STAR WARS: GRAY TERRITORIES - Episode I: Another Person's Trash - Part 1

STAR WARS: GRAY TERRITORIES 

Episode I: Another Person’s Trash

The Galactic Civil War is over but all is not well. Between the Western Reaches and the Unknown Regions, chaos reigns.

As the New Republic focuses on the inner systems, Imperial Remnants and Independent Warlords battle for control on distant worlds. In addition, the mysterious cult known as The Dwellers in The Dark search the stars for the tomb of an entity most sinister.

Meanwhile, on the remote planet of Boggonda, the paths of three beings who may decide the fate of the region are about to cross...

We open with a view of the planet Boggonda in space, a large starship moving in front of that camera; you know, as you do in a Star Wars production. As the audience takes in the scene they realize that ship is clearly Imperial but it's not a Star Destroyer. Rather it is a considerably smaller corvette, badly damaged, and apparently adrift. 

Then we go down to the surface of the swampy, humid , foliage covered world, its single biome best described as 'the Florida Everglades'. The focus terms to the character of Xim Darrol (PC), an 'Ex-Imperial Field Commander'. More on the potential inaccuracy of that description later. 

Art by Aristides Iliopoulos

Through an inner monologue we learn that Commander Darrol has been stranded on Bogganda for about 5 years. Sent to take out Pirates and Criminal Warlords thought to be working with the Rebellion, Xim's team was out numbered and outgunned. His unit, along with support in orbit, managed to defeat the enemy at a huge cost; the orbiting ship was disabled and the majority of the Imperial soldiers were dead.

Darrol called in back-up that never came and neither did an extraction team. Communications broke down and eventually the Commander and his remaining team members found themselves stuck. Rumors spread that the Galactic Civil War was over; the Emperor was dead and the Empire no more.

One by one his squad fell to local bandits, dangerous local flora and fauna, and the rough conditions of Boggonda's environment. Darrol survived, cobbling together gear dropped by those who didn't make it and learning to live in the wetland jungles. Now, for the first time in as long as he could remember, there might be a chance to get off this mudball.

While in the town of High Ridge, Xim overhead a local mechanic and salvage scavenger saying he might have found a ship at the bottom of Crevice Crater North East of them. The mechanics fellow salvagers didn't believe him, especially when he insisted it was a Corellian Transport, maybe a Light Freighter, and in really good condition. Darrol was ready to believe this guy however because, as he said himself, "I gotta get outta here! I've had it with this slime pit."

Xim heads off to speak with the mechanic, a Dug by the name of Dunbolgo Siwani (PC) who works for Beego's Salvage Shop.

Dunbolgo's player didn't know he found a ship until I mentioned it in the opening to Xim's player. Without any more elaboration, I turned to 'Dunbolgo'...

Art by Keith Conroy

"So where is Dunbolgo this morning?"

The Dug Mechanic was already at the shop, trying to perform some repairs on a Dwarf Probe Droid he'd found in the jungle a few weeks back. Xim walks in, nods to the Rodian Shopkeep Beego and then marches towards Dunbolgo. Darrol had been to the shop before for parts and repairs and while he'd seen the Dug many times, they'd never really spoken before. Funny enough, the Dug had probably done work on Xim's gear. 

Xim and Dunbolgo's players immediately launch into an in-character conversation that basically I had nothing to do with as GM. 

Xim: "Hey there...say, is that a Viper 10J? A Dwarf Probe Droid? My team used to work alongside those."

Dunbolgo: "Why yes...yes it is. I found it pretty badly banged up in the jungle. Something is clearly wrong with the waste compressor."

Xim: "You seem like you know your stuff but have you tried adjusting the power flow? The tech boys I knew said that if you give it more juice it compensates for all the gunk that gets in it from the terrain out there."

Dunbolgo: "I thought of that but was afraid it might overheat. Still...you just gave me an idea. I can divert some of the battery power to the filtration system to prevent the compressor from needing to work so hard. Yeah! That'll do it. Thanks...ah..."

Xim: "Xim. Xim Darrol. Listen...(gets closer and lowers his voice)...I hear you found a ship?"

Meanwhile in the wetlands below, we see a rarely sparse and simple camp site and a figure stirring from within a makeshift tent. This is Bodhe (PC), a former Guardian of The Whills who once protected the Kyber Temple on the Jedha. Offworld when the planet was destroyed by the first Death Star, Bodhe has wandered the galaxy for many years questioning and reaffirming his faith in The Force. Lately he believes he has achieved a deep understanding and connection to it, possibly even gaining the abilities of the long lost Jedi. 

Art by Jason Narvaez

Or...he might be delusional.

Bodhe is missing many specifics in his memories of the past and periodic visions confuse his sense of the present. Reality and dream intertwine as he searches for answers as to his identity and purpose in the universe. Here and now on Boggonda he is looking for something, both a light and a voice, calling to him from the wilderness. Having had a dream of the location of this thing that calls him, he seeks to climb a nearby mountain in an attempt to get a better vantage point. Perhaps he can find a landmark from his vision to guide him further. 

As Bodhe approaches a waterfall coming out of crack in the mountainside, he sense a cave opening behind it. The expanse of swamp beyond the mountain is too hazardous to travel by foot and he decides to see where the cave leads. Soon he find himself ascending rough hewn stairs as the cave leads to some sort of ancient dwelling and what looks to be a shrine. Ancient symbols carved into the walls seems strangely familiar...

To Be Continued,

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Barking Alien

A New Hope

Earlier this month I had the honor and privilege of running West End Games' Star Wars, The Roleplaying Game - one of my all time favorite RPGs - for three of my very long time and very dear friends. The game was run over Discord and went for three hours.

It's a challenge for me to put into words how good it felt to game with these fellows once again after nearly 20 years. Aside from getting to play with three people who are very special to me, playing with these guys has truly rejuvenated me. It was a breath of fresh air to game with three players who want to play the kind of game I want to run. 

I first met and became friends with Keith Conroy, Aristides Iliopoulos (sometimes referred to by his nicknames Aris or Artie), and Jason Narvaez while working at The Forbidden Planet between 89 and 91. I was introduced to these fine fellows by our mutual friend Vlad Rients (you can watch Vlad, Keith, Aris, and their pal George chew the pop culture fat on the YouTube channel The Podcast Cosmic). These fellows were also in my Tales from The Rim campaign group.

There is a lot more to our friendships than this though; Aris and I worked together at the Forbidden Planet. Keith helped me choose the Groomsmen's suits for my wedding. Jason was my Best Man. These guys, like a very select few others in my heyday of playing TRPGs have long since gone from 'people I gamed with' to family. I couldn't be happier getting to play with them again. 

The campaign, entitled 'STAR WARS: Gray Territories', is set in the same timeframe as the Disney+ series 'The Mandalorian'. approximately five years after the destruction of the second Death Star and the death of The Emperor at the Battle of Endor. I will discuss the details of the campaign in a later post and probably do a breakdown of the 'Episodes'.

Here and now, I simply want to say how and why this campaign - which has only had one session as of this writing - has already rejuvenated my love of RPGs and helped to shrug off the feeling of 'Gaming Ennui' I've been experiencing lately. 

These guys approach gaming differently from my other groups. That different approach can best be summed up as 'exactly the way I do'. Much like my A&D High School Group, these fellows and I aren't just on the same page; we wrote that page together as a team. We want the same things out of the game. We move and think at the same speed. We get it and each other in a way that could only come about if you'd been there, if you know what I mean. 

It is really freeing to be able to run a game as well as I can because the group is good enough, quick thinking enough, and immersed enough to handle that. Likewise, I need to be at the top of my...well...game as it were...to keep pace with this crew. Exhilarating. Nothing like it.

I will end here for now. I apologize for the long delay but I just haven't felt motivated to post lately. Tired from an increased work schedule (a good thing) and a lack of enthusiasm as mentioned above and in my previous post. Feeling a bit better now and looking forward to the rest of the year. 

Talk to you soon and May The Force Be With You!

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Player Profiles - Keith Conroy

I am honored to be able to say that one of my close friends for many years now has been Keith Conroy.

An incredibly talented artist whose work has included material for Malibu Comics, MTV-Animation, Titmouse, and Nickelodeon, his amazing sense of design is matched only by his equally incredible execution of transferring his thoughts to visual media.

He was the lead designer on 4kids' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, and illustrated many of the cards for the trading card game Chaotic. In addition he worked on such notable properties as Rugrats, Duckman, and many more. 

I met Keith through a friend, and together with a group of other pals we formed a gaming group, and a friendship that I wouldn't trade for the world.

You can find references to Keith's extraordinary artistic, and gaming talent throughout the posts on this site dating back to the very earliest days. Keith is not only a fantastic illustrator, who graced in and every campaign he was in with artwork for my every growing collection, but he was also one of those 'other level' players that are, to me at least, the Holy Grail of table top gaming.

As a player, Keith instantly buys into the universe he is playing in. Not only does he seek to be a part of it, deeply integrated into the setting and the story, but he adds emotional weight to his character, his allies, and the scenes he's in. This has the effort of making the elements of the universe matter on a personal level.

Examples of this: Keith's Wares Blade character Jarod Steele had his own background, goals, etc., but once he learned my ex-wife's character was blind (she didn't mention this to anyone, instead subtly role-playing it out), he slowly became both protective of her, and deeply impressed by her. This was the third session, and he realized she'd fought along side the group in the first, and second session without him knowing she couldn't see. Interactions between the two from that point were a level deeper than you normally see.

Another example would be his Smuggler in Star Wars, Jeard'en Kain. One of my favorite PCs ever, he was both nothing extravagant, and yet totally memorable. He was a normal fellow, a blue collar Han Solo. He wasn't the most handsome, the fastest draw, the best pilot in the galaxy, or anything like that. He made mistakes. He accidentally cut his own leg off trying to use a lightsaber. No really. He also saved his buddies on numerous occasions, and made friends with NPCs from all over the Outer Rim. In the end it's Jeard'en who got the girl (and she got him - it was a joint effort LOL), and in the campaign's sequel was revealed to be a well respected, professional family man. He was so...Human. So believable.

Perhaps Keith's most uncanny ability, is the near psychic way he truly gets what the GM is talking about. It is an element I miss greatly, as we haven't gamed together in some years now.

Case in point, I've run Runequest a few times, but only ever played it once. Keith was also a player in that game session. At the end of the session nearly all the players had drawn their characters, as we all attended art school together (either the High School of Art and Design, the School of Visual Arts college, or both). 

Keith's warrior looked like a Roman Soldier from the height of that ancient empire. I couldn't figure out why. The game was clearly Medieval Europe. It had Elves, Dwarves (I'd played a Dwarf as a matter of fact), Trolls, and other staple species of D&D. It featured warriors, and wizards. Yet here was Keith drawing a Roman Soldier.

Keith stated that he noticed most of the weapons, armor, and other items were bronze, or other common pre-Iron Age materials. The largest nation was called Pax, resembled ancient Rome in his his mind, and worshiped a Sun God (who seemed to have attributes of both Zeus and Apollo). Keith saw numerous other clues as well. 

The GM, our friend Jason M., or 'Big J' as we sometimes call him, said that not only was Keith correct, but he had been concerned that he wouldn't get the look, and feel of the world across. Apparently he had, at least to someone as perceptive as Keith.

Buy in. Comprehension. Depth. Layers. Details. Visuals.

This is what I think of when I think of 'Keith, the Player'.

His greatest, and most memorable PCs are...

Blind Faith, Mutant Superhero, (Champions 4th Edition)*
Gundin Taomutagg, Gree-Tagg Engineer (Star Wars, West End Games)
Jarod Steele, Son of a Human Warrior and an Elven Priestess (Wares Blade, Hobby Japan)
Jeard'en Kain, Human Smuggler (Star Wars, West End Games)
Solblight, Failed Jedi (Star Wars, West End Games)

While I only played one short campaign with him as GM, I have to say he was great as a referee as well. His ability to establish atmosphere, and move the story along was fantastic. I wish I'd gotten to be player more often with Keith as GM.

Keith the person? I hate to get mushy, be you're unlikely to meet a truer friend in this lifetime. He is, with the all the meaning this phrase has for us old schoolers, 'Good people'. An honest, warm, good natured fellow, a father, a husband, and, well, what my Pop would've called a 'mensch'.

Keith Conroy in his own words...

My good friend Adam asked me to write a summary about my gaming experience. As a result, I have stared at this open file for days now.

Writing, I one again realize, has never been one of my strong suits. I’d much prefer to draw - Insert random image I gave to Adam -

Jeard'en Kain, and R2-D6

Star Wars: Tales From The Rim

Given the option of playing or running a game I’d choose to play 90% of the time ….so much easier and so often much more thoroughly enjoyable. 

Solblight, Failed Jedi

Solblight in his heyday as a Jedi Knight

It was in the mid-to-late 70’s, I honestly can’t remember the exact time, when I found out about Dungeons & Dragons. I wish that I could remember, but I know I was never the same after that. The idea of other realms, and adventures, ones you could participate in, talk through, play out, create…not to mention miniatures on a grid! It was like someone flipped a light switch in my mind. 

Coupled with my love of comic books, movies, books and friends with whom I’d played as soldiers, detectives, adventurers, space explorers, and brand new universe opened up for me. It may sound strange, but I'd add some sports in there, like boxing...my nerdom was extensive, and all but guaranteed to continue for a life time to come. 

Funny how nerd was/is a term of mockery and shame to many, not to mention the stigma of role ­playing games. It’s amazing I didn’t get beat up more, but there’s a funny story to that. I made friends with someone who nowadays we would call a bully. The issue was overcome through a mutual interest in drawing and gaming. He turned out he’s a pretty damn creative guy.

Gaming brings that out in people. Role playing more so. That brings me back to trying to summarize my gaming life...I wish I could, but I know how easily I could write pages of rambling nonsense. About using lightsabers...poorly. About saving friends, and losing friends. About finding lost treasure, or exploring the bridge of a derelict starship. I could talk about choices that were made, those that changed the course of lives, both real and imagined.

Goblin Grrrls.

Lich? Mummy? Demon Warrior?

Sure, why not.

I will try and summarize it with this: I feel my life has been made richer because of gaming and primarily because of those I played with.

Thank you Adam for some of the best games I’ve played, and for your continued friendship.

Thank you Keith. My love to the family. Hope I get to see you again one of these days.

Some parting works...

My ex-wife's Star Wars character -

The Twi'lek Podracer, Shae Amoella

A Former Noble turned Smuggler for Star Wars

Brickhouse

Superhero for Mutants and Masterminds

And lastly...

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Barking Alien

Campaigns I Have Known

I once knew a game,

Or should I say

It once knew me.

Characters of Future Past

 By Me, Keith Conroy, Keith Conroy, Aris, and Aris.

 

I've been experiencing a serious case of RPG nostalgia of late, harkening back to the thrilling days of yesteryear when gaming was simple, sessions were often, and campaigns were both long, and varied.

I've dug up some old notes, old artwork, spoke to a few old friends, and all in all it was a pretty great trip into the past, barring the fact that 'old' was a reoccurring theme.

Over the course of this month, I intend to share some magnificent memories of those bygone campaigns with you, the fans and followers of Barking Alien.

The five of us should have a wonderful time.

I'll make hot cocoa.

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Barking Alien