THE SHATTERED EMPIRE

BACKGROUND -

Note: (The GM is slowing down the time-line given in the rulebooks a little to allow for a more realistic picture of a galactic interregnum.)

It is five years after the destruction of the Second Death Star and the death of the Emperor. Splinter Imperial forces and military arms of the newly formed Republic Alliance have been engaging in skirmishes and out-and-out battles for the last five years. Most of the Core worlds including Coruscant and Corellia are completely under Republic control - as are some of the more outlying worlds such as Tattooine and Dagoba. However, both Dantooine and Bespin are still very much under the heel of Imperial bases established there in SW 4 and 3+ ASW 4 respectively. Hoth has been entirely abandoned by both sides.

 
The Colonies worlds are mostly controlled by the New Republic, though there are entire sectors still under the control of former Imperial Moffs and renegade Imperial military officers. It was in the Colony worlds that the heaviest fighting during the Interregnum broke out and continuing large scale military actions still occur there regularly.

 
Inner Rim planets are mostly under either a light Imperial control or completely independent. (Note: I will not be including any Thrawn storylines in this universe.) Fighting between Imperial and Republic forces has been scattered and less intense than the more Core-ward battles. Indeed, in some sectors, Imperial and Republic forces are existing side-by-side in a live and let live situation.

 
Expansion Region worlds are mostly independent corporate controlled. Reception for both Imperial and Republic forces are lukewarm at best. And any large scale military actions or propagandizing will be met with opposition from local corporates.

 
Though the Mid-Rim worlds are ostensibly under Republic control, there is actually a large (but subtle) Imperial presence there. The site of some of the more spectacular battles during the early years of the Interregnum, the Mid-Rim is now a quietly seething pot ready to erupt into open conflict once again.



 
Politically, the New Republic has re-established the Senate which is overseen by the Council of Chancellors. However, the Council - numbering among its members Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar and the Bothan Borsk Fey’lya - is strongly divided. It is all that First Chancellor Leia Organa-Solo can do to keep the Republic effort moving forward. (Anyone who even MENTIONS Jedi twins will be docked 5 experience points. Yuck! Nasty! Won’t do it!)

The premiere Imperial Cabal is headed by Grand Moff Ty Kanora. He and his cohorts control a large sector of the Colony worlds as well as a significant slice into the Inner Rim worlds. Doubtless his presence is felt through the Expansion Region and into the Mid-Rim worlds as well. Grand Moff Kanora controls a substantial fleet as well as two complete Imperial shipyards. It is also rumored that much of the remaining ISB is in collusion with him. But if it is, the Imperial Security Bureau may have an agenda of its own.

 
Other significant Imperial presences include Rear Admiral Roel Gerrara who controls a moderate fleet and some extremely strategically important worlds in the Inner Rim. Rear Admiral Gerrara is a survivor of the Battle at Endor and holds an almost pathological hatred for the New Republic.

 
Compnor, the once mighty civilian branch of the Empire, has established a series of underground cells throughout the galaxy. But the New Republic has yet to determine to whom these cells are reporting and to what purpose.

 
In the wake of the Interregnum, independent criminal syndicates such as the Hutt Guild are flourishing. Despite the disturbance caused by the loss of the prominent Jabba, the Guild is seeing its various concerns experience unparalleled booms in this time of uncertainty. And it would certainly like to see that continue. Whether the Guild and other syndicates are taking direct action to make sure that the wars between the Republic and the Splinter Imperial forces continue has yet to be proven.



 
For almost all of the galaxy, this is a time of economic hardship. Sporadic fighting has completely broken up most of the major trade routes. The shift from the Imperial military economy to the Republic trade economy is causing hardship in many of the manufacturing industries. Uncertain and changing trade and customs regulations are leaving many merchants bewildered.

 
Worlds that are entirely self-sufficient are holding their own. But the vast majority of planets are seeing shortages, high unemployment, rationing and other unpleasantries. The New Republic is scrambling to re-establish the galactic support and shipping system. But Imperial (and other) sabotage is strongly resisting their effort to assist those in need. So far, there have been no world-wide famines or plagues, but it’s probably only a matter of time.

 
The single exception to this is, of course, the criminal syndicates. As mentioned above, they are quick to take advantage of the new customer base in required bare necessities.


Specific areas of background information can be found at the following --
 

 Kothliss Sector  ISD Relentless

This, then, is the galaxy in which the player characters will be adventuring in. Please feel free to ask any questions.
 


“The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.”
Princess Leia Organa - Star Wars: A New Hope
 

Back to Introduction