Star Wars_ Edge of the Empire Rule Book

Other groups, such as the Chorran Shipjackers, oper-
ate over larger areas.

Getting involved with pirates might be a quick way to
make some real money, but such activity can also ruin
a fringer's reputation if he ever wants to do legitimate

business with anyone in the future. Working with such

criminals also carries the risk of running afoul of a band

of cutthroats and losing one's ship or even one's life.

Becoming privateers may be a better alternative, but

that means taking a side in a very bloody, difficult war.

Law and Order in the Galaxy

T

here may be more laws, orders, and regulations than

there are planets in the galaxy. Certainly it would be

impossible to know every ordinance for every situation.

Nonetheless, it's a good idea to have at least a pass-

ing familiarity with the main laws and requirements that

govern whatever work a fringer might pursue. At the very

least, it's a good idea to know what laws are being bro-

ken, and what the likely punishment will be.

IMPERIAL LAW

Ostensibly, the entire purpose of dissolving the Sen-

ate and instituting an Empire in place of the Old Re-

public was to wipe away corruption and chaos in favor

of justice and security. With absolute authority in the

form of the Emperor, and enforced by Darth Vader

and the might of the Imperial military, the vast major-

ity of civilized space in the galaxy actually does

enjoy a certain security and peace.

What the average citizen doesn't enjoy is per

sonal freedom. Anything that hinders the Em-

pire's goals is illegal, and that includes speaking

out or organizing against Imperial policies. A

citizen of the Empire is free enough to travel

where he wishes, eat what he likes, do what

he enjoys, and the like, so long as he enjoys

places, food, and activities that aren't pro-

scribed by Imperial law.

In addition, to benefit from the safety and

security of the Galactic Empire, the average

citizen must be human. Many non-humans

are treated as second-class citizens under

Imperial law. The policy of Humanocentrism

is embedded in the New Order philosophy

of Human High Culture, and there is nothing

subtle or understated about it.

IMPERIAL CHARTER

AND THE NEW ORDER

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine initiated the

New Order and all that came with it when

he gave his "Declaration of a New Order"

speech in front of the Galactic Senate in 19

BBY. Palpatine became the Emperor to thun-

derous applause, giving himself supreme

authority over all government and military matters, as

well as justifying and legalizing the extermination of the

Jedi. It would be days and even weeks before the full

extent of what had transpired would start to dawn on

the suddenly irrelevant Senators.

It actually took almost two decades for the Senate to

go from a largely ignored advisory body to non-existent.

During that time, various factions struggled to regain

some form of control or influence in the Imperial gov-

ernment, mostly to no avail. The Imperial Charter, while

based on the previous Galactic Constitution of the Re-

public, firmly placed supreme executive power in Palpa-

tine's hands, making him the head of state, the head of

government, commander-in-chief of all military forces,

and the final authority on all economic matters. The

only act of substance the Senate could manage involved

making amendments to the Imperial Charter—however,

the process for doing this was so chaotic and

byzantine that it may as well not existed.

LAW AND SOCIETY

'EDGE OF THE EMPIRE