The legacy system has many fantastic features in store for the game, from new emotes to strange race/class combinations, but the idea that all of your characters must be related has caused a stir amongst the roleplaying community. Sure, the dev blog video has revealed that you have the option to list your character as allies as well as relatives, but inventive roleplayers may see the opportunity to create some of the epic family legacies that Star Wars is famous for. The tools that this system gives us can allow us to create epics of our own. Jump past the cut to see how family matters in a galaxy far, far away.
Many roleplayers see the legacy system as a challenge given its limitations. Though there are quite a few who will use it simply for the benefits it provides and not connect it to their characters, those who plan to incorporate it into their stories will find several restrictions that the roleplaying community is not used to. The most important of these being that companions and other player characters cannot be a part of your family tree, meaning all members of the family must be played by one person. A key part of roleplaying has to do with involving others in your stories, so closing off the system to other players runs against that tenet.
Regardless of the limitations, this system was made to inspire players to make family legacies that match the scope of the Skywalker or Solo families. There are quite a few families in Star Wars, with stories that can not only illuminate what the developers were thinking in creating this system, but also set off a spark in a roleplayer’s imagination to get them started on their own.
The Skywalker family is the Force using family that Star Wars was built on. The rise and fall of Anakin, followed by his redemption by his son Luke who would become a Jedi Master in his own right is a classic story for almost all movie fans. The expanded universe brings us his wife Mara Jade, a former assassin for the Emperor known as the Emperor’s Hand, as well as his son Ben. Luke’s sister Leia would bring forth children who would become Jedi as well. The Skywalker line has an interesting quirk in it: Almost all of the Force users have fallen to the dark side and returned to the light. Anakin, Luke, Mara Jade and Luke’s nephew Jacen would all fall and redeem themselves. Because of the strength of the Force in this family, both their good and evil actions would affect the galaxy long after their time had passed.
Many roleplayers who began with a Jedi or Sith character may envision themselves creating a long line of Force users like the Skywalkers. Though Sith are far more likely to have children, a Jedi’s child could add an excellent dimension to the family given the restriction against love. This bias against the Jedi Order’s rules and potential punishment that would be placed on the parent for their actions may even be enough to drive them to become Sith, or at least live out life as a Smuggler or Bounty Hunter outside the authority of the Republic. Force users need not train with a lightsaber. With the system allowing characters to pass on iconic abilities like Force Choke and Project, a Smuggler could easily prove their connection to the Force in battle. Taking the family a step further, the grandchildren may find their way back to the Order to learn of their heritage, bringing the family full circle.
Though the Skywalker and Solo families have the most famous connection, two other families share an interesting dynamic: The Antilles and Fel legacies. Wedge Antilles, a famous Corellian pilot for the Rebellion and later a General for the New Republic, was a staunch enemy of the of the Empire from the time his girlfriend was murdered by Imperial troops. His actions leading Rogue Squadron and the fact that he was the only pilot to survive both assaults on the Death Stars would make him a legendary hero. His sister, however, ran off and married Soontir Fel, a famous Imperial pilot. Her son Jagged Fel would rise through the ranks and become Emperor of the revived Galactic Empire. Though Jagged had good relations with the New Republic due to his adventures with them and his marriage to Jaina Solo, his loyalty remained to the Empire.
Roleplayers from other settings that craft war may find the idea of faction switching to be abominable, but it is not as uncommon in the Star Wars universe. The various races have many exceptions and the legacy system opens up these options by allowing players to make any race/class combination after doing some work. The Antilles and Fel families are a good example of how family lines can be crossed very easily thanks to one or two members ignoring faction lines and marrying for love. The many neutral areas of the galaxy such as Nar Shaddaa allow for many potential pairings despite the war between the Sith Empire and the Republic. Roleplayers should take advantage of these opportunities to create interesting stories. A Pureblood Sith’s daughter may find herself shunned by the Republic and Jedi, but can find her place as a Smuggler or Bounty Hunter. A Chiss Force user may remove himself from the Empire after finding the Jedi Order lines up better with his ideals of the group above the individual. Faction lines are easily crossed, and this can lead to some excellent stories and perspectives in your roleplay.
Though these are only two examples of how the legacy system can be utilized, don’t consider yourself restrained by the limitations of the system. The roleplaying community is best known for making the best out of the limitations given to them, and this system should be no exception. Your character’s dynasty has the potential to be as tragic as Anakin Skywalker’s, or as conflicted as the Antilles/Fel families. And who knows what a Smuggler father could have to teach to a Jedi Consular? Let these new perspectives influence your stories and create unique and memorable characters. We’ll be looking forward to the results. Keep reading Junkie Nation, and may the Force be with you.
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