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Older characters may be less prone to setting out on perilous adventures or fighting giants, but they have the benefits of wisdom and knowledge to be called on. One classic form of this is the sage - the wise old scholar who might have the answers to any questions you need answered.
For a price.
And it may take a long time too.
So to motivate players to seek out sages, you need to have a mystery that is compelling and important to their futures, and which they can't just solve by themselves. It needs knowledge they don't have, and can't find any other way. Sprinkle a little of this in your adventures from time to time.
Commentary by memnarch (who has not seen the movie)
Is it splitting the party v9.0? I'm pretty sure an argument could be made that they're past the ninth time this has happened, even if it's Episode IX. I bet BB-8 goes with Rey, but I'm not sure how Pete's going to sell that idea to Corey. Or perhaps it's going to be Leia encouraging BB to stick with Rey to make sure someone bothers reporting back to the Resistance.
The real question, I think, is where does Rey want to go? There's the Force Visions giving some hints at what needs to happen, but that's very different than "this planet has some clues you can find". Maybe she'll strike out in an X-wing to try and locate the other half of the party on the Falcon to rope them into the quest! That'd be a very amusing way to subvert the party splitting. Or perhaps we'll head back to Ahch-To and see the fish people again. It was really weird to have them show up for two scenes and never appear again. Plus, they're also mentioned in-comic as Jedi history teachers.
Transcript
Rey: There’s definitely something about this sword.
Rey: I got visions the first time I touched it. And now again after Leia repaired it.
Rey: I pack my bags. I need to go find out more.
Leia: Rey, we need you here, with the Resistance.
Leia: There’s the First Order to deal with. And whatever Palpatine is up to.
Rey: So many loose threads, so little time.
Leia: A personal quest, then? Leaving the rest of us behind?
BB-8: A.K.A. splitting the party v9.0.
Rey: Maybe you can help. You’re old.
Leia: Gee, thanks.
Rey: You know, experienced and knowledgeable. Do you know any dark-haired girls who were given up by their parents?
Leia: Sure. I was. And technically you too.
Kaydel Ko Connix: General, the supply team needs—
Kaydel Ko Connix: Oh. I see we’re in the middle of another Special Rey Moment.
Rey: Tell me about it. It’s truly exhausting being this important.