I really like this new race! But I have somethings I want to run by some others first before vuilding a character.

The book makes no notion of their silhouette being lower than others bur the book does tell us they are a "small-bodied species" of around 1.4meters tall. What do you guys make if that?

I guess if it is not in the book then it is not in the rules...

My other query has to do with their communication. They can speak telepathically and "anyone in short range "hears" the Polis Massan's speech". But my question is, what about droids? Do they have the ability to telepathically "listen"?

Let me know what you think!

I think if a species can hit the 1.4-1.5 mark, they're big enough. Probably "no" on the droid thing. Doesn't the book mention sign language? A protocol droid should be able to at least interpret that.

Yeah, but signing is only part of their language... I guess I would rule against the telepathy/droid thing.

Too bad since there are 2 droids in the party and I don't want to pay 10xp for vocal chords.

There is the voicebox gear

is this another example of FFG making something that is altered by the new Canon? Doesn't the Darth Vader comic show them talking?

I don't have the book, but how is the the telepathy describes? Is it a mystical force ability? Or can you use pseudo science to explain it? If the latter, consider these:

The Polis Massans, while lacking mouths, emit high frequency sound that causes most beings eardrums to vibrate. Droids can be configured to register these frequencies.

The polis massans emit a form of electromagnetic radiation that affects the communication centres of a sapients brain. To some species such as gotals, who are especially sensitive to these wavelengths, it is if the Polis Massan is screaming. Droids can be configured to detect these wavelengths as well.

In either case, beings not well versed in the scientific data concerning their communication, often ascribe the term telepathy to the polis massan.

Non lore response - suck it up. 10 xp will NOT break or ruin your character build. If the droids can't understand you, too bad for you. Deal with the lack of communication, buy the vocal cords, or use the gobbledygook above. What will bring the most enjoyment to the other players and GM? If spending 10 xp allows you to communicate to the other characters in the party then it is a small price. Don't be selfish, and make the game difficult. Or use the experience as a point of interest and accept, at minimum, two setback dice when communicatinf with droids, if at all possible.

Also, it should be on the polis massan to pay for any upgrades to the droids so they can understand them. 200 credits and an easy mechanics check for the polis massan wavelength receiver.

Yes, Utani Xane does appear to verbally communicate in Star Wars: Darth Vader 3: Vader, Part III, but the "stem" of the character's speech bubbles are lightning bolt shaped like droid characters, suggesting that Xane uses an artificial voicebox.

Blasted your replies are always so vicious. Are you aware of that?

I guess 10xp might not be a big deal for everyone but I think it is quite a lot at chargen.

Perhaps I see the worst in peoples posts. Perhaps my intended tone can't be convyed easily.

The way I read it, the telepathy can't be used to communicate with droids, of which there are two in the party. I did try to provide some ideas how it could be reasoned out that droids could understand. However, why bother having the option to buy vocal cords?

Not wanting to pay the 10 xp so your character can communicate, and trying to reason away the penalty seems fairly selfish and stingy. Because if a droid can interpret the telepathy, why not a holo transcievef or comlink? At which point, why bother having the option to buy the vocal cords?

My comment of suck it up was a bit harsh, but either pay the price and communicate like most other beings, or, accept there will be a large number of penalties, which could possibly, affect at least other two characters - at best this could be a great role playing oppourtunity, at worst it could ruin the enjoyment of the other players by making things difficult.

Finally, I dont know the dynamics between the characters, but, if said polis massan is to be travelling with droids, he should be able to communicate with his allies. If not, why is he travelling with them? Did they just meet? Or have they known each other for a while? If they just met, don't spend the xp. If they've known each other for a while, then logically, it can be assumed that the character CAN easily communicate with their friends/allies who happen to be droids.

Alright I guess it is difficult to convey tone on a forum.

My "too bad" was basically to indicate that I wouldn't go for the Polis Massan if that was the case, for some reason I particularly like the fact that they speak telepathically and adding vocal cords or a 'speaker' would make them less appealing to me, same as why i would never play a Gand with lungs.

I guess I'm funny that way.

Sounds like a fun opportunity to come up with some new ways to communicate. Maybe you can use a comlink to send texts?