OK, so this is going to diverge a bit from the usual Macross: Sanctuary focus that I've been on lately. Why is that? It might have something to do with the Saga Edition transfusion I was given in the form of all the remain SW:SE books I hadn't gotten yet as gifts for my Birthday. As anyone that knows me, I do struggle a little with the ADD (Attention Deficit Dis... Oh, look! A squirrel!)(Not to be confused with AD&D, which is something I still struggle with... I mean THAC0, really?). So, while I've been thinking and fermenting Sanctuary ideas in my head, I've been looking through a lot of the Saga Edition books lately.
What's nice about the later Star Wars books was the whole introduction of new ideas, like Hazards and Skill Challenges. They also are pretty good about hitting off on some of the more "exotic" aspects of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. So, I've had many a chance to flip through the books, do some reading, listen to music, and watch some anime with a hundred and one thoughts going through my head. One of these thoughts started to coalesce into what I have written below.
The Compass of the Wanderer
Sometimes great mysteries come in small packages. The Compass of the Wanderer is an ancient astronav compass dating back to the earliest days of the Republic. It has a rich dark wood out casing, masterfully carved, and inlaid with gold and lapis lazuli. Inside it has a standard magnetic compass, an artistic representation of the Galaxy inside the cover, and a holo-projector that creates a starmap with appropriate astrogation coordinates. There is, though, no input device for the compass, though. You hold it in your hand, open it, and the information appears. The coordinates are not always to the same location, and does not always lead to a place with a know hyperspace beacon or route. It is claimed that it points the bearer to either their hearts desire, or in the direction towards their destiny.
How it works and where it came from are a mystery lost to the annuls of time. The first appearance of the compass was at the beginning of the first outward expansion to the Expansionist Region. The Duros explorer Choro Polumbix is reported to have used this in his very successful travels, finding a number of habitable worlds. Throughout it's history it has been found in the hands of daring scouts, wandering Jedi, and more than a few rogues and scoundrels. The most famous of the holders of the Compass is the infamous pirate captain Jax Sparrix, who's exploits are now the thing of legend and holovids.
Possessing the Compass of the Wanderer gives the holder the chance to make a Use the Force check (DC 25). This check can be performed even if you are not trained in Use the Force. If the check succeeds, the compass creates a clear set of coordinates that will help the character achieve their destiny or lead them to their heart's desire (Gamemaster's choice). A failure of within 10 of the target will give a more general location, like a star system or cluster of star systems, instead of the exact planet. A failure of more than 10 causes the compass to just spin, with no defined setting. Spending a Force Point when you make this check gives a +10 bonus, instead of the usual benefits of spending a Force Point. Spending a Destiny Point causes the compass to function without failure or the need of a roll. Additionally, if you posses the farseeing Force power, you may use this power as though you are familiar with the location.
The Blastsword of Captain Jax Sparrix
Heirloom Item
Despite the few nicks and chips along the blade, this ancient blastsword is in amazing condition. This weapon has the appearance of a noble lord's side arm, and is believed to have once belonged to some prince or king located in the Outer Rim or Unknown Regions. It is best known as the favored weapon of the pirate captain Jax Sparrix.
Sparrix was one of many early space pirates that plied the space lanes through the early days of the Republic. While some pirates fostered reputations of bloodshed and ruthelessness, Sparrix was known more for his charisma and flexible moral code. He was the closest thing to the swashbucklers of holovid fame, and may have been the basis of a number of pirate tall tales that are still told today. He preferred ion weapons, disabling ships and guards, and making sure that the robbery and hostage situations were kept as pleasant and light-hearted as possible.
His traditional sidearm, his blastsword, was modified to produce both a stun blast as well as the standard lethal blast for the versatility of disabling instead of killing. The blade was also laced with cortosis to defend against the lightsabers of pirate hunting Jedi.
Yes, I know... not my most original ideas, but I kinda like the beginning concepts here. This is what I get for a playlist with all the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks.
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