Chuck was excited about his new Star Wars game. He had recently bought the d20 version of the Star Wars role-playing game, and had his group together. Tony was playing a scoundrel, Karen and her new boyfriend Jeff were playing a pair of Twi’lek scouts, and Larry was playing a noble from the Republic. Chuck was most interested in his other player, Kenny, who always had a surprise or two when it came to role-playing. Kenny had a smirk on his face, one that Chuck knew all too well. This meant trouble. “Kenny, whatcha playing?”
Kenny looked up, smiled, and said, “I’m going to play a Wookiee Jedi!”
Introduction:
Playing a Wookiee Jedi or some other Force-using Jedi is always an enticing prospect for many a player of the Star Wars roleplaying game. Combining the might of the Wookiee with the power of the Force makes for quite a challenging character!
This article will give some tips on role-playing Wookiee Force-users, and will focus primarily on playing a Wookiee Jedi.
Can a Wookiee Become a Jedi?
According to all the rules, Wookiees can most certainly be Jedi. They have a strong affinity towards nature, and should be able to call upon the natural powers of the Force.
Now ask yourself that question again, this time from a role-playing standpoint. Can a Wookiee be a Jedi?
Our primary example on Wookiees is Chewbacca, who was known for his Wookiee rage and temper. Indeed, even the rulebooks mention Wookiee rage. Can a race with so much rage become a Jedi?
Becoming a Wookiee Jedi:
One could become a Wookiee Jedi in many ways. During the Tales of the Jedi and Rise of the Empire eras, there would be some testing to see if a character had Force potential. A Wookiee who was trained since birth could have definite control over his rage.
In the New Republic and New Jedi Order eras, Jedi are rare enough as it is. Wookiees who demonstrate Force abilities may very well find themselves contacted by the Jedi Academy.
Wookiees have a harder time becoming a Jedi during the Rebellion Era. Finding any other Jedi is nigh impossible, and even if they did – would the Jedi actually train a Wookiee?
One of the most interesting ways for a Wookiee to become a Jedi is to have the Wookiee be Force-sensitive and then owe a life debt to a Jedi Master. The Wookiee may feel obligated to become a Jedi padawan himself. With my character Kurrelgyrre, I had him owe a life debt to a Jedi Master who had died saving his life. Kurrelgyrre felt so strongly about his life debt, that he spent the rest of his life searching for Jedi, and trying to fill the void left by the loss of his old master.
Wookiee Rage vs. Jedi Control:
Wookiees are known for their rage. Han Solo mentioned how Wookiees were known for pulling people’s arms out of their sockets. Jedi, on the other hand, must maintain control so as to master their emotions and their Force abilities.
How then does one reconcile the two?
The answer is that you don’t, or at least not wholly. The conflict between rage and control is a fascinating one, to say the least, and is one that many players and game masters can have fun exploring.
The key concept here is that there must be a line that the Wookiee Jedi walks on. He strives for the light, but is always a step away from the dark.
Pitfalls of Wookiee Jedi:
The biggest pitfall to playing a Wookiee Jedi is what I like to call “Chewbacca with a lightsaber”. Certainly, Chewbacca is our prime example of what a Wookiee should be. However, not all Wookiees are Chewbacca.
Also, make certain your Wookiee Jedi fits the group you’re playing with. Nothing can bring a game down like having a Wookiee Jedi in a group of smugglers and bounty hunters. While this is a general rule of thumb for any character, the Wookiee Jedi can be exceptionally bad, due to Wookiee temperaments.
Force Adepts:
Not all Wookiee Force-users become Jedi. Some turn towards the path of the Force Adept.
In ancient times, Wookiee Force-users were known as the Lorraccannash, or Spirit Shamans. Spirit Shamans could feel the power of the living forests around them, and drew upon the life energy of Kashyyyk.
The Lorraccannash are very rare indeed. Ancient legends says that they only come about once every thousand years, although actual accounts often show a different tale on their frequency.. Often, the Lorraccannash are seen as spiritual leaders and prophets, who bring about times of great peace and prosperity.
One Lorraccannash from ancient times turned away from the path of light set about by tradition, and became a Chabbrakkash, or Devil Shaman. Brekkatharral the Marauder, as he is recorded in history, gathered the dark creatures of Kashyyyk’s forests and nearly destroyed his Wookiee brethren. He was eventually stopped, but at the cost of many lives.
Wookiee Force-users in modern times are more aware of the greater galaxy, and often turn towards the Jedi way. However, the path of the Jedi is not for all, and some Wookiees follow the path of the Lorraccannash even in modern times.
Whether a Wookiee follows the path of Jedi or that of Lorraccannash, they are all respected the same as Spirit Shamans.
The Dark Side:
The Dark Side is an easy one for the Wookiee Force-user. A Wookiee’s rage opens him up to the path of anger and hate. Many take the Rage feat found in the Dark Side Sourcebook.
Wookiee Dark Side users usually take on the Dark Side Marauder prestige class found in the Dark Side Sourcebook, combining their awesome fighting prowess with their skill in the Force. Wookiee Force Adepts make prime candidates for this prestige class, taking the path of the Chabbrakkash, or Devil Shaman.
The Sith disciplines are often too structured, and require too much control for a Wookiee Force-user. However, it is not impossible for a Wookiee to become a Sith, especially a Sith Warrior. The few Wookiee Jedi there have been have always been susceptible to the Sith way, as only Jedi training can give the Wookiee control enough to handle the Sith arts.
Final Thoughts:
Playing a Wookiee Force-user is not always an easy task, especially for those who choose the path of the Jedi. Always remember that control over the Force will always be at odds with Wookiee rage.
The rewards of playing such a unique character can be very rewarding, especially with the work it will take to make a Wookiee Force-user a success.