“If there is a bright center to the universe, you’re on the planet that is farthest from.” – Luke Skywalker, Star Wars: A New Hope
I sat down recently to write up some notes for a post-Jedi adventure set on Tatooine. It’s about a group of PC’s, with serious delusions of grandeur, who decide that they are going to be the new crime lords of Tatooine. Hijinks ensue which could lead to the PCs being chased off the planet entirely, retaking Jabba’s palace from the B’omarr Monks, or participating in a revolution against the Hutts that come to pick the remains of Jabba’s empire.
Here’s a few of my notes for those of you looking to run your own adventures under the binary suns.
Background
With the death of Jabba, thousands of eager-eyed, greedy-fingered denizens will have flocked to Tatooine to move in on the spice trade network Jabba has left behind. Many clever businessbeings have their eyes on pieces of his vast, ready-made infrastructure, along with the pod-racing rackets, and slave trade. Ahead of the game, by a long shot, is the Hutt Cartel with the resources of a vast criminal empire behind them.
Black Sun, always with an eye for opportunity, especially if it hurts the Hutts, are moving their agents into place, finding opportunities to sabotage other organizations until they can bring some force to bear. Rumor has it that criminal legend and leader of Black Sun Prince Xizor, who was rumored to have died in a short-lived battle above Coruscant, is alive and has been pushing the pieces into place for an eventually takeover of Jabba’s interests on Tatooine.
The organic population of Tatooine is also stirring. Long have they lived under Jabba’s law, leaving them in debt and, more often then not, dead. Moisture farmers are talking to each other, hushed words behind closed blast doors about “getting organized” and having someone “finally take charge.” Jabba’s lieutenants in cities like Bestine and Mos Espa have either fled, or have mysteriously disappeared without the protection of their master.
Tusken Raiders are on the move for the first time in years. Chased to the brink of extinction in the last centuries by Jabba’s thugs and human marauders, the Sand People are now free to move about the desolate places of the planet.
Jawas are still ambushing lost droids in the desert. You know how it is.
Factions
The Hutt Cartel – The biggest obstacle to a clever underworld climber, or a free Tatooine, is the Hutt Cartel. Following the death of Jabba, a few kajidics are already mobilizing to take his seat. This has lead to some cloak and dagger infighting among Cartel members that could escalate to all-out war. This infighting has delayed the Hutts considerably from moving on Tatooine in force. A few mercenaries linger in the streets, loyal to the highest Hutt bidder, protecting what assets they can from rival factions. Rest assured that when the Hutts do come and find armed opposition, the ensuing conflict will resemble war at its fullest.
The Association of Concerned Moisture Farmers – also known as the “Vaporator Brigade” among their detractors, the ACMF is comprised of moisture farmers who are looking to help create a legitimate government on the planet. Well intentioned, if a little naïve, the ACMF has taken to the streets of cities like Bestine and Anchorhead to lobby the populace on their views and many local business owners outside the farming community are listening. Members of the association benefit from the “Homestead Rifles,” a militia organization that protects its members from marauders.
The New Republic – The now legitimized New Republic has sent an ambassador to the planet to help facilitate its potential budding democracy with hopes to include the planet among its ranks. The ambassador has taken the time to liaison with various organizations with the hope to bring them all together at a summit planned for the end of the season. However, the summit, and ambassador, are constantly under attack by various criminal elements that want to stop the summit from happening, but have not been able to overwhelm the small security force accompanying her.
The Jutland Human League – Made up of xenophobes and technophobes, the Jutland Human League, or JHL, is a fringe organization on Tatooine. In the past, they acted as more of a gang, but with the death of Jabba many have mobilized in an attempt to be the dominant political party on Tatooine. Their non-human and anti-droid slogans “My blaster doesn’t think” and “Humanoid is not human” have incensed many and affirmed the beliefs of a few.
Alliance for a Free Tatooine – Headed by a Klatooinian ex-enforcer of Jabba’s, this is the more militant form of the recent political turn the population of Tatooine has taken. Most members are of races that have directly served or are slaves to the Hutts, such as the Nikitos, Klatooinians, and Twi’leks. They are well-intentioned, but cynical, given their background. They understand that the Hutt Cartel and the vast criminal organizations will not give up the planet so easily and already have taken military action against some of the fringe criminals on the planet. They hope to prevent Tatooine from falling back under Hutt control and are the most well-equiped armed force outside of the Cartel on the planet. Sadly, they are very clearly outmatched by the criminal organizations and their lack of political skill is making it hard for them to win support among the masses.
Locations
Jabba’s Palace – Immediately abandoned by all of Jabba’s underlings after the events at the Pit of Carkoon, the palace is now abandoned. Many thieves have entered, looking for a piece of the wealth that was once rumored to be there, but have never returned. Locals say the B’oomar Monks that inhabited the place long before Jabba take the intruders alive, forcing them to become monks themselves and trapping their brains in the spider-like droid body. Others say that Jabba’s rogue interrogation droid still haunts the grounds, looking to inflict more pain on passerby’s, and fulfill the role his dead master gave him. These stories have not stopped potential treasure hunters, as the allure of wealth overcomes any legends about the place.
The Great Pit of Carkoon – The site of Jabba’s demise, the Pit of Carkoon stands now as a testament to Jabba’s greed with the debris of his sail barge resting next to the mouth of an ageless Sarlacc. This has not stopped many from visiting the site, exploring its debris and braving the danger of the Sarlacc. Some just want to see where he died and some hope for some lost relic amongst the wreckage where it’s rumored you can find the severed blaster carbine of Boba Fett.
Fort Tusken – Rallying at the site of their namesake and greatest victory, Tusken Raiders have reclaimed the abandoned fort. Tribes from all over are banding together and using it as a platform to launch attacks on settlements with increasing ferocity. Recently, a group of Raiders was spotted on the outskirts of Mos Eisley. They did not attack, but it did look as if they were scouting the area. They were chased off before anything could be confirmed, but one reliable source tracked them as headed back in the direction of Fort Tusken.
There you have it. Let us know if you use any of these in your own Outer Rim adventures or what ideas you have for a post-Jabba Tatooine in the comments below, and please – don’t stare at the suns for too long.
