Star Wars - When the Domino Falls (5 page)

Profiled by her exterior running lights, the
Steadfast
banked sharply below the skyline, speeding over the uneven mounds of the Doaba Badlands. Brilliantly illuminated search beacons crisscrossed the land of Kaine Paulsen’s birth in a silent tribute, heralded only by the thunder of the freighter’s engines. As the
Steadfast
sped over the external flight pad outside of Ancher’s home, Drake caught a glimpse of the old Corellian waving a glow rod in the darkness, signaling the traditional wish for clear skies.

Nearly imperceptible against the first glances of dawn, the
Steadfast’s
shadow faded quickly as the freighter abruptly ascended into the red and yellowed atmosphere above the planet. Drake Paulsen kept his eyes on the open space before him, harboring no regrets as the shadowy face of Socorro dissipated beneath him. Finger poised over the hyperdrive cue, he activated the system, instinctively, without thinking and without looking back.

Kaine Paulsen

Type:
Socorran Pirate

DEXTERITY 3D+2

Blaster 6D, dodge 5D+1

KNOWLEDGE 2D

Languages 6D, planetary systems 8D

MECHANICAL 3D+2

Astrogation 7D, space transports 9D+2

PERCEPTION 3D

Persuasion 7D

STRENGTH 2D+2

Brawling 6D

TECHNICAL 3D

Space transport repair 6D+2

This character is Force-sensitive.

Force Points:
3

Character Points:
11

Move:
10

Capsule:
Before meeting Karl Ancher, Kaine Paulsen was an excellent pirate; since then, he has become one of the greatest smugglers in Socorran

history. Known as Chu’la, Coynite for the “the mighty, little fox who will not be caught.” Kaine has an equally legendary reputation as an “honest” smuggler and a gentleman.

Kaine has run everything, from spice off Nal Hutta to guns for Abdi-Badawzi, Socorro’s own formidable criminal overlord. Shirking rivals and sector authorities as easily as shaking sandflies, he lives by his reputation as a shrewd businessman and pilot. Reportedly he is an excellent astrogator and keeps extensive star charts, most of which are unmapped by even the most experienced astrogators. Many suspect his journal is a treasure chest of galactic shortcuts and byways.

Kaine never remarried after the untimely death of his wife and managed to raise his only son. Drake, in the proud tradition of Socorran pirates, hoping to pass the legacy, as well as his irrefutable conscience, to his equally talented son.

Karl Ancher

Type:
Old Smuggler

DEXTERITY 3D+1

Blaster 8D, dodge 6D, melee combat 5D, running 5D

KNOWLEDGE 2D+1

Alien species 5D+2, languages 6D, planetary systems 5D, streetwise 6D, value 6D

MECHANICAL 3D+2

Astrogation 8D, sensors 6D, space transports 7D+2, starship shields 6D

PERCEPTION 3D

Bargaining 6D, con 8D, forgery 9D, gambling 5D+1, persuasion 6D, search 6D

STRENGTH 3D

Brawling 7D, stamina 4D+1

TECHNICAL 2D+2

First aid 5D, space transport repair 6D

Special Abilities:

Reputation:
Karl Ancher’s reputation often precedes him wherever he roams. While this is cause for problems (being recognized by bounty hunters and such), he is often welcomed and sheltered by other smugglers and crimelords who owe him favors.

Force Points:
3

Character Points:
22

Move:
10

Equipment:
Comlink, heavy blaster pistol (5D)

Capsule:
Karl Ancher is one of the grandfathers of modern smuggling. As one of the last pinnacles of “honest” business, he is highly sought as a mastermind and a mentor for up-and-coming smugglers. Weary from a life on the run, Karl retired to Socorro, a hotbed of smuggling and illegal activity. Never content with quiet living, he still organizes and runs smuggling operations from his bar, the Black Dust Tavern.

Often the Corellian’s business beliefs and methods conflict with the more traditional Socorran pirates. Known to keep a small stable of highly skilled pilots, Karl Ancher has a finger in every illegal run in the Socorran system and several other systems. The greatest pilot to emerge from his wings was Kaine Paulsen. Some believe that Kaine’s son Drake is the next prodigy to be produced under Karl Ancher’s charge.

Nikaede Celso

Type:
Wookiee First Officer

DEXTERITY 2D+2

Bowcaster 5D, brawling parry 4D, dodge 3D+1, melee combat 3D, melee parry 3D 

KNOWLEDGE 2D+1

Alien species 3D, intimidation 3D, planetary systems 1D+1

MECHANICAL 3D

Astrogation 3D+2, beast riding 5D, sensors 3D+1, space transports 5D, starship shields 4D, starship gunnery 3D+1

PERCEPTION 2D+1

Search 3D+2

STRENGTH 5D

Brawling 6D, lifting 6D, stamina 6D

TECHNICAL 2D+2

Blaster repair 4D+1, droid programming 4D, droid repair 4D, first aid 3D+2, space transports repair 6D

Special Abilities:

Berserker Rage:
An enraged Wookiee gets a +2D bonus to Strength for causing damage while brawling, and suffers a -2D penalty to all non-Strength rolls.

Climbing Claws:
Wookiees’ claws give them a +2D bonus to their climbing skill.

This character is Force-sensitive.

Force Points:
2

Dark Side Points:
1

Character Points:
13

Move:
13

Equipment:
Bowcaster (4D), leather satchel, miscellaneous repair tools

Capsule:
A formidable 2.4 meters tall, large even by Wookiee definitions, Nikaede Celso is a giant among her species. Despite her size, however, the Wookiee is an extremely clever and talented technician, working easily with numerous drive systems and small engine components. Her diligence and patience make her a primary candidate as first mate aboard any starship — however, when pressed, the young Wookiee female has a tendency to whine and bemoan each crisis.

Born of a noble family on Kashyyyk. Nikaede was smuggled from her homeworld through the selfless sacrifice of her parents. An exile, she knows nothing of what happened to her family and friends on her homeworld. As a result, she has a tendency to bond with down-on-their-luck types. Usually cool and reserved, the sensitive Wookiee angers easily and shows little tolerance to those foolish enough to provoke her rage.

Tait Ransom

Type:
Smuggler

DEXTERITY 3D+1

Blaster 7D, dodge 6D+1, grenade 5D, melee combat 5D+1, running 5D

KNOWLEDGE 2D+1

Alien species 5D, planetary systems 5D+2, streetwise 6D, value 5D+2

MECHANICAL 3D+2

Astrogation 5D+2, sensors 5D, space transports 6D, starship gunnery 6D+1, starship shields 5D+1, swoop operation 5D

PERCEPTION 3D

Bargain 5D, con 4D+1, forgery 3D+1, gambling 4D, persuasion 3D+2, search 3D+1, sneak 3D+1

STRENGTH 3D

Brawling 3D+2, stamina 3D+1

TECHNICAL 2D+2

Blaster repair 3D, first aid 3D+1, space transports repair 4D

Force Points:
2

Character Points:
11

Move:
10

Equipment:
Comlink, heavy blaster pistol (5D), personal transponder, vibro-shiv (STR+1D+2)

Capsule:
Though Corellia is his birth planet, Tait Ransom claims no loyalty to any world. A man of rare integrity, Ransom brings a sense of honor to his occupation as a smuggler. What he lacks in piloting skills he makes up with a reckless and daring style that leaves no room for mistakes and offers a rare glimpse into a strategic genius.

Much like his mentor, Karl Ancher, Tait likes to keep a complement of highly skilled pilots nearby. This assures him a large measure of success and takes the pressure off his own piloting skills. Though the competition between Tait and Kaine Paulsen was fierce, there was a mutual respect between them. While his own life lacked a strong male figure, Tait is not above being a fatherly figure for Drake Paulsen, Kaine’s only son.

Drake Paulsen

Type:
Young Pirate

DEXTERITY 3D+1

Blaster 4D, dodge 3D+2, melee combat 3D+2, pick pocket 4D, running 4D

KNOWLEDGE 2D+1

Alien species 3D, languages 4D+2, planetary systems 3D, streetwise 2D+2, survival 3D, survival: desert 3D+2

MECHANICAL 3D+2

Astrogation 4D, beast riding 4D, sensors 4D, space transports 4D, space transports: Ghtroc freighter 5D, starship shields 4D+1, swoop operations 5D

PERCEPTION 3D

Bargain 3D+1, con 3D+1, forgery 3D+1, search 3D+1, sneak 3D+1

STRENGTH 3D

Brawling 4D, stamina 3D+1

TECHNICAL 2D+2

Blaster repair 3D, first aid 3D, space transport repair 3D+2, starship weapon repair 3D

Special Abilities:

Languages:
Drake gets +1D to understand and interpret unfamiliar alien dialects

This character is Force-sensitive.

Force Points:
4

Character Points:
15

Move:
10

Equipment:
Comlink, sporting blaster (3D+1)

Capsule:
Drake Paulsen is a 15-year-old, exotically handsome boy. His skin is deeply tanned, framing haunted blue eyes. Having an innate talent for language acquisition. Drake has been smuggling with his father. Kaine “Chu’la” Paulsen, since the tender age of five. Despite a childhood groomed in illegal trafficking, he is still a boy with much maturing to do.