Random Thoughts: Upcoming Maul Comic

(From January 25, 2017)

Today I heard more news about the Maul comic.

Aurra Sing and Cad Bane are going to put in an appearance! Cad Bane is my favorite bounty hunter from any era, so I'm thrilled we'll get to add to his story— his first appearance in the canon in-universe chronology.

I am also delighted that the story will take place before Phantom Menace. I do love my Prequel-era content.

Although I have just given two very good reasons for me to be excited about this particular comic, I probably will collect it later, given the fact that my list of must get my hands on the instant it comes out is long enough as it is. Eventually it will find its way onto my bookshelf, where all of my canon stories are ordered chronologically, as much as possible...

Random Thoughts: MCR Droids

(From January 24, 2017)

I spent an hour in SWTOR this morning, as usual. My Level 3 Sith Inquisitor Assassin (Diohal) is helping me collect the rest of the Korriban Legacy achievements that I missed when I ran through with my Sith Warrior Marauder (Teragor).

I collected the three lore objects in the Academy that I'd missed, and because several other people were in the area at the same time as myself, I ended up leveling to 3 without having actually been in combat yet, which I find amusing.

I have several more fallen acolytes to slay, and a bazillion shyracks. Looks like I'll be dunking skulls in a blood pool several times before collecting my companion, whoever that will be for this class.

Yes. I attacked that mission a few times with my Warrior before I decided that patience was the better part of valor, and to wait until I collected whatever companion they were going to give me. It's a long way to walk to get back there once you've revived at a med droid.

I know I found shyracks in one of the tombs... I'll need to go figure out which one it was again...

And apparently, according to my Legacy bars, there's a terentatek out there somewhere that I completely did not come across as a Warrior. Maybe that's a boss you only face as an Inquisitor. I suppose I shall find out soon enough.

There was one section in the Korriban area of the Legacy panel that had me stumped. Finding MCR droids. Today I googled to find out just what that means and how in blazes to go about it. Turns out I can't do that until I'm past level 50, so I'm just going to shrug my shoulders, pretend the incomplete bar isn't bothering me, and wait until I'm leveled enough.

Random Thoughts: Episode VIII's Title

(From January 24, 2017)

Today I heard the news that Episode VIII's title has been announced.

The Last Jedi.

Of course, what hit me first was the history that particular phrase has in Star Wars. The Last of the Jedi series by Jude Watson contained a continuation of a few characters from her earlier stories as well as a few other notables such as Dexter Jettster and Boba Fett.

Jude Watson wasn't the only person to use the phrase as a title. Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff used The Last Jedi for the sequel to the Coruscant Nights trilogy, continuing the misadventures of Jax Pavan and the droid I-5YQ. I love that droid, by the by.

So yes, the title has rich history surrounding it.

You're undoubtedly demanding I point out the line in Episode VI, which is, most likely, where the namers of Ep VIII took it from. The moment when Yoda pronounces to Luke that once he's died, the last of the Jedi will he be.

We spent the two hours in Ep VII wondering when we would get to see Luke, and now they've practically named the next movie, “Star Wars: Episode VIII: Luke.”

All of this to say: I like it. I like it a lot. I love that it has all kinds of EU precedent, even though that has nothing to do with what the movie will be about, and it's highly likely the namers had no idea whatsoever about those former usages.

I like that it has a reference to a movie that's come before.

I like that it could mean Luke, or it could mean Rey, if Luke dies after training her somewhat.

I like that it feels like a Star Wars title.

And I especially like that the movie is coming out this December. I really like that.

Reactions: Dark Side Secrets— Visions and Voices Preview

I don't know how many of you have seen this clip. It's on the official Star Wars youtube channel, and is a preview for the next episode of Rebels.

There are a couple of beautiful and amazing things about this.

Let's first, of course, take off our hats to Maul and Sam Witwer's performance. I cannot wait for more of that character. His mental instability is glorious.

Next, there's the fact that the darksaber makes an appearance. So. Awesome.

And... it's on Dathomir. I know, I know.

With those three things, how could I find something more? If those alone had been present, I'd be talking ninety-miles-an-hour nonstop and completely, absolutely delighted for this episode.

But the in-real-life Rebels team went above and beyond.

The blood-scrawled name Kenobi in Mando'a on the wall. The fact Maul kneels before it, surrounded by candles. Is that a personal ritual? Come home, kneel before that name, then make dinner?

What stole my breath and kicked my heart was that picture. Satine. The picture. Now stained, torn. From a distance, it looks like her eyes are bleeding black. Think of all of that wonderful black fluid that would spill from mouths and ears and noses in Teen Wolf, and now apply that to that painting. You know, that TV show has some wonderful visual elements. Moving on.

The music. Oh. Satine's theme is... so beautiful, all on its own. To include it here, warped? All it took was that first signature note, and my heart was in my throat. And from there I was completely lost. So beautiful.

And then the camera pans down and we see...

The weapon that killed her. On a stand. Beneath her portrait. Surrounded by candles.

Sweet mother of Palpatine.

The shrine he built, basically of her death— the knowledge that Kenobi will suffer from that as long as his heart beats...

“He lives!”

Even if Obi-Wan and Satine are never mentioned in this episode...

This alone is enough. More than enough. I thought that moment of He Lives couldn't be trumped this season, even by Thrawn, who is absolutely spectacular.

I'm afraid this moment outdoes even He Lives.

Go ahead, tell me I'm crazy.

I'll just be here, kneeling at the weird shrine to Satine's death, and glorying in the fact that Maul learned Mando'a.

Someday...

I hope Obi-Wan sees this place. Not this episode. But someday.

Rogue One: Tickets

Well, my family and I have joined the ever-increasing number of folks who now posses their tickets to go see Rogue One!

It's not for opening night— yes, yes, I know.

It's for the first showing in the morning on the release date.

My Christmas was made beautiful last year by my entire family agreeing to go watch The Force Awakens with me, for my first viewing of Episode VII. It was an unexpected gift.

However, my darling family consists of individuals who wake up early in the morning and work hard through the day. The thought of driving through bad weather in the evening wasn't appealing.

Since they were stepping out to meet me halfway, I decided the least I could do was travel the other half.

So other than one lonely person out front, waiting, we were at the front of the line. We stood there, bundled in the beautiful early morning, and talked Star Wars with folks who hadn't been able to make it the night before, for whatever reason.

We saw a bus filled with kids... then another... and another...

Headed for The Good Dinosaur.

Our line chatted about rumors, Clone Wars, Rebels, expectations, Jar Jar Binks, Ewoks, JJ Abrams, and Rogue One. Perfect strangers... strangers no longer.

Now? It's become a family tradition. My family's Christmas tradition. The morning of opening day, head of the line, all together; talking Star Wars with anyone who's interested.

The wait of several hours is a price I'm willing to pay to get to share that special first viewing with the people who love me most.

For those of you who haven't gotten your tickets yet, I wish you the best of luck; and for those of you who will be seeing Rogue One on opening night...

Go have the time of your lives, guys. We have a new movie again!

The Force will be with you. Always.

SWTOR Words: Toons

I've been listening to SWTOR podcasts. A lot.

Fortunately, when I ran into our word, it was fairly easy to figure out what was being meant, because of the context.

The character being played.

However, I had no idea why that word was the one being used. So I googled it.

Some people thought its use came from the word cartoon. Others were certain it came from an MMO called Toontown.

To be perfectly honest, I feel no driving need to discover the “true” answer. And knowing language... it could have come from both.

My SWTOR vocabulary expands, a word at a time. Not very quickly, but it's happening.

The Force will be with you. Always.

Adventures of Eegan #3: More Than Reports

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 reported to the Council chamber.

I had spoken with Satele Shan a few times by then, but still my heart thundered. I know her from her exploits in the war. I've seen some of the things she accomplished.

Survived.

This is a woman who took a lightsaber blade in her hand and held it away from her heart.

I expected to give my report, and to receive my next mission.

Oh, that happened.

But...

They knighted me.

Knighted.

I stood there in stunned disbelief, trying to find something to say. Somehow, they thought me ready.

I want to live up to that belief.

Other things were discussed, in that meeting. Somehow. I'm not sure how.

The few Council members present felt strongly about Matriarch Ranna Tao'Ven's betrayal of Master Orgus and myself. While I could understand their concern— Kalikori is right in our backyard, after all, and darkness is brewing— I'd had experience with Ranna as a person.

She was bullied; and the bullies are... no longer an issue. I believe she has strength to lead her people, and I also believe she will gain the experience she currently lacks. She has a kind heart, and is open to being friends with the Jedi. I don't think this betrayal counters that.

On the contrary. Now she feels in our debt. I don't believe in widening the rift between Kalikori and Jedi. I believe she will be good for her people, and I believe that we can build friendship through her. We've already made great strides in that direction.

I pleaded for leniency.

The Council, thank the Force, listened.

But not all news was good.

Master Kiwiiks was present via holo. She reported that the darkness that we feel building did not originate with Bengel. Now that we have him in custody, it hasn't abated.

Instead... the menace is growing stronger.

Something is terribly wrong on Coruscant.

So...

They sent me there to join Orgus Din in an investigation.

I'm going to work a mission alongside my former Master...

But as equals now.

Of course, he still has rank over me, but I'm a knight.

I want to bear my end of the weight well.

T7 asked to be allowed to accompany me. He was so sweet, so confident. He seems to think that if he and I work together, we can do anything. His surety inspires me, and he so often makes me laugh.

I was happy to add my voice to his...

And the Masters agreed to allow us to continue on together.

T7 + T7's Jedi = Happy Jedi.