Obscure Character Archive!

[Telsij]

One more of my "forgotten" Kenner figure write-ups, this time from the 1985 post-Rotj Power of the Force subline, which included a collector's coin and whose name was later re-used for the late 90's "muscle-bound" Special Edition era of figures.

The original Kenner figure was sculpted in the likeness of Barada, but was painted to resemble Kithaba. Which character the figure actually represents is of course left to the discretion of the GM / your 1980's childhood self, but because official stats of Barada already exist, here then is "Barada II" KITHABA from Return of the Jedi.


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KITHABA (Barada II)
Type: Indomitable Assassin



DEXTERITY 4D+1
Blaster 5D+1, brawling parry 5D+2, dodge 5D, melee combat 6D+1, melee parry 5D+1
KNOWLEDGE 2D
Intimidation 6D, planetary systems 4D, streetwise 5D+2, survival 5D, willpower 6D+2
MECHANICAL 3D
Musical instrument operation 4D+1, repulsorlift operation 4D+2, space transports 4D+1,
starfighter piloting 3D+2
PERCEPTION 3D
Hide 4D, search 5D, sneak 4D+2
STRENGTH 4D
Brawling 6D, stamina 6D+1
TECHNICAL 2D
Demolitions 3D, musical instrument repair 3D, security 4D+1

Species: Klatooinian
Gender: Male

Force Points: 1
Character Points: 8
Move: 10



Special Abilities and Story Factors:

• Rises to the challenge: Kithaba established his reputation as a feared assassin by being relentless. Although he was sometimes outmatched by opponents or by particularly elusive targets, Kithaba managed to soldier on to victory through sheer force of will and determination alone. This led many to believe that he possessed an ability to somehow rise to a superior level of skill whenever the situation called for it.

Capsule: Why would an assassin of Kithaba’s caliber remain at such a lowly position in Jabba’s Court of his own free will? The fearsome Klatooinian was not indebted to the Hutt Cartel, nor had he been pressed into indentured servitude. Moreover, unlike many of his more traditionally-minded brethren, Kithaba did not revere the Hutts as demigods simply because of their long lifespan or history of dominion over the Klatooinian people.

The truth was that Kithaba never felt fulfilled by the business of assassination. He appeared so driven largely because he was always searching for a sense of satisfaction that was missing from a successful kill. It was not until he discovered his love of playing music that Kithaba finally felt a sense of real accomplishment. He accepted a (relatively) low-risk position within Jabba’s criminal organization simply so that he could hone his musicianship and begin to focus upon building a music career after retirement.

Despite being the first of Jabba’s vanguard to fall from the skiffs above the Great Pit of Carkoon, Kithaba was (appropriately enough) the last one seen alive — struggling valiantly against the might of the Sarlaac, relentless to the bitter end.



Equipment: BlasTech DL-18 blaster pistol (4D damage, range: 3-10/30/120, ammo: 100), force-pike (STR+2D damage, melee difficulty: Moderate), red bandana and matching pants, tan tunic-vest, three-pouch bandolier.

Sources: Return of the Jedi film, Decipher CCG, https://www.swccgstore.com/Star-Wars-CCG-Kithaba-p/12537.htm , http://www.rebelscum.com/VINtBarada.asp , and Wookieepedia. Images: http://www.rebelscum.com/VINtBarada.asp (figure), https://www.swccgstore.com/Star-Wars-CCG-Kithaba-p/12537.htm (card) and Return of the Jedi: Special Edition film. Stats and capsule text by Telsij.
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[Telsij]

Yet one more "forgotten" Kenner write-up — but this time, it's teamed with ye olde Star Wars Holiday Special.

While the "Blue Snaggletooth" Kenner story is well known by now, there was also some back-and-forth regarding the identity of the later, stockier "Red Snaggletooth" figure. Despite my issues with the "inconsistent" quality of a lot of the writing therein, Wookieepedia — ever the invaluable resource! — actually does explain it pretty well:

[Whill]

https://rancorpit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=168069#168069

[Telsij]

[Ray]

Oh oh oh!!! Do Gunny next!

[GreenSnaggletooth]

Great write up on Zutmore! I've always had a soft spot for Snivvians!

[Whill]

[Telsij]

[Telsij]

FINALLY getting the chance to finish off the last couple of Solo characters that I had previously claimed as part of the Solo: A Star Wars Story sourcebook project from the G+ days. After our Nithorn friend below, of my formally-claimed Solo characters write-ups, only the Dwuni brothers Crodit and Blawz, and Zuzanu Lett, remain outstanding.

Per the blurb for HIRANG BIRREN here: https://www.starwars.com/news/secrets-of-the-solo-a-star-wars-story-creature-shop , the costume/character was known as "Parrot Man." So in a meta-nod to that, I leaned into parrot-like language acquisition characteristics, and the song/music-associations with the two individuals we have as examples of the species, to supplement the scant info about the NITHORN and Birren himself!

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HIRANG BIRREN
Type: Absent-minded Talent Scout

DEXTERITY 2D
Dance 2D+1
KNOWLEDGE 3D+1
Alien species 5D, business: cruise ship entertainment 5D, cultures 5D+2,
languages 5D+1, planetary systems 4D+2, scholar: music 6D, value 4D
MECHANICAL 2D+2
Musical instrument operation 3D+2
PERCEPTION 3D+2
Bargain: contract negotiation 5D, search 4D+2, search: musical talent 6D
STRENGTH 2D
TECHNICAL 2D+1

Species: Nithorn
Gender: Male
Character Points: 1
Move: 10

Special Abilities & Story Factors:

• "Gutteral Birdsong" and Overtone Singing: Not unlike real world overtone singing which originated in the Mongolian and Tuuvan regions, or in-universe songs such as “Sugaan Essena” (performed by the Hu, as heard in the Jedi Fallen Order video game), the Nithorn have an affinity for a style of singing in which the performer manipulates resonances in order to produce additional overtones above the fundamental note being sung. This resonant tuning, created in the vocal tract, allows singers to produce more than one pitch at the same time (ie: the fundamental pitch and one or more selected overtones), while actually generating only a single fundamental frequency with their vocal folds. In some circles, this has been referred to in a derogatory manner, termed “Gutteral birdsong.” In game terms, Nithorn gain a +1D bonus to any rolls related to, or attempts at, throat-singing or overtone singing.
  
  
• Just Vibin': Hirang Birren has such a deep appreciation and love for music that when a tune moves him, he more often than not loses himself in a performance. Absent-mindedly singing along or swaying subconsciously to the music, he is often so enrapt that he becomes semi-oblivious to his surroundings otherwise. In game terms, when Birren encounters a musical performance or song he enjoys, and when in non-dangerous circumstances, he must make an Easy willpower check to avoid becoming distracted by it, and suffering a -1D penalty to all actions as a result. If in dangerous conditions, the difficulty of this willpower check is reduced to Very Easy.
  
  
• Keratin Beak: The beak of the Nithorn inflicts STR+2 physical damage if used to bite or peck when brawling.
  
  
• Language Acquisition/Affinity: Perhaps due to their own facility for vocal overtones, Nithorn have a gift for languages as well. They are able not only to quickly parrot the unique sounds of languages still foreign to them, but they also progress toward proficiency in new languages faster than many other species. In game terms, at character creation, Nithorn gain 2D for every 1D placed in the languages skill. In addition, rather than having to make 10 Difficult skill checks in order to gain fluency in a particular language, the difficulty for Nithorn is reduced by one level, allowing them to roll against Moderate difficulty to gain fluency.
  
  
• Recumbent Crest: The crest of feathers "displayed" atop a male Nithorn's head is often used for persuasive purposes, and is often reflective of that Nithorn's mood or disposition — an evolutionary callback to the species' ancestral mating signals and practices. In game terms, if a male Nithorn spends a full round presenting his crest feathers while performing no other actions, and succeeds on an opposed willpower check, he gains a bonus to his Persuasion checks against his target romantic partner, equal to +1 for every +3 by which he beat his potential romantic partner's roll. This bonus lasts for a number of rounds equal to the margin by which he won the opposed roll. However, a female Nithorn in turn gains a +1D bonus to her opposed willpower roll if she has more than one suitor, with an additional +1 bonus per additional suitor beyond the second.

Capsule: Often a guest aboard the Nau'ur-class yacht of Crimson Dawn underboss Dryden Vos, Hirang Birren was a cruise ship talent scout with a keen ear for music. Prone to getting caught up in the performances of talent he had either "discovered" or booked, Birren will often unwittingly sing along with the yacht's entertainment in his own gutteral birdsong... *especially* if he has had a drink or two.

Equipment: Holocorder and recording rod, metal cocktail tumbler, silk shirt, sateen-collared-and-cuffed formal longcoat.

Sources: Solo: A Star Wars Story film, Solo: A Star Wars: Story: The Official Guide (p.80-81), https://alienanthology.wordpress.com/2018/04/03/showdown-at-dennys/ , Wookieepedia, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtone_singing . Capsule text adapted from Solo: A Star Wars: Story: The Official Guide (p.80-81). Image: Wookieepedia-cropped costume test/behind-the-scenes image from https://www.starwars.com/news/secrets-of-the-solo-a-star-wars-story-creature-shop . Stats and additional original capsule text by Telsij.


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Above: A Nithorn at the Lodge on Vandor, performing overtone singing, circa 10 BBY.*


NITHORN

Attribute Dice: 12D
DEXTERITY: 1D/4D
KNOWLEDGE: 1D+1/4D+1
MECHANICAL: 1D/4D
PERCEPTION: 1D/3D+2
STRENGTH: 1D/4D
TECHNICAL:1D/4D

Move: 10/12

Special Abilities & Story Factors:

• "Gutteral Birdsong" and Overtone Singing: Not unlike real world overtone singing which originated in the Mongolian and Tuuvan regions, or in-universe songs such as “Sugaan Essena” (performed by the Hu, as heard in the Jedi Fallen Order video game), the Nithorn have an affinity for a style of singing in which the performer manipulates resonances in order to produce additional overtones above the fundamental note being sung. This resonant tuning, created in the vocal tract, allows singers to produce more than one pitch at the same time (ie: the fundamental pitch and one or more selected overtones), while actually generating only a single fundamental frequency with their vocal folds. In some circles, this has been referred to in a derogatory manner, termed “Gutteral birdsong.” In game terms, Nithorn gain a +1D bonus to any rolls related to, or attempts at, throat-singing or overtone singing.
  
  
• Keratin Beak: The beak of the Nithorn inflicts STR+2 physical damage if used to bite or peck when brawling.
  
  
• Language Acquisition/Affinity: Perhaps due to their own facility for vocal overtones, Nithorn have a gift for languages as well. They are able not only to quickly parrot the unique sounds of languages still foreign to them, but they also progress toward proficiency in new languages faster than many other species. In game terms, at character creation, Nithorn gain 2D for every 1D placed in the languages skill. In addition, rather than having to make 10 Difficult skill checks in order to gain fluency in a particular language, the difficulty for Nithorn is reduced by one level, allowing them to roll against Moderate difficulty to gain fluency.
  
  
• Recumbent Crest: The crest of feathers "displayed" atop a male Nithorn's head is often used for persuasive purposes, and is often reflective of that Nithorn's mood or disposition — an evolutionary callback to the species' ancestral mating signals and practices. In game terms, if a male Nithorn spends a full round presenting his crest feathers while performing no other actions, and succeeds on an opposed willpower check, he gains a bonus to his Persuasion checks against his target romantic partner, equal to +1 for every +3 by which he beat his potential romantic partner's roll. This bonus lasts for a number of rounds equal to the margin by which he won the opposed roll. However, a female Nithorn in turn gains a +1D bonus to her opposed willpower roll if she has more than one suitor, with an additional +1 bonus per additional suitor beyond the second.

Sources: Solo: A Star Wars Story film, Solo: A Star Wars: Story: The Official Guide (p.80-81), Solo-themed Denny's television commercial https://youtu.be/uIWiCjiYi7o?t=11 , https://www.starwars.com/news/secrets-of-the-solo-a-star-wars-story-creature-shop , Wookieepedia, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtone_singing . Capsule text adapted from Solo: A Star Wars: Story: The Official Guide (p.80-81). Image: https://alienanthology.wordpress.com/2018/04/03/showdown-at-dennys/ . Stats and additional original text by Telsij.

*My personal headcanon has this character as also being Hirang Birren, who is using the seedy "keep a low-profile" environs of the Lodge to surreptitiously indulge his desire to sing. But because this singer may soon be given with his own distinct canon identity, this idea is not incorporated into Birren's stats (for now).
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[Telsij]

With what I believe is the official release of issue six of Star Wars: Adventurer's Journal announced in mid-late November, I'm now in the clear to post the article I wrote which appears therein! And so, to celebrate that and today’s rare “Great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter” making for an apt astronomy-themed connection — it’s been “... 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night...” per NASA — here are ZIGO STELLARSAND and PROJECT STARMAN!

A character and concept inspired not only by David Bowie’s various stage personas, but also and more specifically by unused TROS concept art by Calum Alexander Watt, whose permission to use the art for non-commercial/hobby purposes I secured for Adventurer's Journal #6. (Note: The Aurek Jenth character referenced in the Project Starman article is the AJ’s continuing solo-adventure character, who has been drawn to resemble and homage David Bowie, while the director of Project Starman is none other than Afrofuturist-pioneer, and self-proclaimed extraterrestrial, "Sun Ra.")

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PROJECT STARMAN


Project Starman was supposed to do what the Empire — and the Republic before it — could not: introduce people to the wonders of space travel, but without fear… and without faction. Founded in the waning days of the Clone Wars, yet only truly hitting their exploratory stride during the Imperial and New Republic eras, the independent organization known as Project Starman soon became a fixture of Wild Space and Unknown Region exploration, largely because of its approach: Project Starman mission crews were composed of Hyperspace Scouts carefully selected for an ability to navigate new cultures with tact.

These social-specialists were tasked with making crucial “first contact” with newly spacefaring peoples. And in the strife-torn galaxy, these “Starmen” were specifically instructed to welcome nascent spacers into galactic culture without conflict, and without the trauma of war. The Starmen would often live among a people first, conducting research, sometimes for years, to ensure that they established contact using as familiar and approachable — yet aspirational — appeals as possible.

The charismatic Zigo Stellarsand was one such scout.

A Clawdite who used a primarily masculine but still-androgynous persona, even when in his natural form, Zigo was a born performer. And he supplemented that talent with ongoing study of music and song. Countless trips spent mapping hyperlanes would only bolster the strength of this musicianship. And in time, he could “shred the hallikset” better than many professionals.

Serving thus as vanguard for Project Starman, Zigo made his way to uncharted worlds and used his shapeshifting abilities to live amongst and as one of various peoples, learning what appealed to them and what their own culture might most appreciate about the larger galaxy. And of course, wherever he went Zigo sang and played his hallikset, wooing people into the wonder of stars above.

After many cycles of success, Zigo himself became the “star” of the Starman scouting program. Even his incognito persona had transformed into only a thinly-veiled version of his own cool, swaggering personality. And it was not long before heads of Project Starman recognized the strength of his otherworldly charisma, as cultures with whom he made first contact remembered him fondly and spoke well of their experience with him specifically. Zigo was good. Perhaps too good….

His scouting support-team — so diverse in technical skills that their multi-pronged, multi-faceted versatility earned them the nickname “The Spiders” — grew jealous. Demand for Zigo’s deployment on missions began to exceed those of other scouts. Even other Clawdites were outshined because they were incapable of matching Stellarsand’s charisma. And so, feelings of resentment arose amongst the Spiders. Some members suggested they cripple and crush Zigo’s sweet hallikset-playing hands, just to teach him a lesson. What actually wound up happening was far worse however... starship sabotage!

En route to a newly discovered system on the edge of Wild Space and the Unknown Regions, Zigo’s starship suffered a deadly malfunction. A suddenly suspiciously-faulty hyperdrive motivator gave out at the worst possible time. So where were the Spiders? (In)conveniently out of range. Incommunicado.

Fortunately, a man named Aurek Jenth spied the ship going down. And he intervened in time to save Zigo’s life. But all was not well with the Clawdite. By Jenth’s own account, the near-death experience appeared to have driven Zigo mad. It was a “miracle” that the Clawdite lived, yes, but how Zigo explained chance and happenstance was anything but either. Anything but random.

Zigo claimed to have seen "The Other Side” during his wayward sojourn through hyperspace. He claimed to have physically touched a “higher plane of being” — a Project Starman concept used to convince newly spare-faring but-still-superstitious civilizations of the benefits of space travel. But the way Zigo explained it? A religious experience that only seeing the cosmos could provide.

“It was no hazy cosmic jive,” Jenth quoted Zigo as saying that night. He — Zigo Stellarsand, First Contact Scout for Project Starman — *was a Starman* waiting in the sky. Perhaps even *the* Starman, a messiah destined to deliver any and all who were willing to join him, to their greater destiny.

And because Aurek Jenth’s was the first face Zigo saw upon awakening, the Clawdite instinctively mimicked Jenth’s form — although it was a stylized likeness, an amalgam also inspired by the kaleidoscope of sensation Zigo felt permeating his being as he was wrenched from hyperspace. Since that fateful night, it would be some form of Jenth’s face that Stellarsand — henceforth answering only to "Starman" — would wear for the rest of his days. Days that would be spent as a self-proclaimed messiah, leading peoples who were only now discovering space, on a “mystical journey” aimed at achieving their true potential.

Even years later, Aurek Jenth often retold the tale of Zigo Stellarsand: the Starman who now bore *his* face. It was a story he spun as a cautionary tale, but in its telling, Jenth always made clear that Zigo was earnest in his messianic altruism.

The “Starman” still travels the galaxy to this day, introducing alien civilizations to the siren song of the true frontier — and to space travel’s life-changing possibilities. But only if “you” heeded his call. Only if you embraced it. Opened yourself up to it. Gave yourself up to it. Maybe it was the Force whispering to him. Maybe it was something else, entirely new. Either way, if you opened yourself up to the infinite possibilities of the cosmos, maybe you could feel it — use it, whatever *it* was — too.

As Aurek Jenth said, “There's a starman waiting in the sky. He'd like to come and meet us, but he thinks he'd blow our minds. There's a starman waiting in the sky. He's told us not to blow it, cause he knows it's all worthwhile. He told me: Let the children lose it. Let the children use it. Let all the children boogie. I had to tell someone so I picked on you. Hey, that's far out, so you heard him too. Switch on the HoloNet, we may pick him up on channel two. Look out your window, I can see his light, if we can sparkle he may too.”


PROJECT STARMAN

Type: Interstellar scouting organization (private non-profit entity; initially comprised of volunteers)
Headquarters: Spaceport THX1138, Earth system, Fath sector, Galactic Grid Coordinates: K-6
Leadership: Le Sony'r Ra and his Arkestra for Ethical Exploration
Principal Activities: Establishing first contact with newly-spacefaring species, exploration, hyperlane charting, collection and analysis of planetary and populace data, stellar cartography
Known Affiliations: None
Known Adversaries: Unknown
Key Figures: Zigo Stellarsand (most well-known Project Starman scout), Le Sony'r Ra (project director, ethical exploration advisor, self-proclaimed “cosmic philosopher”)
Area of Operations: Primarily Wild Space and Unknown Regions, though based in Outer Rim.
Size: 250-500+ scouts (Clone War / Rise of Empire era), 1000+ scouts (Imperial to New Republic era).


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ZIGO STELLARSAND
Type: Messianic Scout

DEXTERITY 2D+1
Blaster 5D, brawling parry 3D+1, dance 4D+1, dodge 5D+1, running 3D+2
KNOWLEDGE 3D+2
Alien species 6D+2, artist: singer-songwriter 6D, bureaucracy: Project Starman 4D+2, cultures 6D+2, languages 5D+2, planetary systems 7D, streetwise 4D+2, survival 5D, value 4D, willpower 4D+1
MECHANICAL 3D+1
Astrogation 6D+2, musical instrument operation 4D+1, musical instrument operation: 7-string hallikset 7D, repulsorlift operation 5D, sensors 6D, space transports 5D+1, starship gunnery 4D+2, starship shields 4D
PERCEPTION 4D
Bargain 5D+2, con 6D, con: disguise 7D, persuasion 6D+2, search 5D, (A) shapeshift 2D+2
STRENGTH 2D
Brawling 3D+2, climbing/jumping 3D+2, stamina 4D+2
TECHNICAL 2D+2
Computer programming/repair 4D+2, first aid 4D, space transport repair 4D+2

Species: Clawdite
Gender: Male
Height: 1.78 meters tall
Weight: 70kg

Force Sensitive: Yes
Force Points: 3
Character Points: 9
Move: 10

Special Abilities & Story Factors:

• Messiah Complex: As a result of a hallucinatory near-death experience during his hyperspace accident, Zigo Stellarsand now believes himself to be the “Starman” — a savior whose destiny it is to lead people to greater understanding of themselves and their role in the cosmos, through space flight.
  
  
• The Savior’s Face: Zigo no longer changes his facial features from that of a stylized, blue-skinned orange-haired version of Aurek Jenth’s likeness, one with a circular emblem on his forehead, representing the “third eye” and an ability to see beyond one’s previous perspectives and accepted abilities. As Jenth played a crucial role in saving Zigo’s life — and thus the life of the messiah-like “Starman” — Stellarsand bases any subsequent alterations in appearance upon Jenth’s face and build.
  
  
• (A) Shapeshift: Some Clawdites have developed their skin-changing talents to a greater degree, allowing them to change the length, color, shape, and texture of their hair, as well as the coloration of their eyes. This fine control can even be used to alter specific portions of the Clawdite's body. This skill counts as an Advanced skill, with a prerequisite of the Con: Disguise skill specialization at 5D or greater. The Shapeshift skill adds its dice to any Con: Disguise rolls required to imitate a member of a different humanoid species.
  
  
• Skin-Changer: Clawdites are able to change the color, texture, and shape of their skins, allowing a Clawdite to mimic that of another humanoid species of the same general physical shape. This does not allow Clawdites to generate extra limbs or other appendages, but they are able to imitate the texture and patterns of skin-tight clothing. The transformation is quite painful, and the skin-changer will revert to its normal form if stunned, unconscious, dying, or dead.

Equipment: Comlink, flight helmet, heavy blaster pistol (5D damage, range: 3-7/25/50, ammo: 25), holocorder, holster and utility-belt, seven-string hallikset, spacer’s vest, “Space Oddity” scout ship (Game Notes: Exact description of make/model varies by culture and era of play, and is dependent upon which era of Bowie music is referenced; appearance/design is thus left to GM discretion), vacuum suit.

Sources: The Art of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker book: “Star Man Pilot Version 02” character concept artwork by Calum Alexander Watt — used with artist’s written permission for hobby/non-commercial purposes, Wookieepedia, and Wikipedia. Species stats adapted from Aliens Stats fan-made D6 sourcebook credited to Thiago S. Aranha (p. 30-31). Embroidered patch images: https://www.etsy.com/listing/473395355/embroidered-patch-ziggy-stardust-david and https://www.etsy.com/listing/473392187/black-star-david-bowie-ziggy-stardust . "Project Starman" article was first published in issue six of Star Wars: Adventurer's Journal (November 2020). Use of additional Bowie iconography, for Project Starman insignia and Blackstar call sign nametag, contributed by Brian L. Bird during editing/layout phase. Stats and text by Telsij, based upon the songs “Ziggy Stardust” and “Starman” by David Bowie.


Above: "Blackstar" — Zigo Stellarsand's call sign
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[Whill]

This is awesome. I love Bowie. I just listened to Bowie in the car when I was out running errands earlier today. I love this.
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[GreenSnaggletooth]

Another top notch post!

[Telsij]

[Telsij]

MUBO
Type: Sixth-generation Droid Builder

Quotes:

• "He turns the spit, right? Mmm-hmm! That's what I programmed him to do! You're welcome."
  — Mubo, to Bakkar
  
  
• "Did you try deactivating and reactivating him again?"
  — Mubo, to Bakkar
  
  
• "Ugh, we're not getting an X-wing, J-4X."
  — Mubo, to Droid Pilot J-4X (aka "Jax")
  
  
• "Uh, yeahhh... You ever have one of those times when a cloaked 'trader' in the corner of a dimly lit cantina pays you a lot of credits to transport two special 'packages'? This is like that. But we're certainly not smuggling them! But we're probably also NOT smuggling them... Heh heh... Just get them planet-side."
  — Mubo, to "You" (his apprentice technician)

DEXTERITY 2D+2
Dodge 3D+2, brawling parry 3D, running 3D
KNOWLEDGE 2D+2
Business 4D+2, business: droid builder 6D+1, planetary systems 4D, planetary systems: Batuu 6D, streetwise 3D+2, value 4D+2, value: droids 7D+2
MECHANICAL 3D+1
Communications 4D+1, machinery operation 5D+1, sensors 5D+1
PERCEPTION 2D+2
Bargain 4D+2, bargain: droids/droid parts 5D+2, command: Droid Depot staff 4D, con 3D+2, hide 4D, investigation: tinkering 6D+1, persuasion 3D+2
STRENGTH 2D
TECHNICAL 4D+2
Computer programming/repair 6D, (A) droid engineering 3D+1, droid programming 7D, droid repair 6D+1, equipment repair 6D, systems diagnosis 6D

Species: Utai
Gender: Male

Force Points: 1
Character Points: 9
Move: 9
Size: Approximately 1.22 meters tall

Special Abilities & Story Factors:

• Darkvision: Utai can see in the dark, up to 20 meters. Darkvision is black and white only, but functions as normal vision otherwise.
  
  
• Delightfully awkward or... : Although described by those that have worked with him as "delightfully awkward", Mubo is prone to talking too much about his latest mechanical creation, and he can be stubborn or even mildly abrasive — though often unknowingly — in his dealings with organic customers who disagree with his perspective on a particular project or droid.
  
  "He’s a reasonable fellow, if not to everyone’s taste." — Salju, proprietor of Black Spire Station, to Resistance spy Vi Moradi, re: Mubo.
  
  
• Discretion is always the better part of valor: Mubo isn't a coward... per se. He just doesn't want to get hurt or get killed — like most reasonable beings! Thing is, he's more than willing to let others take the heat for him, *if* it saves his skin. Although isn't willing to let innocents die without trying to do something about it, he won't be the one jumping in headfirst blasters blazing either.
  
  Mubo: (To his apprentice technician) "Now, you and I will go to the Batuu Wilds and get those packages back."
  
  Seezelslak: "You know, the Guavian Death Gang probably didn't just stop looking for the cargo they wanted on the ship. Just sayin'."
  
  Mubo: (To self) "Oh right..." (now to his apprentice technician) "YOU'RE going to go out there and find those special packages. Alone. I have important Droid Depot things to do."
  
  R00-BY warbles incredulously at Mubo.
  
  Mubo: (to R00-BY) "Yes, I do! I just haven't told you about them yet."
  
  — Mubo, his apprentice tech, Seezelslak the Azumel bartender, and R00-BY the DRK-1 Dark Eye probe droid, discuss retrieving jettisoned "special" cargo before the Guavian Death Gang does.
  
  
• Droid Rights Supporter: Despite not being an outspoken activist on the front lines of the Droids Rights Movement, and despite acknowledging the "service" — and even servile — role droids play in modern society, the Utai engineer does stand up for (relative) droid autonomy whenever he is able. Mubo is opposed to the use of restraining bolts on droids he has built, programmed, or repaired. And if given a choice, he prefers to trust their programmed (or developed) personality matrices whenever possible. And if his hand is forced, and he must make a modification he finds questionable, Mubo will stall, make excuses, and put off the work for as long as he can, so that droids he has worked on continue to enjoy greater (relative) freedom.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Language Fluency/Proficiency: Mubo is not only fluent in Basic and the Utai species' native tongue Utapese, he can also understand (but not speak) Binary/droidspeak proficiently. In game terms, Mubo's being native to Batuu had exposed him to so many travelers and visitors over the years, that learning Basic came to him quickly. And regarding Binary/droidspeak, thanks to his growing up in a family of droidsmiths, Mubo had long ago made the 10 successful Difficult (or greater difficulty) language checks required to attain fluency, and he no longer needs to make language rolls to understand it.
  
  
• Light Sensitivity: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as direct sunlight) blinds the Utai for 1 round. In addition, they suffer a –1 penalty to actions when operating in bright light without protective eyewear.
  
  
• Low-light Vision: Utai gain a +1D bonus to Perception-based rolls in low-light conditions. Utai also retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
  
  
• Sixth-generation Droid Builder: Mubo comes from a long line of Utai droidsmiths. And by building upon the accumulated knowledge and experience of his elders, while bringing his own considerable technological know-how to bear, Mubo has proven to be the most successful and industrious practitioner of the family trade to date. In game terms, Gamemasters may wish to have players encounter earlier or later generations of Mubo's droid builder family, depending upon era of play.
  

Capsule: Anyone that visits Black Spire Outpost is familiar with the Droid Depot, the go-to shop for buying and building your own droid companion. Keeping the entire operation running is the Depot’s Utai proprietor, Mubo.

A sixth-generation droid builder and technological genius, Mubo loves tinkering in his workshop, repairing and programming the droids used throughout Black Spire Outpost. He also loves to talk about the things he’s passionate about, and is constantly showing off his latest creations. To keep business running smoothly, Mubo employs a handful of technicians and droid pilots, some of his own design, to transport parts to Batuu.

Mubo’s latest droid creation is R00-8Y, a DRK-1 Dark Eye probe droid that he’s programmed to be his own personal assistant. With her own set of modified capabilities, including an odor neutralizer, R00-8Y is now Mubo’s constant companion.

Despite R00-BY's and his apprentice technician's best efforts however, Mubo has been known to get in over his head when doing business with shadier customers....


Equipment: "All-kit" multi-purpose tool and assortment of toolkits (Mubo's other toolkits grant him either a +1D bonus to droid programming and repair rolls, or a +2 bonus to other Technical-based skills), bulk cargo transport (capable of carrying 4 speeder-to-starfighter scale cargo containers at once, via front loader prongs; capable of transferring cargo containers to and from other ships while in orbit/space), customized DRK-1 Dark Eye probe droid (R00-8Y, aka "Ruby"), "datagrip" data-nav-comm wrist unit, droid pilot (J-4X, aka "Jax"), hover-pack (used almost exclusively by Mubo's apprentice), insulated tech-weave jumpsuit with Droid Depot logo/branding (+1D protection vs. edged physical damage and +2D protection against fire, flame, or heat damage; flame retardant; covers torso, arms, and legs only), molded shoulder pauldrons and shin guards (+1D protection vs. physical and energy damage; covers shoulders and shins only), shop/workshop at Black Spire Outpost on Batuu ("Droid Depot"), trio of stock configuration training remote droids, Utai work goggles (4D effectiveness vs. flashblinding and brightly-lit conditions, custom-molded to fit Utai eyestalks; provides +1D protection vs. physical and +2 vs. energy), utility belt, vast cache of droid parts and schematics.

• ALL-KIT TOOL
  
  
  
  Model: ILMxLAB All-Kit TFGE Model 3
  Type: Multi-purpose all-in-one toolkit
  Scale: Character
  Cost: 375-400 credits
  Availability: 2
  Game Notes: All-Kit tool has three primary functions: arc probe, fusion cutter, and torque wrench (see below). If used as blunt weapon, melee difficulty: Easy, damage: STR+1D, body strength: 3D+2.
  
  
  • Arc Probe: 1D-3D effectiveness. Dual arc prongs allow for welding of metals and repairs/construction involving fusing of metal parts. If repair task involves welding of metals, wielder gains a +1D bonus for each round of tool's applied use, to a maximum of a +3D total bonus to Technical skill used to longer term repairs.
    
    
  • Fusion Cutter: 3D-6D effectiveness. Fusion torch allows for superheated “cutting” of materials. In game terms, it takes one round per 1D of body strength to cut a two-meter-by-one-meter hole. (For example: a blast door with 6D body strength would take six rounds.) If used as a weapon, the fusion cutter has range of 0.3 meters and causes 6D physical damage. If attack is not parried or evaded by target, user must make a Moderate melee combat roll to hit. Blast goggles or blast visor must be used with the cutter; anyone within one meter without proper eye protection must make a Moderate Perception or Willpower roll in order to properly look away or think to react in time to avoid being blinded for 3D rounds. If someone is blinded, apply -4D penalty to visually-based actions, similar to penalty applied for effects of total darkness.
    
    
  • Torque Wrench: 1D-3D effectiveness. Allows for the tightening or loosening of nuts, bolts, screws, and other applicable fasteners/connectors that would otherwise be far too difficult and/or impossible to do manually. In game terms, if rolls are needed, tool grants a +1D to +3D bonus to the user's Strength, with +1D added to user's Strength or Lifting roll per round of use on same target item to be tightened or loosened. In terms of real life analogues, this mode functions like a "power screwdriver."
  
  
  
• DATAGRIP
  
  Model: ILMxLAB TFGE Model Dg-L
  Type: Wrist-mounted DataNavComm unit
  Scale: Character
  Cost: 1750 credits
  Availability: 2
  Game Notes: Datagrip wrist gauntlet tracks your health, sends/receives transmissions, scans objects, and can display local navigation map overlaps. Body strength: 2D.
  
  
  • Automap Navigation: It is virtually impossible for a character using an Automap to get lost. As long as the device is remotely uplinked to a larger “live” source of data input (such as a ship’s sensors or a weather satellite) the device relays accurate information regarding the user’s precise location, including known surroundings and potential navigational hazards. An initial uplink requires a Moderate computer programming/repair roll to establish a viable connection to available live data streams and networks, but only a Very Easy sensors roll is needed per use thereafter, to maintain or to reactivate once connected. Automap may be set to display compass-like directional prompts, if desired destination is keyed in by user.
    
    
  • Health Tracker: If user submits vital statistics to onboard wrist monitor, health tracker unit track and assess user's relative health with a fair degree of accuracy. In game terms, this health tracker may relay to its user, the character's own wound status. Treat Health Tracker's internal computer has having diagnostic ability of first aid 4D. Properly assessing wearer's wound status requires a sensors roll from user, and the difficulties are as follows: Uninjured (Very Easy), stunned (Very Easy), Wounded and Wounded Twice (Easy), Incapacitated (Moderate), Mortally Wounded (Difficult), Dead (Very Easy).
    
    
  • HoloComm: Unit can send/receive holotransmissions, via audio/visual input reticule and holo-output display, as well as standard audio signals. Energy cell lasts for 10 standard days of operation before recharge is needed. Device also functions as a basic datapad, but is limited to record-keeping and date recording purposes. Skill: Communications. Range: 50 kilometers over land and up to low orbit.
    
    
  • Scanner: Able to scan for data/metadata encoded in signage, cargo manifests, and computer console interfaces. Typically used for cargo/shipping identification. If content ID of target is not scrambled, shielded, or otherwise rendered scanner-resistant/scanner-proof, the base difficulty to scan and identify/reveal target information is Easy. Skill: Sensors. Range: 0.3 meters.
  
  
  
  
• R00-8Y ("RUBY")
  
  
  Type: Sassy Personal Assistant
  Model: Reprogrammed Arakyd Industries DRK-1 “Dark Eye” Probe Droid
  
  DEXTERITY 3D
  Blaster 4D, dodge 4D
  KNOWLEDGE 3D
  Bureaucracy 4D, intimidation: sass 5D, scholar: logistics 4D, willpower 4D
  MECHANICAL 1D
  Sensors 3D
  PERCEPTION 3D
  Hide 5D, search 5D, sneak 5D
  STRENGTH 1D
  TECHNICAL 1D
  
  Equipped With:
  • Anti-scan shell (scan-absorbing shell provides a +1D+1 bonus to hide skill rolls)
    
  • Comlink
    
  • Improved sensor package (+2 bonus to all search skill rolls)
    
  • Infrared vision (droid can see in the dark up to 30 meters, may ignore 4D penalty for total darkness if heat sources are present)
    
  • Laser cannon (5D damage, range: 3-7/25/50, ammo: 50)
    
  • Low-light vision (reduce darkness penalties by 2D when in low-light conditions)
    
  • Motion sensors (+2 bonus to Perception or search checks to detect moving targets)
    
  • Odor neutralizer spray (5D effectiveness, nozzle range: 0-1 meter, skill: missile weapons)
    
  • Recording unit (can record and play back up to 5 minutes of holo-footage)
    
  • Reinforced chassis / plating (+1D vs. physical and energy damage, -1 penalty applied to original Move score of 16)
    
  • Self-destruct system (droid will self-destruct/explode under predetermined circumstances)
    
  • Sonic sensors (+2 bonus to Perception or search checks that involve sound)
    
  • Stun blaster (4D stun damage, range: 3-10/30/120, ammo: 100)
    
  • Telescopic vision (the droid’s visual sensors have the equivalent of macrobinocular capability: Search and visually-based Perception checks are increased by 3D when using photoreceptor's macrobinocular mode to view targets or areas more than 100 meters away; range: 100-250/500/1 km. All modes have an Easy sensors difficulty at short range, increasing one level per range band)
    
  • Tool/weapon mounts (the droid has three appendages upon which interchangeable weapons may be attached)
  
  Note: Due to droid's small size, apply a +1D scale modifier (the same concept typically used for targets between 10 to 50 centimeters in size) when Character scale characters or opponents attack/interact with R00-8Y, eg: R00-8Y gains a +1D bonus to attacks rolls she makes against Character scale targets, while attacks attempts against her are made at +1D to the difficulty to hit, and +1D to damage.
  
  Personality Matrix: Feminine
  Move: 15
  Availability: 4, X
  Cost: Not available for sale
  Size: 0.2 meters
  
  
  
• DROID DEPOT
  
  
  
  Type: Droidsmithing workshop / droid repair and retail business
  Headquarters/Location: Black Spire Outpost, Batuu system, Trilon sector, XYZ coordinates: -401.72, -561.84, 004.32
  Services: As sign outside of shop advertises: Sales (new and used), Service (ie: maintenance and repair), and Trades
  Known Affiliations: Resistance (unofficial — and hush-hush!)
  Known Adversaries: Tara Rashin (Quarren cyborged-pirate) and Guavian Death Gang
  Key Figures: Mubo (proprietor/chief technician), R00-8Y (Mubo's personal assistant), "You" (apprentice technician, player character of Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge video game), J-4X (pilot droid)
  Area of Operations: Batuu, Outer Rim and Western Reaches
  
  Capsule: Business is booming for Mubo and the Droid Depot. In fact, the Utai droid builder finds himself so busy nowadays, that he has not only taken on an apprentice (whom he frequently tasks with overseeing offworld parts-pickup and transport), he has also recruited a number of part-time assistants from among Batuu's more technically-inclined residents, to perform many of the shop’s more mundane duties. And because astromech droids are among his shop’s most popular wares, Mubo has now handed off much of the assembly process to staff members chosen from this pool of technically-inclined recruits. After receiving a crash course in droid programming and repair from Mubo, these specially-trained Droid Depot “Imagineers” then host workshops where customers themselves, often a dozen at a time, assemble astromech units from pre-prepared kits, and under staff supervision — all so that the Utai droid builder and his apprentice are free to tackle more challenging and/or more pressing projects.
  
  Game Notes: Mubo has equipped the Droid Depot with a custom-built assortment of both automated and manually controlled hydraulic lifts, pulleys, cables, conveyor-belt platforms and manipulator arms to assist the diminutive Utai and his staff with many physically demanding tasks. If rolls are required, treat the automation/machinery in the shop as having the relevant non-combat "manual labor" skill needed for the scene at a 4D professional level. Exceptions include Mubo's heavy lifters, which are speeder-scale machines with 5D Strength, and are located at various mildly-mobile locales throughout the shop).
  
  
  
  Above: R00-8Y and Mubo greet C-3P0
  
  
  
  Above: Droid Depot interior
  
  
  
  Above: Droid Depot external droid maintenance/recharge/repair bay, storage area, and oil bath station
  
  
  
  Above: Droid Depot logo

Sources: Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge video game for Oculus Quest platform, Star Wars: Datapad mobile game within Play Disney Parks app, https://www.ilmxlab.com/news/mubo-meet-the-characters-of-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge/ , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqLcfMy1vuo&ab_channel=Ctop , https://www.ilmxlab.com/news/discover-your-role-in-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge/ , Aliens Stats (p.161-162), Droid Stats (p.33), and Equipment Stats (Communications, Information, and Tools sections) fan-made D6 sourcebooks credited to Thiago S. Aranha, and Wookieepedia.

Images: Artwork by Karl Lindberg ( https://twitter.com/PhilSzostak/status/1346876553032994816 ), screen captures of "Droid Problems" exchange seen in Star Wars: Datapad mobile game within Play Disney Parks app, artwork by Chris Trevas and/or Chris Reiff and photograph of "real life" Droid Depot at Disney Parks (Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu book), renders from https://www.ilmxlab.com/news/discover-your-role-in-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge/ , https://www.ilmxlab.com/news/mubo-meet-the-characters-of-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge/ , https://ziggyknowsdisney.com/droid-depot/ , and Wookieepedia.

Capsule text adapted from https://www.ilmxlab.com/news/mubo-meet-the-characters-of-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge/ . Species stats adapted from Aliens Stats fan-made D6 sourcebook credited to Thiago S. Aranha (p.161-162). Stats and additional original text by Telsij.

Note: See PELI MOTTO for information on Systems Diagnosis skill.
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OBSCURE CHARACTER ARCHIVE INDEX

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[deano]

Looking good buddy
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