Star Wars
The Palvar Sector
Chapter One - The Palvar Defense Force
The Palvar Defense Force

For several decades the galaxy was dominated by an Empire that ruled with an iron fist until an uprising brought death to the Emperor and delivering a fatal blow to the Empire as a whole. With the loss of their leader, the Empire crumbled as several self proclaimed "Warlords" and "Emperors" claimed themselves heir to the Empire. Chaos swept through the galaxy, the pitiful band of rebels that had caused the collapse of the Empire were hastily creating a new government, a New Republic.

Even as the Imperial throne world of Coruscant fell to the advancing New Republic forces, Imperial rule throughout the galaxy remained a fairly common occurance. Regions such as the Inner and Mid Rims remained under harsh Imperial rule for several years after the death of Emperor Palpatine at Endor.

The fight for the Mid Rim was fierce as Imperial forces fought long and hard to retain control of those worlds that they claimed were rightfully theirs. Some sectors were able to take advantage of lacking Imperial forces and fought back on their own, sometimes succeeding and sometimes ending in tradegy. There were even those sectors that decided to take advantage of both lacking Imperial and Republic forces, creating their own governments, their own Empires. This is the tale of one such sector, the Palvar Sector.

The Formation of the Palvar Defense Force

During the opening months of Grand Admiral Thrawn's failed campaign against the New Republic, Imperial forces in the Palvar Sector were sent away to aid as the Empire struck back at those who had destroyed the peace and order established by the Empire. Aarlis Nacirem, owner of the sector-wide starship construction corporation Kashan Systems, saw an oppurtunity to realize his dreams of massive personal power and extended profits and took it. Through a bit of questionable business work, Nacirem was finally able to cut a deal with the local Imperial Moff that gave him permission to upgrade Kashan Systems' corporate defense fleet and create some sort of sector police force in return for apparently nothing.

Aarlis Nacirem wasted no time and officially changed the name of the Kashan Systems Corporate Defense Starfleet to the Palvar Defense Force (PDF). Using Kashan's existing forces was a brilliant move on the part of Nacirem for two reasons: it meant that he would remain in command of the PDF no matter what forces were donated by other worlds and opened up several new business oppurtunities that would further enable him to boost overall profits and perhaps set a few footholds that would eventually enable Kashan Systems to rival such companies as Corellian Engineering Corporations and Kuat Drive Yards.

Aarlis Nacirem

Aarlis Nacirem, age 56, owner of Kashan Systems, military head of the Palvar Defense Force, is perhaps the coldest being anywhere in the entire Palvar Sector.

Through several brilliant moves, Aarlis created a sector-wide defense force after Imperial forces in the sector became too sparse to keep control of all inhabited worlds. Using his corporate fleet which he had slowly built up over the years after gaining permission of the local Moff through a bit of black mail, he was able to appoint himself head of this new protective agency, the Palvar Defense Force.

He is a man driven by money, but unlike many that become consumed by wealth, he remains realistic and cunning. Many thousand have been killed in the name of his profit, often times by him personally. Those who dare stand in his way, such as the New Republic, are quick to become his enemy, and his enemies soon become the enemies of the PDF (which just happens to wield more firepower than a standard Imperial Sector Force).

Through all of the drama that comes with power and wealth, Aarlis still finds time to carry out his duties as the head of the PDF, usually giving orders and reviewing priority reports from his luxurious office in Kashan Systems' main office. However, he has been known to spend quite a bit of time onboard the PDF's flagship, a modified Duom-class star cruiser known as the Blood of Kashan.

Type: Corporate owner, PDF commander
Species: Hunam (near-Human)
Gender: Male
Height: 1.91 meters
Weight: 163 lbs
Age: 56

Physical Description: Aarlis Nacirem is one of a handful of a near-human race known as the Hunams left in the galaxy. Aarlis is a tall and slender man in his mid-fifties. He has pale grey skin which is accented by his bright blue eyes and dark grey hair. His face is slightly sunken in and his eyes often appear as thin slits of blue.

Personality: Aarlis Nacirem is a cold man, sentencing several thousand men, women and aliens to death, slaverly, or life imprisonment with little more than a thought. Profit drives him, anything standing in the way of expanded profit is simply destroyed. Aarlis did not make it to a position of wealth and power by being ignorant and short-sighted. He is a very intelligent and cunning man and is perhaps more dangerous than the most powerful Imperial warlords.

A Quote: "When someone refers to Kashan, they are referring to myself."

DEXTERITY: 3D+2
Blaster 4D, dodge 7D
KNOWLEDGE: 4D+2
Alien species 5D, bureaucracy: Palvar Defense Force 9D+2, business: Kashan Systems 11D, languages 6D, planetary systems 7D, streetwise: Kashan 6D+1, survival 5D+2, willpower 8D
MECHANICAL: 2D
PERCEPTION: 3D+2
Bargain 7D+2, command 9D, con 6D, persuasion 7D
STRENGTH: 2D
TECHNICAL: 2D

Move: 10
Force Sensitive: No
Force Points: 1
Dark Side Points: 7
Character Points: 39

Equipment: Flashy clothing, pocket chronometer, hold-out blaster (3D+2), comlink

PDF Political Structure

The PDF is commanded solely by Admiral and Command and Chief Aarlis Nacirem. Nacirem does maintain a full advisory board to advise him in both political and military matters. To further insure that member worlds have a feeling of belonging, the PDF has a small senate-like council where one representative from each member world may voice his or her concerns about their world's situation and the future of the sector. This council has no real power (even though they believe they do) and Aarlis Nacirem has sole authority on all actions taken by the PDF.

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee was formed by Aarlis Nacirem to aid him in military related affairs as Nacirem has no real military experience himself. The board is made up of ten members that include an ex-Imperial Major General, his top military commanders, and weapons systems specialist.

The Advisory Committee also advises the Board of Internal Affairs when needed and can even overrule decisions made by the Board should the Committee feel strongly that a mistake is being made.

Board of Internal Affairs

The Board of Internal Affairs deals with internal PDF problems such as budgets, deployment, and overseeing applications for new member worlds. Should a world be approved for admittance by the Board, a recommendation is then sent to the elected representatives from each world (also known as the PDF Membership Council) for final approval.

PDF Membership Council

The PDF Membership Council is nothing more than a political tool used by Aarlis Nacirem to keep PDF member worlds happy by creating the illusion that each member world has a say in the way the PDF is run. In reality the Council does little more than bicker with each other, occasionally reviewing a membership application and resubmitting it to Mr. Nacirem for final approval. Even though the Council does overlook the applications, they do not retain the power to deny or approve membership. The Council is to review the applying world's history and check to see if there may be a conflict of interests that may result in future problems if said world is admitted into the PDF.

PDF Military Structure

The Palvar Defense Force military operates under many of the same guidelines as the Empire, designating specific types of lines and assault forces for specific tasks.

The PDF ranking structure is simple, with protocol dictating that any Army officer of equivalent rank to a Navy officer must yield command to the Navy officer as the Navy plays a larger role in the PDF than the army.

Officer Ranks
PDF Navy PDF Navy Trooper Corps PDF Army
Admiral - -
Commodore - Marshall
Line Captain General General
Captain Colonel Colonel
Commander Major Major
Senior Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant
Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant
Ensign/Midshipman Master Sergeant Master Sergeant
Chief Petty Officer Sergeant Sergeant
Petty Officer - -

Enlisted Ranks
PDF Navy PDF Navy Trooper Corps PDF Army
- Corporal Corporal
Senior Deckman Senior Trooper -
Deckman Trooper Private

PDF Navy

To get a quick understanding of the organization of the PDF Navy, use the following reference:

Command A single ship command.
Commanded by a Captain
Picket Line A unit ranging from 1 to 4 light to medium cruisers that is typically assigned to sector patrols.
Commanded by a Line Captain
Defense Line A unit ranging from 1 to 10 starships that is typically assigned to defend a particular star system.
Commanded by a Line Captain
Squadron Normally 11 to 20 starships.
Commanded by a Commodore
Fleet The entire Naval force deployed throughout the Palvar Sector.
Commanded by Admiral Aarlis Nacirem

Standard PDF protocol clearly outlines what should be done in certain situations but does not limit a commanding officer to follow the protocol exactly (something many Imperial commanders tend to do).

PDF Navy Troopers make up for the bulk of the fighting force that is called upon to perform a variety of missions that range from ship boarding operations to full fledged surface assaults.

PDF navy troopers are trained in various forms of combat, including zero- gravity combat. They are trained shortly in starship operation and repair so that they may be effective during most emergencies on ship if needed. During boarding operations, they will load into boarding shuttles in platoon strength and cut their way into enemy starships. Standard PDF protocol calls for a squad of troopers in armored space suits to walk along the hull of a target vessel and plant charges on all airlocks, blasting them open, and exposing that region of the ship to vacuum, thus reducing on board resistance. Many PDF commanders tend to overlook this rule, as they want the ship in mostly working order. When on an enemy vessel, half of the troopers will be given stun grenades for their micro-grenade launcher, the other half get a pair of smoke grenades. The smoke grenades are generally fired into every new corridor and/or room that the boarding team comes across, reducing visibility for the enemy while infrared goggles provide vision for the navy troopers.

The typical PDF navy trooper uniform consists of a dark grey jumpsuit with the letters 'KS' on either shoulder (the letters 'PDF' appear on new recruits). Worn over the jumpsuit is usually a piece of armor such as a blast vest with several small pockets that tend to be used to hold extra blaster clips. Additional protection is provided by light leg armor that covers the thigh, sturdy black knee high boots, a pair of regulation black gloves.

Type: PDF navy trooper
DEXTERITY: 3D
Blaster 3D+2, blaster: blaster carbines 5D, brawling parry 3D+1, dodge 4D, grenade 3D+2, melee combat: vibroknife 5D, melee parry 3D+1, missile weapons 4D
KNOWLEDGE: 2D
Survival: space 4D
MECHANICAL: 2D
Space transports 3D+1, starship gunnery 3D
PERCEPTION: 3D+1
STRENGTH: 2D
Climbing/jumping 2D+1, stamina 3D
TECHNICAL: 2D+2
Computer programming/repair 3D, demolitions 4D+2, security 4D, space transports repair 4D, starship weapon repair 4D+1

Character Points: 1-4
Move: 10
Equipment: KI TTI-S blaster carbine (4D+2; micro-grenade launcher 5D stun damage), blaster pistol (4D), vibroknife (STR+1D), 2 grenades (5D), infrared goggles, protective armor (+1D physical, +1 energy), comlink, armored space suit (+2D versus energy and +1D versus physical damange, -1D from Dexterity and related skills in gravity)
Note: Some troopers receive more specialized training accounting for varying skill levels.

PDF Spacetroopers

While all PDF navy troopers are trained in zero-g combat there is a select group that specialize in it, the PDF Spacetrooper Corps. These spacetroopers are typically only found on the largest cruisers in the PDF fleet and are often called upon to do the tougher boarding operations while the standard PDF navy troopers are held in reserve.

Standard PDF protocol calls for a squad of troopers in armored space suits to walk along the hull of a target vessel and plant charges on all airlocks, blasting them open, and exposing that region of the ship to vacuum, thus reducing on board resistance. Many PDF commanders tend to overlook this rule, as they want the ship in mostly working order. When on an enemy vessel, half of the troopers will be given stun grenades for their micro-grenade launcher, the other half get a pair of smoke grenades. The smoke grenades are generally fired into every new corridor and/or room that the boarding team comes across, reducing visibility for the enemy while infrared goggles that are built into their suits provide vision for the spacetroopers.

Type: PDF Navy zero-G combat trooper
DEXTERITY: 3D+1
Blaster 4D+2, blaster: blaster rifles 6D, dodge 5D, firearms: railgun pistols 4D+2, grenade 4D, melee combat: vibroblade 7D, melee parry 3D+2, missile weapons 4D
KNOWLEDGE: 2D+1
Survival: space 8D
MECHANICAL: 2D+2
Space transports 4D, starship gunnery 3D
PERCEPTION: 3D+1
STRENGTH: 3D
Stamina 5D
TECHNICAL: 2D+1
Armor repair 4D, blaster repair 3D+2, demolitions 6D, firearms repair 3D+1, security 5D, space transports repair 4D+1, starship weapon repair 4D

Character Points: 2-4
Move: 10
Equipment: Kashan B-12 blaster rifle (6D), Kashan railgun pistol (5D+2), heavy blaster pistol (5D), vibroblade (STR+3D), 6 grenades (5D), comlink, medpac, armored vacuum suit (+1D to resist damage, -2 from Dexterity and all related skills)

PDF Army

The PDF Army is extremely small in comparison to the massive hordes of Navy troopers that are in service of the PDF and perform the same roles as your typical army infantry man. The PDF Army is considered the elite men and women of the PDF and are only called upon when a job is too much for PDF Navy Troopers to carry out.

Each PDF heavy cruiser carries at least anywhere from a squad to a full platoon of army troopers that rarely see any action as hordes of navy troopers on board to everything. Most of the PDF army is stationed on Kashan, with a handful on each of the other mem ber worlds to keep the local governments happy.

Army troopers receive extensive training in various combat techniques as well as instruction in the operation of combat vehicles. When deployed as a squad of eight men, each trooper usually rides a PDF swoop, if terrain permits.

PDF troopers take pride in their swoops and often times a squad will elect some sort of mascot and paint its likeness on their swoops. The swoops enable army troopers to easily get from one place to another while on patrol and often times provide the extra firepower needed during light assaults.

The typical PDF army trooper uniform consists of a dark green jumpsuit with the letters 'KS' on either shoulder (the letters 'PDF' are rarely seen on anything they wear). Worn over the jumpsuit is usually a piece of armor such as a blast vest with several small pockets that tend to be used to hold extra blaster clips. Additional protection is provided by light leg armor that covers the thigh, black armored knee pads, and sturdy black knee high boots. Following PDF regulations, all troopers must wear black gloves, some army troopers opt to wear the standard issue ones that the navy troopers wear while others wear black fingerless gloves, this is overlooked in the army, but not in the navy. Topping it all off, an army trooper would wear black elbow pads and a specially designed facemask (facemask is worn only when operating a swoop).

Type: PDF army trooper
DEXTERITY: 4D
Blaster 5D, blaster: blaster rifles 6D, blaster artillery 4D+2, dodge 6D, firearms 4D+2, grenade 4D+2, melee combat: vibroknife 5D+1, melee parry 4D+1, vehicle blasters 4D+1
KNOWLEDGE: 2D+1
Intimidation 4D, law enforcement 6D, streetwise 3D, survival 4D, willpower 3D
MECHANICAL: 3D
Ground vehicle operation 4D, repulsorlift operation 5D, swoop operation 4D
PERCEPTION: 3D+2
Hide 4D, investigation 4D, sneak 5D
STRENGTH: 3D
Brawling 4D, stamina 5D
TECHNICAL: 2D
Armor repair 2D+1, blaster repair 3D, demolitions 5D, firearms repair 3D, first aid 4D

Character Points: 3-7
Move: 11
Equipment: KI B-12 blaster rifle (6D), heavy blaster pistol (5D), vibroknife (STR+1D), 2 grenades (5D), infrared goggles, protective armor (+1D physical, +1 energy), comlink, Preybird swoop
Note: Some troopers receive more specialized training accounting for varying skill levels.

PDF Jurisdiction

The Palvar Defense Force has complete military and police jurisdiction over fourteen of the sixteen inhabited worlds that are no longer under Imperial rule and choose not to join the New Republic for any number of reasons.

Each member world that desires PDF protection because they are unable to adequately defend their own systems is forced to pay monthly installments directly to the PDF Treasury (also known as Kashan Systems). If a world becomes behind on these payments or simply decides to stop paying, they receive a friendly letter from Aarlis Nacirem himself asking that they kindly resume payment. Services, however, are NOT cut off even if a planet refuses to or is unable to make the payments (as most of the payments are actually used to help maintain the fleet and train new officers and soldiers) unless the world requests to leave the protective custody of the PDF. The only two non-aligned worlds in the sector that do not require the helping hand of the PDF are Setec and Wereling, both of which maintain their own small military forces.

Basic PDF membership not only entitles a planet to monthly charges but a system patrol (that is typically made up of 1-4 Slawn-class cruisers) that ranges in size depending upon the location of the planet relative to both Imperial and Republic territory and the amount paid out to the PDF each month. On request only the PDF will deploy ground troops to help maintain the local peace. Most worlds opt to keep at least a platoon of PDF Army troopers and a regiment of PDF Navy troopers that they deploy over their own world as they see fit.

PDF Research and Development

PDF research and development is an extremely important aspect as improved technology means more power and more profit. Aarlis Nacirem personally ordered the creation of a research dedicated company and worked with the owner of Kashan Industries (not a part of Kashan Systems as most people tend to think) to form Kashan Technological Development (KTD).

Kashan Technological Development incorporates the most advanced research facilities in the sector and employs the top scientists as well. They have an entire department dedicated to the advancement of interstellar travel as well as another dedicated to weapons research.

Profits that are made as a direct result from anything developed by KTD are equally shared between Kashan Industries and Kashan Systems.

Relations with the Empire

The Palvar Defense Force was able to grow without Imperial intervention due to a deal struck with Moff Uhlmann, the local Imperial commander. Both Kashan Systems and Kashan Industries openly trade with the local Imperials but maintain no official relationship.

There are several documented incidents where both Imperial and PDF forces have been in stand off, but there has yet to be any open engagements between the two.

Relations with the Republic

There is little acceptance of the Republic in the Palvar Sector as it is almost entirely dominated by Imperial and PDF forces. The PDF has no open relations with the Republic and due to contrasting interests there will most likely never be any relations in the near future.

The PDF has adopted the old Alliance tactic of hiring privateers to conduct commerce raids, most of which have been targeted against Republic convoys (and a few Imperial convoys as well). Other than commerce raiding on the part of the PDF, there has been no open engagements between the two.

Supplement Navigation
Previous
Next
Introduction
Chapter Two - Corporations of the Palvar Sector