I'd like to see Jabba come alive. As has been said, the "third party" has been missing from SWG. As in the movies, first Solo then Jabba provided a contrast to both polar opposites of Alliance and Empire. Dynamic flavor potential here.
#1 - "Jabbateers" :
A. Case for 1-2 Jabbateers: Ideally, one person playing Jabba would be best but I doubt that's possible with time concerns for one person. So no more than two Jabbateers could do well, hopefully with decent SW knowledge to back up their play. Two people would also lessen the chance for dilution of character.
B. Case for 3+ Jabbateers: My view of Jabba the Hutt's character allows for a broad range of moods. I see him as a very "moody" being. This is just my interpretation which I'll expand on later, but I don't see Jabba handling identical problems with identical solutions all the time. For example, Leia's "thermal detonator gambit" just one week later may have drawn "Ah hah ahh! Go ahead scum, kill yourself too. Or you can leave me the wookiee free of charge and I'll try to forget this incident." More players would complicate it, but it may help to capture that Jabba trait.
I'm not advocating here, just tossing out options.
#2 - My View on Role Playing Jabba the Hutt:
This deviates somewhat from the topic, but if we decide to RP Jabba an "idea well" for his character may help.
A.
What did it take for Jabba to get to where he is? And what does it take to stay there? Jabba is not only a strong force among gangsters in general, but "first among equals" with other Hutts which is no small feat. This provides I think the basic key to playing him.
1.
To get to be the top galactic gangster:
He had to be a "lion and a fox" as said about some real life crimelords. Jabba the Hutt, despite gross habits and appearance, would use cunning and brutality with equal frequency and prowess. He's double "blessed" with the personal brutality and vulgarity that generates fear
right now and the patience for long term strategy that extreme lifespan gives. How many enemies has he beaten because he has no conscience? How many just because he outlived them naturally?
2.
To stay at the top it's similar to the above, but with a twist:
a. "Active Threat" of Criminal Skill: Jabba is several centuries old. Picture him as a "criminal Yoda" ("For x hundred years have I been racketeering. My own counsel will I keep on what scores go down" and when he tells Luke, "I was killing your kind when being a Jedi actually meant something.") Even allowing for species specific maturation (eg "dog years" vs Human years) I'd think it's safe to say that Jabba has been around the block a few times. He's forgotten more street smarts than most beings will ever learn, through sheer lifespan if nothing else. This advantage keeps him on top.
b. "Passive Threat" of Fear: One side of his brain manages his criminal empire without breaking a sweat. He's been successful for so long that he's beyond confident, almost bored. So he surrounds himself with "scum" for entertainment. He wouldn't try to trip you up, but if he makes a deal with you I think he's half hoping that you'll cross him, just for the fun of squashing you. Or even more fun, watching scum go at each other. Some people "like to watch". I think that Jabba's been a crook for so long, he gets off watching
other people do dirt. He enjoys having beings like Han Solo, Boba Fett, and thermal detonator users around. They could all be counted on for wickedness
outside of work.
The advantage? People are scared to challenge him so he doens't have to look out as much. The message is "you better get it right or go to hell" because either way it's all fun to Jabba!
Note:
Don't know how many of you are familiar with how Jabba was portrayed in the book Shadows of the Empire. In it Jabba is shown as a supplicant to Prince Xizor and Black Sun. I personally didn't care for that at all. At worst, I see Jabba and the Hutt Spice Cartel similar to the Colombian cartels of real life (more bloody and bold). Prince Xizor and Black Sun Viggos would be similar to the Mafia Dons at their peak in the 1940's & '50's ("Refined". Better connected in government circles and wired into society). The Hutts (minus Durga) and Black Sun would be wary rivals dominating separate vices. But that's just me.
I lust to volunteer for this character, but I barely have time enough for Keer as it is. Hope this helps whomever takes the role.
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