Syndicate Operations - Operative Initialization Protocol
"Every criminal empire needs soldiers. Every soldier needs a past. But only the smart ones control how that past is remembered."
Congratulations, operative. You've survived long enough to catch the Orion Syndicate's attention, and that means you're either very good at what you do or very lucky at staying alive. Probably both. But before you start dreaming of the big scores and sector-wide operations that await, we need to understand exactly what kind of weapon we've acquired.
Every operative has shadows in their history—jobs that taught them their trade, contacts that opened doors, and enemies that honed their survival instincts. These aren't just fond memories; they're operational assets. The networks you built, the skills you mastered, and the reputation you earned during those early years determine what opportunities you can access and what threats will hunt you down.
Your buried past shapes every move you make in the present. Time to excavate those secrets and catalog exactly what kind of predator you've become.
Your Tools
"Preparation is survival. The right tools in the right hands can turn the tide of any operation."
To navigate the treacherous underworld of the Syndicate, you'll need the following tools at your disposal:
- Operative dossier (character sheet)
- Encrypted PADD (something to write on)
- Probability calculators (multiple d20 dice)
- Discretion and paranoia
- A healthy respect for the dangers of the underworld
The Price of Ambition
"In this line of work, nothing is free. Every favor, every opportunity, comes with a cost."
Every job you complete builds your criminal asset base. These resources define your operative's capabilities and influence in the underworld and the ongoing campaign. Each successful operation adds to your empire, but every action has consequences. Enemies, debts, and unwanted attention are the cost of playing this game.
What to gain from your past jobs:
-
Network
Assets, rivals, and marks throughout the galaxy
-
Credits
Blood money and ongoing revenue streams—or debt obligations
-
Bolt-holes
Hidden sanctuaries where authorities can't reach
-
Street Cred
Your name whispered in the right (and wrong) circles
-
Heat Level
How badly Starfleet and others want you dead or captured
-
Specializations
Criminal expertise that provides operational advantages (extends critical success range in campaign)
-
Hardware
The tools of your dark trade
-
Leverage
Dirt, codes, and secrets that make people cooperative
The Cost of Failure
Failure isn't just embarrassing—it's dangerous. Enemies, debts, and unwanted attention are the cost of playing this game.
Excavating Your Past
"Three jobs from your past. Three pieces of the puzzle that made you who you are today. Three chances to prove you belong in the big leagues—or reveal why you're still breathing instead of feeding scavengers."
Every master criminal can trace their evolution through key operations—the jobs that taught them crucial lessons, introduced them to important contacts, or showed them how far they were willing to go for the right price. These aren't random capers; they're the formative experiences that shaped your operative's capabilities, reputation, and moral boundaries.
To build your operative's backstory, you'll relive three pivotal criminal operations from their past—jobs that occurred before they joined your current crew. Each operation reveals not just how they acquired their current assets and reputation, but what prices they paid along the way. You'll discover which lines they crossed, which bridges they burned, and which enemies they made while climbing the criminal hierarchy.
For each of the three jobs, follow these steps:
Find a Job
"Every job has its details. The more you know about what went down, the better you can navigate the fallout."
Compose the job details that fit your operative's criminal history. Decide what type of job it was, where it took place, and the security measures in place. The higher the risk, the greater the rewards—and the dangers.
Execute the Job
"In the field, every decision matters. Hesitate, and you're caught. Rush, and you're dead."
Slip into the shadows of your character's criminal past. Run through the operation scene by scene, facing challenges, making choices, and dealing with complications as they arise.
Follow the Operational Guidelines
Claim Your Cut
"In this business, survival is profit. Every successful job adds to your empire—choose your rewards wisely."
Survival earns respect in the Syndicate. Your broker evaluates your performance and offers compensation—you take from the offered rewards, they decide what else you've attracted. In this business, every action echoes.
Dream about your potential rewards
Start the action
"The shadows are calling. Time to make your mark."
Get started by taking on your first background job. Each successful operation builds your operative's reputation, resources, and influence in the underworld.