Random Thoughts: Stronghold Mania

(From January 26, 2017)

I may have gone a little bit bonkers this morning.

I spent my entire allotted SWTOR hour in my Coruscant Stronghold (the only one I have for now) running around my three open rooms and figuring out what in blazes to do with them with the decorations I already possess.

 Everything ended up placed, except for the 49 other copies of the various pictures I collected from the 5-year Anniversary Vendor.

 

I may have accidentally discovered what the word bound means on an item as I played around with sticking things in my Legacy Cargo bay. On some things I would get red text that said it couldn't move there because it was bound.

And apparently pets belong to a single character too? Back during the Life Day event, I threw snowballs like a madwoman until I had enough parcels for the baby wampa. That was with Triscalion (my Jedi Knight Sentinel). But when I logged on with Eegan and went looking, there wasn't even a pets tab in that panel. Curious.

 

Anyway. Odd stuff happened. Apparently Triscalion had various companions as decorations automatically? I used a token to create him, making him instantly high-level so I could take him through Knights of the Eternal Throne. I haven't played KotFE, and I'm still working on the original game, so I have absolutely no idea who any of these people are. Deciding that didn't matter, I placed them all around the room anyway.

Then I came back with Eegan, to see which ones would look like blue holograms and which would be physically present.

And discovered that the two who didn't look like holograms had lost all their clothes. The Cathar male, and the Devaronian with the broken horn. That's baffling me a bit.

 

Random Thoughts: First Stronghold Decoration

(From January 25, 2017)

I confess that Stronghold decorating completely baffled me. When I tried clicking on a decoration in my inventory, it seemed to disappear, and I had no idea what was going on. I did manage to place a chair, and what appeared to be a hologram of T7 that first day in my Stronghold, and then I backed away and gave up.

That was back in 2016. (Do you enjoy saying that as much as I do? It's 2017, people. Still crazy.) This past week I decided it was time to take another run at it, so I went to Swtorista's Academy on Youtube to see if I could find any hints.

I found two videos, and wow, some of those stronghold images are beautiful. Definitely got me excited to try again.

This morning I set the patch to download— 5.1, here now is. I had about ten minutes left after that before I had to leave, so I took Eegan, my Jedi Knight Guardian, to my one Stronghold.

First I played around with the windows to try to understand the terminology, and then I cautiously clicked on one of the “paintings” the 5-year anniversary vendor on the fleet had been selling. The number in my inventory went down, and the list of unlocked, available-to-place decorations went up.

Emboldened, I tried the Legacy Cargo Bay, and that worked too.

So, with only a little time left, I planted the Legacy box, and ta-da. Now I have a place to put all of my crafting materials, and it actually works!

I was ridiculously proud of myself.

Now I just have to figure out what my color scheme is supposed to be like. That is not my strong point.

Adventures of Eegan #2: The Unexpected

The Adventures of Eegan contain extensive spoilers for Star Wars: The Old Republic. If you intend to play the game yourself, you may not want to read these posts. If you're just interested in my adventures, mishaps, and how thoroughly I get involved in the role-playing aspect (very, very, very), and don't mind hearing the story in the process, welcome aboard.

You are entering the Eegan zone. From here on out, the word “I” means Eegan, a young female Zabrak Jedi Initiate.

I conquered him.

I'm not sure how, but I did. He stood wounded and disarmed before me, staring at me with widening eyes.

I couldn't quite believe my ears when he, almost reverently, announced that I was what he'd been looking for. I was the one who could defeat the Sith.

He was completely serious.

He begged me to allow him to give me the power I would need to restore the Republic to its former glory. Not knowing what else to do, I knocked him out and tried to revive my Master.

He awoke, apparently none the worse for wear.

He took it all in at a glance, and his words of commendation warmed me to my soul. He lifted his fallen Padawan into his arms and set out to return to the Temple.

I didn't like to watch him go without medical attention, without backup... without me...

But he'd given me a new mission.

And now that he knew the lay of the board, Master Din wasn't likely to be caught off-guard again.

So I put trust in him, and turn back to the Forge.

Still overwhelmed from my fight and nearly losing my Master, I was confronted with a new surge of adrenaline.

My lightsaber.

My lightsaber.

Finally, I was allowed to build one.

I could hear the crystal singing to me, a sweet song for me and me alone. The crystal that lives for me.

I climbed the jagged stairs and stepped into the mountain.

The air was cool inside, and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dimness.

The Forge responded to my presence. It knew I was there.

I spread the components before me, closed my eyes, and reached out to them with the Force. T7 waited beside me, patient and silent. Somehow, even in that sacred moment, he wasn't an intrusion. He seemed to understand this ritual had deep significance, and his respect for it and me felt alive.

Many sentient living beings wouldn't have treated me as well.

I think T7 is something more than one might expect. A droid, yes... but I'm not sure that negates his personhood. I certainly find myself thinking of him as a friend.

When I opened my eyes again, there it hung, suspended in the air before me.

Not what I had designed... but something I had envisioned already in my hands.

The extension of me that had always existed, but never had a chance to reach physicality before.

In awe, I took the saber in my hand. Its metal was cool against my fingers, and its weight felt good in my palm.

It felt right.

A caress of my thumb, and the blade lit the cave. Blue and cold as ice, yet with a burning kiss.

It's beautiful. I can say that without self aggrandizement. I didn't choose its shape, nor did I create its heart. No, the crystal guided the creation, just as the crystal chose me. Within seconds, the pulse of the saber's heart was as familiar to me as my own, and I couldn't quite understand how I'd functioned without it before.

If I lost the saber now, it would feel as though a part of me had been stolen away. An ache, a discomfort, an... unsettled disturbance, scratching at my soul until I was rejoined with my blade again.

The crystal and I had bonded.

I hadn't known what the Masters meant when they said this weapon is your life. It's a familiar mantra. I couldn't tell you the times I've heard it. Now I think I understand.

The crystals are... dare I say it... alive.

And now that mine has bonded to me...

Its existence and mine are intertwined.

This weapon... is... my life.

T7's squeal hit my ears almost simultaneously with a roar.

I spun around, heart in my throat, to discover a great beast moving to attack me. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. I gripped my saber tight, the crystal harmonizing inside and around my soul, and I moved to fight.

I didn't want to kill it. It was a beautiful creature...

But it wouldn't allow me to leave the Forge alive, so I defended myself.

And then, racing past the corpses I had strewn about on my way through the pass to find Master Din, I headed for the Temple.

Adventures of Eegan #1: Hang On, Master

The Adventures of Eegan contain extensive spoilers for Star Wars: The Old Republic. If you intend to play the game yourself, you may not want to read these posts. If you're just interested in my adventures, mishaps, and how thoroughly I get involved in the role-playing aspect (very, very, very), and don't mind hearing the story in the process, welcome aboard.

You are entering the Eegan zone. From here on out, the word “I” means Eegan, a young female Zabrak Jedi Initiate.

I checked my maps and located the Forge that Ranna Tao'Ven spoke of.

The Twi'lek Matriarch of the village Kalikori had expressed sorrow at betraying my Master, Orgus Din, into the hands of his fallen former Padawan.

She said she hoped I could rescue him in time.

I followed the path, tangling with a few wild creatures, but other than that, I was left in peace. What peace I could find, that is.

I'd seen Bengel Morr only twice before— both times by hologram. The first was an image T7-01 had sneakily recorded during his incarceration, and the second...

The second, Bengel spoke to me, personally.

It's a little intimidating.

 

From the way the Jedi Council spoke, it's clear that Master Din was severely burned by his Padawan's death.

What they... thought... was his death.

He'd been there, at the Temple. When the Sith came.

When it burned.

They thought his corpse lay among the countless slaughtered.

Master Din had refused to take another Padawan since.

And yet he took me.

It filled me with gratitude, and quite a bit of trepidation.

And then he discovered Bengel isn't dead.

Instead, the Nautolan former Padawan is sending Flesh Raiders to kill Jedi. I could see that hurt Master Din. He was shocked, horrified.

He told me that Bengel was a kind soul. So gentle.

He couldn't understand what had been done to him.

I confess that knowing my Master's former apprentice was out there made me uneasy, and not just because he seemed to resent me for thwarting the Flesh Raiders' attempted depredations.

I think it may have to do with who I am.

Orgus Din's new Padawan.

And now Bengel Morr has our Master in his hands, at a place called the Forge.

I followed the map to a cave high up a cliff, beside a beautiful waterfall. The mist dampened my skin and robes as I passed.

Inside the cave, I discovered droids, like the ones I fought in Kaleth. I was thankful to have T7 with me. Not only does he help me heal, he takes out some of the enemies we encounter all on his own.

Seeing his bravery and self-sufficiency always fills my heart with pride.

Not long ago I rescued him from the Flesh Raiders. Now, he seems glued to my side.

I'm certainly not complaining.

And he says the most adorable things.

The cave led me to the other side of the mountain, a secluded area I doubt I could access any other way. It's beautiful, here.

And full of Flesh Raiders.

I fought my way through them, following the path, hoping it would lead me to my Master.

Was that too possessive a term? I knew Bengel also has a claim on him.

I tried to still the nervous churning in my gut.

Bengel had years of training that I didn't. He had a lightsaber.

I have a vibroblade.

Granted, it's a good blade, and has stood by me in countless contests against Flesh Raiders and guardian droids in the ruins of Kaleth.

Our home isn't as safe as one might expect. The epicenter of the Jedi Order has danger caressing its every shrine.

I've been careful to keep my armor in good shape, and I had T7.

I just wasn't sure it would be enough against Bengel.

Especially when he might have countless Flesh Raiders at his command.

I was there without backup. The other Jedi were busy fighting for their lives elsewhere.

I was on my own.

And then I saw it.

The Forge.

A long stair with no railing, broken and crumbling so it appeared to swerve crazily, leading up to an open doorway. Beautiful stonework, leading into the mountain.

Everything on Tython is beautiful.

And then I saw him.

Them.

Two Flesh Raiders, and Bengel Morr.

And...

Him.

Bengel threw my Master, and Master Din landed hard on the ground. He lay still, unmoving.

I couldn't sense him.

He was either unconscious, or dead.

I hoped, desperately, it was the former.

Bengel saw me. I tried to draw him out in conversation, but he was set in his decision.

He was going to sacrifice Master Din to concentrate power.

He was convinced the Sith cannot be defeated if the Jedi continue as we have. He was horrified that we surrendered to the Sith in the war... that we let them get away with the sack of Coruscant.

He seems to think he's had some special revelation of what the Jedi should be.

When he moved to kill Master Orgus, of course I intervened.

Somehow, I take out the Flesh Raiders.

And then, letting go of my fear, breathing in deep and entrusting myself to the Force, I fought my brother Padawan, Bengel Morr.

Adventures of Eegan: Explanation

Greetings, all.

I recently decided to take the plunge and get involved in Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR). I cannot tell you how excited I am to discover the stories tucked away in this game. To me, story is the most fascinating part of the Star Wars universe, and I want to explore every story that Star Wars holds. It's like collecting action figures or POPs or posters, but instead of something physical, it's in my mind.

I played Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR) some time back. It was my first introduction to a role-playing game, and I fell in love with the idea of role-playing. I played it through as a male lead, and somehow fell in love with Bastila. Then I played it again, this time as a female lead, and— even though Carth drove me crazy the first time through the game— somehow fell for Carth as well. Even funnier, I didn't like Bastila that second time. At all.

The emotional investment is what draws me to role-playing games in the Star Wars universe. I am here simply to throw myself headfirst into it and be that person for a few hours. I let it take me on an emotional roller-coaster, and everything in the “real world” ceases to exist for a while. My overactive imagination picks up where the game itself leaves off, creating one big crazy alternate reality.

This is what I will be sharing with you. How it feels to be me, playing a role-playing game. Expect it to completely ignore Syl's reality, and replace it with Eegan's. That may be unnerving for some people, so consider yourselves warned. I am not in need of comments telling me I should see a doctor or reevaluate my grasp on reality. In these posts, I am intentionally suspending disbelief, and offering all of you the chance to do the same. It's not everybody's cup of tea; so if it bothers you, make like a stormtrooper in Mos Eisley and move along, move along.

I have maybe forty minutes to an hour each day to play SWTOR, and some days, not at all, so my progression through the story will be fairly slow. When Knights of the Eternal Throne comes out, I intend to play that immediately, perhaps putting Eegan's story on hold. I will probably do an “Adventures Of” segment for that character too... whoever that ends up being. I'm considering a male... maybe Mirialan... hm...

“Adventures of Eegan” will be written from Eegan's point of view. Completely. When I say “I” or “me,” I will be meaning the character of Eegan: a young female Zabrak Jedi initiate. The idea to share this with all of you came to me a little late, so Eegan is a level 18 Jedi Guardian, who has already accomplished several missions.

As I go, I may decide to interject some “Syl” comments as well. I will find some way of formatting it to make the distinction clear. Perhaps a written version of the LARP option of placing a hand on your head while speaking out of character...

I am not very good at games, so don't expect much finesse from Eegan, or Syl, at the moment. I am enjoying the journey, and I'm happy to share it with you.

I have one more warning for you. While I intend to write “Adventures of Eegan” (and her Knights of the Eternal Throne counterpart) in first-person, I have not decided on present or past tense yet. I may switch between the two while searching for my voice. I do not often write in first-person, so this is new territory for me. Your lenience is much appreciated, trust me.

Also: If you are not playing SWTOR... well...

Maybe you'll change your mind.

See you in a cantina somewhere, a long time ago and far, far away, or at a Star Wars Celebration on Earth! Until then, you can follow me on Twitter @StarWarsSyl.

The Force will be with you. Always.