Reference Book: Star Wars Saga Edition Dawn of Defiance
The Core of Corruption takes the heroes straight into the heart of the Empire and the Sarlacc Project. During the course of this adventure, the heroes pursue the Sarlacc Project to the Imperial capital world of Coruscant, now known as Imperial Center. While searching for the source of the project, the heroes learn the realities of life at the center of the Empire, while pursuing leads under the glare of Imperial security, the likes of which they have not encountered before. Ultimately, the heroes manage to locate the source of the Sarlacc Project, though it may not be exactly what they expect.
Adventure Summary[]
While on the planet Nizon, the heroes obtained intelligence related to the origins of the Sarlacc Project. Upon returning to The Resurgence, the data is analyzed, prompting Admiral Varth to recall them to the mission briefing room and fill them in on the details. It seems that the engineers of the Sarlacc Project are in an Imperial facility on Coruscant, and the heroes must seek them out.
Admiral Varth provides the necessary codes and permissions for the heroes to enter the Coruscant System. They must slip through Imperial security undetected, secure a landing pad, and establish a base of operations. Using a multitude of skills, contacts, information gathering, and scrounging, the heroes must pinpoint the location of the project's architects and engineers. Above all, they must not attract attention from the ISB or any other Imperial organization. Their investigations may include the underworld, Imperial computer networks, Alderaanian contacts, and a little help from The Force.
Eventually, the heroes discover that the designers are located in an unfinished skyscraper. They must ascertain a method of entry and ascend to the highest levels of the structure. Upon locating the designers, the heroes soon realize the warped and horrific design process in place. However, before they can do much about it, the project's true managers appear- the dreaded Imperial Inquisitors. The Inquisitors cannot afford for the project to be revealed and fight to the death if needed. When defeat seems imminent, they trigger a self-destruct, forcing the heroes to find their way out of the collapsing building. Even after they have escaped, the heroes must elude Imperial security and emergency rescue teams until they can flee the scene.
Ultimately, the heroes learn the details of the Sarlacc Project. The Empire is constructing a massive new Starship many times larger than a Star Destroyer, which is an early prototype (though not the final version) of the Super Star Destroyer. The new vessel will serve as the flagship of the Imperial Fleet, and the Sarlacc Project nears completion.
Opening Crawl[]
For Gamemasters who wish to have an opening crawl before the adventure, consider using the boxed text below.
STAR WARS: DAWN OF DEFIANCE
Episode VI
THE CORE OF CORRUPTION
The Nazren uprising is over. Out of the chaos, Senator Organa's agents return to the Starship Resurgence with new data essential to discovering the origins of the mysterious Sarlacc Project.
Fearing that swift Imperial action will invalidate the compromised information, the Imperial traitor Admiral Varth has reassembled Organa's agents for a dangerous trip to the heart of the Empire. There they must continue their desperate search for the Sarlacc Project, under the oppressive gaze of the Empire itself...
Part 1: Into the Core[]
Main Article: Into the Core
In The Core of Corruption, the heroes learn the significance of the data that they received on Nizon, prompting them to take the search for the Sarlacc Project to Coruscant. They have had very little downtime since their return to The Resurgence and the conclusion of their previous adventure. It takes only a day or two for Admiral Varth and The Resurgence crew to analyze the data. Upon learning its results, the Admiral wastes no time in reassembling the heroes in the briefing room to give them their next assignment. If the heroes did not participate in the events on Nizon, they need only be told that the information was obtained by another group of agents during the recent Nazren uprising on Nizon.
The heroes have had little time to heal or recover. Due to the sensitive nature of the data, speed is essential. Any heroes who may require extended healing, repair, or recovery will find that they must patch up themselves and their equipment as best as they can before they go. They have time to meet with anyone who is already aboard The Resurgence, but they are not allowed to communicate with anyone outside of the ship.
Part 2: Heart of the Empire[]
Main Article: Heart of the Empire
Having taken care of their bureaucratic obligations, the heroes are free to explore the city. This section of the adventure is nonlinear, allowing the heroes to follow leads using their best skills and ideas. They likely will attempt several methods at once, with different characters gravitating to their strengths. If possible, you should encourage them to focus on one lead at a time for simplicity, rather than letting them split up the party. All characters should contribute to the investigation somehow, perhaps by using a Skill, meeting with a contact that nobody else has access to, or simply providing muscle when investigating the less savory levels of Coruscant.
Part 3: Spire of Darkness[]
Main Article: Spire of Darkness
Infiltrating an Imperial government tower (even an incomplete one) on the capital world of the Empire should be an intimidating task. If the heroes fail and are captured, it is likely that they will be interrogated and sent to an Imperial prison planet; Tero Reskan should remind them of this possibility. Although tower construction continues at all hours, there are somewhat fewer workers in the building overnight.