Important links:

The story so far (Get up to speed, quick!)
>https://pastebin.com/54Vfvsff

Archive
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Dark+Empire

Pastebin for info dumps
>https://pastebin.com/u/Timekiller21

Twitter feed I use to announce planned game times.
>https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

This is the map system I use for planning
>http://www.swgalaxymap.com/

And this is a gold mine resource for Star wars info, take with a grain of salt since this universe follows its own continuity.
>http://starwars.wikia.com/

I allow between ten and twenty minutes for voting depending on the importance of the issue and how divided the vote is. If the vote is tied up, I usually allow an extra five minutes for a tie breaker, and if no one votes, I roll for the tie breaker (The will of the dark side).

I always try to incorporate (and encourage!) write ins if they don't violate the spirit of voted decisions, though I may edit or tweak them to fit better.

I also am always open for questions. I'll just ask that they stay relevant to current events in the quest, or at least the near future.

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Serpentine's bridge is hardly any different than your own command deck on Retribution, alive with activity, officers and crew carrying out routine tasks and maintenance needed to keep a technological terror like an Imperial-Class Star Destroyer operational.

In your own division, such repairs were taking place "night" and "day" as your crew struggled to keep abreast of the damage doled out by the Yevetha as their navy melted away to nothing. Reinforcements in the form of more fighters from storage, mothballed as it were on Cal-Seti, and a new batch of picket ships, fresh from the shipyards at Foerost had helped to ease some of the burden, but such combat intensive operations were always a strain.

As you pass, crew scramble out of your way, some giving you hasty salutes, but you only have eyes for the reason for your visit here. Silas Lobkin, Baron of Brentaal and Admiral of the forces you served in. He was impossible to miss with his jaunty cape and cavalier attitude. He certainly seemed in better spirits than he was when he first briefed you and his other flag officers on this mission, the tremendous success the Empire had enjoyed so far certainly had something to do with that.

As you approach, you see him deep in discussion with Commander Flesser, leader of 1st Division. A bald man with a heavily scarred face. You had heard it rumored his command was shot out from under him at Endor, resulting in the injuries you saw now. You didn't know Flesser before this moment, but you could tell that incident had done nothing to help his personality.

(1/2)

File: Intimidator.png (1011 KB, 1920x576)

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Stopping just a short distance away, you wait patiently for Lobkin to finish his conversation. It isn't long before he notices you. "Commander Tyrna," he says, a genuine smile on his face.

As you approach, he dismisses Flesser, who gives you a baleful glance before marching away.

"I know I said it before, but let me say again, your division acquitted itself admirably at N'zoth. You are truly an asset to the Navy."

"Thank you, admiral." Lobkin was something of an enigma to you. You couldn’t tell how much of his praise, and treatment of you in general was flattery and how much was sincere praise. There was also the thinly concealed element of attraction to you, at least partly physical. Even now, he can't help but cast a quick glance down at your body.

You had once shared a private dinner with him, though nothing had come of it. He had remained mostly professional, and entirely gentlemanly. Again you were uncertain how much of his behavior was sincere flirting and how much was social alliance-building.

"You came in an outsider," Lobkin continues, leading you on a slow pace of the bridge as he talks, "and you've managed to forge your division into a cohesive fighting unit, not without difficulty I assume."

"It's always hard to take control of a new ship and new group of subordinates," you reply, "I just hope my reputation speaks for itself."

"I'm sure it does," Lobkin says, stopping at the forward-most point of the bridge, the ashy, smoking surface of N-zoth visible behind him, a fresh trio of bulk freighters rising from the surface, most likely packed to the brim with Yevethan prisoners bound for the shipyards at Byss. "Our job here is nearly done," he says, "And I'm sure the Emperor is going to be most pleased with our performance, but there is one last matter to deal with."

"Sir?"

"Intelligence reports are coming in on enemy causality counts. We've been comparing them to Black Fleet's ship roster."

"And we're coming up short," you say. You know the answer before he gives it because of one glaring short coming.

"We're missing Intimidator and a pair of Star Destroyers, not to mention a handful of escort ships," Lobkin says.

"A whole battlegroup," you reply. Centered on a Super Star Destroyer no less.

"Precisely. Intimidator is not accounted for, and she is likely in hiding nearby. Until we've dealt with her, we can't assume this area is pacified by any stretch. To that end, I am dispersing the fleet to scour the surrounding systems until we locate her."

"To destroy her?" you ask.

"If need be, yes. While I would love more than anything to present an Executor-class to the Emperor as a gift, we have to assume this will be impossible. I'm giving you a wide leeway," he says, "I trust your judgement, Ala- Commander."

"Thank you, admiral."

"Do you have any questions for me before we disperse?"

>Yes (Write in)
>No, admiral

(2/2)

>>1705810
>No, admiral

>No, admiral

>Writing

Apologies for the delay, took a quick errand

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"No, admiral."

Lobkin pauses to smile at you, "It really is nice seeing you again, Commander."

"Thank you, admiral," you were damned if you let your professional side crack in from of anyone on the bridge of a star destroyer.

"Very well, carry on Commander."

You trade salutes and turn on your heel, marching off the bridge.

***

As the fleet drifts apart, the various components angling outward to burn for their associated jump points, you give a final look to N-zoth, the burning battlefields below and the small escort group assembled to guard the planet, a quartet of Victory-Class ships guarding a single Interdictor cruiser designed to keep unexpected enemies at arm's length.

It was a small force, not enough to handle a combat-loaded Executor-class, but it would have to do. It just meant it was that much more crucial you track down Intimidator.

Bastra turns to navigation, "Commence the jump to light speed."

You division vanishes into hyperspace, the coordinates you your search are logged in.

***

Tusken 4 sighed, his exasperation effectively hidden behind his black pilot helmet. Another sector sweep of another system. Another terribly dull assignment. He wasn't sure if this was better or worse than dock work on Foerost really. Not that the Empire's recruitment policies gave him any choice. He was just grateful to be jammed into this aging Tie /Sr snooping remote areas instead of packed into a Tie fighter, barely less expendable than a proton torpedo.

"Beginning com-scan . . . Now," his sensor operator said from the station behind him.

Tusken 4 sighed again and visually surveyed their search sector. A system without name and no planets even remotely livable, let alone truly habitable. On their search grid it was designated XF-121. The system was primordial, a few molten gobs that could hardly be called planets spiraled close to the sun, scorched with deadly heat and radiation while the outer reaches were dominated by frigid, supermassive gas giants that tore apart any matter that approached with incredibly strong gravitational fields.

In between the two was a "sweet spot" in reality occupied by an endless disc of rubble, an abortive attempt to form a planet that may have been halfway livable.

"Keep on flight path, you're veering," the sensor operator chided.

"I am not," Tusken 4 protested.

"You are veering. My sensors don't miss that stuff. If you think-" the sensor operator mercifully fell silent as an insistent chirping began from his console.

"What is that?" Tusken 4 asked.

"We've got something. Something big."

(1/2)

You rub at your eyes, trying not to let your irritation with being pulled from bed show, but it took effort.

"Where is it?" you ask, eyeing your command staff gathering, the others looking just as tired of you, save the Sensor officer, she looks positively alive with energy which is hardly surprising given she was on duty when the reports came in. The rest of you were nearly halfway through your sleep rotations.

"XF-121, uncharted planetary system on the fringes of the Koornacht Cluster," she reports. "One of our Tie scout reports brought it back, and we've since confirmed with a sensor-equipped shuttle patrol. It's there." A few keys on her datapad and the holotable in the ready room springs to life, painting a vivid picture in flickering monochrome. You see a rough diagram of the system itself, unremarkable, then the image zooms in on the broad asteroid belt in the middle of the system. The image dissolved, to be replaced by a lumpy, pockmarked, irregular ovoid which you only knew to be an asteroid from the context of the previous image. A helpful key appeared by the image to give some scale.

"It's approximately 50 kilometers across," Sensors says, "Large, but not remarkable save for one fact." She depresses a stud on the holotable and the image cleaves in half and begins to rotate, creating a cutaway diagram.

Your tactical office perks up, "It's hollow . . . "

"Yes, and is in possession of an artificial gravity field, as well as a large number of power sources." Sensors clicks to another images, these long-range reconnaissance holographs of some kind of armored blast door, massive in scale, half open showing hints of the telltale white dagger-shape of a Super Star Destroyer within. "The Yevetha have evidently created themselves some sort of hiding spot for Intimidator. Near as well can tell through computer estimates, this facility is unarmed, unshielded, and not in possession of the kind of forces that could make effective resupply of an Executor-Class feasible."

(2/3) fml

"So why are they holding it there?" Bastra asks.

"Honestly? It looks like they're hiding it there. I would speculate they're waiting for an opportunity to strike. The one thing they didn't count on, is that we would find them first."

You rub your chin as you study the image, "What about the other two star destroyers unaccounted for?"

"They could easily fit within a base that size," Tactical replies, "I wouldn't be surprised if they have them all wedge in there together, maybe a dozen thrustships too."

"And they have no pickets or sensor networks in place to watch for attacks?"

"Our scouts didn't find any, but we didn't risk approaching," Sensors replies.

It was clear to you that the element of surprise was firmly on your side. So firmly in fact, it might be possible, even probable that you could catch the Yevetha so off-guard that your division alone might be able to neutralize Intimidator. It wouldn't be without risk, but a properly formulated plan, already in early stages in your head, could trap the SSD within the asteroid, leaving its fate in your hands.

Lobkin was eager to return to the Emperor with a prize, and so were you eager to prove yourself. The boon to your career if you seized Intimidator "alone". It would likely be enough to get considered for promotion to rear admiral.

Of course, your official instructions were to report Intimidator's discovery. Although, Lobkin did say he trusted your judgement.

>Let's see if we can take a crack at it ourselves. We don't have time to wait for reinforcement (Planning to follow)
>We will report this to the Admiral

(3/3)

>>1705947

>Let's see if we can take a crack at it ourselves. We don't have time to wait for reinforcement (Planning to follow)

>We will report this to the Admiral

Since we're so deliciously tied up. I will wait for a tie breaker for 5 mins before rolling a decision

>>1706025
Wait, just got here and reading. Don't roll tiebreaker just yet.

>>1705947
>We will report this to the Admiral

Let's show to Lobnik we are worth to be thrusted

>>1706042
No problem my dude.

>>1705947
>We will report this to the Admiral

>>1706070
>>1706048
>>1705971

>Report to the Admiral

>Writing

"Let's get admiral Lobkin on the holocom at once," you say.

Within minutes, you've contact Lobkin and explained the situation. "Excellent work, Commander. If Intimidator is as vulnerable as you say then we have to strike quickly. Most of the fleet is out of position, But Commander Lennox and the 3rd Division can rendezvous with you in moments. He's one of my senior division commanders, so I expect you to defer to his orders on this."

"Very good Admiral," you say. Lennox, to your estimation, was well qualified for command, given the prestigious commands in the past, though you had never worked with him before.

"Lennox should be on station within an hour, I'll round up the rest of the fleet and we'll attempt to rendezvous with you ASAP."

As the two of you end the com channel, it occurs to you that if Lennox operates like any other Imperial commander you know of, should Intimidator be neutralized, he will take full credit for the victory. You hadn't anticipated Lobkin putting your command under someone else, whether or not it was his intention. It's not too late to act on your own, it would be easy to fabricate a need to jump on that prize, though of course acting alone carries more risk.

>I can't risk Lennox stealing my glory, we'll act alone
>Orders are orders. We'll wait for Lennox

>Orders are orders. We'll wait for Lennox

>>1706101
>>Orders are orders. We'll wait for Lennox

We just received a massive promotion, command of a Division, and achieved a significant if hard fought victory. We will have other chances for glory in this war. Let's show we can be professional ourselves. It certainly wouldn't do for us to go off on that captain earlier for contacting the Admiral against orders only for us to disobey explicit orders ourselves.

>>1706101
>Orders are orders. We'll wait for Lennox

>Orders are orders. We'll wait for Lennox


>writing

The arrival of Tyrant can't come any sooner, you feel ready to burn a hole in the deck just from sheer pent up energy when 3rd Division pulls out of hyperspace nearby.

"Ma'am, Commander Lennox for you," Communications says, beckoning you to their station.

"Put him on," you fight down the irritation in your voice.

"Commander Tyrna, a pleasure," Lennox says after materializing on your screen. "I've been briefed en route by Admiral Lobkin, he reports you've located Intimidator and her escorts and that she's vulnerable to attack by your estimation?"

"Correct."

"Good. I went ahead and prepared an attack plan based on the recommendation you gave Admiral Lobkin. Our forces will enter XF-121, coming out of lightspeed some distance away. Then, we will coast in on sublight power, staying on the edge of the asteroid field. Ultimately we will close to firing range and though a combination of missile and torpedo bombardment, as well as turbolaser fire, reduce the base, and destroy Intimidator."

The plan was sound, it was nearly identical to the one you'd come up with. From within her stone shell, Intimidator was unable to bring her overwhelming firepower to bear effectively. Theoretically, that asteroid wouldn't stop turbolaser fire, in or out, the difference is, you would have an easier time hitting the target within than it would have hitting out. Not to mention with a precise bombardment at long range, you could likely freeze or destroy the primary door mechanism and prevent Intimidator from leaving.

But still, Lennox was overlooking one potential action you had weighed. Storming the asteroid with boarding parties after sealing Intimidator in her tomb. Such an action normally wouldn't be possible, given the power disparity between a Super Star Destroyer and anything else your fleet has to offer, but for a few factors.

Firstly, as mentioned the current situation neutralizes her firepower advantage unless she were able to escape from the asteroid.

Secondly, Before beginning this operation, Lobkin's forces had been provided override codes to prevent the self-destruct command from being run on an Imperial warship. Provided by the Emperor himself you were told. It meant if Intimidator were to fall, the captain couldn't choose to end it all rather than lose the ship.

Lastly, a ship that size with no real support structure was likely under crewed. Even at the height of the Empire, keeping a Super Star Destroyer fully manned and stocked was a chore.

Such a plan carried risks, it was much more difficult than merely pummeling the ship to dust. But the reward . . .

>Agree with Lennox's plan
>Suggest he attempt to board and capture Intimidator
>Write in

>>1706193
>Suggest he attempt to board and capture Intimidator

>>1706193
>Suggest he attempt to board and capture Intimidator
>Write in
Point out that no matter how good the Yvetha are at engeniring they don't have the man power neede to supply a SSD. Also our plan takes to much credit thrust that they don't have ships in other uncharted system waiting to frop on us or on our back so keeping some ships behind as a back up might be a good idea.

Oh! Also the Yvetha seem to like to build space station using hollow asteroids and if they could crew a moon like the one in Aradia as a battle station they might have some surprise in that asteroid for us.

>Suggest he attempt to board and capture Intimidator

>Writing

"Commander Lennox," you say, "There may be another option you haven't considered."

He raises an eyebrow, "Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes sir. No matter how good the Yevetha were as engineers, they don't have the manpower needed to fully staff a ship like Intimidator. It may be possible to capture the ship with boarding teams. Quite a lot of boarding teams."

Lennox looks unsettled at the prospect of trying to board a ship like Intimidator.

"It also seems likely to me that the Yevetha have something planned here. I'd recommend we keep some ships in reserve in the case of more ships arriving. There are after all two more Star Destroyers from Black Fleet unaccounted for."

"That is exactly why I am reluctant to commit to any sort of boarding operation," Lennox says. "I'm tempted to try for it, just because of what's at stake, but if we were to fail . . . "

The slaughter would be horrendous if Intimidator turned out to be less helpless than you imagined. Yours were exactly the sort of capital ships she was built to break. There was also the unspoken subtext here which is that while Lennox would love to take credit for a victory, he would also be liable for any failure here.

"You know, Tyrna," Lennox says, "You may have a point. If I keep my division on alert, it may give you an opportunity to try for the boarding action you mentioned, should you feel the time is right."

He's trying for the best of both worlds. You can't help but smirk. Should your wild attack fail, it would be a simple matter for Lennox to paint it as a foolhardy and unauthorized attack, while still being able to claim credit as leader of the operation should it succeed.

>Very good, Commander. I'll ready my forces, we'll attempt to hijack that ship
>No, I think you're right. We'd better stick to destroying it while we can

>>1706308

>Very good, Commander. I'll ready my forces, we'll attempt to hijack that ship

Our storm troppers will be the best boarders.

>>1706308
>No, I think you're right. We'd better stick to destroying it while we can
We will have our chance with the other two SSDs

>>1706340
the other two SSDs have been accounted for. One was destroyed at Galantos and the other at N'Zoth

>>1706308
>write in
>>Very good, Commander. In that case I have a small request. May I have leave to make use of some of your stormtrooper detachments? Mine suffered some losses when my division successfully boarded and took a Yevetha shipyard and moon base. If you are amenable, I shall ready my forces, we'll attempt to hijack that ship.

He can't reasonably decline our request, and if we do fail the fact his troops are with ours indicates he authorized the boarding operation rather than leaving us taking all the blame should we meet with failure.

>>1706343
Oops. But I'll stick to it. We're not going to get any credits for taking it anyways. It's all going to him and Lobkin

Oh man i just realized something...if the Yvetha can't crew the ship nothing stops then from takin all the weapons on the SSD and pluck then in the asteroids or into a ISD.

>>1706361
Where is your Imperial spirit?!? Who cares who gets the credit when the greater merit is in reclaiming a vessel of great value to the Empire. Besides, enough people will know of our part in the boarding we will not lose all our credit should our efforts be successful. The right people will know our worth.

>>1706361
This:>>1706376

>>1706376
After nearly losing a star destroyer or two in that battle I'm not to keen on bold actions right now

>>1706387
You do realize those bold actions were the reason why we won right?

>>1706391
No. Just luck

>>1706340
>>1706358

>Attempt hijack

>writing

>>1706410
Hopefully the extra troopers (if we get them) will boost our rolls

>>1706409
Well i slightly dissagreed. Because by using your logic even if we didn't make a bold move and we were unlucky we couldn't have manage to win.

But i do agree we do need to analyze a situation better so we can avoid deaths. Besides the thing is we board the SSD IF we se a opening if we don't then we just don't do it.

Eight star destroyers and their many escorts form up on the edge of the system, pointed to XF-121, ready to make the final jump to execute this carefully laid plan. You will only get one shot at this, and should virtually any aspect of this plan fail, it will cause the whole operation to fall apart.

Not that such risks have stopped you before.

"Commence the jump."

***

Because of previous feedback, I am reducing the number of required rolls greatly. This is one big, somewhat risky attack which is sink or swim.

Roll 1d100 each up to three.

DC is 35, you want to roll equal or higher.


50 DC - Base DC

-10 Zepal (Gunnery witch)
-5 Imperial Efficiency
-5 battle tested
-5 Friendly reinforcements
-10 Sneak attack
+20 Super Star Destroyer

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>1706455

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>1706455

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>1706455

>>1706457
>>1706458
>>1706473

Critical success, nice.

>63
>71
>46

Critical success

>Writing

Fucking hell so glad we listened and waited our orders.

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The hardest part you felt was always the waiting. Standing on the bridge, watching the chronometer tick closer to the moment of execution. Then it was upon you.

"All missile batteries are clear to fire," Tactical says into his console microphone. His orders relayed through your ship to the darkened gunnery section where Lieutenant Zepal rolled her eyes.

"Of course we're clear to fire." She'd double and triple checked the firing solutions, and of course fixed the Tactical officer's sloppy math. She turns to her gunners, hunched over their terminals, but looking back at their leader, faceplates and helmets reflecting the glow of their screens. "Let's show them Imperial engineering," Zepal says.

Two salvos of torpedoes were launched from each destroyer in the division, the torpedoes getting up to speed and then killing their drives, coasting on ballistic paths toward their target.

The Yevetha wouldn't know what hit them until after you were in turbolaser range.

Explosions dotted the mouth of the asteroid hangar and, tremendous as it was, it wasn't immune to damage. Especially damage that came without warning.

"Turbolasers," Zepal says and in an instant the emerald beams of death start up, pounding away at any exposed defenses or sensors, shearing off vast chunks of the asteroid.

On the bridge, you are scrambling boarding teams aboard large landing shuttles, the first wave has over 10,000 troopers in it, though, against a target the size of a large city, it wouldn't be enough and subsequent waves were planned.

True to your expectations, Intimidator makes an effort to shoot her way out of her prison, blasting holes through the rocket structure that surrounds her, but her fire was neither coordinated nor effectively concentrated to create any sort of meaningful hole, and none of the shots came remotely close to your ships.

"General Duelis reports his lead companies have found passage through the asteroid into the interior," Tactical says.

"The General knows what he's doing, but remind him to do it quickly" you say.

At this point, unless Intimidator manages to escape, her fate is sealed. Like a large insect beset with small ants, it's only a matter of time before she succumbs.

"We've picked up a new group of signals," Sensors says, alarm climbing in her voice. "Enemy Star Destroyers."

"Intimidator's escorts I assume," Bastra says.

You peer over the sensor report and see two star destroyers approaching with a handful of Thrustships as escort. "Ah, the last pieces of the puzzle," you say.

>Let Lennox's Division deal with them
>Tell Commander Lennox we'll handle these as well

>>1706519

>Let Lennox's Division deal with them

>>1706519
>Let Lennox's Division deal with them

>>1706519
>>Let Lennox's Division deal with them
That's what reserves are for

>>1706519
>>Let Lennox's Division deal with them

>>1706525
>>1706526
>>1706527
>>1706529

That was quick haha. Yall really aren't glory hounds, huh?

>Writing

>>1706519
>>Let Lennox's Division deal with them
We're already committed to this attack, and need to be prepared in case of any unfortunate surprises.

>>1706537
We'll be responsible for the capture of the SSD. That's glory enough. Besides which we already fought a bloody battle and achieved notable success.

We'll have to fuck up majorly to not be an Admiral or grand Admiral by the time we're Lennox's age at this rate of promotion.

>>1706537
The biggest glory we can achieve is a victory for the empire

>>1706519
>Let Lennox's Division deal with them

"3rd Division moving to engage," Sensors confirms, "It's over for them," she adds, leaning back in relief.

"It's over for Intimidator as well," Tactical says, practically beaming. "Duelis reports his man are moving forward with little resistance. It seems speculation about the enemy's strength was correct."

The victory is sweet. A fitting end, you feel, to the campaign against the Yevetha, and symbolic of your victory as a whole.

You were assigned to this campaign as a punishment, but return stronger than ever.

(Cont.)

Got LOTS to write, standby

>>1706632
>spoiler

I have a really bad feelling about this...

>>1706632
>spoiler

Very exciting. I know we didn't grab the whole SSD ourselves (and with those rolls we probably could have), but we certainly acquitted ourself extremely well in our first major quasi-independent command.

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On Imperial Center, the news of the victory over the Yevetha was, in some ways, bitter sweet. While many celebrated triumph of Imperial arms, others saw it as just another small, grueling, bloody step twoard status quo. After all, what did subjugation and virtual extermination of a backward and primitive species matter when the Rebels were still gathered at the gates of the Empire.

As Emperor, you are expected to always bring victory to your people, and of course that wasn't always possible.

The Naval board had made its first recommendation for a promotion to Admiral, which you had signed off on, the hero of XF-121 and one of the victors at N'zoth. Xamuel Lennox. Of course, the gift of a Super Star Destroyer was hard to overlook, and helped many on the board overlook shortcomings much earlier in his career.

Of course, a glowing recommendation by his own commanding officer Admiral Lobkin certainly helped.

With the Yevetha finally destroyed, the navy had begun its long overdue reorganization. 16 Divisions being split up into four fleets.

First Fleet under Yazz.

Second Fleet under Oxtroe.

Third Fleet under Lobkin.

Fourth Fleet under Lennox.

These semi-permanent divisions would make grand maneuvers easier, like those anticipated for Operation Shadow Hand. One of the glaring downsides to your massive reorganization and the breakup of the Brentaal Navy was all too apparent now.

The reports Isard had given you of the stolen ships still burned within you. Dozens of escort ships, hijacked from the Corellian shipyards by rebel operatives. Such a thing was only possible through two methods, and likely both. Disloyalty within your ranks in Corellia, and of course the confusion caused by such a large redistribution of ships. Your Komissars had already left for Corellia in an attempt to stamp out any rebel sympathies that may still lie in that contrarian system.

You had to trust that your underlings were handling things properly, and you didn't have time to devote to worrying about it. Your Archmage Sly Moore had requested a private meeting with you.

(1/2)

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Crimson suited her, the head to toe robes she wore only served to accentuate her strange nature. You expected nothing less from your Archmage as she kneels before you, those robes forming a blood-like puddle around her.

"You bring news about the mission to Myrkyr," you say, "The Sith Hounds."

"Yes, my master. Our mission was successful. We managed to capture a number of the beasts that will serve as breeding stock for us though a few Blackguard were killed retrieving them."

You chuckle, "A testament to their effectiveness I think."

"Quite. Once our specimen numbers are up we will begin experiments to warp them to our will." she pauses, "We also discovered a native lizard-like species the few locals call Ysalamir. These creatures create a force-absent bubble around themselves, something we felt would be beneficial to us, but any attempts we made to remove them from the trees they live on resulted in their death. I regret to say we did not figure out an effective way to transport them before we had to leave."

"We will return someday," you reply, "you have done well Archmage."

You sense in Moore, hesitation.

"Something troubles you?"

"I have felt something in the force, master. Whispers and ripples in the Dark Side." She looks up at you with her pallid eyes, "We are not alone."
Her tone troubles you.

"What do you mean?"

"I have sensed . . . Others. Have you not felt the same?"

Others. You scowl. The truth is you hadn't sensed anything. "What others?" you demand.

"The Prophets of the Dark Side."

The name you had long ago forgotten, pushed aside. The Prophets had served in a role quite similar to the one filled by the Byss Mages and later the Shadow Mages. They were dark side heretics, not adhering to your Rule of Two, instead following an ancient tradition. They had served their purpose, but vanished after your death.

Individually they were weak, inconsequential . . But together . . . It was no wonder you couldn't sense them. If anyone could figure a way to hide from you in the force, it was them.

"And not just the Prophets," Moore continues, "I feel others still, those outside, apart from us. They are jealous of our power, of your success." she speaks in a voice that is not her own, tapped in to the dark side of the force.

"Where?" you ask.

Moore shakes her head, "I can't be certain."

>You and your Mages must track down these force users through meditation.
>Don't worry about them, continue your work on the Sith Hounds
>Write in

>>1706656
>You and your Mages must track down these force users through meditation.

>>1706654
I hope Lennox and Lobkin value Alana for her contribution to the successful capture of an SSD and his Lennox's admialship. I doubt Alana could have jumped straight to Admiral even if she did capture it on her own, but at least she is well known in to least half the admiralty by now.

>>1706656
>Write in

These man should be eliminated before they become a threat. Use the imperial intelligence searching for then in the force won't be effective but just find their location i think that we might have found a use for Skywalkers new jedi...

>>1706656
>focus on your work but keep me updated

>>1706670
for their good they better value us. But i'm afraid they might want to keep us as a underling rather then a equal.

>>1706656
>>1706673

changing my vote
>Don't worry about them, continue your work on the Sith Hounds

>>1706656
>>Don't worry about them, continue your work on the Sith Hounds

>>1706680
Luckily we have connections with the new chief Kommissar...

>>1706656
>Don't worry about them, continue your work on the Sith Hounds

>>1706704
>>1706692
>>1706686
>>1706676

>>Don't worry about them, continue your work on the Sith Hounds

>writing

>>1706696
By the force i cometely forgot about that. Dam if we want to we can just tip our hand to Brakkiss about then. Also i'm kinda sad we didn't get Mi in our ship during the combat...it would be also to let her loose in the boarding parties.

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"They are insignificant," you reply with a sneer. " Let them yearn for power and lust for control. Soon my Empire will be unstoppable, an extension of my will that can be used to reach out and crush them."

"It will be as you say, Master." Moore agrees.

"Develop our Hounds and continue you work, but should you have any other visions, report them immediately."

"Yes, master."

As Sly Moore leaves, you reach out with the force to feel the presences you felt through the force. You recognize them for what they are, having felt it enough in your past. Potential apprentices. People unaware of their own potential in the force. Now it seems you have to compete with others to collect new soldiers.

So be it.

(Cont.)

So much writing

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You are Darth Cythera, and your life is pain.

Your arms are on fire after the surgery to attach your new permanent prosthetics. They are passable as natural, but can also bend durasteel. You’ve been told the pain subsides within a few days after the surgery. Even greater than the pain of restoring your arms is the pain of knowing you lost Skywalker. You had him so close that you locked blades with him, and still you were defeated.

If that weren't enough, after the arrival of two more Korriban-Class ships with Dark Siders, Sedriss has felt bold enough to reveal to you the Emperor's instruction. He is to "keep an eye on you" to ensure you don't fail again. The man who had been the closest you'd ever had to family now prepared to discard you should you fail in your task. The anger, shame and humiliation were almost more than you could bear.

Except you were a Sith, and you used such emotions, you did not let them use you.

You had marshaled your small task force together and passed through the Tion Cluster, headed for the Mon Calamari home world of Dac, the world you suspect Skywalker and the other Jedi are hiding on, but also unfortunately a Rebel stronghold. Any effort to take Luke there will be-

A chill runs down your spine and you sense you are no longer alone.

Igniting your blade, you whirl on your intruder, alone together in your meditation chamber, you have no qualms about striking them down. One less of Sedriss's lackey's would leave you that much stronger.

Instead of a man, you face a Shadow. The dark creature you seem to have picked up from Rhen Var.

He, you assume it is a he, is more of a shape or silhouette against the wall than a physical entity. You can make out the sharp edges of ancient battle armor, a canted, horned helmet and spiked shoulders.

They mock you. The Shadow says Why do you let them mock you?

"I have my orders and my reasons," you say, deactivating your blade, more from a suspicion it would be useless to try and kill this thing than from any lowered sense of danger. "A better question is why I let you linger around and piss me off."

The Jedi defeated you it says Weak. As I said. You are no Sith.

You snort, "I have to say, standing here flesh and blood I'm more Sith than you are right now." You cross your arms, "Now what the hell is it you want?"

(1/2)

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To restore you. To make you powerful.

"Why?" No one works for free.

Sith do not take orders. Sith bide their time. Sith rule or seek to rule. A Master has, and an Apprentice craves. This is the way of the Sith. You are not a Sith. Yet.

"And you want to change that?" You ask.

The Sith must rule again, and to rule must defeat the Jedi. Must defeat the heretics. This cannot be done without true Sith. I can train you to be Sith. I can give you true power. Power your master can't.

It was obvious to you that this Shadow has ulterior motives, but hell, that seemed par for the course with Sith. Would it truly be Sith if it didn't stand to gain?

>What does it take to get rid of you? (Cythera remains player-controlled)
>Make me a true Sith (Cythera becomes more powerful, but is no longer merely a pawn of your ambition, no longer directly player controlled)
>I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! (Cythera is no longer player controlled, but not shadow trained either)

>>1706802
>I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! (Cythera is no longer player controlled, but not shadow trained either)

>>1706802
>I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! (Cythera is no longer player controlled, but not shadow trained either)

It's the one thing she's been consistent about.

>>1706802
>Make me a true Sith (Cythera becomes more powerful, but is no longer merely a pawn of your ambition, no longer directly player controlled)
Power, more power

>>1706802
>Make me a true Sith (Cythera becomes more powerful, but is no longer merely a pawn of your ambition, no longer directly player controlled)

>>1706802
>What does it take to get rid of you? (Cythera remains player-controlled)

>>1706802
>I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! (Cythera is no longer player controlled, but not shadow trained either)

Although it would make more sense since Sedriss revealed what we said to him to her that she went rogue on us.

>>1706802
>>I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! (Cythera is no longer player controlled, but not shadow trained either)

>>1706802
>Make me a true Sith (Cythera becomes more powerful, but is no longer merely a pawn of your ambition, no longer directly player controlled)

Vessel of Emperor's Will:
>>1706819
>>1706825
>>1706852
>>1706861

True Sith
>>1706827
>>1706828
>>1706887

Go away Ghost!
>>1706833

Very close vote!

>I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! (Cythera is no longer player controlled, but not shadow trained either)

>Writing

>>1706927
I like her, but by fucking god. I hate playing her parts.

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"You don't get it, do you?" Cythera asks the ghost. "I'm not your pawn. I am a vessel of the Emperor's will! He might send me on a suicide mission, and he might order others to watch me, but I would never betray him. ever. So run off back to whatever hole you crawled out of and leave me alone. This is the only I'm I'm going to warn you. Next time, I'll start trying to figure out ways to kill you again. Got it?"

The Shadow made no reply, but faded away to insignificance and then vanished.

Cythera sighs, sometimes it was easier being Emperor's Hand. She didn't have time to dwell on it though, she had a Jedi Master to kill . . .

***

That's all the time I have! Thanks so much for playing guys. I tried a few new things this session so I'm hoping everything went smooth. As always, feel free to give me feedback here, good or bad.

If you haven't already, follow the quest on Twitter

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest

You guys are awesome!

>>1706941
Good news! Now you don't have to! And not many people liked it, so I figured I'd give you guys this out. Feedback like that is good[/spoiler[

>>1706956
thanks for the run tk. Now we get to be best girl for far more long.

>>1706956
Good run bossman.

God I fear what the Rebellion is brewing while we're doing this.

>>1706956
Thanks TK

>>1706985
>>1706986
>>1706992

Yeah! My pleasure.

I've got two questions too if anyone cares to answer because I'm curious

1: What made Mara so unpleasant to play? Bad gameplay? Boring? Bad writing? Just not interesting? Etc.

2: To any lurkers or potential players that hypothetically read but dont play(Assuming they exist), is there anythibg stopping you from joining in? Too hard to get into? Wrong time zone? Would rather read?


Also forgot to add, next session is same time thursday!

>>1707005
A mix of time-zone and real life commitments for me, I'm afraid. Usually, by the time I have an opportunity to join in, it's already done for the day.

I've been reading since the start and absolutely love this quest, though.

>>1707022
Oh wow, it's Moff Wibbles! It's been a while, but good to hear you're enjoying it! Makes me wonder how many other people have been around since the begining.

We miss having you. Hopefully you approve of the direction the Empire is taking.

Maybe I'll do another 18 hour gaming session that'll fit your timezone.

>>1707041
Quite enjoying it so far. It's really hard to find a good balance between the political, mystical and action-centric themes of Star Wars, especially since the Empire (and especially the Dark Empire) is so heavily steeped in all three. I feel like you've found a pretty good balance point in between them.

As for an 18 hour sesh, kriff yes. I would be all in on that. (Unless it's the 3rd-6th of August, got a 501st thing on).

>>1707005
Playing as Mara was unpleasant due to the fact that we're way underleveled to fight the likes of Luke Fucking Skywalker, who by this point is stronger than even Mace Windu minus his Vapaad. There's a difference between a great challenge and an unwinnable scenario after all, even with Dark Side Henchmen to help even the odds.

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>>1707005
1. Well, I think I'd chalk up one of the major reasons to sheer bad luck and maybe a little poor planning on our parts. Hunting down Luke Skywalker sounds like it'd be lots of fun, but it takes up quite a lot of time and it more often than not ended in failure for us. We tend to make mistakes as Alana and the Emperor from time to time but we rarely fuck up as bad as Mara does. I feel like both Palpy and Alana have some very interesting times ahead of them; dealing with Prophets of the Dark Side, more spess battles, intrigue with the Komissari, befriending Sheev's niece or was that his cousin we met at the Ball? and of course making Dad proud of us.
2. I'd really love to continue to play this game, but my new work schedule and the fact that I run my own game on Thursday evenings makes it unlikely I can participate like I used to. I still love reading up on this quest though, and I think you've been doing a great job with it.
Always warms my heart to see Imperials crushing rebel scum

>>1707005
>1
I like more the space battles Then jedi/sith conflits powers. And palpy although he's a sith we use him more in political manipulations more like how he was before becoming emperor and starting to behave as a dummy.

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>>1706956

>>1707005
1. I think it ends up a bit too much on the micro tactical level. And honestly, Mara is a fresh sith apprentice, she doesn't have nearly the amount of training to take down Luke. It's a completely wrong mission for her at this point. We should have sent her to deal with traitors or wipe out/recruit smaller dark siders cells to begin with.
2. Been lurking from the start. It's completely in the wrong timezone for me, always goes on 1 in the morning to six or seven. And that's okey, it's fine reading about it retroactively. But by golly, you guys make some dumb decisions sometimes.

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>>1707141
>It's really hard to find a good balance between the political, mystical and action-centric themes of Star Wars, especially since the Empire (and especially the Dark Empire) is so heavily steeped in all three
No kidding! I'm still working out how to touch all three.

Though I AM glad you think I've hit some kind of balance. Makes me think I'm doing something right.

501st? Thank you for your service. The Empire congratulates you.

The number of readers out of my timezone makes me feel like I should run another long ass game. Stay tuned.

>>1707876
Looks like that's the common opinion

>>1707994
Great Niece Thanks for the kind words! I'm bummed you're not able to play as much though. What quest do you run?

>>1708263
Fuckin lol'd

>>1708947
Tactical micro is my bane. I think it's a big weak point in Alana's sections, but (I think) that'll be alleviated by her higher command level now. Not to mention doing 1 battle takes like 10 threads, I'm considering condensing that a lot where 1 combat roll handles a LOT more than just 1 action at a time.

Sorry to hear about the time zone problems! Again, I'm giving though to running an "all nighter" game for the people in weird time zones. Maybe that'd help?

>dumb decisions
top kek. Shit happens. Alana, and even the Emperor himself are only human

>>1708947
I agreed with your first we should send her in a trainning against other dark siders it would help us to contain those who are jeaulous of our sucess. But i'm VERY tempted in using the alliance and the new jedi against those dark siders. Maybe if we are lucky they will end up killing themselfs.

>>1709792
>spoiler
>even the emperor is only human

HERESY!!

>>1709792
>I think it's a big weak point in Alana's sections, but (I think) that'll be alleviated by her higher command level now.
I think you're being a bit too harsh on yourself here. I actually like the longer / more tactical battles.

Not 3 threads worth, but a solid 3/4 thread of tactical action is good. It provides an excellent counterpoint to our grand strategic actions as Palpy.

>>1710899
i second this but maybe with other characters then just Alana?
like another dark sider would be cool except this one is not affilited with anyone

>>1709792
Well I hope best girl got a promotion for the capture at least.
>>1712427
Force users in a star wars story is way overdone and boring.

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>>1709792
>Great Niece
That really took me by surprise desu. I never considered Sheev still had living blood relatives hanging around.

No problem! I usually run a VtM campaign with some friends on Thursday nights. I also used to run a star wars quest here a long while back called Jedi Lord Quest. It kind of ended abruptly due to low player turnout and my own schedule problems though.

>>1712668
Yeah, the timeline is fucky because Dark Empire is a black sheep in the star wars legends EU. Even before the new canon they were pissing all over it.

I think it unfairly got a bad rap, but it's a controversial topic among nerds.

In Dark Empire expanded sources, Palpatine has reletives, this is before the Sith were really a concept so it's all very murky. In our game, she's a distant relation.

>>1712668
>Jedi Lord quest
You murderer
>>1712671
While it's technically possible for palps to have living relatives but I don't he would care/think much of them

>>1712682
He doesn't.

It's more everyone else who does. Ederlathh is sort of a "Paris Hilton" type celebrity. She doesn't really do anything or have any real power. She has high connections though and is generally given "whatever" to keep her out of the way.

Old Palps barely acknowledges her existence. She hasn't caused trouble so she's allowed to do as she pleases. Likely she'll become a Moff or planetary governor when she grows older.

>>1709792
>Sorry to hear about the time zone problems! Again, I'm giving though to running an "all nighter" game for the people in weird time zones. Maybe that'd help?
I don't think it would, i'd be off to work anyway even if it was extended. Honestly, it's fine, and it's just cool to watch and read and see you and everyone else have fun. Besides, you need your sleep too, I have to assume.
>>1712668
I remember Jedi lord quest. It was quite enjoyable, and set in a really underappreciated era. Sorry it ended too soon, but what can you do with a low player base.
Chivalrious jedi lords fighting sith warlords, ruling over planets and dealing with hutts, all the while getting displeased frowns from the jedi council on Coruscant. What's not to like?

>>1712798
Lord Kaan did nothing wrong.

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Sedriss couldn't help but grin, not a happy, healthy smile but one twisted with sadism and cruelty. In many ways it was unbelievable to him what was happening.

"What sort of power?" He asked.

Name it, the Shadow responded. I will give you the power to be a Sith. Power to defeat the one your master calls Cythera. Growing closer, close enough that he could feel the chill of thousands of years emanating from it it added, the power you need to take her place.

Power, the thought of true power was intoxicating. Sedriss could feel this things strength in the force and if he could possess even a small degree of that power . . . Well, next step was Darth Sedriss.

"Where do we start?"

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Far away from Cythera and her small task force of Korriban Cruisers, you sit in your private throne room, recently returned from a trip to Byss and ready to face the endless procession of advisers, generals, and ministers. It was no wonder to you why you had passed off so much of the day-to-day monotony of your Empire to men like Pestage and Tarkin when you were able. Now though, you realized more than ever you were the sole linchpin holding together your empire. You had nearly lost it once, now you wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Your first meeting is with Grand Admiral Zahn, he was going over the numbers of Imperial deployments and discussing reports from the factions that neighbor you. It's patently obvious to you how much Grand Admiral Zahn enjoys his new flagship when, since rather than visit in person, he relays his report to you via holocom. Intimidator, aside from Tarkin is the only Super Star Destroyer in naval service. Of course, Isard and Imperial Intelligence have Lusankya buried deep under the Coruscanti city-scape, but it's doing valuable work right where it is.

Intimidator, once expunged of the xenos filling it, lives up to its namesake, a striking shape in orbit with the rest of the collect fleet.

"The details are still sketchy," Zahn continues, "but I have independently confirmed that a battle was joined at Vinsoth between Thrawn and Zsinj."

You note that Zahn does not use the Grand Admiral's title.

"We estimate that at least a dozen capital ships were involved, potentially more."

"And the result?" you ask.

Zahn shakes his head, "We have no clear answers, but I know who I would bet on should Thrawn and Zsinj fight."

(1/3)

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"Thank you, Grand Admiral. Am I also to understand our fleet reorganization is complete?"

"Yes, your highness. Admiral Lennox is getting accustomed to his new command and the Brentaal navy has been broken up. The fighter modernization program is still in full swing. It will take some time to get all of our compliments up to snuff, the old stock is being cycled out as spares or deployed as planetary and local garrison forces."

"You have done well, Grand Admiral. I am pleased with the efficiency of your reorganization."

"Thank you, your highness," Zahn bows.

"All aside from the theft of a number of my warships from Corellia."

Zahn winces, visible even through the low-resolution hologram. "Yes . . . Well-"

"I am to assume the rebellion is to blame?"

"It appears, your highness, that some traitors and spies yet remain in the upper structures of Corellian administration."

"And they will be found in time," you reply, "What are the results of this theft?"

"A few dozen Carracks, some Nebulon-B frigates, a lancer-class and a pair of Strike-class."

"Replaceable," you say dismissively, eliciting a slight relaxing in Zhan's posture, "But such a loss is unacceptable. Rest assured, Grand Admiral, people will lose their lives over this debacle. We cannot allow such a disaster to happen a second time."

Zahn swallows nervously. "Yes, your highness."

(2/3)

"Now that I'm sure I've made the severity of this issue apparent to you, I'm curious to hear your military plans."

Zahn nods, "Yes of course. To give you a brief overview of our situation, we have something akin to a truce in effect with Thrawn's forces to the galactic north, with our forward sentries not registering any buildup of forces near the border. The Rebellion has been remission since their defeat at Kuat. Based on the Rebels recent activity, we think they are experiencing severe growing pains. It seems they're short on ships, though that's hard to verify without more information."

"Lord Cythera is in the vicinity of Dac," you say, "It will be possible for her to gather information on their shipyard operations there."

"Further south, some remaining warlords control important manufacturing worlds that will be needed for Operation Shadow Hand. They have been silent thus far, but with so much neutral space between us and them, they've been hard to reach."

Zahn nods to someone out of the view and a separate map of the central regions of the galaxy is displayed. "Currently, there are several targets that it is in our best interest to take and hold. The Imperial Academy on Carida is more-or-less under siege, surrounded by hostile systems. It would be useful to retake it and provide us with more access to its instructional and training facilities."

"Commenor," Zahn continues, "Is a vital hub, still controlled by the Rebel alliance, and heavily defended if our estimates are to be believed. Commenor is a chokepoint that not only would make securing our lines easier, especially protecting from surprise attack against Kuat and its supplier worlds. Not to mention It's q valuable developed world and trade hub in its own right."

"Furthermore, the shipyards at Fondor are nearly within striking range, but there is a wide, Deep Core backwater region we have to secure before control of Fondor can be solidified.

"We must keep in mind that these targets must be balanced against the need to protect ourselves against attack, particularly from the rebellion. Currently we only have adequate stockpiles to strike two at once while maintaining an effective reserve, though I have drawn up plans for an "Aggressive" variant should you feel it best to push our limits. Although, we may also bide our time and marshal strength for one massive attack instead. Perhaps only striking a single target."

Choices to follow

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>Standard plan

1st Fleet under Yazz attacks Commenor. 2nd Fleet under Oxtroe attacks Carida.

3rd and 4th fleets kept behind on defense to watch our borders


>Aggressive Variant

Fleet under Yazz attacks Commenor. 2nd Fleet under Oxtroe attacks Carida. 3rd Fleet under Lobkin pushes into the Deep Core backwater and Abregado-rae.

4th remains on the defensive split between the north and south, guarding against Thrawn and Rebel attack on the Imperial Center and Corellia.

>Defensive Plan
One fleet of choice attacks either the backwater or Commenor, the other three fleets are held in reserve.

>Write in
just don't get super fiddly with the details. (Send one star destroyer to bumfuckworld and a Carrack to Whogivesafuck) Fleet level plz.

>>1713634
>Aggressive Variant
Since no other forces are able to launch an attack on us we should exploit this while we can. That said,let the fleet rest and replenish some more before we go on the attack.

>>1713634
Which fleet is Alana serving on btw?

>>1713652
Default choice is Lobkin. There will actually be a bit with Alana where she can determine some of these things. One will be "stick or switch" with Lobkin.

>>1713634
>>Standard plan
As much as I would like the aggressive way plan, as is our supply lines are stretched thin without our having to secure a vast backwater. Killing the Yevetha helps our supplies certainly, but it will be some time still before they produce enough ships to replace losses.

>>1713634
>Standard plan

We lost what? Four ISD's and their escorts against the SSD under the Yvetha? We need to leave our fleet resting and reform our numbers. Beside Thrawn and the other are figthing but it might be just a manuver to get us with our pants down.

>>1713649
>>1713682
I'll switch to the standard. Anon has a valid point, we can't defend all those backwater worlds right now.

>>1713682
>>1713698
>>1713699

>Standard Plan

>Writing

>>1713634
>Aggressive Variant
It seems to me that our biggest rivals are pre-occupied fighting eachother trawn and Zsinj are going at it and the new republiic is still recovering from kuat and wont be able to launch a new offensive in some time.

we should push now while our enemies look the other way.

>>1713709
Nah let's play safe last time we streched our numbers someone stolen ships from us. The rebels work in infiltration slowly securing the worlds as we rebuild our power is preferable.

"This plan will suffice," you say. "I understand the navy still has some recovering to do after punishing the Yevetha."

"Yes," Zahn says, "Admiral Lobkin wasn't as . . . Clean as I would have liked."

Ignoring the barb against the admiral, you press on. "I assume I won't have to settle for chipping away at slices of my empire for long," you say, "my patience has limits, Grand Admiral."

"Y-yes, your highness. We have our factories working overtime to keep up with the demand for war material, conscription is at an all-time high and the fighter modernization program is nearly complete." Zahn rattles off these excuses as fast as he can speak.

It's a reaction you're used to eliciting from those subordinate to you. Holding up a hand, you silence him.

"So long as you give me results."

Zahn bows, "Yes, your Highness."

You close the com channel. The tedium of running an Empire was something you'd thought you'd left behind in the time before Endor. Now, forced to rebuild everything, you felt the need to personally oversee nearly every aspect of your Empire's development. From battle group deployments, to recruitment numbers, to progress reports from the new human settlements in the Koornacht Cluster.

You'd made a point to travel to Byss aboard Tarkin to oversee the status of the few Yevetha you'd allowed to live. The working conditions they were in were suitably grim, and their technical expertise was being put to good use refitting your aging Star Destroyer fleet. All work was being supervised by Imperial officers and technical experts. Any attempts at resistance or subterfuge were dealt with mercilessly.

You made a small mental note to reward Aldon Tyrna for his executing your vision of their status so perfectly.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a page, one of your Dark Siders, complete with heavy formal robes and Sith amulets who enters your chambers at a swift pace, stopping only to deliver a low bow. "Your Highness, Director Isard has arrived."

(1/2)

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"Send her in."

In stark contrast to the nervous and indecisive Zahn, Isard is a vision of collected coolness as she enters your presence. executing a quick and graceful bow.

"Your Highness."

"Director Isard. Has there been any advancement into the investigation on the Corellian theft?"

"It appears to have been largely executed by a number of Rebel command teams."

As Isard speaks, you catch a flash of anger pass through her. You see a glimpse of her thoughts, a squadron of Rebel fighter pilots operating as clandestine agents. A thorn in her side. Whoever it was, you suspected Isard had implicated them in this theft in some way.

"We've also managed, with the help of Lord Brakiss's agents, to round up a number of rebel sympathizers working at the shipyards including some shift supervisors. Most notably, a few shipping magnates have been implicated as well, and their assets have been seized by the empire."

More material for your war machine.

"Good, and do you have any word about the conflict between Zsinj and Thrawn?"

Isard flicks her eyes up to you, "I haven't made any meaningful infiltration to either organization, your highness. My efforts have been focused internally, especially focused on officer loyalty."


>Continue to focus your efforts internally
>Focus efforts on Thrawn
>Focus efforts on the Rebellion
>Focus efforts on the independent warlords
>Focus efforts on force users (Luke's Jedi and the Prophets of the Dark Side)

>>1713760

>Continue to focus your efforts internally and if you can spare
>Warlords/neutrals and Prophets of the dark side.

>>1713760
>Focus efforts on the Rebellion

>>1713760
>Focus efforts on Thrawn
He's our most dangerous foe in the long term

>>1713760
>>Focus efforts on the independent warlords
They will eventually come to see us as the strongest horse to back. However, intelligence will be critical in establishing how to demonstrate our superiority without losing more of our ships and resources. Perhaps they can be turned against each other...

>>1713760
>Focus efforts on the independent warlords

If i'm not mistaken some dark siders joinned with then? Let's start to look into it.

>>1713778
>If i'm not mistaken some dark siders joined with then? Let's start to look into it.
Maybe I'm an idiot, but I don't remember this. Are you referring to the Prophets of the Dark Side?

If so, their existence is all but confirmed, but their whereabouts/affiliations/goals are unknown.

>>1713769
Agreed, if he does become a "foe" he will be extremely dangerous.


However, thrawn might try to sway the independent warlords to his side first. If we want them to become our patrons rather than getting swayed to thrawn we need intelligence among the warlords. That's why (among other reasons) I voted to devote our intelligence efforts towards spying on the warlords.

>Warlords
>>1713778
>>1713774

>Thrawn
>>1713769

>Rebellion
>>1713768

>Mixed vote, including Warlords
>>1713761


>writing

>>1713801
No. But i might be wrong and making things up. However i remember that some small dark siders who weren't the most loyal went to the warlords or became said warlords.

Anyway if you don't remeber TK i must be mistaken.

>>1713774
Supporting this.

"You saved yourself, Director, by bringing me the head of a warlord once," you say, relishing the memory of Reddrin's shrieks as he died. "It seems to be a specialty of yours, and if Zahn's plan is to succeed, we need their support. I want to you to find out how we can manipulate them to our will. Soon enough they will back us, simply to save their own skins. However, intelligence will be critical in establishing how to demonstrate our superiority without losing more of our ships and resources. Perhaps they can be turned against each other…"

Isard smirks, "I assure you, your Highness, they are anything but unified. I had tried to the best of my abilities to force them to cooperate. But I think it is as Tarkin said, fear will motivate them. With Harssk eliminated, Delvardus is the strongest among them. I will see what I can do."

"I have faith in you to accomplish the mission," you say. "Let me know when you have something to report."

"It will be done, highness."

***

The lower levels of Imperial Palace, previously only reserved for the shadowy forces of Imperial Intelligence have since been mostly taken over by your new Dark Side Hierarchy. It is here you've chosen to receive a status update from your apprentice. All around you you feel the flow of Dark Side energy as those inducted into your hierarchy give up what they once were or may have been to be sharpened and forged into weapons and tools.

Light saber construction, instruction. Sith Philosophy. Alchemy. Divining. Classes in espionage. Warfare. Leadership. Each Dark Sider is expected to be able to fill a number of tasks at minimum. To serve you in any task you see fit, from advising you on the course of the future, to leading a company of stormtroopers to assault fortifications.

Granted, most of them will never fulfill any of these secondary functions, primarily they exist to execute your will wherever it need enforcing. Your army and navy officers serve either their own self-interest, tied to the success of the Empire of course, or some warped idea of order and security. The Dark Siders served their master.

You wondered how your officer corps would feel knowing how simple it all really was to you. You'd seen the propaganda about "The Emperor's Sacrifice" at Endor and his miraculous return. No, they weren't at all like the Dark Siders you cultivated here in the depths of your lair.


(1/2)

As you pass the halls, acolytes and their instructors stop to bow to you. You have to remind yourself that each one of these servants are pawns to be played and spent. Not only that, they are potential threats. You send a withering glance to a a Kubaz acolyte, his sensitive skin wrapped in rune-marked leather, eyes hidden behind goggles, but you can feel the quivering fear behind them when you look at him. You can sense a home broken, a family destroyed so this young Kubaz could be brought to serve you.

His old self had been broken already, washed away and destroyed to forge the being you saw now. But you dug deeper. Beneath the fear and beneath the awe.

Envy.

You reminded yourself of the old Sith saying about the Rule of Two. A Master to Embody Power and an Apprentice to crave it. You had chosen wisely by selecting an apprentice who did not crave your power, but she was not the only force user in your employ.

You leave the Kubaz behind, letting him scramble aside to make way from the hulking Sentinels that follow you. You must not let these Dark Siders get away from you. News that there was an organized renegade movement of Dark Siders was troubling, something worth looking into.

Later.

The Communications suite in the lower palace was as robust as anywhere, but lacked the frills of those elsewhere in the palace. Instead of sitting, you opted to stand as Darth Cythera materialized before you, head bowed, knee to the floor.

"Rise, Cythera. What is the news of your assignment?"

Cythera says nothing at first, her emotions opaque to you. "I have tracked Skywalker to Dac, and we are ready to carry out your will. He will not escape us this time."

"For your sake, I hope not," you reply. "I am curious, have you seen the Rebellion's shipyards?"

"Yes, Master."

"And?"

"I counted over a dozen capital ships of unknown make under construction. They are Mon Calamari designs. Nearly completed."

It seemed the Rebellion was hard at work rebuilding their decimated forces.

"And Skywalker?"

"He is on the planet, in one of their cities. More than that, I can't be certain."

"Does he sense you?"

"I can't tell."

You ponder her situation a moment. Dac was a center of resistance to your empire, perhaps one of the safest places Skywalker could be. This was either a blessing or a curse. If he did not expect an attack, it would be the last surprise of his life. But if he did . . . At least you had other apprentice candidates in mind.

>Infiltrate city and kill Skywalker immediately.
>You are authorized to launch a full attack on that city. Stop at nothing to kill Skywalker
>Wait and watch Skywalker's moves, look for an opportunity
>Do not risk an attack, find a way to lure Skywalker to you.

(2/2)

>>1713910
>Wait and watch Skywalker's moves, look for an opportunity however target of opportunities are equally useful.

>>1713910
>>Do not risk an attack, find a way to lure Skywalker to you.

>>1713910
>Wait and watch Skywalker's moves. Look for an opportunity.
Even a Sith must learn patience.

>>1713910
>Do not risk an attack, find a way to lure Skywalker to you.
the simplest way to get Skywalker is to make him come to you, kidnap one or both of the solo babies then return to corusant and Skywalker will come.

>>1713910
>Do not risk an attack, find a way to lure Skywalker to you.

>>1713910
>Wait and watch Skywalker's moves, look for an opportunity

>>1713910
>Wait and watch Skywalker's moves, look for an opportunity

>>1713910
could she sabotage the capital ships or is that too much of a job for her?

>>1713965
It would be a suicide mission. She's unprepared for it.

>wait and watch Skywalker
>>1713912
>>1713920
>>1713954
>>1713957

>Do No Not Risk an Attack
>>1713919
>>1713922
>>1713945

>wait and watch Skywalker

>Writing

"Do not act hastily, my apprentice," you say. "Throwing away your life on a foolish attack does not serve our purposes. Bide your time. Watch for Skywalker's move and wait for the right moment to strike."

"Yes, my master."

Again, you sense something is amiss, but Cythera's true thoughts are inscrutable to you.

"Go now."

Alone with your thoughts, you found your mind returning to Cythera's longevity and potential replacement. While you didn't envy the task of training a new apprentice, it may be better to get a head start.

You reached out through the force again to the three presences you felt. Despair, fear, anger. They were ripe for the taking, if only they could be found. You could feel the Dark Side whisper and beckon, taking an apprentice was never to be done lightly, and taking a second one even less so. You knew that only one could ultimately succeed, and indeed survive.

Training a new apprentice is not without risks however. One of your apprentices must always supersede the other, and neither will want to be the weaker. Conflicts between Sith, especially powerful Sith, are rarely a stabilizing factor in an Empire. Further, training a new apprentice will take time and dedication that you might otherwise spend on private matters.

>Investigate and prepare to select one of the candidates to locate
>Cythera will suffice for now

>>1714087

>Investigate and prepare to select one of the candidates to locate

Well glad we have two avaiable fleets. Now we know were we can send one of then to make a strike run to the rebels shipyards

>>1714087
>Cythera will suffice for now

>>1714087
>>Cythera will suffice for now
The Empire needs a strong leader now. We do not have the time or patience to train a new apprentice now when our grasp on power is so shaky.

>>1714087
>Cythera will suffice for now

>>1714087
>Investigate and prepare to select one of the candidates to locate

>>1714087
>Investigate and prepare to select one of the candidates to locate.

It pays to have a backup plan. And, after all, if Cytheria proves to be the apprentice we hoped for, she will have no problem cleaning up any competition.

And if not, she'll prove an excellent test for the new blood. Either way, we end up with the stronger apprentice.

>>1714087
>Cythera will suffice for now

>>1714087
>>Investigate and prepare to select one of the candidates to locate

>>1714087
>>Cythera will suffice for now

>Investigate and prepare to select one of the candidates to locate
>>1714089
>>1714115
>>1714131
>>1714155

>Cythera will suffice for now
>>1714100
>>1714109
>>1714110
>>1714149
>>1714164

You guys are really split today!

>Cythera will suffice for now

>writing

You are Imperial Commander Alana Tyrna, and the reorganization of the Navy came at an awkward time for you. After you had just finished getting your command in line, it was pulled out from under you by the breakup of the Brentaal navy. Unfortunately, your action at Aradia, and your plan at XF-121 both failed to earn you recognition from anyone higher than Admiral Lobkin, so you remained at your posting, though all of your former flag officers were pulled from your command.

Fortunately, your status as a a successful officer gave you some leeway when it came to the reorganization. For starters, you could choose to remain under Lobkin's command or try for one of the other Admirals.

>Remain with Lobkin and 3rd Fleet
>Try for reassignment

>>1714209
>Remain with Lobkin and 3rd Fleet

>>1714209
>Remain with Lobkin and 3rd Fleet

>>1714209
>>Remain with Lobkin and 3rd Fleet
With time we might want to transfer to Lennox's fleet. He owes us majorly for the capture of Intimidator. Getting in good with him could boost our connections in the Admiralty.

For now, though, our best bet is to stay with Lobkin since he already knows (at least in part) our value, he has promoted us, and seems somewhat competent.

>>1714209
>Remain with Lobkin and the 3rd Fleet.

Lobkin did right by us. Not every day you find a CO willing to back your corner. And who isn't Ozzel levels of incompetent. Let's stick with a good thing.

Plus, I'm sure Alana reckons he's a bit cute.

>>1714209
>>Remain with Lobkin and 3rd Fleet

>>Remain with Lobkin and 3rd Fleet
>>1714216
>>1714223
>>1714239
>>1714245
>>1714271

Choice is obvious.

>Writing

You feel you have a good thing going under Lobkin's command. He certainly seems to have taken you more seriously than your other commanding officers. Yazz shuns you and Oxtroe attempted to profit from your ideas. You feel Lobkin has given you a fair deal, whatever his motives. You know what to expect more or less from him.

Not to mention, if someone is going to be ogling your body, you don't really mind it being him.

You find your thoughts drifting to the "stress relief" you'd discussed in the past before you put your mind back on task.

With all of your flag officers planned to be transferred away from you, you'll be assigned a new batch of warships and subordinates. But, one of the perks of not only your higher station, but your status as a minor war hero, you have more control than most over how that process will play out to the point where you may be able to bend some ears and cherry pick the flag officers you want.


>Request you keep your current group (Lisson, Wei, Sobieski)
>Pull in any favor you can to build your "dream team" (Details to follow this choice)
>Accept luck of the draw, no reason to seek special treatment
>Write in

>>1714299

>Request you keep your current group (Lisson, Wei, Sobieski)

>Not taking another apprentice
Because gimpy mcragey worked out so well last time.

>>1714299
>Request you keep your current group (Lisson, Wei, Sobieski)
Who's the Admiral we haven't served under? The tight-ass hardliner?

>>1714299
>Request you keep your current group (Lisson, Wei, Sobieski)

>>1714299
>>Request you keep your current group (Lisson, Wei, Sobieski)

>>1714299
Really torn. I'd love to get our former XO back, but the mob we're serving with now did their job pretty well.

Maybe transfer the guy who went all glory-hound on us out, and replace with someone from our dream team?

>>1714327
>Who's the Admiral we haven't served under?

You've served under all but the newest, Lennox, and then you sort of served under him in a small operation.

Zahn, Yazz, Oxtroe, Lennox, Lobkin, you've served all to some degree.


>>1714337
>Culling the weak

This is possible, provided there is enough support

>>1714341
We served under Zahn?

Rewatched TFA again today, does it have any original ideas? It's just the Second Galactic Civil War as a backstory to A New Hope, with the Death Star crossbred with the Sun Crusher instead of the Death Star.

>>1714341
No worries, which was the one who went over our helmet again? I'm still half-asleep.

>>1714359
VERY early on. During the attack on Coruscant.

>>1714362
That would be Captain Lisson.

>>1714367
>That would be Captain Lisson.
If we can replace him with our old XO, that would be good. Or give our current XO his command and get our old XO back.

>>1714367
Cheers, lemme make it formal.

>>1714299
>Write-in: Replace Captain Lisson's command with someone from the Dream Team. Otherwise, leave the rest as-is.

>>1714367
I definetly want to keep Sobieski. I also wanted to tranfer that one captain from the splinter group the one that replaced us in our first post and was our backer from the star.

>>1714367
>Write-in: Replace Captain Lisson's command with someone from the Dream Team. Otherwise, leave the rest as-is.

I support this. Maybe our old XO or the girl that transfered because of us or even the old guy that replaced us in our first ship.

>>1714381
>I also wanted to tranfer that one captain from the splinter group the one that replaced us in
Captain Tyvek

>>1714389
>>1714372
>>1714370
I'm honestly reading these as
>Let me build my dream team

Let me pitch the default dream team to you and see how you feel

>Tyvek (Captain of Scylla)
>Tierce (old XO)
>Wildcard

Options for the wildcard included promoting your tactical officer and replacing him with Zepal, or bringing in Sesstrix, or some crazy combination therein.


Otherwise, looks like

>Request you keep your current group (Lisson, Wei, Sobieski)
>>1714316
>>1714332
>>1714333

>Write-in: Replace Captain Lisson's command with someone from the Dream Team. Otherwise, leave the rest as-is.
>>1714389
>>1714372
>>1714370

Since it appears tied up, I'm gonna give a few more minutes to tie break

>>1714372
I'll support this. I think our squadron commanders weren't the greatest, but they have not been battletested and they know we should have really received credit for the SSD.

Once we have more favors and a more senior rank we can pull together a real dream team.

>>1714409
Would Tierce be okay with transfering from Splinter? The way he spoked to us it semmed he wanted to stay with then.

>>1714409
I definitely want to keep Sobieski and Wei. Lissom I wouldn't mind being replaced If we can pick a war hero from the last campaign to replace him.

Tyvek on the other hand was extremely happy with his transfer and the old crony proved to be a thrusty backer

>>1714416
He would. Tierce is a close friend and a loyal officer.

Okay
>Write-in: Replace Captain Lisson's command with someone from the Dream Team. Otherwise, leave the rest as-is.

Narrowly edges out the other option. I'm gonan write and we can squabble over who replaces Lisson!

>writing

You were more or less happy with your team, but it was clear to you that Lisson had to go. There was too much ambition in that one. You were certain that Lobkin could, and would pull some strings to allow you to keep Wei and Sobieski. That meant filling the captain's slot on your new ship. And my, oh my the choices you had.

Two votes:

>Switch up command staff on board Retribution (Tactical officer, XO, etc)
>Keep Retribution staff

(Another vote to follow)OH boy! I wish this could be less granular! But there are soooo many variables.[/spoiler[

And

Select a captain:

>Tyvek
>Tierce
>Sesstrix
>Zepal
>Write in

>>1714448
>Switch up command staff on board Retribution (Tactical officer, XO, etc)

Who's the girl who wants to bump tacos? She could be our XO and Tierce could replace Lissons? Or the other way around.

>>1714448
>Keep Retribution staff
>Tyvek

>>1714448
Well I fucked that one up. Let me try that again:

You were more or less happy with your team, but it was clear to you that Lisson had to go. There was too much ambition in that one. You were certain that Lobkin could, and would pull some strings to allow you to keep Wei and Sobieski. That meant filling the captain's slot on your new ship. And my, oh my the choices you had.

Two votes:

>Switch up command staff on board Retribution (Tactical officer, XO, etc)
>Keep Retribution staff

(Another vote to follow)OH boy! I wish this could be less granular! But there are soooo many variables.

And

Select a captain:

>Tyvek
>Tierce
>Sesstrix
>Zepal
>Bastra
>>1714465
You're thinking of Sesstrix

>>1714448
>Switch up command staff.
We can assume that Lisson's command staff are loyal enough to him that they'd resent us and whomever we bring in to replace him. Therefore, I feel it's safer to move Lisson's command staff with him. Hopefully, there's a new ISD coming off the factory line we can get them moved too so it isn't an actual demotion.
>Switch up Command Staff.

As for who we want, ABSOLUTELY Tyvek. The man's a credit to the Empire, loyal to us, and every bit as much of a cutie as Lobkin.

>>1714477
Replace Tierce with Sesstrix, our current XO with Tierce, and Lissons with out XO.

How does that sound?

>>1714480
>>1714477
>No, wait. Tierce. I got all confused.

>>1714489
>Switch up command staff.

>Tierce

I got you (I think)

To clear up any potential confusion, loosing Lisson = Losing his whole ship. It will be replaced by a fresh ISD

>>1714477
>>Keep Retribution staff
Tierce <3

>>1714477
Okay. So keep our command staff and let Tierce get a new ISD. The girl we met on the party can be the new captain of Splinter.

>>1714520
Supporting this.

>>1714477
>Keep Retribution staff
Our current XO is okay, but not the greatest (not as good as Tierce). Hopefully he'll grow into the position. I don't really want to fire him until we're more integrated into the crew at a minimum.

Select a captain:
>Tierce
Maybe Tierce also has some followers of his own he'd like to bring around as new command staff for his ship?

>>1714477
>Zepal

>Switch up Command Staff
>>1714465
>>1714480

Keep Command Staff
>>1714469
>>1714506
>>1714525

Keep Wins.

As for Captain, boy oh boy this was all over the place.

>Tyvek
>>1714469

>Bastra
>>1714486

>Tierce
>>1714506
>>1714520
>>1714521
>>1714525

>Zepal
>>1714539


Also seems to be some consensus to push for Sesstrix to serve as captain of Splinter.

>writing

>>1714592
Bastra got the splinter she will be the next one of the dream team. Although i wanted Tyvek to win i'm happy with having Tierce aboard once more.

The current staff of Retribution is fine for the time being. You were satisfied with their performance in combat and you knew they would only improve with time and practice. As for the ship to replace Lisson, you knew the logical choice for captain was your former XO, Captain Tierce.

It would take some work, but you had connections and you now had a bit of clout your own. To instate one command you wouldn't have to call on your father or any other "heavy hitters".

As you dispatched your orders and requests, you felt at the top of your game. Your own ship, your own division, and the power to call in new subordinates at will.

The comlink to your quarters chimes.

"Yes?"

"Commander, a message has come in for you. High Priority."

You peak a brow, "High priority?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Your division was in orbit of Coruscant, soon to be awaiting fresh ships from one of the Imperial shipyards before departing for Corellia. This was as safe as safe could be, you couldn't imagine what purpose a High Priority message would have here.

Sensing your confusion, the Communications officer continues, "It's a message from Duchess Palopides-"

Ederlathh? You remembered her. A typical bored teenager with more privilege than real friends. You'd reached out to her at the ball on Kuat and found, perhaps more than you had expected. An acerbic personality and a keen mind. You had attempted to befriend her, seeing in her some small reflection of your own youth.

"She is requesting that you 'follow up on your promise' and transport her to Byss at once."

***


That's all the time I have! Thanks as always for playing. You guys are great and really make this game a blast to run.

Sadly, no game this weekend, but it will pick up on Tuesday!

If you haven't already, follow the quest on Twitter

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/DarkEmpireQuest


I think I'm going to start ending my game with questions.

1: What does everyone think of the new dice system? Real talk. Let's rap, kids. I'm cautiously optimistic about its deployment, I think it's doing good but I'm biased to hell.

2: So who here would riot if at any point I gave an option or caused Stormtroopers to 'upgrade' their gear and look like First Order troopers? Asking for a friend.

>>1714718
Thanks for running TK.

>1: What does everyone think of the new dice system? Real talk. Let's rap, kids. I'm cautiously optimistic about its deployment, I think it's doing good but I'm biased to hell.
I'm not loving it.

>2: So who here would riot if at any point I gave an option or caused Stormtroopers to 'upgrade' their gear and look like First Order troopers? Asking for a friend.
Please God no.

>>1714727
>I'm not loving it.

Care to elaborate? More feedback means more improvement.

>>1714739
>Care to elaborate? More feedback means more improvement.
Having to succeed twice just makes it harder, and also it makes crits less special.

>>1714718
1) it's shit. Need better modifiers,clarity and effect.
2) Hell nah
Also I'd love for Alana to take a shore leave or something. Out being normal lol maybe ogling with a cute boy or two. Palps has not used his force powers for a long time, maybe we can get a chance soon?

>>1714718
>1
I like it

>2
Please don't...

>>1714760
>Also I'd love for Alana to take a shore leave or something. Out being normal lol maybe ogling with a cute boy or two.
Alana lewds with anonymity padding when?
>Palps has not used his force powers for a long time, maybe we can get a chance soon?
Was it Commenor that needed pacifying? We could go there with Zahn maybe?

>>1714718
Thanks for running bossman.

>1: What does everyone think of the new dice system? Real talk. Let's rap, kids. I'm cautiously optimistic about its deployment, I think it's doing good but I'm biased to hell.
No real opinion, it's fine.

>2: So who here would riot if at any point I gave an option or caused Stormtroopers to 'upgrade' their gear and look like First Order troopers? Asking for a friend.
Not a fan, love the classical look. Clone trooper armour is good in my opinion as well!

Is Lumiya not a thing? Because she seems like someone we should be somewhat concerned about.

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>>1714718

1: What does everyone think of the new dice system? Real talk. Let's rap, kids. I'm cautiously optimistic about its deployment, I think it's doing good but I'm biased to hell.

I think the system will work. The problem I feel is that the quest that is was 'appropriated' from included options like stances, Personal Orders and both a individual player combat alongside squad/platoon combat so it made the tricky balancing act between winning our duels and keeping our people alive much more dangerous and our choices more impact.

Simply having the modifiers (while good to see what's effecting combat) kinda superfluous. The writing and choices for the battles have been great though keep that up.

2: So who here would riot if at any point I gave an option or caused Stormtroopers to 'upgrade' their gear and look like First Order troopers? Asking for a friend.

N..nah. Maybe branching out into EU stormtrooper territory? I don't know anything about it though. Or shit maybe TFA stormtroopers but not nearly so damn clean and shiny.

>>1714811
>Maybe branching out into EU stormtrooper territory?
It doesn't really change much. The Fel Empire has alien Stormtroopers, but that's about it.

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>>1714829
>The Fel Empire has alien Stormtroopers

By the Dark Side that's horrifying, I'd rather have legions of chromedomes.

Although, full metal stormtroopers makes me feel funny in a good way.

>>1714841
>full metal stormtroopers makes me feel funny in a good way.
But we already have Darktroopers.

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>>1714743
Yeah, I feel you. Maybe a best of 3 D20 system with nat 20 as a critical?

>>1714760
>Need better modifiers,clarity and effect.
How do you mean exactly? Hard rules about dice mods? Clearly outlined effects for rolls?

>>1714760
>ogling with a cute boy or two
You are insatiable! MORE cute boys!? I'm not sure how everyone would take to a sudden slice of life. It's already hard juggling all the tonal shifts, but I'd be open if there was strong demand.

Also reminds me. At somepoint I need to get everyone's thoughts on lewds. You know like:

>YES PLEASE. For plot reasons.
>No . . . please don't
>well . . . if it happens it happens!
>>1714760
>Palps power
yeah, he doesn't get out much, It's tough to run an empire from the front lines. I'm working at giving the poor guy more to do than sit in a chair and give orders. Not to mention he is game-breakingly powerful. Yikes!

>>1714783
>lana lewds
See previous. Also: Padding? What? Like a pastebin?

>>1714783
>We could go there with Zahn maybe?
Certainly!

>>1714800
>Is Lumiya not a thing?
Lumiya who? Oh you mean your old Emperor's Hand. Pretty sure she's dead. No need to worry.

Probably

>>1706656
>"And not just the Prophets," Moore continues, "I feel others still, those outside, apart from us. They are jealous of our power, of your success.

>>1714811
>'appropriated
Yeah I stole that shit like nobody's business

I'm feeling that in general the dice need . . . sprucing up. See my previous about the best of D20 system and let me know your thoughts!

>TFA Stormies

I was really just curious. I actually like the design please don't hate me and I was wondering how everyone else felt.

I did miss the classic look though that Rogue One returned. Good shit.

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>>1714850
>well . . . if it happens it happens!

Not seeking it but a little preview and the fade to black works.

>>1714846
Goddamn the Rebellion game was such a hot fustercluck of good gameplay and terribleness.
These kind of darktroopers or these
vvv

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>>1714870
Now I wanna know who Sedriss is looking for.

>>1714850
>please don't hate me
Too late.

>Yeah, I feel you. Maybe a best of 3 D20 system with nat 20 as a critical?
Meh, better than what it is now, I think.

>Certainly!
Can-can we bring our superlaser?

>Oh you mean your old Emperor's Hand
Was Mara really the only one we contacted? Also, we haven't looked into the Sovereign Protectors and Shadow Guard much, have we?

>"And not just the Prophets," Moore continues, "I feel others still, those outside, apart from us. They are jealous of our power, of your success.
Tbh I picked up LotF for a bit and that jogged my memory. I was thinking more of Hett, Durron, Vergere, and C'baoth when I read that. C'baoth is dead though, I'm pretty sure.

>>1714870
Both? I'm pretty sure. We may not have Phase 3 Darktroopers though.

>>1714850
>Clearly outlined effects for rolls
This would definitely help

>YES PLEASE. For plot reasons.
(strictly hetero pls)
If you can't write that than a little fluff and fading to black works.

As for tonal shifts and all that if we can do 5-6 sessions of combat than we can definitely do 2-3 sessions of slice of life stuff

>>1714850
>YES PLEASE. For plot reasons

I feel that a clear, consistent and logical modifiers for a dice is more important than the dice system used.
Great quest though, even if I rarely get to play thanks to time zones

>>1714870
>REbellion game
Never played it, always wanted to for years and years and years, now that it's available all I see is bugs and terrible graphics/gameplay and I am hesitant.

In fact, this quest in large part stemmed from my desire for my Star Wars grand strategy games.

>>1714874
These kind of Dark Troopers.

"Darktroopers"

Technically, in this universe both exist, but the robo trooper project was destroyed/abandoned.

Also, I believe they are referring to Vima, but it's been a while.

>>1714880
>spoiler
:(

>Meh, better than what it is now, I think.
I'll have to do some testing and maybe call a vote on it for realsies

>Can-can we bring our superlaser?
Tarkin is always free!
Although if Zahn comes you'll have two SSDs (four if you count Tarkin's escorts) all in the same place.

>Was Mara really the only one we contacted?
I believe you have another Emperor's hand floating around somewhere, but most are either dead, missing, deserted, or inconsequential.

There's no telling how many former hands are now in the ranks of the Inquisition or black guard.

>Sovereign Protectors and Shadow Guard
They're . . . around. Just nothing special going on, they're the spooky guys who stand near all your doors.

>C'baoth is dead though, I'm pretty sure
Long dead. He died in the outbound flight project decades ago.
Although . . . you DID leave that clone guarding your secret base on Wayland . . . hopefully Thrawn doesn't know about it

>>1714917
>This would definitely help
As per previous, I am going to work on more fixes to the dice system,. Problem being combat is already very heavily based on fiat, so it's hard to give strict itemization of dice mods.

>As for tonal shifts and all that if we can do 5-6 sessions of combat than we can definitely do 2-3 sessions of slice of life stuff
Yeah, except the 5-6 session battles I think are already a problem. And it's not so much that I don't want to do slice of life moments, I don't mind, it would just have to be something everyone wants. Not to mention Alana doesn't often have free time for that since this is a high intensity war-time situation. Breaks are few and far between.

But again, if people want to see Alana go clubbing, I am totally fine with that, she's yalls character.

>>1715169
>I feel that a clear, consistent and logical modifiers for a dice is more important than the dice system used.
See previous, it's hard to make hard modifiers since I operate heavily on fiat for combat, it's the only way I can "quickly" resolve large battles without doing things like rolling for every dogfight and broadside in a 100+ ship engagement.

>Great quest though, even if I rarely get to play thanks to time zones
Thanks! I'm lucky that I chose a topic/style that seems to have sparked a lot of people's interest. To be quite honest, this inane convoluted timeline is a by product of my childhood interest in star wars which was the Original Trilogy, Thrawn Trilogy, X-Wing Series, and Dark Empire

>>1715615
Hey TK, I never managed to play Rebellion, but I did read this LP I think you would enjoy
https://lparchive.org/Star-Wars-Rebellion/Update%201/
Also, as for Wayland, I think it's pretty clear Thrawn knows about it, given the verbal duel we had in the initial holocall. One of ours, Palpatines rebuttals was... actually, I dug it up. From part 5
" "Don't pretend to be a fool, Thrawn. It doesn't suit you. You know who I am and what I want," you reply.

Thrawn blinks, "I take it to mean then that the cloning facility on Byss is fully operational."

"I would say I'm proof enough of that, my friend," you reply, smiling. "You're no stranger to Spartii Cylinders yourself."

Again, the Grand Admiral barely reacts, but you see enough subtle hints. He didn't know you were aware of his interest in cloning technology. "Well then . . . Emperor. What is it that you want exactly?""

I suppose it doesn't necessarily means he has found it... yet.

File: Spoiler Image (123 KB, 500x682)

123 KB JPG

>>1714718

>1: What does everyone think of the new dice system?
I have no issues with it at this stage. Ideally, I'd see the EotE dice system used, but I know that's asking far too much.

>2: So who here would riot if at any point I gave an option or caused Stormtroopers to 'upgrade' their gear and look like First Order troopers?
Gonna have to go with a no here. I like the new TIE Pilots fine, but the rest simply can't compete with the classics. Especially not the flametroopers and snowies. Yuck.

>>1714850

>3: Best of 3 d20 system with crits.
Give us crit-fails too, and make sure they don't cancel each other out ;)

>4: Lewds
Ambivalent, really. I won't miss 'em if they're not present, but I won't REEE if they show up, either. If it happens, it happens I guess.

>5: Please don't hate me.
Nah, the FO's have their good points. Hopefully, TLJ will sufficiently improve on the design.

>6: Slice of life.
A little bit of slice of life is fine between major campaigns to break things up and show how Palpatine's edicts are affecting the home front, but military/combat stuff definitely needs to take precedence with Alana.

You know, I haven't seen Maarek Stele or Carnor Jax around yet. Or Kir Kanos.
Holy shit. Kir Kanos vs Kyle Katarn. We need to make it happen.

>>1715635
>Rebellion LP
Cool! Now I have road trip reading material, thanks!

>Old conversation
Well . . . isn't that interesting. :D

>>1715637
>Give us crit-fails too, and make sure they don't cancel each other out ;)
Yeah, I'd figure something out. If it were best of 3, I'd probably do 5 and below is a crit fail. You'd have to have pretty shit luck to do that bad.

>Hopefully, TLJ will sufficiently improve on the design.
At the risk of being baited into a "new vs old" nerd fight, I do have to say the leaks of Snokes Guards look pretty slick! But Disney has purged them from the archive memory since.

>You know, I haven't seen Maarek Stele or Carnor Jax around yet. Or Kir Kanos.
Holy shit. Kir Kanos vs Kyle Katarn. We need to make it happen.

There's SO MUCH to cover! Especially since I am mashing up so many major "settings". Someone who has too much free time on their hands could probably scour my archive for all the references to EU characters, could be fun. I'm not sure if everyone caught them all (not that it matters)

>>1715808
Well TK, since you mentioned EU reference, I did have some questions about the status of some warlords if that's okey. Namely, you had a throwaway sentence about Admiral Yzu and Teradoc being minor warlord threats. However, in ye olden EU, Yzu was a deep core warlord and Teradoc was in the greater maldrood (which is clearly rebel territory now) and later in the deep core. Thus, I was wondering, are they independent warlords in the deep core, or somethinig else?
Also, before we stepped up, it looks like Isard had the imperial remnant as per the map, with most paying lip service. Was the Breental protectorate already in open rebellion against Isard even then, or did that happen when we took over?
Also, I quite like the setup of the way the galaxy is divided at the start, I am probably going to steal the map for a campaign.

>>1715916
Great questions!
Oh shit. Oh fuck. People actually read what I write. fuck.

So it is actually a really interesting question, and I could ramble about it for days. Short short version: Mismanagement of the old EU (Especially related to Dark Empire) led to some logical gymnastics to make everything fit. Things like the Rebels capturing Coruscant twice but never talking about the first time. Go figure.

>Yzu and Tearadoc
In EU, it was later retconned that the Dark Empire's forces were basically a bunch of warlords who put aside all their differences and pretended to be buddies cause "New Emperor". This means a lot of warlords traveled to the deep core and back.

In essence, I wanted to throw some named EU warlords into the mix and shuffled them out to the rim instead. I've been hesitant to draw up a permanent political map for a large number of reasons, one of them being it means I have to nail down where the fuck all these guys are exactly, and who controls what. Downside being it makes it hard for me to retcon and add in people/factions as I remember/discover/think of them.

Since I'm planning this quest as a I go (to a degree) that would hamper me.


Rest assured I WILL do that at some near future point, but I'm delaying as long as I can.

The longer this game goes, the more it will deviate from any canon. EU or otherwise. Ultimately I hope Dark Empire Quest will stop being a Frankenstein monster fanfiction and become its own.

Tl;dr they are "something else". Outer Rim warlords


Reddrin and the Brentaal protectorate were among the warlords who were loyal to Isard on paper. It was mutually beneficial. Reddrin was among those not very happy at Palpatine's return and took it as his opportunity to forge on alone. Unfortunately for those that opposed you, they don't have a single leader or cause.


>Setting
Thanks! I've always found it a "weakness" for a grand strategy game like this, that the star wars setting typically only has two really major factions. Anything else feels tacked on "Hutts", "Mandalorians", "Black Sun" etc. None of those are a blip on the Imperial radar. A nuisance.

Anyway, I'm Rambling. Hope that answers your questions

>>1716164
Next session when

>>1714718
>What does everyone think of the new dice system? Real talk. Let's rap, kids. I'm cautiously optimistic about its deployment, I think it's doing good but I'm biased to hell.

I like it, but it could be better desu. I'd like it to be more clear when we're going to get certain modifiers, as it seems rather arbitrary rn.

>So who here would riot if at any point I gave an option or caused Stormtroopers to 'upgrade' their gear and look like First Order troopers? Asking for a friend.

I wouldn't like it.

>>1714850
>YES PLEASE. For plot reasons.

I wouldn't mind, though I wouldn't want it to become frequent.

>>1716204
Tuesday 7 EST (11 UTC)!

>>1716362
Seems to be the popular opinions in a nutshell

So I've been thinking about how we don't have much to do with Palpy now that the Empire is steamrolling everything, and I think I may have a solution.

there could be a serious rebel attack that stems our flow of constant victories and forces the Emperor to personally intervene...

>>1716420
Oh don't worry, I've got something special planned for you. The future will not be without challenges.

>>1716164
>Hutts", "Mandalorians", "Black Sun" etc. None of those are a blip on the Imperial radar. A nuisance.
True, they're not going to be threatening our galactic control anytime soon, but it does open up interesting options in terms of conquest / integration.

If you were looking for more factional play, you could always create sub factions within larger ones - an 'extremist / terrorist' faction within the New Republic; or a 'Peace' faction within our own Dark Empire.

Alternatively we could focus more on strategically important planets and how to keep them happy - like Coruscant, Kaut, Tyferria.

>>1715615
>>C'baoth is dead though, I'm pretty sure
>Long dead. He died in the outbound flight project decades ago.
>Although . . . you DID leave that clone guarding your secret base on Wayland . . . hopefully Thrawn doesn't know about it
I meant Joruus, who should have died in about 10 ABY.

>>1715635
It could also mean he has a Lemalisk though. I really hope there's more than one left, I don't want to deal with Hutt WE WUZ IMPERIALS N SHIEET without him.

>>1716517
God fucking dammit Lumiya and her sexy cyborg MILF powers and Carnor Jax's Boner Side of the force and Exar Kun and his fuckbuddy Kyp Durron.

>>1716683
Black Sun is still completely shattered thanks to Xizor's death, the Hutts shouldn't be consolidated yet same with the Mandos.

>>1716683
It's funny how many of yalls suggestions/requests fit with what I have planned. As I said, I've got lots in store. Just trying to be clever with how I deploy it.

>>1716931
>Joruus
Yeah I know, I was being facetious. Although keep in mind, in original timeline Joruus was defeated by Luke/Mara. This may have played out quite differently in this time line.

>Lemalisk
:)

>Renegade Dark Siders
:)

>Factions
Yeah I was mostly referencing some generic factions. I don’t recall specifically, but the Mandos are/were cucked by thr empire and the Hutts are too busy being gross to give a shit.


So what's something you want to see Alana/Palpy do? The thing that will make you feel redeemed.

And what, if anything, are you dreading?

help keep me sane on this six hour road trip