Edge of the Empire Book

STOCK NPCS

Stock NPCs are the unnamed masses the Player Char-
acters encounter, battle, and negotiate with in most
game sessions. They are often minions and rivals (See
Chapter XII: Adversaries, page 389). Stock NPCs
in an EDGE OF THE EMPIRE adventure include the av-
erage stormtrooper, fellow smugglers, the inevitable
customs agent, and so on. Many stock NPCs don't
even need statistics, or can rely on standard stats pro-
vided in this publication or others. Stock NPCs usually
don't have much of a backstory, or at least not one
that directly influences the adventure. They are usu-
ally short term contacts or adversaries.

RECURRING CHARACTERS

Recurring characters are those that the Player Char-
acters encounter on a regular basis. They usually
have names, and often the CM will create specific
stats for each. Recurring characters might be enemies
or adversaries of the Player Characters. They can be
anything from the main customs agent at the play-
ers' favorite starport, to major villains out to get them.
They are typically rivals or nemesis adversaries (See
Chapter XII: Adversaries, page 390).

Recurring characters help make the galaxy a more
familiar place. They also save the CM a lot of planning
time. It's much easier to rely on an old favorite charac-
ter than come up with a new one for every session. The
GM should find ways to integrate them into the
storyline. Turning background characters into
leading characters is a way to build a morsg
layered and interesting story. It may also en-
courage the players to take a greater
interest in other recurring characters.

FAMOUS CHARACTERS

Star Wars is filled with interestin

characters, famous within the

galaxy far, far away. Not all of

the characters made famous

by the movies are actually well

known within the galaxy itself.-

Everyone in the galaxy probvj

ably knows who Darth Vader

is. Fewer will recognize

Chewbacca or a cer-

tain pair of common- *

looking droids.

The GM may use I

famous characters

at his discretion. Part

of this decision will be

based on the GM's thoughts

towards maintaining official

continuity (see the Using

Star Wars Canon (Or Not) sidebar on page 295).

Some characters are better than others at literally and

figuratively surviving encounters with the Player Charac-

ters. If the GM wants to maintain continuity, it is not a

good idea to place major movie characters in situations

where the PCs could logically endanger them.

However, using recognizable characters is a great way

to increase the Star Wars feeling of the game session.

Being hauled before Jabba the Hutt elevates a scene in

the players' minds, while adding layers of tension and

information not easily conveyed with a new or lesser

known NPC. A common method of including higher pro-

file characters from the movies or other sources is to have

them issue missions or hire

the Player Characters

to fulfill specific re-

quests. The char-

acter might also

deal with the