Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide is a hardcover supplement to the Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Roleplaying Game, written by Rodney Thompson, Sterling Hershey, John Jackson Miller, and Abel G. Peña.

Quote:

“Make the jump to lightspeed 4,000 years before the Battle of Yavin to a time when Jedi Knights and Sith Lords clashed in galactic conflict. This campaign guide offers both players and Gamemasters a wide array of new options that can be used to craft a unique roleplaying game experience. As the galaxy plunges into one war after another, the forces of the Republic, along with their Jedi allies, struggle to protect themselves from hordes of invading Mandalorians, tyrannical Sith lords, and traitorous allies on every front.

Featuring new game material drawn from a variety of sources, and including characters, weapons, vehicles, and droids, this book presents an entire campaign during violent days of the Old Republic. This book also contains new Force powers, Force techniques, and Force secrets for Jedi and Sith characters, as well as new options for characters of all classes. Players can take advantage of new talents, feats, and other options to play a Mandalorian neo-crusader, a Republic soldier battling against the forces of Darth Revan and Darth Malak, or a Jedi in exile on the run from the Sith.”

And unfortuanately that is about all the information I can gather for you at this time, but as soon as I can collect more details, you will be alerted immediately. You can check out the amazon.com listing for the book and advance order it here.

On a related note, Knights of the Old Republic Booster Pack for the Star Wars miniatures game will be released at about the same time (August 8, 2008) with 7 new figures per pack at $14.99 (USD) per pack, so keep an eye out for those as well!

In the last week, the Vast Empire Imperial Navy’s Star Fighter Squadrons have begun something new. A competition, titled Last Man Standing had begun. This competition involves three types of stories; Last Man Standing Stories, Squadron Stories, and Personal Stories. The Squadron Story is whatever story their squadron is currently in, counting for One and a Half Points. The Personal Story, a side story about a character or the adventure of characters, counts for one point. The Last Man Standing Story, so far the most interesting of the three story types, places the pilots in a non-winnable situation. In the situation;  while the pilots are out in space, with the First Vast Imperial Fleet, doing flight maneuvers they are interrupted by a massive New Republic Fleet that jumps in and gives no mercy attacking all Vast Empire Targets in the system. Both squadrons scramble to regroup and attempt to survive while they watch their fleet burn. Even the power of the Modified Super Star Destroyer ‘Atrus’ could not stand up to the power and numbers of the New Republic fleet, and floats in space disabled.

Each squadron has taken a different approach to survival. Viper Squadron, the “Captain’s Own” has been surviving while capital ships burn along side them. Now with the arrival of an Allied Carrack Cruiser, three of their fighters broke off and are attempting to defend the Atrus. While in Nazgul, the situation is a little different. They have been doing their story, but keeping track of friendly targets alive and dead, along with hostiles alive and dead.

As for the scoring area of this competition, it is a tough fight going back and fourth between which squadron is in the lead; sometimes even, it is close to ties. The current score, at the time of writing this article, is Ninety-Nine points for viper and seventy points for Nazgul. They are both very active in their stories, but with active members, come the exact opposite. Non-active member does also play a role in the story. Once a pilot is selected to be “killed” in the Last man-standing story, they have twenty-four hours to “write their death”. Once they are eliminated, they can only post on their squadron’s story and personal stories. Both squadrons have begun to take losses in pilots, but their resolve will keep them going in the competition. The rewards are too great to lose. The rewards for taking the win are what everyone has been waiting for. The chance to upgrade their fighter craft. From the junky, TIE fighter, to a newer fighter selected by the VEN-HC.

No date is set yet for when the competition ends, but also no definite winner can be determined. It will all come down to the last few points before the end.

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

You sit down in the computer for a few minutes, hoping to whip up a quick story post. Then an idea hits you. It’s vague at first, but it has a certain sparkle of possibility. You start constructing a post, becoming more convinced with every word that you’re onto something.

The feeling grows and grows until your fingers are flying across the keyboard. The words are flowing, and you’re saying exactly what you want to say, exactly the way you want to say it. You bring the post to a close with an ending that you can only describe as, “Perfect,” and then pause to read what you’ve written.

A smile spreads across your face. It’s clever, original… brilliant. You only hesitate for a second before posting it to the story. “I can’t wait to see what they say about that,” you think. You walk away from the computer, sure you’ve written a masterpiece.

A couple of hours pass and you come back to reread your post. As you scan through it, you feel a weight in the pit of your stomach. This post isn’t brilliant. It’s arrogant, disconnected, and desperate for attention.

“What was I thinking?” you ask yourself. And I’ll tell you: you weren’t thinking. You were drunk on your own words.

Master writers have long described good writing as hypnotic. It draws readers in, using its flow and rhythm to put people in a state of higher suggestibility, making it easier for you to sell them something.

It’s a dirty analogy, but it’s similar to getting them drunk. Each point you make is like pouring them another glass, slowly washing away their objections, tugging on their emotions, and leading them toward the sale without them even realizing it.

But it’s a two-way street.

When you’re writing, you can put yourself into the same state. Like a brewer drinking your own product, you can intoxicate yourself during the act of creation.

It’s happened to me plenty of times. Fortunately though, I’ve learned to recognize it and walk away before posting something foolish to a story here on the VE. And thus, here are a few warning signs that you should look for:

1) You Think the Post Is Brilliant

I’ve noticed that, whenever I finish a post and think it’s brilliant, there’s at least a 50% chance that it’s not. Frequently, it’s just pandering for attention, and I’ll regret posting it later.

2. You Think the Post Is Hilarious

Humor is dangerous. Not only do people have drastically different opinions on what’s funny, but there’s a fine line between making your readers laugh and offending them to a point where they lose interest and wander out.

The only way to know for sure is to run it by someone. Comedy writers work as a team for a reason. Sometimes, you’re being funny. Other times, you’re just being an ass. And more times than naught, its the later.

3. Your Heart Is Pounding

If your heart is pounding, then you’re definitely in some sort of heightened state, and it’s easy to move too fast. Whenever I drink lots of caffeine, for instance, my heartbeat and writing output both speed up, but the posts don’t make as much sense. Writing after watching a good movie or reading a powerful piece of writing can create the same effect.

4. You Can’t Wait to See How People React

Thoughts like, “I can’t wait to see what kinds of comments I get on IRC” and, “This should get some conversation going” are surefire indicators that you’ve written something risky. It could be bold, but it might just be brash.

5. Your Stomach Tightens up

Sometimes, you’re writing something that makes absolute sense, but you notice your stomach starting to tighten up. This is your subconscious trying to tell you that a part of you disagrees with what you are saying. Pay attention!

6. You Hesitate before Clicking “Post”

If your mouse hovers over the “Post” button, hesitating for a moment before putting it out for the world to see, then you’ve written something that you know is risky. You should probably hold off and figure out what’s bothering you about it. This is the most surefire method that something is wrong. If you can’t find anything, let someone else read over it by PMing it to them or something of the like.

There you have it, the possibilities that can make you think you have a brilliant post, while in actuality it may just be one that is barely decent, or worse.

Crisis on the moon of Endor 

——————————— 

The Ewoks located on the moon of Endor are at risk. Their trees are being cut down and the wood used by the republic for Vantansee furniture. 

The Big Sale on Vantansee products ends next week. For further information please contact your nearest store. 

The Ewoks are losing there homes. Some tribes are forced to live on ground level were they are eaten by larger woodland animals. How long must they endure this sort of treatment. when will the republic lumberjacks be stopped? Unless something is done the Ewoks face extinction. 

For only ten Republic Credits a month you can help save these Ewoks. For a further Ten credits we will send you some footage of the crisis. 

For another ten credits we will send you some more footage of Ewoks falling out of there homes in the trees. Funny stuff….. You can prevent this from happening. Just send your name and first payment to the newly founded PACE (Protection Against the Cruelty to Ewoks). 

 

When we questioned to there spokesman, here’s what he had to say. 

“The Ewoks can’t defend themselves. All they have against those machines are twigs and sticks. How can you look at them being cut from their trees and laugh?” 

We were able to answer this question with a vote from the public. The favored answer was, “Sit back, grab some popcorn and laugh,” with 86 percent of the voters choosing this answer. 

5 percent said they recorded it and watched it over and over. 

And 9 percent said they thought it was horrible and were going to take action. 

Also the new PACE is now supported by the Vast Empire. It seems the planet does not only provide vast amounts of wood but other resources. Apparently the removing of these resources is also harming the Ewoks. Should they be stopped that would be one less source of materials for the Republic. Of course we can’t be sure but it seems the most logical reason for their support of the PACE…. right?                                                                               

                                                                                    [Message Ends Abruptly]

 

                                             [We are suffering]

                                             [Thecnical difficulties..]

                                              [em… Everythings ok]

 

 

 

 

With all the attention given to the Army these days thanks to the HSC and the Squad Features done by my colleague I felt the need to put some of our top Navy Commanders. First on the docket is 1st Lieutenant Trevor Evenson, Squadron Commander of Nazgul Squadron. Welcome Trevor.

Howdy.

First off, the Navy has seen a burst of activity in the past couple months mainly due to an influx of new recruits, a number of returning veterans and the recent squadron realignment. Do you have any predictions as to how the activity levels will look over the next several months?

I feel that over the next few months we should see a slight rise in activity. The recruits we have coming in are great, and if we can find ways to keep them active and interested in the organization, they’ll definitely stick around and continue to be active. The squadron re-alignment definitely was a bit of a curve ball, as in some cases it took away good team work, but in other cases it gave the opportunity for better teamwork and increased activity because of it.

We’ll probably see the regular dip in activity as the holidays approach and people start to spend more time with fmaily and friends, but as a group we’ve come to expect this and can compensate for it by finding new ways to provide interest in writing through the holidays.

You mention keeping the new recruits active. With “burnouts” a common phenomenon in the VEN, are there any specific steps you take to avoid this in your squadron? Is there any advice you can give the new pilots on this matter?

Personally, I try to avoid pilot burnouts by not pushing too hard for a new post from every pilot, day after day. I do encourage longer posts, but at the same time I don’t force them out of my pilots. As for advice, I’d definitely say that they should try to make their posts enjoyable to do, and not a chore. I’ve been told that many times myself when I’ve felt burnt out, and sometimes changing your attitude towards a post or a story in general can make posting on it much easier. If you find that you’re wanting to post but can’t seem to muster one, take a break and read a good book, or try listening to music that relates to what you’re writing. something up-beat for an action-packed post, something a little calmer for character development. Music can work wonders with the mind.

Any particular music choices you turn to for such inspiration?

When I’m writing a post that’s climatic or action packed, I tend to listen to rock bands like ACDC or Twisted Sister. Whatever I can find that’s got good guitar and can get me pumped to write.

You will be coming up on two and half years of service in a couple weeks, what would you say your greatest achievement would be thus far in your time as a pilot?Well, I personally think that my greatest achievement within my two-odd years here have been the Top Writer awards in the ESC, although working my way up to Nazgul commander and remaining in that squadron my entire career has been pretty fulfilling too.

With the position of Squadron Commander under your belt, what would your ideal position be in the Navy?

My ideal position in the Navy, well, that’s probably right where I am. I feel that i can accomplish a lot as Nazgul SC, and personally I love being able to write as much as I can when I’m in a squadron. I might be able to help out in other areas or positions in the Navy, but my heart is at the squadron level.

Alright almost done now, it obviously took some hard work to get where you are today. What advice can you pass on to those recruits looking to climb the position ladder?

The only thing I can say there is do your best and try to have consitant activity. Although a burst of posting and other activity over a few days looks really good, It’s not nessicarily going to help your chances of moving forward if you can’t sustain that kind of activity for long periods of time. Work at making quality posts, not a huge quanitity of them. My experiance has taught me that a commander will pay more attention to a two page post with no spelling errors then he or she will to a post that’s five pages long but filled with spelling and grammatical errors.

Thank you for your time, Trevor. One final question. With all the initial excitement of the squadron realignment, things were changing and moving along quite quickly. Now that that things have calmed down a bit, do you find yourself missing your old executive officer?In all honesty, I kind of have. He was a good man to have around and handle things for me when life got too busy to be doing the things I needed to be doing in the Navy. I see him doing a good job with Viper now though, and wish him the best for his future career in the VEN.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for another feature on another of your favourite commanders in the near future.

The prerequisite to understanding this letter is to have encountered some of New Republic’s statements and to have realized how unbridled they are. In the text that follows, I won’t bother discussing the flaws in New Republic’s logic, because it unequivocally doesn’t use any logic. For those of us who make our living trying to weed out forces like New Republic that have deceived, betrayed, and exploited us, it is important to consider that someone has been giving its brain a very thorough washing, and now New Republic is trying to do the same to us. New Republic’s expositions are a cancer that gnaws away at the galactic psyche. If I am to stop the Rebels at the gate, I must explain to the population at large that that fact is simply inescapable to any thinking man or woman or other sentient. “Thinking” is the key word in the previous sentence. There is an unpleasant fact, painful to the tender-minded, that one can deduce from the laws of nature. This fact is also conclusively established by direct observation.

It is a fact so obvious that rational people have always known it and no one doubted it until New Republic and its underlings started trying to deny it. The fact to which I am referring states that New Republic, like many other fatuous sots, has joined in with the chorus of furies who have been tearing away at the remains of rationality since the dawn of the Hyperspace Age. More than that, New Republic loves getting up in front of people and telling them that it is a bearer and agent of the Greater Purpose. It then boasts about how it’ll teach belligerent concepts to children one of these days. It’s all part of the media spectacle that is New Republic. Of course, it soaks it up and wallows in it like a pig in mud. Speaking of pigs and mud, if natural selection indeed works by removing the weakest and most genetically unfit members of a species, then New Republic is clearly going to be the first to go. If the mass news media were actually in the business of covering news rather than molding public attitudes to encourage the acceptance of scapegoating and demonization, they would indeed report that New Republic is known for walking into crowded rooms and telling everyone there that children should belong to the state, taken away to be trained by the criminal Luke Skywalker. Try, if you can, to concoct a statement better calculated to show how ribald New Republic is. You can’t do it. Not only that, but I am aware that many people may object to the severity of my language. But is there no cause for severity? Naturally, I feel that there is, because it wants us to believe that we should abandon the institutionalized and revered concept of the Empire.

How stupid does it think we are? The answer is rather depressing but I’ll tell you anyway. The answer begins with the observation that most of us are now painfully aware of New Republic’s insipid homilies. As an interesting experiment, try to point this out to it. (You might want to don safety equipment first.) I think you’ll find that my position is that New Republic is living in cloud-cuckoo-land. It, in contrast, argues that a plausible excuse is a satisfactory substitute for performance. This disagreement merely scratches the surface of the ideological chasm festering between me and New Republic. The only rational way to bridge this chasm is for it to admit that its hypocrisy is transparent. Even the least discerning among us can see right through it.

New Republic’s philippics are exemplary of the forces minorities must fight in their struggle to achieve equal footing with the rest of the community. That conclusion is not based on some sort of refractory philosophy or on New Republic-style mental masturbation, but on widely known and proven principles of science. These principles explain that we can’t let New Republic enrich itself at galactic taxpayer’s expense. That shouldn’t surprise you when you consider that it may limit the terms of debate by declaring certain subjects beyond discussion right after it reads this letter. Let it. Any day now, I will set the record straight. This raises the question: To what degree is New Republic going to court a careless minority of diabolic libertines? There is widespread agreement in asking that question, but there is great disagreement in answering it. The most clueless scroungers I’ve ever seen serve as the priests in New Republic’s cult of foul-mouthed, confused antidisestablishmentarianism. These “priests” spend their days basking in New Republic’s reflected glory, pausing only when New Republic instructs them to destroy our sense of safety in the places we ordinarily imagine we can flee to. What could be more temperamental? That’s the question that perplexes me the most, because this makes me fearful that I might someday find myself in the crosshairs of its grotty, headlong deeds. (To be honest, though, it wouldn’t be the first time.) New Republic truly believes that it is beyond reproach. I hope you realize that that’s just a perfidious pipe dream from a grotesque pipe, and that in the real world, the biggest difference between ua and New Republic is that New Republic wants to heat the cauldron of terror until it boils over into our daily lives. I, on the other hand, want to detail the specific steps and objectives needed to thwart its acrimonious little schemes.

I have traveled the length and breadth of this galaxy and talked with the best people. I can therefore assure you that New Republic has made a big mistake. Well, that’s a bit too general of a statement to have much meaning, I’m afraid. So let me instead explain my point as follows: Sure, its disquisitions are founded on bald-faced lies. But contrary to my personal preferences, I’m thinking about what’s best for all of us. My conclusion is that what’s best for all of us is for me to challenge the present and enrich the future. For better or for worse, the first lies that New Republic told us were relatively benign. Still, they have been progressing. And they will continue to progress until there is no more truth; its lies will grow until they blot out the entire Coruscant sector. By seeking to emphasize the negative in our lives instead of accentuating the positive, New Republic is playing Russian roulette with the future of the Galaxy. End of story. Actually, I should add that its fibs have led to date rape, domestic violence, and other social ills. I know you’re wondering why I just wrote that. I’ll explain shortly, but first, I should state that New Republic wants to rid the world of “defective” people. Excuse me; that’s not entirely correct. What I meant to say is that I want my life to count. I want to be part of something significant and lasting. I want to spread awareness of the rotten nature of New Republic’s memoranda. Here’s what I have to say to everyone: New Republic’s grand plan is to teach the next generation how to hate — and whom to hate. I’m sure Exar Kun would approve. In any case, most people want to be nice; they want to be polite; they don’t want to give offense. And because of this inherent politeness, they step aside and let New Republic cater to the basest instincts of ridiculous paranoiacs.

New Republic divides the organization of its pathological editorials into two halves that, apparently separate from one another, in truth, form an inseparable whole. The first half seeks to put increased disruptive powers in the hands of complacent reprobates, while the second half is yet another laughable blend of foolish partyism and garrulous pessimism. Behold what a nice, thick, fat lie it is when New Republic denies ever having strived to progressively narrow the sphere of human freedom.

New Republic has a strategy. Its strategy is to draw unsuspecting tax cheats into the orbit of drugged-out lugs. Wherever you encounter that strategy on a planet, you are dealing with New Republic.

Our battle with New Republic is a battle between spiritualism and particularism, between tradition and subversion, between the defenders of peace and justice in the Galaxy and their enemies. With the battle lines drawn as such, it is abundantly clear that you might have heard the story that New Republic once agreed to help everyone who complained about the most spineless mythomaniacs you’ll ever see. No one has located the document in which New Republic said that. No one has identified when or where New Republic said that. That’s because it never said it. As you might have suspected, New Republic is an interesting organization. On the one hand, it likes to hammer away at the characters of all those who will not help it sully a profession that’s already held in low esteem. But on the other hand, it says that it needs a little more time to clean up its act. As far as I’m concerned, its time has run out. I’ve tried explaining to New Republic’s satraps that giving New Republic the means to poke and pry into every facet of our lives is like supplying the gun to your own robber. Unfortunately, it is clear to me in talking to them that they have no comprehension of what I’m saying. I might as well be talking to creatures from outside our Galaxy. In fact, I’d bet extra-galactic species would be more likely to discern that some neo-cruel quiddlers actually suspect that sappy, foolhardy Nerf-Herders and delirious lounge lizards should rule this country. This is the kind of muddled thinking that New Republic is encouraging with its bait-and-switch tactics. Even worse, all those who raise their voice against this brainwashing campaign are denounced as bleeding-heart, illaudable euphuists. Try as I may, I can’t understand why New Republic would want to apotheosize effete, bumptious half-wits. New Republic managed to convince a bunch of scornful, jaded troublemakers to help it make all of us pay for its boondoggles. What was the quid pro quo there? If you need help in answering that question, you may note that there’s something fishy about its traducements. I think New Republic’s up to something, something imprudent and perhaps even gutless.

If New Republic thinks its circulars represent progress, it should rethink its definition of progress. New Republic has frequently been spotted making nicey-nice with misguided franions. Is this because it needs their help to distract people from serious analysis of the situation? In other words, why doesn’t it reveal the truth about itself? This is an important question because it just keeps on saying, “We don’t give a [expletive deleted] about you. We just want to glorify incorrigible hatemongers.” New Republic’s fantasy is to make my worst nightmares come true. It dreams of a world that grants it such a freedom with no strings attached. Welcome to the world of simplism! In that nightmare world it has long since been forgotten that New Republic is too oppressive to read the writing on the wall. This writing warns that it motivates people to join its claque by using words like “humanity”, “compassion”, and “unity”. This is a great deception. What New Republic really wants to do is perpetuate misguided and questionable notions of other unctuous fruitcakes’ intentions. That’s why New Republic has compiled an impressive list of grievances against me. Not only are all of these grievances completely fictitious, but New Republic’s cat’s-paws often reverse the normal process of interpretation. That is, they value the unsaid over the said, the obscure over the clear. I must admit that I’ve read only a small fraction of New Republic’s writings. (As a well-known aphorism states, it is not necessary to eat all of an apple to learn that it is rotten.) Nevertheless, I’ve read enough of New Republic’s writings to know that throughout history, there has been a clash between those who wish to feed the starving, house the homeless, cure the sick, and still find wonder and awe in the sunrise and the moonlight and those who wish to encumber the religious idea with too many things of a purely earthly nature and thus bring religion into a totally unnecessary conflict with science. Naturally, New Republic belongs to the latter category.

New Republic fits the stereotypical image of wretched doomsday prophets. There are different ways of reconciling oneself to this unpleasant, yet indubitably adversarial, fact. Some people see nothing at all, or rather, want to see nothing. Others are perfectly well aware of the noisome consequences which this plague must and will some day induce, but only shrug their shoulders, convinced that nothing can be done, so the only thing to do is to leave things alone. I can’t comment on that, but I can say that its loyalists don’t represent an ideology. They don’t represent a legitimate political group of people. They’re just flat brazen.

All I’m trying to do here is indicate in a rough and approximate way the obstreperous tendencies that make New Republic want to base racial definitions on lineage, phrenological characteristics, species, and religion. When I look back I think, “I will clearly not bow to coercion, intimidation, or the threat of violence.” Sure, even eccentric, incomprehensible scatterbrains may have some good points, but I have yet to find one. Maybe it’s just me, but don’t you think that when lying and evidence-tampering fail, New Republic usually turns to outright intimidation to institutionalize conformism through systematic violence, distorted religion, and dubious science? Something that I have heard repeated several times from various sources — a sort of “tag line” for New Republic — is, “We should go out and work both sides of the political fence. And when we’re done with that, we’ll all stir up trouble.” This is not a direct quote, nor have I heard it from New Republic’s lips directly, but several sources have paraphrased the content to me in near-enough ways that I feel fairly confident it actually was said. And to be honest, I have no trouble believing it.

My current plan is to build a new understanding that can transport us to tomorrow. Yes, it will draw upon the most powerful fires of Hell to tear that plan asunder, but it can fool some of the people all of the time. It can fool all of the people some of the time. But New Republic can’t fool all of the people all of the time. New Republic’s goals do not represent progress. They represent insanity masquerading as progress. I don’t mean to throw fuel on an already considerable fire, but New Republic should clarify its point so people like you and me can tell what the heck it’s talking about. Without clarification, New Republic’s monographs sound lofty and include some emotionally charged words but don’t really seem to make any sense. I’d like to finish with a quote from a private holonet message sent to me by a close friend of mine: “The drivel emanating freely from New Republic’s offices gives me cause to reach for the nearest vomit pail”.

~ David Penterly

Note from the editor: David Penterly is a refugee from the New Republic and former news columnist. His entire family was slain by NR troops ‘accidentally’ His entire life is dedicated to bringing down this tyrant.

The ability of Wal-Mart to survive in the strangest places never ceases to amaze this reporter. All along the battle lines, as soon as the fighting is over, a Wal-Mart pops up to supply the remnants of the population.

This Galactic super giant moves in to small neighborhoods, in order to achieve Sam Walton’s dream of smashing the competition to bits. This grocery machine is so powerful that there have been talks of it simply buying some of the smaller colonies and pushing them into producing for the chain.

The management of the galactic incorporation says that the Imperial Center Store has nothing to fear from the shopping powerhouse, but looking at the record of this companies’ strategic insertions throughout the galaxy this reporter will definitely be building up his supply of ration packs.

Be on the lookout for tasty doughnuts and half wasted Troopers on the aisle 3 playing with the toy light sabers and throwing random goods in your hover buggy in the middle of the night.

It is very important to be sure to continue to support your local ICS, as, even though exclusively the Empire sanctions it, Wal-Mart still has more power behind its punch than almost any other corporation in existence.

The Wal-Mart Galactic Corporation boasts the most advanced inventory system in the Universe, and ever since they built that Space Factory full of droids, they have grown so far ahead of the competition as the low price leader that it would take three whole planets of slave labor to catch up with their production abilities.

Be there for the grand opening next week supporting your local ICS. There will be a large group of your fellow Troopers there showing their support of the ICS, and telling Wal-Mart that they can’t just come barging in.

As always, organizations who have been warned ahead of time about these support rallies tend to try hiring armed guards and security forces. Now I know that we, as VE Troopers can’t go in uniform, as it can’t be official, but we sure can hide a few surprises in our plain clothes, and I can’t imagine a security force that could hold back a dozen of us.

That being said, I urge you to come down and show your support for the ICS. We need to show Wally World that we don’t need their Ranch Style Beans and toilet paper, because Fury has us covered.

I know that I will be wearing my VE t-shirt. I will also be wearing my “Fury rules my wallet at the ICS!” button as well.

I will have a few more of these buttons available for the first twenty people or so there to help us let this money saving giant know who the real Shopping Empire is!

So, you are sitting in front of your computer, browsing the World Wide Web for Star Wars Role playing organizations. It can be a long search of almost unlimited amounts of sites. Believe me, we have all been in that situation, but after reading this article, you shall see there is a solution. The Vast Empire is a Star Wars Role playing Organization that was created in 1998, that’s founds itself on the basis of Fan Story Writing, Gaming, IRC, and many others.

The Story of the Vast Empire takes the role of an Imperial Faction during the Thrawn Era (Nine ABY). In this time, the galaxy is split into Factions, still locked in the state of war. The Emperor has been dead for Nine Years; the Empire has split into Factions fighting for control. Grand Admiral Thrawn rose to power and has control of the Imperial Remnant, the main faction in the Galaxy. Meanwhile Across on the other side of the Galaxy, Grand Moff and Dark Lord Kadann has formed an equally formidable force of his own.

Joining the Vast Empire is easy, just go to the Vast Empire Application and go to the “Join the Empire Now” Link at the Bottom of the page. Once you fill out the necessary information, you get your choice of Division. Your Primary Choices, through others will be available later, are the Storm trooper Corps or the Imperial Navy. In the Storm Trooper Corps, you will do everything from Stealth Recon, to Attacking New Republic Bases, to Guarding the Kitchen for your Barracks. In the Imperial Navy, you will go anywhere and everywhere enemies of the Vast Empire try to hide in space, Fight off New Republic and Pirate Fighters and keep the peace allowing for a safer travel through space. The Choice is yours

Regardless of the Division, you will progress from a trainee to a member of a squad/squadron and then into command positions. Along the way, there are many other opportunities to go different ways. There is the Engineering Corps, home of the Vast Empire Today. In addition, there is the Dark Jedi Order, home to the elite of the Writers in the Vast Empire. Neither of those two side divisions are required, but they allow people to continue their story in new and exiting ways that the main divisions cannot do.

Through Story, you build you character, their personality, their soul. You are in Direct Control of how they act, talk, behave, and how their do their duty. The galaxy is changing and your character can have a direct effect on the balance of Imperial control over it. Millions of star systems are at stake, an almost endless amount of lives hang in the balance. The New Republic, the Pirate Forces, the Imperial Remnant under Thrawn. The work of a trooper/pilot is cut out for them, never a moment where there is no conflict. If it is not a Raid on an outpost, it is an attack on trade routes. The Galaxy is always changing, evolving, growing.

Through Gaming, you can show you competitions, and your skill in the battlefield. Almost all Star Wars Game Titles are supported by the Vast Empire, along with a few non-Star Wars Games. At times, there are competitions that go on, anything from the Outer Rim War to the Elite Squadron Competition and many more.

Through the IRC server and its many channels, you will be able to communicate with the Vast Empire’s Members, gain knowledge, plan gaming matches, coordinate Story Posts; it is limitless as to what you can do. With channels ranging from Squad/Squadron to channels for gaming and general communication; IRC is a major element of the Vast Empire that every member should use.

The Imperial Network is the keystone that ties it all together, with its many elements. It has many sites in the network, all with different purposes.

* The Main Vast Empire Page, where VE News is displayed along with links to the other pages
* The Storm trooper Corps and Imperial Navy websites, where Division Specific News is displayed along with links to Division Pages
* The VE Wiki, a newer element that has grown into a crucial part of the VE
* The First Galactic Bank and Roster, where Account information is stored. Along with The List of Squad/Squadrons and lists of members to them.

* The Imperial Center Store, where members can purchase, using Imperial Credits, items like blasters, armor, and star fighters.

* ImperiTrade, the stock market of the Vast Empire. Stocks Vary with activity and other misc. things.

* And Many More

There are many Star Wars Role Playing Elements awaiting you in the Vast Empire, the galaxy is waiting; but are you ready for it.

We all know about logos and slogans. They’re meant to make us buy a product, they’re meant to be appealing. But are they really? Some advertising companies really come up short. Correllian Brewery Co. , who are popular amongst many of us VE troops. But why? Their latest advertising scheme thats why! Their picture of a Lady Storm trooper convinced any of us male buyers to go out and try this (delicious) beer for ourselves. Do we need this beer? Of course we do! And when a beautiful woman holds every bottle, it’s all the better! Another company that uses great advertising is Imperial Engineering. The Vast Empire Army buys all their vehichles from there anyway, so I hear you asking “Why do they need Advertising then?” Listen good people, and I shall explain.

    Before the Vast Empire approached Imperial Engineering, in a buying bid, that comapny was known by the name of “Snotnose Enterprises in the Engineering Field Thingy…” That’s no lie readers, and they couldn’t think of a better name. So, they came up with an idea. “Let’s find a cute animal and use it to market War-Vehichles!” And, loe and behold, what is the cutest creature in the Universe? Right! The Ewok! Snotnose Enterprises released posters with their name side by side with the Ewoks cute face, and soon, Kadann approached with a bid. See? Isn’t that face adorable? Well…..not really….but you get my drift. The company made millions, and the VE got a contingent of vehichles, all over one poster design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, there have been bad advertising designs too. Take Gammorrean Matress Co. Their latest try at a catchy poster design ended up looking like this:                                 

 

Now really? Would this convince you to buy a bed? To me it conveys the sense that a pig has been sleeping on my mattress…..never again.

All in all we are suckers for advertising, and untill we learn to control ourselves, we will become slaves to the big corporations!

 Mmmmmmm….gettin’ a little thirsty…..think I’ll grab a Corellian……

This week our squad feature is the Jester squad. Jester is under Storm Platoon and specializes in Armor and reconnaissance. Headed up by Platoon Sergeant Kami, this squad is ready to go at a moments notice.

The name and motto may imply that this squad is nothing but a joke, but the rebels run when they see Jester on the battlefield.

Their Motto: “Stop me if you’ve heard this one…”

The Q&A Session:

Squad Name: Jester

Squad Leader: Kami

Assistant Squad Leader: Eviscares

1) History:

A) When did your squad get founded?

In ages past 😉 [This answer seems to refer to when the group met, as the squad formed a few months ago]

B) How has it matured over that time?

Jester has always been renowned as the home of the slightly unusual, yet highly literate members of the VE

C) Where do you see it in the future?

Maintaining its reputation as a capable recon squad

2) How would you rate your squads’ activity level?

Great, considering the squad was non-existent a few months ago

3) Any funny stories or in-squad jokes about the members?

Merrick will not hesitate to kill you if you offend her. Is that not funny?

[All be warned!]
4) What is your biggest need right now as a squad?

A holiday, somewhere tropical. And beer… lots of it. [I hear that is what the Wraith squad lives on…beer.]

5) What is the coolest thing that has ever happened in your squad?

We exist. That is extremely ‘cool.’

6) Which other squad would you most like for your squad to team up with on a story?

Any willing to tolerate our unusual antics

7) If you had a choice between any superpower in the Star Wars Galaxy, or just to have Carrie Fisher tied up to a floating bed like Jabba the Hutt had (same age as in the movies), which would it be?

Carrie Fisher doesn’t do it for me. Strap a young Harrison up to the floating bed and we’ll see how I go.

[I see here the obvious limitation in my reasoning. Thanks for helping me learn that one Kami!]

a) Why (or which super power if you answered that way)?

–

b) Are you married, or a heterosexual female (because this could have a lot to do with your answer) (this is totally optional and will be excluded if you are offended)?

I fail to see why a female being heterosexual or homosexual has anything to do with this questionnaire. Or how being female or male impacts upon the answers to simple questions.

That’s my answer

[I must again point out that I did not consider this aspect well enough when writing the questionnaire, however being a heterosexual female may change the answer to the Carrie Fisher question, as I admittedly should have modified it to include the master of Solo-ness, Mr. Harrison Ford]

I would like to thank Jester squad for answering the survey and allowing the VE Today to feature them for this week,

Unfortunately this is the last survey that has been returned to me. If I am able to spark a bit more interest in the survey again, I will be back with more squad features, otherwise, I will see you next week with another story. Thanks.