipping at one of the cathedrals stewarded by the Eyes of Akrulta is a choice; the Great Cathedral is stewarded by force using members of The Eyes of Akultra. If your character does believe Vhrall Akrulta was a divine being, you can also choose to worship personally as Sith culture does not mandate religious attendance of any kind. You are also welcome to be more pragmatic and believe he was simply a great leader, powerful in the force, and a visionary.


Species in the Modern Sith Empire

Over time, many species have become as prevalent as the original Sith species as descended from the Exodus (of which, all were slaves except the Sith species); as such, many species exist in the Sith Empire, of which humans have become the most dominant. However, there is a degree of racism that attached itself to the culture and never let go. In general, many of the Sith purebloods view the rest of the species with varying degrees of disdain, followed closely behind by some human groups, who consider themselves the ascendant power. All of that being said, when it comes to uniting against a common foe, these racial tensions tend to take a back seat except for the true hatemongers.


Force Users

Given the above, your background as a force user has a lot to do with being part of the Akultra Arcology, an underground complex (they all are on this planet) of a grand and massive scale, with an architectural style similar to what you would call gothic (seen throughout modern Sith architecture). It is the center for disciples of the dark side of the force, a place to live and train (regardless of religious beliefs). It also houses the Grand Cathedral, the oldest and greatest place of worship on the planet.
For simplicity, all of you will have trained under the same master, each having survived the trials of an apprentice. In these trials, you were part of a small class that competed to graduate (at most five students at a time). Graduating meant being the last Sith standing in your class, whether the rest were killed or simply defeated in some way during the trials. This is the Sith way, ensuring that only the strongest pupils become full-fledged force users, ferreting out weakness.

Where the Modern Sith will differ is in the fact that one Master may have an entire group of Sith as his loyal subjects, typically a group similar in size to the number of force users in your group, or less than ten. Your group have all been trained by the same master, and have simply graduated from different classes.


Non-Force Users

You have more flexibility in designing your background. However, you are part of the Sith military, and would have been enlisted after childhood but prior to adulthood, depending on species. You may have been part of a gang, an apprenticed mechanic working in the starship yards, attending university, etc.

SOME LOGISTICAL CONCEPTS FOR THE SITH CONQUEST


So far, I'm imagining the power ratings of the factions as something distributed across a 10 point scale, wherein 10 is the total amount of power available and distributed across the galaxy for major political factions. Power would be represented by military strength in addition to political resources primarily based on controlled systems.

So far, I see the power distributed in this way:

The Empire, despite being on the decline as armies fall into disarray and entire governments rally behind the Republic (recently formed from the ascendance of the Rebel Alliance), is still barely the dominant power in the galaxy, with a power rating of 5.

The Republic (formerly the Rebel Alliance), which has grown in power at an staggering rate as it continues to inspire loyalty and draw entire systems away the Empire, would have a power rating of 4.

The Sith Empire, having 1,020 years to rebuild and prepare for this conquest, come out with a power rating of 1.

They don't control any systems as of yet, let alone key systems, but their massive military might is prepared to establish a beach head. Force users are extremely rare among the modern Sith, and only the most capable and gifted are trained in a now 1,000 year old academy, dating back to the teachings of Vhrall Akrulta and those that came after him.

The vast majority (over 99.99%) of their military might comes from standard troops and navy, but they have tremendous reserves of strength ready to form garrisons and strongholds across the galaxy.

A major component of the Sith plan is to rapidly subjugate and indoctrinate system governments whenever possible, the alternative being extermination. A major part of achieving this rapid expansion is to create 'subjugated garrisons' wherein the troops are comprised of slave soldiers, referred to as subjugates, forced to fight for the Sith under pain of death (or worse, making examples as necessary). These subjugated garrisons have attached officers and Sith troops needed to maintain control, with the primary means of doing so being the explosive collars worn on each subjugate’s neck. The flick of a switch can kill one, or all of them, depending on the user’s whim.

The Sith Navy is also quite formidable, and while not as large as the Empire’s or the Republic’s, quite capable.

Over time the starship graveyard surrounding Akrultos provided a wealth of models and ideas for Sith engineers to copy or replicate, not to mention providing a salvage yard of sorts, from which they could even restore ships, and, at times, improve upon them. One of the more fortunate finds occurred when a starship carrying a vast array of ship blueprints and schematics strayed into the Dark Veil, from which the fleet has largely been created. Why such a vessel would travel through Wild Space is unknown, but the Sith were more than happy to reap the rewards.

No need for further rolls. you get one mod for free of your choice, per the rules in the Library.

That's kind of what I thought. The confusion came in from the following portion:
Because it calls out that the second mod would have two purple dice, I wasn't sure if the difficulty dice that make up the "average" roll included the 1 for the mod or if it would have been another one above and beyond.

Either way, given that, I think I'm going to take one of the vicious mods (+10 on crit table rolls)

I'm getting a lot of ideas for Hawke's backstory, some of which I need to run by the GM.

1.) Were survivors of any ships that were trapped post Sith colonization and landed killed or enslaved or what?
2.) Are Force Sensitive slaves trained to be sith ala the Sith Inquisitor in SWTOR?

If it's allowed, then I'm thinking that Hawke's family were not born on the planet, and Hawke was either an infant or still in the womb when the gank family were marooned.

Rolling for Hawke's lightsaber:

Meribson:
Taken alive, they likely would have been tortured and put to slavery. Also, over time the Sith pilots learned to navigate via 'landmarks' so to speak, distinct mountain ranges, large bodies of water, etc. So, at times they would go to salvage the starship graveyard, and may have occasionally come across drifting ships, survivors on board.
Absolutely. The Sith would most certainly assimilate a force sensitive child into their culture. The ideas you're coming up with hear sound good to me so far.

The general idea I have for Lexi at the moment is that her mother was one of the engineers that worked to design the Sith capital ships. Her father was a naval officer that at the time of her being taken to the Arcology was an instructor for space pilotage. She was taken young, between 6 and 7. Grew up knowing that she was force sensitive and being actively groomed to be part of the invasion force.

Sounds good.

PLAYING A DARK SIDE CHARACTER

Force user or not, your character is part of the Sith culture, so the information below applies.

One of the issues found in a Dark Side campaign is some players confusing the Dark Side with Chaos, and Pragmatism with Psychotic murder. The Dark side is a point of view free of restraints, yet has purpose, almost always self-serving, or serving the Dark Side. A villain may kill, torture, etc., even to the point of enjoying a little, or a lot, but they rarely do it for pleasure alone. More often than not, it's a means to an end (Pragmatic).

Drawing on Anger and Passion to obtain Power isn't Chaos, it's just freeing oneself from the denial of desire via removing the shackles often associated with a 'Good morality' (Light Side oriented) perspective. Player's may not get this, and may instead equate the Darkside with the kind of senseless violence that leaves a river of blood in their wake.

A far more accurate portrayal of what the extended indulgence in the Dark Side does: it creates a loss of humanity, morality, empathy, and the ability to love, leaving the Sith or new Dark Sider amoral, cruel, selfish, sadistic and violent. Also, as your characters live on a planet that oozes the Dark Side of the force, the above effect would likely be more pronounced.

This change in values, ideology and personality is exemplified in canon, wherein the transition to the Dark Side is part of a transformation into a different person altogether, often leading those who turn to the Dark Side to take on a different name, as they regard their former persona as dead and destroyed.

Squeeks:

Regarding the Security Droid:

You may want to consider that there might be times when it could be a hindrance, For example stealth situations, navigating difficult terrain (rocky, swamp, vertical), etc. It's a security droid, so it is meant to wander halls and move along smooth surfaces. I just want tot give you fair warning.

Of course, you could always leave it on the ship, depending on the situation. Either way, I'll allow the droid.

First draft/throw at Lexi's backstory is up.

Indeed. It wouldn't be appropriate to have it in every situation, certainly not a base model anyways. To be fair, I honestly see this mission is going to be a bit of a wake up call for Lissewa. That if she really wants to get where she wants, she may have to be willing to pull her own weight.

Noted. Going to check it out :)

Also, I want to make sure you know I'm open to letting you make upgrades, which I'm guessing Hawke could help with. However, as part of upgrading droids, I call for a combination skill check using both Mechanics and Computers. Droids are more than just parts.

Also, from a pro-droid perspective, there may be times where it's nice to have it watching the ship, as at the least it could contact you to warn of impending threats.

Another benefit, as you all encroach upon new realms: Security droids are typically fitted with software that allows them, given a connection, to access local law databases for the purpose of updating their database, making sure they comply with planetary, system, and sector law. That could be useful.

Squeek:

Make sure you have a way to make repairs, even though I think Hawke has Mental Tools now that I'm thinking about it.

Good stuff. Good depth. plenty of content and details to work with. I especially like her parents' burning pride, and the clear desire for revenge, greatness, and a pitch black darkness she took comfort in like a 'blanket' as she stared out toward the Dark Veil.

I'll add a tool kit to my list of equipment, something to bring along onto the ship. Also, while this won't change the stats of the droid, I assume I could kind of make my own version of security droid since we've been separated from other droid developers for the last thousand years?

As an extra treat, if any of you can find ways to include Obligation in your character that makes sense with the setting and origin story, feel free to do so and grant yourself another 10 XP.

Squeek, even though you're not a force user, your character will use Morality like the rest of the group; Obligation for you is optional as well.

I have modified Morality mechanic system I'm cooking up just for this campaign that works with the Dark Side, and, whether you're a force user or not, it will work for your character. Also, Morality is nice to have just for its capacity to serve as a gauge for each character's leanings regarding the concepts of Dark vs Light.