I am having a total blast with this Star Wars Visions Heroes Solo campaign, although campaign isn't quite an accurate term at this point in the endeavor. What I've posted up to this point all comes from the first session. This entry describes the remainder of Session 1 and sets up Session 2.
There are games besides this one on my mind - heck, there always multiple games on my mind - but SWVH is the thing I am most interested in and excited about [at the moment]. I'll get to other ideas when I feel as motivated to discuss those other ideas as much as, or more than, this one.*
Now back to our show...
STAR WARS VISIONS - HEROES
PRESENTS...
The Adventures of Bani and Easy!
Bani and Easy walked out of the Mos Garda Spaceport into the bright daytime sun of the planet Gardine, a slight breeze blowing West to East across the dusty ash and chalk covered landscape. It was hot, though not Tatooine hot, and dry, though not as dry as Tatooine. At the same time, it often felt dryer because of all that chalk dust and volcanic ash I mentioned.
As the two of them walked South down the Eastern Thoroughfare, they passed familiar faces and shops; an old man with a fruit stand smiled as they walked by, his Protocol Droid waved. Bani nodded to a small group of Gardinian Jawas who all hooted and shouted gleefully. Easy gave a long-ish, even-toned whistle. Bani looked over at him and then instinctively raised her gaze to see 'The Gray Oasis' directly ahead.
The Gray Oasis, Gardine's largest and most popular cantina, was a step above the usual 'wretched hive of scum and villainy' one was accustomed to on similar worlds in the Outer Rim Territories. Here the lighting was soft and bright, the drinks were of higher quality, and the patronage was a more respectable breed of scoundrel.
As Bani and Easy entered a few passing customers took notice and nodded to them or smiled. The two visited the establishment regularly and had a reputation of 'getting the job done' Bani inwardly hoped Mr. Boogooto would take that into account when she told him what happened on their recent mission for him.
A pretty Human waitress came up to the pair as they stepped further into the cantina and said, "Hi there Bani! Welcome back! Mister Boogooto is at his usual table. He said to send you over if I saw you come in". Bani nodded and thanked her with a smile she hoped didn't look as awkward as it felt. The waitress simply smiled back and patted Easy on his dome. He chirped a few low flirty sounds and the waitress blushed, giggled, and walked off back to work.
Circling the bar and its indoor pool of cool, clear water, Bani spotted her client sipping a pinkish-orange bubbling drink and watching Pod Racing on a screen above the bar. "Mister Boogooto?", Bani said, hoping not to disturb his enjoyment of the entertainment.
The Pa'lowick Promoter looked up at her and excitedly exclaimed, "Bani! Come, sit! Can I get you anything? A drink? And its Bo. Call me Bo! Everybody calls me Bo." Bani knew no one called him Bo except very close associates. "How was your trip? And the survey? Three cycles! Just like you said. Very thorough and very professional."
"Yes, well, thank you Mister...I mean Bo. 363-Grek III is beautiful. It's the perfect spot for what you have in mind. I have a full Class 3 Survey report, maps for some suitable race course sites, and a rundown on possible obstacles, mostly in the way of local fauna...", Bani said before trailing off a bit. Regaining her composure she continued, "which is why it saddens me to say, I'm afraid it isn't going to work out."
Boogooto looked visibly confused. He took a breath, then a sip from his drink, and then narrowed his eyes at the young Lepi woman. "How's that now?"
Letting out a sigh before she could stop herself she told Boogooto what happened. Survey completed, she left the planet and immediately ran into a Victory Class Star Destroyer, a TIE Interceptor led TIE Fighter squadron, and then she escaped with not-so-minor damage. For his part, Bo Boogooto looked more disappointed than angry. He swirled the contents of his cloudy beverage, a Bespin Fizz, and then looked Bani in the eyes. "That...isn't the news I wanted to hear", he said evenly, a little melancholy and a little menace intertwined in his words.
"It isn't the information I wanted to give Mister...Bo. Truly! The planet is really perfect but Imperials...well, if they are laying a claim there before...I'm sure you understand", Bani said solemly. She reached into her jacket's inside pocket and pulled out a Datapad, a Holo-puck, and a Datacard. "This is all I have on the planet, the best areas, and my...encounter. It includes holographic maps of several choices locales."
Boogooto stared directly into her eyes for a good minute or so, then slide the devices across the table towards himself. He let out a sigh of his own. "I am disappointed to hear about your run in with the Empire. That's a real...well...it doesn't make me happy, I'll tell you that. I'm glad you and your droid are alright but yeah, I'm not pleased about this." He took another long sip of his drink, looked up at the Pod Race on the screen, and then back at Bani and Easy. "Still, a deal is a deal. You did the work. You completed the mission and I can't fault you there. I would've given you a bonus if the data turned out good but as is, I can only pay you what I owe you for doing the job. I'm sure you understand."
Inwardly, Bani was relieved to the point of her heart beating a lightyear a minute. Boogoota had always treated her and Easy very well but, you know, you hear stories. "Yes sir. Absolutely. That is very kind of you."
"It isn't kind", Bo said matter-of-factly, "it's just business. You've done right by me in the past and I'll need your services again in the future I'm sure. We have to stay professional."
Bani nodded, looked around cautiously, and then leaned in a little closer to Boogooto, who for his part seemed a little surprised. Bani whispered, "I'm going back."
"You're what? Why?", said Bo with honest shock on his face. "If what you told me is true and I have no reason to doubt it is", he patted the datapad and datacard she gave him, "that seems an ill-advised notion."
"I need to know why they ruined our opportunity. I want to know why they were there. The planet has, on its surface, little to offer the Empire unless the Moff's are looking for new vacation homes with great fishing nearby." Bo couldn't help but chuckle. Bani continued, "I am going back to get to the bottom of what they're up to there and I promise to share with you whatever I learn. Maybe the information will make up a little for lost time and such on your Sea Skimmer Racing project."
"Hmm", a host of possibilities started running through the Pa'lowick's mind. "Tell you what, find me something I can use and that bonus money is back on the table. Deal?" Bo put out his hand and Bani reached out and shook it. He liked her. She was dedicated.
"Deal!" Bani said in a very quiet shout. As she stood up and got ready to leave, picking up the cues that their meeting had ended, Bani turned back towards Bo Boogooto and asked, "Hey Bo, you wouldn't happen to know anyone here on Gardine who owns a Sea Skimmer, would ya?"
Gilikak looked at his wrist chronometer for what felt like the third time in a very short period (likely because it was). He knew this was the result of his feeling anxious about the whole 'mission' but Bani and Easy were nearly 15 phases late. He was getting ready to go looking for them when he heard the sound of a tracked vehicle...no...a tracked droid...approaching the interior of the landing bay. The bay's manager, a sleepy ol' Human male, came out of his office in the crater wall to see what was going on. He was accompanied by a Pit Droid with a dented head.
Veril Line Systems V5-T Transport Droid - Series 1
A V5-T Transport Droid rolled in, Bani and Easy sitting in its cargo bed along with one crate and big travel bag. The droid was hitched to a trailer frame behind it. On top of the frame was a racing vehicle that Gilikak quickly recognized as a vintage Sea Skimmer. Bani waved as they entered, following that gesture with putting her two thumbs up and smiling.
Gilikak facepalmed. The bay manager and pit droid traded glances and simultaneously shrugged.
"Hi Gili, sorry we're late! You'll never guess what I got ahold of", she said as she leaped out of the cargo bed before the droid had even stopped.
"A Sea Skimmer."
"What? How did you...Oh right!" Bani chuckled, "Sure, you can see it now. I wanted it to be a surprise. A dramatic reveal!" She studied Gilikak's face a moment and said, "You do look surprised."
A Zebulon Dak Speeder Corporation S-12 'Sunshark' Sea Skimmer [Custom Modified].
The Transport Droid slowed and stopped, letting the front of his flatbed fall open. Easy came down the impromptu ramp as the V5-T's powerful crane arm came out of its cylindrical body, picked up the sack and crate and placed them gently on the ground. He then spun his body around and went to unhook the trailer. Easy whistled for him to hold on and instead drive it around to the cargo bay of Gilikak's ship. The V5-T 'grunted' but followed EZ1's instructions.
Meanwhile, Bani had been explaining to her Mon Calamari friend what happened with Boogooto and how she got the idea to borrow a Sea Skimmer so they could move around on 363-Grek III really quickly. "She's a beauty isn't she? I mean, she's pretty to me. I honestly don't know alot about these things. I know they aren't used much anymore except for racing. I guess Seaspeeders are more practical and efficient. Anyway, it's still really cool isn't it? The gal I borrowed it from said she made all kinds of modifications and restored it's old Thruster Intakes with ones from a wrecked Republic Hover Boat!"
Gilikak considered pointing out that the craft might not even fit in his cargo hold, that they didn't know how sturdy it really was, and a dozen other factors she wasn't going to listen to. She'd made up her mind and wanted, needed, to feel she'd done all she could for her client. He knew it was more than just business though. Bani had a personal grudge against the Empire and she refused to let them 'get one over on her' as she'd once conveyed to him. He definitely understood that feeling.
"So...whattaya think?", she asked both excitedly and with a tinge of guilt. She knew she was asking a lot of him and it probably wouldn't ruin their friendship if he said no to the Sea Skimmer. He had to admit...having it would be advantageous.
"It's a great idea", Gilikak said with a smile. "Let me go help the Transport Droid load it into the Always Searching. As he walked away towards the cargo bay doors Bani smiled to herself, not in self-satisfaction, but because in all the galaxy there were very few people like Gilikak of Mon Cal and she felt very lucky he called her a friend.
Moments later, with Gilikak in the pilot seat, Bani in the co-pilot/navigation chair, and EZ1 plugged in back in Engineering, the Always Searching lifted off and turned slowly around before rapidly ascending through the atmosphere and onward towards space.
Next stop...363-Grek III and the presence of Galactic Empire.
To Be Continued...
AD
Barking Alien
*To be completely clear, I am still thoroughly enjoying my bi-weekly Star Trek Prosperity campaign and some of the other projects I am currently working on. I am definitely having more fun with this Solo game than I am a few of my other ongoing campaigns and that's kind of a bummer. Sure, those games are also fun but just not as fun and certainly not as fun to discuss.
Many elements of this 'Episode' date back to my earliest excursions into gaming in the Star Wars Universe. Gardine is the first original planet I ever created and has appeared in nearly every Star Wars RPG campaign I've ever run.
Sea Skimmers also date back to one of first few campaigns, inspired by the Star Wars Swoop Bikes, my first time seeing Jet Skis, and various concept cars and boats I saw at trade shows from my youth.
Bani obtained the Sea Skimmer when that idea occurred to me while thinking about her meeting with Bo Boogooto. I had her making a Very Difficult Action Check against negotiating with a veteran racer to see if Bani could borrow the vehicle in exchange for some payment or favor to be called in later. Very Difficult is a 12 and Bani has no Negotiation Skill. It was a long shot but I had to try it. I just thought it would be cool and owing some grizzled old driver character sounded too good to passed up. Suffice to say I rolled a 5 + her Intellect of 1, so only a 6. A failure. Sad bunny.
I decided to spend a Hero Point, gaining a Success with Consequence! Bani gets to borrow the Sea Skimmer but yeah, something is bound to go wrong...
