Star Wars: Vanguard of Darkness [ EDIT ]

NOTE: Currently the game is full. However, feel free to apply, showing that you're interested in joining the game if a spot opens up in the future.

Welcome to Star Wars: Vanguard of Darkness. Before considering applying, please read everything below to make sure the game is a good fit for you.

First off, for those of you who are new to FFG Star Wars and just bought your first core rule book, or simply like having references readily accessible, a variety of resources will be available in a subforum of our game, somewhat like an FAQ and library of sorts to facilitate smoother gameplay for newcomers and veterans alike. My goal is to create a structure within our game forums and threads that makes the game easier to access and more fun to play. If you're less than familiar with your core rule book, the references in the forum should help you get along, especially if you're posting without access to your CRB (at work, a cafe, etc.).

Now, as far as the game itself, the first thing you should know is that this will be an edgier Star Wars game, with a darker feel at times similar to Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (likely darker, more on that later). Astromechs with attitude, Jar Jar Binks, and cuddly Ewoks aren't welcome. Beyond that, you can expect a fair game where your choices will be largely responsible for your character's success and fate. Death or worse for your character is a possibility, but will always be the result of horrible luck or rather poor decision making by the player. As GM, I won't be 'out to get you', to be sure, but you have the potential to be your own worst enemy. Some GM's shelter the players from their poor choices whereas I am less inclined to do so.

Naturally, knowing that as your GM I can, at times (not always!), be absolutely merciless, your victories and accomplishments will also have much more meaning. The dramatic moments will be more intense. The lighter moments will be a welcome relief at times. To help you along, you'll also start with more powerful characters, capable of handling greater challenges. And, if your character does suffer a horrible fate for whatever reason, you can always create a new one and we'll easily find a way to bring them into the story. In no way am I implying that generating a new character will be common, I just want to let you know that you won?t be eliminated from the game.

Also, rather than simply drop you into a predetermined setting and plot line of my choosing, I'd like you to be part of setting the stage, helping determine the origins of the group and their initial orientation. Are you the spearhead of a new Sith army, long hidden from the eyes of the galaxy in a remote far flung corner of space, ready to establish dominance in the galaxy again (my personal favorite)? A small group assembled by the Empire to investigate rumors of a newly established organization of force users? Imperial Inquisitors? Those are just examples of starting points that appeal to me. The pattern you may have noticed in those examples is that you will be one of the 'bad guys', allowing for a different gaming experience than the norm. We've all seen the 'good guys' story before. It's time to explore Star Wars from a different perspective. And of course, in this new perspective, you won't think of yourself as the 'bad guy'. You simply have a different view of the galaxy, and are determined to bend it to your will.

Beyond that, you and the rest of the group can figure that out a starting direction together. Ideas will be welcome. Also, how you begin doesn't require you to stay that course, we just need a place to start. Your choices, individually and as a group, will be a big part of determining the story as it progresses. Rather than give you a path to follow, I'll make sure you have a galaxy that allows you to follow a path of your choosing, for better or worse. If you need or want more direction, I can easily provide that as well. EDIT: We are already underway in a campaign where the players are members of a resurgent lost Sith culture, primarily users of the Dark Side of the force. Furthermore, they are part of modern Sith society's efforts to conquer the galaxy, striking from their home world Akrultos, where they have been living for the last 1000 years in the depths of Wild Space!

What we're going for regarding play time and game structure is a campaign awarding characters XP on a monthly basis, ultimately moving toward the characters attaining a more 'high level' feel. You'll have the chance to become a true master of the Force, an infamous bounty hunter, or an elite covert operative, to name a few possibilities. The choice is yours. As part of a game designed to move forward and progress the story, the group will need players capable of regularly posting and being involved. Naturally, real life comes first, and things don't always go as planned, but the idea is that you are committed to posting at least four times a week. EDIT: The group has a concrete structure as of now wherein we are actively gaming Monday-Thursday, everyone expected to post at least once a day during that period. Outside of the active time period players post as desired, further enhancing the game and narrative, but it is not expected.

Of course absences, vacations, and the like are to be expected on occasion. You're not expected to be a play by post robot. At the same time, the more like-minded and consistent everyone is on posting frequency, the more enjoyable it will be for all. It's an important aspect of the game's structure, meant to ensure that the pacing of the game remains fairly constant. This way the players know what to expect, and nobody feels like they're being left behind or constantly waiting on others. The idea is to keep the story moving at a consistent pace that allows everyone to feel involved and enjoy the game to its fullest, avoiding becoming sporadic, disjointed, or bogged down. In summary, we'll do our best to avoid the kinds of pitfalls and problems that are frequently the demise of a PbP game.

Another aspect of the structure is related to 'meaningful' posting by the player. More specifically, as a player, you'll bring depth to the story; you're not just along for the ride. To do so, you're happy to commit to posting in a way that adds substance to the game. So, as a group, we'll shy away from bland short posts of one to two sentences, and aim for something that really adds flavor, as PbP has the greatest potential to really shine with quality, in-depth narrative. You don't have to be an author, but if you enjoy writing and can contribute as described above, that would be ideal. Ultimately, as a group, we'll be trying to make an immersive experience where all of us are highly involved in bringing the game to life.

That's about it. If all of the above sounds like your kind of game, you're in the right place. Please apply below by sending me a PM detailing what about the game interests you (beyond factors related to constraints from work, family, etc). More specifically, please tell me what about playing the 'bad guys' interests you, in addition to any other interests related to being part of a Dark Side campaign.