Edge of the Empire Book

WHEN THE PARTY GOES OFF THE RAILS

One of the great attractions players have to roleplay-
ing games is the freedom to play their characters as
they see fit. The players will almost always push the
story in unexpected but perfectly logical directions.
One of the joys and responsibilities of the GM is to
keep the story moving when the unexpected happens.
Sometimes, the party's actions completely depart
from the story. How strictly the GM tries to keep to the
envisioned storyline depends on the GM's philosophy.
Most allow the characters to pursue their own course
for a while, inserting clues, new NPCs, or events that
eventually bring them back to the planned plot. More
freewheeling GMs might completely jettison their sto-
ryline and react to the character's new actions and
goals. Flexibility within the story is one key to great
gaming sessions. Neither approach is wrong, unless the
players become unhappy with the outcome.

PLANNING GAME SESSIONS

Planning each game session takes time and effort.
While some GMs create highly detailed outlines and
plans, others run their games free-form, with mini-
mal notes. Each GM eventually
settles on a method that works
for him, with the time he has.
Different as-

pects of game planning rise and fall in importance as

the GM's style, proficiency, and storytelling develop.

The novice GM should start with the guidance given

earlier about the first session and then integrate the

following advice when the game or story requires it.

STYLE OF PLAY

Different groups and GMs enjoy different ways of play-

ing the game. The GM should be aware of his group's

preferences, and prepare sessions that enhance, if not

cater to, their expectations. The GM should still feel

free to use other play styles if a specific scene or en-

counter warrants it. The major play styles are Combat

Focused vs. Exploration and Storytelling. Many GMs

settle on a combination of the two, alternating be-

tween story-based sessions and combat-intensive play.

Combat-focused play concentrates more on the tac-

tical moments of the game. Fighting and combat use

a significant portion of play time, limiting the depth

and complexity of other scenes. The players gener-

ally like battling their foes directly by outsmarting or

overwhelming adversaries on the battlefield. Combat

is expected to be part of nearly every session.

Exploration and storytelling focuses more on the

overall plot, and the characters' interaction with the

fantastic locations, events, and adversaries of the larger

Star Wars universe. Entire sessions or more may pass

without firing a single blaster. Conflict comes more from

the environment and NPC plans and reactions than

dodging fire. Plot lines may be more intricate, or tie into

character backstories to a much greater degree.

STORYTELLING

The core of every roleplaying game is the storyline.

The Player Characters are the main actors in a plot of

the GM's devising. The complexity and depth of the

story depends greatly on the desires of the gaming

group as a whole. A good story is an entertaining one,

not necessarily the most complex.

The GM needs

to create at least

a basic plot for

the adventure he

wants to run (or

understand it when

using a published ad-

venture). He should

take ideas from the

Player Character's

backgrounds to

tie them closely

into the sto-

ryline. For

example, a

character's

THE GAME MASTER

OF THE EMPIRE