The Bounty Hunter Guild
The Bounty Hunter Guild focuses on the professional pursuit of wanted individuals for profit. While not inherently religious or magically esoteric, it maintains strict codes and offers resources to its members who adhere to them.
Membership
Characters can join the Bounty Hunter Guild during character creation or during gameplay.
Why Join? Bounty hunters join for various reasons, including the thrill of the hunt, the lucrative rewards, the independence it offers, and the access to resources and a network of like-minded individuals provided by the Guild. A character's cultural background, career, and personal desires will influence their decision to join.
Membership as Part of Character Creation
During character creation, a character may choose the Bounty Hunter career. They are assumed to have undergone some form of basic acceptance or demonstrated initial competence. They begin as a Candidate Hunter.
Membership During the Game
Joining during gameplay requires several steps:
Demonstration of Worthiness: The character must showcase their skills and capabilities as a bounty hunter through successful captures or other relevant feats. This might involve presenting evidence of completed bounties or demonstrating combat prowess.
Impressing the Examiners: The Guild leadership or senior members must be convinced of the character's suitability. This can be abstracted with a roll against appropriate skills such as Track, Perception, Combat Style, or Influence. Membership in allied organisations or a suitably impressive offering (credits, information, a valuable capture) can make this easier.
A Donation: A monetary or material offering is typically required to finalize membership, demonstrating commitment to the Guild. The size and nature of the donation will depend on the local Guild chapter and the character's resources. Upon successful completion of these steps, the character becomes a Candidate Hunter within the Guild.
Ranks
Progression within the Bounty Hunter Guild is based on a combination of experience, successful completion of bounties, adherence to the Guild's codes, and recognition from senior members. Advancement is not automatic and should be roleplayed, potentially involving specific tests or challenging assignments.
The Bounty Hunter Guild follows a hierarchical structure. Here are the ranks along with their requirements, duties, and privileges.
Candidate Hunter
Requirements: Successful completion of the initial joining process.
Duties
Learning the basics of bounty hunting
Following the instructions of higher-ranking members
Performing support tasks for the Guild
Attending local chapter meetings
Privileges
Access to basic Guild resources such as information boards with low-value bounties, shared safe houses, and basic training from more experienced members
Minimal protection from the Guild
Hunter
Requirements
Completion of several low-to-mid-level bounties with positive reports
Demonstrated competence in core bounty hunting skills (e.g., Track at 50% or more, one relevant Combat Style at 50% or more, Streetwise at 50% or more)
A formal recommendation from a Master Hunter
Duties
Taking on more challenging bounties
Adhering to the Guild's code of conduct
Potentially assisting Master Hunters on assignments
Expected to further develop their skills
Privileges
Access to mid-value bounty postings, more secure Guild facilities, discounted training from Guild trainers (25% discount)
Increased protection from the Guild in case of disputes
May receive basic material aid such as equipment loans
Master Hunter
Requirements
Minimum three years as an Hunter
Successful completion of high-value or particularly challenging bounties
At least four relevant skills at 70% or better (e.g., Track, Perception, relevant Combat Style, Streetwise, Negotiate)
A significant service rendered to the Guild (e.g., providing valuable information, capturing a notorious target, recruiting promising novices)
Duties
Independently undertaking high-value bounties
Mentoring and supervising Hunters
Contributing to the Guild's reputation and influence
Potentially leading small teams of hunters
Expected to attend important Guild gatherings
Privileges
Access to the highest-value bounty postings and restricted information networks
Use of advanced Guild resources (e.g., specialized equipment at reduced cost, advanced medical facilities)
Command of junior members for support
A stipend or share of Guild profits
Personal quarters in major Guildhalls
Significant protection and potential legal support from the Guild
Guild Overseer
Requirements
Minimum five years as a Master Hunter
Exceptional record of successful bounties
At least three key Guild skills at 90% or better (e.g., Track, relevant Combat Style, Streetwise, Influence)
Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills
Duties
Managing local Guild chapters or sections
Assigning bounties
Resolving disputes between members
Overseeing training programs
Expanding the Guild's influence and network
Representing the Guild in dealings with external organizations
Privileges
Significant autonomy in managing their assigned Guild operations
Access to the Guild's full resources and personnel within their jurisdiction
The authority to make decisions on behalf of the Guild
A substantial share of Guild profits
Comfortable and secure accommodations
The Guild's full protection and resources are at their disposal
Guild Master/Mistress (Chapter Head):
Requirements
Minimum ten years as a Guild Overseer
Unparalleled reputation and success within the bounty hunting community
At least two crucial Guild skills at 110% or better
Performance of an invaluable service to the entire Guild, or successfully challenging and replacing the previous Guild Master/Mistress
Duties
Setting the overall direction and policies of their chapter
Making critical decisions affecting the Guild
Representing the chapter in inter-chapter or external affairs
Maintaining the Guild's standing and reputation
Potentially seeking out legendary or extremely dangerous bounties
Privileges
Unfettered access to all Guild resources and personnel within their chapter
The authority to interpret and modify Guild codes within their jurisdiction
The highest level of respect and influence within the bounty hunting community
The largest share of Guild profits
Luxurious and secure facilities
Benefits
Membership in the Bounty Hunter Guild provides several key benefits.
Training
The Guild offers access to experienced bounty hunters who can act as trainers and mentors. Hunters and Master Hunters offer training at a reduced cost (25% and 50% respectively) in skills relevant to bounty hunting, such as tracking, combat styles, survival, negotiation, and piloting. Guild Overseers and the Guild Master/Mistress often provide specialized or advanced training (75% and 100% discount respectively).
Protection
Guild members can expect a degree of protection from the organization, provided they have not violated the Guild's code. This protection can range from mediating disputes with other hunters to providing legal aid in certain circumstances. The level of protection generally increases with rank.
Material Aid
The Guild provides various forms of material assistance. This can include access to shared resources like safe houses, information networks, and basic equipment for Candidate Hunters and Hunters. Higher-ranking members may have access to specialized gear, discounted rates on supplies, and financial support in certain situations.
Social Status
Membership in a reputable Bounty Hunter Guild chapter can confer a certain level of social standing within the criminal underworld and among those who employ bounty hunters. The status varies depending on the Guild's reputation and the hunter's rank, potentially leading to more lucrative contracts and valuable contacts.
Gifts
Gifts are special benefits or pieces of knowledge granted to members who have demonstrated exceptional loyalty, service, and skill. These are often restricted to higher ranks and are at the Games Master's discretion. Examples of Gifts the Bounty Hunter Guild might offer include:
Enhanced Tracking Device: A unique piece of technology that provides a bonus to Track rolls.
Guild Contact Network: Access to a highly reliable and discreet network of informants across a specific sector.
Armored Personal Vehicle: The use of a well-maintained and heavily armored speeder or light freighter.
Master Forger: Access to a Guild-affiliated individual who can create high-quality identification papers and other documents.
Reputation Enhancement: The Guild uses its influence to spread rumors of the hunter's skills and successes, improving their social status and potentially making Influence rolls easier in certain contexts.
The invocation of a Gift might simply work when called upon, cost a certain number of credits or Luck Points, or require a successful roll against an appropriate skill like Perception or Streetwise, depending on the nature of the Gift and the campaign style.
Restrictions
Maintaining membership in the Bounty Hunter Guild involves certain restrictions. These help ensure the Guild's functionality and reputation.
Adherence to Contracts: Guild members are expected to honor the terms of their contracts. Failure to do so can result in fines, suspension, or expulsion.
Respecting Guild Territories: Operating within another chapter's established territory without proper authorization can lead to conflict and sanctions.
Reporting Successful Bounties: Members are generally required to report successful captures to their local chapter to maintain accurate records and contribute to the Guild's overall standing.
Taboos
Taboos are deeply ingrained rules or codes of conduct within the Bounty Hunter Guild, the breaking of which carries significant consequences. These often reflect the pragmatic and sometimes ruthless nature of the profession.
Never interfere with another Guild member's active bounty without a clear agreement. Doing so is seen as unprofessional and invites retaliation.
Do not unnecessarily harm or kill non-targets. While the focus is on the bounty, wanton violence can attract unwanted attention from law enforcement or other powerful entities.
Never betray a direct contract without significant and justifiable cause. A reputation for unreliability is the death knell of a bounty hunter's career within the Guild.
Do not reveal sensitive Guild information to outsiders. The Guild's network and resources are its strength, and their secrecy must be maintained.
Violation of a taboo can lead to penalties ranging from fines and loss of rank to ostracism or even being marked as a target by the Guild itself. The severity of the punishment depends on the specific taboo broken and the circumstances surrounding the infraction.