Transmissions: February 2002

By Jae Walker
Living Force Campaign Director

Opening Crawl
A long time ago, in special corner of a galaxy far away, a stalwart band of volunteers set out to create a vision, a story of the Star Wars universe to be told by players at gaming tables throughout the world. A story about heroes, and the difference they make . . .

Year One in Review
It's been a good year for the Living Force campaign. Nearly 2,000 players are now playing worldwide, and we're looking forward to even greater growth in the year ahead.

During our first "season," we took you on a tour of the Cularin system, introducing you to the places and the players that make up our little corner of the Star Wars galaxy.

Supporting the concept of a system tour, the first year of the campaign featured special passports, with stickers for each scenario representing the various locations. Unfortunately, distributing them was trickier than we anticipated. If you're missing stickers, you can send a list of the scenarios and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: LF Stickers, P.O. Box 838, East Lansing, MI 48826.

In September, we launched a second storyline, "Law and Order." This brainchild of UK council member Megan Robertson (a.k.a. Mexal) focuses on Cularin's law enforcement community and its challenges. This storyline will continue into 2002.

During our first year, we introduced the foundation of our metagaming program. Metagaming, for the uninitiated, represents activities that take place outside of the structure of scenarios. Hero Padawan Learners are paired with Jedi Masters to advise them in the ways of the Force. Apprentices seek out and study with hero Force Adepts. Hero scoundrels scheme and dabble in the grayer side of commerce, while hero Nobles wheel and deal in the political arena. Hero fringers and scouts, far from home, call in markers from their pasts. And just about everyone seems to want their own 'droids and ships! We managed to bring out everything but ships, as we had to wait for the Starships of the Galaxy book to come out.

The most entertaining way to make your metagaming requests is to attend an interactive - a live-action event where your hero can interact with representatives of the various factions and facilities. It's hard to wait, though, and often the big conventions that sponsor these events are few and far between. Therefore, you can also make these requests online; just follow the prompts. Email us if you have special questions or requests. Please keep in mind that you must be a paying member of the RPGA to participate in metagaming opportunities. If you don't have computer access, send your requests (with a photocopy of your character sheet and a self-addressed, stamped envelope) to: LF Metagaming, P.O. Box 838, East Lansing, MI 48826.

We hope that you've enjoyed the adventure thus far - because now, it's time to strap yourselves into your acceleration couches. Now the real ride begins. The stage is set, and the players are on their marks. All that's needed now are the heroes of Cularin. And that, as they say, is where you come in.

Year Two Kicks Off
Season two began at Winter Fantasy, with the "Blinking Eyes" trilogy, a plunge into the icy depths of Cularin politics, and perhaps something a little darker. From there, it's off to "An Official Engagement" - and as anyone who's ever participated in a wedding knows, no wedding ever goes smoothly. For more details, check out story blurbs and the full 2002 release schedule.

Season two also brings log sheets for Living Force. The passports and stickers were an introductory promotion, but we think you'll like Chris Bradshaw's Living Force log sheets. Now you can keep track of everything in one place - experience, credits, Force points, and dark side points (though heroes shouldn't be getting many of those!).

We welcome Lee Pickler to the Living Force Council as assistant plot master. We'll be expanding the entire metagaming staff with the new year as well; Metagaming Coordinator Colleen Lahna has her hands full with my youngest Sith Apprentice, Sorcha (also known as the Lahna first-born), and she'll be interviewing candidates throughout January and February. See the position announcements for specific details.

We're proud to announce the opening of the Cularin Shipyard at Winter Fantasy (and with ships and payments, can the repo beings be far behind?).

Heroes with a military bent will finally have a metaorganization of their very own. Watch the Living Force site for more details.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and your participation. We look forward to the stories we can tell together.

Credits
I'd like to take a moment here to thank some of the campaign's volunteers. Without these people, there wouldn't be a campaign. Their only pay is our appreciation, so if you happen to run into one of them, just say "thanks!" (And if I've forgotten anyone, please remind me and I'll add to my thanks next time.)

Morrie Mullins, Plot Guy, without whom there would not have been a campaign. Morrie is my good left arm and an evil genius. My gratitude to him is boundless.

Colleen Lahna, Metagaming Mistress. As Morrie is my left hand, Colleen is the right. I can't begin to thank her enough.

Megan Robertson (a.k.a. Mexal), tireless promoter of Living Force in the UK and devious mind behind the "Law and Order" storyline.

Living Force Logo Design: Amy "Amara" Pronovost

Revised Character Templates (making the quick start characters from the Star Wars Roleplaying Game "campaign legal"): Tom Piernicky

Force Adept Personalities: Harriet Williams and Bill Bartelt

Jedi Master Personalities: Russell Sinclair

Droid Personalities: Harriet Williams

Military Metagaming development assistance: Craig Norman

General Metagaming assistance: Sean Orwin, Craig Norman

Learn more about the Living Force Campaign!