How to turn Trandoshans into Heroes

[Ninjaxenomorph]

Ok, for my upcoming game, I am mainly aiming for a cinematic feel. All of the other characters have the capacity to be 'heroic', or at least get the chance to be. I've run into some trouble, though, trying to accommodate my pair of Trandoshan bounty hunter siblings. I can somewhat limit them since they are part of a guild ("We didn't get that bounty. Just to spite those Imperials, keep the mark safe from other hunters."), but the fact that they are also Trandoshans, a species cast in the villain role almost* every time they appear! is causing me problems.

I can get away with keeping Wookies out of it; hell, it just means that I have an easy way for antagonists to be opposed by the party, use Wookies that aren't exactly stand-up guys. Plenty of those exist in WEG material. However, since their goal in life is 1) acquire Jagganeth points and 2) acquire bounty paychecks, I am having trouble, at least in my head, justifying having the pair of hunters working with pretty much anyone I want them to: smugglers, rebels, scum like that. How can I justify having them around, without saying 'Suck it up, do you want to play Star Wars or not?'

* I know about Qyzen Fess, but I'm not willing to make anyone some sort of chosen one

[Raven Redstar]

Well, most Trandoshians learn their skills as hunters from their parents. Perhaps something you can suggest is that their parents tried to instill in them a sense of honor for the hunt. That it's just as important or even more important to the scorekeeper how they get their points, not just how many points they get. Or perhaps a sense of gaining points for doing what's right and fighting against the odds: that some points are actually worth more than others.

Just an idea.
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RR
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[nuclearwookiee]

If you can't make them "good" guys, maybe you can at least make them more dependent on the rest of the party by closing other avenues. Maybe they take a bounty on the wrong person and end up with a huge bounty on their own heads. I'm thinking someone who turns out to be one of those political appointee Imperial Moffs or something, someone who can afford an exorbitant personal bounty on the characters in addition to being wanted by the Empire. If it gets dangerous enough in the universe for your Trandoshans, they might see the wisdom in keeping what friends are available (Rebel Alliance, etc). If you actually play out the bounty-gone-wrong scenario, it might be an easier pill for them to swallow.

[Ninjaxenomorph]

That's a good idea, actually; I was planning to play up conflict between the Guild and the Empire. I could play up the Trando brothers' bounty gone wrong as the turning point.

In fact, that's a great idea. The kind that gives me plans, AKA the best kind.

[DougRed4]

Good suggestions here already.

Let me just add that I think it's wise sometimes to sit down with the players (before you start play, or soon after) to - completely out of character and from a meta perspective - share common goals for you and for the rest of the players.

Don't be afraid to say "Perhaps you could tone down that aspect, as it's not going to mesh well with the campaign's style". There can still be a lot of personal freedom, but having a couple of characters that actually plan to be really brutal and villainous could end up being problematic, if you're going for a very heroic vibe.
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Currently Running: Villains & Vigilantes (a 32-year-old campaign with multiple groups) and D6 Star Wars; mostly on hiatus are Adventures in Middle-earth and Delta Green

[garhkal]

As a question, what the heck are Jagganeth points?
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[Ninjaxenomorph]

Excellent question: Wookiepedia says: "Jagannath points were a concept of the Trandoshan religion. Jagannath points were earned by hunters for each kill, and when they died, the Scorekeeper would tally the points to determine the hunter's place in the afterlife. To be captured alive was the greatest of humiliations, and reset a Trandoshan's lifetime score back to nothing, invalidating a lifetime's work. "

I am also allowing them to count captured bounties for points. Religious sect, or something. Maybe follow Qyzen Fess's model of Strong and Weak.

[Dromdarr_Alark]

Soft thing wants to validate Trandoshan. Is hatchling mistake.
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"I still wouldn't have a roll for it - but that's just how I roll."

[garhkal]

[Dromdarr_Alark]

[strongarm85]

The Trandoshan in my Rebellion campaign joined up with the Rebellion because he thought it would be an excellent opportunity to score Jaganath points.

[Edheldun]

Is there any sort of recurring NPC that the Trandoshans are fond of and would carry emotional weight if they were captured or killed by the villain. Maybe something horrible could happen to their clan, guild, or sect leader.

Looking for revenge isn't exactly the same thing as being heroic, but it could get them on board with the rest of the party and maybe lead to some tense moments later one where players come into conflict over how to best defeat their enemy (the Trandoshans knock down anyone in their path, while the other players try to show more discretion towards innocents).

[Whill]

[Kytross]

How about an update? You started this in June, how are things going?