World Between Worlds as RPG Home Rule

In this post I discuss a Star Wars D&D Home Rule based on the mysterious phenomenon introduced relatively recently in the Star Wars universe, called the World Between Worlds.

Background

The World Between Worlds was introduced in the animated series “Rebels”, and then revisited in the live action Ahsoka series. In the Ahsoka series, Ahsoka is pulled into the World Between Worlds by the Force Ghost of Anakin Skywalker, to receive a final lesson from her former Master. She was his padawan before he became Darth Vader, and now she is able to train with her Master Anakin Skywalker again (albeit as an older woman) long after the death of Darth Vader. Luke of course “saved” his father, allowing Anakin to cross over into the Light of the Force, making Ahsoka’s reconnection with Anakin possible.

In my adventures, I implement the home rule as follows: Luke (from the end of The Last Jedi timeline) occupies the World Between Worlds as a Force Ghost, with the ability to pull multiple characters out of any point in the established cannon timeline, and move them to another point in the timeline, to have an adventure only possible in such a multiverse. The kids love this mechanism because it allows them to pick any characters in the Star Wars Universe to adventure together, even if the characters they select are from different eras in the Star Wars timeline. For instance, Senator Padme Amidala can go on an adventure with Princess Leia, the Mandalorian can go on an adventure with Rey Skywalker; and they can all battle together Jabba the Hutt and his henchmen on the Sail Barge above the Sarlacc Pit to save Han!

Implementation

In my pre-game setup, I first have the players (kids) pick their characters from anywhere in the Star Wars timeline. I have a rather extensive Star Wars figure collection, so we look through the collection and find the action figure that most closely matches the character they have in mind. I then create a back story for each of their characters, describing a moment the kids are familiar with from the movies or tv series, such that each character has an individual story of when and where they are pulled out of the cannon timeline and into the World Between Worlds by Force Ghost Luke. For instance:

“Senator Padme Amidala picks the lock of her handcuffs and climbs to the top of the pillar that formerly restrained her, attempting to evade a Nexu cat creature in the arena on Geonosis. The cat creature swings its claws digging into Padme’s back! But just as Padme screams in pain, a portal of swirling blue and white light appears in the space beside her, and two hands reach out and pull her through to a strange platform which appears to be floating in space!”.

A similar story is told for each of the player characters, until they all are assembled. “On the platform with Padme, sit Ezra Bridger, the Mandalorian, Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Rey Skywalker, who have all been similarly abducted. Though some of the characters are familiar with one another, there is something off about them– they appear either younger or older than expected, and others don’t know each other at all, having been taken from entirely different generations in the timeline. So there is much confusion about what is going on, and some weapons are drawn. An elderly man who identifies himself as Luke approaches the group, and tells them to not be afraid. He explains that he has gathered them together here because each possess talents uniquely necessary for an important mission.” The mission parameters are then explained in typical D&D 5e style.

The mission may take place at a location in the Star Wars timeline familiar to some– but the outcome, given the characters’ presence together will create a new branch in the timeline (multiverse), with a different outcome, hopefully in alignment with the mission objectives that Luke presents to the characters. Of course, any perceived problems with the timeline that result from the adventure can be remedied through the use of the World Between Worlds, just use your imagination, as normally required in D&D. I hope this post has been helpful!

This post is meant to inspire new possibilities within your own Star Wars D&D adventures. Please feel free to modify, limit or extend, the rule if desired for use within your own campaign.

May the Force be with you!