As new players begin to express interest in joining in the campaign, or if the rare moment occurs that a veteran player forgets, I’ve written up a few expectations and rules for joining/playing in the Star Wars campaign.
1: I have this campaign set up so that every player, be they in the main party or a solo character, can get their to shine. It’s a goal of mine that these characters have a developed, written history. For that to work, I’ve written the campaign into Arcs. The Main Arc is the focus of the party as a whole and follows the main story. Side-Arcs are set up for players who wish to pursue character development without disrupting the main story. There are also Short-Arcs that are usually a one-session game for players needing to get their equipment upgraded or repaired.
2: While we do have a regular bi-weekly schedule for the Main Arc games, players are by no means required to take part in the Main Arc if they do not wish to. As it stands, if a character is with the main group (IE aboard the Lady Sandhawk) then they will be expected to attend, and a reminder sent out to their Google Calendars, but if they want to pursue a personal path for their character, be it solo or small-group, they are welcome to do so. Of course, when a player requests for a small-group session for a Side Arc, I will look at the players available and let the requesting player know who I believe would be best suited to be with their character.
3: This is what I’ve grown to call a “long campaign”. If you’ve looked at the Timeline, you’ve seen that my goal is to have the campaign run through the Expanded Universe timeline, all the way to 45ABY. With that in mind, if you wish to make a character, be they a regularly-occurring presence in the story or just someone who shows up occasionally, it’s strongly suggested that you make a character with that length of time in mind. While I will still give my best effort for a character meant for only one Arc, or even just a few Side-Arc sessions, I would ask that you have someone in mind that you’d want to see ‘make it to retirement’.
4: As I am a writer and (if you haven’t realized from how much I’ve already put up on this site) somewhat insane with details, I’ve been taking notes and writing dramatizations of the sessions. My goal for the website is to take the adventures and turn them into novellas within each Arc, eventually going through each Arc and editing those novellas into novels. When this is done, I’ll be printing them, maybe even have cover art done, to put them on my shelves or pass them out to my close friends involved in the campaign. Also, I’ve been putting in work to having a ‘mini-wiki’ for the players, as they have been writing their own stories or exploring new worlds and technology. It’s slow-going, but I believe it can be done. Plus, I enjoy the process.
5: This is something I wish I didn’t have to say, but the modern mindset of RPG tables has driven me to do so:
I’m not here to kill your character, so please don’t join just to wreak havoc.
I may be your Gamemaster, but unlike the GMs/DMs you might’ve played with before, I’m here to provide a challenge and tell you a story, not just make impossible scenarios for you to outwit me on and have a character you’ve worked on die. I will write challenges for you, and some will be difficult, but you will be able to overcome them. I’m encouraging my players to think, plan, and above all, ask questions. What I ask of my players is that if they’re stepping into the campaign, they put in the effort and help me make the story. I’m hoping for characters with backgrounds, plot hooks, and storylines. Players who join and are just disruptive or seek to undermine the story will be asked to leave the table. That said, if you make a character that has depth to them, I return the investment with dedicated plots and development.
Swift's Corner 