I'm already happy that we've replaced Jar-Jar with a more competent and less racially insensitive version. I'd also love to see Anakin's fall to the dark side be more nuanced and sinister, since that's always how we hear about the dark side getting its hooks into people. Watching his slow descent would be much more satisfying I think. Of course, that one is also up to our Anakin. I think him and Obi-Wan being closer in age makes sense as well, since Anakin is canonically 16 years younger. It makes them being 'brothers' seem a bit forced, but only a few years of difference makes that more plausible.
Again something players might need to discuss, but how do you feel about the whole 'Padme and Obi-Wan were in love' fan theory? Even if we don't take it so far that they did anything, finding out that his best friend and his wife were in love--even if they didn't do anything to avoid hurting Anakin--makes his fall seem much more believable. It also explains why Obi-Wan is so hands-off with Luke, as the last time he got attached to someone he inadvertently helped bring about the Empire. There are a ton of different ways to spin it, but I think it'd be neat and adds some more levels. I can see a lot of things that might happen as a result; perhaps Obi-Wan grows closer to Sabe in order to stave off his feelings for Padme, or maybe that's why he encourages Anakin to break his Jedi vows and marry her? Ralk and I are the only characters who aren't at least based on someone from the prequels, so we're kind of wild cards here, so if anyone has cool ideas for me I'm all ears.
EDIT: I feel it's still absolutely essential that Anakin still hate sand because it's rough, coarse, and gets everywhere. Not only is that line perhaps my favorite in the prequels--it's in the running with "From my point of view, the Jedi are evil," and [b]"I have to become more powerful!", the latter only because a professor I had once did a great impression of it while talking about how Frankenstein and and RotS are the same--but it actually lends a reason as to why Obi-Wan hides Luke on Tattooine.
We've already kept a fair amount of the canon stuff that I was hoping to drop, so I'm definitely up for more deviations. :P
I'd also love to see Anakin's fall to the dark side be more nuanced and sinister, since that's always how we hear about the dark side getting its hooks into people. Watching his slow descent would be much more satisfying I think. Of course, that one is also up to our Anakin. I think him and Obi-Wan being closer in age makes sense as well, since Anakin is canonically 16 years younger. It makes them being 'brothers' seem a bit forced, but only a few years of difference makes that more plausible.
I think part of that will occur naturally with the nature of PBP. Instead of a few hours of film, we'd likely be playing this game for years before we get to Anakin actually becoming Darth Vader. I think there's a lot more room for nuance and taking things slow, without it feeling like the fall comes out of nowhere.
Again something players might need to discuss, but how do you feel about the whole 'Padme and Obi-Wan were in love' fan theory? Even if we don't take it so far that they did anything, finding out that his best friend and his wife were in love--even if they didn't do anything to avoid hurting Anakin--makes his fall seem much more believable.
I don't mind that either way. Anakin could be paranoid and jealous of it happening in either case. I think a lot of Anakin's relationship with Padme will be based on him being insecure. He's not smart or educated or well-traveled or particularly handsome. He's a good pilot, okay with the force. But there's no reason in his mind that she should be with him.
I actually just thought of the idea of Anakin already having a girl he's seeing when you guys arrive - simply for Padme not being the only girl we ever see him with - but that might muddy up the departure from Tattooine. Unless there's time for a murder.
or maybe that's why he encourages Anakin to break his Jedi vows and marry her?
So, I always thought that was kind of dumb. OKAY. RANT TIME. IT'S RANT TIME.
Essentially, the Jedi Order in the prequels is presented as prudish and emotionless. I don't see why they should actually be against the idea of marriage, or enforcing celibacy in the first place. While I do think that marrying a senator would affect some of Anakin's assignments (as they'd want to seem impartial), I don't see why they'd otherwise care. The Jedi Code speaks about, you know, there is no emotion, there is peace. But to me that's not about denying emotion, just about not letting it rule you. It's mind-over-body.
I feel like this was just added to the prequels to give Anakin a more surface-level way to be at odds with the council. You also the angle of him "being too old" which is nonsense since he was 9 and Luke and Rey were both ~19. (Also, the notion of those rooms full of children learning the force was absurd. It should be one-on-one guidance, not literal classrooms). On top of them arbitrarily not wanting to train Anakin because of his age, you have The Chosen One, which lead to the Jedi straight up not trusting him for literally nothing he's ever done. These are what was used instead of any kind of actual ideological conflict - It came down to the Jedi not trusting him because of a prophecy, and him wanting to sleep with Natalie Portman against their wishes. That's... that's not interesting conflict.
The prophecy is by far the thing I hate the most about the prequels, because it sets up the idea that this was destined to happen, and I don't think that's as interesting as "this could happen to any Jedi".
What I think makes Anakin different is his sort of big-picture dreams. This is a man who goes on to help rule the galaxy - I don't think that's something he stumbles into, and I don't think he was chosen by Palpatine simply because he was already at odds with the Jedi. Part of it should be him being impressionable, sure. But he also has to agree with Palpatine's views. He goes along with them for decades.
This should come out at small moments, where Anakin says things and Padme and Obi-Wan think for a second like, "Did he really just say that?" and there can be excuses like, oh, he's from a backwater planet, or he's just a teenager, he doesn't know any better yet. But those beliefs he has grow over time. Especially with what he sees in the War.
This is part of why I like making Anakin older - In canon he was 9 in Episode 1, which meant that his fall was at 22, and it comes across much more like a kid throwing a fit. When it really should be more like, "Look, the Jedi Order is bloated, disorganised, and confused. You're not really helping out people - certainly not where I grew up. I'm pretty sure that Palpatine and I can do a better job. We will actually unite the galaxy under one law."
Sand
I actually almost pushed for this taking place somewhere other than Tattooine because it already dominates a stupid amount of the series. But yeah, don't worry, my Anakin will be pleased as punch to never come back. I also don't think we will need to rip him away from his mother and have her be, you know, raped by Sand People. I actually had in mind that she was already dead, but since we instead have it established that she has a fine life, I think it'll be just as easy for him to say "Come with me" and her to say, you know, no, my life is here, it's time for you to go find your own. Anakin hating Tattooine is less "my shitty childhood is there" (because he will still have some good memories) and more "holy f#*% it's a shithole in the middle of nowhere why would anyone go there ever."
Ralk and I are the only characters who aren't at least based on someone from the prequels, so we're kind of wild cards here, so if anyone has cool ideas for me I'm all ears.
I don't know about you, but my hope is just for us to be a good foil for the Jedi (in this case, along with Panaka and Sabe; we'll actually be foils for them as well in a way). The prequels were all about Anakin and Obi-Wan, fair enough, but dear gods could they have used a Han Solo type. Obi-Wan was fun but serious: although he had witty banter and an independent personality, he was ultimately a disciplined Master of the Jedi Order. Anakin was a moody, angsty teenager (well, after being a weird little kid, but we're already throwing that out entirely). There wasn't an outsider to the Jedi who had a serious role in the films, other than maybe Padme, and it would have been helpful if they had someone to fill that part. That's my goal for Ralk: he's the scoundrel, the fringer. I imagine Kyra will be much the same. And assuming the party sticks together (which I'm assuming is the plan), Ralk will continue to serve as a fringe element influence on Anakin. The fact he also brings Bothans into view as a major player is a nice addition in my mind, although part of that is that I just like them.
Unless there's time for a murder.
We can only hope! ;)
"holy f*&% it's a s&##hole in the middle of nowhere why would anyone go there ever."
Smuggling, mostly. And the occasional murder.
As a side note, nobody worry: I fully plan to have Ralk introduce it as a hive of scum and villainy, so we've got that covered.
I get what you mean on not marrying being kind of silly, since we also know that Force Sensitivity is at least partially genetic (hence why Luke and Leia have the force, as does Kylo Ren) and that such children would be much easier to train as they grew up in the Jedi life. I would be fine with dropping such a caveat in our game, though. Still, I think otherwise it's an interesting idea. We'd have to see what Obi-Wan says when he gets back, though. Even disregarding that subplot, Jedi not being able to marry is kind of an odd rule and it gets broken to hell and back in the EU anyway. Why bother with it? There are plenty of other reasons their marriage is a bit unusual and could cause some tension, like you said. Also, I agree the Chosen One could be lost without any trouble.
As for ideological conflicts, I always thought it was supposed to be sort of a "libertarian vs. authoritarian" approach, and Anakin comes to believe that the best way to keep people safe is through an iron fist. This feels stilted in the movies because the Jedi are not actually all that hands-off, and are more just a different kind of authority. Given that Anakin is still a slave and that his background now also has that being not so bad, I can see how he could grow up to believe that more strict control is good for people. He sees what complacency wrought with the war and all that, and eventually thinks that the best way to prevent that is to be more hands-on, and have more control. This escalates from a simple ideological difference to a breaking point as we progress and he feels more pressured by both sides, and even Obi-Wan's relationship with him shows this dichotomy a bit; he is both his friend and brother (liberty) but also his master (authority). It becomes a very pressing issue for him as he looks toward being on the Jedi Council and but feels their belief he isn't ready, which might feel like a betrayal of Jedi ideals themselves. Not trying to tell you how to play Anakin or anything, just my personal thoughts.
I definitely plan to have Kyra function much like Ralk as a sort of roguish outsider, although she's almost a link between the two as she once worked for the Republic military. She can sort of bridge the gap between the two factions, I guess, while still now being firmly in one camp.
Oh, Ralk definitely has some ties to authority, and as much as he grouses about the Republic, he does respect what they've done for the Galaxy. In a way, the Republic makes Ralk's life viable: not only do they create a situation where there's contraband to be smuggled and crimes to be committed, but they also keep the Galaxy safe enough for him to do it. He also has memories of his father's work, which while it wasn't explicitly stated in the backstory vignettes, was intended to be tied into the Bothans' private work as well as their work with Republic Intelligence--probably the beginnings of the SpyNet.
A new idea occurs to me as we discuss the ideological conflict aspect of things... I've been foreseeing Ralk and Kyra as a sort of "fringe influence" on Anakin, an outlet for him to stay independent and a little wild while still part of the Jedi. But what if, as time goes on, their relationship grows more and more strained? After all, Ralk is by no means a perfect man, nor is he a flawless hero or even a particularly altruistic-minded person. I very intentionally included that Ralk already has a Dark Side point on his sheet, and I expect he may garner one or two more as time goes on. He isn't a classic hero--he's a mercenary, a fringer; he's done some bad things, and he probably will again.
Seeing that might be a callback to the bad parts of Anakin's life before the Jedi, and a reminder of the dangers that lurk when the Galaxy is too free and open. I think it could be interesting to see missions down the line when Ralk makes a choice that Anakin--and probably others--don't agree with. Maybe it's a morally ambiguous moment, and Ralk chooses a pragmatic option; maybe Ralk decides to save his own skin, or just not risk his life for what he sees as a lost cause. Maybe a foolhardy plan doesn't work, and somebody gets hurt, or worse. That could be a very poignant moment in turning Anakin toward liking an iron fist method for protecting other people.
That is an interesting idea, now that you mention it. Kyra too ought to have a Dark Side point, either for the same scenarios Ralk does (since I imagine they've worked together for a while), or from her time on ships previous to her service to the Republic. Kyra and Ralk are definitely set up to be more than just pragmatic, and while we're allies it makes sense that Anakin could look at us and think "this is what happens when you don't have control". I imagine Kyra as perhaps being the slightly more altruistic or "good-aligned" of the two of us, much like for the most part Chewbacca seemed to be a little less rough and mercenary as Han was. We will definitely be bad influences on our budding Sith Lord, for sure.
On an unrelated note, did you realize that neither of us has Galactic Lore as a skill? It seems odd to me, two spacers who smuggle stuff across the galaxy don't have that skill? It makes a little more sense for Kyra since she was more of a soldier for quite a while, but it surprises me you didn't give that skill to Ralk.
I absolutely would have, but I was pressed for the skills I have, and they all seemed very necessary for a well-rounded smuggler/pilot. I probably could have gone without Use Computer, but it fit Ralk's background, and it is useful to have on top of a computer for astrogating. And with my ludicrous Gather Information modifier, we can find out anything we need to know with a little asking around--which also fits Ralk as a character. He may not know about something, but he knows a guy who knows something...
Hmm, maybe next level I'll bump Intelligence for an extra skill and pick it up.
I dunno if people will see this at all, but I've noticed that both myself and some other players in games I'm running have lost their dots on... pretty much every game they're in. I'm not sure why it happened, but I recommend checking all the games you're in and potentially shooting a message to your players if you don't hear from them at all. I figured I'd throw this out there to make people aware if they missed this or something like that.
I think it is a problem with the whole site. I can't even post in Gameplay at the moment.
The plan is fine with me.
Same thing happened to me.
Thanks for the heads up. FYI I am back now and am catching up. Will try to get something up ASAP but I'm still a bit jet lagged (after 27 hours travel time).
Take your time! I legit could not remember that you were away (crazy week)
I just wanted to say thank you for acknowledging I'm not a terrible Gungan cringe factory.
I would like to submit my vote now that we not kill Darth Maul at the end of Episode 1. I mean, I'm willing to play it out, but I'm also hoping that Maul survives and becomes an enduring villain.
I would like to submit my vote now that we not kill Darth Maul at the end of Episode 1. I mean, I'm willing to play it out, but I'm also hoping that Maul survives and becomes an enduring villain.
You mean endure as more than a poor sith's drider?
I hope so too. Or completely dead. One or the other.
I didn't love the Sith drider, but I did enjoy the overall arc of Maul portrayed on the Clone Wars and moreso the Rebels series. I just think the character should ideally be a real Vader level badass and eventually Anakin should take him out. That would be the dark parallel to Luke's journey. Having Maul be Obi-Wan's big opponent was a mistake. I would have made that Grievous.
Having Maul be Obi-Wan's big opponent was a mistake. I would have made that Grievous.
I wouldn't have had Grievous at all. But I agree with making Maul a bigger deal.
I ended up having a few fires to put out around the home place (not literally... thankfully) that have prevented me from posting. Have things under control now and will have something up tonight.
Do we know what the "default" protocol would be for encountering an (apparently) untrained Force user? Report to the Council about him and seek guidance? I've been trying to do a bit of research but haven't had much luck so far. The Order's expectations are going to be important for guiding how Obi-wan reacts.
That would be the default, but Obi-Wan feels something different here. This is no common Force-user...you've never heard of anyone untrained possessing such raw potential.
I just find it funny that only Master Qui-gon knows I have am one too.
Hey, guys, here's the skinny;
One of my really good friends has just suffered the death of her mother. She isn't super financially well off and has a young daughter, so I'm kind of going to be pretty involved helping that out. Posts from me are going to become bi-weekly. If that's too slow a pace, I totally understand, and you're absolutely free to bail with no negative feelings, but about twice a week is all I can promise as far as updates. I will do my best to make them dense and may sometimes be able to do more, but not with any promise of frequency.
No worries. Real life can do that, and it's always important to support your friends. I get that. I'll still be here, posting at whatever pace we can manage.
No problem, man. Real life comes first, and friends are important. Take care of what you need to, and I'll be here.
I'll be here too, no worries about a slower posting rate. I understand this completely and I've had to do similar things with my games in the past. I'll be around and I hope everything works out for her. When stuff settles down for her and you I'll be ready to go again.
Also, don't worry about the PM from me for your other game, get to that whenever. Life comes first.
I did actually just PM you that :)
The other games I run are a bit easier to keep up with, as they're AP's. This is all from me, so it's a bit more work intensive, and I care about the story, here, so...yeah. I'll slow down a bit. I'm thinking I'll probably be posting Mondays and Thursdays, so I'll get something up for Thursday (it'll be dense, don't you worry ;)).
Those days sound good to me, I'm more active those times of the week myself. Also, if even two days ends up feeling like too much after a while I wouldn't be upset if you felt the need to go on hiatus. Obviously I'd rather we keep playing, but if it gets to that point I'd still be around when you got back.
Hey you do what you need to do. I can just respond to this thread when posts happen. No worries.
Agreed.
Not a problem! Real life stuff is more important then games. I apologize for my spotty posting as well. As I mentioned in my OOC text, I seem to be having lingering issues with the forums. I thought I already replied, but it looks like I hadn't. Sorry for the hold up.
Apologies for my absence, changed jobs and it has distracted me a bit more than I expected.
One of my really good friends has just suffered the death of her mother. She isn't super financially well off and has a young daughter, so I'm kind of going to be pretty involved helping that out. Posts from me are going to become bi-weekly. If that's too slow a pace, I totally understand, and you're absolutely free to bail with no negative feelings, but about twice a week is all I can promise as far as updates. I will do my best to make them dense and may sometimes be able to do more, but not with any promise of frequency.
Good for you for doing that, seriously. There are so many people who just wouldn't give a shit. I definitely don't mind that pace, I'm glad you're going to try to keep the game going despite the likely scheduling complications!
Hey all, this upcoming week is my final week of classes for my senior year of college, so posting may be a little sparse (or non-existant, really) until Saturday or so. I will do my best to keep posting and I will at the very least be reading what happens, so I'll be caught up, but I may not be too active. If I find free time (unlikely) I will post in when I can. Otherwise, expect to not see me unless I'm lucky.
I know we haven't been moving very fast, but I wanted to throw this out there just in case.
One of the contributions to the snail's pace (and I apologize) is also moving towards finals for me. I'll get something up in a few days though!
Friendly heads up that I will be moving the next week or so which will limit my ability to respond promptly.
I have a feeling we may have lost our GM.
He said things might move slowly. Let's give him a little more time.
I am, or was, in another game with him that he didn't feel would move any slower and he hasn't posted there either. Not saying we shouldn't give him more time, just that I think that may end up being the case.
It's a shame. Good group of players and a nice character dynamic forming.
*Le-sigh*
It HAS been a month since the last time he's posted here. I'm sorry but I think that sounds like done to me?
If he doesn't show up soon, do we want to see if anyone else is willing to take up the helm? If no one else does, I... might be willing to. I'd have to see if I can come up with a new story that I'm happy with that incorporates certain stuff I like and don't, along with things we've mentioned before.
I am game for trying for a new GM if GM Wasted doesn't return soon.
Indeed. Me too.
I do not have the system knowledge necessary to run this game, but I do have a radical proposal. We all have some interesting ideas about how things should progress, changes that should be made in the story. Is it at all possible that we could collaborate and run the game ourselves? Maybe different people would be in charge of the mechanics of each encounter, but we all shape the development of the story together through the discussion thread? I don't have a lot of PbP experience, so maybe this is too crazy. But it seems to me like it could work. We have all of the ideas that we need.
That might be a bit much. If we have no other options for a GM and want to keep going, I would suggest just one of us does it. If we share, not only will our characters know specific things others don't but we'd all know plot hooks and stuff that I'd rather experience in play. Ultimately, I don't think it would pan out well.
I have the necessary level of system mastery to run this if need be. Given that Panaka fades completely into the background after the end of Episode I, it probably makes the most sense for me to do it as well. I'll have to take some time to figure out what direction we want to take the plot.
I am going to ask that each of you PM me a character plot arc you want your character to go through. It will help me plan things out for the game.
While I like the idea of multi-GMs, I share Kyra's concerns that we'd know all of each other's plot hooks and story arcs which may not be the most interesting thing. It also would lack a unified vision and cohesion, I think. Plus arguments could be a thing. Not that I think it would necessarily, but it's a possibility.
I have, however, played in a Phntm888-run game before and quite enjoyed it, so I'm totally on board for him taking the reins. With that said, Phntm if you still want to have Panaka around as a GM-run character, I certainly wouldn't argue. Him taking a backseat in the later "films" isn't something that necessarily has to happen here. I've enjoyed the character so far.
If you're game to keep things going, awesome! I was gonna suggest we try and find someone outside the group so we could all keep playing, but if you're game to do it now that's fine with me as well. Thanks for stepping up. I agree with Anakin, also; if you want to keep Panaka in as a GMPC I'd be fine with it, especially if you decide to have him take somewhat of a backseat. Out of all the characters we have in the party, he makes the most sense to take on that kind of a role, so I'd be okay with it.
When we shoot you a PM, would you want us to send any things we want to see in the game overall, as well? I know we've done some discussion but if it would help you to have it all in one place I can put that in my message as well.
It would, actually. The more overall guidance I have, hopefully the better it will be.
I'm... going to need to think about what I want to see for Jonjon, considering all the stuff he was in the movies... (Terrible).