Edge of the Empire Book

MANAGING MINIMAL OBLIGATION

In concept, Obligation never completely goes

away, no matter how much a character wants it

to do so. This is represented by the minimum 5

Obligation per Player Character limit. Some types

of Obligation naturally fit this situation, Family,

Obsession, and Responsibility, for example. They

might be reduced to the point they don't affect

the character very often, but they're still around.

Other types may come to a natural conclusion. A

character can completely pay off some debts, beat

an addiction, or eliminate a blackmailer.

Preferably, a character should always have some type

of Obligation. However, if a character eliminates an Obli-

gation and does not take on more, he should be allowed

to make that decision. His low level of Obligation makes it

less likely it will be activated during the game. When it is,

the GM will not have a specific type to rely on.

In this case, the Obligation should come from the con-

sequences or results of an earlier adventure. Perhaps a

crime lord the character or the party once crossed re-

surfaces and tries to pay them back. Maybe an Imperial

agent they thought they escaped from or killed reappears

in a new post. Since there is no way to eliminate this low

level of Obligation, the only thing the characters can do is

deal with the immediate circumstance as best they can.

Player Motivations and How to Use Them

m

otivations are built-in story and roleplaying hooks

for both the player and the GM. The player uses

Motivations to inform his character's reactions to spe-

cific situations, offering a level of thought or detail be-

yond simply responding to the situation as presented.

The GM uses Motivations to link the characters more

intimately with the ongoing storyline. Players adhering

to their characters' Motivations should be rewarded

with additional XP, as well as more interesting plot lines.

MANAGING MOTIVATIONS

The GM should track player Motivations and how they

may interact with a prepared adventure. Motivations,

especially those determined randomly, may conflict

with the assumed Player Character goals of a published

adventure or GM created stories. After initial character

creation, the GM should be able to better predict how

their Motivations may interact with the intended plot.

Players may keep their Motivations secret, possi-

bly going as far as establishing a decoy Motivation

to cover their real one. Secret Motivations add to the

depth and tension of the game, but also harbor pos-

sible story and party disruption when the secret is re-

vealed. If the party has widely divergent Motivations,

the GM should be prepared to step in should player

feelings be hurt if opposing Motivations are revealed.

The GM may simplify the impact of Motivations on

the story by encouraging characters with similar or

compatible Motivations to combine them. Some Mo-

tivations also work well with certain types of Obliga-

tion. If the characters have divergent Motivations and

types of Obligation, the GM may minimize the story

complexity by de-emphasizing Motivation for those

players who seem less interested in using the me-

chanic, or by incorporating it into fewer adventures.

Characters should not often change their Motiva-

tions (see Changing Motivations on page 97).

When they do so, it should be for compelling story

reasons, not because the bonus XP is too difficult to

gain. Some Motivations may naturally end because

the characters conclude a story integral to the Mo-

tivation. Some Motivations change slowly, as a new

Motivation begins to dominate the character's life or

thinking. Changes to Motivations should also be re-

flected in the adventure or campaign.

INCORPORATING

MOTIVATIONS INTO

THE STORY

The GM should allow the player to dictate how impor-

tant his character's Motivation is to his experience.

Whereas Obligation is intended to be an outside force

that permeates character interaction and the ability

to function within the adventure. Motivation focuses

on the character's internal drive and how that influ-

ences his interaction with the galaxy. If the player

wants to focus on his personal story, or consistently

gain the XP awards from adhering to his Motivation,

the GM is encouraged to incorporate his Motivation

into the adventure more often.

Not all Motivations need to provide deep story

hooks. If a player is more comfortable reacting to situ-

ations as they unfold than dealing with a super-secret

background history with surprise appearances by past

enemies or events, then the GM should allow them to

THE GAME MASTER

EDCE OF THE EMPIRE