As DM, I sent out the following e-mails to individual members of the party in order to set a certain tone, and to give out a little bit of information to the party. Sometimes players write back and add to the story, sometimes they phone you and talk some things through, and sometimes they read and absorb what you have written...and get ready for the game!

VETTE VANJOR

Vette sits in a partially scorched command seat on the command level of the Laughing Tingra. Meko is finally napping...he hasn't really slept in days. The Warp engines are giving him trouble...which he insists is a "bad thing" while in Hyperspace. Thus far his dilligence has kept the "variations" he keeps bitching about within acceptable levels. Vette promised to wake Meko if any warning lights come on...the auditory warning system is still off-line.

Meko hasn't said anything to Vette about it, but he is clearly disappointed in Quinn Roldoon, and perhaps somewhat in Vette. Yesterday, out of nowhere he turned to you and asked, "Don't you have the ability to look into the Force...to see future courses of action...and see which one is most advantageous?" It made you wonder a little...you know that Meko Dayspinner is a very experienced "Squire," and has accompanied Jedis on missions for over a decade. Vette wonders to himself, "Maybe Quinn and I don't trust the Force as much as we should...." Perhaps that whole argument about which items to take...and how pressing the matters on Milos were...perhaps that whole argument was unneccesary..."Perhaps I should have searched for the answer within myself...."

Vette's brow creases...he knows that he shielded his thoughts and knowledge as best he could while aboard the F.B.T. Avenger...but what of the non-Jedi's. Did Marna Jade or her twin read one of the other party member's mind. Do they know that we know the children are being "farmed" from Milos? Do they know we are headed for Milos? Will they wrap up operations there...or reinforce their defenses...because they KNOW? It is all so uncertain. Obviously, the Fendora-Bengala are in league with some dark power...perhaps a reincarnated Darth Vile himself! Transporting children from Milos to...well, some unknown location...turning them to the Dark Side...training them in its seductive power. Clearly if this flow of youth to the Dark Side is not stopped...if Darth Vile's(?) efforts are not checked...if the Second Shadow War breaks out tomorrow...how will us few stand against it? Yes the flow of the Force is clear...a moment of decision is at hand on Milos...a moment of opportunity. Perhaps not tomorrow...but SOON. Vette knows that he and Quinn have a role in that moment...a chance to bring positive influence...if they are not too late.

Vette hopes the two-year's worth of efforts made on Tibaroe were worth it. That the "seeds" planted there will somehow help turn the tide...or at least be a small part of some larger, more-complex plan for salvation. Yes, the Force answers back clearly...those efforts will pay off in the coming struggle. What of my friends on Milos...and those that helped me when I was but a child...do they still live? And Mad Remy...will I meet him again...or will one of those fake deaths that the Jedi Spy uncovered end up being real? No...the Force seems to say...Mad Remy yet lives.
(Remember to read your character's "Background" documents before we next play.)

So many more pieces to the puzzle...so many more tasks to perform before that final Shadow falls across this Sector. It boggles Vette's mind to think of all that lies before him...but he quiets his mind and allows the Force to flow over him. "The Force will show me the way...the Force will guide my actions...in the Force I find wisdom..."

There is no emotion - there is peace.
There is no ignorance - there is knowledge.
There is no passion - there is serenity.
There is no death - there is the Force.

QUINN ROLDOON

Quinn sits on a ruined piece of cushion in the burnt and blackened crew quarters of the Laughing Tingra. The others are asleep, except Meko who is in the command compartment, up above. He wonders at the power of these Dark Knights he has encountered. Obviously, the Fendora-Bengala are in league with some dark power...perhaps a reincarnated Darth Vile himself! Transporting children from Milos to...well, some unknown location...turning them to the Dark Side...training them in its seductive power.

Quinn's brow creases...he knows that he shielded his thoughts and knowledge as best he could while aboard the F.B.T. Avenger...but what of the non-Jedi's. Did Marna Jade or her twin read one of the other party member's mind. Do they know that we know the children are being "farmed" from Milos? Do they know we are headed for Milos? Will they wrap up operations there...or reinforce their defenses...because they KNOW? It is all so uncertain. Clearly if this flow of youth to the Dark Side is not stopped...if Darth Vile's(?) efforts are not checked...if the Second Shadow War breaks out tomorrow...how will us few stand against it? Yes the flow of the Force is clear...a moment of decision is at hand on Milos...a moment of opportunity. Perhaps not tomorrow...but soon. Quinn knows that he and Vette have a role in that moment...a chance to bring positive influence...if they are not too late.

Quinn hopes the two-year's worth of efforts made on Tibaroe were worth it. That the "seeds" planted there will somehow help turn the tide...or at least be a small part of some larger, more-complex plan for salvation. Yes, the Force answers back clearly...those efforts will pay off in the coming struggle. And what of my family's betrayal of the people of Roldoon? Will I get a chance to atone for my family's blood-guilt...will I set foot on the Blood Moon once again? And once again the path is clear within the Force...Quinn will pay a blood debt for his people...and slaves shall go free!

So many more pieces to the puzzle...so many more tasks to perform before that final Shadow falls across this Sector. It boggles Quinn's mind to think of all that lies before him...but he quiets his mind and allows the Force to flow over him. "The Force will show me the way...the Force will guide my actions...in the Force I find wisdom..."

There is no emotion - there is peace.
There is no ignorance - there is knowledge.
There is no passion - there is serenity.
There is no death - there is the Force.

MORGAN McCLOUD

Morgan McCloud sits in one of the heavily damaged point-defense-gun seats...away from the rest of his fellow travelers. He prays to Kib, for begining the first and second and third games of the gods. He mumbles a traditional chant to Skarl...to the beat of Skarl's endless drumming..."may you never falter drumming-god." He prays to Sish, and asks that Sish hold back his hound...Time...until Morgan completes all he is meant to do. He prays to Slid, and asks that the Lord of the gliding waters and the foaming waters and of the still...bring death when Morgan is most in need of it. Morgan does not pray to Mung, for Mung listens not to prayers, and comes for the living whenever he chooses. Morgan dare not pray to Mana-Yood-Sushai...for what if his small voice awoke the great sleeping god...and all were swept away by that great gods laughter-filled rebukes!

Morgan's prayers are at an end, and he becomes aware of Meko cursing in his native Cordawan tongue on the other end of the ship. The Laughing Tingra's warp engines are giving Meko Dayspinner trouble...which he insists is a "bad thing" while in Hyperspace. Thus far his dilligence (and the help Kenai Moongazer has given him) has kept the "variations" he keeps bitching about within acceptable levels. Meanwhile Meko seems somewhat disappointed in both Jedis...perhaps they are not living up his high standards...after all, he has been pilot and companion to Jedis traveling Sector 42 for over a decade...perhaps Meko should pray more, and trust the will of the gods, thinks Morgan.

Though Morgan is new to the politics of Sector 42, and, it is clear to him that the Fendora-Bengala Trade Corp. has made some dark pact with the Vilardeen...and, it almost seems undeniable now, Darth Vile has risen from his Shadow War grave! All these Force-talented young children missing from Vette Vanjor's home-planet of Milos over the years...and now Fendora-Bengala has Dark Knights at the helm of its trade/battle ships. Clearly something must be done to stop these events...and Morgan feels that perhaps he is experiencing that "destiny" he felt he would miss out on staying on Ando-Prime.

Meke Dayspinner yells out again...and the sounds of tools clinking together and access panel being ripped from the wall reach Morgan in his isolated location on the ship. Morgan's brow creases...what if Marna Jade and her twin used their mysterious Dark Side powers to read the thoughts of someone in the party? What if they know what the party knows? What if they know where the party is headed...and are making deadly preparations? Clearly time is of the essense if the party plans to find out what is actually going on in the slave-factories on Milos...and stop it! It just all seems so uncertain.

But, Morgan smiles. Kib did not cover all the worlds with men for those men to be certain! Live is uncertainty...and a priest of Ando Prime does not shy away from a chance to challenge that uncertainty and come away alive. Mung will come when he wants anyway...I could not slow his death-bringing visit, nor hurry it...Mung answers not to the time-pieces of Sish! Morgan knows he will do all he can to help these Jedis in their travels...and then one day before the final Shadow falls across Sector 42, Morgan will return to Ando Prime and take a position of respect and responsibility that befits his grown power...

KENAI MOONGAZER

Meko Dayspinner has been in a real funk since you entered Hyperspace. He hasn't really slept in days, due to the Warp engines giving him trouble...which he insists is a "bad thing" while in Hyperspace. Thus far his dilligence (and the help you have given him) has kept the "variations" he keeps bitching about within acceptable levels. You are fairly confident that your fellow Cordawan will get you to Smuggler's Haven safe and sound.

Meko's funk doesn't seem to be because of the troubles the ship is giving him...he actually seems most happy when dealing with the repair problems. Kenai's only clue to the REAL cause of Meko's funk comes from a comment he made to Kenai yesterday. Out of nowhere he said, "These Jedis we travel with are very young and inexperienced. They seem to not trust the Force." Kenai pressed Meko about the comment, but Meko would only say, "They will be enough...they have to be enough" Kenai knows that Meko Dayspinner is a very experienced "Squire," and has accompanied Jedis on missions for over a decade. You think back to your days as a "Squire" to Meeko-Jon, and he did seem to almost "flow along with an unseen path." But Meeko-Jon was practically a Jedi Master...of course he know how to "follow the path the Force provides us." Quinn and Vette will learn, they will improve...they will have to.

Kenai's brow creases...what if Marna Jade or her twin read one of our minds aboard the F.B.T. Avenger. Do they know that we know the children are being "farmed" from Milos? Do they know we are headed for Milos? Will they wrap up operations there...or reinforce their defenses...because they KNOW? It is all so uncertain. Obviously, the Fendora-Bengala are in league with some dark power...perhaps a reincarnated Darth Vile himself! Transporting children from Milos to...well, some unknown location...turning them to the Dark Side...training them in its seductive power. Clearly if this flow of youth to the Dark Side is not stopped...if Darth Vile's(?) efforts are not checked...if the Second Shadow War breaks out tomorrow...how will the few Jedi stand against it? These Jedi we help and support must get to Milos...they must make things right!

Kenai hopes the two-year's worth of efforts made on Tibaroe were worth it. That the "seeds" planted there will somehow help turn the tide...or at least be a small part of some larger, more-complex plan for salvation. The Golden Race were very powerful once, if only our help assists them in reaching their potential...

Farn Lloyd's face keeps popping into Kenai's mind. That bastard. Kenai hopes that screwing up production on Milos will hurt Lloyd...cause him pain. No, really that won't be enough. Normally Kenai tries to live the Jedi Code...to live up to the standards he grew up with...but on this one matter he is weak. Kenai knows that he will not be truly happy until Farn Lloyd's throat is within Kenai's tight grasp...until Farn Lloyd's dead eyes stare up into his...as dead as Master Meeko-Jon's eyes on that fateful night....will he get a chance to feel the joy of that release?

So many more pieces to the puzzle...so many more tasks to perform before that final Shadow falls across this Sector. It boggles Kenai's mind to think of all that lies before him...but finally the first 4 lines of the Jedi code come to Kenai's mind...and bring him a certain peace...

There is no emotion - there is peace.
There is no ignorance - there is knowledge.
There is no passion - there is serenity.
There is no death - there is the Force.

RANAR TOR

Ranar Tor sits on scorched piece of cushion from the damaged crew quarters...and Meko rushes past him cursing in the native Cordawan tongue. The Laughing Tingra's warp engines are giving Meko Dayspinner trouble...which he insists is a "bad thing" while in Hyperspace. Thus far his dilligence (and the help Kenai Moongazer has given him) has kept the "variations" he keeps bitching about within acceptable levels. Meanwhile Meko seems disappointed in both Jedis...perhaps they are not living up his high standards...after all, he has been pilot and companion to Jedi traveling Sector 42 for over a decade...perhaps Meko should learn patience, thinks Ranar.

But the warrior's mind of Ranar Tor does not dwell on such technical problems or emotional disappointments for long. Ranar thinks of the age-long enemies of the Golden Race...the Dark Vilardeen. Clearly they have made some mystical pact with the Fendora Bengala Trade Corp...and, it almost seems undeniable now, Darth Vile has risen from his Shadow War grave! All these Force-talented young children missing from Vette Vanjor's home-planet of Milos over the years...and now Fendora-Bengala has Dark Knights at the helm of its trade/battle ships. Clearly something must be done to stop these events.

500 years ago the Golden Race travelled to Vilardeen and helped destroy Darth Vile's shade-armies...and now perhaps the blood of the Golden Race will once again be neccesary to wash away the dark stain of the Dark Lord's evil...

Thinking of such things brings to Ranar Tor's mind images of that last meeting with his distant relative, High Lord Vorgan, ruler of the Golden Race. He called Ranar to his private staterooms the evening before he left Tibaroe. Laid out on an ornatedly carved stone table were the fruits of the jungle, delicate sweet meats, a large roast timbaroon, and a several flasks of Golden Mead. He told Ranar that the young Jedis would need his counsel, and that Ranar was to be his representative while travelling off-planet. "You must gather knowledge of the state of the Sector...and what will be required of our proud race." He told Ranar that efforts were being taken to find the Key of Demilor...a mystical key told of only in legend. It is said that Vizar Demilor, the right-hand and advisor to proud King Arioch, carried a key on a chain around his neck...others say the Key of Demilor is actually a book with magical runes written within it...and yet others say it is a doorway to another universe. Regardless what form the Key takes in stories...all agree on one thing...it was required to unleash and transport the full power of the Golden Race to Vilardeen. In order to find this Key of Demilor, a Great Quest has been declared by High Lord Vorgan...and his greatest and bravest warriors travel the ruined outer cities and the jungle wastes searching for this lost treasure...Famaril, the Green Prince was the first to volunteer and the first to enter the jungle. High Lord Vorgan told Ranar Tor that a time of crisis will come soon...a Dark Lord is rising...and as that time gets closer, Ranar Tor must return to Tibaroe...to the planet of his birth, and join the Quest for the Key. "Now that the heaviness of one's duty has been discussed, let us feast and drink to the beginning of Ranar Tor's Great Travels!" And with that, High Lord Vorgan bid you to eat.

Meko brushes past Ranar again...after rummaging around in a service panel for several minutes. Ranar's mind turns to recent events, and his brow creases...what if Marna Jade or her twin used their mysterious Dark Side powers to read the thoughts of someone in the party? What if they know what the party knows? What if they know where the party is headed...and are making deadly preparations? It all seems so uncertain....

But, Ranar thinks with a half-smile on his face, "It does a warrior no good to think of uncertainties...keep the sword sharp, and the instincts sharper." There will be many stuggles and much death-bringing before that final dark shadow falls across this Sector. The one thing Ranar knows for sure, is that he will be there, swinging his sword and spilling dark blood until his very end. He, and thousands of his brave race.