Star Wars: Attack of the Faceless NPCs

The Setup, short and sweet
It's the very start of the Clone Wars' second year. A band of (number of player characters) Jedi Knights and their padawans have travelled to Kamino to pick up the latest batch of clones. However, what was supposed to be a milk run turned into chaos.

As the shuttle was in high atmosphere, on approach to a cloning facility, when a massive CIS fleet completed a hyperspace jump into orbit above the planet. The sheer size of the fleet overwhelmed the defenses from space, and after that, it didn't matter how many clones were in the facility; since they were primarily ground troops and without most of their equipment, there was nothing to be done.

As the shuttle came in to land, it took an engine hit from a starfighter and violently crash-landed into the side of a cloning facility.

You, the padawans, have woken up battered and bruised, in holding cells. Your lightsabers are gone, as are your Masters. (Spoiler alert: you won't be seeing them again.) Your only company is the shuttle pilot, an aging Anx Service Corps member known as Xeon Chyth.


Rules
1. Common decency, no duh. We're all decent people around here.
2. Let's keep dueling fairly realistic and Force powers reasonable. We're Padawans, not gods. We're close to being Knights, but that's still probably a year out or so.
3. Races are flexible, so long as it's explicitly stated to not produce force-users. No gungans, though, or we'll have to shoot you.
4. Whether or not you can one-shot an NPC? Usually only if they're unaware or part of the massive field of mooks.


Sheet


Name:
Age: (late teens, at least biologically)
Race:
Future Specialization: (this doesn't mean you are one of these now, it's just where you're headed)
Description:
Beliefs: (Choose two. Beliefs are the guiding principles your character goes by; they should be broadly applicable and explain major character facets, but be summarized into a sentence or two. A good example might be, "The CIS look like scum, but they're right about the Republic being corrupt," or "If I can find common ground with someone, we can solve the vast majority of our problems together.")
Instincts: (Choose two. Instincts are situationally applicable guidelines your character will follow in a given situation, which you can play towards or against. They should be able to be summarized into one sentence. Examples could be "don't trust droids," "when in a new situation, check for traps," or "when in doubt, meditate." Hopefully they shouldn't overlap too much with your beliefs.)
Virtue: (Your strongest character trait)
Vice: (Your weakest character trait)
Important backstory events: (We don't need a full history unless you just want to give one, but just give us the basics; if you have a bit of info about your former Master, this is a good spot for it)
Lightsaber: (let's stick with single sabers and standard crystal colors; you're just starting out, so you probably haven't gotten the chance to earn any of the crazy stuff yet. Secondary systems on your lightsabers can be built in after the first mission, but if you're an aquatic species, starting with a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse is fine. If your species is particularly large or small, size-adjusting is fine, just be aware of the tactical advantages and disadvantages.)
Known saber forms: (Future Guardians get four; Sentinels get three, and Consulars get two. If you are not familiar with them: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lightsaber_combat#The_seven_forms_of_lightsaber_combat Shii-Cho is one of these by default.)
Special Force powers: (everybody knows the usual pull, push, sprint, and jump. As for extras, future Consulars get four, future Sentinels get three, and future Guardians get two.)

Dramatis Personae
Shade
Name:Leila.

Age: 17

Race: Twi'lek, Lethan

Future Specialization: Sentinel

Description:
Leila's put on weight and muscle since her earlier days, but when the form-concealing robes of a Padawan don't cover her, it's evident that she's still a little under par. Granted, she's in good physical shape, standing at perhaps 5'6 and with a firm, runner's build, but she gives off a slight aura of missing meals as a child. Being in shape, yet weak at the same time.

You wouldn't know it, however, from her walk or general attitude. Her round face is normally in an arrogant smirk or bemused grin, and her walk would perhaps anger some of the older Council members; specifically, their restrictions on sexual passion. Leila normally lets her lekku hang out over the back of her shoulders while fighting or sparring, but for everyday purposes they hang over her front, curling in around her neck.

Leila's eyes are the yellow-green tint common amongst Lethans, and while typically obscured by her robes, you can see the slightest of black ink against her skin, reaching up between her shoulderblades. The tattoo, obtained while she was young, is a intricate diamond like design running down her back and covering the majority of her back. Other markings are on her legs and one such marking exists on the inside of her arm; she tries to keep these concealed as best she can.

Beliefs:
Only I can look out for myself, and am justified in whatever I do to do so.
The Council restricts knowledge from us to keep us more easily subjugated.

Instincts:
Extreme distrust/hatred of slavers.
Prepares for a fight or emergency situation when able to.

Virtue: Determination; strength of will.

Vice: Extreme pride and stubbornness.

Important backstory events: As a young child, Leila was sold into slavery by her parents on Ryloth, who knew their Lethan-skinned child would fetch a far greater price on the market. Being a rare genetic flux, they didn't pass on the opportunity to cover a few years' worth of bills by ensuring she went missing one day. Leila was purchased by a Hutt lord on Nal Hutta, where she enjoyed only a year or two of an infant's ignorance before being burdened with brutal chores and awful treatment. As a result, she grew bitter and headstrong, eventually discovering her Force sensitivity in a fit of rage and managing to escape (although, strangely, her Force powers did not work on the Hutt, which was unsettling for her). She was noted by the Jedi Council and has had a few behavioral problems to say the least since joining.

Lightsaber: Your standard lightsaber. While more inclined towards a Sentinel, she has utilized a blue crystal in her beginner's lightsaber to throw off any opponents knowledgeable of the crystal's meaning.

Known saber forms: Shii-Cho, Shien, and Juyo, although she's doubtful the Council will approve of her desire to learn the last one, given her personality.

Special Force powers: Force Cloak, Force Blinding, and using the Force to enhance her senses.


Eo
Name: Hvalna
Age: 17
Race: Herglic
Future Specialization: Sentinel
Description: Hvalna's roughly nine feet tall - hard to tell precisely, because he's frikkin' huge and built like a freighter. He's of the black-with-white-markings variety that looks even more like a whale than other Herglics. He wears standard-looking padawan robes that could make a tent for anyone else. He seems to slouch constantly when he's not around his own kind, as though he's not comfortable in his own skin, despite Jedi training otherwise. He carries a pair of silver chance cubes in a belt pouch - a gift from his mother, maybe stolen, maybe not. Otherwise, not much to say.
Beliefs: Morally-challenged people don't need punishment; they need competent guidance. The CIS is thus more of an errant child than anything else.
The fullest experience can be had by mastering a situation's rules and plying them to one's advantage. However, sometimes good old-fashioned deck stacking is the only way to get ahead.
Instincts:Resort to the Force and your lightsaber as last resorts; using them overmuch feels like cheating, in a bad way.
Think the best of people whenever possible.
Virtue: Dependability
Vice: He struggles with his races' usual gambling addiction. Being able to force-screw most chance games if things go foul doesn't help. It's a toss-up between that and his lack of self-confidence; without a a guiding hand, he's a leaf on the wind.
Important backstory events: Hvalna was born in a bronx of sorts on one of Giju's northern landmasses. His mother was a single deadbeat who had him illegitimately, so he missed out on the usual testing for Force-sensitivity. While on an unrelated mission, a Jedi noticed him in a casino, making it big on a slot machine, largely unwatched by his mother, who was too busy betting on the races. He was taken to Coruscant at the age of four, where he began his training. His master was a human by the name of Vedek Bareil who was basically the dad he didn't get to know.
Lightsaber: He has a blue greatsaber with a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse. The only metal that shows is at the emitter and in and around the switches. The rest of the saber is carved out of a tusk.
Known saber forms: Shii-Cho, Soresu, and Djem So
Special Force powers: Breath Control, Force Bellow, Force Listening

War
Name: Vincent Cross
Age: 17
Race: Human
Future Specialization: Guardian
Description: Vincent stands at five foot ten inches and is rather skinny with generally thin frame. He has a short messy mop of jet black hair. Vincent's eyes are dark green in color. Vincent has a rather pale complexion not having got a ton of sun in his time at the academy. As a jedi padawan Vincent wears the standard brown robes.
Beliefs: One of his core beliefs is that people are basically good and that the strong should protect the weak.
The Jedi fight for justice and since they fight for the Republic the Republic's cause must be just.
Instincts: Vincent is generally trusting of most people unless given good reason not to. There's something good to be gotten from any situation.
Virtue: Vincent has a strong sense of justice.
Vice: Vincent is somewhat naive and trusting but also has a problem with being overconfident in his own abilities.
Important backstory events: Vincent was born on the planet of Teth and lived there until about the age of six. Vincent's father worked with the republic during the police crackdown on the planet. This is arguably where Vincent got his fondness for justice. Though since he has lived with the jedi since his force sensitivity was discovered at six he's spent most of his life away from his parents. Having essentially been raised by the jedi Vincent has had a rather sheltered life though it has given a pretty decent knowledge of jedi history.
Lightsaber: Vincent's lightsaber is essentially a standard lightsaber and was blue in color.
Known saber forms: Shii-Cho, Djem So, Juyo, and Ataru
Special Force powers: Battle Precognition and Shatterpoint

Patches
[b]Name: Lihk Beign
Age: 19
Race: Verpine
Future Specialization: Consular
Description: Lihk seems like your run-of-the-mill verpine. His carapace is a gray-green color, while the rest of the exoskeleton is faded green. He, like all verpine, have large black compound eyes with thin antennas (which can sense and pick up radio wave signals, and allow them to transmit signals) behind them. His verpine body is very thin and appears almost bony. The only thing that really seems to set him apart is his modest attire that consists of his Jedi robes. One can tell by looking at him that he doesn't usually do too much heavy work, and isn't much of a strong duelist, but he is rather elegant and moves fluidly, which gives a calm air around him. This trait shows to other Jedi that he is rather adept at the Makashi fighting style, and his calm disposition makes him closely tied to the force.
Beliefs: The Jedi Order is getting too involved with the war between the Republic and the Separatists. It is taking too much responsibility in its hands, and is beginning to bow under its own weight. The order feels less like an actual order - a sanctuary - and more like a training facility.
Combat should never be the immediate solution to a problem, and it's best to solve disputes and reach objectives through diplomacy; he has no qualms with it however...
Instincts: Never suspect any individual to be above violence.
When faced with an unfamiliar problem, meditate upon it.
Virtue: Lihk's calm levelheadedness.
Vice: Lihk isn't as quick to act.
Important backstory events: Lihk was born in your typical, technologically savvy verpine family on a Roche asteroid. He got into the family business rather young and helped with the construction and wiring of blasters and droids and such. A republic freighter dropped by to pick up some weapons and ammunition and it just so happened to have jedi on board. One of which later turned out to be his future master, and he struck a bargain with his family to bring Lihk back to Coruscant. Unfortunately, his master later succumbed to the dark side for unknown reasons and was banished from the order, and Lihk recently adopted a new master. Luckily, he is good with technology just as he is, so they managed to bond with each other over the construction of a novice-brand custom lightsaber to start with.
Lightsaber: He has a curved hilt lightsaber that bears a green crystal. He made it with the help of his master and implemented an Ossus dueling lens to it, which gave the lightsaber a more finely focused blade.
Known saber forms: Shii-Cho, Makashi
Special Force powers: Ionize, Dopplegänger, Electronic Manipulation, Harmonize Lightsaber Crystal

That could be interesting.

Hmm, I'd be interested. I know I don't come here often but to be honest thats because nothing here has really gotten me interested, or I enjoy doing. But I've always loved The Clone wars time period a lot as far as Star wars went.

Shoot, I've never seen Clone Wars. I mean I know a little lore from the video games I watched my friend play over the years, Kyle Katarn and Desaad and all that, but not much. >w<;

Katarn is a good thirty years after the fact. They're New Republic-era. I'm talking between the second and third prequels.

I uuuuused to know the name of a few jedi from that time... Let's see.

Mace Windu, obviously.
Ki-Adi Mundi is the two-brained guy, right?
Uhh... Shaak Ti is either the green one or the blue one.

And thassit. >3<

The chances of us hitting canon characters is pretty much zilch. But yeah, you're right on all counts. And for anything else, there's Wookieepedia.

Heheheh, okay! :3

So here is the big question I have. Would General Grievous be in this, for one, and two, would it be the old cartoon Clone Wars, where he kills like five jedi in a two minute fight, or the new Clone Wars General that is so stupid he dies to a blaster to the chest?

Veeeeeeeery different Grievous incarnations, and I prefer the older one when he was, you know, actually cool and good as a fighter and general. Movie and new series, people are barely afraid of him. Older cartoon series? Like two jedi masters and three jedi knights or so, shaking in their boots, and all but one or two jedi survive, and only because Grievous keeps them alive, not cause they actually escaped.

Not really important, but I bring it up in case this actually happens, and if Grievous makes an appearance. I can get you a clip from the old cartoon, to prove my point. Some Star Wars fans have argued with me that Grievous is lame. He is lame NOW, but he used to be freaking awesome in his original appearance, they made him a push over later for some reason.

Grievous is probably the Grevous that is fighting for the freedom and rights of every member of the CIS! Down with the tyranny of the Republic!

But I imagine he's hardcore "do not mess with me if you like living" Grevous.

The chances of us running into big canon characters is probably pretty low, unless you guys decide you want to; if he's in it, since y'all will be rookies at best, the intelligent reaction will probably be having a Shaa Gi-style spazz-out.

Also, Shade is on board.

Considering we'd/they'd be still learning in the force, and I would think probably inexperienced as far as battle goes. No offense, if they run into Grievous at least in the early stage of the RP, they'd probably all get slaughtered I would image. Or at least some-what close to it.

Yeah, I mean if Grievous makes an appearance ever, I want the actual good one to, not the new pansy one. :P

Shade is on board and has finally found his way over here after a while of lurking. Badass Grievous, I support.

Don't worry, I'll make sure he is. Four lightsabers is not something you casually ignore, especially not when wielded by an expert.

I agree with Prime (Master of ImpZ) on that. The pasty one is....Bleh : P

To be fair though, Greivous is less of an expert at lightsabers as he is guerilla fighting in general. He relies less on being able to be sophisticated at parrying, and more on "oh, I'll just keep a saber over here anyway," and then pinwheeling slowly into his opponents, and he's about as force-capable as a rock.


It could also be that the only fight I can call to mind conveniently is his last fight with Obi-Wan, where he had a few dozen chances to bisect Obi-Wan, but never took the chance.


I blame lack of oxygen to the brain.

Yeah, and then you have this Grievous.



Anyone see any differences between the two Grievous incarnations?

I just do not understand why they nerfed him so much for the new cartoon series and movies.

And I was sad they cut Durge out and put in Cad Bane.

Durge cannot die, is practically immortal, and regenerated not only from lightsaber slashes from Obi Wan, but even survived being forced push from the INSIDE, causing him to completely explode. And he regenerates and returns.

Then again Cad Bane is pretty cool too...

That is an epic Grievous. o.o;

Shaggy is however the worst padawan. And on that note, you'll never guess what NPC I'm shoving with the party for the first few missions.

We also learn that clone troopers are physically unable to lead their target.

Did they just... burst an LAAT... I'm oddly okay with what just happened.

Anyway, let's progress from Grievous for a moment, onto what you guys would like to have this rp be about.

I'm thinking there's a couple ways we could go from this; we could start off initially closer to episode 1, spend a good bit of time in the temple, then get suddenly dumped into combat a bit earlier than normal thanks to the Clone Wars breaking out. Or, we could start just about to launch on our first mission. I'm thinking at present that there will be just one master for the group, so we don't get cluttered up with a bunch of NPC's.

What Eo said sounds good to me. I wouldn't like to spend a lot of time in training (which is usually the kiss of death for RP's, early on) so maybe we've just gotten out of Basic Training. One master for the group sounds good to me as well, for simplicity's sake (and with the Clone Wars I'm sure they had a shortage of Jedi Masters to go around).

Well yes, Padawan Shaggy was a joke.

We should probably begin on the player's first mission, no doubt about that. But we do still need to pick where in the clone wars we begin. Between the second and third movies did sound like a good plan. Just as long as everyone knows that from the start onward, you're in Eo-Ji canon. Maybe you guys will defeat Grievous yourselves in a much more fitting duel than Obi-wan did, I don't know yet, I've learned never to plan around my players doing things.

Yeah I was just on a tangent/rant about Grievous lol. I like the idea of just starting up on the first mission. Sometimes better to throw us in, instead of a slow build up.

That would also eliminate a lot introductions since they'd all probably know each other.