Rebellion Era Campaign Guide

It is a dark time for the galaxy. The Empire is in complete control and the last of the Jedi are nothing but a faint memory. Yet as the Emperor tightens his grip on the galaxy, the Rebel Alliance grows stronger, drawing more systems to its cause. The conflict between the Rebels and the Empire is at the center of the Rebellion era, and now your heroes have the chance to make their mark on the Galactic Civil War like never before.

The Rebellion Era

Main Article: The Rebellion Era

The Rebellion Era Campaign Guide focuses on roleplaying in the classic era of Star Wars. The Rebellion Era is depicted in the original Star Wars trilogy, which tells the tale of Luke Skywalker joining The Rebel Alliance and bringing down The Galactic Empire. Possibly the most iconic era in the saga's history, The Rebellion Era teems with themes and and individual aspects that even casual Star Wars fans recognize instantly. Setting a game in The Rebellion Era means playing in a time of great heroes such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa, battling the same enemies that they fought, and struggling with the same dangers that they faced.

A Rebellion Era Campaign differs from other campaigns in a variety of ways. Although it shares a common enemy with The Dark Times (The Empire), The Rebellion Era does not pit the heroes against the entire galaxy without some help. Instead, it allows them to be a part of something greater than themselves. That said, they likely face greater dangers than do heroes of a Dark Times Campaign. The Death Stars are but two of the Empire's superweapons, developed as part of the Tarkin Doctrine to strike fear into the hearts of its enemies. In addition, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine have an iron grip on the galaxy, and they have swayed (Some would say brainwashed) much of its leadership into accepting and enforcing Palpatine's New Order.

The Rebellion Era Campaign Guide assumes that the heroes belong to The Rebel Alliance, either at the onset of the campaign or shortly after it begins. Of course, many options exist for play in The Rebellion Era, and other Reference Books in the Saga Edition line cover other types of campaigns.This book describes life in the Alliance, hiding and fighting the Empire. The heroes of such a campaign perform as many great deeds as heroes such as Han Solo and Princess Leia, and make their own difference in the struggles of the Rebellion. Over the course of a campaign, the heroes fight the Empire, rise to prominence, and help free the galaxy from the clutches of tyranny.

Of course, not every hero begins his or her career with The Rebel Alliance. Like Han Solo, heroes in a Rebellion Era Campaign might start out as everyday citizens, smugglers, or even Imperial soldiers. However, they are drawn inexorably closer to the Rebellion with each passing adventure. Even if the heroes never join the Alliance officially, it is highly likely that they will become entangled in the conflict with the Empire.

Heroic Traits

Main Article: Heroic Traits

For the heroes of The Rebellion Era, fighting against The Galactic Empire means putting their lives- and the lives of their loved ones- on the line, risking everything to oppose a tyrannical government. Heroes in a Rebellion Era Campaign are among the most iconic in all Star Wars lore. Han Solo is the prototypical Scoundrel; Princess Leia is the model for the Noble. They are great heroes not only because they fight against a powerful enemy, but also because they put everything at risk, enduring great triumphs and horrific tragedies to free the galaxy from the oppression of Emperor Palpatine.

The heroes of a Rebellion Era Campaign often are ordinary citizens who go above and beyond the call of duty to fight the Empire. Although some of these heroes might come from respected families or have prominent histories, many heroes of The Rebel Alliance are simply average folks who have decided that they can no longer live in complacency. Indeed, one of the most interesting aspects of Rebellion Era heroes is that many lead mundane lives as cogs in the Imperial machine until something spurs them to strike back against the Empire. They undergo a metamorphosis that most players can understand, transitioning from everyday members of society to people whose actions shake the foundations of the galaxy.

Unlike heroes in The Dark Times, heroes of The Rebellion Era have the support of other like-minded residents of the galaxy. The Rebel Alliance forms a touchstone around which beings of all walks of life can rally. Indeed, its very existence shows that even the most ordinary of people can come together and achieve amazing results. The Alliance (And other resistance groups not directly affiliated with the Rebellion) gives heroes a place to obtain information and support, share their knowledge and experiences, and reaffirm their dedication to the fight against the Empire.