Dana Cadwell

Dana Cadwell was a Human female reporter who called the planet Gandle Ott home, a world situated within the Kathol sector of the Outer Rim Territories. She was employed by NewsNet KatholNet and also held the position of planetary correspondent for TriNebulon News. Cadwell was a recognizable and influential figure, often invited to prominent gatherings, but she yearned to leave Gandle Ott and secure a position with a larger news organization outside the Kathol sector.

During 8 ABY, Moff Kentor Sarne, the Imperial warlord in control of the Kathol sector, was retreating from his capital city on Kal'Shebbol due to pressure from the New Republic forces. Sarne sought refuge on Gandle Ott, replenished his supplies, and departed with the majority of the planet's Imperial personnel, which included the governor and the defense force. This exodus created a power struggle on Gandle Ott, with both Vice-Governor Marja Lang and General Herron Dade vying for leadership of the remaining government. Cadwell immediately recognized that Sarne's departure, coupled with the New Republic's arrival in the Kathol sector, presented the perfect opportunity to gain the attention of TriNebulon News.

Shortly after Sarne's exit, the New Republic CR90 corvette FarStar entered orbit while in pursuit of Sarne. Upon the FarStar's landing at Montrol Spaceport, Cadwell joined a large group of media representatives to witness a meeting between a delegation from the corvette and Acting-Governor Lang, Mayor Stanfeld Duffit, and Olaver Lansel, Gandle Ott's Imperial liaison. As the FarStar delegation moved through the spaceport, Cadwell tried to uncover the FarStar's mission by posing questions about Moff Sarne, the rumors surrounding his exotic technology, and the New Republic's intentions regarding Gandle Ott. The following day, Cadwell covered the Ceremonial Mushroom Cutting, an event presided over by General Herron Dade, during which he effectively declared independence from the Empire and encouraged Gandle Ott to take control of its own destiny.

Dana Cadwell was known for her strawberry blonde hair, her preference for sophisticated, understated attire, and her habit of carrying her essential equipment with her at all times. She was street-smart, perceptive, and well-connected within Gandle Ott society. Doggedly determined, she was an investigative reporter with a knack for uncovering facts and hidden truths. Cadwell's loyalty was primarily to herself, and securing a compelling story was always her foremost concern. She possessed a functional understanding of bureaucratic processes and a keen interest in planetary systems and cultures. She was also capable of operating a repulsorlift vehicle. Despite her established position on Gandle Ott, Cadwell harbored a strong desire to attract the attention of a major news organization and relocate to a planet closer to the galactic core, in the center of the galaxy.

Dana Cadwell made her debut in Death Is Remotely Possible, which was the third RPG adventure featured in The DarkStryder Campaign, released by West End Games in 1995. Gamemasters can utilize Cadwell to either assist or obstruct the player characters during their time spent on Gandle Ott. Given Cadwell's self-serving nature and her prioritization of the story, she holds no inherent feelings about the FarStar's visit, and her attitude towards the crew will depend on the outcome of their initial encounter. Gamemasters can employ Cadwell to guide the characters back on course, extricate them from difficult situations, or deliberately mislead them. As both an investigative reporter and a prominent figure in Gandle Ott society, Cadwell could plausibly appear at any point during the adventure.

Cadwell receives a mention in the subsequent adventure, Shintel Downtime; during the events of this scenario, the FarStar finds itself stranded within the Shintel system. Players are presented with two options: either dispatch their hyperdrive-equipped T-65 X-wing starfighters to seek assistance or salvage the X-wing's hyperdrives to temporarily repair the FarStar's engines, allowing it to limp towards the Tanquilla Beach shadowport. If the players choose to send their fighters back to Gandle Ott, Cadwell accompanies a rescue cruiser back to Shintel to report on the New Republic starship that became stranded and required assistance from Imperial forces. However, Shintel Downtime assumes that the players reach Tanquilla Beach by improvising engine repairs, implying that Cadwell's involvement in the adventure did not occur.