Star Wars AU: Knights of the Fallen Republic
An Outgunned game set in an Alternative Universe version of Star Wars
Characters
Ellari Ucoth, Action-Oriented Librarian
Kayin Dreemurr, Renegade Sith Acolyte
Lyta Conora, Order of the Force in Motion
Ryka Kobum, Bothan Republic Mercenary
Tyra Szdanor, Corellian Nomad Pilot
more coming soon
Links
Setting Info
The Warring Systems
The galaxy is at war, and they were not polite enough to neatly divide the battle lines between good and bad. Short version: the Sith Empire has conquered Coruscant and the Republic has fallen as a result. But it was a costly victory for the Empire, and their expansion has halted – for now. Hundreds of ex-Republic worlds are now faced with an uncertain future. Not to mention, there were other threats held in check by the Republic, who are now unleashed.
This is an age of last hopes, the return of the Sith, and just maybe the Republic manages to strike back. (Yeah yeah, I know. Let me have my fun, ok?)
The Sith Empire
The Sith are not bad-Jedi but a philosophy and religion which emphasis on personal strength and growth. At its very top are cabals of dark Force-Sorcerers and covens of Witches. While powerful, such elite members are seldom seen by the common citizens. To them, the face of the Empire is storm troopers, imperial officers, and the looming shadows of star destroyers blotting out the sun.
The Empire has been at war with the Republic for centuries. They slowly expanded from Korriban, inexorably, spreading like a rot. The Republic held them back for a long time but in the end they fell. But the cost in ships and men was enormous. On the day of the Emperor's final victory, his Apprentice stabbed him in the back and took his place. This has not gone over well with everybody though, and a few regional Lords have openly revolted.
(Note: While there are thousands of sorcerers and acolytes in the Empire, the Apprentice is a traditional title akin to a vice president and heir-apparent.)
Due to its position in hyperspace lanes and existing galactic infrastructure, the new Emperor has moved the Empire's capital to Coruscant. This grand undertaking, combined with the loss of so many fleets, has meant that the Empire is currently focused on consolidation rather than expansion.
The Republic
Old, moribund, bureaucratic, corrupt. These were just a few of the words typically used to describe the old Republic. But it may not have been perfect, it did work. And at least it wasn't the Empire.
With the Republic shattered, hundreds of worlds now have to fend for themselves. The loss of infrastructure and supply lines means advanced technology goes unmaintained. Some worlds are cozying up to the Empire, becoming vassal states willingly. Others fall prey to old rivalries and disputes flaring up. Still others find themselves unable to fend off pirates and raiders without the aid of a centralized government.
But not all of the Republic is gone. There are some who hold on to the old ideals. This Remnant Fleet is always recruiting and always looking for ways to make the Empire bleed – and if possible, to drive them back from the dark corner of space from which they came.
The Outer Rim
A wretched hive of scum and villainy. What else did you expect? The Republic never had a firm grasp on these territories, but with them gone the syndicates and crime lords are emboldened more than ever.
The Others
As mentioned before, the Republic faced other threats as well. Before their fall, these forces would not have been able to threaten the core worlds. But with the Republic reduced to a Remnant, and the Empire still licking its wounds, some see an opportunity to expand as well. We will go over some of the more prominent ones.
The Techno Union is a megacorporation which has built vast droid armies to enforce their territories and contracts. They can no longer rely on the Republic to settle trade disputes and they do not recognize the Empire's authority. So instead, they have begun to enforce their own laws. As it turns out, being able to stamp out any disputes with the barrel of a blaster turns out to be very quick and profitable. And so the Union is shifting gears from enforcement to conquest. Few thing create stakeholder value like enslaving a backwards world or two, after all.
From an unknown planet in Wildspace hail the Kaminoans, a species of clone scientists and gene-cultists. They once offered to construct a mighty clone army for the reeling Republic, but the Republic was uninterested in becoming the masters of a vast slave race. After the culture shock wore off (and the Republic fell, like the short-sighted fools they were), the Kaminoans seized the opportunity to construct their army in secret anyway. They started with clones from exceptional individuals but expanded to DNA splicing and incorporating "perfect life form" genomes into their most recent models. Their clone troopers become stronger, tougher, and weirder with every passing generation. Rumors say that they have even unlocked the secret of cloning Force sensitivity, though this remains entirely unsubstantiated at this time.
The Hutts on Nar Shaddaa are gathering a great pirate armada, to plunder the core worlds. The black-painted hulls of the Shaddaa fleet are a fearsome sight and easily the match of any Imperial or Remnant fleet.
And many, many more threats await between the stars…
Concerning Jedi
Contrary to the main canon setting, there is no such thing as the Jedi Order, but there are many orders. Jedi are knights. Some knights serve high ideals. Some knights serve a specific monarch. Some knights are lords themselves. And some knights are just mercenary bastards.
This change fits more in line with the original Star Wars movie, before Jedi become some kind of faux-Buddhism. (Ever noticed how nobody ever thought it was strange that Luke could be a Jedi's son? And then in the prequel trilogy, Anakin has to go out of his way to hide his marriage. It's weird!) But also it frees up some broader character concepts. You can absolutely be a mystical, balance-focused Jedi. You just don't have to be. If your Jedi is a space-knight who chops off limbs in shady cantinas, that's cool too.