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[Judas Maccabeus]

Too bad, the early vote was for a Light Side game and I'm sticking to that. 




Two Households, Both Alike In Lacking Dignity

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

We definitely did well.  Even Ed Asner isn't yelling at us.



Vandar, however, is the one to give us our next mission.

"We sent a Jedi to investigate... but he has not returned.  Perhaps sending him in the first place was a mistake.  The Force is guiding you through your visions; it may be that exploring the ruins is a task tied to your destiny.  That is why the Council has now decided you should be the one to investigate this.  The secrets to stopping Malak may be hidden within those ruins.  You must investigate them and find out what Revan and Malak were looking for."

"What happened to the Jedi who went to investigate?"

"We do not know.  That is one of the things you must investigate.  We... fear the worst.  Is there anything else you want to know?"

"Why doesn't Master Vrook like me?"

Good God, Hazar, you sound so shallow there.

"Master Vrook may seem harsh and critical, but he understands the dangers that lie in your path.  He wants you and Bastila to be fully prepared when you finally face Lord Malak.  The way ahead will be difficult for young Bastila... and for you.  But you must draw strength from each other.  May the Force be with you."

And also with you.

Before we even get a chance to go anywhere, though...



"The Council will look into this matter, Mr. Matale.  You must be patient.  Your accusations have no proof, and we do not want you stirring up trouble with the Sandrals if there is some mistake."

Alhan Matale: "Mistake?  My son Shen is missing!  How can there be any doubt the Sandrals are to blame?"

"There are other possible explanations for your son's disappearance."

Alhan: "Bah!  You Jedi are good for nothing but talk!  I shall only wait so long before I take action on my own!"

He then storms out.

"As dangerous as the threat from Darth Malak and the Sith may be, we Jedi cannot simply abandon our other responsibilites.  The Council has promised Alhan Matale we will look into his son's disappearance.  Should you have time, Padawan, you may want to investigate this matter."

"But what about my Jedi training?"

"Your study and training are important, of course.  But the Jedi are not a cloistered order.  Our influence and teachings must spread beyond the walls of our Academies."

"It is in the real world that we truly prove ourselves worthy of the title Jedi.  You would do well to remember this, young Padawan."



How bad indeed?



Dorak, being the historian of this little enclave, is here to provide us with some more backstory.

"Where are the Academy's archives?"

Dorak: "This facility is a training academy.  The archives here are restricted to those who have attained the rank of Master.  We must protect overeager Padawans from being exposed to dangerous knowledge.  The pursuit of knowledge is a noble goal, but there are some things that require the wisdom of a Master to truly understand.  If you are seeking information on Revan, Malak and the Sith, I will gladly recount the recent history of our Order to you."

"I am eager to learn, Master Dorak."

Dorak: "Of course I could not tell you the entire history of our Order; the Jedi have existed for thousands upon thousands of years.  We are as old as the Republic itself.  Instead, I will begin forty years ago with the war of Exar Kun.  Like Malak and Revan, Exar Kun was a Jedi who fell to the dark side and led an army against the Jedi and the Republic.  Exar Kun was defeated, but the war left both the Republic and our own Order severely weakened.  For twenty years we struggled to rebuild, trying to erase the scars of the terrible conflict."


Alright, time for another aside here.

This game was not, in fact, the first piece of the Star Wars expanded universe to be set in this time period.  The 1990s saw a comic book series called "Tales of the Jedi", which involved various events just prior to this, as well as a millenium or so beforehand.  In fact, this game is more a Tales of the Jedi game than it is one based off the movies; the comics wer, for instance, where the name "Knights of the Old Republic" first originated.  Most of the comics were set during the Great Sith War, when Exar Kun and his apprentice, fallen Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma launched the first Sith-Jedi war since the Great Hyperspace War a thousand years earlier.

As an interesting note, originally, Bastila was supposed to be a character from the comics, Vima Sunrider (and Juhani was named Bastila Shan).  What happened?  Apparently, nobody is allowed to use the name "Sunrider" for some strange legal reason that I have no idea what's going on with it.  Therefore, apparently, Vima, along with possibly her mother Nomi (one of the main characters of the comics) were cut out of the game entirely, references and all.  Well, not entirely, they missed one; we'll get to that eventually.  And, of course, there are other bits and pieces that reference the comics, where there aren't odd legal problems.

But enough of that, let's get to the war created for this game.

"What about the Mandalorian Wars?"

Dorak: "Twenty years ago the Mandalorians, aware the Republic was in a weakened state, began conquering small worlds on the Outer Rim.  They were careful to choose only planets outside the Republic's jurisdiction.  After much debate, the Senate chose not to intervene.  As long as the Mandalorians avoided planets that were members of the Republic itself, there would be no retaliation."

"But we ended up in a war anyway."

Dorak: "The Mandalorians stockpiled resources from their conquered worlds, preparing for a massive assault.  Seven years ago they launched a simultaneous attack in three separate sectors of Republic space.  The Senate had no choice but to retaliate with the entire Republic fleet.  The Mandalorian Wars had begun."

...Why are we discussing this?  Hazar was around and old enough to at least know what's going on while all this was happening.  What, does he have amnesia or something?



Dorak: "They rallied many of the Jedi to their cause and, against the wishes of their Masters, joined the Republic fleet battling the Mandalorians.  Revan was a brilliant military leader, and the Republic fleet began to win victory after victory.  Four years ago the Mandalorians surrendered unconditionally."

"How did Revan fall to the dark side?"

Dorak: "Revan and Malak were heroes, the great saviors of the Republic.  A third of the Republic fleet was under their direct command... and then something happened.  Instead of returning after the war's end, the ships under Revan's command went deep into unexplored space.  They claimed to be searching for the last remnants of the Mandalorian fleet.  All contact was lost.  For many months it was assumed some great disaster had befallen the entire fleet.  Everyone thought they were dead.  There were unsubstantiated rumors of Revan and Malak being seen on a number of different planets during these months - scattered sightings that were never confirmed."

"Where did they disappear to?"

Dorak: "Perhaps they simply went far beyond the edges of Republic space.  Maybe they found previously undiscovered hyperspace routes to the ends of the galaxy.  Nobody knows for certain.  Three years ago, Revan and Malak returned at the head of a massive invasion fleet.  Revan had assumed the title of Sith Lord; the hero had become a conqueror."

"How did Revan get so many followers?"

Dorak: "Initially the bulk of the Sith force were former Republic soldiers who had served under Revan.  With each conquest thousands more flocked to join the invaders, swelling their numbers.  Even many of our own Order have betrayed us, lured by Sith promises of riches and power.  But what is more disturbing is the size of the Sith fleet itself.  Some of the ships in the Sith fleet are those that were under Revan's command during the Mandalorian Wars.  But many more are of an alien design we have never seen before.  The source of this massive fleet is one of the many things about the Sith we cannot explain.  It seems impossible to have created it in such a short time, yet we cannot deny its existence."

"So what happened next?"

Dorak: "For two years the Sith were all but invincible.  Fortunately, Bastila and her Battle Meditation allowed the Republic to win a few key victories and kept the Sith from total triumph.  In desperation we set a trap for the Dark Lord.  Bastila was with the strike team that tried to capture Revan, as you probably know.  She was there at Revan's end.  That was nearly a year ago, but things have not improved.  Malak has stepped in and assumed the mantle of Dark Lord for himself, though he is far from Revan's equal in strategy or tactics.  Still, his fleet continues to grow in both ships and soldiers.  If we do not find some way to stop the Sith soon, Malak will overwhelm us with sheer numbers."

"What can I learn from Revan's history?"

Dorak: "Revan's tale shows us how even the greatest of Jedi can fall to the dark side.  You must always be on guard against the evil that dwells within you.  Think hard upon this lesson."

"I will think on this, Master Dorak."

Dorak: "May the Force be with you."

And also with you.

Now that Bastila will actually talk with us rather than directing us to the Council, let's see what she can tell us.



"I still don't understand why we shared this 'vision'."

"Are you wondering why we shared the vision?  Or why we even received it in the first place?  To the first I can only repeat the answer that the Council gave us.  Our fates are linked, and for two as strong as we are in the Force that amounts to a near-physical bond.  As to the second, I truly don't have an answer for you.  The Force works as it will, and perhaps we should be grateful for what we have been given."

"But how did our fates become linked?"

"I... I don't know.  Believe me, I certainly don't find the prospect of being joined to you enjoyable in any fashion."



Bastila Shan:  neither a Jedi Master, nor a master of tact.

"What do you think Malak and Revan were doing?"

"I have no idea.  It was obviously important, however.  That is why we must investigate this further."

"Do you think we will receive more of these visions?"

"With luck we will.  I would rather not rely on such visions to guide us, but when we have so little else to go on and the galaxy hangs in the balance..."

"That's all I wanted to know."

"As you wish.  We really should return our thoughts to business, anyway."

Anyway, we've spent far too long without barging into people's residences.  There are a bunch of guest rooms in the Enclave, so let's get to it.



Oh, Pazaak.  Ah, well, let's humour him.



We've a better side deck from the cards we've picked up, so we might actually stand a chance.



I... won?  Ladies and gentlemen, this is the very first time I have ever one a game of Pazaak.  Ever.  Most of the time the other player just gets a long run of natural 20s.  Huh.

...I'm not pushing my luck.  Let's get outside and see how the Matale - Sandral business is going.

Spoiler: Matale Grounds and Grove (click to show/hide)

First, though:  Mandalorians.



This is the "easy" group, so no trouble getting revenge for that man (should we be getting revenge?  Hazar and Bastila are Jedi...).  They did have Duros with them, too, which I wouldn't have expected.



Right next door is the Matale compound, so let's get the first part of this bit of business.

Droid: "You have come from the Jedi Council?  Master Matale wishes to speak with you.  I will inform him that you are here.  Remain at this location until he arrives."



Well, looks like he's expecting trouble.  No reason to give it to him, though.



Ahlan: "I have already told my story to the Council!  Why did they not inform you of my circumstances?  I did not expect such incompetence from the Jedi, but I shall repeat the tale once more...  Many years ago I brought my family here to Dantooine to escape the crush of humanity on the Core Worlds.  Soon after we settled here, the Sandrals arrived.  And they have been a plague upon my house ever since!"

"Somehow I imagine the story from the Sandrals would sound just about the same, don't you?"

Ahlan: "The injustices the Sandrals have committed against the Matales are far too numerous to name, but the Council is well aware of our many disputes.  Recently, I discovered several Sandral droids trespassing on my land."

"What happened to the droids?"

Ahlan: "My own security droids destroyed the invaders - not a single one survived.  I have no idea what nefarious purpose lay behind their arrival - my own assassination, perhaps.  Destruction of my property.  Maybe a simple spy mission.  I wasn't about to find out.  It was shortly after this incident that Shen, my only son and heir to the Matale estate, vanished.  Obviously Nurik, the unsrupulous head of the Sandral clan, has abducted my son in retaliation for the destruction of his droids!"

"I shall go and speak to Nurik Sandral."

Ahlan: "The only resolution possible is the immediate return of my son!  Why does the Council insist on stalling?  The life of my son is at stake!  It is possible... yes, of course.  Now I understand.  I am a man of the world, Jedi.  I know how things are done.  I will make a... contribution... of 1,000 credits to the council in exchange for rescuing Shen from the Sandrals.  I will present the credits directly to you, of course.  Whether the Council ever learns of this "donation" is completely up to you."

"The Jedi cannot be bought!  I will remain neutral despite your attempted bribe!"

Seems he's let that Jedi training go to his head...

Ahlan: "Nevertheless, my offer still stands.  A thousand credits for Shen's safe return.  Know, however, that I will not sit idly by much longer.  Eventually I will take whatever action is necessary to rescue my son... including razing the entire Sandral estate!"

"You would be willing to risk open war over this?"

Ahlan: "It is the Sandrals who have started this.  Not I."

"And here I thought you would blame us, if we failed.  It seems everyone is responsible for your actions except for you."

Ahlan: "I don't need to stand here and listen to such impertinence!"



"I'm afraid Ahlan is not just making idle threats.  He is rash and foolish enough to attempt a full assault on the Sandral estate.  Such action would result in all-out war between the families."

"I've seen men like Ahlan Matale before.  He's so convinced that his hatred is justified he's prepared to do anything.  And if we don't intervene, there will be war."



Are you still out here?  I thought you didn't want to listen to us anymore?  I'm taking the scenic route just to spite you.



"Scenic route" also means "lots of kath hounds route".  Fortunately, they aren't too difficult, and fight us only in relatively small packs.  Also pictured:  A blaster-using character finally using the fact that his weapon is ranged.



Someone, unfortunately, didn't have as easy a time with them.  Let's see what this datapad says.



Sandral... Ohhhhhh boy.  A Sandral dead on the Matale grounds?  This is not going to end well.



Anyway, more kath hounds.  Getting rid of the source of the dark side in the grove hasn't calmed them down one bit.



There's also a group of Mandalorians here, somewhat tougher than the last.  The incorrect way to deal with them is to have Carth and Bastila rush in before you're ready, resulting in the entire party being killed.  NICE WORK THERE.



The correct way is to prepare, perhaps by setting some mines while in stealth mode.  Properly placed mines can be a huge help in a fight.  These mines were not properly placed.



Still, the Mandalorians end up dead, and the mines can be recovered for later use, so no harm done.



The datapads they were holding provide absolutely no useful information.



Huh, there's a droid over there under attack from kath hounds.  Better come to its rescue.



Hey, I wonder... this is the droid we're looking for!

"Are you Elise's droid?"

C8-42: "Did she send you to find me?  Please do not tell her you saw me!"

"You're running from her?"

C8-42: "Yes... but I have my reasons!  I'm afraid my owner became a bit too attached to me.  Obsessed even.  She... she tried to treat me as her dead husband.  It was not healthy for her."

"Er... ALL the time?"

C8-42: "You don't want to know..."

"Um... probably not..."

C8-42: "She is obsessed.  She rarely sees other people, and appears to be fixated on me as her dead husband.  She was becoming more and more insular... I thought it best that I leave.  She may meet other real people this way.  In fact, that was the reason I came here and sought out those kath hounds."

"You sought them out?"

C8-42: "I think it would be best if I were no longer a factor.  She would meet new people.  Living people.  Please... will you destroy me?"

You can't just let him go and then tell Elise that he's gone forever, so...

"Fine.  I'll destroy you and tell her why you did it."

C8-42: "Thank you, kind sir!  You have my eternal gratitude."

The fight is so ridiculously easy that I'm not going to show it to you; but Hazar does level up because of it, so...



New Force power!  "Affect Mind" is basically the game's term for the Jedi Mind Trick, and it can be just as fun as that sounds like it would be.



There's also a cave just behind the droid.  It turns out to be the crystal cave hinted at, in fact - and it's just as dangerous as was stated. Why?



Kinrath.  As you may not be able to see because it's rather dark in the cave, kinrath are somewhat spider-like creatures, and thus can poison you.  This is not fun.



There's also a bunch of hive kinrath near the crystals themselves, who are even tougher and poison more often.  Still, despite Bastila being knocked down by them, they all end up dead.



As expected, there are plenty of crystals lying around the place, both in the formations and in the eggs.  The latter, however, only provide you with red colour crystals; nice if you want that Sith look, but aside from that, their main use is that they're worth a decent amount of credits.



Also, a Mandalorian apparently stumbled into the kinrath nest and left behind his body and a couple of vaguely useful items.



Back outside, and a bit further on... oh, boy, more Mandalorians.  At least they chose a scenic spot.



To die in, of course.  The mines weren't any more useful, but sneaking also gives you the possiblity of making a sneak attack, which can put a good hurt on one enemy.



Another pack of kath hounds sits between us and the Sandral estate, including an albino one.  Not much more difficult than the rest, but worth a decent amount of experience.  Anyway, time to get the Matale side of things.

Another two-parter... good heavens, this update is overall RIDICULOUSLY long.  I wasn't expecting it to be when I played it...

[Judas Maccabeus]

Spoiler: Sandral Estate (click to show/hide)

"I come on behalf of the Jedi Council."

Droid: "The Council?  If you are here because of Shen Matale's disappearance you are wasting your time.  The Sandrals are not involved.  This is nothing but a Matale witch hunt."

That didn't work.  Next try:

"Casus Sandral is dead."

Droid: "Casus is dead?  Then it is as we feared.  You should speak to Nurik yourself.  He will want to question you on the details of his son's death.  Nurik left orders he was not to be disturbed, but given the circumstances I will make an exception.  Go into the main hall.  Nurik will meet with you there."



"He was killed by kath hounds while exploring the Dantooine ruins."

Nurik: "Kath hounds?  I... I was so certain the Matale family was to blame... but this changes nothing!  My own son is dead - why should I shed one tear about the disappearance of my bitter enemy's son?"

"Typical.  Anything to continue the feud which has become so customary to you people."

Nurik: "I must ask you something, though it is difficult for me.  My son had a diary.  His private, personal thoughts.  Now that he is gone, I have nothing else to remember him by.  Please, the diary means more to me than it ever could to you.  I will give you a hundred credits for its return."

"Here is the diary, Nurik, but you may keep your money.  I need no reward for this task."

Nurik: "I thank you for this.  The diary is all I have left of my son.  We have nothing further to discuss.  Please, leave me to my grief."

Funny enough, you still get the 100 credits, even with the light side points.  And who said you couldn't be nice and still make a profit?



We're not done here though, of course.  There's another Sandral to talk to.



"Do you know something about Shen's disappearance?"

Rahasia: "My name is Rahasia - Nurik is my father.  He has not been himself since Casus disappeared.  He is mad with grief, and he is convinced the Matales are responsible.  He is not thinking rationally."

"Does this have anything to do with what happened to Shen?"

Rahasia: "My father is a good man.  When my mother died, he raised me and my brother by himself.  He loves his children, and we love him.  I just don't want you to judge him too harshly."

"I only want to find Shen Matale."

Rahasia: "You must understand that Father has been under a terrible strain.  I have no wish to disobey him, but there are matters where even my father's authority is not absolute."

"Please, tell me what has happened."

Rahasia: "My father has kidnapped Shen Matale.  He is holding him prisoner here in the compound.  He feels this is a way to get back at the Matales, a way to get even for the disappearence of my brother Casus."

"I see.  Well, there is the answer we seek.  The Jedi Council should be informed of this at once."

"You don't think that perhaps there's more to look at here, do you?  That maybe everything isn't what it appears?"

"Of course not.  It seems very simple to me.  The Council must be allowed to decide the next step."



"Why are you telling me all this?"

Rahasia: "Shen is an innocent victim in all this.  My father is not a bad man, but this grief has driven him to madness.  He must be stopped.  Please, find Shen and rescue him before my father does something he will regret forever.  I would take you to the prison, but I cannot let my father see me with you.  Take this key.  It will open an unguarded door at the rear of the estate.  You and Shen can make your escape through there.  There are many security droids guarding the halls.  Please hurry... you are Shen's only hope."



Switching Carth for T3 here - the little droid deserves some more time, and droids mean the ability to do fun things with computer use skill.



There are a few security droids as we first go in and get to the nearest computer terminal.



T3, do your stuff.



Frying all those droids pretty much knocks out all the Matales' defences.  Also, we spend one more computer spike on downloading a map of the building.



That makes it simple to find where Shen is being held.  I'd have made Hazar's line "My name's Hazar Denolo, I'm here to rescue you", but that's why they don't let me write lines for Star Wars games.

Shen: "Rescue me?  No... I won't leave.  It's too dangerous."

...What.

"I'll protect you, Shen.  Let's go."

Shen: "It is not my own safety I am concerned about.  I am worried about the fate of Nurk's daughter, Rahasia.  She has been trying to convince her father to release me ever since I was captured.  If I escape, Nurk will think Rahasia is to blame.  Nurik is insane with grief over the loss of his son Casus.  If I leave with you, it is Rahasia who will suffer.  I cannot allow that."

Oh, right, that makes sense.

"What if we take Rahasia with us?"

Shen: "If you can convince Rahasia to escape with us I will accompany you - though I do not know if she would be willing to turn her back on her home and family.  Who could imagine a Sandral doing such a thing for the sake of a Matale.  But if she will not go, then I too shall stay.  I would rather face my own death, than have her face her father's wrath because I escaped."

"Why do your families hate each other so much?"

Shen: "My father thinks the Sandrals are thieves and liars who followed him here to Dantooine just to steal what he has earned for himself.  My father is an egotist and can be violent at times, but I think he still cares for me.  Rahasia's father seems to be falling into the same pattern as mine.  They're both too unreasonable to be talked to about the other.  I think the only hope Rahasia and I will have is if we can escape both of them... Please find Rahasia and speak to her.  Get her to flee this place with me."

Alright, Rahasia's room is just around the corner.



Rahasia: "Shen can be so stubborn sometimes!  If one of the security droids sees me wandering the halls Father will get suspicious!  I can't risk it!  I know Shen would rather die than leave me here alone to face the wrath of my father.  Tell Shen I will meet you outside the gates.  I will wait as long as I can, but you must hurry."

There aren't any security droids left, but whatever you prefer.  Anyway, back to Shen.

Shen: "You are back.  Have you spoken to Rahasia?"

"Yes.  She promised me she would meet us outside the gates."

Shen: "I pray she is not just telling me what I want to hear.  But I will have to take that chance.  Hurry, then.  We must not keep Rahasia waiting."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Soon, outside the gates of the Sandral estate...



Bastila is a Master at getting in the way of the camera.

Rahasia: "It was all thanks to this kind Jedi that we managed to get this far at all.  I thank you Jedi, for all that you have done for us."

"We should get out of here quickly."

Rahasia: "You're right, we should go as fast as we can.  I don't know how long it will be before my father realizes we're gone."

Shen: "You're right, we should..."



...Uh-oh.  Showdown at the Matale Estate.  And, just in case you didn't know what all the involved characters' names were:

















"Adrian!"

"Rocky!"

"KHAAAAAAN!"

"Bastila!"

"Hm?"

"Oh, sorry, just joining in."

Sorry.  Back to the real script...

Ahlan: "I knew this was all your doing!  I knew you had captured my son!"

Nurik: "You had taken my Casus from me long before that!  You started it!"

Ahlan: "I don't want to hear any of your excuses!  Now I will get revenge for your transgressions!"

"You two just need to calm down."

Shen: "Please listen to him, father!"

Ahlan: "Why should I listen to the Jedi?  All you want is to remain with that Sandral harlot."

Nurik: "My daughter is not a harlot, Matale dog!"

"You should try to sort this out together."

Nurik: "We are trying to be reasonable here, of course.  We ARE sensible people after all.  But our children are being so stubborn."

Ahlan: "If Shen would just understand that he has to do what I want, this would all be solved easily."

[Persuade] "Shen is capable of making decisions on his own."

Ahlan: [Success] "But he is my son... I don't want to lose him..."

Nurik: "And I won't let my daughter go with him!"

[Persuade] "Children grow up and leave eventually."

Nurik: [Success] "My little Rahasia..."

Rahasia: "Father..."

Oh, no, we're not starting that again, are we?



Nurik: "Well, it wouldn't be so bad would it?  Shen seems to genuinely care for my Rahasia.  He might be a good husband for her someday."

Ahlan: "Hmph.  As much as I may dislike it... I think I see it too."

"You'll let them stay together?"

Ahlan: "I suppose... I suppose I might be convinced to see that Sandral girl with my son.  IF she is loyal to him.  But I don't trust you a centimeter farther, old man.  Your daughter may treat Shen will, but you will never see them!  They will live with me."

Nurik: "Of course not, you pompous old windbag!  They'll be living with me!"

"They could stay at the Jedi Enclave."

Nurik: "Of course not!  My house is more than good enough!"

Ahlan: "I will not have them set foot in a Sandral household!"

Nurik: "They shall not live with the Matales!"

Rahasia: "Then you propose to buy us a new house, do you?"

Nurik: "Um... well, yes, actually that sounds like a good idea."

Ahlan: "I'm... surprised.  That does sound like a good idea!  We should discuss this more..."

Rahasia: "Thank you, Master Jedi, for bringing us together and getting our parents to accept us.  We will praise you to the Council for what you have done and name our children after you.  Thank you again.  We will remember you always."



Whew.  We still get some of the money promised to us, too.  Now, time to finish the other sub-plot.



Mandalorians.  Time to show them what a Jedi can do.



Alright, let's do this.



...

...Um... Mulligan?



...Um... Milligan?



Bah.  Who needs golf clubs when you have plasma grenades?  Leaving only the leader, Sherruk, alive makes this much easier.



New level, more mind trick.  Plus, Sherruk has a couple lightsabers, one of which we'll put to use right away.



Specifically, on the kath hounds.

Spoiler: Few more things at the Enclave (click to show/hide)

"I am afraid your droid had to be dstroyed."

Elise: "My droid... destroyed?  No, no!  This cannot be happening!  I cannot bear to live without him!"

...Oy.  Maybe something a little happier.



Jon: "Thank you, young Master.  My daughter can now, I think, rest in peace.  Here is the reward I promised you."

"There is no need for a reward."

Jon: "No, please, take it.  This pitiful amount will never be enough for what you have done to me.  Again, I thank you.  I will be sure to tell the Council of your great deed."



Yep.  Refuse the reward, get light side points, still get paid.



Back to the Hawk to upgrade the lightsabers.  Aside from the colour crystals, a few of them have more useful effects.  Here's an example.  One of these goes in one of Hazar's lightsaber, another in Bastila's, and the other crysal goes in Hazar's other lightsaber.  Also:



Ahhhhhh.  Nice, soothing blue.  Anyway, Canderous happens to be nearby, so how about a story?



"I was one of the best youth warriors in clan Ordo in my time.  No one before me had mastered the power of our Basilisk war droids as quickly as I had.  Except Mandalore himself of course.  In those days we were sweeping across the Outer Rim.  Destroying all who fought us.  Young Mandalores would prove themselves in real combat with unknown opponents above a thousand worlds.  Each brought back the story of his achievements."

"What was your story?"

"I remember it well, orbiting high above a placid world, its defenses just stirring.  As was tradition, I would go ahead of the first wave to find enemies in the thickest fighting.  I remember sitting there in my armor, linked directly with the Basilisk thrumming beneath me.  My heart racing with fear at the coming battle."

"I didn't think Mandalorians got afraid."

"Every new warrior has to fear to understand how to beat it.  You must know that.  The doors opened in front me [sic] and the air was sucked out of the drop bay, scattering crystals of frozen fapor across my path.  I can't describe what it feels like to look directly down at a world, falling continuously as you circle it, with barely fifteen centimeters of armor plate protecting you.  When the magnetic locks disengaged on my droid I plunged out of the drop bay towards the battle that waited below."

"Who were you fighting anyway?"

"I don't remember.  It doesn't matter anyway, that world's dead now.  The exhilaration, the euphoria, I felt as I streaked into the atmosphere, dodging self-guided projecting and beam weapons, was unmatched.  A 80 kilometer plunge through the atmosphere, dodging and weaving, the outside of my armor glowing like the sun with the heat of re-entry.  And with barely thirty meters to spare, I twisted and skimmed the surface, firing at the giant beam generators that were in my path.  The explosion from that sent shockwaves that levelled the entire complex around it.  It was the moment of my life."



Yes.  Yes you have.

Oh, right, I was going to show you how party members give you items.



Once a planet, ask for whatever they give you, and...

"Ha!  Stimulants make a warrior out of even the weakest human!  Here's a strength boosting stimulant to help you get stronger."

...ye shall receive.  What can the others give us?



"No problem.  Just so happens I've got one here I've been working on.  Here you go... I'll just add it to our inventory."



"Beep-beep beeple beep-beep!  Woop!"

Well said.



"All right, let's see what I can do.  I think I have enough parts for something.  Just a moment.  There you are.  One grenade.  Careful with it."

Big Z's is the most useful, of course (you saw what the grenades did to those Mandalorians), but even if we don't have a real use for the others, they can be sold.

One final bit:  There's another person in the Enclave guest rooms now.



Well, two people, one of whom we've met before.  This line is ridiculously difficult to get a screenshot of, by the way, even more than all the name-shouting at the Sandral place.



"There is no need."

Elise: "But I must.  I was much too attached to my droid... it was all that was left of my husband, you see.  Maybe I thought that, through the droid, my husband could live again... be with me still..."

"I think we understand.  Love can do strange things to anyone."

Elise: "But I went too far.  I could not see what was missing in living a normal life.  Fortunatley, in my grief I returned here and ran into Samnt - an absolutely fascinating man!"

"Yes, he seems quite nice."

Elise: "Samnt and I got to talking and, well, we have a lot in common.  I think we'll be seeing more of each other.  It's funny how these things work out in the end.  Maybe there is such a thing as fate, after all...  But I think we should be going now... we have so much more to talk about!  I just wanted to thank you for what you've done for me, and what you tried to do.  Goodbye, and thank you."



Bastila, by the way, gets a wonderful line if you decide to act like a testosterone-fueled idiot:



Lovely. 

Next time on the Hazar Denolo Variety Hour:  Seeing what's with those ruins!

[CJ1145]

?? Dominate Mind was in Kotor 1? How come I never noticed that? Could you not get it as a Guardian or something?

[Akura]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Wow. That actually makes me want to act like an asshat more in games like this.

[rickvoid]

I've always felt they missed a joke in there.

After Rahasia tells you they'll name their children after you, at least Shen should have said "What!?", in a terrified tone.

Seriously, girl moves quick. One minute, at home. Next, she's roped her both her father and her boyfriends father into buying them a house, and now she's talking babies. Brother needs to run! D:

[Judas Maccabeus]

CJ1145:  It's possible you just skipped over it while browsing through the powers; I know I've had trouble finding ones myself before...

rickvoid:  Bah.  Not all men are afraid of commitment, you know.



The Star Map

Spoiler: Ruins (click to show/hide)

Ah, more kath hounds.  We're pretty much cutting through them like butter by now.  At least you get a pretty lightsaber show.



Hmmm... that looks different from anything we've seen before.



And that door looks like the one from the dream, even if the area doesn't.  We must be on the right track.



And that confirms it.  Welcome to the ruins... Casus Sandral's diary mentioned a "Rak", perhaps we'll find it here... perhaps that's what Revan and Malak found.



I'm guessing this isn't it.  The two lines are in obviously different unknown languages.

"Bastila, do you have any idea what this droid is saying?"

"I think the droid is trying to communicate with us by cycling through a variety of languages.  Each time it spoke it was using a very different alien dialect.  The droid can probably understand us.  The only problem is it may not have been programmed with the phonemes of a language we can understand."

Droid: "I can reproduce any of the languages spoken by the slaves of the Builders."

"I recognize this langauge."

"I recognize this language as well.  It is an archaic variant of the Selkath dialect spoken on Manaan.  But why would a droid on Dantooine be programmed to speak ancient Selkath?"

Droid: "Communication was vital to ensure that the slaves constructed this temple according to the wishes of the Builders.  But you are not of the slave species.  Neither are you of the Builders.  You are like the one who came before."

...Huh.  Why would you use Selkath specifically to build a place like this?  I don't think it's been underwater anytime recently.

"It must be referring to Revan.  The Dark Lord and Malak likely encountered this droid when they explored these ruins."

"Are you some type of guardian?"

Droid: "I am the Overseer.  The Builders programmed me to enforce discipline among the slaves while this monument to the power of the Star Forge was constructed.  At project completion all slaves were executed.  I was reprogrammed to serve should a Builder return in search of knowledge of the Star Forge."

"What is the 'Star Forge'?"

Droid: "The Star Forge is the glory of the Builders, the apex of their infinite empire.  It is a machine of invincible might, a tool of unstoppable conquest."

"But what is it?  What does it do?"

Droid: "The... the Star Forge is the glory of the Builders, the apex of their infinite empire.  It is a machine of invincible might, a tool of unstoppable conquest."

"The droid is obviously not programmed with the knowledge we seek.  The Star Forge sounds like some type of weapon, perhaps... though, in fact, it could be anything."



"Who are these Builders you keep talking about?"

Droid: "The Builders are teh great masters of the galaxy, the conquerors of all worlds, the rulers of the infinite empire and the creators of the Star Forge."

"These Builders must have been an extict people, though it is strange there is no record of their existence.  Even the archives at the Jedi Academy make no mention of them.  In the years before the Republic the Hutts were a dominant force in the galaxy, but they never constructed an empire.  In fact, I know of no species that would fit with this information."

"Maybe the Builders refers to the Sith."

Droid: "I know nothing of these "Sith", but they are not the Builders.  The Builders are... the Builders.  The Empire of the Builders is infinite and everlasting.  None can stand against their might and the power of the Star Forge."

"Have you seen a Builder recently?"

Droid: "I have been here ever since the completion of this monument.  In all this time no builder has returned to seek information on the Star Forge."

"How long have you been here?"

Droid: "My chronological circuits have marked over ten full revolutions of this system's outermost planet around the sun since the Builders left."

"Ten revolutions would take more than 20,000 years.  If this is true then this droid is nearly 5,000 years older than the Republic itself!  There must be some mistake."

Umm... the mistake is in your math.  20,000 years ago, the Republic had already been around for over 1000 years.

Droid: "There is no mistake.  The Builders constructed my chronological circuitry using the technology of the Star Forge itself.  My calculations are infallible."

"Tell me about Revan and Malak... the ones who came before us."

Droid: "The ones who came before you - the ones like you, not Builders but not slaves - sought knowledge of the Star Forge and its origins.  They proved themselves worthy."



Ooops.  There went Nemo.

"The droid must be talking about poor Nemo.  The Council sent him here to investigate... and it cost him his life."

"How can I prove myself worthy?"

Droid: "Enter the proving grounds to the east and west.  Within them those who understand the will of the Builders can unlock their secrets and open the doors.  But those who fail will be destroyed by the power of the temple itself.  More than this, I am not programmed to say."

"Revan and Malak unlocked the sealed door and uncovered the secrets of the Star Forge.  Now Malak is using the Star Forge to fuel his conquest of the Republic.  We have to find out what they uncovered.  We have to find a way to unseal these doors to learn more about the Star Forge!  The Republic is depending on us."

No pressure, though.



Nemo's corpse has (but wasn't wearing) a "stylish" blue robe, along with another lightsaber crystal.  Now, let's get to these proving grounds.



We start off with a fight.  Say hello to the Guardian Droid, someone who is going to make you very angry if you don't know how to deal with him.


- HOW TO FAIL TO KILL A GUARDIAN DROID -



Actually damaging the thing is very difficult.  Carth's blasters do pratically no damage, even when he hits, because its shields absorb the fire completely.  Even the lightsabers barely scratch the thing.  It doesn't do much damage in return, but it certainly does more to us than we are to it.



Yeah.  That didn't work.  Fortunately, there's a trick.  Two tricks, actually, but I'm showing you one of them.


- HOW TO KILL A GUARDIAN DROID -



The answer:  vibroblades.  No, seriously.



You probably got rid of those the second you got lightsabers, didn't you?  Big mistake.  These cut straight through the shields and do plenty of damage.  This time it's no contest.



Here's what the droid was guarding.  This must open the way through.



Huh.  Let's touch it!

A new sequence of equally incomprehensible characters appears on the screen.

*Talk to the computer.*

The computer goes silent, its screen blank.  A few extremely unusual characters then appear on the screen.  The computer emits a rapid sequence of tones.  You hear one of those tones softly echoed by your datapad.  A small data receptacle opens in the front of the ancient machine.

Well, it fits...

*Insert your datapad into the receptacle.*

The computer seems to be interfacing with your datapad.  The screen goes blank again, and then more familiar characters begin to appear on the screen.

Oh, thank the Force, it knows Aurebesh.

"Hriski?  Jsoofs oiuwn so h itasoo'khf?"

...Not very well, though.

*Retrieve your datapad.*

The datapad seems to be locked into the ancient computer.  It does not budge.

*Talk to the computer.*

The computer goes silent again, humming softly.  It seems to be processing data from your datapad.  Your datapad is released from the receptacle and the machine goes silent for a moment before flickering to life again.

DATA INTERPRETATION - COMPLETE
LANGUAGE ANALYSIS - COMPLETE
INTERROGATIVE:
IDENTIFY THE THREE PRIMARY LIFE-GIVING SEED WORLD TYPES

1. Oceanic
2. Grassland
3. Desert
4. Volcanic
5. Arboreal
6. Barren


...Must be some kind of test; the droid did mention proving ourselves worthy, after all.  There are six options, but only three seem very livable.  Let's try one.

"Oceanic."

PLANETARY TYPE CONDUCIVE TO LIFE
ADDITIONAL SEED WORLD TYPES

Alright, we're on the right track.

"Grassland."

PLANETARY TYPE CONDUCIVE TO LIFE
ADDITIONAL SEED WORLD TYPE

[hazar] "Arboreal."

PLANETARY TYPE CONDUCIVE TO LIFE
BREAKING LIFE SEAL

Alright, that sounds good, looks like we proved ourselves worthy.  Getting one of these questions wrong reactivates the guardian droid, an annoying fight that provides nothing of use.



On the other side:  Another guardian droid!  It goes as easily at the first now that we know its secret.



Another computer makes us go through the whole datapad thing, and then we get another test.  This should be even easier, just pick the opposite of the last one.  Starting with Desert...

PLANETARY TYPE CONDUCIVE TO DEATH
ADDITIONAL SEED WORLD TYPES

"Volcanic"

PLANETARY TYPE CONDUCIVE TO DEATH
ADDITIONAL SEED WORLD TYPE

"Barren"

PLANETARY TYPE CONDUCIVE TO DEATH
BREAKING DEATH SEAL

Well, there we go.  I suppose that's all?



That is indeed all.  Shall we?



Well.  We're here.



"This is a... a map.  Some sort of intergalactic [sic]* navigational chart.  Revan and Malak must have used this to lead them to the Star Forge.  We could use this map to follow their path and find the Star Forge ourselves.  But we must be wary... they may have laid traps or concealed what they found."

"I still don't understand about the Star Forge.  What does it do?"

"I... I don't know, but Revan and Malak were very interested in finding it.  It must be a tool of some type... or maybe a weapon.  Perhaps the Council can tell us more.  But I think this map might be the key to finding the Star Forge, whatever it is."



Tatooine and Kashyyyk are rather obsure planets to recognise by sight, but okay.

"Perhaps those worlds have more clues."

"I was thinking that, too.  This map can't take us to the Star Forge, but I know that Revan and Malak visited Korriban at least once.  Perhaps they discovered something more there.  They may have found something on each of the other worlds that completed this map.  Maybe if we find all the pieces they will lead us to the Star Forge... and some way to destroy it."

"That sounds like quite a supposition.  What if you're wrong?"

"What if I'm right?  We can't ignore this.  Finding the Star Forge might very well be the key to defeating the Sith!  We must inform the Council of what we have discovered.  They must decide our next course of action, though I suspect our task has only just begun."

Spoiler: Back at the Enclave (click to show/hide)

Before we reach the Council, however...



I sense something through the Force, as if it were time for another conversation.

"You look like something's bothering you."

"No, not bothering me.  Not exactly.  I've been thinking about what the Jedi Council said about the two of us.  There is a bond between us, I do not dispute that.  I can feel it, as I'm sure you can.  The nature of that bond and its effect on our mission remain in question."

"I think you're interested in more than just the 'bond' between us."

"Please!  I'm a Jedi.  Such feelings, such attractions, are... well, they're beneath me, quite frankly.  I admit, I find you intriguing.  Uh... I mean, I find your command of the Force intriguing.  But my interest in you is purely academic.  Surely you can understand why.  Our fates are strongly connected; so connected that a literal bond has been forged between us.  I saw your service records when you were transferred aboard the Endar Spire, but nothing beyond that.  I know very little about you.  I'd like to ask you some questions, given our relationship."

"Our relationship?  Is this some kind of clumsy come-on?"

You'd know all about those, Hazar.

"I was referring to the bond we share; the one the Jedi Council spoke of.  If I actually was interested in you, rest assured I could come up with a better approach than this!"

"Okay, I'll answer a few questions."



Note the joke option.  Each question has one.  No reason to bother poor Bastila more than we have this conversation, though.

"Good.  On which planet were you born?"

"Deralia.  It's in a remote system.  Why?"

...Can't a woman be curious, Hazar? [Joke option: "Kashyyyk.  I'm a Wookiee... can't you tell?"]

"Excellent.  Your current age is?"

"Wasn't all this in my service records?" [Joke option: "3,012.  Healthy living, you know."]

"Yes, well... the truth is I was studying *how* you responded to my questions.  Your reactions help me judge you; this was a test for me to learn more about your character."

"And what did you find out?"

"You were honest, which is good.  And you treated this as a serious matter, which it is.  This bond we share will shape both our destinies, it is not to be taken lightly.  But I imagine you've had enough questions for a while.  So many things have happened to you since Taris.  It's probably a lot for you to absorb.  We can speak again later, after you've had time to think about all this."

Right.  Jedi Council.



"This news of a Star Forge is disturbing.  Action is required, but we must not do so in haste.  We must discuss recent events in light of this new information.  We should consult the Jedi archives to see if there is any mention of this 'Star Forge' and what it might do.  We must learn why Revan and Malak sought it out.  Return to your ship with Bastila and we will summon you when we are done."


- SOME TIME LATER -



"Still, the Council are in agreement: the Star Forge must be found!  Revan and Malak sought it out when they began their tragic fall; the Star Forge is surely a powerful tool of the dark side."

"The Star Map in the ruins showed you four planets, but it was incomplete.  It did not show the location of the Star Forge itself.  We believe there may be similar Star Maps on other planets.  Each Star map is likely a small piece of a larger puzzle.  Find the Star Maps on Kashyyyk, Tatooine, Manaan and Korriban and we believe they will lead you to the Star Forge."

"I am ready to do the Council's will."

"The Jedi numbers have been ravaged by this war, by defections to Malak's cause and by Sith assassins.  But we realize the importance of this mission.  Yet if we sent a company of Jedi Knights with you we would surely draw the full attention of Malak and the Sith, dooming your efforts to failure."

"Am I to undertake this task alone?"

"Secrecy is our best defense against the Sith, but it would be foolish to send you on this quest without someone to aid you, young Padawan.  Bastila will accompany you, for there is a powerful connection between you two... a connection that might be the key to unraveling the mysteries uncovered by Revan.  And Juhani has also asked to accompany you.  After long deliberation we have granted her request."

"Juhani nearly fell to the dark side.  Perhaps her presence will serve as a reminder to you of the dangers of that path."

Ah, the dream of every teenage male on the internet, travelling with a lesbian cat girl.

"There are others I want to join me."

"Of course those who aided you on Taris will also come; they possess skills you may find useful in your quest.  Remember that secrecy and discretion are paramount to your success.  You will not be able to hide the fact taht you are Jedi, nor should you.  But the true nature of your mission must not reach Malak's ears.  You may return here at any time.  Dantooine will be a sanctuary for you, a safe haven.  Here you can find supplies and whatever advice or other aid we may give you."

"You can count on me.  I will not fail."



And also with you.

We have our mission now!  Nothing left here, it's time to return to the Hawk and make our way to these Star Maps.



Along the way, though, Deesra stops us.

Deesra: "Please understand that I am not asking you to reveal anything that could endanger the Order or the Republic.  Whatever task the Council has given you is for your ears, not mine.  I only wanted to wish you well, and to warn you to be careful.  There are many evils out there, many dangers.  The Sith are not the only minions of the dark side."

"What could be more dangerous than the Sith?"

Deesra: "Master Dorak has been training me to succeed him as Chronicler here in the Academy.  In my studies I have come across tales of creatures that are born of the dark side, monsters of pure evil.  The worst of these abominations is the terentatek, a beast that feeds on the blood of those who are strong in the Force.  Over the centuries, many Jedi have fallen to their ravenous hunger."

"What makes this creature so dangerous?"

Deesra: "The terentatek is a predator, and we Jedi are its prey.  They are incredibly strong, with a primal cunning.  And they have an in-born resistance to the Force.  There are some who believe the terentatek is a monster bred by the ancient Sith, and spread throughout the galaxy to destroy the Jedi.  Fortunately, the terentatek is quite rare.  They only well in the most dangerous and darkest of places.  In fact, one has not been seen in nearly forty years."

"Then why are you worried about them now?"

Deesra: "This is not the first time the terentatek have vanished for long periods of time.  Many believe they can lay dormant for years, only to rise and hunt when the power of the dark side waxes full.  I fear Malak's rise may have woken these creatures from their dormant state.  Once the Sith are beaten, I would not be surprised if the Council organized another Great Hunt to try and exterminate them."



Mostly unnecessary exposition following.  Feel free to skip to the next screenshot.




"The Great Hunt?  What's that?"

Deesra: "The Great Hunt was organized by the Jedi Council shortly after the war against Exar Kun.  Jedi were scattered throughout the galaxy, helping to rebuild from the devastation.  Many Jedi vanished during this period, disappearing from a variety of worlds without warning.  We did not know they had been slain until their mutilated bodies began to be discovered.  The Council investigated, and discovered the terentatek were behind the killings.  It was decided the galaxy had to be purged of these insatiable monsters - though the cost proved high."

"So the Jedi just killled these creatures?"

Deesra: "The terentatek are an abomination, they are ruthless engines of death and destruction.  The Council had no choice but to destroy them, for the greater good of the galaxy.  Many Jedi banded together and journeyed to the planets that were suspected of harboring the terentatek.  The Great Hunt did not rest until all the creatures had been slain - or almost all.  There were still rumors of terentatek on the planet of Korriban, a dark world some believe to be the birthplace of the Sith.  That is where Exar Kun was corrupted during the first Sith War.  They never went to Korriban.  The Council, fearing more Jedi might fall to the dark side, declared the Great Hunt was offically over... though three Jedi were appointed to continue the work."

"Why?  What was so special about those three?"

Deesra: "The Jedi chosen to continue the hunt on their own were Duron Qel-Droma, Guun Han Saresh and Shaela Nur.  These three shared a powerful bond, and each of them was devoted to the light.  The Council felt that together they would be able to defeat any terentatek they found.  And by supporting each other they could resist the temptations of Korriban and the lure of the dark side.  But none of the three survived.  Their Master felt them become one with the Force when they left this world.  He believed they were slain by one of the monsters they sought.  The Council felt it was too dangerous to send anyone else in search of their remains, so their exact fate is not known.  But let their deaths serve as a warning to you, Padawan."

"Thanks for the warning.  I'll be careful."

Deesra: "A final warning as you go, Padawan: do not underestimate the terentatek.  If you do, you may suffer the same fate as those who disappeared after the Great Hunt."



He has been a bit quiet.  That's very much not like him.

"Have I been quiet?  I suppose I have.  I guess I just don't like being left out of the loop."

...Out of the loop?

"I'm not the one leaving you out of the loop, Carth."

"No?  Well, you certainly aren't helping matters any, either, and it's really starting to irritate me.  For one thing, I want to know what the Jedi Council said to you.  They pulled you in there and refused to tell me a thing about it."

...You were there, Carth.  You heard every word they said.

"*That* is none of your concern, Carth, and you would do well to leave the matter be."

...I'm sorry, did I miss something?

"I respect you, Bastila, but you've been as close-mouthed as the rest of the Council.  If you won't talk to me, then maybe somebody else will."

"They thought it was more important that I help find the Star Maps than stay."

Okay, I have no idea what's going on.

"And why is that?  You were a great help on Taris, but why would they keep you with us?  Don't they... don't they have to train you?"

"They said there's a bond between Bastila and myself."

"A bond?  What kind of bond?  You mean to say that they told you you were "tied" to Bastila in some way?  Heh.  I have trouble believing that.  You're a neophyte Padawan who's been saddled with the responsibility of tracking down these Star Maps.  Why?  That's not normal!  I'm not trying to provoke you or imply that you're somehow responsible for the Jedi Council... but give me a hand, here!  There has to be a reason!"

"Are you saying I'm not needed?"

"No, I don't... I didn't mean that you weren't wanted, or that I want to go!  It's just... damn it!  I'll tell you this much... I am *not* going to wait around until I'm betrayed again!"

"I am *not* going to betray you!  I am *not* Saul!"

"Well, we'll just see about that, won't we?  Look, I didn't mean it that way.  I want to get to Saul, not... no... no, forget it.  It seems all I can do is insult you, isn't it?  Just forget I said anything.  Let's... let's... just get on with what we were doing."

Well, that was a wonderfully nonsensical conversation.  Anyway, back onto the ship, where Juhani has already boarded.  Let's see what she has to say for herself.



Yeah, the dark side tends to do things like that.

"I am sorry for attacking you.  I am sorry for thinking you would only try to kill me.  I hope that by helping you in your task I may redeem myself in your eyes... and in my own."

"Do not worry, Juhani.  I forgive you."

"Thank you... It is most reassuring to know that you can forgive me, even though I tried to take your life.  I can only hope that, in our time journeying together, I will succeed."



Alright, here's the Galaxy Map, which is our hyperdrive control.  Having a proper map of hyperspace routes is absolutely necessary for travel in the Star Wars universe, as without one, very, very bad things happen.  Why?  Here's an unnecessary (and possibly boring) explanation, but I'm giving it to you anyway:

While hyperspace seems to be a sort of separate dimension, it is still closely connected to "realspace".  Objects in realspace have a gravity well - the region where their gravitational pull has an effect.  This also appears in hyperspace as a "mass shadow".  Attempting to travel though a mass shadow of sufficent strength (planet-sized is a good rule) is generally fatal, and hyperdrives are set to switch off if one is encountered.  As you might expect, this can be weaponised - an artifical gravity well was used by the Leviathan to trap the Endar Spire, for example.  It is even possible, although extremely technically difficult, to create a mass shadow directly; Revan had one made for the final battle of the Mandalorian Wars, where it literally crushed the Mandalorian fleet.

Due to these mass shadows, and other gravitational anomalies, attempting to go through hyperspace without knowing safe routes is very dangerous.  This computer stores the safe routes and calculates how to travel through them.

Alright, time for our decision.  We have five planets we can travel to, four of which have the Star Maps we're loking for:

- Tatooine, a desert planet deep in the Outer Rim.
- Kashyyyk, a densely-forested planet that is home to the Wookiees.
- Manaan, an oceanic planet and home to the Selkath.
- Korriban, a barren planet and the birthplace of the ancient Sith.
- Yavin, a gas giant whose fourth moon was the site of the death of Exar Kun.  This one appears to have been put into the computer by Davik, not the Jedi Council.

I'd like to visit Korriban last of the four Star Map planets, for minor story reasons, and Manaan after Kashyyyk, because a party member picked up on the latter plays a role in a side plot on the former.  Any other order is fine, of course.
____________
*DEFINITIONAL NOTE:

Intergalactic:  Between or among separate galaxies.
Intragalactic:  Within one single galaxy.

Star Wars takes place in a single galaxy.  Please get it right.

[Servant Corps]

Mission didn't get it right. Why should we? ...Or should we conclude that The Exchange is secretly doing business with the Vong?

...Oh, and Yavin. That's the only planet I haven't gotten to yet. Because I have an Xbox with no Xbox Liev.

[CJ1145]

My order, when playing, is usually

Tatooine, Yavin, Kashyyyk, Korriban, and Manaan. However, I'm going to mix it up this time. I suggest

Tatooine, Yavin, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban. You know, mix it up a bit. Throw people for a loop.

[Phantom]

Wait what? Yavin? Oh right, computer version.

As a note: Manaan is so goddamn annoying, do it last.

[Judas Maccabeus]

Hazar and Sasha at Yavin

It's a tie between Tatooine and Yavin; I'll go with the latter, since it's really short.  I'd like a bit of a quick one after Taris taking so long that I think we're actually fighting against Darth Krayt now.

Also, I hope you like dialogue.  There's a lot of it this update.  Much of it not in "Basic".

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dantooine's not too far from Yavin, so this should be a decently short trip.



Alright, off we go.



While we're on the way, let's check in on the Leviathan.



Saul: "She was aided by Carth Onasi, a decorated war hero of the Republic and a legendary soldier.  During the Mandalore Wars he was honored many times for his bravery."

"You know this man?"

Saul: "Yes, Lord Malak.  He served under me when I still followed the Republic.  You could say I was his mentor."

"Interesting.  How did you acquire this information, Admiral?"

Saul: "An eye witness, Lord Malak."



...Hi.  Nice to see that your armour was rated to stop a half ton of falling debris.

"A Jedi and a war hero - it's a wonder you survived the encounter."

"I am hard to kill, Lord Malak."

No kidding.

Saul: "Calo has agreed to help us capture the young Bastila - for a very hefty fee, of course.  But I assure you he is well worth the price.  His reputation as a bounty hunter is well earned."

"Her companions are nothing to me, Calo - but I desire the young Jedi taken alive if at all possible."

Saul: "Lord Malak, forgive me.  There is something else.  May we have a private audience away from the ears of the common soldiers?"

"I trust you are not wasting my time, Admiral Karath."

Saul: "I promise you will be very interested in what Calo has to tell you about Bastila's other companions, Lord Malak."

A 14-year-old Twi'lek, her Wookiee, a washed-up Mandalorian, a bog-standard utility droid, and a smuggler-turned-Jedi.  I'm sure he'll be enthralled.



Alright, we're here.  Obviously, we're not landing on Yavin itself (it being made of gas and all), or that moon in the background (it was scoured clean of life during the Exar Kun war), but this space station orbiting the planet.  Now, we can find out-



-never mind, Big Z's found something.

"Someone's been into the emergency stash of food.  Mission and I asked everyone, but nobody knows anything about it.  You might want to check out the food stores the next time you're in the cargo hold."



[Examine the supplies more closely.]

[There are no half-eaten or torn packages to indicate the theft was from pests or vermin.  It looks more like some unknown person has been conducting clandestine raids on your stores.  Whoever the thief is, they have managed to avoid detection by you or your companions so far.  Maybe a thorough search of the ship will reveal the stowaway.]

Well, well, well.



Not in the engine room... huh.  Maybe if we-



We may well have a master of stealth in our midst.  Has Calo Nord caught up with us already?



Time to prepare, get attuned with the Force, maybe-



...Oh.

"Calm down, little girl.  I won't hurt you."

Girl: "You... yooba me na abds?"

"I still don't understand you."

Girl: [She frowns and looks at you helplessly.]  "Yooba me kapsie?"

"Can you tell me your name?"

Girl: [The girl looks at you oddly, puzzled.]

[Point to yourself.] "My name is Hazar Denolo.  You are...?"

Girl: [The girl points to herself.] "Waaba soosa Sasha!"

She actually salutes here, which is incredibly cute.

"Sasha... your name is Sasha, right?"

Sasha: [she nods] "Waba soosa Sasha."

A-ha!  Looks like we've found someone we've been looking for.

"Does the name Lur Arka ring a bell?  What about Rundil ot Sulem?"

Sasha: [The girl looks at you quizzically, not understanding.]

...Bah.  Not going to make this easy, is it?  Let's see if we can figure out what she's saying.

Sasha: "Sasha na esowon in bristag.  Bristag me laesfa."

"Many of the words you're speaking are Mandalorian..."

Sasha: "Manlorey!  Manlorey is na gon-disen!  Manlorey abds!"

"Okay.  Mandalorians bad.  I get it."

"I HEARD THAT!"

Okay, Canderous didn't really say that, but moving on.

Sasha: "Me na esowon Manlorey!  Manlorey abds!"

"I can understand Mandalorian, but your words are all mixed up."

Sasha: [The girl obviously doesn't understand.]

Okay, to the learning bit.



"The panel... all of this... it's your home.  "Laesfa" means "home".

Sasha: [The girl smiles.] Sasha na esowon in bristag.  Bristag me laesfa!"


...

Let's skip all the learning bit.  It's more fun to play through than to read or transcribe.  I think you get the idea.

...


Actually, let's take a break and bug Canderous.  He usually has something fun to say.



Yeah, thanks.  Storytime?



"If a world isn't strong enough to defend itself, it's basically forfeit.  But this story is about something a little different.  We were going through the asteroid fields of the Crispin system at the very edge of the galaxy, playing with the pirates and smugglers we found there.  The main belt in the Crispin system consists of mainly small rocks covered in frozen methane gas shells and the pirates were using them for cover.  Ha!  I remember using a thermal generator to cause the outer layer of one of the asteroids to vaporize in a picosecond.  It blew out and shredded the three smugglers using it for cover!  But... that was a mistake..."

"Why?  What happened?"

"The asteroid I had targeted was smaller than most, maybe a dozen meters on a side.  On the outside it looked the same as any other: just a ball covered in frozen gas.  But something must have been inside it... something inactive in the cold.  The heat of my blast might have triggered something or woken something up.  After I had hit, spots of light and heat appeared all over the thin shell still covering it, evaporating the gases.  What lay underneath looked like some sort of rocky growth... a deformed rock pitted by scores of micrometeorite scars.  I think something even older might have been inside that."

"An asteroid?"

"Maybe... but maybe not.  It started rotating - faster and faster as we watched it.  After a second it started spraying fire - thermal projectiles that melted our armor like wax.  We were caught completely by surprise.  Before we could counter-attack, it fled at an incredible speed."

"A ship!"

"We couldn't catch it, but we could follow its hyperspace wake.  We followed its trail as far as we could, heading away from the galactic core.  When it finally led beyond the edge of the galaxy, we abandoned our efforts.  Anything that wants to commit suicide in that great void is not worth our trouble trying to catch.  That's the only story I have for now.  I'll tell you some more stuff later, if we get the chance."

Obviously, that's supposed to be a Yuuzhan Vong ship that Canderous ran across.  Now, let's get to what we came here for.

Spoiler: Yavin Station (click to show/hide)

There's a few of these on the way to the only person here.  And who is that person?



A... Rodian?

Rodian: "You don't sound like a Trandoshan, and you're not one of Davik's... Who are you?  What do you want?"

"I'm trying to save the galaxy from the Sith."

Rodian: "Eh?  Sith?  They haven't been here in 50 years... not since the last war.  Don't see why they'd start making a habit of it now... Still, all my business with the Sith is old news.  Politics ain't my affair, so as long as you don't get all worked up, I guess I can let you in.  It would be nice to have someone to talk to for a change... Trandoshans and smugglers aren't exacty stunning conversationalists."

"Trandoshans and smugglers?  What are you talking about?"

Rodian: "They come by here every once in a while, it's how I keep in the loop, you know.  But Trandoshan lizard-speak is kind of hard to follow and they have pretty limited imaginations... Smugglers aren't much better either... Look, this is getting kind of awkward through this door, if you'll just hold on a minute, I'll open this damn thing up and we can talk more face to face.  Just have to fiddle with this damn door lock... thing keeps jamming..."



"I'm on a quest for the Jedi Council."

Rodian: "The Jedi Council?  Don't tell me you're a Jedi... you sure don't look it!"

Erm... robes?  Lightsabers?  What did you expect?

"I AM a Jedi!"

Rodian: "Now, now, I never said I doubted you, it's just... well, there aren't exactly a lot of Jedi wandering around these parts, not after what happened last time."

I could explain all about the end of the Great Sith War, but I'll let this Rodian do the work.  Have to outsource all the exposition, and that.

"What happened here?"

Rodian: "Eh?  What?  Don't tell me you youngsters don't know anything about Exar Kun and that war...  But then again, there've been a lot of... mm... troubles recently I've heard."

"Enlighten me about Exar Kun."

Rodian: "Exar Kun was a Jedi... to start at least.  He came here to Yavin and landed on the fourth moon... the one you can see through the window.  There were some ancient Sith temples here, and in them Exar Kun gained terrible powers.  He raised the Sith and waged a war against the Republic... much like what seems to be happening today.  But Exar Kun was far more powerful than any Sith Lord who has come since.  The very ground trembled beneath his feet and when he looked at you, you just... just...  But that's all in the past now.  I've got my life of staying here and tinkering with the stuff I've found in the ruins and the things the Trandoshans and smugglers bring me."

He also stole the life-force of the Massassi Sith and was only contained by a massive application of the Force that left the moon a wasteland.  Quite the fun fellow.

"You're an inventor?"

Rodian: "Maybe a little.  I just tinker with stuff I've found lying around the ruins on Yavin IV, or that the Trandoshans and smugglers bring me.  Of course, with them it's usually weapons and things...  But I just have so many ideas that people haven't seemed to come up with yet.  It's really quite astonishing."

"You spend all your time here in this station?  Alone?"

Rodian: "Eh?  Yes, of course!  You don't see anyone else around, do you?  Well, not entirely alone at any rate... Trandoshans or smugglers come by every so often and drop things off and pick some of my inventions up."

"Why did you come here to the station?"

Rodian: "This station is an old Republic supply depot from when they were fighting Exar Kun.  Once they destroyed Yavin IV's surface, though, they didn't need it anymore.  Once they'd gone, I decided to move in and use the place myself.  It's not very roomy, but I think it's turned out all right.  And it's close to Yavin IV, where I got most of my parts.  Nobody comes here except the smugglers and Trandoshans anyway, so I get left alone the way I like it."

"So you're from this system?"

Rodian: "Well... not exactly.  See, I'm not as young as I look.  Actually, I'm pretty old by most standards.  I've been here since the war, really."

"Were you in the war?"

Rodian: "The Sith were building a whole lot of temples on Yavin IV by Exar Kun's order, and they needed people to build it for them... so they got slaves.  Most of the slaves were put to work on the buildings directly, but there are a lot of other things you need to make a planet a working base.  Weapons, for instance.  So they forced some Baragwin to work for them making weapons.  You know Baragwin, right?  And I was one of the ones working under the Baragwin.  I guess you could say I had the talent for it.  The Baragwin I worked for, he took me under his wing and made me his apprentice, even...  But almost all of them died with the Republic destroyed the place, so I guess it's useless to think about it."

"Do you have any Baragwin equipment?"

Rodian: "I might have a couple.  YOu want to take a look?"



Hehe, worth a shot.  Looks like this fellow's mind is too strong for that.

"Let's see what you have."

Rodian: "Here, have a look."



Hm... nothing we can really afford, although that droid shield looks to be getting close.



At least he has a nice view.  Anyway, back to the ship, we're done here.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I sense another-



Well, okay, that.  Really, it was.

"A... a kinrath pup?!  It most certainly is not!  I am a Jedi, remember?  I have far too much mental discipline to reveal what goes on inside my mind with such obvious physical clues.  My thoughts remain hidden, including whatever my feelings are for you.  Uh... I mean, whatever I feel *about* you... uh... I mean whatever I *think* about you."

The patented Jedi stoicism at work, folks.

"You're so cute when you're embarrassed."

"I... that is, you... Why must you be so impossibly infuriating?!  You know very well what I'm really talking about.  I'm referring to the bond between us; the one the Jedi Council spoke of.  Our connection allows us glimpses into each other's mind.  We can feel some of what the other feels.  And what I feel within you troubles me.  A Padawan must receive considerable training.  They must learn to control their emotions and darker impulses.  Often it takes years before using the Force can be considered safe.  The fact that you are so strong in the Force and have had such relatively little training could have terrible consequences.  For you, and for everyone around you."

"You could warn me when I do something bad.  Blink once for dark side, twice for light."

"This is not a joke!  The choices you make could affect both our destinies, not to mention the fate of the Republic and the entire galaxy!  There is much at stake.  Thankfully you have exhibited a degree of compassion and self-control up to this point.  I sincerely hope you can maintain these traits in the future.  We must all resist the influence of the dark side!  It is everything we are fighting against!  This is doubly important for you, with your natural affinity for the Force!"

"I will try."

"That is good to hear.  Without the proper training, however, I'm afraid you will find the path difficult even with the best of intentions.  There is great danger ahead, for both of us.  Our destinies are intertwined.  Everything one of us does will have consequences for the other.  Any reckless behavior on your part is likely to affect me as well."

"It works both ways, doesn't it?  You could help me stay strong."

"Yes, that is true.  I will do my best to guide you, but I am no Master.  Not yet.  And there are times when I find the sheer strength of your power almost overwhelming.  Your power could be a gift or a curse.  When you need guidance, or advice, or support I will do my best to help you stay on the path of the light."

"I would appreciate any help you could offer."

"I only hope I will have the wisdom to help you through the dark times.  But for now, we should return to our mission."

...You're the one with the low Wisdom score, Bastila...

Spoiler: Back on Dantooine (click to show/hide)

More language stuff with Sasha.  Still boring.

...



Well, we're finally good enough to speak it ourselves, so let's get to the meat of this.

Sasha: "Me palkie bristag na nuh ghis!  Me hoot abd liaz!"

"You came to the ship before.  You were very scared.  Why?"

Sasha: "Me palkie Manlorey!  Me na esowon!"

"You left the Mandalorians?  And hid here on the ship."

Sasha: "Me na palkie awnts!  Bristag me laesfa!"

"You don't want to leave.  The Ebon Hawk is your home."

Sasha: [She nods.] "Bristag me laesfa."

[Tell me about your home before.] "Tabed me Sasha laesfa na nuh ghis."

Sasha: [The girl thinks for a long moment.] "Dantooine.  Dantooine me laesfa na nuh ghis."

That confirms it.  Looks like we're going to have to make a return trip.



Lur Arka: "You have convinced me, sentient, that your stowaway is indeed the one I seek.  Would you allow me to see her?"

"Certainly.  I'll bring you to my ship."



Erm... Lur Arka... I've got her understanding a bit of Basic, but I imagine she can't figure out Twi'lek at all.

Sasha: "Yooba na abds?"

...Precisely what I mean.

Lur Arka: "I see that Hazar Denolo was correct about your linguistic difficulties.  I am positive that your parents can assist you with that."

Sasha: "Me abd liaz!  Me na awnts palkie!"

Lur Arka: "Calm yourself, child.  I will take you home."

Sasha: "Sasha na esowon in bristag.  Bristag me laesfa."

"Lur Arka na bads [sic].  Nuh-gisen laesfa, Sasha."

Sasha: "Laesfa?  Me palkie laesfa?  Yb, bristag.  Yb-abu, Hazar Denolo!"

Lur Arka: "Thank you for your assistance, sentient.  I am sure the girl's parents will be most appreciative of your efforts."



Alright.  Tatooine time!

[CJ1145]

Huzzah!

[zchris13]

How far along is Tatooine in development?

[Dragooble]

I will try

Do, or do not. There is no try.

[CJ1145]

 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Does anyone else not like the fact that Vandar speaks like a normal person?

[zchris13]

Yoda talks like that because it is part of his crazy hermit "disguise".