tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91386261383339497732024-02-20T15:56:44.185-08:00The Star Wars Chronology ProjectMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17906673835138277328noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-37048254532647793992017-04-25T13:35:00.001-07:002017-04-25T13:35:22.283-07:00The Godform Assumption of StarCrow the Wise.So, here it is:<br />
<br />
www.godformassumption.com<br />
<br />
I finally finished it.<br />
<br />
As for what I do with this blog, I'm not sure. I have two more pieces of writing in mind, and I've already started the next.<br />
<br />
I think its time for me to retire the Star Wars Chronology Project. The Star-Wars world to which it was born into has drastically changed.<br />
<br />
I'm not done with the idea of what I started here. It'll most likely morph into a Disney canonized chronology project.<br />
<br />
But for the time being it's an indefinite good bye to my writing here. Maybe. Possibly.<br />
<br />
As it is,<br />
<br />
May the Force be with you.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17906673835138277328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-4465181929951565162014-07-30T19:50:00.003-07:002014-07-30T19:50:39.102-07:00The Star Wars Chronology Project: Five Years Later<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Though it may seem like I’ve completely abandoned my quest
since I haven’t posted in a full year, believe me dear reader I have not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have plans for the Star Wars Chronology
Project – plans I’ll let you in on a little later in this post.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In early July last year I decided to write my own piece of
Star Wars fan fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was where my
creative impulses were pulling me and I decided to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A full year in and I’m still writing, and
having a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like all my writing
projects, I’m not as far along as I thought I’d be, but this summer I’ve been
fairly productive, only because I took some advice from Robert Mullin he
unknowingly gave me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one of his
Facebook posts he posted something like ‘If you wait for the right conditions
to write you’ll never get any writing done’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had fallen into this trap and was always waiting for the right
conditions to write, and of course, those conditions never came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, when I looked up where this
quote came from it’s originally from Ecclesiastes 11:4-10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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So this summer I decided to embrace the chaos of my busy
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I planted my laptop on my kitchen
island, and I now write my fan fiction in spurts and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bursts – between diaper changes, prepping
meals, breaking up fights, playing secret agent, playing Pokémon (which I’ve
become quite good at) going for “woks awond bok” (walk around the block) with
my daughter, or just otherwise doing my best to be present, there are those
moments where the egg is boiling and all three are hypnotized by Toupie &
Binoo and my wife is knitting and I can get some writing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may only be five minutes, or maybe a half
hour in the afternoon, but surprisingly I’ve been very productive in those
small moments of time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Regarding my fan fiction – the creative impulse that has put
the Star Wars Chronology Project on the back burner – I feel confident that
I’ll have it complete before the new year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to have it done before Celebration 7 (which at this point I still
intend on attending) because I want to have the Star Wars Chronology Project
back up and running by then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I
need to do a little self-promotion, and Celebration 7 is probably the best
place to do that.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you’ll indulge me, I want to let you know what I’m
writing about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without giving too much
away I’ve decided to do a framed narrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had two competing stories going on in my mind and I decided to link
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outside narrative will take
place a few generations before the Battle of Ruusan, while the inside narrative
takes place sometime between 25,000 BBY and 24,000 BBY – I don’t have an exact
date on the inside narrative just because of the nature of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to include some art with it as well,
but ultimately I don’t think I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
haven’t quite figured out how I’ll go about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I might just go to deviant art and peruse some of the fan fiction art
pieces there and proposition some artists to see what they’ll charge. As it is,
things turned a corner this summer and the writing is going very well.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So – we experienced the Great Schism, did we not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I hereby call it the Great Schism of 2014, where almost all
we know and love about the Star Wars universe has become apocryphal writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew it was coming, but it still came as a
shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I want to highlight three responses to the Schism:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe Bongiorno’s, Eric Geller’s, and Tim Zahn’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I was to apply a pithy line to each of
these men’s thoughts on the new continuity, Bongiorno’s would be “Via la
Revolution!”, Eric Geller’s would echo something similar to the immortal words
of Kent Brockman “I for one welcome our new insect overlords”, while Zahn’s
would be something like “Keep calm and Star Wars on”.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The response I most emotionally identify with is Joe’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read it <a href="http://timelineuniverse.net/latest_news.htm">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He basically states that this new canon that
is being constructed will be no safer in 20-30 years as the original “official
continuity” was, and that Disney perpetrated a grand insult on those of us who
have been supporting the EU over the last 30 years, and I agree with Joe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one of my buddies said: “If you can't write
a good story in the confines of the "expanded universe" then you
can't write a good story period.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reading Abel Pena’s AMA, he made a comment regarding the West End Games’
D6 role-playing game: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
“Even though I wrote a lot for
Wizards of the Coast, my favorite incarnation of the Star Wars role-playing game
will always be West End Games'. They just got the license at the right time,
when no one was doing anything with it and went nuts exploring every nook and cranny
of the galaxy. Just look at the order of battle in the Imperial Sourcebook. The
galaxy always feels limitless, raw and fresh when I read those books, even now.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea I want to focus on in Pena’s comment is the
description of “the galaxy always feel(ing) limitless, raw, and fresh”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, I think this description can go
beyond just West End Games’ contribution to the Star Wars universe, and include
the entire EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea that the EU
somehow restricts storytelling in the Star Wars universe post ROTJ is ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a plethora of stories that can be
told within the confines of the EU which can “preserve an element of surprise
and discovery for the audience”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
honest gut reaction to this is that they (JJ Abrams et all) just don’t want to,
or care to, explore what has been uncovered in Star Wars literature over the
last 30+ years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d rather steam-roll
over other artist’s deep and personal contribution to this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Pena describes the ret-con, it is
something “inherently disrespectful, like disturbing someone’s resting place.”</div>
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The second response I want to look at is Eric Geller’s,
theforce.net’s Clone Wars commentator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can read his comments <a href="http://blog.ericjgeller.com/">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think he tragically missed the point regarding Disney’s overwrite of the EU, which
was disappointing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his response to the
overwriting of the EU he wrote:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
“The most important thing to
remember is that you can continue to enjoy every single story you have
purchased regardless of what the new movies, TV shows, and literature bring.
Just because something is no longer an authoritative part of continuity, that
doesn’t make it a bad read.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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True, it doesn’t make it a bad read, but I think Geller has
really missed the point here. As a matter of fact, it does affect our enjoyment
of these stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That fact that these
were “official continuity (canon)”made these stories better than simple
fan-fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I enjoyed Tag and
Bink, I enjoyed KOTOR more because it was official continuity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The events of the EU happened in the world we
all love and these stories carried with them legitimacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then goes on to say that one of the
problems with the EU is that it had become impenetrable:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
“Furthermore, in the coming
years, the Star Wars universe will welcome many, many new fans. Those of us on
the inside often forget how impermeable this vast web of stories can seem to
people who aren’t already invested and paying attention. A convoluted fictional
universe like Star Wars can prove intimidating to potential fans.”</div>
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This brings us back to Joe’s point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’ll be the difference in 20 years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will a reboot be required again then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If yes, then that’s the problem, and if you
don’t see why that’s a problem you’ve missed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A reboot (or possible
multiple reboots) destroys what made Star Wars different and great from all the
other IPs out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its uniqueness was
its 30+ years of unbroken continuity – however jagged that continuity was at
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in 1996 I never thought the
Star Wars EU would be as big as it is now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 2032, the same amount of time that has passed between 1996 and 2014,
will the Star Wars EU be bigger or smaller than it is now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope bigger because the more Star Wars
stories the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If smaller, then
we’ve all lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the point is this –
it’ll be just as “impenetrable” then as it is now.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third response I want to look at, and the one that makes
me breathe easier, is Tim Zahn’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can read it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TimothyZahn/posts/748264421871439">here</a>, and it’s how I’m going to look at Star Wars literature going
into 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite part of his
response was this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
“...as far as I can tell from the
announcement, LFL is *not* erasing the EU, but simply making it clear that
nothing there is official canon. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, nor does
it immediately send everything into alternate-universe status. If nothing from
the Thrawn Trilogy, say, is used in future movies (and if there’s nothing in
the movies that contradicts it), then we can reasonably continue to assume that
those events *did* happen. It looks to me like the “Legends” banner is going to
be used mainly to distinguish Story-Group-Approved canon books from those that
aren’t officially canon but might still exist.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leave it to the man who wrote the Thrawn trilogy to bring it
all into perspective.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This brings me to the future of the Star Wars Chronology
Project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question I struggled with
for a while was this: do I still run one blog, and include all the stories
being produced post Disney acquisition into the EU we’ve had for 30+ years, or
do I run two blogs – one that is “legends” and one that is “canon”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve decided to fall to the later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I finish my fan fiction I’m going to reboot The Star
Wars Chronology Project into The Star Wars Legends Chronology Project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I move into the new material I’m still
determined to finish what I’ve started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The good news for me is that the Legends timeline is now static, but the
bad news is that in 2032, when I’ve finally finished what I’ve started, I’ll be
back at square one with the canonical material. HA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jokes on me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it’s all good – this has always been about me engaging with Star
Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long I do it for is
immaterial. I’ve also decided that when I reboot my blog I’m going to
start putting ads on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figure since I
have 65k+ hits I might as well put 5 buck in my pocket.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’ll be a while before I post again so I want to sign off
by saying thank you for stopping in and reading my blog these past 5
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It continues to be my labour of
love and my continuous love letter to Star Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Anniversary friends, and may the Force be with you</div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-61210565787116707212013-07-30T05:04:00.000-07:002013-07-30T05:04:03.291-07:00The Star Wars Chronology Project: Four Years In.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wisdom is the power to put our time and our knowledge to
the proper use.” – Thomas J. Watson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel like time is my enemy, and in regards to the SWCP,
and my fictional endeavour (which I’ll talk about a little later), it is.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This summer my days have been so filled from beginning to
end that I have little time left for any “artistic” (I use the term loosely here)
pursuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is ok, because I know my
time is not being wasted. I know my time and knowledge is being put to its
proper use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to my wife, my children,
my family, my friends, and my house (the last one is arguable).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how Thomas J. Watson would define
“proper use”, but I have the feeling him and I don’t define it the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe we do, who knows?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyhow, I bring the subject of time up because it’s a commodity
I feel I have so little of this summer – time that’s just mine anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had to carve out of my day little moments
to write, which if you really want to write is tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing, for me anyway, requires a large
block of undisturbed time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as I
write this, I had to wake up at 5 am to be able to sit down at my computer
where no one demands my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
I should do this more often, but that means less sleep, which is not good for
anyone, so maybe not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have been moments where I’ve been given time, but it’s
time after I’ve given of myself, and that time is all but useless if you want
to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All it’s good for is to catch
your breath, and get ready for the next day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time, time, time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
feel like I have so little of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, so enough of that lamentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to look back at another year in the
books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remarkably, I managed to put almost all of 32 BBY behind me,
which is no small feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I get this
bit of short story nonsense out of the way, I can go back to finishing off what
I left of 32 BBY, and fill in some blanks from that year (Episode 1 Adventures).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My short story project is going well, even though I’d like to
be further along than what I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
got the bones of the narrative all laid out, and I’m now in the process of
putting flesh to the bones so if I’m working top down I have the top half of
the skull covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continually
oscillate between thinking the story is totally awesome to totally terrible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to remind myself sometimes that my
writing has always been for me and me alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m my intended audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I
like it then that’s all that matters, because ultimately, I’m not a commercial writer,
I’m a hobby writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like if I
start to write in the hopes of other people approving of my writing then the
love will be lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure of this
is a good attitude to have towards writing – I haven’t really reflected on it,
but really, this whole project is my gift to myself, something I can look back
on later with a bit of pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If others
like what I write then that’s a nice bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a comfort to think that other people are rooting for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really thought that four years in I’d be further along,
but I’ve decided to call this the end of “1<sup>st</sup> year”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I mean is that if I’m pursuing my PhD is
Star Warsology, and a PhD is typically four years, and really, I’m a part time
student of Star Wars, then this project should take me another 12 years to
complete – four real life years to one ‘Star Warsology Academic year’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, with this in mind, I’m considering my fictional project my end of
the year paper, and you all are my professor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s my big essay to demonstrate what I’ve accumulated and learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when you read it, be critical, and give me
an honest grade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On that note, I know I said I’d hope to have it done by the
end of the summer, but that’s not happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think realistically before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But know this – I will have it done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was reading some writing tips a few people posted to my Facebook, and
the same tip kept coming up: Finish it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I’ve taken that bit of advice to heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting it done is the hardest part, I know
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure to prod me along too if
you don’t mind, just drop the odd comment here and there and be like “Hey MKB,
how the story coming along. I was thinking about your project and thought I’d
just check in”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’d be nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boy – it’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan, no?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t talked about the Disney acquisition of Star Wars
on my blog, so just to give you my two sense of this, I think it’s overall a great
thing, but here is my fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fear is
that in 2015 we are going to be given the movie we wanted back in ’99.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to be mind-blowingly awesome;
however, it’s going to trample on all the canon of Star Wars post ROTJ. I
really feel like there is this disconnect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t understand how Filoni and others talk about how the writers and
makers of all things Star Wars of today are fans of the franchise, and then
dismiss events from the EU, The Clones Wars being what I’m referencing here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still disturbed by Filoni’s comments from
Star Wars Insider’s July 2012 issue where he basically says the movies and the
Clone Wars are a parallel universe to the EU, the EU being the lesser of the
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, the EU is the heart and
soul of Star Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The EU is the heartbeat
of Star Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The EU has unfolded, in
real time (which is unprecedented from a literary standpoint – I cannot stress
enough how remarkable this is), the mythology of America. The EU is all canon
to me – even the parts that don’t work well together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that it doesn’t all fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked about this in my write up on Terry
Brook’s <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/08/32-bby-phantom-menace-novel.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i></a>
novelization – this is what gives Star Wars its mythological feel. Luke, Han,
and Leia have all aged in almost real time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I’m sounding like a super-fan right now, but to disregard the EU
is to disrespect Star Wars itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Star Wars universe is the most artistically democratic literary creation in
existence today. So many unique voices tell its story, and mostly, these voices
sing in unison.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really hope the makers of our Star Wars today listen to
the song of Star Wars post ROTJ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really hope this new song will keep with the rhythm and the beat of what’s come
before it, and respect the chorus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though
I anticipate that I’ll like what comes in 2015 – a good story with compelling
characters, great visuals and all that – I think the price will be the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my fear for Star Wars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news is that I’ll be able to see for myself if this
is the case in 2015, as my wife and I have decided to attend Celebration VII in
Anaheim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still all very tentative, there
are many hitches to this plan, but if things stay status quo until the end of
2014 I really think it’ll happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never been to a Star Wars Celebration, and I think I’ve picked a good one to go
to – right before the new films are released, along with the new show Star Wars
Rebels coming out, which I’m really the most excited about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, I’m more excited about the
animated series than I am about the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I guess I feel that the animated series has less of a chance of
disturbing the EU than the films do, but really, such fear is mere
conjecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone else excited for this
show?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we going to see Vader hunt
down and destroy the remaining Jedi Knights?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How totally awesome is that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when I confirm that I’m going to Celebration VII, and if
you’re a reader of my blog and you’re also going to Celebration VII, and if you’re
up for it, let’s meet for a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
geek out together over a draft and wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Drop me a line here, or send me your e-mail over at thefore.net boards
(my handle there is JarenJade) and we can begin to organize.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of geeking out, another bit of Star Wars news from
my life is that I’ve decided the run the Star Wars fan club at my school this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some real Star Wars fans
among the student body, so I’ve decided to get the club up and running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going to start with a chronological viewing
of the Star Wars saga, so maybe you can help me out here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going to watch everything, so here is
my list:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Phantom Menace</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Attack of the Clones</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Clone Wars Season 1-5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Clone Wars (Tartakovsky and Gilroy version)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Revenge of the Sith</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Droids and Ewok animated series (Does it go here?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A New Hope</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Star Wars Holiday Special </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Empire Strikes Back</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Return of the Jedi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Caravan of Courage (Does it go here?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Battle of Endor (Again, does it go here?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have a comprehensive list of a chronological viewing
of these please share.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As it is, happy anniversary, and until next time, may the
Force be with you.</div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-15387907892283094742013-07-05T09:01:00.002-07:002013-07-05T09:01:35.256-07:00Writing Fiction<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Hello Everyone, </div>
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<br /></div>
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Usually by this time in July I’m about three of four posts
into the SWCP, as summer is when I get a lot of work done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this summer I’m putting the project on the
back-burner for a bit to focus on some fan-fiction that has been percolating in
the back of my mind for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
reading nothing but Star Wars for four years I feel I want to contribute my
little bit narrative to the ever expanding mythology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m
done I’ll create another blog and post-up what I’ve written for your
perusal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>currently in the
process of getting the story down – It’s taken hold of my imagination and has
not let me go. Right now I’m simply trying to work it out of my system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Since the end of June I’ve been reading my way through The
Living Force sourcebook in preparation for the Eye of the Sun trilogy, but every
time I sat down to either read the sourcebook or write my thoughts on it I immediately
opened my short story file and began working on that, so I thought, forget it –
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll go where my creative energy is taking me
and I’ll work on the project when this story is out of the way.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m not sure when I’ll have it done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might take the summer to complete, but I hope to have it done before then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With three little ones at home and my summer already booked with day trips to the beach and afternoons spent at the splash-pad I'm not sure when it'll get done. Hopefully before the end of the month - that's time time-frame I've set for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is more, finding time to actually sit down and
write is becoming increasingly more difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone wants a little piece of dad.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Not to worry though– the project will continue on, I’m just going
to explore this deviation in creative energy for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with
you.</div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-84885977478980862322013-06-23T20:03:00.002-07:002013-06-23T20:03:38.277-07:0032 BBY: Save the Mantaris!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmw4s2jLLmTvvCVYxBmoK7dAEzwgaXE3390H5r-8KwufFAEN0JG4ayNn9HMfUCeLaqb5kcJGcHE85FecjDDC7MP1Wt3paePf-w8mGt9n83_mrZJPB7AdG9I-8HErLay9NAVQkjzPZXW4/s1600/SecretsofNaboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmw4s2jLLmTvvCVYxBmoK7dAEzwgaXE3390H5r-8KwufFAEN0JG4ayNn9HMfUCeLaqb5kcJGcHE85FecjDDC7MP1Wt3paePf-w8mGt9n83_mrZJPB7AdG9I-8HErLay9NAVQkjzPZXW4/s200/SecretsofNaboo.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After reading through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Save
the Mantaris!</i> mission, I’ve realized that chronologically it works better
if it comes before <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peril in the
Ionosphere</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since this adventure is
so short, let me reproduce it here:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This adventure idea, a
companion to Secrets of Naboo, takes place in and around the Civic Spaceport in
Theed. The Gungans are preparing to launch an effort to colonize one of Naboo's
moons, using the Mantaris transport, a spacecraft developed in a joint effort
between the Naboo and the Gungans. Queen Amidala, the ruler of the Naboo, and
Boss Nass, the leader of the largest Gungan community both want this project to
succeed, as they see it as the dawn of a new era of cooperation between their
two peoples.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">However, anti-Gungan
(well, anti-alien in general) terrorists seek to sabotage the mission. Their
first step is to kill a Gungan technician and kidnap one of the lead Naboo
engineers. The evidence seems, on the surface, to point to disgruntled Gungans.
A faction among the citizens of Theed that still considers the Gungans
barbarians, rushes to judgment. The Gungan contingent in Theed blames these
Naboo, claiming they are attempting to manufacture an excuse to wage war. The
terrorists' plan is working like a dream.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enter the heroes.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The heroes are
investigators (either from Naboo or a Republic delegation) charged with finding
out what really happened, as well as rescuing the Naboo engineer. After this
has been accomplished, they are assigned to ensure that the Mantaris reaches
the moon and starts its colonization mission safely. During this duty, they
must prevent the ship from sabotage on its maiden voyage - tampering that could
destroy this historic vessel.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Like I said, I think these events make more sense if they happen
before <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peril in the Ionosphere</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After successfully rescuing the Nabooian
engineer (maybe it’s Kharl Vanned or Sakme Kelene), figuring out which faction
is responsible for the kidnapping and murder, and perhaps *thinking* they have
saved the Mantaris from terrorism, do the heroes then board the “shuttle” (as
it is called in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peril in the Ionosphere</i>)
only to have it attacked, leak kyvalon-4 gas, wherein they now have to subdue
the homicidal Captain Worlhp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
this order of events makes sense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a side note, I mistakenly referred to the Mantaris in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Gungan Frontier</i> as the tribubble bongo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that the<a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mantaris-class_amphibious_medium_transport"> Mantaris</a> is its own
kind of ship, specifically designed by Gungan and Naboo engineers for the colonization
of Ohma D’un.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, it turns out there
was more scientific expertise in this effort than I had originally thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Graf_Zapalo">Graf Zapalo</a>, the Master of Sciences in the
Naboo Royal Advisory Council, led this mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suppose <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Gungan Frontier</i>
couldn’t have Graf Zapalo as its hero, or the kiddies (and everyone else who
played the game for that matter) would be like “Zapalo who?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if this game were to make some sort of
comeback, I think it would be really neat if it did feature Zapalo as its protagonist.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I still think it’s neat how all these sources have
intertwined with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
narrative it has weaved is quite intricate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For my next post I’m going to look into a series of RPG
sources that have always been on the periphery of my RPG knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Living Force Campaign</i> is something I remember seeing a lot of back in
2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a prominent feature on the
RPG shelves of the comic stores I used to frequent, so I’m looking forward to
delving into its material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my
friends, may the Force be with you.</div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-11966565351581972772013-06-22T15:11:00.002-07:002013-06-22T15:12:41.449-07:0032 BBY: Peril in the Ionosphere<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NFe83x1fGHOeCYbvwVvpi08XPU30HJOOxzk459X_sIKZjYofjUPXCsh19wEbhwAIiImmB6hs2Ows-wJUK8kHZGsu1gF-SGZE_bJRJXMmyLWJuvF-5HN_4CvSUYtH_hyphenhyphenMwLSDXEArKWU/s1600/Peril_in_the_Ionosphere2_G1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NFe83x1fGHOeCYbvwVvpi08XPU30HJOOxzk459X_sIKZjYofjUPXCsh19wEbhwAIiImmB6hs2Ows-wJUK8kHZGsu1gF-SGZE_bJRJXMmyLWJuvF-5HN_4CvSUYtH_hyphenhyphenMwLSDXEArKWU/s200/Peril_in_the_Ionosphere2_G1.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
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Before I began writing my reactions to this source, I wanted
to include a brief synopsis of this adventures’ events from Wookieepedia, but
Wookieepedia has nothing on <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Peril_in_the_Ionosphere"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peril in the Ionosphere</i></a>, so I guess it’s up to me to write something for posterity (if
any intrepid wookieepedian wants to cut and paste my summation with a
little more detail, here’s your chance to add to the online encyclopedia).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The adventure begins after the events of <i><a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2013/01/32-bby-invasion-of-theed.html">The Invasion of Theed Adventure Game</a>,</i> and the heroes are approached by a Nabooian official to
help colonize one of Naboo’s moons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
heroes agree and board a shuttle to the moon piloted by an Ithorian named
Captain Worlhp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once on board the heroes
meet Professor Celaar, an admired Nabooian botanist, Kharl Vanned, a young
Nabooian graduate from the Theed school of Technology and Engineering, and
Sakme Kelene, herself a recent grad of the Theed school of Technology and
Engineering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crew begin to ascend
into the atmosphere when things go terribly wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship lurches as if it’s been hit by
something, and begins to leak kyvalon-4 gas, which, hilariously, makes Ithorians
temporarily homicidal maniacs when exposed (I seriously laughed out loud at this
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How funny is this?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heroes have to subdue Captain Worlkp, all
the while trying to avoid potentially life threatening situations, like repairing
the life support system, repairing the navigation system, repairing the
kyvalon-4 gas leak, dealing with blaster shots that miss and breech the hull,
and then landing the shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
heroes survive Captain Worlhp offers his sincerest apologizes, and the young
engineers offer to repair the heroes’ ship anytime they want – IF the heroes
survive.</div>
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What makes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peril in
the Ionosphere</i> an incredibly neat source is that it weaves together two
disparate sources: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Invasion of Theed
Adventure Game</i>, an RPG, and <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2013/04/32-bby-star-wars-episode-1-gungan.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Gungan Frontier</i></a>, a video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it
says at the start of this adventure:</div>
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“The adventure begins as the
heroes are boarding the doomed shuttle. If you are using this adventure as part
of an ongoing campaign begun with the adventures in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: Invasion of Theed Adventure Game</i>, create a scene in
which a Naboo official approaches the heroes with an offer to join the
Naboo/Gungan effort to establish a colony on Naboo’s water rich moon.” (Star
Wars Gamer 1, pg. 75)</div>
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Here is yet another example of the relationality, interconnectedness,
and interdependence found within the Star Wars mythos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this particular case the history of Star
Wars connects, fluidly, between two different mediums and their respective creators
to make a larger cohesive narrative (for a brilliant look at this concept in
practice take a look at Abel Pena and Rich Handley’s article at starwars.com titled
<a href="http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2013/06/13/the-droids-re-animated-part-1/">The Droids Re-Animated, Part 1</a>) .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honestly, here is a broad sketch of a thesis that’s been knocking about
my brain for a while: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Intertextuality and the Star Wars Expanded
Universe</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">: An investigation into how
the theories of Barthes, Krestiva, Saussure, and Bakhtin can be applied to the larger
mythology of Star Wars as it appears over many literary and non-literary
mediums.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what I’m really trying
to do is formulate the bigger answer to the “so what?” question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I mean is this: so I demonstrate that
the Star Wars Expanded Universe is a giant example of intertextuality at work –
so what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does this mean for
literature as a whole – if anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does this mean for fantasy literature – if anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does this mean for contemporary American
literature – if anything? I have yet to come up with an answer to these
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think it’s enough to
demonstrate that the Star Wars Expanded Universe is intertextual, as neat as an
investigation like that may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea
has to go further, but I’m not sure where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any literary theorists out there get what I’m driving at?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your thoughts on this would be welcome, even
if you think the idea is bust, I can at least put it to rest.</div>
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Anyway, back to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peril
in the Ionosphere</i>: this adventure is intended for the characters from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Invasion of Theed Adventure Game</i>,
namely; the Jedi Padawan Rann I-Kanu, the solider Garak, the scoundrel Arani
Korden, and the Wookiee scout Rorworr (the four main characters from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Smugglers of Naboo</i> adventure).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could also be played with Sia-Lan Wezz,
also a Padawan, Deel Surool the scoundrel, Toba the Gungan scout, and Dane, one
of Amidala’s handmaidens in training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When it comes to one of the characters being able to subdue Captain
Worlhp, I’d put my money on Rorworr being able to do it, or maybe Rann or
Sia-Lan forcing pushing him and keeping him in a corner of the shuttle.</div>
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On that note, I want to highlight an awesome blog post
featured on <a href="http://www.thefore.net/">theforce.net</a> where the blogger
Mark Elwood did some meticulous work and managed to sort out which <a href="http://livingwithstarwars.blogspot.ca/2013/06/jedi-survivors-of-order-66.html">Jedi survived Order 66</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In relation to this
source, it seems Sia-Lan did survive the initial massacre, but was later
eliminated by Vader. I look forward to Star Wars: Purge, where this battle is
depicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I suppose after all the action the heroes decide their time
is best spent elsewhere, leaving only poor Obi-Wan or Queen Amidala to colonize
the moon .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least one of my
objections to <i>The Gungan Frontier</i> was addressed, and in fact the Gungan and
Naboo delegation did send up qualified people to colonize the water rich
satellite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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For my next post I’m going to look at another source which
ties these two events together, <i>Save the Mantaris!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with
you.</div>
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MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-50026564160365880422013-06-18T09:17:00.004-07:002013-06-18T09:17:58.107-07:0032 BBY: Bad Business<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUcou4_gzLhttPe5Z5wG8LHLrTbCLeBjaFsY8C1Ofl7IlxeezddHXOwwTTF_1UYJQ_qfc36UdYQNJeZ3gQVahdC5qbOQzOu9Yr3qw5DQUyRxo0_Rurhqf3GUqSCzuGsFakJW5jz5HPVc/s1600/Bad+Business.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUcou4_gzLhttPe5Z5wG8LHLrTbCLeBjaFsY8C1Ofl7IlxeezddHXOwwTTF_1UYJQ_qfc36UdYQNJeZ3gQVahdC5qbOQzOu9Yr3qw5DQUyRxo0_Rurhqf3GUqSCzuGsFakJW5jz5HPVc/s200/Bad+Business.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ahhh…. Vilmarh Grahak, after Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and
Hondo Ohnaka, you’re my fourth favorite scoundrel, and I write that with all
sincerity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the third time we’ve come across this Devaronian rascal
in Star Wars history, and in typical rouge fashion, he’s still trying work the
angles to his own advantage.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In John Ostrander’s tale Bad Business, Vilmarh is saddled
with three DUM-series pit droids – payment from Watto for a previous
debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the joke’s on Vilmarh, as the
DUM droids’ programing “fixes” things to the point of destruction – including the
Devaronian’s ship.</div>
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<br /></div>
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All is not lost though, as the story ends with Vilmarh
disposing of the droids on the planet Felacat, leaving them with instructions
to "fix the planet to death".</div>
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<br /></div>
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What I found most interesting about this source was Shmi
Skywalker’s little cameo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her short appearance
in this story highlighted for me the pain she must be feeling being separated
from her son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sad to think of her
still laboring on Tatooine without the joy of her only child to brighten her
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this tale she’s been ordered by
Watto to place the droids on Grahak’s ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She dutifully does as she is told and quietly exits the frame.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I really haven’t much else to say about this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the little bit of sorrow I felt for
Shmi Skywalker the story was funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Felacatian species seemed a little silly, but it worked well as a plot device.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to seeing more of Vilmarh
Grahak – I think he shows up with Quinlan Vos down the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Bad Business shows is that a character
like Grahak can carry his own smaller narratives.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For my next series of posts I’m going to delve into some
Star Wars RPG material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The semester is
gearing down and I’m going to have a little more time on my hands to get back
to what I enjoy doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my
friends, may the Force be with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-13377786623218230352013-04-20T13:01:00.001-07:002013-04-20T13:01:33.516-07:0032 BBY: Incident at Horn Station
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Aa8fS2T9ugZHX5TO_evLJzb3bsMoX-OxcWHmhyphenhyphenuBjpWp5jIQjubirbmfcB6acm6vp6A9C-yTjjbzVW0ay5eIqWJYWby_RKfNp_b6fXV9u3pTjJV3Bi-2nV73cSY7u1ocLnOhiFoAsIs/s1600/incident+at+horn+station.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Aa8fS2T9ugZHX5TO_evLJzb3bsMoX-OxcWHmhyphenhyphenuBjpWp5jIQjubirbmfcB6acm6vp6A9C-yTjjbzVW0ay5eIqWJYWby_RKfNp_b6fXV9u3pTjJV3Bi-2nV73cSY7u1ocLnOhiFoAsIs/s200/incident+at+horn+station.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Incident at Horn Station</i>
tells the story of what an everyday Jedi Knight does to bring peace, order, and
stability to the galaxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Written by Dan Jolley and penciled by Sean Phillips, it’s
one of the best stand-alone Jedi narratives I’ve read in a while because it’s a
story about what I imagine a lone Jedi should be doing in the galaxy: freeing citizens
of the Republic from oppression and warlord tyrants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This nameless Jedi stands in stark contrast
to Qui-Gon Jinn – a Jedi who feels it’s perfectly acceptable to turn a blind
eye to <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/08/32-bby-episode-1-comics-anakin.html">slavery</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Jedi ranks high in my esteem, alongside the likes of
Zayne Carrick, Kerra Holt, and Gorlan Palladane – Jedi who attempt to make a
real difference in the galaxy while doing their utmost to preserve the sanctity
of life, not <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2011/08/circa-35-33-bby-life-death-and-living.html">destroy</a> it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s likely this Jedi was sent to Horn Station by the Jedi
Council to bring Shoto (the warlord in question) to justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I were to speculate about this nameless
Jedi I say it’s possible he studied under Master Yoda since he takes a page out
of the old Master’s MO and hides his Jedi strength behind a veil of humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aboard a stuttering ship and cloaking himself
behind stuttering speech, the Jedi lays his trap for the warlord by presenting
himself as a weak and cowardly miner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, wounding a gunslinger in bar who tied to rob him, the Jedi knew
that Shoto would hear of his exploits and invite him into his high-hilled
fortress to duel him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It doesn’t take much for the Jedi Knight to spring his trap,
wound Shoto in a blaster duel, and cart him off in his ship now a prisoner of
the Jedi Order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before long I imagine
Shoto is in front of a Republic court, answering for his crimes against innocent
sentients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he leaves Horn Station
the Jedi even receives some fawning gratitude from a good-lookin’ blonde, who
asks him his name. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, not to be
taken in by a pretty face, the Jedi Knight plays it cool and tells the
attractive girl he’ll tell her his name the next time they meet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beside doing what I imagine a Jedi Knight should be doing in
the galaxy, what I also enjoyed about this story is that if my speculation is
correct, and indeed the Jedi Council did send this Jedi to Horn Station to free
it from its oppressive warlord, it means that the Council is not far removed from
the suffering of the galaxy – an impression I’ve been feeling since working my
way through the Ride of the Empire era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m going to interpret this short tale to mean that the Jedi Order, there
in the centre of the galaxy and protected by their high-white walls, are in
touch with the Force, and are still called to free the oppressed, argue for
equality, negotiate peace, and, if necessary, BE the justice the galaxy so desperately
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of curiosity – many Star Wars chronologists all agree to
place this story at just after the events of The Phantom Menace, but I didn’t find
anything remarkable in the story that would definitively place this tale at
this particular point in history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is it about this story that places it in 32 BBY post TPM material?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your thoughts on this would be enlightening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to look at another Star Wars
comic short: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bad Business</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with
you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-50164379685625847132013-04-19T09:50:00.002-07:002013-04-19T09:50:28.481-07:0032 BBY: Star Wars Episode 1: The Gungan Frontier.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3psiOrRN_1GB4-4E6hwxO4z_xfVoKZ2CsA-SxwxxP83CNLTaV8DlCnIRgu6z0cjMz_sk8FPbYdjWxEmDJ12EKCs6eEmu8olTNvffaZn1AzyxZlBiLGf4ISGkcjTrIfkL_3GVMdAETgE/s1600/Gungan+Frontier.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3psiOrRN_1GB4-4E6hwxO4z_xfVoKZ2CsA-SxwxxP83CNLTaV8DlCnIRgu6z0cjMz_sk8FPbYdjWxEmDJ12EKCs6eEmu8olTNvffaZn1AzyxZlBiLGf4ISGkcjTrIfkL_3GVMdAETgE/s200/Gungan+Frontier.png" width="163" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have you ever
thought to yourself ‘I love Star Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love Star Wars games, but only if there was, like, Sim Earth meets Sim City,
but with racist stereotypes hosting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, lucky for you, some executive at Lucas Learning thought exactly
the same thing, and, they made <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars
Episode 1: The Gungan Frontier</i>’”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the opening message to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Episode 1: The Gungan Frontier</i>’s walkthrough by
CybeargPlays on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BpK6k4AUK0">YouTube</a>, which had me laughing right from the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the spate of terrible walkthrough
narratives I’ve recently put myself through it’s about time I came across a
good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minuet into the video and
I like this guy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But before I continue with my reactions to the game, it’s
important to note that we’ve moved the chronometer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now officially into post <em>Phantom
Menace</em> material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naboo has been rescued,
Maul is “dead”, and Anakin is now the apprentice of Obi-Wan Kenobi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take note, and take a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, on to my reactions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The opening crawl of the game begins with its premise: the
underwater city of Otah Gunga has become dangerously overcrowded, therefore the
Gungans of Naboo need to colonize Naboo’s watery moon (Ohma D'un).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This task of colonization has been placed
into the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Queen Amidala.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know, pretty wild right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not scientists or trained intergalactic terra-formers, but a Jedi and a
Queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two minutes into the video and
the game has become endearingly strange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, the underwater craft from The Phantom Menace, the
<a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Tribubble_bongo">Tribubble bongo</a>, comes flying overhead through space, enters the atmosphere of
Naboo, and plunges itself into the water. That’s right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes through space!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it’s clearly a submersible, it can
somehow blast off into space as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three minutes into the game and it’s just became absurdly fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the introductions are complete, and we get to the task
of having to create an eco-system, CybeargPlays does a good job of explaining
what everything does and how it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By video three he’s lunched into an actual game and is doing well
sustaining a Nabooian environment, complete with nunas, hsuberry trees, and
falumpasets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, by video four
everything goes terribly wrong as he doesn’t keep an eye on his kaduu population
while it begins to run amuck, and sadly, the kaduus destroy the bio-diversity of his little
patch of Eden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I loved most about this game was the level of detail
concerning the flora and fauna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Created
in 1999, I imagine this game had an impact on the developers of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Galaxies</i>, as many of the plant
and animal names rang a bell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
even I remember coming across hsuberry trees with my avatar while on
Naboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creating, naming, and designing
of all the living things in this game had such minute detail; I liken the
developers of this game to the people that create props for model train enthusiast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching CybeargPlays create an environment
for the moon of Ohma D’Un was like watching the work of an avid train modeller
build his city for his train to run through. If you’ve ever been to a model
train show I think you’ll understand what I’m driving at here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A master train modeller will have a city
filled with the smallest of details: milk men delivering milk to homes, workers
loading the backs of trucks, mothers serving their family dinner through a back-lit
window, a lone dog in a backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go
to model train shows with my father not to look at the trains, but to be amazed
at the level of detail the modellers put into their sets.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never played Sim Earth, but I imagine it to be as fun
as something like Sid Meier’s Civ games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The premise behind all of these activities is the same: to create a
little world full of minute details, and at some point sit back and take in all
your hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
On a side note, a<span style="font-family: Calibri;">t the end of video four CybeargPlays mentioned something
called the Oracle VM virtual box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
said it was a program he used to be able to play the game, since it originally
ran on Windows 2000 and computers with Windows 7 can’t run old games (which I
can attest to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had known about this
I wouldn’t have had to go out and get an N64 to play <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle for Naboo</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know for
next time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to examine Star Wars Tales: #2: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Incident at Horn Station</i>. Until then my
friends, may the Force be with you.</span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-71577999870330323262013-04-16T10:21:00.002-07:002013-04-16T10:21:37.022-07:0032 BBY: Star Wars Battlefront: Naboo and Kashyyyk missions
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi141ESBCd2WZxRdbMjqK53A1lJY-vXVfEceNUspSdeO93dh-25uxFqG3KQ12Z38rVdWp0Jz5kaEVIap5Z5XJx0KzSL2znOA-sBVj3OHGVg1g4OiiVBZT2FyPyfpGuqKCG9plRmy8_8M1w/s1600/Battlefront.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi141ESBCd2WZxRdbMjqK53A1lJY-vXVfEceNUspSdeO93dh-25uxFqG3KQ12Z38rVdWp0Jz5kaEVIap5Z5XJx0KzSL2znOA-sBVj3OHGVg1g4OiiVBZT2FyPyfpGuqKCG9plRmy8_8M1w/s200/Battlefront.png" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I actually fired up the old processor and reloaded <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Battlefront</i> for this source,
making it my second time through this game. Back in August of 2010 I played <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battlefront</i> thinking it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2010/08/3032-bby-star-wars-galactic.html">Galactic Battlegrounds</a></i>, and only
realized my mistake about 2 hours in to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Battle of the Grassy Plains, The
Rebellion of Theed, and Aggressive Negotiations on Kashyyyk were fun missions
where you get to play a battle droid and a super battle droid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going through these missions a second time
affirmed for me the fun of this game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I was reminded of when I played again was that the
battle droids in the first two missions were way more agile than the battle
droids from the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the battle
droids from the movies could move as fluidly and shoot as accurately as the
battle droids from the video game could, the Gungans, and indeed all of the enemies
of the Trade Federation, would be in deep trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides being a bit of FPS fun, there really isn’t much to
this game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find a YouTube
walkthrough<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0O-IDx608w"> here</a>, but it only takes less than an hour to get through the
content of these first missions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think when I edit and reorganize this chronology project
when it’s done I’ll place this source closer to the <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2013/01/32-bby-invasion-of-theed.html">Invasion of Theed Adventuregame</a> from WOTC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s more in line with
that collection of narratives, detailing the un-sung heroes of the Naboo
resistance movement who tried to stop the invasion of their home planet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to take a look at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Episode 1: The Gungan Frontier</i>,
but before I sign off I just want you other chronologists who have been
following my progress to look over the remaining sources I want to examine before
I begin to exit my way out of 32 BBY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regarding our conversation Plaristes, this source, I should follow this
list (I’m not going to cover Lego infinities), yes?:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode I: The Gungan Frontier (video game)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Star Wars Tales: #2: Incident at Horn Station; #8: Bad
Business<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Peril in the Ionosphere" rpg scenario in Star
Wars Gamer #1<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Save the Mantaris!" rpg scenario on WotC site<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Living Force Campaign: Eye of the Sun Trilogy: 1) A
Cularin Presence; 2) The Resistance Within; 3) Revelation and Refutation<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Living Force Campaign: An Uneasy Peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Star Wars #7-12: Outlander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force: 1) Part
Six: Arrival at the Jedi Temple; 2) Part Two: Illustrious Lightsabers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Living Force
Campaign: The Price of Business</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force: The
Force as a Source of Energy, The Return of the Sith, and The Conversion of
Count Dooku</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bounty Hunter (video
game)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jango Fett: Open
Seasons<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Living Force
Campaign: Between the Worlds Trilogy: 1) TopWorld; 2) MidWorld; 3) UnderWorld<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"The Nova
Crystal" rpg scenario in GameTrade #10 (available at
theforce.net/rpg/magazines)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bounty Hunters: Aurra Sing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Star Wars Tales #21-24: Nomad<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Darth Plaguies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until then my friends, may the Force be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-77170023906730088132013-04-14T05:03:00.002-07:002013-04-14T05:03:41.879-07:0032 BBY: Duel of the Fates
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQBIM2-cWCIzVbsY2cpsOg9c0X89zQdjU9k4OfJ0g63L44Tz3JRPhN8_Ra6QUE7V5chFdHDNZrFGwwQhv4-Vk-mKYs0RMVq3sVdpV4AdKd8zC88_QkAhLy-BevzGY4a1rUQGsQR_OjEk/s1600/Star+Wars+Gamer+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQBIM2-cWCIzVbsY2cpsOg9c0X89zQdjU9k4OfJ0g63L44Tz3JRPhN8_Ra6QUE7V5chFdHDNZrFGwwQhv4-Vk-mKYs0RMVq3sVdpV4AdKd8zC88_QkAhLy-BevzGY4a1rUQGsQR_OjEk/s200/Star+Wars+Gamer+1.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back in June of 2012 I did a write-upon <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/06/32-bby-starfighter-trap.html">The StarfighterTrap</a>, a forgettable story by Steve Miller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of that post was about my World of Warcraft addiction and how I had
just recently beat it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I originally
read the story I had only an e-source I pulled from the internet, and not the
actual print copy found in <em>Star Wars Gamer #1</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sorry I didn’t try a litter harder to get my hands on the original
source material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Star Wars Gamer
Magazine (after the Star Wars Adventure Journal) is now my favorite print
anthology of Star Wars short stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This magazine is absolutely phenomenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I regret not collecting them when they were first released in 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve since remedied the situation as I’ve got
almost the entire collection minus issues 2 and 3 (thank you eBay).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That I enjoyed <em>Star Wars Gamer</em> so much is not surprising;
it’s the natural heir to the<em> Star Wars Adventure Journal</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve mentioned before in this blog that I’d
love to revive the Adventure Journal, and it seems that <em>Star Wars Gamer
Magazine</em> was a tacit attempt to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
works are essentially the same animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
summer I made a few frivolous attempts at looking at how I would go about doing
such a thing, creating my own unofficial Star Wars short story / RPG magazine
(I talked a little about this in my post on <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/01/67-bby-tenebrous-way.html">The Tenebrous Way</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like anything it’d take a bit of work, and
more importantly funding, but I honestly think I could get something like this
going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I should start using AdSense
in my blog, and with the money I raise direct it towards my secondary dream of
creating a Star Wars fanzine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
genuinely wonder how Disney would react to such an endeavour – if I actually
got it going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would they sue the shirt
off my back, or would they react like Lucas Licensing did in the late 70’s to
the Star Wars fanzines that popped up and turn a legal blind eye to them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funnily, even though Lucas Licensing turned a
blind eye to these magazines, they still demanded that the fanzines submit their
pages for archival purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I
never read or was familiar with Polyhedron, I suppose I’d like to get something
like this going, but just with short stories and D6 stats instead of D20.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honestly, how does one start to put a magazine together –
anyone have any input on this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, enough of my crazy schemes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Duel of the Fates</em>, an RPG scenario from <em>Star Wars Gamer #1</em>,
gives fans of the Star Wars d20 system a breakdown, round by round, of the
final battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul. As an old D6 gamer I often
watch the films and try to correlate the actions of the heroes with what I
imagine their role-playing-game stats to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before I even saw Han Solo’s character sheet, I knew he had a blaster
skill above 7D (It’s actually 9D+1 – super impressive!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he tried to tell the Imperial Officers
in the Death Star that there was a “slight weapons malfunction” in the
detention block, I knew he failed his roll at his con skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As me and my old GM used to joke, he rolled a
1 on the uncertainty dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Duel of the Fates</em> gives us gamers those nitty-gritty details
we wonder about when we watch the films.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two things struck me in this source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, I was surprised at how out-gunned
Kenobi was in this fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s only a
level 6 Jedi Guardian with 38 vitality available (of 52), whereas Maul is a
level 12 Jedi Guardian with 63 vitality points (of 120).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On paper, Maul wins this fight 98% of the
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, Kenobi makes an awesome
roll to win the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Kenobi
was out-gunned on paper, the Force played a cruel trick on the Sith acolyte,
and stood by Kenobi in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jumping
from the pit of defeat, and grabbing his fallen Master’s lightsaber:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“… (Kenobi) then attacks the
flat-footed Maul, scoring a critical hit and rolling maximum damage (18
points).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is enough to reduce Maul
to zero wound points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adding a bit of
flavour, the GM rules that this attack severs Maul at the waist and sends the
body tumbling down the shaft” (Star Wars Gamer #1, pg. 47)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Force was with Kenobi, and always will be.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to look at the historical missions
of Naboo and Kashyyyk from the Star Wars Battlefront video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with
you.</span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-82593724556260393262013-04-13T05:08:00.002-07:002013-04-13T05:08:32.836-07:0032 BBY: Ultimate Missions: Clone Strike <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsiM-03jsxoYcn7e7l-2swNlO2EDluxumoeQCWGlTO_zZwZQauyakj9Slb19Ep3Dpzbift0GAYUNOFJxtM6ovlx8U2ALEEnp_-KINE1T3cZE42HiK_khYsuJyNKUHEGzwCucrgvKNZYk/s1600/Ultimate+Missions+Clone+Strike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsiM-03jsxoYcn7e7l-2swNlO2EDluxumoeQCWGlTO_zZwZQauyakj9Slb19Ep3Dpzbift0GAYUNOFJxtM6ovlx8U2ALEEnp_-KINE1T3cZE42HiK_khYsuJyNKUHEGzwCucrgvKNZYk/s200/Ultimate+Missions+Clone+Strike.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
Placeholder post.MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-9311880576708709172013-04-12T06:14:00.001-07:002013-04-12T06:14:20.458-07:0032 BBY: Star Wars Saga Annual 2006, Star Wars Annual 2007, Star Wars Annual 2009<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQie-TDhV1udgxsUiYijqtsgOzLIGSImVheQODTGQoVbreRWWy0ui6OQXqgYfZkRZqnHaFaOrGK8h-CtKG8FOd_ZwHZiDbF8IQvMyr0g2qONiUvOuSzwQMmjPtjToSBvemLvXfoEqGXo/s1600/star+wars+annual+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQie-TDhV1udgxsUiYijqtsgOzLIGSImVheQODTGQoVbreRWWy0ui6OQXqgYfZkRZqnHaFaOrGK8h-CtKG8FOd_ZwHZiDbF8IQvMyr0g2qONiUvOuSzwQMmjPtjToSBvemLvXfoEqGXo/s1600/star+wars+annual+2009.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6oU8Didm7xP7F1J_miiT33osiYN5tEAp519xUkTfS_Z89IekuGuYn5-xT8H4dZ11lPbTd49Ww9OhQ357vADjUyzuEY7jlaKaC1HASZOJSlcroRc-T9AbBO6l7sg8TTqctER_viXmQmQ/s1600/Star+Wars+saga+annual+2006.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6oU8Didm7xP7F1J_miiT33osiYN5tEAp519xUkTfS_Z89IekuGuYn5-xT8H4dZ11lPbTd49Ww9OhQ357vADjUyzuEY7jlaKaC1HASZOJSlcroRc-T9AbBO6l7sg8TTqctER_viXmQmQ/s200/Star+Wars+saga+annual+2006.png" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlr8T19sSAIbmsfINi1qb6YjzmyEWAgetRlWLs6UaXGHSpfpHXs66IPRObv6G6C55uJ_va7Y_IZwKrslEBVizs9vdQFCdDJbwZoiJtM6buVb4Njk-N0rLAjP3Zys4Omw3-n1YYjVKmUQ/s1600/star+wars+annual+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlr8T19sSAIbmsfINi1qb6YjzmyEWAgetRlWLs6UaXGHSpfpHXs66IPRObv6G6C55uJ_va7Y_IZwKrslEBVizs9vdQFCdDJbwZoiJtM6buVb4Njk-N0rLAjP3Zys4Omw3-n1YYjVKmUQ/s200/star+wars+annual+2007.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a copy of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star
Wars Annual 2009</i> thanks to Plaristes, but I’ve been hesitating on picking
up a copy of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Saga Annual
2006</i>, which contains a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phantom Menace</i>
adaptation, as well as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2007 Star Wars
Annual</i>, which contain in-universe journal entries that adapt the films,
including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a little too pricey for me right
now, but I’ve convinced myself to fork out the money for them, just not yet. In
the interim I’m going to make a placeholder post, like I did with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/07/32-bby-episdoe-1-adventures-search-for.html">Episode 1 Adventure Games</a></i>, and back
track my way to these sources once I have them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve also ordered <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ultimate
Missions: Clone Strike</i>, so I’ll also be making a placeholder post for that
source and do a write-up for it once the book comes in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, I’ll move on to <em>Duel of the
Fates</em>, an RPG scenario from <em>Star Wars Gamer</em>. Until then my friends may the Force be with
you.</span>MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-5099820508902955192013-04-08T04:25:00.001-07:002013-04-08T04:25:42.235-07:0032 BBY: Anakin Skywalker & Jar Jar Binks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TRDY9kTW9ISdv1hX_bKC66KKtlyHYQJk-9gwxPPEG9MiiXDqF6g4wHgz7Sl6ICGZestZJSVzcoXHLLNIaJOG1scqVhXhXmFziZWRhFIKYu-oyKfxoXGPG257-v8QJV3PAH0kLmQNGCE/s1600/Anakin+Skywalker+Milliron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TRDY9kTW9ISdv1hX_bKC66KKtlyHYQJk-9gwxPPEG9MiiXDqF6g4wHgz7Sl6ICGZestZJSVzcoXHLLNIaJOG1scqVhXhXmFziZWRhFIKYu-oyKfxoXGPG257-v8QJV3PAH0kLmQNGCE/s200/Anakin+Skywalker+Milliron.jpg" width="174" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeuYndsbpgn1W36PguYSw11HDzPv5yDkj2uGQskP-mVyIZEn4Hcs4QZBgRpMTrq9tV9XLkq-mBfDFKP3jOhObLtWhjX20m27vML1-firwER4OW-Ikvdiptewwcfa3OXbpIFXXubPTZkE/s1600/Jar+Jar+Binks+Milliron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeuYndsbpgn1W36PguYSw11HDzPv5yDkj2uGQskP-mVyIZEn4Hcs4QZBgRpMTrq9tV9XLkq-mBfDFKP3jOhObLtWhjX20m27vML1-firwER4OW-Ikvdiptewwcfa3OXbpIFXXubPTZkE/s200/Jar+Jar+Binks+Milliron.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Continuing with my trend of examining Star Wars children’s
books, I have before me Kerry Milliron’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anakin
Skywalker</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jar Jar Binks</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to pick-up these two books for a
buck at the annual city wide book sale a few Octobers ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No amazon for me this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like most children’s material there is not much to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Steacy’s illustrations were neat enough;
the only notable thing to comment on is Jar Jar’s truly heroic pose on the last
page of his book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s riding a Kaduu
armed with a shock staff and fearlessly riding down battle droids- not the Jar
Jar we’re familiar with at all.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to look at the Star Wars annuals
dealing with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>
material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I said I was going to
do it this post, but upon looking at my post <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2011/08/handling-32-bby.html">Handling 32 BBY</a> I realized I
missed this stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, until then my
friends, may the Force be with you.</span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-11715632452727612442013-04-07T07:46:00.001-07:002013-04-07T11:27:10.905-07:0032 BBY: Star Wars Episode 1 and R2-D2 Play and Sound books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie13bXKLS8yUgXunJDGnQxkmjqawXbNXxL5qOxsWKU2enEOaw7YmRD_Vn3jUoBdYtotN9m5tE4BVLmkwpvo9cHPPjC8ZH9MN1kCNlzQRAd4-UDrz1bGuT808uzmhL1L_K5kOFhqpm8SXw/s1600/r2-d2+play+and+sound.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie13bXKLS8yUgXunJDGnQxkmjqawXbNXxL5qOxsWKU2enEOaw7YmRD_Vn3jUoBdYtotN9m5tE4BVLmkwpvo9cHPPjC8ZH9MN1kCNlzQRAd4-UDrz1bGuT808uzmhL1L_K5kOFhqpm8SXw/s200/r2-d2+play+and+sound.png" width="130" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbhGXI8XqxSCwnx-_xYfl7-8l3sIJjr-_duBpk6OFA7wpP11g4R-yBLnO4iAqpCihWCGt5hP1Bao5n3h9Lfi5MOEhhiiJCwDKbmEhHDiswgRZxrQJbpEP0rZ3MEHYJIxpBj9jLqu7xBg/s1600/episdoe+1+play+and+sound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbhGXI8XqxSCwnx-_xYfl7-8l3sIJjr-_duBpk6OFA7wpP11g4R-yBLnO4iAqpCihWCGt5hP1Bao5n3h9Lfi5MOEhhiiJCwDKbmEhHDiswgRZxrQJbpEP0rZ3MEHYJIxpBj9jLqu7xBg/s200/episdoe+1+play+and+sound.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Margret Lansing’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R2-D2</i>
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Episode 1 play and sound</i>
children’s books both go over brief episodes from the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I don’t have a copy of Lansing’s
Episode 1, but thanks to Plaristes for providing me with a copy of the R2-D2
play and sound book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a few of these types of books for my children, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Snow White and the Seven Dwarves</i> is the
one I can name off the top of my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you read the story
and get to an icon, you push a button and a sound emanates as a representation
of the icon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, in the R2-D2
play and sound book, when you get to an icon of R2 and push the button I assume
there is an R2-D2 sound effect (I don't know for sure as I only have a scanned
copy available).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The R2-D2 play and
sound book details the part of episode 1 where R2 and Anakin hijack a Naboo S1
and fly off to blow up the Trade Federation cruiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not sure which aspect of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> the Episode 1 book deals with, and at this point
I’m not sure I ever will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, this is
the first time in my project where I don’t have some sort of manifestation of
the source in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want
to buy a copy because money is tight with my wife on mat leave right now, plus, I’m
not going to get worked up over a pre-school book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess my completionist desire has met its
limit in the form of pre-school children’s books.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to briefly look at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Saga Annual 2006</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Annual 2007</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars Annual 2009</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TPM Pocket Money Treats</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, thanks to Plaristes for sharing his
copies of these with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my
friends, may the Force be with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-71655186761011740582013-04-01T13:55:00.002-07:002013-04-01T13:55:22.005-07:0032 BBY: Jar Jar's Journey
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ub1c53N0IM29RC1uCxQ69meeeOG-wmyIZQUE5KTXyqY3swPgjphW1GVhV0xFEBDDQXqjfvcK0do6FERHFBJ_OvfXG5T-Y4Ifv87nDY5nPlSjgVS7pIgFRbVFT5e1OfB8g0WDsCenKx8/s1600/Jar+Jar's+Journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ub1c53N0IM29RC1uCxQ69meeeOG-wmyIZQUE5KTXyqY3swPgjphW1GVhV0xFEBDDQXqjfvcK0do6FERHFBJ_OvfXG5T-Y4Ifv87nDY5nPlSjgVS7pIgFRbVFT5e1OfB8g0WDsCenKx8/s200/Jar+Jar's+Journey.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The animated medium is where Star Wars belongs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked about this in my post on <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2011/07/3681-bby-return.html">Return</a> –
the animated cinematic from Bioware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
that post I argued that Star Wars would be best served if it moved exclusively to
the animated medium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More could be done
and more stories could be told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even
went so far as to say that I think episodes 1-6 should be re-made into <em>The
Clone Wars</em> style of animation, thereby creating a consistent visual story of
the Skywalker saga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very wishful
dreaming on my part, I know, but sometimes I like to think about the logistics
of such an endeavour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this were to happen
there would all sorts of hurdles to jump of course, like whose voicing would be
used?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would the films be best served if
all the original voicing from the original actors were used, or – taking into consideration
episodes 1-3 – would they be re-done using the voice actors from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Clone Wars</i> series?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun questions to think about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though I’m excited about episode seven, I’d be more excited
if it was going to be an animated feature like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Clone Wars</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark Hamill,
Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher could reprise their roles as voice actors, and
more importantly, the three stars could appear in the film looking like the
older and still heroic versions we are familiar with from the EU book
covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My greatest fear with episode 7
(among many) is that these three will look too real – too tired, too saggy, and
too old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s apparent the three have aged
better on book covers than they have in real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With an animated feature, the reality of old
age need not get in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether we’d
like to admit it or not, we want our mythological heroes to look young for as
long as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An animated film
solves this problem.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, and in the same vein, the possibility of a live
action show is exciting, but I’d rather have an animated show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Clone Wars</i> proved that a consistent audience of young and old fans (and by
old I mean myself and other 70’s and 80’s children who keep this IP alive) can
sustain such programming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t be
alone in my thinking here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does anyone
else want to see Star Wars move to an exclusively animated medium?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me your thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bring up the topic of an animated Star Wars because in the
source before me, <em>Jar Jar’s Journey</em>, we are presented with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> in cartoon format – and putting aside what this
is; namely, a computer learning program for kids – the effect is tremendously
cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I haven’t engaged with the
source directly (and I still might, the only thing holding me back is not
knowing whether or not my computer will run it), there is a short YouTube video
of it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGBAMctuDws">here</a>, and the website </span><a href="http://www.starwarsmedia.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.starwarsmedia.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
has a page dedicated to it <a href="http://starwarsmedia.site90.net/jar_jars_journey.html">here</a>. Take a look at these links and tell me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> didn’t just get a little
bit better because it was a cartoon. I dare ya!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, I still might pick up a copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are all sorts available on eBay, and I
can probably get away with spending 20 bucks or less for it, but even then, the
price is little too steep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can perhaps
justify my expenditure with idea that I may go through the game with my
5-year-old son, but like I said, I’m worried my computer won’t be able to run
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Accordingly, I think the two links above did well in
presenting the essence of the game. So, in the same spirit of Obi-Wan’s
Adventures, I’m going to check off this source as ‘dealt with’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>For my next post I’m going to take a quick
look at Star Wars Episode 1 and R2-D2, both children's books by Margret
Lansing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the
Force be with you.</span>MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-83406379780222884902013-03-30T13:15:00.002-07:002013-03-30T13:15:42.451-07:0032 BBY: Jedi Power Battles
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn2glSQuQgQF8HnHuyBOWfMhPeabrhzxSUCLjpt1-l1FjnesWkRXyOmHphmXEFbeTrK-NJD7BXurTdfwloMRi4HvZcbWLZ8hpvnW9SeVbPTocP6G7ZRgCSAy92z8AmYunqHFc-h_YsIs/s1600/Jedi+Power+Battles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn2glSQuQgQF8HnHuyBOWfMhPeabrhzxSUCLjpt1-l1FjnesWkRXyOmHphmXEFbeTrK-NJD7BXurTdfwloMRi4HvZcbWLZ8hpvnW9SeVbPTocP6G7ZRgCSAy92z8AmYunqHFc-h_YsIs/s200/Jedi+Power+Battles.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of all the video games adapted from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jedi
Power Battles</i> seemed to be the most fun to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_hQ9aaMvc"> this</a> walkthrough, which featured
two players going through the content as Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of interest (for myself mostly) there
were 17 videos all together, totaling a little over 3 hours of footage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me nearly two weeks to find the time
to watch them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, the two-player
feature I found to be very cool, as it reminded me of my days playing Contra in
elementary school with my buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Games
are more fun when there are two players working together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The platform for this game was the Sony Dreamcast, which had
better graphics than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>
from the PS1, and slightly worse graphics compared to X-Box’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: Obi-Wan</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As seems to be a common feature of walkthroughs, the
commentary was terrible – the players were mostly cussing their way through the
content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last two walkthroughs I’ve
watched neither of the players made a concerted effort to at least partially
script out what they might want to talk about as they play their way
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’d be nice if walkthrough
players discussed the finer points of Star Wars as they played through a Star
Wars game, but I may be asking for too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, for this walkthrough I listen to the latest
podcast from <a href="http://www.forcecast.net/">www.forcecast.net</a> (episode #247), which talked about the latest news
and rumors behind the cancellation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Clone Wars</i> – a sad day for all Star Wars fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would’ve been nice if the show had segued
into Episode 3 the way the Genndy Tartakovsky version did, and then was reborn
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: The Dark Times</i>. Unfortunately
for fans of the show (myself included), the show has been killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving back to my reactions to <em>Jedi Power Battles</em>, at this point in the project there is almost nothing fresh regarding
Phantom Menace content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan
played through some levels and defeated Darth Maul at the end – the notable
difference being Qui-Gon’s survival in two-player mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose I could speculate about what Star
Wars history would've looked liked if Qui-Gon had survived, so here is a bold and unorthodox
prediction: he would’ve joined Count Dooku and fallen to the darkside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s completely reasonable to think
Qui-Gon would’ve turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without getting
into a long diatribe of Qui-Gon’s questionable actions from pervious sources,
check out my response to one reader’s reactions to my own thoughts on Gray Jedi
in my post on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2010/07/3951-bby-knights-of-old-republic-ii.html">KOTOR II: The Sith Lords</a></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I basically argue that Dooku was not completely
off base when, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Attack of the Clones,</i>
he told Kenobi that his former apprentice would have joined the Separatist
confederacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to briefly look at the video game
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jar Jar’s Journey</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with
you.</span>MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-81294752955296505772013-03-23T06:21:00.002-07:002013-03-23T06:21:31.586-07:0032 BBY: Obi-Wan's Adventures
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTgDsx6NL7HkaN_OwXZfwNP9SvSs6cV6l3YEYbNXzzmzkOpPTgoTthZgYi8f_VuCmgqlelIWzooL9bVD-msFVo8reVtMXtP70dPQwAGzcCBal_kTYRYVoeLiAwbbiopcbjQ9rG76kk44/s1600/Obi-Wan's+Adventures.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTgDsx6NL7HkaN_OwXZfwNP9SvSs6cV6l3YEYbNXzzmzkOpPTgoTthZgYi8f_VuCmgqlelIWzooL9bVD-msFVo8reVtMXtP70dPQwAGzcCBal_kTYRYVoeLiAwbbiopcbjQ9rG76kk44/s200/Obi-Wan's+Adventures.png" width="159" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I had decided to no longer play video games for this
project I had already purchased the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Obi-Wan’s
Adventures</i> game on E-Bay, but I had yet to purchase a Gameboy Colour to
play it on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured when I had squirreled
away 40 bucks I'd pick one up, but that never happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now I have the game sitting on my shelf
without a Gameboy to play it. Then I
found this <a href="http://www.playr.org/play/star_wars_episode_i_-_obi-wans_adventures/1536">website</a>, which is fantastic, but a resource I wish I was aware of
before I dropped money on this game. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
played through the first three levels, and pretty much understood what it was
all about after that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, there is only one walkthrough video online to
watch and you can see it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ge6OVwttlA">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the
first level of nine, where the plot of the story follows what is basically
found in the movie. From what I can gather from the write-up at Wikipedia there
are two deviations from the story we’re familiar with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is mention that at one point in the
game Obi-Wan faces off against some bounty hunters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, in order to get into the city of Theed
to liberate it at the end of the story the heroes needed to travel through some
ancient catacombs, both elements missing from most retellings of this story
that we’ve come across. I thought the catacombs on Naboo bit was neat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I still might play through the game on my spare time, but in
the interests of moving this project forward I’m going to check off Obi-Wan’s
Adventures as ‘dealt with’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to take a look at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jedi Power Battles</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a 17 part walkthrough on YouTube, so
I’ll get cracking on that a.s.a.p.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until
then my friends, may the Force be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-71103583618938308392013-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:002013-03-17T11:39:01.671-07:0032 BBY: Star Wars: Obi-Wan
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoqudLObr2Kcwo_940SB2bWOMpcGjRp2GR9rUI1UvXNMHU1xmoTBqWod4mKhr3e8qN63-FQqOXNI9Qh56y_lFXbH8UJxK269zEfNdAezeU_wfWsC8WbuWz3LVMGQr-GncRovjpQ-_FMs/s1600/Star+Wars+Obi-Wan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoqudLObr2Kcwo_940SB2bWOMpcGjRp2GR9rUI1UvXNMHU1xmoTBqWod4mKhr3e8qN63-FQqOXNI9Qh56y_lFXbH8UJxK269zEfNdAezeU_wfWsC8WbuWz3LVMGQr-GncRovjpQ-_FMs/s200/Star+Wars+Obi-Wan.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mostly enjoyed Yoshishide’s walkthrough of X-Box’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: Obi-Wan</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find the first video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL78EA78D5D1F25AD8">here</a>, and all
the other videos are linked after it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
I did play of this game was tremendously fun, despite Yoshishide’s continual exclamations
to the contrary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His comments on the
controls of the game were spot-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having the right toggle stick be the lightsaber attack was
ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made control of the
character difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for all of
Yoshishie’s ballyhooing about how terrible the game was to play it sure did
seem like he was having fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is, I
think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: Obi-Wan</i> is a game
I’ll return to in the future to play my way through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I didn’t like of the walkthrough was the continual
swearing, and after video 5 I watched the remainder of the walkthrough with the
volume down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With three little ones
around the house profanity is something I’ve all but edited from my vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The English language is old, deep, and
descriptive, and there are other words I can use to express anger, frustration,
or disgust. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s not like I’ve never sworn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up in an Irish household so I can
swear with the best of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like
Ralphie’s dad from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Christmas Story</i>,
my father was a masterful curser, and I learned from the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s swearing would paint an artistic
tapestry, my favorite occasions being when he would split a word to insert a
curse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not just unbelievable, but
un-@&%$#!&-believable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess
that’s why I enjoyed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Christmas Story</i>
so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene where Ralphie swore in
front of his father was a scene taken straight from my own childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of blaming Schwartz however, poor
Shawn Z. got the blame.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My desire to stop swearing comes from trying to set a good
example for my children. Agree or disagree with the statement, I think for most
people having kids makes them want to be better people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps that’s my naïve hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m reminded of St. Paul’s letter to the
Corinthians when he wrote: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I
thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I
set aside childish ways” (1 Cor: 13:11).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My attempt to stop swearing is my attempt to set aside such childish
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m no longer an adherent of the
philosophy, ‘If it feels good I should do it’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though swearing may make me feel good for the moment, it does not mean I
should do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bankrupt worldview.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, I’ve digressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As for the video game itself, I have a bunch to say, the first being the
terrible voice acting of Obi-Wan Kenobi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not sure who the actor was but he sounded like a Ewan McGregor
impersonator with a cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was painful
to listen to.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I enjoyed the part of the game where Obi-Wan got to square
off with some of the Jedi Masters in the dueling ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An underutilized character form the EU is
Sineese Tiin, and he was one of the Masters Obi-Wan dueled. Though I myself
never got that far in to the game, he seemed to be an easy opponent for
Yoshishide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There seemed to be a bit of a continuity error regarding the
Coruscant guard, and the Wookieepedia page of this game makes mention of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is, the Coruscant guard an
interesting element of the first chapter. Obi-Wan had to rescue a member of the
guard who got caught while undercover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I went to Wookieepedia to investigate the history of the Coruscant guard it
seems<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there is a bit of an incongruity
between how the organization is presented in the game – as an apparent arm of
the Coruscant police force that welcomes aliens among its ranks – namely
Quarren, and what Wookieepedia has to say about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Wookieepdia the Coruscant Guard:
“…began as a Republic military unit comprised of clone shock troopers and were
later a specialized branch of the Imperial stormtroopers”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems the Coruscant Guard, at least
according to this game, existed long before it was made up exclusively of clones.
But like I said, the Wookieepedia page on the game tries to account for this inconsistency
by suggesting that the Quarren who was undercover was not part of the Coruscant
guard, rather, the Senate guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving on, cortosis is a Jedi foil I always find
intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mention of cortosis was
neat, along with the Jin’ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking a look
at their Wookieepedia page the Jin’ha are not mentioned outside of this game,
but apparently are a species who had cortosis ore readily available, and even
sold it to the Trade Federation for the production of their own assassin
droids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene in part 7 where
Obi-Wan was battling assassin droids in the throne room of Theed armed with
cortisis blades was neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had quite
the cinematic feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there
are two neat story elements here one could mine for their own Star Wars short stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do these Cortosis laced assassin droids make
a second appearance anywhere down the line in Star Wars history?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why wasn’t the Trade Federation making more
of these to battle the Jedi instead of those useless B1 droids?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I enjoyed most about the game was the first half, since
it was material not found in the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first part of the game before Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are on the Trade Federation
ship reminded me of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Young Apprentice</i>
series, especially when Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had to head<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the planet Obredaan to rescue Eath Koth
and Plo Koon. The end of that level was particularly cool when the three Jedi
Masters appear at the end of the level to help Obi-Wan with the Jin’ha.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were also interesting bits of plot twists in the game,
namely; when Amidala (really Sabe) was kidnapped by some tusken raiders and it
was up to Obi-Wan to rescue her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The final battle with Maul was somewhat anti-climactic, and its
presentation was changed a little with Obi-Wan force-pushing Maul into the pit,
and not slicing him in half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, I’m glad to be done with this source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to
find time to write for my project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those
of you still following my progress I thank you for your patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my hope to get to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bounty Hunters: Aurra Sing</i> before the end of the school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to take a look at Obi-Wan Adventures,
a game found on the Gameboy platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with you.</span>MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-23575062208022887172013-02-27T07:27:00.004-08:002013-02-27T07:27:44.070-08:0032 BBY: The Phantom Menace video game (PS1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A2S6l-6VrP9D6ss9RCmU_obls7a9d3KGcROVRjewt1RAnZB1Ho5IjRsafVHE_Yge3GgPzifDZ9rzXHISX5LpngFZTsuMv_VL376aJWZBNvhhY6cxMpuPdB8I0UNnTRE-bMS4IDZfdI0/s1600/psone_star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace_pal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A2S6l-6VrP9D6ss9RCmU_obls7a9d3KGcROVRjewt1RAnZB1Ho5IjRsafVHE_Yge3GgPzifDZ9rzXHISX5LpngFZTsuMv_VL376aJWZBNvhhY6cxMpuPdB8I0UNnTRE-bMS4IDZfdI0/s200/psone_star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace_pal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>
video game left me in a moral dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t complete the game on my own merits, and I’ve decided that I’m no longer
going to playing the video games for the project; rather, I’m simply going watching
other people’s walkthroughs on YouTube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The benefits of watching walkthroughs are obvious (here comes my
rationalization):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’ll save me much
time, money, and frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, the time and trouble it took for me to get my hands on an N64 for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Battle for Naboo</i> game was a little
too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, for this game I had
to dish out 50 bucks for a PS2 (plus 10 bucks to get the PS1 disc on EBay)
which was ultimately neither fun nor enjoyable to play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>
video game was mostly terrible, and in response to its terribleness I doubly
cheated my way through it, and my “completion” of this game feels empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I’ve “walked through it”, but I don’t
feel victorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, I don’t
like that I cheated my way through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After cheating I wish I hadn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wish I had finished the game on my own merits in order to feel the sense of
accomplishment that comes with finishing a video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m at the same time glad that I “finished”
the game so I can move on to the next source (yet another video game), but sad
that the game beat me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like I said, my cheating was two-fold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, I cheated by using an actual cheat
code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Escape from Theed</i> level was so terribly difficult I broke down
and looked for a way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept dying
at the end of the level, where the tank guards the gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came across IGN’s list of cheats and
promptly entered in the invincibility code by highlighting the Options at the
main menu, then pressing: Triangle, Circle, Left, L1, R2, Square, Circle, Left.
When the tone confirmed correct entry, I held L1 + Select + Triangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voila!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was invincible, and oddly, felt like an actual Jedi when facing off
against the battle droids in the subsequent levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Secondly, my other method of cheating was watching some
Australian fellas play through the game (the PC version) on YouTube. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I became so confused with who I had to trade
what with in the Mos Espa level, I broke down and watched a Phantom Menace
walkthrough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After watching the Mos Espa
level I didn’t stop, and continued viewing right to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, I don’t feel the need to
complete the game now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reason I’m bothered by this can be summed up in one word
– authenticity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The purpose of this project is to ‘authentically’ engage
with all Star Wars material pertaining to the historical events of its
universe, and in my opinion, a YouTube walkthrough is not an “authentic”
engagement with the source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like
reading the Coles notes of a book – it’s just not the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here I am, decidedly sure that I’m just going to watch walkthroughs
of the video games for the SWCP on YouTube from here on in, yet unable to fully
accept that I’ve sundered the original intent of this project (because I have).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ultimately, I think it’s a feeling I’ll get over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically there is not enough incentive for
me to make the claim “I’ve played all the Star Wars video games” considering
all the time, money, and frustration it will take for me to actually play my
way through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The books, RPG
sources, short stories, audio dramas, movies, shows, and any other bits of
media I’ve forgot to mention are all sources I can handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This experience has taught me that I am
unable to properly engage with the video games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, with the new baby my wife and I now outnumbered, and what little
personal time I did have to devote to this project needs to be allocated to my
home life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there will be a
bitter-sweet moment in my future when my children will start to ignore me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the one hand, this will allow me to pursue
my hobbies once again, but on the other hand, in the eyes of my children
I’ll<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be transformed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from that super-fun guy who chases, tickles
and plays action-figures into that uncool guy with all the rules who doesn’t
know what he’s talking about.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, when I complete the Star Wars Chronology Project,
I think I might start an offshoot blog and do my own video game walk throughs
on YouTube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’ll be in about ten
years (at the pace I’m going), so my children should be sufficiently independent
enough to pick up and focus on their own hobbies allowing me to focus on mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like I said above, the game was mostly terrible to
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had fun at the start playing Obi-Wan
and fighting my way off the Trade Federation ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a neat cut-scene at the end of this
level where Obi-Wan emergences from the water on the surface of Naboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a scene not found in the film, and I
thought there would be more of these throughout the game, but there wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only other original cut scene in the game
was towards the end, where Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Amidala, and Anakin are about to
infiltrate the Royal palace.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My most enjoyable moment in the game occurred while I was
paying the Mos Espa level (ironically).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As Qui-Gon, if you bump in to one of the ruffians, he shouts at you “Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch yourself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the death sentence on 5 systems!” or something
like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was playing, my wife
asked how Yosemite Sam got on Tatooine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was like, ‘what?’, and she said ‘bump into that guy again’, and we
both laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I’m a little sad to say that I’ll no longer be playing
my way through the games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re just
too much.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’ll be watching a walkthrough of the Obi-Wan
video game (any recommendations of a particular walkthrough that I should
watch?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the
Force be with you.</span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-8059961978156935302013-02-04T18:39:00.000-08:002013-02-04T18:41:48.852-08:0032 BBY: Reputation<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgR8qfEMzSaDOH5tN4QUoR_TC5nUWwssjh63kDVuw4GeaLmvHFIGbZCk_Hmm0KM-Tho9k9aCnAe0t7gc-VnmyOnfMIa10OSjQQHmSpgKYFZIf8gupyPlK0uoNB13AUYbfNxtdAt4Y73A/s1600/Reputation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgR8qfEMzSaDOH5tN4QUoR_TC5nUWwssjh63kDVuw4GeaLmvHFIGbZCk_Hmm0KM-Tho9k9aCnAe0t7gc-VnmyOnfMIa10OSjQQHmSpgKYFZIf8gupyPlK0uoNB13AUYbfNxtdAt4Y73A/s200/Reputation.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m a Cad Bane fanboy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ever since he first appeared in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hostage
Crisis</i> from the first season of The Clone Wars I’ve been totally taken with
his awesomeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is, by far, the
coolest bounty hunter in all of Star Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like all well drawn villains, we miss his presence when he
is not on screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cad Bane’s hat,
pistols, and Peter Lorre inspired Hungarian-tinged Old West infused accent (as
voiced by Cory Burton) all add to the "quintessentially cold, cruel and
calculating" aspects of his character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Angel-Eyes of the Star Wars universe, Cad Bane is not a Duros to be
trifled with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I give my thoughts on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reputation</i>, a short story written by Ari Marmell, I want to share
with you one of my favorite Cad Bane moments. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunt for Ziro</i>, from season 3 of The Clone Wars, when Obi-Wan
declares that Bane is under arrest, the hunter counters the Jedi’s intentions
with his own:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well now that you mention it,
the Separatists are paying a million credits a head for a Jedi”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a line filled with such bravado I can’t help but root
for the lone gun-slinger facing off against the two Jedi Masters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though he ultimately falls short of
collecting his bounty, he gives the two Jedi all they can handle.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reputation</i> we
meet Cad Bane many years before his emergence as the pre-eminent bounty hunter
of his day, which brings me to my first point regarding this piece. I think
there is a little confusion on the dating of this story, as Wookieepedia has it
listed at circa 24 BBY, which I think is mistaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m listing it at 32 BBY because of the
following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“War’s coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people don’t like to think about it,
didn’t want to admit it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pretended
the Trade Federation’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">recent embargoes</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span>were flukes; ignored
the growing whispers of separation and secession from the Outer Rim systems;
placed and almost religious faith in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">new chancellor</span></i></b>’s ability to reunite a
fractious senate” (69).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think a dating of 32 BBY is fairly obvious – we’re dealing
with Bane’s past as the events of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom
Menace </i>are unfolding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is more,
in this story no one has heard of Cad Bane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>24 BBY doesn’t fit if we’re dealing with “recent embargoes” by the Trade
Federation, and calling Palpatine a “new chancellor” 8 years after his election
seems nonsensical as well. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, as the name of this short story indicates, Bane is
a new hunter trying to establish his reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this particular story he does so by taking
a job <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>protecting a Bothan crime boss
from a Jedi gone rouge, but as the hunter quickly learns, his target is no Jedi
at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hired by Akris Ur’etu, the crime boss in question, Bane was
tasked with protecting the syndicate leader from a “Jedi” that picked a fight
with his operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turns out, the
nameless “Jedi” is simply another mercenary hired by the Hutts to shut down
Ur’etu’s dealings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While watching the
mercenary take down Ur’etu and his men, Bane was able to see through the man’s
disguise, and realized that the “Jedi” was just another dog of war in in
disguise touting a bag of neat tricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
story ends with Bane decimating the imposter Jedi, and allowing him to live so
that he may give Bane the secrets of his equipment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reputation</i>
is, really, is the origin story of how Cad Bane came about his own bag of neat
tricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching and learning from the
Jedi imposter, Bane exchanged the man’s life for information on how to obtain his
equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is from this interaction
that Bane, presumably, gets his rocket boots, his wrist cable, and possibly the
gas emitter the Jedi used to “force choke” people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In regards to the writer of this piece; I’ve never heard of
Ari Marmell before, but his prose was enjoyable and he did well sketching out
the character of Cad Bane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to
have Bane’s speech patterns down pat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
least, when I read Bane’s words I could hear his voice in my head. In short, I
liked Marmell’s work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick look at
Wikipedia tells us he’s been writing in the RPG field for a while, even
contributing to some Wizards of the Coast material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to coming across Marmell’s
work again.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thomas Hodges’ art was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not really much of an art critic so
sometimes I’m really not sure what to say when I appreciate an artist’s
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really liked Hodge’s stuff
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of John Bryne’s art
from <em>The Uncanny X-Men</em> and <em>Wolverine</em> from the 90s- those thick dark lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best piece was Bane standing in front of
the blown-open door with his hat tipped and hand on his blaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marmell and Hodges is a good combo here.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to give my reactions to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> PS1 video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m currently playing my way the Mos Espa
level so I still have some content to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with you.</span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-4967266603612893552013-01-25T20:13:00.001-08:002013-01-25T20:13:50.335-08:0032 BBY: End Game
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXLJNJdNARKlf1_ajD5eyPkjB-jz55lUcdy7TGUhv9d0IgnQbXNli0De-dgka8e2ZoCqL6dIUHWWWjDelM0XUmh5SMbJHkKBPhGQyUxGsQlm4v81Oqy-jBjrggDOgphXpvKYOx4JZMf4/s1600/darthmaul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXLJNJdNARKlf1_ajD5eyPkjB-jz55lUcdy7TGUhv9d0IgnQbXNli0De-dgka8e2ZoCqL6dIUHWWWjDelM0XUmh5SMbJHkKBPhGQyUxGsQlm4v81Oqy-jBjrggDOgphXpvKYOx4JZMf4/s200/darthmaul.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though I truly enjoy Luceno’s work, I wasn’t a fan of having
to buy the novelization of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom
Menace</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now have three copies in
my collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A paper-back I picked up
for a quarter at the library’s discount cart, a hardcover given to me by my
sister (she’s a librarian has been ordered by me to take all Star Wars material
off the discount cart), and now the edition which holds Luceno’s short story <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End Game</i>. I only have so much shelf
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But enough of my complaining – on to my reactions to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End Game</i>, Luceno’s latest addition to
the Star Wars mythos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my post today
I’m going to comment on Luceno’s inclusion of video games, Darth Plaugeis, and
the survival of Darth Maul.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To begin,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> End Game</i>
was a great read, and as is the hallmark of Luceno’s style he seamlessly wove
together other stories from Star Wars mythology into his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End
Game</i>, many other sources were referenced, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Restraint</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wrath of
Darth Maul</i> being the two literary works receiving the most attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet what I most enjoyed about this story was
the inclusion of the narratives from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Battle for Naboo</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Galactic
Battlegrounds</i>, video games sources which are usually relegated to the
fringes of Star Wars canon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's not
often that Star Wars video games receive any kind of attention in the literary
world of the Expanded Universe, but in Luceno’s Star Wars they do, and I think that’s
awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first video game Luceno makes reference to is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle for Naboo</i>, and what makes its
inclusion into this narrative so great is that it’s not simply mentioned with
some throwaway line, a quick wink from Luceno to the audience letting us know he’s
familiar with the source, but he included a good portion of the story of the
Security Forces’ resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Nute
Gunray’s reported to Darth Maul, updating him on events outside of Theed, the
Sith acolyte paced aggressively:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“’Several members of the Queen’s
Security Forces managed to elude our battle droids,’ Gunray was saying in
wheeling Basic. ‘They rescued a group of Naboo captives, and caused us some
concern on an orbital station and at one of our plasma transshipment sites on
the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for us – and
unfortunately for them – the Naboo fell in with a visiting Hutt who happens to
be in our employ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He betrayed their
plans and location.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘They’re dead or
imprisoned?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maul stopped to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘The captain is dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the others are still at large’”
(347-348).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Hutt mentioned here is of course Borvo, and the dead
captain is Captain Kael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remarkably, for
some reason Luceno’s inclusion of this felt like a minor personal validation –
that yes, I’m not wasting my time on these sources – and yes, they are
important to a complete and nuanced understating of the Star Wars story.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luceno continued in this way, bringing into the tapestry of
his narrative another string from a video game source: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Galactic Battlegrounds</i> and “The Epic Adventures of OOM-9” as I like
to call them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazingly, Maul held some
mild respect for this droid, impressed with the commanding droids ability to
form and lead a military operation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Its chest plastron emblazoned
with yellow markings, OOM-9 boasted multiple antennae and a backpack that
boosted its operational range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maul knew
the droid had been tasked with spearheading the occupation and was credited
with having razed Naboo communications centres at New Cardiff and Vis, as well
as having secured the cities of Harte Secur, Spinnaker, and Theed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a captured mariner in Harte Secur, OOM-9
had learned of a Gungan bubble city called Rellias, but its forces had thus
been unable to locate the city” (351).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The very specific reference being made here is from mission
2 from the game, where you as the player lead OOM-9 against Naboo’s
resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only conclude Luceno
has an intimate knowledge of the game, which is why he is such a fan favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His knowledge makes his works more authentic.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it gets even better, as Luceno makes reference to a
particular skirmish in which Darth Maul was personally involved with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t remember which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mini quest within the grater narrative<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of mission 2 specifically it was (maybe
somewhere between mission 2.4-2.7), but towards the end of mission 2, you get
to play Darth Maul as he leads a battalion of Trade Federation droids against
some Gungan settlements and fortifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Incredibly, that skirmish is cited in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End Game</i>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“With the S-DST approaching the
straits, Maul saw that stone fortifications had been erected on both fingers of
land, and that from behind those bulwarks spheres of faintly blue energy were
being lobbed into the sky, decimating STAP patrols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the destroyer drew closer to the sandy
shore, hundreds of orange and purple-skinned Otolla Gungans appeared at the top
of the walls, armed with energy lances and so-called plasmic boomers that could
be hurled from baskets worn over one hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surfacing from the suddenly turbulent waters came a fleet of organically
grown submersibles, whose weapons began to target the destroyer with orbs of
destructive power” (362).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of Luceno’s narrative goes on to describe the
battle in accurate detail, describing Maul hacking down Gungans mounted on
Kaduu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, Luceno’s intimate
knowledge of the Star Wars<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>universe
outside of just the written EU is remarkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He raises the bar for other Star Wars writers I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving on in my reactions, what also caught me off guard in
this story was the revelation that Darth Plagueis was still alive during the
occupation of Naboo (I have yet to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Darth
Plagueis</i> remember) and that Maul began to slowly realize that his own
Master, which he thought controlled everything, was himself being controlled.
This revelation took me by surprise, as I thought Darth Plagueis had been
killed long ago by Darth Sidious:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…Maul asked himself: Had Sidious
ever described himself as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only</i>
surviving Sith Master?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it possible
that this mysterious Muun, Hego Damask, was also a Sith Lord, and that Maul –
while given the title <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lord</i> by Sidious
– was in fact something less than a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true</i>
Sith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was that why, unlike Sidious, he
had never been granted a secret identity comparable to his Master’s guise as
Palpatine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was Maul, then, ultimately <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expendable</i> to the Sith Grand Plan – a
mere stealth agent and assassin?” (362).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sad thing about this revelation for Darth Maul is the
truth behind his musings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is indeed,
at least at this point in history, a mere stealth agent and assassin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>What is more, the interaction behind this
revelation is very cool as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maul is
sent to a former agent of King Veruna named Magneta to gather information, and
it is through this agent that he serendipitously learns of Hego Damask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Magneta says to him “Be sure to give my
regards to the Muun” Darth Maul’s worldview comes crashing down. Truly, the Darth
Maul of 32 BBY is a pitiable character.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, we are not to pity him forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now know that Maul survived his
confrontation with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and at the end of <em>End Game</em>, as he falls to the samber of Kenobi, he promises to not make the
same mistakes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The power of the darkside had
played a cruel trick on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that it
had, said it all…Cut in two and falling, Maul thought: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I had to do it over again, I would keep that fact foremost in mind.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was determined to be more lenient with
himself than Darth Sidious would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
would survive his defeat, and grant himself yet another second chance” (375).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The million dollar question, for me at least, is how,
exactly, did Maul survive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
answer to this I need to turn to a source I have yet to look at, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wrath of Darth Maul</i> by Ryder Wyndham.
What irritated me most about reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End
Game</i> was that I have yet to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Wrath of Darth Maul</i>, and there was a lot of material from that book
referenced in this one, namely Maul’s history on Orsis that was blowing right
over my head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, some of the Orsis
content was covered in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Restraint</i>, but
there were other aspects that weren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is more, Joe has yet to place this source on his timeline. There were a few
times while reading this story that I felt out of the loop, or that I didn’t
know what was being referenced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I remember
correctly I think I resolved to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Wrath of Darth Maul</i> when I get to the Clone Wars material, but for the
purposes of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End Game</i> I regret that
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it is, I had to turn to Google to get the answer on how
Maul survived, and I was brought to a post on the <a href="http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=323777">Old Republic forum</a>, where a
poster there included an excerpt from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Wrath of Darth Maul</i> wherein he quoted the narrative of the first few
moments after Maul’s bisection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As taken
from that post:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as he fell, the upper half of his body
separated from the lower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As his remains tumbled down the generator
shaft, he kept his eyes open and fought to remain conscious. But then his head
struck the shaft's wall, and everything went dark. No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mind screamed. Despite everything he had
learned about death and duty from his Master, Maul knew he was not yet ready to
die. Not after so many years of training, and with so much more to accomplish.
Not so long as he still has do much hatred within him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obi-Wan ruined me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He willed himself to see. A moment later, his
vision returned. The shaft's walls were a disorienting blur. Across the shaft
he sighted his own black-clad legs, scissoring lifelessly at the air as they
fell. He struggled to right his torso so he could see downward. Can't die!” He
fell past an oval shadow, and then a similar shadow raced by, along with a
whooshing sound. Air vents. Maul hoped that there was at least one more vent
below, that it would be large enough to accommodate his diminished body. He
extended his arms, and his left hand's fingertips suddenly burned with friction
as they brushed against the cylindrical wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Must live! Hoping, wishing, praying for one more air vent...Must kill
Obi-Wan! ...he reached out with the Force.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since the original poster did not include the page number I’m
not sure from where in the text this is lifted, but the answer to how Maul
survived his fall is still rather murky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What we do know is that Maul was still scheming as he fell, and like
Luke on Bespin, managed to work his way into an air vent and not come crashing
down on some cold hard surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in
the vent, he “reached out with the Force”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But to do what exactly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And in what manner did he reach out? </span>Here I
turn to the words of Dave Filoni, and an interview he gave at starwars.com,
where commenting on Maul’s survival he quoted Sidious’ words from Revenge of
the Sith:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities, some consider to be…
un-natural”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Indeed it is, but still, I needed more.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The poster at the Old Republic forum, after quoting from
Windham’s work, called upon two other examples of Sith Lords in history who managed
to keep their body’s in-tact after suffering being cut into pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was Darth Simus, a Sith lord from
5100 BBY who managed to survive his head being cut off by Marka Ragnos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet still, the specifics of his ability to
survive were rather vague as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All it
said on his Wookieepedia page is that: “Rather than letting himself die, he
used his forgotten Sith powers to preserve his life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what “forgotten powers”, exactly, are we
talking about here?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other Sith mentioned is Darth Sion – the third member of
the Sith Triumvirate from KOTOR II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
his Wookieepedia page, a little more can be gleaned on how he has survived
certain death all those years: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Rather than die, though, Sion
found that by calling on his pain, anger, and hatred, he could rise from
certain death and achieve immortality, at the cost of all-consuming agony. With
a body fractured and decomposing, but held together by the dark side of the
Force, Sion survived the Great Sith War.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did Maul call on his own pain and anger to survive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he did, and like Darth Sion, managed
to keep himself alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the cost was
his sanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the darkside saved him,
but it also broke him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still, did these three Sith Lords all call upon the same “forgotten
power”? Was there more to it than calling upon their pain and hatred?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there was, and here I proffer an idea
that Darth Maul, the “mere stealth agent and assassin” had a trick up his sleeve
– Sith Incantation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe in all that training on Orsis, and Mustafar, or wherever
else Maul may have been trained, he managed to get his hands on some forbidden knowledge
– something Sidious never wanted him to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe Maul got his hands on a scroll – something that would have been in
his Master’s possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Maul got
his hands on the works of Sorzus Syn, or one of the volumes of Sith alchemy and
magiks Darth Bane gave to Darth Zannah and learned the ancient art of Sith
incantation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Darth Maul got his
hands on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Book of Sith</i>:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: 2.4pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The abilities
described in the ancient Sith language are new and astonishing… When a Sith
sorcerer speaks, he gives voice to the thousand mages who went before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If
armed with the proper commands and trappings, the darkside can be bound,
leashed, and led down any path of your choosing</b>” (45).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe these three Sith chose life in exchange for pain, and
kept their bodies intact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These words are taken from the first section of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Book of the Sith</i>, Dan Wallace’s
fantastic follow-up to <em>The Jedi Path</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The section quoted above was written by Sorzus Syn one of the Jedi
Exiles who took part in Hundred-Year Darkness – an ancient Sith alchemist and magician.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Could Darth Maul have a little bit of sorcerer in him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure, but maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems full of surprises lately, that Darth
Maul.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to look at Ari Marmell’s short
story <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reputation</i> from Star Wars
Insider’s October 2012 edition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a
side note, I’m doing fairly well playing my way through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With my Christmas money I bought a used PS2 and a PS1 memory card
(yeesh, I sound like such a kid), along with the PS1 version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> from EBay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m currently on the Otoh Gunga level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s fun – more fun than I thought it would
be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, my daughter was born two days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That makes three for me (two sons and a
daughter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and her mother are doing
well, and I’m very excited to have a little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before she knows it she’ll be a Star Wars fan
girl.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until then my friends, may the Force be with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-21588616546469500102013-01-13T07:30:00.000-08:002013-01-13T07:30:01.221-08:0032 BBY: The Phantom Menace by John Whitman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExb58FAOZPNhf-ljDu3jN2KxVVl1hfO-EI-6FphAm6vGJkZ3DYgyUsm2B-cTw4I2ELfXFIPZlVQ5cysiLMhf140ixS7DP4oXpD4czdb6vhzGKrcCLIATzxNO1sdlEap3mTOoFpyS7CBI/s1600/John+Whitman+Phantom+Menace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExb58FAOZPNhf-ljDu3jN2KxVVl1hfO-EI-6FphAm6vGJkZ3DYgyUsm2B-cTw4I2ELfXFIPZlVQ5cysiLMhf140ixS7DP4oXpD4czdb6vhzGKrcCLIATzxNO1sdlEap3mTOoFpyS7CBI/s200/John+Whitman+Phantom+Menace.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">John Whitman’s adaptation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> was one of the sources I bought begrudgingly for
this project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I received it in
the mail I considered it another fluff piece added to the cacophony of sources
surrounding the release of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom
Menace</i>; however, after going through it I’m glad I bought it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has two neat qualities to it that make it
a little different than everything else concerning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> that was released at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Firstly, its size is very small. Measuring four and a quarter
inches in both height and length, and one and a quarter inches thick, it was
not at all what I imagined it to be when I ordered it on Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I received my tiny little package in the
mail I was confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I opened the
package to find a tiny yellow version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Phantom Menace</i> sitting in the palm of my hand I was both irritated and
intrigued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I flipped through its
pages, its second remarkable quality jumped out at me: Brian McKinney’s art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By far the best aspect of this book is McKinney’s art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every other page has a simple and elegant
piece of art concerning the action in the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite piece was on page 293, where
Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi come up against Darth Maul in the hanger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve included a picture from page 7 of the
book below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to scan the picture I
just mentioned, but my scanner quit right after I managed to capture this image.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Story wise there is nothing to comment on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a simplified adaptation of the film.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to look at Luceno’s latest
addition to this part of Star Wars history, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End
Game</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends, may the
Force be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl7WMyi5AUOkZVYiUyEIJrDD3VPGAeqHk7qKEU0Bf1GkpffYtNLwOzohwm37s2sb_m_Ps-qhhmNy_MGg91I4zHzKe6IIOdqSbAdKBimUezAlLmkRCKdYHIyshqvvV801E67mIE_MUZlo/s1600/McKinney+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl7WMyi5AUOkZVYiUyEIJrDD3VPGAeqHk7qKEU0Bf1GkpffYtNLwOzohwm37s2sb_m_Ps-qhhmNy_MGg91I4zHzKe6IIOdqSbAdKBimUezAlLmkRCKdYHIyshqvvV801E67mIE_MUZlo/s200/McKinney+001.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-10384439421540981032013-01-12T11:45:00.004-08:002013-01-12T11:59:18.474-08:0032 BBY: Invasion of Theed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyu3NFzkDz9r0kwWsPF4TJzkUJESsy8w8ZFt3tDAu_Kc8BowXpUYtxLWHJGNXehyDp9np7fmCNLnLQIpKoSFCXx4EuHPROtgUUXHYPLWiswjHVjN1IognPqW9zfiAL0J958GgTPcpIKQ/s1600/Invasion+Of+Theed+Game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyu3NFzkDz9r0kwWsPF4TJzkUJESsy8w8ZFt3tDAu_Kc8BowXpUYtxLWHJGNXehyDp9np7fmCNLnLQIpKoSFCXx4EuHPROtgUUXHYPLWiswjHVjN1IognPqW9zfiAL0J958GgTPcpIKQ/s200/Invasion+Of+Theed+Game.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <em>Invasion of Theed Adventure Game</em> is something I’d love
to run if I get my Star Wars RPG club up and running again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I’ve moved schools I haven’t run the Star
Wars RPG club, I’ve poured my energies elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But maybe next fall I’ll run it for a
semester and see what the response is like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I do, I’ll offer up this particular adventure game and see who is interested
in playing a Phantom Menace campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though this is a D20 system (a system I have yet to find compelling)
this series made it seem easy to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
my last school I ran a Bounty Hunter campaign with the D6 sourcebook, <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/No_Disintegrations">No Disintegrations</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a heck of a lot of fun, and the students
were totally into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a motley
crew of pirates, smugglers, and hunters with unique backstories, each student developing
their character’s own distinctive past.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Likewise, the principal characters in this series of
adventures are equally compelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are basically a crew of university students all studying at Theed’s Royal House
of Learning. We meet again the Jedi Padawan Rann I-Kanu, the solider Garak, the
scoundrel Arani Korden, and the Wookiee scout named Rorworr (The four main
characters from the <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/02/32-bby-smuggers-of-naboo.html">Smugglers of Naboo</a> adventure).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also entering Star Wars history again are Sia-Lan
Wezz, also a Padawan, Deel Surool, Toba the Gungan scout, and Dane (a new character
I have yet to come across I think), one of Amidala’s handmaidens in
training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Rann I-Kanu and Sia-Lan
Wezz have been sent by their respective Masters Lo-Jad and Ali-Vor for further
study and training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, the <em>Invasion of Theed Adventure Game</em> ran through 5 quests,
and interestingly, the last exploit did not culminate with the Queen’s arrival
to capture the Viceroy – those events were contained in adventure 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the last adventure the most fun and
interesting, mostly because it wasn’t a part of the regular narrative of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last adventure the heroes are to
either capture or drive off a dark renegade by the name of Savor Kibbs who is
hiding in the wilds of Naboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kibb’s is
described as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…[a former Padawan] rejected by
the Jedi Council but nevertheless possesses a powerful link to the Force…with a
few dark side powers to call upon and a reconfigured destroyer droid in his
arsenal” (24).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The three scenarios in adventure 5 running up to the
encounter with Kibbs are deadly, and if playing through this entire adventure game
and getting to the fifth quest I wouldn’t be surprised if some heroes do not
make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mostly deadly aspect of
adventure 5 was scene 2 (even more deadly than the illusionary encounter with
Darth Maul), where the heroes had to traverse over some quicksand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, to avoid the quicksand the heroes must
make a saving throw of 15 (which is very difficult), and if they fall into the quicksand,
their chances of escape grow increasingly difficult:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Anyone in the quicksand must
make a Will saving throw each round to avoid panic and keep from
struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difficultly is 10 the
first round, and it increases by 1 each round thereafter (11, then 12, then 13,
and so on)” (27).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If they make it out of the quicksand alive, they move on to
my favorite part of the entire adventure: the encounter in the Dark Grove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this encounter, the heroes must battle a
mutated tangler equipped with shooting thorns and choking vines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason I enjoyed this scene is because it
reminds me a lot of the episode in <em>The Fellowship of the Ring</em>, where Frodo and
crew are rescued by Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the heroes in this adventure must save
themselves, I find it interesting that such a forest exists on Naboo; the
forest which brings to mind the “dangerous and mysterious forest” motif often
found in literature, the forest that represents a place of emotional crisis and
character development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
the heroes come out of this encounter, they may feel perhaps that nothing can
stop them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Invasion of Theed
Adventure Game</i> was somewhat fun to read, but probably more
entertaining and interesting if one were to play through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with all the RPG sources I cover in this
blog, if you have personally played this game, please, leave your story here in
the comments below and tell me how it went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'm genuinely interested in hearing people's stories that have actually
played through one of the RPG scenarios I’ve covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to take a quick look at John
Whitman’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i>, a small
but surprisingly remarkable book, and then I’m going to look at two additional
sources not cited in my post <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2011/08/handling-32-bby.html">Handling 32 BBY</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End Game</i>, a new short story about Darth Maul found in the reprint
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> novel, and the
short story <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reputation</i>, which takes
place shortly after the invasion of Naboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until then my friends, may the Force be with you.<o:p></o:p></span>MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-79039763447961753972013-01-04T19:56:00.002-08:002013-01-04T19:56:52.995-08:0032 BBY: Battle in the Streets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnuLSNN0a15vYOVvEyzYDzakSnZlM1xSXUBe4b_AmtG0Jh6BG5o9_ezqtK0Ld8tb4XVRdRi6n4IkXNrwp6of002ceKHJdY9Ly2iO8gsnnzoeM15iP004SXQbiQD3STqQ4N16jfU3RLX8/s1600/Rorworr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnuLSNN0a15vYOVvEyzYDzakSnZlM1xSXUBe4b_AmtG0Jh6BG5o9_ezqtK0Ld8tb4XVRdRi6n4IkXNrwp6of002ceKHJdY9Ly2iO8gsnnzoeM15iP004SXQbiQD3STqQ4N16jfU3RLX8/s200/Rorworr.jpg" width="104" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle in
the Streets</i>, a Wizards of the Coast RPG mini adventure, I imagined that the
principal characters were Deel, Arani, Sia-Lan, and Rorworr from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle for Theed</i>, a three page RPG mini
comic I looked at earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find
my thoughts on that piece <a href="http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/08/32-bby-battle-for-theed.html">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it
is, the scoundrels Dell and Arani, the Jedi Padawan Sia-Lan, and the Scout
Rorworr are now the go-to stand-ins for me when dealing with this series of
particular RPG adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At first, I thought <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle
in the Streets</i> was the continuation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle
for Theed</i>, but after a second look at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle
for Theed</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle in the Streets</i>
is simply another episode in the “Occupation of Theed” storyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle in the Streets</i> is a continuation for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle for Theed</i> (nor do I think anyone was trying making this
claim) because at the end of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle for
Theed</i>, when the four characters come around a corner after breaking through
a security door, the droid tagging along with the heroes makes the remark
“That’s not possible”, which makes no sense if they come around the corner to
see a droid starfighter on all fours about to murder random Nabooian civilians,
which in the scenario of the Trade Federation’s occupation of Naboo, is totally
possible.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, taking into account the last sentence, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battle in the Streets</i> is a small RPG
narrative where presumably four heroes battle a starfighter droid about to kill
some civilians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the heroes’ job to
stop the droid, but what the players don’t know is that they are seven rounds
away from Anakin destroying the droid control ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to survive 6 rounds of the droid
blasting at both the heroes and civilians, and once the seventh round comes
along the GM has to roll a 20 (on a 20-sided die) for the droid to shut
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a 20 in not rolled, then at the
start of the next round the GM has to roll a 19 or 20 for the droid to shut
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> round, the
GM has to roll an 18, 19, or 20, and so on, until either the desired numbered
is rolled by the GM to stop the droid, or the heroes manage to destroy the
droid themselves (which seems highly unlikely).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honestly, is seems like an adventure heavily stacked against the heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe one of them is packing a thermal
detonator prior to approaching the palace and having to deal with this large
Transformer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still, the story was all-in-all a neat little adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my next post I’m going to look at the entire <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invasion of Theed</i> RPG book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had it for a while and I’ve been looking
forward to reading it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It even comes
with a Rorworr action figure, which is tremendously cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I’ve had to keep this treasure hidden from
my son least he rip Rorworr from his mint condition packaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why I feel guilty about this,
but I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, until then my friends,
may the Force be with you.<o:p></o:p></span>MKBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.com1