EARLY SITHMAS 2011 PRESENT- New Episode Previews

Well, having had a teasers last year, you can now have the near-release trailer! For games that will clearly now be in 2012, of course. As noted in the RP discussion thread, I am now building up a reserve of storyline for you guys- not lots and lots, but enough that I don't have to play at the 'maximum extension' I mentioned last year in this thread. Of course, improving the pace of the game is a two-ways process with the players...

As ever with these trailers, should characters within end up not doing what was depicted, it's because they used a different take for the final edit of the film.

LIGHT SIDE- What Came Before

The Jedi are on a swampy, misty planet, with dangerous wildlife around on the ground and the air making noises. They are stretched out in a long line and moving slowly. There is a dim outline of a building in the distance.

Now they are inside a room full of computer banks and other such technology. Vera approaches a shadowy form atop a dais and reaches out to touch it; she seems confused.

So now you know how it started, and how it ended.

A shot of a great gleaming station in orbit near Coruscant; the background is full of space traffic.

Only a fool thinks the end of a story has all the answers. The best part of any story is the middle.

In an office, the Jedi are talking to a man in a white coat. He seems angry and bashes the table in frustration.

Adelmo certainly believes the Syphar n Kalar is real. Can you really take the risk of her not finding something REMARKABLY dangerous?

Sunda, on Roan's ship, is desperately raising shields and yelling out locations of enemy ships.

We'll see if you can find where the middle of the story was. I'm the only one that can help you... and you are going to do it my way, or not at all.

Roan is looking at a datapad; on the front a legend reads “Bureau of Immigration and Undesirables.”

I am sure, being the shining heroes you are, that some certain amount of danger won't put you off too much...

Jelena, in a very dark and gloomy corridor, is rubbing dust off the walls to expose clearly ancient writings, mouthing slowly as she reads it. At the end, she comes to a symbol- the emblem of Darth Kazan.

You might even come back alive.

Xeth talks to Roan in a metallic corridor with a side window looking out into space- “This is just like following something Ascar says- except that instead of trying to work how how it benefits someone else, we're trying to work out how what part of it will get us killed.”

A succession of action scenes. In space, laser fire arcs towards the Nexu's Grin and Free Flier. Some kind of droid jumps round a corner at Andro, who hacks it in half with some satisfaction, but then Andro almost falls backwards as something is still firing at him. A group of the Jedi form a circle as more of these droids- hard to see in the gloom- surround them in a barrage of fire.

You'll find what you want- at what has to be one of the most dangerous places in the a galaxy,

The final shot- the Jedi disembark from their ships and stand out in a long line, because they are being met by a group of strangers who spread out to meet them equally. The two groups are eyeing each other up.

“And just what have you come here for?” asks the leader of the other group; the camera pans down to his waist, from where there dangles a lightsabre.

DARK SIDE- Enemies

Times are changing

Con, in bed, wakes with a start, sweating, and looks all around him, as if desperate.

We have all been challenged. Some lived, some died.

Rianna, carrying the heads of some rebel Epireans, is climbing happily back up the mountain; she has just clambered up past one of the guard posts when she suddenly stops, turns back and looks. The guard post is empty, and when she peers over the mountain ledge, she sees the dead bodies ofg all the Epireans that are meant to be on guard thrown down a crevasse.

“Oh shit!” she says, before turning back and dashing upwards.

You have shown bravery and spirit. These things are to be respected.

Relle is drying her hair in a corridor in the Epirean base when a door next to her explodes, blowing her across the room.

But you have also shown disobedience. You knew what you were doing. The penalty, therefore... is death.

Galder and Dak are back to back in the living quarters on Epireus; the room appears to be full of white smoke, blaster fire and explosions. A giant explosion fills the screen...

… and then a change in mood. The Dark Siders are dressed in elegant clothing, walking amongst the throngs, all amidst the many games of an high-class, opulent casino laid out in gold and bronze. Gallador looks thoughtfully at a great golden elevator that is well guarded. A sign above it reads: Minimum stake: 2 million credits

Our time will come soon

A great explosion tears a wall apart and sends people and furniture flying in all directions; Xavier is under an intense barrage of fire, and from off-screen comes a whistling, crackling noise and the ribbon of an energy whip darts across the screen and tangles itself around Rand's lightsabre.

And then our enemies will suffer

Several Dark Siders are climbing up a lift shaft; there are Osokans beneath them, the shaft is full of fire and smoke, and someone down below is volleying blaster fire up at them, leaving the Dark Siders in a dilemma over whether to have their sabres out or not.

The Dark Siders' ships arc through space and a tremendous volley of fire is coming at them from behind.

First the Bureau...

Galder, on an unknown world, looks up to a far off building- where there is displayed a giant hologram of Larios Kuylen.

... and then Lanzar.

Final shot- Rianna is still running up the mountain, now near the base, under constant fire form what seems to be above. The shot pans out farther and farther, until we can see the whole mountain with the base atop of it.

The top of the mountain then detonates in a giant fireball.

Oh dear god.

We're so ****ed 😂

Also, Rianna swearing about something? Proof of how bad it must be 😛

I agree you are screwed- where are you going to get two million credits from? It's so mean of the GM.

Well, we've stolen stuff before...

Hey, you have a recently renovated property on Epireus you can sell!

The place has new skylights! People love skylights.

Rand does not like skylights. Especially not in his base.

I don't know if there's really much of a choice at this point 😛

Also, never mind the Epirean bodies, they're part of the decor.

Both stories this time have mysteries at their heart. Of course, most RP games beyond a straight dungeon crawl have some element of mystery but very specifically here both sides are given, early on, an unanswered question that they are very keen to answer.

Also significant, the puzzle will not yet be complete by the end of the episode. These episodes are a bit shorter than the ones just done; they will end when you arrive at the final stage of the mystery where you know you will get the answer; the next episode will be about the ensuing struggle to get the darn answer.

A lot of new elements will be added to the central plotline in this story. It's an absolute campaign-centric game for both sides.

Gah. I need to consider whether or not I'm going to push for Rand being a Gambling expert or if I should purchase another Blade Schtick.

Droids, the Nexu's Grin getting shot at, explosions, mysteries... sounds like Xeth's sort of thing.

Yea, looks good.
Except the part where we all die.

These previews are like a concentrated burst of pure awesome. I love 'em.

So many questions so few answers.

So I'm guessing the attack on Epireus takes place after our casino shenanigans...

Dang blaster fire its time for Reflection 😛

And Xavier always thought the base needed better airways it was too stuffy in there

Awesome! At the end of our teaser, I'm picturing the Dark Siders facing off against us. Oh yeah!

Oh, and Merry Christmas to all!

They would not all be strangers.

Yea, I at least would recognize Galder.