Okay, I don’t remember when we ran the first session… would have had to have been about… let’s say 9/7.
Things went all right. I’ve been digging through all of my old and news Star Wars stuff to see what sort of things I could find that would convert into the era that I wanted. There’s some stuff written for the Rise of Empire, sure, but the problem is that most of it takes place out on the Fringe, which is of no use to me, since I’m doing stuff in the Core Worlds. I need intrigue, etc.
So, first session was a rescue mission to pick up some people who are bringing intelligence back from the Free Trade zone to Antilles. This “intelligence” works really well, since I can work any sort of major revelation into the storyline later in the game and say “you remember that datachip that guy had WAY back in Session One? Well, this is what was on it.” — Then my players can ooh and ahh at the complexity and depth of my plotting, and be amazed that I knew what was going to be happening to them that far in advance.
Love it. That was the good part. Also, worked out a fun way to get a ship to the group, and give it enough quirks that the players really got into it. The thing was used, and used by Ishi Tiib, so there are many fish-jokes going around, and comments about the thing smelling like a wharf, etc. Really got everyone into it. Shot the shit out of the ship, too, which is pretty classic.
Downside — only Rey was geared up for Space Adventure — everyone else pretty much sucks on ice when it comes to running the ship, so that made things not nearly as fun for a few people. Can’t be helped — at least people will be motivated to improve now that they’ve seen that they can suck.
In my experience, one of the the real fun parts of Star Wars games is wanting stuff — there’s a cool toy, or a cool modification to do to your ship, or something you need to fix, or a rare crystal you need for your lightsaber… or something — even if nothing is happening in the plot, you’ve still got things to work on.
So, now people want to fix up the ship. At least one guy wants to get the Startship Transports Feat, and other people want better (and no so fishy smelling) gear. Very cool.