Discussion Tips For Running a Criminal Minor Faction?

[TheCaptain]

I love crime, criminality, lawbreaking, and illegal shenanigans. The underworld is one of my favorite parts of the SW universe but I know that factions based on it have historically not done well in Chaos. I've been reading over some threads related to both the hype around criminal factions and where they go wrong and its given me a good sense of what people are looking for and what not to do I'm looking for more practical advice on how to manage and maintain interest in a criminal faction.

Just so I'm not coming into this discussion empty handed, one idea I had was for a system of reputation and titles similar to the old Mandalorian Enclave where players can rise the ranks through RPs with special attention given to actions against other player characters. This might overcome the lack of tangible map rewards available to main factions. I'm looking for more positive ideas and suggestions of what to do but I'm open to all feedback.

 

[Valery Noble]

There are a lot of existing criminal/underworld groups in Canon/Legends. In recent history, the most active criminal factions were two that picked one of them and ran with it (Hutt Space Consortium & Black Sun).

My advice would also be to pick one from Lore and use it as a basis. It can help pull people in because it has something familiar to it. Not a necessity, but I think it can make it easier!

Secondly, consistency. You need a decently consistent flow of stories and ideas for people to work with. If you as leader slow down and aren't offering content, people will lose interest pretty quickly.

 

[Kuhbee]

Secondly, consistency. You need a decently consistent flow of stories and ideas for people to work with. If you as leader slow down and aren't offering content, people will lose interest pretty quickly.

I think this is very important. People really just want activity and something to post to.

I also think its important that factions not center on just a few people or too much on one character. That makes it difficult for other writers to find a way in. The story should be open so people can find avenues to put their characters in.

I also would say really develop a character before launching a faction. This obviously is just my two cents as some people have launched a faction with a brand new character but I feel like if you got out there and you got recognized more then it would be easier to run a group.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

The best thing you can do is be clear about your alignment right out the gate.

When a bunch of folks got together to do crime stuff there were debates about what was okay for the faction to be doing. That's most of the extent that I know, wasn't there lol, but it didn't wind up lasting very long. Things will, in theory, be a lot smoother if you clearly define before-hand what it is that you're going to be doing as a faction. And there are some dicey things in star wars crime, I.E. drugs, slavery, terrorism, etc. If the faction is gonna succeed you need to set the tone, be it goofy pirates or a kingpin-esc mafia family.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

Kuhbee

This might be something for Kinley Pryse to get involved with?

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Find a big, galaxy arching government, and give them a hard time?

Keep in the lane you want to develop first then expand. Don’t do it all at once. If you’re after smuggling do that first. Take hits on high value targets later on.

Have fun and work with the other players.

 

[Valery Noble]

Find a big, galaxy arching government, and give them a hard time?

Bring it, old man I'll give you a hard time <3


Solid advice though. Write with other groups too

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Too old. Too old to begin shenanigans.

Valery Noble

 

[Iona Starchaser]

Too old. Too old to begin shenanigans.

Not I

 

[Kinley Pryse]

Kuhbee

This might be something for Kinley Pryse to get involved with?

But yes I do crime stuff! I'm game!