It has been 17 long years since the rise of the Galactic Empire. Emperor Palpatine has reigned with calculated, absolute rule, and those most loyal have found power, security, and prestige under his ascendancy. Planets all over the galaxy have fallen — or been put — in line, though there are pockets of those who still resist.
Our story begins in one of these pockets, along the border of the Hydian Way. This sector, known as The Gordian Reach, is home to a vast diversity of planets — from the wealthy Presbalin, to the oppressed mining planet of Gulvitch, to the mysterious gas giant of Yavin and its moons. The Rebel Alliance is strong in this system, safeguarding its secrets from Empire that presses in ever-closer.
More details about the story of Fires of Hope can be found in the sections below.
Setting
Like all Star Wars stories, Fires of Hope takes place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Rather than spreading focus across the entire galaxy Fires of Hope narrows in on a single region of the galaxy: the Outer Rim sector known as the Gordian Reach. Tucked away from the rest of the galaxy, this expanse of space containing only a few dozen worlds holds the most significant secret: it harbors the secret base of the Rebel Alliance on Yavin IV. Beyond the cells answering to the Alliance Council and tasked with protecting the base and fomenting dissent across the Reach, there are a dozen other sparks of resistance within the Reach, raging on against the Empire on their own.
On the map, the bright green systems are planets that are built on the grid or in the process of being built.
Arda-2
Leadership: Prime Minister Henard Terastod; Parliamentary Monarchy
Once a major holding of the Xim Empire, Arda-2 is a generally-temperate world flourishing with ancient histories and new struggles as the Empire's influence dig deeper into the galaxy. Arda-2 has a varied climate, with warm tropical regions along its equator and subarctic expanses at its poles. After nearly thirty thousand years of civilization, there is very little of the planet that is not covered to some degree with urbanization. Several thousand years ago, the government took steps to protect some of the few remaining pockets of natural wilderness by encapsulating them in bio-domes which now dot the face of the planet.
The capital city is Ethain's Arm — an ancient port older than some civilizations. Ethain's Arm is settled in the moist continental climate of the planet's largest landmass. It is nestled within a protected bay, sheltered from waves and wind by enfolding peninsulas and isthmuses. Much of the city along the edge of the bay is what is known as the Old Ward — the historical structures of the city. Newer construction has taken place literally atop the Old Ward, with the new city built atop a latticework of transparisteel supports suspended on great pillars several stories over the Old Ward. The Old Ward itself is kept bright and hospitable (as best as its labyrinthine streets can allow) by sunlight diffusers which draw natural light from above and spread it throughout the Old Ward. There are some rumors that the Old Ward itself was built atop a still-older version of Ethain's Arm which has since sunk into the bay.
Arda-2 holds a steady neutrality when it comes to galactic politics. Only in recent months has the Empire set up a small garrison on the planet as a means to protect it against the increasing threat of Rebel activity in the Reach.
Rebellion Presence: High, this is the major base for the Shepherd operations
Imperial Presence: Low, but steadily increasing
General Sentiment: Neutral, though the Prime Minister is starting to feel the pressure as the Imperial presence mounts
Jovan III
This is a fertile agricultural world that provides much of the Gordian Reach with foodstuffs. It possesses many farmlands and agricultural research facilities.
Rebellion Presence: Low
Imperial Presence: Moderate, primarily in orbit
General Sentiment: Pro-Imperial out of necessity instead of actual loyalty
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
Barison
A prominent water world along Feena Run, Barison is known for its presence for low-technology solutions due to the religious faith of the Barisoni. The only major presence of technology is on a remote island that hosts the planet's only spaceport. Alternative transportation is provided to visitors, and most of the population is concentrated in easy-to-travel areas.
Rebellion Presence: Extremely low
Imperial Presence: Low
General Sentiment: Unknown, but assumed neutrality
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
Gulvitch
Leadership: Commanding Executive Officer Yuseph Di, Freerab Mining Company
Gulvitch is a struggling mining settlement just off the Feena Run, and along the Junction-Tierell Loop. Once a planet rich in zersium — a mineral ore vital to durasteel production — this planet's history follows the classic tale of riches to ruin.
A decade ago, the Empire came in and accelerated the mining processes, nearly strip-mining the planet of its precious ore, collapsing most of the mining operations, and severely impacting the planet's environment. Now pocked with abandoned settlements, most of the struggling and oppressed population is concentrated at the last operating mine outside the city of Freenab. Anti-Imperial sentiment runs deep with the Gulvitch citizens, though the Imperial presence still in orbit keeps most thoughts of outright rebellion bubbling well beneath the surface rather than bursting into a full boil. The planetary government is a corporatocracy, and the current CEO in charge is Commanding Executive Officer Yuseph Di of the Freenab Mining Corps.
The Irregulars have taken advantage of the growing resentment of the Empire on Gulvitch, using it as a friendly retreat when they need to lay low after operations abroad.
Rebellion Presence: High, but primarily Irregulars
Imperial Presence: Moderate, both in orbit and on the ground
General Sentiment: Anti-Imperial beneath the surface, but most just want to survive
Yavin IV
Referred to the Rebels as "Base One," Yavin IV is one of the many moons orbiting the gas giant of Yavin in the Bright Jewel system. It's history has long been forgotten by most, referred to only as the wild jungle moon that once held significance in an ancient past.
More to come.
The Rebel Alliance
Unbeknownst to much of its inhabitants, the Gordian Reach plays host to the central base of the Rebellion against the Empire. Tucked along a major hyperspace route — the Hydian Way — but also remote enough to be secure, it is the perfect place for the Rebels to call home.
Rebel leadership knew it was only a matter of time before the Empire started reaching into their safehaven, and as the Empire edges in, debates are rising in the Alliance on the level of aggression their operatives should take against Imperial agents.
The Nest
A den of spies, manipulators, slicers and con artists, The Nest is one of several covert groups working to gather vital intelligence that will help bring down the Empire. Less of a cohesive unit, and more of a loose network, the Nest takes their orders from a mysterious figure known as Fulcrum. Whether Fulcrum is one operative, or many is unknown.
What Nest Agents do know is that they have no higher authority to report to. They often work in concert with The Shepherds sometimes even sharing a vessel with them. Nest agents are diverse and fill a variety of roles, though they are rarely direct combatants (the occasional assassin aside).
Application Options: all manner of spies and assassins.
The Shepherds
In the Gordian Reach, the cell responsible for safeguarding "Base One" and the neighboring systems is referred to as The Shepherds. This group is a conglomerate of commandos and other logistics and support members which report to General Davits Draven. Until recently, this group has been primarily defensive, using subterfuge and diversion tactics to distract the Empire from suspicious activity.
The Shepherds have a loose military structure, akin to other SpecOps groups, with the following ranks for ground personnel: Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. The ranks are the same for them, regardless of ground vs. air operations, though fighter pilots are generally at least a Sergeant in rank.
Application Options: Special Operations (ground or air), Logistics and Support (varies).
The Irregulars
Founded by a former Alpha Clone named Kandos (formerly Alpha 37), the Irregulars started off as a group of clone operatives who broke away from the Empire in the early days of the formation of the Rebellion. They initially were a SpecOps group for the Rebel Alliance, handling deep cover assignments.
Several of the former clones continued to work for the Rebel Alliance, but Kandos' politics became more extreme and he pulled away from the Alliance and took much of his crew with him. The resulting group was made up of mercenaries, pirates and former SpecOps soldiers.
They perform direct combat actions against the Empire, generally attacking supply lines, or hijacking convoys. They don't deal in Intelligence gathering, and instead exist to kill Imperials as often as possible, while making credits. As such, if the Alliance needs true dirty work done and are willing to pay, the Irregulars are often willing to take the job.
Application Options: Freedom Fighters (ground or air).
The Citizens of Gordian Reach
From the law-abiding to the villainous scum, the citizens of the Gordian Reach are remarkably diverse. They all have their own outlooks on the Empire, and its longtime perspective that all of the Galaxy falls within its control, even if it is only just beginning to edge into this region of space. Some systems have been welcoming to the Empire, barely batting an eyelash as garrisons emerge and stormtroopers patrol the streets.
What all mostly agree on is to try to live their lives while threats of Civil War brew.
Application Options: almost anything, including business owners, smugglers, merchants, etc.; citizen applications should have justifiable reasons to interact with the Rebellion to make inclusion in the metaplot easier.
The Empire
The Empire has been in power for seventeen long years, but it has taken time for its influence to reach as far as this side of the Hydian Way. It edges into the secret territory of the Rebellion, sniffing out leads on Rebel agents and conspirators while also pushing the local systems in line.
NPC ONLY