#desperate defiance

[eorzeashan]

[moontheoretist]

Acina, what the fuck? I know that I assured you that the issue will be dealt with. Yes, I did lie, but it was not, because I knew something you didn't (except that Shae disappeared), but because I felt Empire was trying to encrouch on Alliance's jurisdiction and was crossing the line.

Were my choices bad for my alliance with the Empire? Probably, but I was distrustful of their movements for quite some time and tried to do everything to show that Alliance is independent, not a subsidiary of the Sith Empire. And now she dares to insult me, because my ally did something literally unpredicatble? I had no idea she was going to do that, I'm not a psychic, no matter my status as the Voss Mystic too.

The truth is I didn't inform them about Shae, because frankly I felt it's not their problem to deal with - they had no right to this information. If I had a "slight inclination" of what Shae was going to do, I would have informed the empire that she went rogue and we are tracking her as we speak. I have literally no idea what mental gymnastics Shae had to do to come to the bizarre conclusion that she needs Malgus to enact her revenge on Heta Kol, when my inclination was that he isn't related to the entire movement and couldn't care less about it.

Well at least this plays into my headcanons.

Game will never allow for this, but I personally was displeased in what Acina was doing recently with the Sith Empire as well, and I wouldn't say no to some coup in order to put someone else on the throne.

It's really funny, because I romance Acina, so this entire situation is such a goddamn angst and lack of trust between me and her lol. And such a good precursor to my future plans for our "alliance". I gave her a chance to change the Empire, but I can see they largely wasted it. They did some commendable things, but overall got meh results. So as far as I'm concerned, a new leader is needed to enact true change.

But that's headcanons.

At least Lana understands Shae's actions were not my fault.

Meanwhile Darth Rivix wants to get stabbed. I didn't trust him since Mannan so he earned that one. Next time we meet he will understand why I'm nice only to a point. And why crossing it is a bad idea.

He and Shae both will learn that lesson.

Me keeping the holocron and the people found by the super weapon away from the Empire is just a first step towards me trying to assert Alliance's status as independent third party. Sith Empire has no right to this holocron or those people, but act as if they did. (Funny how before they had no issue with me holding stuff away from them (or acted like it until Iokath) but now me keeping something safe from them to ensue it won't get misused is suddenly a big fucking problem lol). If that makes me a traitor or disployal then so be it. Bring it on.

[theshieldbladelegacy]

The Mando and the Jedi confront the Hutt!

[iacyper9]

Shae you bitch.

[arvadthecursed]

7.5 Thoughts

Spoilers ahead for Desperate Defiance!!

Overall, it was pretty good. Once you got out of that first section it was much better. The ending was... Frustrating.

I'm glad we got to know Sa'har better. You really do feel for her, and how she's trying to make amends.

I hate the ugly KOTOR style cutscenes randomly throughout. I wish they were all just the normal style. I know it's probably to save on paying VAs, but it's annoying and jarring and inconsistent.

The Yussinduu fight was pretty fun! I enjoyed it, even if it took me a couple tries.

The section aboard Heta's ship was also enjoyable. I was so glad we meaningfully moved forward, by getting the Holocron.

I was sad to see Sa'har die. Or, well, most likely die. I have no idea how she could survive that but I would be disappointed but not surprised if she came back.

Further: I do think her death was appropriate for the story, at least in her eyes. I was hoping we'd be able to fully recruit her but I understand the logic behind her decision to stay with Ri'kan, especially after the prisoners yelled at her.

I was also hoping for a fight with Shae, under the control of the Holocron. That would've been cool!

But instead, Shae acted like a big fucking idiot by FREEING MALGUS. I do not know how she is going to come back from this. If I was Jekiah, Rass, hell, if I was ANY Mandalorian I would not want to follow her after this.

Like, I do think Shae is a person who would do stupid reckless shit, but this felt egregious, even for her. I am starting to think Heta was right about her specifically. I know that when Thali finds out about this, she is NOT going to be trusting Shae one bit, and might just outright attack her for it.

I was also really sad we got very little time with Arn, and no time with Rass or Tau. And no flirt options :( I just. The romances for this arc have been dragging on and I just want SOMETHING. I really want Rass, who I'm guessing we'll see next update... hopefully.

Anyway, I think this was overall good. The beginning is meh in places and the end is annoying, BUT the middle was really good, and like I said, I really enjoyed getting to know Sa'har.

Please please give us some romance next time. PLEASE. At least a kiss! 😭

[twobrokenwyngs]

[kingsoverjacks]

Julie Benz

[gorgonsecho]

Theron Letter 7.5

[tiredassmage]

oh the spring festival is delightful. this might be my new favorite event.

[prophecyofgray]

i know i say this like every time i consume a new media but guys. guyyys. in other lands is somethign that can be soooo the underland chronicles

[keldae]

A Very Fine Line

Fandom: Star Wars: The Old Republic Pairings: Theron Shan/Female Jedi Knight Rating: T Warnings: spoilers for Desperate Defiance expansion. Alternate Title: Xaja and the Terrible, Awful, No-Good, Very Bad Day.

---

The warm sunniness of Odessen’s skies belied the tense mood around the Alliance base. Ever since Master Taerich had returned from the latest strike against the Hidden Chain rebels, the tension had been so thick that someone could cut it with a knife. Former Imperials who remembered the wild rages of their Sith masters walked gingerly; Zakuulan defectors with memories of the wraths of Arcann and Vaylin gave their commander a wide berth; and even lifelong Republic personnel took caution as they ventured closer to the above-ground meeting rooms. Master Taerich would never turn violent against her own people; this was known. But that fact did nothing to negate how she was obviously furious and likely to verbally eviscerate someone.

“I don’t think I’ve seen her this angry in years,” Sorand admitted as he and Theron walked through the base, Reanden a step behind them. The former Darth Imperius looked concerned for his sister’s mood. “Remind me to remind her – when she’s a little less ragey – to apologise to Koth for nearly tearing his head off.”

“I already apologised to Koth on her behalf,” Theron said as he summoned the elevator to take the three men up to the newly-constructed meeting rooms. “He still looks a little shell-shocked, but he says he gets it and he’d be pissed too.”

“Not that that fully excuses her for snapping at him simply for asking a question,” Sorand sighed. “Although to be fair, ‘how’d it go?’ was probably one of the stupider questions he could have asked.”

“Our ‘in’ with the Chain and Heta Kol dead, Heta herself still wreaking havoc across the galaxy, and no answers for what her ultimate plan is, or what Malgus is planning…” Reanden shook his head as he followed his son and son-in-law into the lift. “Damn lucky thing she was raised Jedi. If she’d been raised Sith, there probably would have been murders at this point.” 

“Did her mother ever get this angry?” Theron asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Airna never had this weight on her shoulders,” Reanden mused. “Though she was known to lose her temper on occasion. She had a hell of a right hook and could swear like a spacer.”

Theron nodded as the lift came to a stop and the three men left it, venturing down the hallway to the meeting rooms. If he knew Xaja, she would be in one of the rooms, surrounded by datapads and madly studying Maglus and Heta Kol’s methods, or in a shouting match over the holo with the Chancellor (again). He opened one door and blinked when he saw the redhead sitting on a chair, not moving – instead, she was bent forward, resting her forehead against the table before her, studiously ignoring the piles of datapads and flimsi. “Xaja?” he asked, frowning at his wife.

“Talk me out of embracing the Dark Side and going psycho,” came the answering mumble. Xaja hadn’t moved, still staring at the floor beneath her feet. “This is going to be the shit that makes me snap.” Theron’s eyes darted to his wife’s belt, and he stifled a groan when he realised that yes, she was armed with her lightsabers. 

Read the rest on AO3!

[eorzeashan]

that was SO much fun. really really enjoyed this patch. many thoughts bouncing around in my head about it, too much to process. also very happy that choices that matter for alignment and branching paths seem to be back, so there's extra replay value, that's the most interesting part of it to me. please expect many gifs in the coming days \o/

unfortunately I was a big ol softie this patch so Eight did way too much LS shenanigans, but I like to think he justifies it by saying that he got tired of being told to be less selfish. meanwhile, theron and lana are smiling secretly to themselves somewhere (and Keeper, bless him, feels a little bit lighter for reasons he can't place). usually this kind of scenario is not his thing...but he's growing. he'll play hero if just to return favors. <- blushing madly and totally tsundere about saving so many people and doing irrational decisions.

also loved getting to tell the Empire to fuck off twice. big BIG parallels to agent ending. anyways. 7.5 you are muah

[moontheoretist]

Me before update 7.5: Yay! New story to play!

Me after update 7.5: SHAE, WHAT THE FUCK?!

[theshieldbladelegacy]

[iacyper9]

So, I'm not sure how I feel about the agent recast... The voice is less crisp and "spy-like" so to speak. Now, I can deal with the change as my agent is going on late 30's early 40's so that will cause changes in pitch/tone and I guess you could say that "The agent has been away from the heart of the empire for so long, his accent is surely going to fade" as an excuse as well.

Ahh well, I guess we'll see how the devs end this storyline. Hopefully it is halfway decent.

[arvadthecursed]

My prediction for 7.5 is that we'll see Shae again -- under Heta's control. I think that Shae was incapacitated by Heta, and in revenge, Heta used the datacron on her. Whatever the datacron does to Shae is what will finally push Sa'har into openly helping us.