Campaign Idea--Sorax Sector

[The Jedi Master]

Since you were wondering... my last 'campaign' fell through after one adventure. A symptom of playing with family I guess. The good news is, I'm planning a new campaign for a few local geeks who might be interested. I threw out my old ideas completely, though the notes will probably still be of use somehow. Here's what I have so far.

It has been two weeks since Yavin. Sorax Sector is a mid-size trading sector in the Mid Rim, a mere six light years off the Corellian Run. It contains around 360 star systems, 155 of which are officially settled. As one of the last stops on the aforementioned trade route, Sorax has always been a wealthy sector, and it's citizens lead comfortable lives. Thanks to this relative comfort, free thought florishes--something the Empire hopes to suppress.

For years, Sorax Sector stayed out of the Galactic Civil War, so the Imperials were forced to just grin and bear it. However, when rumors of the real cause of the destruction of Alderran began to circulate, peaceful protests began. When those were put down, not-so-peaceful protests were lead by Rebel forces. After a major skirmish in the capitol city of the world the sector was named for, the local Moff decided to send a strong message by blockading said planet.

In just a few days, the sector has gone downhill. The Corellian Run has been forced into redrawing itself, causing the economy to plummet. Meanwhile, the Moff hasn't budged. Rebel sympathy is rising, and if the Alliance could break the blockade, the sector could be a powerful ally indeed. Meanwhile, smugglers have begun making runs through the blockade, making big scores from a desperate market--but with every successful run, the Empire tightens its grip even further.

The PC's can be either Rebels trying to find a way to break the blockade, or at least get supplies through without attracting Imperial attention, or they could be 'runners'--local slang for smugglers--trying to hit it big on the 'Sorax Run'. Of course, a smuggler thing might be more suited to a one-shot, but if someone could help me figure out a way to make it a full campaign, the help would be appreciated.

Tips? Comments?
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This whole Empire business could have been avoided, Yoda...

[Ral_Brelt]

Campaign ideas off the basis...

If smugglers, they should start in debt, thus the 'big score' appeal can be dangled in front of them. There could be sessions to get the right cargo for pay off, then sessions to protect said cargo from the people they owe the credits to, other smugglers that would like the cargo for themselves and/or pirates.

Beyond those sessions there's getting in system and then planet side while dodging the blockade. The ship could get damaged in route, thus a need to find repairs and/or allies. Maybe they have to barter with locals or hidden by rebels, thus owing them for their services. From there you could tie in the rebel heroes idea...sculpting the players into rebel operatives or straight out rebel personnel.

[DougRed4]

Yeah, the smuggler/Rebel thing doesn't have to be a binary choice. You could easily do both. Perhaps - if one player wants to play a smuggler - you could have that character be sympathetic to the Rebellion. Just make sure at least one PC is a Rebel (preferably one with some leadership skills and/or persuasion abilities) who can encourage the others to help the fledgling Alliance.

The players will likely want to take off from that area, too, if the blockade is too strong. So be prepared to take things out of that area of space (being as the Imperials have such devastating firepower, and the PCs may not want to try to contest that directly) if that's the desire of your players.
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Currently Running: Villains & Vigilantes (a 32-year-old campaign with multiple groups) and D6 Star Wars; mostly on hiatus are Adventures in Middle-earth and Delta Green

[Whill]