Edge of the Empire Book

A base of operations can also serve as a stockpile of
"odds and ends" that the player characters may need
in the future, even without the group keeping track of
these specific items. The rules for spending Destiny
Points to gain access to minor but valuable pieces of
equipment such as respirators (see page 28) also
rely on the existence of a base of operations. Narra-
tively, its easier to explain finding the rebreather set
tucked away in the corner of a starship's cargo hold
than just having them appear out of thin air.

REST AND RECUPERATION

The galaxy is a dangerous place and a base of opera-

tions serves a vital role as a place a group can return

to and recover from its perils. Often, healing wounds or

recovering from critical injuries takes time and the base

of operations provides a haven where the injured can

spend that time safe from danger. In addition, a base

of operations can house complete medical facilities (as

opposed to emergency medkits and stimpacks) allow-

ing for quicker recovery from injuries. Even the uninjured

can benefit from a place to rest and remove strain.

TRAVEL AND INCOME GENERATION

The Star Wars universe is big—an entire galaxy of exot-

ic locales. One of the reasons EDCE OF THE EMPIRE'S de-

fault base of operations is a starship is so that groups

are guaranteed a means of transportation. Being able

to travel to a new world can open up whole hosts of

new possibilities for adventures. Likewise, having ac-

cess to a starship means the group can take on all sorts

of interesting (and potentially dangerous) paying jobs

such as smuggling, exploring new star systems, and

tracking bounties from world to world. These provide

a steady stream of income for the group, and often

become adventures in their own right.

GROUP IDENTITY

As the group of Player Characters grows and evolves,

it often assumes its own group identity. This can co-

alesce around the group's base of operations. For ex-

ample, if their base of operations is a starship, they

become the crew of that starship, and that's how

NPCs begin to identify them (and hopefully, how they

identify themselves). The same holds true if the base

of operations is a cantina or even a space station.

SELECTING A STARSHIP

As merchants, smugglers, mercenaries, scouts, or ga-

lactic vagabonds, the party's natural base of opera-

tions is a hyperspace-capable starship. Normally, the

party must be in control of their vessel and have some

claim to it. Preferably, they are the owners of the star-

ship, even if they are deeply in debt regarding pay-

ments or are embroiled in other circumstances.

The most common starship a group uses is the light

or medium freighter; an affordable vessel with options

for customization and enough space for the entire

crew. However, it is perfectly possible, and logical, for

mercenaries to use a small-to-medium warship, or for

a scouting party to use a specialized scout ship.

Individual starfighters are not recommended as a

base of operations, due to their single or dual seat

configurations. A CM might allow a squadron in a

mercenary style campaign but the group is still go-

ing to need a place to store these vessels. Very likely

that would be a larger ship that could serve as a base

of operations. Speeders are also not generally appro-

priate, but large speeders may be usable in the right

adventure. A large sail barge, for example, could cer-

tainly work as a base of operations.

Large-scale capital ships such as a Star Destroyer

or Mon Calamari Cruiser may be used as a base of

operations. However, the sheer size and power of such

vessels (not to mention the cost of keeping one run-

ning), should prohibit most groups from obtaining or

using them. In general, the guidelines found on page

HITTING THEM WHERE THEY LIVE

Por GMs, a base of operations also offers the

^opportunity for a classic adventure twist: hit-

ting the PCs at home. This is a tried-and-true

plot twist in movies and literature—mostly

because it works. Threatening the PCs' home

or attacking them at home can make a threat

seem much more real and dangerous. After all,

if a villain attacks them in their "safe haven,"

where are they going to run?

Of course, it's important to use this carefully,

and not overuse it. First, the GM has to give

the group a chance to establish the base of op-

erations as a home. Usually this means waiting

three or more sessions, preferably while the

group is making use of their base of opera-

tions. Until the group takes their base of op-

erations for granted as a place of refuge, there

is little point in imperiling it.

Second, the GM should not make a habit of

attacking a group's base too often (perhaps as

little as once ever). All too quickly, groups be-

come jaded to this threat or stop relying on

their base of operations at all.

Finally, the GM should always leave a way for

the group to either rebuild their base of opera-

tions elsewhere or restore its safety (possibly

by eliminating the threat themselves). A game

that puts a group's backs against the wall but

then allows them to triumph against the odds

can be very enjoyable for everyone involved.

THE GAME MASTER

'EDGE OF THE EMPIRE