The
STAR WARS
Roleplaying Game
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST
Version 3.3
by Neil Creek
3rd May 1995
updated and maintained by Mark Hudson : heywood254@aol.com
January 15, 2000
The latest version of this FAQ can be found via the World Wide Web or FTP at:
http://members.aol.com/heywood254/swrpgfaq.txt
NEW ADDITIONS SINCE LAST VERSION: (3.2)
NEW SECTION: PART 1: QUESTIONS ABOUT WIZARDS OF THE COAST
1.1 DOES WIZARDS OF THE COAST HAVE THE LICENSE TO PRODUCE THE STAR WARS
RPG?
1.2 WHAT SYSTEM WILL THE NEW SWRPG USE?
1.3 WHAT ABOUT THE D6 SYSTEM OF WEG'S STAR WARS RPG?
1.4 WILL WIZARD'S SWRPG AT LEAST BE COMPATABLE WITH WEG'S SWRPG?
1.5 AW, MAN, I LIKE THE STAR WARS RPG JUST THE WAY IT IS! DO I GOTTA
CHANGE?
NEW SECTION: PART 6: GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS AND ACRONYMS
REVISED SINCE LAST VERSION:
2.1. DID WEST END GAMES GO OUT OF BUSINESS?
2.2. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE STAR WARS RPG?
2.3. DID THE ROGUE SQUADRON SOURCEBOOK OR ADVENTURE JOURNAL #16 EVER COME
OUT?
3.9. IS THE NEW 'REVISED AND EXPANDED' VERSION OF THE RULES REALLY JUST A
THIRD EDITION?
4.14. WHAT IS THE RESOURCE POOL?
4.18. WHAT ARE THE SPOILER, STATS AND FLUFF TOPICS? HOW DO I USE THEM?
5.1. WHEN IS THE JEDI SOURCEBOOK COMING OUT?
PART 7: ACCREDITATION LIST
INTRODUCTION
This is the Frequently Asked Questions list for the the Star Wars
Roleplaying Game mailing list. The purpose of this FAQ is to inform newcomers
to the list what it is all about, and to act as a reference for any questions
which the list users may commonly want to ask. This way, the volume of traffic
on the list can be more restricted to other aspects of the roleplaying game.
The FAQ is also a kind of advertisement for the mailing list and for the Star
Wars Roleplaying Game in general.
I would like to extend special thanks to Neil Creek who wrote and
compiled the original version of this FAQ with the help of several other
members of the list. Neil designed the FAQ to be a dynamic thing, evolving and
growing. To that end, if anyone who reads this FAQ has any suggestions,
additions and comments, please email me to see that they are included in
future versions.
The FAQ may be distributed far and wide, so that anybody with an interest
in Star Wars and the Roleplaying Game will be able to read and refer to the
list. No copyright is held on the material in this list, and I ask only that
any uses for this list you can find be for the advancement of the Star Wars
universe and also be considerate of the contributors.
Enjoy, and may the Force be with you!
Mark Hudson
heywood254@aol.com
LIST OF QUESTIONS
Part 1: Questions about Wizards Of The Coast
1. Does Wizards Of The Coast have the license to produce the Star Wars
RPG?
2. What system will the new SWRPG use?
3. What about the D6 system Of WEG's Star Wars RPG?
4. Will Wizard's SWRPG at least be compatable with WEG's SWRPG?
5. Aw, man, I like the Star Wars RPG just the way it is! Do I gotta
change?
Part 2: Questions about West End Games
1. Did West End Games go out of business?
2. What is the status of the Star Wars RPG?
3. Did the Rogue Squadron sourcebook or Adventure Journal #16 ever come
out?
4. Does West End Games have an Email address or Web site?
PART 3: Questions about The Star Wars Roleplaying Game
1. What is a roleplaying game?
2. What do I need to play the game?
3. Where can I get the rule books?
4. How much do they cost?
5. What Star Wars RPG books have been published? What do they contain?
6. What is the difference between first and second edition rules?
7. Which is better?
8. What is The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Revised and Expanded?
9. Is the new 'Revised and Expanded' version of the rules really just a
third edition?
10. Does West End Games have an Email address or Web site?
Part 4: Questions about the Star Wars RPG Mailing List
1. What is the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Mailing List?
2. How do I subscribe to the SWRPG mailing list? How do I unsubscribe?
3. What happens when I subscribe?
4. Do I really gotta read and keep the welcome letter?
5. Can I receive the List mail in digest format?
6. I'm going away, but I don't want to unsubscribe from the list, can I
stop the mail?
7. Why can't I post to the list? I'm subscribed!
8. My server went down and I missed some messages, how can I get backup
copies?
9. Who is Jae Walker?
10. Can I discuss Decipher's Star Wars Collectable Card Game on the List?
11. What is a PBeM?
12. How do I join a Star Wars PBeM?
13. I've got some great new [ships\characters\systems] I want to share,
where can I put them?
14. What is the Resource Pool?
15. I don't have FTP, can I still get the stuff from the Resource Pool?
16. Is there a problem with copyright when quoting from rule books?
17. I need help in my campaign, whom can I ask?
18. What are the STATS and FLUFF topics and how do I use them?
19. What's a Fluff?
Part 5: Questions about the rules and content of the Star Wars RPG
1. When is the Jedi Sourcebook coming out?
2. Okay, is there at least a comprehensive list of Force Powers?
3. Where can I find the stats for the Lambda Class Shuttle?
4. Are there rules for starfighter modification and construction?
5. How many projectiles do starfighters carry?
6. Why does the Young Jedi template only have 15D of attributes?
7. According to 'The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook' Luke has two Dark Side
Points; when did he get them?
8. What is Yoda's race?
9. What is The Jedi Handbook and where can I find it?
10. If the Enterprise fought a Star Destroyer, which would win?
Part 6: Glossary of common terms and acronyms
Part 7: Accreditation list
PART 1: QUESTIONS ABOUT WIZARDS OF THE COAST
1.1 DOES WIZARDS OF THE COAST HAVE THE LICENSE TO PRODUCE THE STAR WARS RPG?
Yes. In late 1999, Wizards of the Coast acquired the license to produce
roleplaying games, miniatures and miniature table top games based on Star
Wars. The first products are scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of 2000.
The license does not include the trading card game which is published by
Decipher.
For more information consult the WOTC website:
http://www.wizards.com/
There is also a FAQ from Wizards on the SWRPG:
http://www.wizards.com/roleplaying/starwarsfaq.asp
1.2 WHAT SYSTEM WILL NEW THE SWRPG USE?
Wizard's SWRPG is, as of this update, in the earliest stages of
development and no decisions concerning the rules system have yet been made.
The lead designer of the game will be Bill Slavicsek who was a member of the
original Star Wars game design team for West End Games.
1.3 WHAT ABOUT THE D6 SYSTEM OF WEG'S STAR WARS RPG?
Wizard's Star Wars RPG will almost certainly be based on a different
system than the D6 rules which were and continue to be used by West End Games.
1.4 WILL WIZARD'S SWRPG AT LEAST BE COMPATABLE WITH WEG'S SWRPG?
Wizard's of the Coast promises that a conversion product for the two
systems will be produced.
1.5 AW, MAN, I LIKE THE STAR WARS RPG JUST THE WAY IT IS! DO I GOTTA CHANGE?
Of course not. WEG's Star Wars RPG has many fans who will continue to
play the game and produce home made material for it. Play the game you enjoy.
PART 2: QUESTIONS ABOUT WEST END GAMES
2.1. DID WEST END GAMES GO OUT OF BUSINESS?
No. In July 1998, West End Games fired most of its creative staff and
filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy for protection from creditors. WEG continues to
sell material from its back stock and released a new printing of the main Star
Wars rulebook. In 1999, WEG formed a partnership with a company called Yeti
and have begun releasing new material. The DC Unverse RPG based on DC Comics'
super-heroic adventures was published in late 1999.
2.2. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE STAR WARS RPG?
Wizards of the Coast, publisher of Magic: The Gathering, the Pokemon
Trading Card Game and owners of TSR, acquired the Star Wars license in late
1999. For more information see section 1.
2.3. DID THE ROGUE SQUADRON SOURCEBOOK OR ADVENTURE JOURNAL #16 EVER COME OUT?
No. The X-Wing: Rogue Squadron Sourcebook and Star Wars Adventure Journal
#16 were mistakenly included in West End's last new products listing. These
books were not printed prior to WEG's bankruptcy and are not likely to be
printed now that WEG has lost the license. Some of the fiction slated for
unpublished issues of the Adventure Journal appears in Bantam Books' anthology
"Tales from the New Republic."
2.4. DOES WEST END GAMES HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR WEB SITE?
Yes! Visit the official West End Games site, World Wide WEG at:
There you can order books from their catalog and view information about
and errata for many of their games.
You can also reach the folks at WEG via email:
WEGang@aol.com - editorial
WEGSales@aol.com - sales
If you have America Online, you can post questions and comments for WEG
in the Gaming Company Support area (Keyword: GCS).
PART 3: QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STAR WARS ROLEPLAYING GAME
3.1. WHAT IS A ROLEPLAYING GAME?
From "Star Wars - The Roleplaying Game" Second Edition, Appendix One:
Roleplaying Basics, Page 162:
"In roleplaying games, the action takes place in the imagination of the
players. There is no board to move tokens around. Instead, the gamemaster must
describe each scene and setting to the players, who then must visualize the
scene themselves. Then, by imagining how their character would react in these
settings, they tell the gamemaster what their character is going to do."
"In a roleplaying game, the players can have their characters do whatever
they want - there is no script. Instead, the player just has to have a good
idea what his character might do."
"Most of the time, the game consists of players just imagining what
happens and telling the gamemaster what their characters will do. Sometimes,
however, a player or gamemaster may demonstrate a particular action to give
everyone a clearer idea of what the character is doing."
"Roleplaying games have no "winners" and "losers". The object of
roleplaying games is for each player to have a lot of fun. In fact, players
are supposed to co-operate to achieve their success!"
"What's important is telling a story that's interesting, exciting and fun
to play. Often, especially in heroic fiction (and Star Wars is clearly
heroic), the characters are heroes and supposed to win. They are expected to
defeat the villains, and survive to fight another day. _Star Wars: The
Roleplaying Game_ often has the characters triumphing over evil, but simply
defeating the villains doesn't mean everyone had fun; sometimes everyone has
fun even if their characters are soundly defeated by the opposition."
3.2. WHAT DO I NEED TO PLAY THE GAME?
Aside from the rule books, all you need to play the SWRPG, is some
pencils, paper, plenty of six sided dice and a healthy imagination! The
rulebooks themselves are essential but the game can be played with just one
book. The core rules of the SWRPG contain everything that a beginning player
will need. An introduction to roleplaying in general and the Star Wars
universe in particular is provided. The rules used to play the game, as well
as techniques to help run the game are fully explained, and the book is
fleshed out with a lot of source material and character development ideas.
Additional sourcebooks can be bought to give more information on the
people, places and things of the Star Wars universe. A wide variety of
sourcebooks cover numerous topics, some created specifically for the game,
others derived from official Star Wars products including the movies, novels
and video games.
3.3. WHERE CAN I GET THE RULE BOOKS?
Many gaming shops may still have a copy of the rules or be able to get
them for you. If you cannot find a games shop, or there is not one nearby
you, you could try looking in your telephone book or business directory for
games distributors. Many large chains of American bookstores carry RPG
material and may be able to order products they don't have in stock.
You may also order books directly from West End either through mail order
or their web site: .
Many Star Wars RPG books are currently out of WEG's stock and you might
have to try gaming or book stores that sell used RPG material to find them.
You might also try looking on the internet. The usenet newsgroup
"rec.games.frp.marketplace" was created to handle such trade in new and used
roleplaying items.
To receive West End Games' current catalog write to:
West End Games
RR 3 Box 2345
Honesdale, PA 18431
3.4. HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
The main rulebook is the most expensive of all the books, but contains
everything you need to play the game. Hardback sourcebooks are all
approximately the same price, and soft cover sourcebooks and guides are even
cheaper. Cheapest of all are the first edition adventure modules which can
still be occasionally found for sale.
Prices :
AUSTRALIA -
Core rules : $45
Sourcebooks : about $25
Galaxy Guides : about $25
Game modules : about $17
CANADA -
Core rules : $33
Source books : $23 paperback, $27 hardcover
Galaxy guides : $20
Game modules : $12+
Norway
Core rules : ca. 200 kr
Sourcebooks : ca. 180 kr
Game modules : ca. 100 kr
UK
Revised & Expanded : 19.99 pounds
Hardback Sourcebooks : 14.99-16.99 pounds
Adventure Journal : 9.99 pounds
USA
2nd. Edition rulebook : $25.00
Revised & Expanded : $30.00
Sourcebooks : $15-$25
Game Modules : $10-$15
Adventure Journal : $12
3.5. WHAT STAR WARS RPG BOOKS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED? WHAT DO THEY CONTAIN?
There are several kinds of Star Wars RPG Books: rulebooks, sourcebooks,
Galaxy Guides, adventure modules as well as other miscellaneous supplements.
The following is a quick and dirty guide to the supplements.
Caveat Emptor: Star Wars: the Roleplaying Game is a supplement heavy
system. Don't think for a moment that each and every book is necessary to run
your game. If your book or gaming store allows browsing, check out a
supplement before plunking down your money. Also don't be afraid to ask the
list about the quality of a supplement that might interest you.
Craig Robert Carey maintains an exhaustive list of Star Wars products
from West End Games, complete down to ISBN's, foreign language editions and
even miniatures. For the latest version of the list drop him a line at:
"umotamba@rain.org".
RULEBOOKS
Star Wars the Roleplaying Game
Star Wars the Roleplaying Game, Second Edition
The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded -
The core rulebook is indispensable for playing according to West End's rules.
Aside from rules changes, there are a few differences in the three versions of
the rulebooks. The first edition has more templates and an introductory
adventure. The second edition features more vehicles and campaign background.
Revised and Expanded contains a short adventure and more Force Powers and
templates.
The Star Wars Rules Companion - This first edition supplement fixes some
flaws in the rules. It also includes some new Force powers, capitol ship
combat rules and a short adventure. This book hasn't been updated to second
edition.
Star Wars Gamemaster's Handbook - This book provides inspiration and
advice for novice gamemasters.
Star Wars Gamesmaster's Screen - includes several two panel screens with
useful charts and information as well as a booklet with many adventure ideas.
Star Wars Revised and Expanded Gamemaster's Screen - Designed for the
latest edition of the rules, this product includes a four panel screen with
useful charts and a booklet containing an extensive quick reference section of
useful stats, blank templates for ships, characters, and world generation.
Introductory Star Wars Adventure Game - This boxed set is designed for
novice roleplayers. It includes simplified rules, several short adventures and
numerous play aids such as maps, dice and cardboard counters.
SOURCEBOOKS
In general, the sourcebooks provide game information for characters,
locations, vehicles, equipment, and Force Powers as well as plot overviews of
the movies and licenced novels set in the Star Wars Universe. The exceptions
to this are the Rebel Alliance and Imperial Sourcebooks which are not derived
from any specific source.
Typically Sourcebooks are printed in a hardcover format, but some first
edition books have been reprinted in paperback. All first edition sourcebooks
have been updated to the second edition rules.
The Star Wars Sourcebook - This is the basic game sourcebook which covers
the ships, vehicles, equipment and famous personalities of the movie trilogy.
Imperial Sourcebook - This book covers very many aspects of the Empire
including the Army, Navy and Imperial bureaucracy.
The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook - This is the above book's counterpart
which covers the Rebellion against the Empire.
Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook - This details the Corporate
Sector, characters and situations from Brian Daley's 'Han Solo at Star's End'
and 'Han Solo's Revenge' (reprinted in the 'The Han Solo Adventures').
The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook - This sourcebook compiles and updates to
Second Edition all the information from the first edition Galaxy Guides (1, 3
& 5) which cover the three Star Wars films.
Heir to the Empire Sourcebook
Dark Force Rising Sourcebook
The Last Command Sourcebook
The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook (compiles and updates the above three
books) - These sourcebooks cover Timothy Zahn's trilogy of Star Wars novels.
Dark Empire Sourcebook - Details the first Dark Horse Comics series by
Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy.
Truce at Bakura Sourcebook - Details the novel by Kathy Tyers who also
co-wrote the sourcebook.
The Jedi Academy Trilogy Sourcebook - Covers all three novels of Kevin J.
Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy.
Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook - Covers elements of Lucasfilm's Shadows
of the Empire multimedia blitz (Steve Perry's novel, Dark Horse Comic's
series, Lucasarts' computer games etc).
Tales of the Jedi Companion - Details life in the galaxy several thousand
years before the Star Wars films as described in the first two of Dark Horse
Comics' Tales of the Jedi series. This book also includes an extensive list of
Force Powers.
Star Wars Special Edition Sourcebook - This full color sourcebook covers
all three movies compiling information from previous sourcebooks and Galaxy
Guides and also includes new material based on the "Special Edition" re-
releases of the trilogy.
Cracken's Threat Dossier - This sourcebook covers material from Dave
Wolverton's Courtship of Princess Leia, Michael P. Kube-McDowell's Black Fleet
Crisis Trilogy and Roger McBride Allen's Corellian Trilogy.
GALAXY GUIDES
The format of the Galaxy Guides is much the same as the sourcebooks in
that they describe specific individuals, locations, and equipment, but in
general the topics covered are original and not derived from novels or movies
(the Galaxy Guides covering the movies are notable exceptions). All Galaxy
Guides have been written for or updated to the Second Edition rules.
Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope - covers the heroes and villains and
supporting players of the first Star Wars movie. The Second Edition includes
some new material as well as a short adventure set at the time of the movie.
Galaxy Guide 2: Yavin and Bespin - covers these two famous movie
locations with diagrams, stats and adventure ideas.
Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back - covers the second movie. The
second edition includes some new material and a short adventure set during the
movie.
Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Races - describes and provides stats for many of
the alien races seen in the movies as well as several new species.
Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi - covers the concluding film of the
trilogy. The second edition includes a short adventure set on Endor after the
destruction of the second Death Star.
Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters - provides rules for running a free
trader campaign and modifying tramp freighters. Also describes a sector and
adventure ideas appropriate to a tramp freighters campaign.
Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisely - covers the environs of that wretched hive of
scum and villainy, Mos Eisely Spaceport and some of its Tatooine surroundings.
Galaxy Guide 8: Scouts - covers the starships, equipment and lifestyle of
the scouting profession. Also includes brief planet generation rules and a
short adventure.
Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim - This supplement, a favorite of
many people on the list, covers a wide variety of personalities from the Outer
Rim: an Imperial Inquisitor, Rebel mercenaries, bounty hunters, slavers, swoop
gangs, rock 'n' roll bands and more.
Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters - covers the dread profession of bounty
hunting; includes many famous bounty hunters, bounty hunting guilds, equipment
and a short adventure.
Galaxy Guides 11: Criminal Organizations - details various and sundry of
the galaxy's vilest criminal organizations.
Galaxy Guides 12: Aliens: Enemies and Allies - even more stats and
backgrounds for alien races, some new and many from the films.
FANTASTIC TECHNOLOGY
These supplements detail technical aspects of the Star Wars universe
covering topics including droids, equipment and cybernetics.
Galladinium's Fantastic Technology - lots and lots of toys, gadgets,
gizmos and guns. Also updates the jury rigging and cybernetics rules and
includes an exhaustive weapons chart.
Cynabar's Fantastic Technology: Droids - covers all aspects of Droids
from construction rules, roleplaying advice, historical background and many
examples of droids.
Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear - Still more bits of
equipment, gadgets and guns culled from numerous previously published sources.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTS
Death Star Technical Companion - details, with stats and diagrams, the
daily operations, personnel, defenses, auxiliary vessels, power plants of "the
ultimate power in the universe."
Planets of the Galaxy, volume 1
Planets of the Galaxy, volume 2
Planets of the Galaxy, volume 3
The Planet's Collection (compiles and updates the above three books) -
The Planets books contain a random world and system generator and several
sample planets populated with new aliens, equipment and adventure ideas.
Shadows of the Empire Planets Collection - descriptions of four of the
systems featured in you-know-what multimedia event.
Cracken's Rebel Field Guide - This first edition supplement includes
rules for cybernetics and jury rigged modifications. The bulk of the book is
devoted to detailed descriptions of these modifications as well as other
gadgets and equipment. This book was not updated to second edition.
Wanted by Cracken - This book is a rogues gallery of criminals and
Imperials to pit against player characters.
Cracken's Rebel Operatives - detailed info about the saboteurs,
operatives, spies, contacts and informants who work with or for the Rebel
Alliance against the Empire.
Alliance Intelligence Reports - a detailed collection of Imperial,
criminal, and mercenary groups who might cross the players' path.
Platt's Starport Guide - detailed descriptions of seven varied and exotic
starports from across the galaxy.
Creatures of the Galaxy - describes dozens of assorted critters and
beasties from across the galaxy.
Heroes and Rogues - a collection of new character templates. Also
includes advice for fleshing out player character backgrounds.
Pirates and Privateers - This supplement covers all aspects of the life
of the space pirate including letters of marquee, equipment, and dozens and
dozens of space ships and vehicles.
Wretched Hives of Scum and Villainy - describes eight new bars, cantinas,
resorts and hotels from across the galaxy including information on their
proprietors and patrons.
Blacks Sands of Socorro - details the desert world of Socorro, a world
featured in several stories in the Adventure Journal.
Rules of Engagement: The Special Forces Handbook - covers both Rebel and
Imperial special forces with stats, templates, equipment and martial arts
rules.
Platt's Smuggler's Guide - This supplement introduces and explains the
tools, ships, environments and personalities of the smuggling profession.
Stock Ships - details fourteen different freighters with deck plans and
both stock and modified statistics.
Alien Encounters - contains stats and source material for more than one
hundred alien races drawn from the movies, novels and roleplaying game.
Hideouts and Strongholds - descriptions and detailed maps of more than
twenty unique locations from a safe house and luxury apartment to a jungle
base and asteroid space station.
The Far Orbit Project - this companion to 'Pirates and Privateers'
contains scenarios and campaign information for a rebel privateer and
includes deck plans of a Nebulon-B frigate.
ADVENTURES
SWRPG adventures exist in several forms. A series of adventure modules
were released under the first edition rules; they contain a 30-40 page
adventure and usually a full color fold-out map. Later, longer and more
detailed adventure supplements were published in regular book form. Several
first edition adventures were updated to the second edition in the 'Classic
Adventures' series, sadly without the poster sized maps.
Adventure Modules
Battle for the Golden Sun
Black Ice
Crisis on Cloud City (includes rules and cards for the game of Sabaac)
The Game Chambers of Questal
Otherspace
Otherspace II: Invasion
Riders of the Maelstrom
Scavenger Hunt (includes diagram of the Lambda class shuttle)
Starfall (includes a diagram of the Victory Class Star Destroyer)
Strikeforce: Shantipole
Tatooine Manhunt (includes a map of Mos Eisely and a diagram of the
Cantina)
First Edition Adventure Supplements
The Abduction of Crying Dawn Singer
Death in the Undercity
Domain of Evil
Graveyard of Alderaan
The Isis Coordinates
Mission to Lianna
Planet of Mists
Politics of Contraband - This is a series of short adventures for free
traders.
Second Edition Adventure Supplements
Twin Stars of Kira - Several adventures and details about the trade route
in which they tack place.
Supernova - A series of adventures set on a world whose star is about to
go nova.
Flashpoint! Brak Sector - Describes an isolated sector of Imperial space
and outlines a campaign set therein.
Goroth: Slave of the Empire - Information about and adventures set on
this Imperial dominated world.
Operation: Elrood! - includes three connected adventures set in the
Elrood Sector from Planets of Galaxy volume 3/The Planets Collection.
Instant Adventures - Includes several short adventures designed to be
played in one session with very little preparation time.
No Disintegrations - Five short adventures designed to be played by
bounty hunter characters.
Secrets of the Sisar Run - a collection of adventures set in the shadows
of the Star Wars galaxy which introduce smuggler characters to the Sisar Run
trade route and a Black Sun conspiracy.
Classic Campaigns - updates the campaign information included with the
first edition Gamemaster's Screen and Gamemaster's Pack.
Classic Adventures, volume 1 - updates The Abduction of Crying Dawn
Singer and Politics of Contraband.
Classic Adventures, volume 2 - updates Domain of Evil and Graveyard of
Alderaan.
Classic Adventures, volume 3 - updates Death in the Undercity, Tatooine
Manhunt and Riders of the Maelstrom.
Classic Adventures, volume 4 - reprints source material and adventures
from the first nine issues of the Adventure Journal.
Classic Adventures, volume 5 - updates Strikeforce: Shantipole, Starfall,
and Game Chambers of Questal
BOXED SETS
The Darkstryder Campaign - This set describes a self-contained campaign
revolving around the crew of a rebel blockade runner on the fringes of known
space. The campaign proceeds through three additional adventure supplement
before coming to a conclusion. These supplements of adventures and campaign
information are:
Darkstryder: Kathol Outback
Darkstryder: Kathol Rift
Dartstryder: Endgame
Darkstryder Omnibus Set - contains all the Darkstyder material and
supplements together in one box.
Mos Eisely Boxed Set - This set includes Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisley,
miniatures, maps and adventure ideas set in this famous Tatooine starport.
Lords of the Expanse - This boxed set introduces a campaign setting rich
in intrigue and conspiracy amid the noble houses of the Tapani Sector.
Tapani Sector Players' Guide
Tapani Sector: Instant Adventures
ADVENTURE JOURNAL
'The Official Star Wars Adventure Journal' was published four times a
year and contained a variety of Star Wars related content. The main thrust of
the magazine was short stories set in the SW Universe with new characters.
However, there was also a fair amount of RPG material including information
about characters and equipment in the style of the various Cracken's books,
articles covering such topics as new systems, starships, histories of the
astromech and TIE fighter, Imperial battle tactics, and even the occasional
adventure. West End published 15 issues of the Adventure Journal.
West End published two 'Best of' compilations:
The Best of the Adventure Journal - reprints stories, sourcefiles and one
adventure from the first four issues of the Adventure Journal.
Classic Adventures, volume 4 - reprints source material and adventures
from the first nine issues of the Journal.
OTHER STAR WARS PRODUCTS FROM WEST END
Jedi's Honor
Scoundrel's Luck - These two are choose-your-own-adventure style
solitaire adventures starring Luke Skywalker and Han Solo respectively.
Imperial Doublecross - Another choose-your-own-adventure type solitaire
adventure designed to introduce the Star Wars RPG rules and setting.
Star Wars Miniatures Battles
Star Wars Miniatures Battles Companion
Star Wars Miniatures Battles: Imperial Entanglements - These books
describe rules for squad level combat in the Star Wars universe including
aliens, different types of troops, vehicles, Force effects and combat
scenarios. Boxed sets are available which include these rulebooks, dice and
miniatures.
Star Wars Live Action Adventures
Star Wars Live Action Adventures Gamemasters Toolkit
Star Warriors
Assault on Hoth
Battle for Endor - These are boxed board games not specifically designed
to be used with the RPG although conversions exist. Star Warriors is a
starfighter combat game and the other two are ground based combat games.
3.6. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND EDITION RULES?
The second edition rules introduced some new concepts to the overall
system. First of all, under the 2nd edition rules Character Points replace
Skill Points and may be used to "buy" extra dice for any skill or attribute
checks - i.e., the Character Points can, in addition to being used in the
normal way to raise skills, also be used as _very minor_ Force Points.
The second edition rules removed the Speed dice code for all vehicles,
and moved to adopt a fully metric speed system, with "units" in space, and KPH
for atmospheric vehicles. This created some changes in the resolution of
vehicle maneuvers.
The second edition rules have introduced the concept of Advanced skills.
These skills are highly expensive to develop, and highly specialised, though
they can be used in conjunction with ordinary skills. The Advanced skills are
used to resolve very difficult actions - like practicing medicine or designing
and building cyberware or spacecraft.
The second edition rules quantified the concept of specialisation skills
- i.e., that a character can be very good at a specific aspect of a more
general skill (example: as the Blaster skill governs the use of all hand-held
blaster weapons, a person Specialised in Blaster Pistol would be very good
with a blaster pistol, and ineffective with a blaster rifle).
The second edition rules have also altered the creation of characters.
Regular and alien characters' attributes are now described as dice ranges,
2D-4D for example, and the character is free to allocate a set amount of
starting dice within the ranges of the various attributes. This means that the
concept of NPC and alien "templates" is no longer valid as earlier. The new
system is much more flexible, and there is no trouble whatsoever in
introducing templates from the 1st edition, as the systems are completely in
sync - only the skills are changed, as is the character's relationship with
the Force, but that is in the next paragraph.
The second edition rules have given more detail to a character's
relationship with the Force. Ordinary Player Characters are Force non-
sensitive; they start with 1 Force Point and may have a maximum of five Force
Points, any above that are traded in for three Character Points. Force
sensitive characters start with 2 Force Points and may have an unlimited
number of Force Points. Regular characters may become Force sensitive if they
spend 20 character points. Force sensitive characters receive Dark Side Points
(symbolic of the temptation of the Dark Side of the Force) whenever they do
evil. Non-Force sensitive characters have more leniency when it comes to Dark
Side Points.
The second edition rules introduced the concept of Force skills for the
three Force attributes. Although one does not train in the various Force
skills per se, one must have a skill to be able to use that aspect of the Jedi
training. I.e., one must have the Telekinetic Kill skill to be able to use it.
This was not specified under the 1st edition rules.
Under the 2nd edition, it is also possible to raise attribute points,
though at a hefty cost in character points. The concept of die caps between
different scales (characters and vehicles, for example) and the ability to
coordinate tasks are updated and revised for the second edition.
3.7. WHICH IS BETTER?
Among players familiar with both systems there is no agreement. Some
folks like the simplicity of the first edition, others prefer the more
detailed and consistent second edition, still others use a fusion of both
editions of the rules. Truth be told, the difference between the first and
second editions is not that great, and if you know how one works, you can
still play the other.
3.8. WHAT IS THE STAR WARS ROLEPLAYING GAME, REVISED AND EXPANDED?
'Revised and Expanded' is the latest revision of the second edition core
rules. The bulk of the changes are a revision of the layout of the book and a
streamlining of the introduction to and explanations of the rules. A few game
mechanics have been slightly revised including the rules about scales,
movement and the order of combat. 'Revised and Expanded' also includes an
index!
3.9. IS THE NEW 'REVISED AND EXPANDED' VERSION OF THE RULES REALLY JUST A
THIRD EDITION?
Here is the answer straight from WEG's former Star Wars RPG Guru himself,
Bill Smith: "Absolutely not. In fact, R&E is designed to work seamlessly with
all other 2nd Ed. products - the few rules changes (new turn sequence, new
movement rules using existing Move score) are in the SW Rules Upgrade, which
is available in the November Adventure Journal [#11], and in the SW GM screen.
And if you're perfectly happy with Second Ed., there's no need to change."
West End Games no longer offers the Revised and Expanded Rules Upgrade by
mail. Moreover it is not currently available on their revised web site.
PART 4: QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STAR WARS RPG MAILING LIST
4.1. WHAT IS THE STAR WARS ROLEPLAYING GAME MAILING LIST?
From the mailing list's welcome letter: "The Star Wars mailing list was
set up to provide a means whereby fans and players of the 'Star Wars Role-
playing Game' could meet and discuss topics related to any aspect of the Star
Wars universe. The discussion also includes a forum for independently created
adventures and aids to be discussed and dispersed for public use...
"The list is 'self-moderated'--you are responsible for what you post.
Keep in mind that the topic of the list is the Star Wars Role Playing game,
and try to stay on topic. Nastiness and flaming will get you booted from the
list, but otherwise just about anything about the SW:RPG goes."
The SW:RPG Mailing List was founded by Peter Skanes, Mike Soulier and
Andrew Jackson and run manually until moving to the Drycas mail server under
the aegis of "Empress" Jae Walker who is the administrator of the List and its
resource pool. The Mailing List found a new home with greater stability and
versatility at AOL's Listserv. Jae has also set up a home page for the mailing
list: .
4.2. HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE TO THE SWRPG MAILING LIST? HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE?
To SUBSCRIBE to the SW-RPG list:
send to: listserv@listserv.aol.com
subscribe sw-rpg Yourfirstname YourLastname
(no .sig or other data)
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the SW-RPG list:
send to: listserv@listserv.aol.com
unsubscribe sw-rpg
(no .sig or other data)
If that doesn't work, send a note to:
sw-rpg-request@listserv.aol.com asking to be removed.
4.3. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SUBSCRIBE?
The first thing that will happen is that you will receive a welcome
letter. Read it and keep it! It will tell you everything you need to know to
participate on the list. After that, mail from the list members will start
pouring in. Be advised the list can have some pretty high traffic at times,
anywhere from 10-80 messages a day!
To post a message to the list, send it to this address:
sw-rpg@listserv.aol.com
4.4. DO I REALLY GOTTA READ AND KEEP THE WELCOME LETTER?
Yes, really. Pay special attention to the subscribing and unsubscribing
instructions. Please note that unsubscribe requests are NOT sent to the list
but rather the mail server at "listserv@listserv.aol.com". Polluting the list
with unsub requests or breaking the guidelines described in the welcome letter
will annoy a) the other members of the list and b) Empress Jae, the list
moderator. Cross her and she will squash you off the list. I'm not kidding.
4.5. CAN I RECEIVE THE LIST MAIL IN DIGEST FORMAT?
You sure can! If you wish to receive the digested version of the
postings, send the following to: listserv@listserv.aol.com
SET SW-RPG DIGEST
(no .sig or other data)
If you are receiving the digest and wish to receive each piece of mail
separately, send the following to: listserv@listserv.aol.com
SET SW-RPG MAIL
(no .sig or other data)
4.6. I'M GOING AWAY, BUT I DON'T WANT TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE LIST, CAN I STOP
THE MAIL?
Yes. To toggle the receipt of mail, send the following to:
listserv@listserv.aol.com
SET SW-RPG NOMAIL
To start receiving mail again, send the following to:
listserv@listserv.aol.com
SET SW-RPG MAIL
4.7. WHY CAN'T I POST TO THE LIST? I'M SUBSCRIBED!
You didn't read your Welcome Letter, did you? Due to the great volume of
mail going through the SW-RPG mailing list, it is important that everyone
reads the rules, understands them and agrees to abide by them. Until you do so
and do what the letter instructs, you won't be able to post to the list. This
has helped keep the SW-RPG mailing list a high signal:low noise mailing list.
4.8. MY SERVER WENT DOWN AND I MISSED SOME MESSAGES, HOW CAN I GET BACKUP
COPIES?
Contributions sent to the list are automatically archived. You can get a
list of the available archive files by sending an "INDEX SW-RPG" command to
LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AOL.COM. You can then order these files with a "GET SW-RPG
LOGxxxx" command, or using LISTSERV's database search facilities. Send an
"INFO DATABASE" command for more information on the latter.
4.9. WHO IS JAE WALKER?
Jae Walker is the administrator of the mailing list, and it is on her
fileserver that the Resource Pool is located. Jae administers the list in her
own time, including keeping the pool up to date. She also runs some other
lists and has a full time job. Everybody on the list appreciates her
commitment to the list and Star Wars and is grateful to her for making the
list what it is. She can be contacted at - sw-rpg-request@listserv.aol.com
4.10. CAN I DISCUSS DECIPHER'S STAR WARS COLLECTABLE CARD GAME ON THE LIST?
Only as it relates to the roleplaying Game. Decipher maintains a mailing
list devoted to the CCG. More information about Decipher and the SW:CCG can be
found on their homepage .
4.11. WHAT IS A PBeM?
A Play By eMail is a roleplaying game conducted via electronic mail. It
works something like this :
- players e-mail moves to the GM every 1-2 days.
- GM determines who is doing what to whom and exactly when, then he/she
rolls all the appropriate dice
- GM then posts results of the round (or whatever) to everyone, telling
all the players what has happened.
- in the two that I am involved in (1 player, 1 as GM), die roll results
aren't mentioned in the posts. This encourages Role playing as opposed
to Roll playing
4.12. HOW DO I JOIN A STAR WARS PBeM?
- find a GM on the 'Net
- advertise on the various SW discussion groups you are involved in
- keep the e-mail rollin'
or
- join a game in progress, if the GM allows and it seems appropriate
4.13. I'VE GOT SOME GREAT NEW [SHIPS\CHARACTERS\SYSTEMS] I WANT TO SHARE,
WHERE CAN I PUT THEM?
If you have designed any new ships or other material, there are many
other players who would be eager to see your work. If you decide that you want
to share your work, please post it to the list and perhaps one of the
newsgroups. It would also be appreciated by everyone if you could send your
creation to the Resource Pool.
4.14. WHAT IS THE RESOURCE POOL?
The Resource Pool was designed as a location where SWRPG gamemasters
could "pool" their resources so that everyone would be able to easily share
their work. This is a place where you can find all kinds of things, from game
ideas to GM utilities, from new ships to character stories.
The Resource Pool may now be visited over the web at the following
address:
http://drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu/~jae/sw/
The Resource Pool can also be accessed by ftp at the following address:
FTP site (for Resource Pool access): drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu
login as: anonymous
password: your user id
Directory: cd jae (or jae.dir)
cd star-wars (or star-wars.dir)
cd sw-list (or sw-list.dir)
cd resource (or resource.dir)
If you don't know how to use ftp get one of those 'Internet for
Beginners' books from your local bookstore or ask you system administrator.
To contribute to the resource pool, email your work to jae+sw-rpg-
upload@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu It will be checked and put onto the Resource
Pool as soon as possible. Hopefully, over time and with the help of SWRPGers,
the pool will grow to a substantial size.
4.15. I DON'T HAVE FTP, CAN I STILL GET THE STUFF FROM THE RESOURCE POOL?
A lot of people don't have access to FTP, and until recently, haven't
been able to get all the information stored in the Resource Pool. Fortunately,
however, a mail server has been set up at the site, and the files there can
now be accessed by email.
- All commands go to: mailserv@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu
Do not include .sig files or anything else besides the actual commands in the
messages.
- To get a list of all the directories and all of the files in them, the
command is:
DIRECTORY [jae.star-wars.sw-list.resource*...]*.*
- To get a list of the files in a single directory (for example, the .droids
directory):
DIRECTORY [JAE.STAR-WARS.SW-LIST.RESOURCE.DROIDS]*.*
- The DIRECTORY command accepts wild cards, so if you wanted to get a list of
all the readme files, you might send the following command:
DIRECTORY [JAE.STAR-WARS.SW-LIST.RESOURCE*..]0READ*.*
- GETTING THE FILES:
Once you have a list of the files, getting the files you want is very simple.
Send the following:
SEND [JAE.STAR-WARS.SW-LIST.RESOURCE.directory]filename.ext
- The mailserver will send you the file by return mail. Couldn't be
simpler...
4.16. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH COPYRIGHT WHEN QUOTING FROM RULEBOOKS?
Do not post copyrighted materials. The SWRPG List does not exist so that
you don't have to buy sourcebooks. It exists to encourage discussion of the
game and the creation of new materials. However, during discussions on the
list, it may become inevitable and even necessary that you must quote from
West End's rulebooks or copy the official stats of a character or vehicle to
clarify a point or draw comparison. This kind of use of the material falls
within the concept of "fair use" and "quoting for review." Therefore, it's
okay to quote stats for a single character or item, but do not post lengthy
portions from the SWRPG books. The list operates with the blessing of West End
Games and as such abides with their desire not to be put out of business by
pirates. If you're looking for materials for your game, check out the Resource
Pool. There's quite a bit there. Information on the Resource Pool can be found
elsewhere in this FAQ and in the all-important and oft-ignored Welcome Letter.
4.17. I NEED HELP IN MY CAMPAIGN, WHOM CAN I ASK?
The newsgroup rec.arts.sf.starwars.games or the mailing list would be
your best bet if you are having difficulty with some part of your game. There
are many people there who have SWRPG experience, especially on the mailing
list, and most are more than happy to offer ideas or suggestions. Do not be
afraid to ask any question no matter how silly it sounds. The only stupid
questions are the ones that you need the answers to but don't ask. The people
on the net are, on the whole, very understanding.
4.18. WHAT ARE THE SPOILER, STATS AND FLUFF TOPICS? HOW DO I USE THEM?
Not everyone is interested in everything under discussion. That's just a
law of life. Fortunately, the list has a nifty feature called Topics. What it
will do for us is let people *exclude* topics that they aren't interested in.
Since some people have complained about receiving statistics for ships,
characters, etc., and others have complained about the fluff, The List has
three TOPICS: STATS: SPOILERS: and FLUFF:
SPOILERS:
If the material would "spoil" a movie, book, game or whatever for someone
who hasn't seen it, please put SPOILERS: as the first word of the subject. It
wouldn't hurt to add, after the :, what it's a spoiler for! SPOILERS: take
precedence over STATS: if you're posting stats from something that would be a
spoiler.
Example: SPOILERS: Who's Luke's father?
STATS:
When you send templates or anything of that sort (stuff you'd want me to
put in the Resource Pool) please put STATS: as the first word in the subject
line, followed by a colon. SPOILERS: take precedence over STATS: if you're
posting stats from something that would be a spoiler.
Example: Subject: STATS: The biggest, baddest ship ever
Note that there is no space between STATS and the colon. Also, it has to
be STATS - STAT won't do it.
FLUFF:
If you're starting a line of Fluff or participating in one, please put
FLUFF: as the first word in the subject line, followed by a colon. (Fluff is
member-written fiction, for those of you who've never heard the term before.
Occasionally the gang will just go nuts on an interactive story and for a few
days the list will be buzzing with messages featuring various outrageous
characters.)
The FLUFF: topic is ONLY for member written fiction. People seem to think
that anything that's off-topic is Fluff... not so. Those things are simply
off-topic, and shouldn't be posted to the SW-RPG list.
Example: Subject: Fluff: Fluffier than anyone has a right to be
By default you will receive all messages. If you want to stop receiving
fluff (just by way of example) you'd send a message to the listserver
(listserv@listserv.aol.com) that says: set SW-RPG TOPICS -FLUFF
Once Listserv processes the message, you won't get Fluff messages any
more, as long as the Fluffsters remember to put FLUFF at the start of the
subject line.
To turn a topic back on, the command is SET SW-RPG TOPICS +FLUFF
This only works for topics Jae has set up in the headers (STATS & FLUFF),
and unfortunately it doesn't work for DIGEST mode. If other TOPICS become
necessary it's simple for Jae to add them, although once they're added they
can never be removed, and the list has a limit on how many it can have.
4.19. WHAT'S FLUFF?
The FLUFF topic is used for any sort of fiction posting to the list.
Posts to the list that are short stories or episodes of a story should be
posted under the FLUFF topic. The FLUFF topic is named after the collectively
written stories that occur on the list from time to time. Past Fluffs have
included farcical Spam Wars, over the top crossovers and even serious
meditations on the Force. Feel free to contribute but remember to play nice
with other people's characters. Examples of past Fluffs can be found in the
Resource Pool. Note that the FLUFF topic includes all short fiction postings
not just Fluff stories.
PART 5: QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RULES AND CONTENT OF THE STAR WARS RPG
5.1. WHEN IS THE JEDI SOURCEBOOK COMING OUT?
Not anytime soon. Lucasfilm did not want West End to do anything with the
Force until the new movies come out. Presumably the same is true of Wizards of
the Coast.
5.2. OKAY, IS THERE AT LEAST A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF FORCE POWERS?
Sort of. The Tales of the Jedi Companion includes nearly all of WEG's
published Force Powers. The missing powers are: Postcognition, Control Disease
(both from the Revised and Expanded rulebook) and Predict Natural Disaster
(from the Jedi Academy Sourcebook).
5.3. WHERE CAN I FIND THE STATS FOR THE LAMBDA CLASS SHUTTLE?
The elusive Lambda Class Shuttle is absent from the most of the major
sourcebooks. Because of this oversight, the stats often pop up in other
places. The stats can be found in the following supplements:
- first edition stats can be found in the adventure module "Scavenger
Hunt" which also includes a poster sized diagram of the shuttle.
- second edition stats appear in the adventure supplement "Supernova"
- the Lambda's stats and the diagram (on a single page) can also be found
in the Heir to the Empire/Thrawn Trilogy SB
- the stats appear in the quick reference section of the Revised and
Expanded GM's screen.
- the Lambda's stats also appear in the Star Wars Special Edition
Sourcebook.
5.4. ARE THERE RULES FOR STARFIGHTER MODIFICATION AND CONSTRUCTION?
Nope. A sourcebook covering starship construction was said to be in the
works from West End.
5.5. HOW MANY PROJECTILES DO STARFIGHTERS CARRY?
Some people were speculating about the number of missiles/torpedoes that
the four main Rebel Fighters have. This information comes from Volume 3 of the
Star Wars Technical Journal and Lucasart's X-Wing computer game:
X-Wing: Two Krupx MG7 proton torpedo launchers - three torpedoes each
A-Wing: Two Dymex HM-6 concussion missile launchers - six missiles each
Y-Wing: Two Arakyd Flex Tube proton torpedo launchers -four torpedoes each
B-Wing: Two Krupx MG9 proton torpedo launchers - six torpedoes each
NOTES:
1) Lucasarts and West End disagree about whether A-Wings have missiles.
According to the X-Wing and TIE Fighter computer games they do; according to
WEG, they do not. Bill Smith's Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels states
that some A-Wings carry missiles. The final call is up to the GM's discretion
2) Using WEG stats for missiles and torpedoes with these missile loadouts
*may* unbalance the starfighter. Alternative missile rules have been suggested
by members of the list; see missile.txt in resource pool /ships dir.
5.6. WHY DOES THE YOUNG JEDI TEMPLATE ONLY HAVE 15D OF ATTRIBUTES?
There is a misprint in the Second Edition rulebook. The Young Jedi should
have DEX 3D and PER 4D. The corrected stats can be found in both the
Gamemaster's Handbook and the Revised and Expanded rulebook.
5.7. ACCORDING TO 'THE MOVIE TRILOGY SOURCEBOOK' LUKE HAS TWO DARK SIDE
POINTS; WHEN DID HE GET THEM?
This has been a much discussed question. Unfortunately there is no
definitive answer. Here are some of the possibilities that have been suggested
to explain how Luke got his DSPs: when he choked the Gamorrean Guards at
Jabba's palace (Telekinetic Kill); when he threatened to kill Jabba (rather
un-Jedi-like behavior); when he attacked Jabba's henchmen on the sail barge
(using the Force to attack); when he attacked the Emperor on the second Death
Star (lashing out in anger); when he attacked Darth Vader and cut Vader's hand
off (again attacking with anger). Choose the ones you like or invent your own.
5.8. WHAT IS YODA'S RACE?
Yoda's origins and race have been designated off limits by Lucasfilm.
Therefore no official stats, information, or even the name of his race exist.
Interested parties should wait for the prequels or invent something
themselves.
5.9. WHAT IS THE JEDI HANDBOOK AND WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
The Jedi Handbook is a collection of UNOFFICIAL rules concerning the Jedi
and the Force and FAN-MADE Force Powers written by numerous members of the
mailing list and compiled and edited by Dave Barnhardt. This extensive work
can be found on the web at:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/8166/swrpg.htm
5.10. IF THE ENTERPRISE FOUGHT A STAR DESTROYER, WHICH WOULD WIN?
Who really cares? Star Trek vs. Star Wars trolling will not be tolerated
on the list. Take it to rec.arts.sf.starwars.misc.
PART 6: GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS AND ACRONYMS
Note: this list is not meant to all inclusive, but covers many of the terms
and acronyms often used on the SWRPG List.
#1 Rule - the single, most important part of the game, which every RPG holds
in common: "HAVE FUN!"
Ad/DisAd - Advantage/Disadvantage system, where a character's good traits are
numerically balanced with bad traits
Admin: - the topic header Jae uses when something important is about to be
said.
Aether - a pseudo-scientific concept created to explain some of the stranger
things that occur in the SW galaxy, i.e. sound in space, ships having speed
ratings instead of an acceleration ratings, etc (Joinson once suggested that
AETHER should be an acronym for An Excuse That Hilariously Explains Everything
Ridiculous)
Adventure - the fun and exciting events that take place in a RPG centered
around a conflict or mission.
AJ - Adventure Journal, a WEG periodical which lasted 15 issue and contained
all kinds of useful, wild and wacky information from the SW-RPG universe.
BBB Syndrome - one of the tell-tale signs of a power-gamer, where every move
the player makes is an attempt to make a character "Bigger, Better, Badder".
Bluebook - The Star Wars RPG 2nd Edition rulebook which features Darth Vader's
head on a blue background.
Campaign - a series of adventures, with common characters and setting, which
runs in a large story arc until the final resolution of the overall conflict
of the game.
Cannon - a big gun
Cannon Fodder - an NPC or group of NPCs inserted into a situation specifically
to be dramatic casualties
Canon - in regards to Star Wars, a set of events and principles accepted as
authoritative or undeniably official. Generally, only the characters and
events depicted in the movies are accepted as canon. For example, the death
of the Emperor in "Return of the Jedi" is canon; his resurrection in "Dark
Empire" is not.
CanonCannon - a mighty weapon from list's past, though it's argument winning
power has somewhat diminished over the years. A lister who sites a source
straight from George Lucas is said to be "aiming the CanonCannon".
CCG - Customizable Card Game, a new psuedo-RPG craze started in the last
decade by Magic: The Gathering
Character - a fictitious person inside the gaming universe, e.g. Tirog,
intergalactic bounty hunter.
CP - Character Point
C/S/A - Control, Sense and Alter, the three main areas of Force use
CSA - Corporate Sector Authority
D6 - six-sided dice, or a RPG system that uses them exclusively
DSP - Dark Side Point
EU - Expanded Universe, a catch-all term for any official Star Wars material
outside of the movies themselves. This includes, the novels, comic books,
video and roleplaying games, and action figures.
Fluff - an outrageous, spontaneous event on the List, and one of its highest
held traditions, where otherwise reputable listmembers take on ridiculous
characters to embark on a farcical look at the RPG.
Four-way Split - an old RPG term, originally coined by analyst-gamer Glenn
Blacow, which describes what he believed were the four principle motives in
gaming: Storytelling, Role-playing, Power-gaming and War-gaming.
Storytelling - seeking to create an interesting, cohesive storyline that
the entire group can enjoy together (players with this motivation are most
often Gamemasters)
Role-Playing - seeking to develop an interesting and entertaining
character and using imagination to best navigate and enjoy the game
environment (players with this motivation are most often Player Characters)
Power-gaming - seeking personal dominance over others in both the terms
of the game and the terms of the gaming group. Healthy to a very minor
extent, though completely detrimental to the game if uncontrolled
War-gaming - seeking to use strategy and the mechanics of the game (dice
rolling, etc) to simulate and enjoy imaginary situations. Sometimes looked
down upon by role-play intensive players, War-gaming is where RPGs first began
and is still a vital part of almost every RPG
FP - Force Point
FS - Force Sensitive
Fudging - A GMs ability to tilt dice rolls in a way that benefits the story
and keeps things from getting out of hand. Most often used to protect
characters from sudden death due to bad dice rolls.
Fumble - old school name for a mishap, that is, a penalty or complication as
the result of a 1 on the wild die
Fzook - Jae's power to declare any topic void for discussion, especially for
pointless arguments and things not related to the RPG. This can also be
unofficially declared by other, experienced listers [sometimes known as a
"citizen's fzook"]
GM - Gamemaster, the person who runs and controls the game universe and the
other characters within it.
Holonews - A way of presenting game ideas and events from campaigns through
fictitious news articles. Notable Holonews sources from the past include
TriNebulon News, the Men at Arms Datalog, and the mother-of-em-all: Cross-
Sector.
Homebrew - referring to any RPG rules, stats or things created by non-
published authors
IMC - In My Campaign, a qualifier thats notes what works your specific
campaign may not apply to the RPG in general.
IMSWU - In My Star Wars Universe, a variation on the above
IRC - Internet Relay Chat
LARP - Live Action Role Playing, a variant of the RPG where the players
physically act out their actions
LOS - Line of Sight
MacGuffin - A literary term coined by Alfred Hitchcock, a MacGuffin is any
element that sets a story (or RPG adventure) in motion. A MacGuffin may be
anything: a person, a thing or even an idea. Some famous examples: the Holy
Grail in Authurian Myth, the statue in "The Maltese Falcon," the Death Star
plans in "Star Wars" or Fox Mulder's search for the truth on "The X-Files."
MAP - Multiple-action Penalty
Metagaming - a tendency for a player to overanalyze the game from an out of
character standpoint. Typical metagamers constantly critize the GM and the
other players throughout the course of an adventure, often times right in the
middle of important scenes or action sequences. This can often become very
annoying and disrupt the flow of the game.
Min/Maxer - a specific breed of munchkin, whose highest object in an RPG is to
look for and exploit loop-holes in the rules to create characters powerful
enough to destroy anything that stands in their way. The name itself is
derivative of the tell-tale sign of a Min/Maxer: Species minimum in Knowledge
and Technical, Species maximum in all other attributes.
Module - a detailed, published adventure for the RPG. Also called a "canned
adventure", sometimes derogatorily.
Munchkin - a common, broad term for a bad RPG player. Typical traits for
munchkins are paying little attention to playing in-character, trying to solve
every problem with combat, whining when they don't get there way, and focusing
character development on having the most devastating combat stats and the most
powerful weapons. The term munchkin was derived, not from the Wizard of Oz,
but rather the characters from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
NPC - non-player character, any character who is played by the GM, i.e. every
person in the galaxy excluding the PCs.
PBeM - Play By e-Mail
PC - player character, which can alternately refer to the in-game character,
the real life player, or both at the same time.
Player - the actual person playing the RPG, e.g. Greg, Bill, Jane, etc.
PK - Player-killer, a PC who often attempts to kill other PCs.
R&E - Revised and Expanded, referring to the Star Wars RPG 2nd Edition,
Revised & Expanded rulebook, WEG's last version of the rulebook.
Railroading - A tendency of some GMs to pull their PCs through an adventure,
regardless their input and response to the events.
Redshirt - an unimportant and largely featureless character, killed or badly
injured early on in an adventure to complicate the story and set-up a sense of
danger. The name derives from the color of the uniform worn by the unknown
extra who is invariably killed in many episodes of Star Trek.
Review - The punishment for blatant disregard of the list rules (Think IRS
audit, Empress Jae style). All your messages will be indefinitely delayed and
checked for rules infraction before being passed along to the list.
Roark - Roark Garnet, honorary lister and famous hero of the first edition
SWRPG rulebook. Not an actual person, but rather the traditional generic
character to use for example purposes. Roark's second edition counterpart is
the equally durable Tirog.
ROLLplaying - the part of the game that involves rolling dice to show the
outcome of an event. Many times the term is used condescendingly, by the
faction of gamers who holds the opinion that ROLEplaying is much more
important than ROLLplaying. While in most SW-RPG groups the focus IS on
roleplaying, rolling dice is still an important part of the game.
SB - Sourcebook, a big hardcover RPG book that you can't seem to fit on a
shelf. SBs are almost always RPG adaptions of other source material, like the
movies, the novels.
Spellbook System - the way some refer to WEG's Force system, in which uses of
the Force are divided into powers
Spoiler - any post concerning a book or movie which many listers may not have
seen or read.
Supp - a gaming supplement, which could be any other book besides the main
rulebook, but usually refers to the kind that fit in between sourcebooks and
adventure modules
Suspension of Disbelief - A common term used in sci-fi and the film industry,
referring to an author's ability to be both fantastic and relatively
believable.
Technobabble - Using a somewhat random group of scientific terms to simulate
actually doing something reasonable and scientific. Though a necessary part
of any science fiction story, it should used very sparingly and avoided if
possible in a Star Wars/Space Opera type setting
Tirog - Honorary lister and famous hero of the second edition SWRPG rulebook.
Not an actual person, but rather the traditional generic character to use for
example purposes. Tirog's first edition counterpart is the equally durable
Roark Garnet.
TK - Telekinesis; can also stand for Telekinetic Kill, so check the context.
TKK - Telekinetic Kill
UFS - Universal Force System, one of several experimental Force systems
designed by gamers who think that the Force should be more improvisational,
instead of divided into individual powers
PART 7: ACCREDITATION LIST
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the FAQ:
Neil Creek
Robert E. Hipkin
Tony Frederico
Mark Hudson
Andrew Jackson
Mike Kelley
Jens-Arthur Leirbakk
Peter Skanes
Keith Sohl
Jae Walker