#how to become a galactic emperor

[darth-prequelist]

Palpatine Poll: Character wise (in your opinion)

I know this is too general of a question. What I mean what was his best version. Evilness/ability to manipulate and all. Like he either the most enjoyable/villainous. Let me know your thoughts!

[fanfic-obsessed]

Well Technically...

It is not often that I get an idea that includes Vader (with the genocide and horror that is implied) that makes me giggle.  This however made me giggle. 

So Vader returns to the light right before he dies and comes back as Anakin the Force ghost.  Now despite what it appears this is not a kindness.  Anakin spends decades following his kids and the galaxy at large watching how little his existence mattered (galactically Anakin Skywalker was barely more than a recognizable name, and even that was diminishing as the people who knew of the ‘hero without fear’ died off; Vader would be forgotten even more quickly because no one wanted to remember him) even as he saw the long term consequences of his life (Luke’s struggle with his own identity-both as a man and a Jedi-, Leia’s struggle with her ancestry-finding out that your blood father killed all your other available parents was not a good feeling, Reva healing from the trauma he directly caused, all the ways that Ahsoka had to reshape her own soul to patch the holes Anakin put there, the echoes of the clones that died at his hand and command and the horror of the ones that survived). He has to watch his grandson not only make his mistakes but somehow make them worse, which was something that he did not know was possible. We get all the way through the the sequels, with a heavy emphasis on Anakin watching how the consequences of his actions (particularly the slaughter of the Jedi but many of the the things he did both during the empire and during the war) while acknowledging that he is not even remembered enough to be cursed, how the galaxy has spun on, not just without him but in spite of him and he is not even a footnote. 

After Palpatine’s final, for now, death, Anakin is approached (for lack of a better term) by something shaped like Obi Wan Kenobi, circa the beginning of the clone wars. When this being speaks, it speaks with two voices at once, the Daughter and the Son. It asks if he could go back to before his Fall and change things, would he.

Anakin is sure he would, there are so many things he would do differently. 

The being says that it can send him back to just before his tipping point, where his Fall and all the evil he did became inevitable, but cannot send him back further than that.  Anakin agrees. Just before he sent back the being tells him that should his Fall become inevitable again, they would shred his mind and soul and it would be more excruciating than any pain he had ever experienced. 

Anakin, who had spent 20 years in agony, now had one(1) fear. 

Anakin “closed” his eyes in the Force, wondering when he would be sent back to (Killing Padme, Marching on the Temple, Believing Palpatine over Fives) only to open his eyes as his mother took her last breath. He was back on Tatooine, in the Tusken camp. 

Anakin was confused, this was the point of no return? He had not even thought about the Tusken camp in decades, had not truly considered them at all since Padme absolved him of their slaughter.

But this was also an Anakin that had spent decades in pain, and then decades observing. He was much more patient, by necessity if  not choice, less likely to act on violent impulse then the last time. Also the majority of his rage died in a cloud of lightning with the Emperor.  Instead of killing the Tuskens in a rage, he wept over his mother’s body in the grief he denied himself the first time. The reaction surprises the Tuskens so much (due both to the nature of Tatooine and the animosity between them and the moisture farmers they had not seen human tears of grief before) that they let Anakin take the body and leave. 

They still bury Shmi and go to rescue Obi Wan (though it does not end in a marriage this time). The War still starts but Anakin is also running around trying to fix things, including himself (and actually doing all the actual emotional work on figuring out and fixing his own issues), meditating (Frankly Obi Wan is starting to be concerned that anakin is possessed), trying to not kill anyone (because he really isn't sure what the tipping point about the Tuskens was and does not want to risk it), get the chips discovered in such a way that they do not tip off the Sith (He brings a few clones, including Fives to the temple to Spar and 'accidentally' hits Fives hard enough to knock him out and pracitcally forces Master Che do a deep enough scan), make a list of the people he killed to try and do something nice for them. At some point he decides his ‘penance’ for his life as Vader was that he would somehow bring all the currently known Sith back to the Light (including Palpatine).

In the Force, the Daughter is watching all this, her head in her hand repeating over and over ‘The point of no return was murdering children, you moron. All you have to do is not murder children’. And everything he is doing works towards that goal, but she doesn’t expect him to fix the universe (in my head it is a bit akin to asking someone to tell you an equation that use 2 and equals 4, expecting 2+2 or 2*2 but instead them confidently saying((2xSqRt(100))-40+36)/4)

The Son is watching this all with Force popcorn, this is the most entertaining thing to happen in ages. 

It is important to note that the Dark in this does not mean Evil. It means selfish, which is not the same thing.  You can be a selfish dick and still not be evil.  Mostly in this case it means that for those that inhabit the dark their priority is 1)Their own wants and needs; 2)The needs of the people they like, as long as it doesn’t inconvenience them; 3) The wants or needs of others if it benefits them in some way.  The Son was bored by what the Empire did to the Force, and he found having the Light there (and everything Anakin was doing) entertaining. 

I just keep picturing the Daughter, in the Force, exasperated with Anakin because, yes everything he is doing is good for him and the galaxy but his ONLY job is ‘don’t murder children’ and it never even occurs to Anakin that that was the only act he needed to avoid. 

[trojanteapot]

So I had this idea for a Star Wars AU for Infinity Train where Grace and Simon are Inquisitors.

For those who aren't familiar, the Inquisitors were dark-side Force users trained under Darth Vader to become elite assassins to hunt down the rest of the Jedi in hiding. They were mostly made up of former Jedi or Padawans that survived Order 66 but got kidnapped and brainwashed by the Emperor's lackeys to serve him. Not all of them were though.

The Inquisitors also were kind of culty and power hungry, obsessed with rank, very competitive, and backstabby. They were kind of like Team Rocket with laser swords. And they also called themselves titles like "Seventh Sister" or "Fifth Brother", which I feel like fits well with our two Apex leaders.

Grace's Star Wars backstory is that she was the daughter of a Senator in the Galactic Senate in the Republic Era, and she was Force sensitive but never properly trained.

Simon's Star Wars backstory is that he was a Padawan whose Jedi Master was the Star Wars version of The Cat. She was assigned bodyguard duty for Grace's parents on a diplomatic mission or whatever, and that's how he met Grace.

I have a whole bunch of comic ideas that I sketched out or outlined so stay tuned for more in the future (if you want).

[cirusthecitrus]

People of the Galactic Horde (the OGs)

Since I'm working on a Horde Prime origin story, it was inevitable that one day I would have to come up with designs for his species aka the original spacebats. And well, it was a fun challenge!

(click/tap to have a better look!) My first attempt at drawing other bats was with the High Priests of the Four Temples - the most influential and powerful people on the planet, also known as Anillis'/Prime's teachers :)

See that last guy? That's the emperor of the original Galactic Horde! Though after his unexpected early death his wife had to become the new Prime. Gladly, Horde World was not left without a future heir to the throne^^

Fun thing is, I never planned on making designs for Anillis' parents, since they never appear in the actual story + even the twins don't remember what they looked like. But idc making fanparents is fun! (In my vision Horde Prime inherited the death stare from his mother and the sly misleading smile from his father >:} )

(I talk more about the characters and worldbuliding in my fic "Violent Youth". U can find the link in my pinned post)

I also had to design tons, and I mean tons of episodic characters of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Now after all this training I'm ready to fill the backgrounds with bats :3

Some general notes on the people of the Horde under the cut

Every spacebat is born with a white face. Any deviations were rare and considered a type of skin condition

Facial markings slowly appear once baby bats hit puberty. When spacebats' white faces were seen as blank canvases, the facial markings were their life journey drawn on said canvases. The markings were seen as the real window to the soul. Having no marks as an adult was simply outlandish, people of Krytis even had a belief that such bats "had nothing behind their soul" and thus could not be trustworthy

Facial markings (as well as ears) came in many forms. In ancient times one could tell in which of the four original provinces a person was born by simply looking at their faces. Nowadays it became nearly impossible to guess someone's homeland this way (mostly everyone are people of mixed descent), but to those curious this is how bats used to distinguish one another by their markings:

North - straight lines across/all over the face (e.g. the emperor)

South - wavy lines across/all over the face e.g. (the High Priestess of the Southern temple)

West - straight minimalistic lines (e.g. horde clones)

East - wavy minimalistic lines (e.g. the empress)

Hair never held much cultural significance on Krytis, so the styling was only a question of one's personal preference and fashion trends. Some bats (mainly from the south) saw no point in having hair whatsoever - those would choose to go bald or shave parts of the head to better show off their markings

Everyone had one set of eyes. Only local deities were sometimes depicted having 3 and more eyes. And yes, their eyes and teeth do glow in the dark

I wanted to make colorful bats to futher emphasise their whimsical and peaceful nature :) Well, if u think about it many poisonous creatures are colorful too...

I wouldn't be myself if I didn't say anything about local fashion. I don't have my own concepts at hand sadly, just references, but my main inspiration for the fashion of Krytis are late 90s-early 00s futurism and cyber aesthetic. Here and there u will also see smth similar to mall goth or streetwear style, but it's mostly something what young blood were into

Some bats like the royal family and council members would wear more classy and regal clothes but still more or less modern looking. Such choice of attire was espeically important to the empress, who, unlike her late husband, stayed far away from religion and magic and made it the main goal of her campaign to weaken the influence of the religious community and push for scientific and socio-cultural progress

If you have any questions about the people of the Horde/Krytis, feel free to ask! I'm always happy to talk more about this AU!

[carnal-lnstinct]

Are you still doing requests for your Halloween event? If so, could I request either (nsfw)Perfect Cell as a vicious and obsessive yandere hunting down a female/nonbinary reader because he’s decided he wants to keep them for himself or (sfw)Frieza bringing/dragging along a reader for trick or treating with his son Kuriza and to explain this weird Earth holiday to him (can be done with or w/o reader having a kid of their own)

Hopefully these requests are within the rules and they’re something you’re interested in writing. Thank you!

FRIEZA X READER

✦✦Content: au. trick-or-treating, master and servant dynamic but only Frieza and Kuriza knows it ✦✦Warning: frieza, that's the warning. ✦✦A/N: I know very little about Kuriza so I hope this is still enjoyable!

“You’re blending in nicely.”

 You commented with a little chuckle. In an instance of mellow and fun exchanges, the formalities were lost and the difference in power seemed so trivial. Yet, the intense red stare alone quickly corrected you, reminding you who you were speaking to. You straightened up, “–Er, M-My Lord. By that I mean, you seem to be enjoying yourself more than Kuriza.”

Frieza answered with a chuckle of his own, black lips spreading into a soft, indulgent grin. “Oh yes, I suppose. These festivities aren’t entirely as demeaning as I presumed. Naturally, I would be lavished and provided tribute for my presence, even if it is something as unelegant as your earthling confectionery. Tribute is tribute…” He quickly enunciated as he ran his fingers through the pile of candy filling the small pail you were ordered to carry. As underwhelmed as he tried to seem, there was a sense of joy at the way he admired the many colorfully wrapped rewards for him simply existing in the presence of those truly beneath him. 

“I should suffer nothing less than what is rightfully owed to me from this...” He pauses for a moment, turning his head to you. “What is it you call this festival again?”

“Halloween.” You nodded, pursing your lips for a moment as you mulled over your thoughts and continued to speak. “Your tribute, though… is because…well, actually, it doesn’t matter.” You dismissed the thought with a sheepish shrug and brief laugh. “Nothing important, Lord Frieza.” You certainly wouldn’t be the one to ruin a perfectly nice outing by telling him he got so much candy because of his height and fancy “costume”. No need to get the Earth destroyed. “But can I ask why you’re so interested in an Earth holiday?”

It was then a smaller being hijacked your shoulders in a surprise attack, almost knocking you off balance and into the Galactic Emperor, stopped by his tail angled out as a painful “safety net” in your sternum. “Hiyah, mule! To the next set of village homes!” Kuriza excitedly commanded with a hand on your head and his smaller tail beating at the back of your shoulder. Candy fell out of his trick-or-treat bucket at the slightest movement from being filled to capacity. And still, more was desired. Perhaps more than a neighborhood’s worth.

“Yes, let us move on. I’d very much like to hasten this time among the earthlings towards its end before they become too friendly..” Frieza slowly began to walk forward, poised with his hands behind his back, leaving you to nurse the ache in your chest and try to keep up at Kuriza’s demanding tug of your hair. “We shall grace the earthlings for their Halloween offerings a tad longer and then be on our way, Kuriza.” Lest the infestation of saiyans catch wind and seek to become an obstacle to their treat gathering.

“Exactly…how much longer?” You muttered through your teeth, fighting to keep composure and patience.

“Until Uncle Cooler arrives!” The excited little one proclaimed.

“What?!” Both you and Frieza react in shock, Frieza whipping around to face the two of you with wide eyes. 

“You told my brother to come here?!” He quickly spat out, a bitter tremble shaking in the wave of his tail. “For what purpose?”

“So he can Trick-or-Treat with us, Papa! I sent him our coordinates before we landed.” Kuriza smiled. He leaps from your shoulder landing in front of his father. “Shouldn’t the Earth honor our entire family with their offerings of treats? We can always turn the whole planet to ashes if they disrespect us again. We could do it together!”

“As enjoyable as it would be to see this planet turned to dust in the void of space, even I know it wouldn’t be a simple task with the saiyans and their spawns here. There’s also the fact Lord Beerus frequents this particular planet. If it suddenly disappeared and he discovered it was because of us, his wrath would know no bounds! Is that what you want?” The scolding in Frieza’s tone cleared the smile away from Kuriza who started to shrink away from him, backing up into your leg. You didn’t react right away, you yourself froze at being caught in the path of his raised tone.

Frieza’s eyes glanced between the two of you and your frightful stares. He recomposed himself, an audible huff before he cleared his throat and turned his back to you both.

“Shall we proceed?” He calmly brushed off the tension and started walking again. You hear a small sound leave Kuriza as a soft visible tremble in his shoulders sends you into action without thought. You lift him under his arms and hold him on your hip, the small bead of tears in his eyes quickly wiped away by his hands as he fixed his face into a fussy pout, but it only made you smile at him reassuringly.

“At least Frieza and Cooler will play nice as long as Beerus is around, right? More candy for you!” You pointed out to him, lightly nudging his cheek with your fist and giving him a knowing wink. Kuriza gives your words thought and his smile returns, giving you a nod.

Is not the darkness sweet ?

[incorrectpizza]

Something fascinating that I haven't seen many people talking about is the reveal that The Night of a Thousand Tears was after the Galactic Civil War.

It's just a little detail but it's one that puzzled and intrigued me at first. I'd always assumed that it had happened during the war. After all, wouldn't the Mandalorians be a major threat to the Empire?

I wonder, though, if the Mandalorians were just quiet enough, if they avoided open conflict with the Empire, that the Emperor weighed the risks and decided that it wasn't worth kicking the hornet's nest that was an ancient civilization of warriors.

But then he dies, and Operation Cinder takes place.

If you're not familiar with Operation Cinder, it's the Emperor's posthumous order to bomb Imperial loyalists to "punish" them for his death. Thus, most worlds targeted were staunch Imperial loyalists. Palpatine's own homeworld of Naboo was targeted.

But there were a few exceptions; the planet Abednedo was occupied because it was sympathetic to the Rebellion.

Mandalore was "glassed." Was it a part of Operation: Cinder? Was it orbital bombardment? Did the order come directly from the Emperor, out of the grave? Or was it someone else's?

And most of all why? Was it out of fear that Mandalore would become too powerful for the crumbling Empire to defeat? Was the planet deemed too dangerous to exist? Or was it just petty cruelty, like the other worlds? Was there any resistance? Were there any Imperial defectors who left because of the horror they saw there? How many Mandalorians survived, fled? Where was Bo-Katan? And why the kriff were the Wrens on Mandalore itself? Or was Krownest also destroyed?

[parseolegacy]

Day two of @jdiknight's SWTOR-tober prompt list! The day two prompt is Lightside: I had one very obvious pick for this one. While both Akk'rai (My Consular) and Zilei (My Knight) are 100% light side in-game, in my out-of-game lore Zilei has a much more intimate and uninterrupted relationship with the light side of the force. As per the last post I've added an extension to the challenge where I also write more about how the prompt and subsequent drawing relate to my characters! Full Jedi Knight storyline spoilers (and some general Swtor spoilers, I think) and the story/lore explanation half of this post under the cut.

I thought it a little ridiculous for such an inexperienced Jedi to defeat the Emperor in the Knight storyline- but I generally stick close to game canon when it comes to the lore I write for my characters, so it was staying. Since I wasn't going to alter the event itself I veered towards giving a supplemental explanation as to how this was possible. Having a character be born exceptionally strong in the Force was the first obvious halfway solution that popped into my head, but I didn't find that particularly compelling. I didn't want him to necessarily wield that kind of power. Ultimately, though, I did settle on something related: Deepening his connection to the light side of the force to the point of becoming a conduit for its 'will'; said aspect bleeding into who he is in certain crucial moments where the balance between darkness and light threatens to tip- times when his mind is sufficiently in tune with the light side to the point where, in a way, he becomes a vessel for it. 'The will of the Force' as a whole, as I understand it, is a pretty dubious concept within the Star Wars canon (EU included) but with the existence of beings like The Ones/The Mortis gods, full alignment with the light side and the dark side seems possible. The source and essence of this connection was largely inspired by my love of stories & narratives where the world/nature itself fights back against its destruction, á la Princess Mononoke's forest spirit and other similar stories. This is officially commences when Vitiate/Tenebrae 'consumes' his first planet. The wave of dark side energy, the disturbance, sets in motion a pendulum swing within the Force that will eventually pivot back. And this returning energy, by mere happenstance or by fate, finds a home in Zilei, a young knight heartily dancing through a crescendo of Galactic events. (His general, nigh unshakeable positive attitude is, frankly, nothing short of a miracle considering the Galaxy in shambles. Maybe it was destiny after all.)

He changes slightly, when fully aligned with the light side. Zilei is actually very playful, merry and even slightly mischievous- taking great delight in harmless pranks, general high jinks or outright goofy, unconventional ways to handle situations. At the zenith of alignment (or the closest to a meditative internal peace,) he's notably more serene, almost otherworldly, as he dons a perpetual soft smile on his face and his eyes fade into light. This, of course, exists on a spectrum- not to mention the fact that he's generally quite tranquil, as a stereotypical practicing Jedi might be. Notably he begins showing signs of this peak for the first time the closer they get to confronting the Emperor on Dromund Kaas- something noticed by the observant long-term members of his crew- especially after he abruptly reverts to 'normal' past the Emperor's (current) defeat. I like to think that during the ending ceremony, both Satele and Scourge could sense the light flowing out of him, temporarily retreating back into the Force as its current task was completed.

I believe my turquoise gel pen ended up running out of ink soon after I started lining (will have to test this tomorrow) so I switched to a blue ballpoint pen instead. Pretty sure I like it more with the darker lines than I would have with the gel pen anyway so, hooray!

Previous days: Day 1 + Introduction post

[sleepyfan-blog]

tell me about warhammer. i see you post about it and i have no idea where to start but i’m intrigued. guide me, oh wise one.

Hello friend! I am relatively new to the Warhammer Fandom myself. It's the Fandom that invented the Grimdark Fandom. The talking is "in the far future, there is only war"

There is a vast ocean of lore, as for where to start, it depends on what parts of Warhammer you wanna learn about?

Major factions: (note that all of the big factions have smaller sub factions)

The Imperium of Man: humans! There are several sub-factions within this faction. These include (but not limited to): nuns with guns, actual demi gods (but don't call them that), Large Angry Men, smaller men but also angry, tech bros, Not-God, and The Worst Nobles Ever

Necrons: ancient Egyptian flavored terminators. Quite possibly the reason why Chaos Exists as it does in the current setting due to Backstory War Reasons. Took a ten-millenia long power nap and woke up to find too many people on their lawn (the galaxy)

Tyranids: hungry buggos that devour entire planets

Chaos: the gods of the universe and their followers. Main flavors: hungry, angry, horny and plotting

Eldar: Space elves. They come in four main flavors: snooty, snooty in the woods, triple extra evil snooty, and clown. They murder-fucked a major deity into existence and it was Really Bad

T'au: Space goat people. They've just got onto the galactic stage and believe in the Greater Good

Orkz: fungal war-obsessed people. Most of them are not bright but possess a vicious sort of cunning

The C'Tan: different kinds of gods. Soul Devourers. Tricked the necrons into becoming terminators and then got blasted to bits by their shiny metal slaves out of spite

Ancient Ones: magically power psychic frog people. Created the Eldar, Orkz and possibly the necrons. They are dead bc the Necrons killed them bc the necrons pre-terminator form lived short painful lives

Common terminology:

The Warp: Space hell. It doubles as "fast" travel in universe, so yeah. Chaos primarily lives here

Psykers: Space magic users. They are connected to the warp. How they are treated depends on the faction/sub-faction that finds them

Nulls/Pariahs: anti-warp people. May or may not have been born without a soul. Powerful enough Nulls can permanently kill daemons

Astartes: also called Space Marines. Loyal to either the Imperium of Man, or if they are Very Spiky and mutated-looking, Chaos. BIG BOIS.

Primarchs: artificially created demi-gods by the Emperor of Man to help him take over the galaxy. It went great up until Horus was stabbed to death.... then healed at the temple of Evil Healing. It all went down hill from there. Some of them are dead, some are missing, others became daemons

Bolter: the sacred weapon of the office of a space marine. Does not shoot bullets or lazersrs, but actually small bomb-things

Chain-sword: chainsaw+ sword = this thing. Typically used by Space Marines bc Awesome Weapons

YouTube is a great way to get information on the different factions, depending on the content creator

[threebea]

Sheev hits the cloning Sith magic hoping for eternal life in exactly the wrong way and time and now he's a small redheaded child.

1. Everyone thinks the Supreme Chancellor is missing or captured.

2. Everyone assumes he's the bastard child of Obi-Wan Kenobi (as all redheads of a certain age are traditionally assumed).

3. Obi-Wan is once again asking people not to assume he is the sole provider of redheads. (He is ignored).

4. Due to plot reasons naturally Obi-Wan and Anakin have to look after him.

5. Sheev tries to act cute so that he can win over Anakin.

6. Somehow it backfires and Anakin is weirdly threatened by Obi-Wan's (probable) son.

7. Sheev does have a few tantrums and falls into brat mode. Not because he's a Sith in disguise but because he was a rich boy and assumes that's how kids are.

8. He claims to be the Supreme Chancellor several times. Padme thinks it's adorable that he wants to be a little politician.

9. the Jedi figure out he's force sensitive and are wondering if they should take him in if they can't find his guardian. Anakin now views him as a rival and is waiting for Obi-Wan to say he's going to train his son the boy.

10. Obi-Wan is not doing that again, thanks. He just finished the last one. He needs a break.

11. Sheev due to child body can't control the Force as well as he can as an adult (as far as he knows) so trapped playing baby games and getting hugs and also getting rules which did not happen the first time around. Weirdly nice but it isn't going to stop him from being Emperor and murdering these people. He just needs to reverse the spell.

12: as it turns out his spirit accidentally went into one of his prototype clones and they find his dead elderly body. Looks like it's time for elections.

13: Jedi decide no, this time they're not breaking the he's too old rule. They're gonna look after him and when he's old enough they'll send him to one of the corps. It's for the best. Especially since the war is going really well under the new management and they'll probably have a treaty by next life day.

14. Also as it turns out the clone body does not have a high m-count like his former body. He's a little less than average. The Force is whistling innocently in the background.

Of course he's still going to try for galactic domination but oh boy is it not gonna go well.

Not sure if he becomes reformed or what. Either way he's probably gonna be farming for a few years which he will not enjoy. Yes he can still manipulate people, but it's hard to manipulate who he needs without any money or power to offer.

Tries setting off Order 66. Voice isn't the right register and doesn't set it off.

[dalekofchaos]

Context

Context for choice 3.

Here is what I mean about The New Republic and The First Order.

What happens after you win a war? How do you not make the same mistakes or become the thing you fought. What happens in a power vacuum? The New Republic should have been the dominant emerging power, and the Remnant should have been a small, secretive, unknown order, striking strategically from the Unknown Regions where they hid, and causing fear and panic to spread in the NR. After the Galactic Civil War, The New Republic commanders the Imperial Fleet and starts protecting systems who join the NR, all while chasing down and fighting any of the Remnants (Moffs, Warlords, Crime Lords, etc) who have grabbed power in the resulting vacuum. We could have seen an evolution of ships from Old Republic to Empire to NR ones. They could have renamed Star Destroyers into Star Defenders. Hell, they could have had a Republic of independent systems, each with their own sizable military, so that power isn’t centralized.

But no, instead of telling an interesting story, we are force fed the recycled poorly written rehashed Rebels vs Empire and the Rebels are made to be weaker than The First Order. The First Order are a terrorist movement, they should not be reigning after Hosnian Prime’s destruction, ESPECIALLY AFTER LOSING STARKILLER BASE!

Choice 4. Here is how I would give Kylo Ren motivation as to why Ben Solo fell and his main motivation as Kylo Ren.

Choice 6. I don't think there was absolutely no need for a Palpatine clone and eventually Palpatine himself(🙄) we all knew what was happening around the time this trilogy was being made. Trump. Base Snoke around the mango Mussolini and his lunatic fringe followers. An Alt-Right cult leader who cultivates the worst people imaginable. All The First Order needed to be was pointing out The New Republic brought the galaxy to an age of scum and villainy. A lawless state that usurped the rightful rulers that brought law and order. Basically "Make the Galaxy great again with Imperial Greatness"

You see, originally Lucas was going to make Palpatine JUST a politician and base him around Richard Nixon.

“George Lucas has spoken on various occasions of the way that the Nixon administration and the Vietnam war had an important influence on how he shaped the plot of the early films in the saga. The impact that these two events had an American in the 1970s started him thinking about the ways in which democracies can sale and how they deteriorating to dictatorships when corruption goes unchecked. He’s quoted as saying that Nixon - Who he viewed as having subverted the Senate and as acting an increasingly imperialistic way - what is the direct inspiration for Emperor Palpatine the supreme leader of the evil Empire in the first Star Wars trilogy”

So I don't see why they couldn't do something similar with the CLEAR FUCKING EVIL going on in the world at the time this trilogy was being made. No Sith master was needed.

In this scenario, I would call The First Order, The Imperium

Now you might have questions. What about the Stormtroopers and Kylo?

Stormtroopers? Don’t abduct kids, nationalize and recruit them willingly. Abducting children and training them to be Stormtroopers instantly made The First Order out to be cartoonishly evil from the start. So what do you do instead? Use propaganda. Nationalize them. Make them believe The Empire was right and convince them that the life of a Stormtrooper will help bring order in a chaotic galaxy. We’ve seen cults do something similar, Far Right Wing groups do it and we’ve seen Trump radicalize and nationalize white supremacists, so it’s not impossible for The First Order to do the logical thing.

Finn only leaves because he sees they are murdering unarmed civilians and chooses to leave. He is an example that it isn't too late to leave harmful fringe cult movements.

So how would Ben turn in this scenario? He's radicalized by Snoke. Ben starts hearing passionate speeches in the senate and Ben is moved. "I know he opposes my mother, but he's making a lot of sense" "He's right, we need to bring order to the galaxy" and Ben is radicalized by this Imperium movement and what he believes is Snoke's righteous cause. To Snoke, Ben represents everything great about the Empire. Snoke collects Sith Holocrons and uses the holocrons to turn Ben Solo into Kylo Ren.

In this scenario, I wouldn't redeem Ben. He is far too gone. He's committed atrocities in Snoke's name, for The Imperium and to bring order to the galaxy. While Finn represents those who could break away from Right Wing movements and Cults. Kylo Ren is far too gone, he's radicalized to the point where he's a die hard believer like Hux and Phasma and he's willing to fight and die for this indoctrination.

Choice 11. The Episode IX rewrite with Ben living and Reylo ending

Choice 12. The original plan for the Sequel Trilogy was to just get three young directors together to direct the Sequel Trilogy. It was supposed to be JJ, Rian and Colin Trevorrow, but Colin's IX was bad and his Jurassic World trilogy was terrible. So I would make either Matt Reves or Greta Gerwig as the director for Episode IX and ideally they would plan the trilogy out together instead of JJ setting up Mystery Boxes and expecting Rian and others open said mystery boxes and Rian subverting expectations.

[kineticpenguin]

Once dreamed of as a galactic empire built on scientific understanding and secular thought, the millennia following the Emperor’s death instead saw a slow decay into mysticism, madness and theocratic fascism, with entire planets given over to religious worship of the now-God-Emperor’s corpse, and any attempt at scientific advancement punishable by death. At the top of this rotting pile perch the High Lords of Terra, who maintain the Imperial Creed in His name through iron-fisted control and the enthusiastic application of genocide. They select only the most loyal recruits to rise through the ranks of the power structure, resulting in iterative, stagnant dilution and a violent aversion to outside threats — a blind adherence to dogma and a refusal to confront the reality of what they have become condemning them to a grim future indeed.

After nearly 40 years of trying to steer their flagship Warhammer 40,000 battle-barge towards Profitus Maxima, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Games Workshop has fallen into the same downward spiral of ideological rot. Each new edition of the game feels increasingly recursive and more corporate than the one before, with all nuance carefully buffed out in order to deliver the most bombastic, shallow ‘grimdark’ caricatures possible. Challenging ideas and radical thought are strongly discouraged, with dissenters purged from their employment, and corporate gags slapped over the mouths of those who would speak out against oppression and tyranny. Indeed, so thoroughly dead is the idea of Warhammer 40,000 as “satire” that the completely fictional in-universe timeline itself is not safe, with entire books being rewritten and republished in order to ensure a bulletproof internal chronology of a setting which its creator cautioned that we “should not take too seriously”. 

[darth-prequelist]

Palpatine rant

Palpatine isn't talked about enough. This guy single handedly duped the entire Jedi Council, managed to get THE CHOSEN ONE on his side, orchestrated an entire war, became Chancellor of the Republic, almost destroyed the rebels

Also his whole Do you know the tragedy of Darth Plagueis wise was just...amazing. I get shivers whenever I watch that scene during Revenge of the Sith. Within like two minutes that Palpatine speech manages to paint such a ruthless and amazing picture!

He is also, of course, your typical campy villain. And he only successful manipulates Anakin in the prequels compared to Luke in original. It also fascinates me how he and Padme both come from the same planet yet are foils of each other. Both support Anakin, both are politicians, both are Naboo, and both try to pull him in opposite directions. While Palpatine plays a more parental figure and Padme is Anakin's lover, the foil still remains. Eventually Palpatine uses that foil to his advantage and uses Anakin's fear of losing Padme against him. I absolutely adore the writing of the Prequels, the corruption arc is just so cruelly beautiful but that is a rant for another time.

While I do enjoy Palpatine's appearance in the original he is much more fleshed out in the prequels. His role is simply different, in the prequels he is the secret villain and in the originals he's the big bad guy.

I have been endlessly fascinated about how this twisted mind came to be. So I, of course, wrote a fanfic. I did read James Luceno's book about Palpatine but it didn't hit me quite right. It seemed too distant and out of touch with Palpatine's feelings. I want to see him fall and I want to see him turn evil. It just didn't feel like that to me. I still enjoyed but I prefer a different approach.

The old and cunning Chancellor Palpatine gazed into the swirling orbs of the Space Opera. The young and reckless Anakin Skywalker was by his side.

Palpatine spoke with deliberation and purposely did not meet the young Jedi's stare. "Good is a point of view, Anakin... the Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way." Palpatine paused, "Including their quest for greater power."

Anakin pondered for a moment. His gaze shifted to the wise Chancellor. "The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inwards, only about themselves."

Palpatine turned, his eyes wide, and looked upon Anakin. "And the Jedi don't?"

"The Jedi are selfless...they only care about others," Anakin spoke flatly.

Palpatine exhaled inaudibly. He took a long look at Anakin before slowly turning his head back to the Opera which had just received a polite smattering of applause. Less than five heartbeats passed before he lifted his head and began.

"Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?"

Anakin's eyes darted to the side at these words and turned his head to the Chancellor. "No." Anakin replied.

"I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you." A slight bit of mirth crept into the Chancellor's voice. "It's a Sith legend."

He continued, the mirth drained from his voice, "Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create..." Palpatine met Anakin's gaze, "...life."

A ghost of a smile crossed the Chancellor's face then he turned away from the young Jedi. "He had such a knowledge of the Dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from...dying."

Palpatine turned to Anakin who was gazing at the opera. The young Jedi's mind was lightyears away. Anakin came back to his senses.

Anakin's eyes alit with hope as he exchanged a look with the Chancellor. "He could actually...save people from death?"

Palpatine diverted his attention to the swirling orbs and spoke to Anakin in a slow, dramatic manner. "The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be...unnatural..."

"Wh—what happened to him?" Anakin stuttered, looking to the Chancellor.

Palpatine went on. "He became so powerful...the only thing he was afraid of was..." Palpatine glanced at Anakin. "...losing his power...which eventually, of course, he did."

Palpatine paused as he turned back to the enchanting oceanic orbs.

"Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep." Palpatine halted dramatically. "It's ironic...he could save others from death..." He held back a vicious smile. "...but not himself."

"Is it possible to learn this power?"

Palpatine's lips curled as Anakin spoke those blessed words. Anakin retained his façade of calm, but Palpatine could sense the conflict, the suffering within him.

He turned slowly to meet his eventual apprentice's desperate gaze. The Sith Lord coolly spoke. "Not from a Jedi."

[marvelstars]

Vader really wanted both death stars gone

I was remembering all those scenes from the original trilogy and Rogue One in which Vader makes quite clear his distate for the Death star and I have come to the conclusion that while he definitely wasn´t a double agent, as much as I love fics like those, he definitely wanted those two technological terrors gone and I am a little surprised Palpatine trusted him with both projects as much as he did.

Lest star with Rogue One, Vader´s scenes are short but they tell a lot about his general mindset about the death star.

In Rogue One Vader´s makes a point of calling to his castle Director Krennic, who is been in charge for years of the death star, Vader´s is quite aware of Krennic´s competitiviness with Tarkin as well as his thrist for greater power which didn´t concern him too much and didn´t seem to care to intervene between the two of them, that´s until Jedha´s main city was destroyed. For many high ranking imperials Jedha was just a small sacrifice neccesary to probe the death star capabilities, for Vader jedha was a civilian city, uninvolved with the galactic civil war and also an old holdout of force knowledge neutral to both the Jedi and the Sith a rare thing indeed, that was destroyed without much thought about it. Vader is pissed off and until Krennic admitted it wasn´t his call but Tarkin, the current favorite of the Emperor, Vader changes the subject and tells Krennic to clean his mess with Erso, protect the plans and also a version of the events on Jedha that hide the Death Star existence from the Senate. It´s very interesting for me to see that of all imperials involved, Vader seems to be the last one who cares about the Senate oppinion on anything, the same happens at the beggining of ANH.

Next time we see Vader, Rogue One has managed to send the signal of the plans for the death star to Leia´s starship and Vader gets to the place of the battle just in time to see Tarkin, again, sacrificing an imperial world and military base for the small chance of stopping the rebels from getting the plans, which is already too late, Tarkin doesn´t acomplish anything besides destroying an imperial intelligence center, soldiers and all.

Tarkin has officially become tigger happy with the death star, has killed Director Krennic, his main competition and now holds sole authority over the death star, with the exception of the Emperor himself, who is on Coruscant and as far as Vader knows, wasn´t consulted on those decisions and neither was him , Tarkin feels confident enough in his position to do bassically, whatever he believes is neccesary to do with this new found power.

Vader technically, isn´t Tarkin´s underling but he isn´t in charge of the death star either, the DS is the Emperor´s baby project but Vader is getting more and more furious over what Tarkin and the other high ranking Grand Moffs are doing with it.

It´s an interesting situation because Vader can´t accuse Tarkin of being unfaithful to the Emperor but he seriously has stopped asking for orders either and he is going tigger happy on the galaxy with the new death star.

Then we have the famous Hallway scene in which Vader does his best to get back those plans, only there´s something curious happening here, Vader is certainly taking matters into his own hands but for someone who has the force, he took a bit more time than neccesary in getting the data disk with those plans. It´s almost as if he expected the rebels to get them.

Then in A new Hope, he doesn´t get the data disk either, thanks to Leia´s quick thinking but when she proves to be resistant to his interrogation, he tries to convince Tarkin not to execute Leia, he tells his soldiers to use non-lethal force on all people from Leia´s Ship in case they know something, Obi-Wan could feel on hyperspace Alderaan´s destruction, can you imagine how Vader and Leia felt in close range as two strong force sensitives?

Later Vader convinces Tarkin to let Leia escape with the plans and in this way, get access to the location of the rebel base, which he does but admits it´s a big risk, Leia was aware of this, she knew they allowed her, Han,Luke and Chewie to escape and knew their only hope was to destroy the Death Star before they destroyed the rebel base.

Then Vader does something very interesting, he decides to attack the rebels on his own, with only two imperial soldiers flanking him a mission that´s frankly below his rank but makes sense for his personality, this takes him out of the death star,maybe because he was already aware of the flaw on the Death Star? after all he is a great engineer even if weapon building isn´t his especiality, why allow the rebels to get so close to the trenches of the death star? plausible deniability? or was he aware of the danger and did meant to try to stop the rebels before they destroyed the death star? In fact moments before the Death Star destruction, Tarkin receives the report that there´s danger in the attack the rebels made agaisnt the death star and some soldiers and high ranking officers are evacuating while Tarkin decides to stay because he feels they are close to victory.

This ends with the death star destroyed, the rebels celebrating, Tarkin dead and Vader alive if chastited and degraded by the Emperor for losing the death star even if he keep his place as leader of the imperial military forces, so Vader could see this as an aceptable sacrifice.

Mind you, this doesn´t mean I am impliying Vader was coming back to the light side of the force at this point but even as Vader, part of his self given mission after losing bassically everything that mattered to him was "Order in the Galaxy" and as a force sensitive, something like the death star probably was seen by him as a cancer that needed to be taken out to preserve Order.

Just some food for thought.

[tranakin-skywalker]

Fuck it, fic rec list time!

I'm bored and can't sleep so here's a non-exhaustive list of some of my favorite Star Wars fics. I'm leaving the really well known ones off, wanna share some of the more obscure gems.

Not Placid Stars But Singularities by iceplanet

He stands before Sidious, head bowed, helmet pinching at the back of his neck where he hasn’t yet gotten the med droid to file down the sharp edges. Sharpness is another fact of life, now: the feel of metal digging into flesh defines his every motion. Given the time and the opportunity, he himself could probably have built prosthetics better than the ones he currently wears. “Your task, Lord Vader,” Sidious is saying, “is to transform this heap of antiquated softness into a palace worthy of our new Empire.” In the weeks after Mustafar, Vader must come to terms with his new body and the remnants of his past. In the process, he has a few conversations that he does not expect.

This one has everything I love: ghosts, mutilation, Vader being the saddest wettest murder meow meow, Sith Lord batshittery. What fun.

Skin Graft by HENST33TH

“ I hurt you.” killed her, Vader's stomach roiled. Bile clawed at his throat as he looked at her. He wasn't making any sense. Her face softened some. “ Dreams…?” she said. Padme thought she understood. It was sick, it was corrosive. He was unfaithful. For twenty years he was unfaithful. He hurt her children. He needed to spit it out. Explain. She deserves it. She needs to know. Vader needed to crack himself open. Padme needed to tear him apart. For her safety. He got out of bed. Twitching with the need. Shaking with the pressure inside of him. Taught like a noose. He stood before her. She placed her hands on his arms. “Then what, Anakin.” Anakin, Anakin, Anakin. Vader sank to his knees. Resting his head against her middle, he breathed. The shame clung to him and coated his throat till he was choking on it. “It’s so much worse than that.” all at once the future loomed over him. Daunting, a beast of its own. How can he explain it? *** Or, Anakin Skywalker gets thrown back in time. He has to learn: 1 how to have a body again 2. To curb his Raging insecure attachment style. 3. That his wife should be the one making the important galactic decisions.

A newer fic that I am quickly becoming obsessed with. The way it's written is perfect. The characterization is perfect. Everything about it is perfect imo. And the ending of this latest chapter. Masterpiece. I want 10 more.

Nameless, On the Edge of Nowhere by Taxonamie

Following the presumed death of the evil Emperor and his hulking henchman Darth Vader, the fledging Alliance stands on the verge of victory! But as they press their advantage against a destabilized Empire and manifest from the seeds of Rebel resistance, can this new government survive their own instability? Among the scattered Imperial forces of the second Death Star, Darth Vader's disapparence is not so final as they would hope. Worse yet, the Rebel Hero Luke Skywalker has gone missing! Alone and disadvantaged, what will Anakin Skywalker do to find his son? Will he walk the razor's edge of tentative alliance with the Rebel Forces, or succumb to the draw of Imperial power? Free from all Masters, can Anakin Skywalker learn who he wants to be, at last? Princess Leia Organa must navigate this minefield of clashing obligations and dripping grudges, all the while attempting to understand a heritage she hates, a brother she loves, and a mysterious mother she cannot understand.

I think this fic is the most successful at bridging the gap between Prequel Anakin and OT Vader that I have ever read. They genuinely feel like a continuation of the same character here rather than a disjointed Before and After.

trust displays by AshToSilver

Rex meets Luke and Leia for the very first time the night they are born.

I love how sweet but also horrifically fucked up this one is. Cannot express how much this fic has influences the way I write the clones.

in morsum ardeo by astarsdarkheart

A fallen Jedi and Lord of the Sith burns in a pyre on the banks of a river of fire. Something else rises from the ashes.

This series rewired my brain. Like, holy shit. Holy shit. I don't think I could ever actually choose a top favorite fic of all time, but honestly? This one makes a strong case for itself. It has haunted me every day since I first read it over a year ago.

Forever War by yujacheong

Vader has trouble distinguishing between the past and the present. Fortunately, it rarely matters in the context of the Empire's forever war.

Love me a good Vader character study.

this place loves what it eats by roadtripexpert

What could be called but isn’t death, or Leia Organa doesn't kill the man formerly known as Anakin Skywalker

I know I've already recommended this one but it is just. So fucking good. The note from my bookmark: Father-daughter roadtrip results in about as much murder and bitching as you would expect.

relieved to live in the wreckage by niniblack

When Obi-wan doesn’t follow Padmé to Mustafar, she’s able to convince Anakin to run away from everything with her. But this doesn't prevent his nightmares from coming true, and he's left alone in a hostile galaxy with the infants she begged him to protect. “Master Anakin,” Threepio says, still hovering in the doorway. “Might I suggest bouncing the children?” Anakin stops pacing around with the twins, head swiveling to look at Threepio. He doesn’t have to ask what the fuck Threepio is talking about; Artoo does it for him. Threepio seems to draw himself up as straight as he can. “I have conducted extensive research on the subject of human childrearing in anticipation of Mistress Padmé giving birth. Holding an infant and gently bouncing them in the parent’s arms is thought to be an excellent calming method.” “Oh,” Anakin says. “I thought you meant… bouncing them on the floor or something.”

The note from my bookmark: Single dad Anakin. Congratulations buddy, no one's ever done it worse.

Send the Whole Damned Thing Down the Drain by handstitchedanarchist

“Are you a conscripted soldier or a battle slave?” General Skywalker asks him one day. Rex thinks about it. And then thinks about it a little longer. And then he has to admit, “I’m not sure what the difference is.” The general looks distant and… sad? “Yeah, me neither,” he says.

This is another one that has greatly influenced the way I write the clones.

Gonna end the list here cuz my meds are starting to kick in and I feel like I'm going to fall over

[officialleehadan]

Tussle

Hello darlings! Today's story was brought to you by Jon! Darling, thank you so much for all your support!

Prompt: Blaec, with a baby

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HGE – Dragon Affairs

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It was not often that Blaec had reason to be around a human infant.

Well, not often by human standards, anyway.

The birth of a new heir to the Imperial Throne of the Human Galactic Empire was always a cause for celebration. The baby, Lucas Rayhan Goliat, was a bright-eyed, alert child of about a year old, if Blaec was remembering right. Admittedly, he didn’t have the best relationship with time, and it was difficult to keep track of how old they really were. He noted the monarchs of the Empire, and met most of them, but he never got particularly attached.

Humans died so quickly that they were nothing more than an amusement. Perhaps a hundred years or so, and they died of age, if nothing took them sooner. It was, he was told, akin to a human being fond of a butterfly. Although they were beautiful and interesting, they died so quickly that it was rare for an immortal, especially one of Blaec’s age, to truly become more than vaguely fond of them.

But he did like children of any species, and was particularly amused by human ones.

Luka, as his parents called him, could burble a few words, but at this age, even Blaec’s delicate touch on his mind provided little outside of images and emotions. Desires and needs. Nothing so coherent as true words. The child simply didn’t know the words yet for what he wanted.

It was difficult to shift into his own form, but not at his true size, but there were a few occasions that warranted the focus it took to move the bulk of his being into the ether while holding his own shape. Most of the time, it was when he wished the comfort of resting in his Great Treasure’s arms, particularly if they were going underwater somewhere his true size did not allow.

Sometimes, it was to play with a child.

Luka squealed happily as Blaec tussled with him, mindful of his teeth, claws, and spikes with fragile baby skin, and let the child tumble over him, protected by judicious use of magic to make sure he never fell too hard. Blaec, of course, was immense, even if his bulk was hidden away, and nothing as delicate as a human child could do him the slightest harm.

He nuzzled and purred the child until Luka giggled and toddled about, using Blaec’s body as a support to stay on his still-unsteady feet. Blaec spread his wings to keep the little boy balanced and Luka squeaked, remarkably like a very young dragon kit, at the exciting new toy. Blaec fluttered his wings and purred again as excited little hands grasped at the large bone that made the arch of his wing.

“I can take him if he’s bothering you, Lord Petros,” Empress Viktoria Tatiana, called Viktia by her friends, offered with a smile hidden behind one hand as she watched her small child roll around the floor of the Imperial apartments in the company of the oldest dragon in their universe. It was, Blaec mused to himself, an amusing dichotomy. He so very old, and this child, now bundled up in his wings and shrieking with laughter, so incredibly new to the world. “He’s been a handful all morning.”

(I don’t mind) Blaec assured her, and nipped, incredibly careful of his sharp teeth, at Luka’s fingers. He knew his own bite strength, and could easily hold a balloon in his jaws without puncturing it. He knew how to be careful with a kit. (He is a cheerful and playful child.)

“He’s certainly that,” Viktia agreed with a rueful laugh at her young son, who was now mouthing eagerly over Blaec’s left wing-claw. Blaec rolled himself in a ball around Luka and wrapped him up in his wings again. Luka wiggled and flailed in the way of small children, but Blaec coiled his tail around one leg, and started purring again. Tickled by the vibrations in Blaec’s chest, Luka giggled helplessly until Blaec let him free to scramble about, sometimes on two legs and sometimes on all-fours. “Someday he will be the emperor of this galaxy of ours, but for now, he is young, and he is happy. I hope he will remain so for as long as possible.”

(So to do we all,) Blaec told her warmly. He had no kits of his own, but he had watched over the kits of others many times over his long life. (And we will watch over him. We of the Senate, as we have over all of your family’s long line. I cannot promise his safety, but he will never be without allies.)

“What mother could ask for more?” Viktia said and brushed a hand over her son’s sand-colored hair as he toddled past her, babbling to himself in pursuit of Blaec’s tail. “Thank you, Lord Petros. For this afternoon, and for watching over him. but do tell me if he bites your tail too hard. We’re not long from his nap, and he is not, despite his age, allowed to maul the guests!”

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HGE - Dragon Affairs (FULL COLLECTION)

Fire Wings and Ice Scales

Right of Possession

The Oldest of Friends

Sky Battle

Tax Season

Crossing Enemies (Subscriber Only!)

Hold My Beer

Tussle (NEW!)

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MASTERLIST

[stickyhunter]

Gue'vesa and the T'au Empire—rules for Imperium Maledictum

Want to play a human under the T'au or have a T'au Patron for that matter? Well hey I've got you covered!

Plain text version under the cut

T’au Faction

Gue’vesa

“Once got an ork square in his head with this pulse rifle, that’s how I became Gue’vesa’ui. Technology. It saves us all in the end.” —Shas’gue’vesa’ui Edyth Yorscht

The Gue’vesa are found in regions of the galaxy where words of the Emperor ring the most hollow, and where swathes of guardsmen were sent yet never brought home. To those souls, the T’au Empire, their leaders, and their technology, ensure safety and reliability. Gue’vesa are often descended from lost regiments of the Imperial Guard; deployed far too quickly, to establish beachheads that could never hold, left stranded in hostile territories, saved by the T’au. They may not feel much difference between governance of the Imperium and that of the T’au, yet the heavy thumb of anxiety lingers should the Imperium see their treachery in full.

For the most part, Gue’vesa are absorbed into the Fire Caste of the T’au, human helpers serving as yet more bodies that can be thrown at a problem - for some Gue’vesa it is a continuation of the Imperial Guard duty they once left behind. However, humans may receive a place amongst other castes, should their T’au masters recognise their skill in other fields: those born on forge worlds or trained to repair their vehicles in the Astra Militarum may be given a place in the Earth Caste, Administratum officers and regimental quartermasters find places among the Water Caste, and Imperial Naval crew may serve the Air Caste as envoys and ground crews, as the Kor rarely set foot on any planet.

Few, if any, are granted a duty serving the Aun—Celestial Caste—for such a role carries its own heavy burden of responsibility within the T’au Empire. Gue’vesa serving the Ethereals may have been zealots of a faith that long since failed them, now tasked with preaching the Greater Good that saved them, on orders of the Ethereal Supreme and the Ethereal High Council to all other Gue’vesa.

Despite millenia of holding xenocidal doctrine, the Imperium has its uses even for those who have strayed, for their lives are no less expendable than those of the loyal. Within the Imperium, the Gue’vesa may not interact with the Imperium’s authorities in the same way as others, being distrusted at minimum, though most often outright viewed as traitors, for any influence of or loyalty to Xenos is heretical. By contrast, some few souls may see the Gue’vesa in a more positive light, an indicator that the technology of the T’au can prove useful, or at the very least that uniting forces can thwart a worse threat.

How did you become a Gue’vesa? Were you born from those guardsmen, isolated and running out of supplies, found by the T’au? Did you seek your own freedom from the brutality of the Imperium? Maybe it started with the sight of a swift death held off by a fire warrior rather than an Imperial guardsman. How do you see the Imperium — do you hold it in any particular regard, based on your time with the T’au? What of those who are more removed from the Imperium than you, do you regard them with any more empathy than those under the Emperor's light do? Maybe you see camaraderie among humans and Xenos as a path forward, together as a united force, or it could be that even the thought of it hits you with the same unease that is usually sent your way. Regardless of your origin or thoughts on the Imperium, you trust that despite its galactic dominance, you have a duty to further the Greater Good, a duty that their antiquated faith in a dead god cannot dull.

Gue’vesa Benefits

You gain +5 Fellowship, +5 to either Toughness, Ballistic Skill, or Intelligence

You have 5 Advances to spend on Tech, Ranged, Intuition, Dexterity, Lore, and Discipline.

You gain the Greater Good Talent.

You gain +1 Influence with T’au Empire

You gain +1 Advance in Forbidden Knowledge - Linguistics (T’au) 

You gain a Knife, Survival Gear, an EMP Grenade, and a Pulse Pistol

You gain your choice of a Pulse Rifle, Pulse Blaster, or a Markerlight

Duty

You can choose one of the following duties to quickly create your character. Additionally, you have +1 Influence with the T’au, the Greater Good Talent, a Knife, Survival Gear, an EMP Grenade, and a Pulse Pistol.

Shas’gue’vesa (Fire Caste)

Your duty is to engage in ranged combat wielding T’au arms, a responsibility placed upon those trusted with weaponry akin to the Shas’saal—the T’au equivalent of cadets.

Characteristics: +5 Perception, +5 Ballistic Skill

Skill advances: Intuition (2), Reflexes (1), Ranged (2)

Equipment: A Markerlight and a Pulse Rifle

Fio’gue’vesa (Earth Caste)

Your duty is to ensure the running of machines, infrastructure, and the cultivation of food. Rough hands come with a pragmatic view on tasks and years spent maintaining technology.

Characteristics: +5 Intelligence, +5 Toughness

Skill advances: Logic (2), Tech (1), Fortitude (2)

Equipment: A Drone, a Drone Controller, and a Fusion Torch

Kor’gue’vesa (Air Caste)

Your duty is to deploy where the Kor T’au do not, being sent down onto planet surfaces as an envoy or ground crew for the T’au Navy.  

Characteristics: +5 Willpower, +5 Intelligence

Skill advances: Linguistics (2), Tech (1), Ranged (2)

Equipment: Dataslate and a Micro-Bead

Por’gue’vesa (Water Caste)

Your Duty is to flow and bind all living things via diplomacy, establishing trade routes, and accompanying others from the T’au Empire to secure a functioning society.

Characteristics: +5 Fellowship, +5 Willpower

Skill advances: Rapport (1), Linguistics (2), Discipline (2)

Equipment: Dataslate and a Writing Kit

Aun’gue’vesa (Celestial Caste)

Your Duty is to guide the others under the T’au Empire, a sovereignty among the ranks. T’au born Aun produce pheromones, giving them latent control over the other castes—while a Gue’vesa doesn’t have this, your true belief for the T’au Empire and all it stands for carries the same authority.

Characteristics: +5 Fellowship, +5 Intelligence

Skill advances: Linguistics (1), Lore (1), Logic (1), Rapport (2)

Equipment: Laud Hailer and a Micro-Bead

Talent — The Greater Good

Requirement: Can only be taken during character creation. You cannot have the Ignorance Is My Shield Talent.

The T’au Empire welcomes all species who don’t resist their expansion, for it serves the Greater Good. You gain +2 SL to any Test made to influence a member of the T’au Empire or +1 SL on Tests to influence Xenos.

T’au Technology

Gue’vesa are allowed a privilege few others are—access to pulse weapons created by the T’au. These weapons are not only deadly and reliable weapons, but a status of trust from the T’au Empire. Gue’vesa are to use what is given to them wisely and with care, for questions of their discipline and worthiness of service will be raised if they fail to do so.

Pulse Weapons

Examples: Pulse Pistol, Pulse Carbine

These weapons, while similar in some ways to the plasma weapons of the Imperium, are refined to the point of optimal functionality by the T’au. While usually seen in the hands of frontline Fire Warriors, they are often also entrusted to non-T’au auxiliaries, from Kroot to Gue’vesa.

Pulse weapons deal high damage and have the Penetrating Trait.

Grenades, Missiles, and Explosives

Weapon Trait—Haywire

When you use a weapon with the Haywire Trait to target a Zone within range and make a single Ballistics Skill (Ordnance or Thrown) Test, depending on whether the weapon is a Launcher or a thrown Grenade. There is a major disruption to all technology within the target Zone for the next Round, any Tech Tests suffer a -20 penalty.

All characters in the target Zone must make an opposed Reflexes (Dodge) Test versus the result of your Test. If you win the Opposed Test, the characters that fail become Deafened, any Augments they have Haywire for a number of Rounds equal to the difference in SL. This means that some characters in the target Zone may be affected more than others.

EMP Grenade

EMP Grenades are specifically designed to send out an electromagnetic pulse, disrupting or outright frying circuitry to a point of disuse.

EMP grenades make the target Zone go Haywire. If deployed successfully, any vulnerable electronics—dataslates, machinery, even augments—are momentarily disabled. This duration can be extended or shortened depending on the individual electronics, an eye augment may return to use before that of a console for example.

Weapon Modifications

Markerlight

A Markerlight is a laser used to pinpoint targets, giving its user an exact distance between the Markerlight and the target. Others (including the target) may notice an incredibly small blue dot, revealing the shooter’s presence should they know what this is.

While attached, a Markerlights user can make a Routine Ranged (+20) Test to mark the target for 1 round, any character making a ranged attack against the marked target gets +1 SL to the Ranged Attack Test. Targets can make an Opposed Dodge (Reflexes) Test to try and avoid the Markerlight.

Exotic*—All these items are Exotic within the Imperium. To obtain new versions of these items you must make contact with T’au Envoys.

Tools

T’au Drone

Much like the Servo-Skulls of the Imperium, T’au Drones (Kor’vesa in the T’au language) fill a similar role with one key difference: unlike Servo-Skulls, made with the minds of loyal adepts forever in service to the Emperor, T’au Drones exclusively make use of artificial intelligence rather than to pick apart the remains of those who’ve passed; a trait that inspires revulsion by Imperial doctrine that deems an use of so-called “abominable intelligence” as a grave heresy.

These disk-shaped drones carry equipment or technologies such as sensors. Drones can even wield T’au weaponry, though Gue’vesa are rarely equipped with weapon drones.

Additional Rules: A Drone hovers at roughly a foot above eye level and unless instructed otherwise keeps near its operator. Each Drone has a specific ability as described below:

Illuminator: The Drone has a plasma-fueled capacitor within itself that it can reveal and diffuse through thick glass. This acts as a glow globe or stablight (see Imperium Maledictum page 148).

Surveillance: The Drone is equipped with a singular video recorder, being used to subtlety record the movements of anyone or anything within the area, transmitting recordings to its operator’s Drone Controller.

Utility: The Drone has a mix of tools to aid in mechanical tasks, which acts as a combi-tool (see Imperium Maledictum page 146) for a character at Immediate range.

The quality of drones can vary the abilities of any implanted devices,or can have other effects such as it hovering erratically or drifting away from the character at times. Greater designs might anticipate their user’s needs, or be able to carry out more complex commands.

Drone Controller

A Drone Controller is an electronic device used to control the T’au Drone. These controllers are usually attached to the pauldrons or helms of T’au armour and battlesuits, but may be modified for handheld use.

Fusion Torch

A Fusion Torch is a T’au tool used with an intense beam created via nuclear fusion, making a short-ranged, high-powered cutting tool that not even the thickest metals can hold out on.

A Fusion Torch can be used in combination with Tech (Engineering) Tests to cut through solid objects such as bulkheads, vault doors, or walkways.

T’au and the Gue’vesa

“There’s much out there the T’au have faced. Many here would fear to face those threats. The Imperium still has much to learn.” —Hans Al'Scoth, Aun’gue’vesa’vres

The T’au Empire sits comfortably within the Ultima Segmentum, yet after a T’au Fortress Station bestowed the name T’olku El'Myam'thun—the Skystrider of the T’olku Sept—fell into a warp storm it was left dazed by stars it hadn’t glimpsed before. Clueless to the true workings of the warp, the station now lies in the Macharian Sector of Segmentum Pacificus far to the West of where it originally set off.

In the Macharian Sector

Having scanned the skies finding the pulsar stars that point thousands of light years to the east toward T’au—home—the T’au on the fortress station understood they were stranded. Bewildered by how they travelled such an extensive distance finding themselves within the Macharian Sector, their task now is to connect with the T’au Empire in some capacity, while also seeing this as a prime opportunity to invite more races into the Greater Good, and establish a T’au force within the western sections of the galaxy.

The Flow of Power

Within the T’au Empire the flow of power is simple: lower ranks answer to higher ones, answer to the highest rank, answer to the Ethereal Court, answer to the Ethereal Supreme. While the Ethereal council, who oversee all castes and aspects of expansion, is the governing body of the T’au; here in the Macharian sector the link to the highest part of the hierarchy, the elevated members of the council and the Aun’o, is severed. The Aun that were aboard the T’au Fortress Station maintain their leadership, unwavered by the uncertainty thrown upon all those onboard after such a leap through the warp.

Seat of Power

The Ethereal Supreme holds authority over the entirety of the T’au Empire, and fills a similar power role to that of the Emperor for the Imperium. This role, however, is passed down from one ruler to their protégé, for example Aun’Wei passing the role of Aun’o to Aun’Va. However here in the Macharian Sector the T’au answer to the highest ranking member of the Ethereal caste onboard the fortress station—Aun'Ui T'olku Vior'Vah, Prelate Farstone of the T'olku Sept. They do not act as a replacement for the Ethereal Supreme and Master of the Undying Spirit who resides within their home sector, but rather as a leader continuing the roles T’au have followed for millenia.

Whispers

Word from voidships far outside of the Macharian Sector have spoken of seeing more T’au Orbitals appearing within the region, maybe other T’au ships entered that same warp storm, being scattered much like those who found themselves here.

Patrons

As a Gue’vesa, your Patron is likely a servant of the T’au Empire, or, in a rare show of fragile trust between the T’au Empire and Imperium, you serve an Imperial Patron. 

T’au Patron

Your Patron is a member of the T’au Empire, seizing their chance in this new territory to establish a beachhead and secure alliances. Unknown to the everyday citizen of the Imperium, the T’au would appear to be just another Xenos threat, yet your Patron hopes with a helpful hand that Imperial systems will slowly come to see the higher truth of the Greater Good. The looming presence of the Imperium is ever in your Patron’s mind, forcing them into political engagements that are beyond complex.

Influence: Your Patron has +2 Influence with the T’au Empire.

Duty: Your Patron is either a Shas’o—A Fire Commander—or a Aun’saal—an Ethereal Lord.

Shas’o (Fire Commander)

Your Patron holds the highest rank within the T’au army, similar to that of a Commander. While many within the fire caste see this as the only way of leaving the T’au military aside from death, others seize it as an opportunity for control. Your Patron not only understands warfare, but has seen it up-close at a scale like few in the Fire Caste let alone the T'au Empire have been unfortunate enough to witness.

Free Boon: T’au Firepower

Your Patron is able to procure T’au weaponry with little interruption. You have Advantage on Availability Tests for T’au technology, T’au technology becomes 2 steps easier to obtain.

Aun’saal (Ethereal Lord)

Your Patron is a high-ranking T’au, a lord in their own right, and not one to mince words. Their word is law, and those words can prove inspirational. Your Patron is studious, knowing words can cut like a sword; and that negotiation is just as powerful as any gun.

Free Boon: Ethereal Caste

Your Patron’s rank within the T’au Empire allows them certain sway over all who are under them. Should it be needed, a message from your Patron can be shown to others who serve the T’au Empire. When you provide this message, you can choose to force anyone who is aware of the T’au to make a Hard (-20) Discipline (Composure) Test or capitulate to following any commands given to them. You may assume that anyone who shares a Faction with your Patron knows of their rank, while it is up to the GM who else is aware of it.

Anything marked with an * is listed below, all others listed are found within the Imperium Maledictum Core Book.

Boons

Auxilarist

Your Patron can call on a small squad of Kroot Mercenaries that can be found within the Macharian Sector. Once per mission, your Patron can put a number of Kroot Mercenaries (page 349) equal to the number of characters in the party under the party’s command for a day. The Kroot Mercenaries are under the control of the Gamemaster, and have been instructed to aid the party.

T’au Firepower

Your Patron is able to procure T’au weaponry with little interruption. You have Advantage on Availability Tests, T’au technology becomes 2 steps easier to obtain.

Fire Warrior Surplus

Your Patron is willing to equip you with surplus T’au Infantry supplies. You may start play with any one option from the list below. Additionally, you may spend a downtime Endeavour to claim an additional item.

A Pulse Pistol, a Pulse Rifle, or a Longshot Pulse Rifle.

3 EMP Grenades.

Any one piece of Xenos Mesh.

Either a Backpack, A Respirator, a set of Survival Gear, a Slip/Drop Harness, an Entrenching Tool, a Grapnel & Line, a Fusion Torch, or a Markerlight.

Water Caste Archive

Your Patron has collected strange and extensive knowledge of all who have joined the T’au and even those who have not. They are willing to give you access to this archive, potentially giving you information on your targets and enemies, and giving Advantage on Lore Tests.

Ethereal Caste

Your Patron’s rank within the T’au Empire allows them certain sway over all who are under them. Should it be needed, a message from your Patron can be shown to others who serve the T’au Empire. When you provide this message, you can choose to force anyone who is aware of the T’au to make a Hard (-20) Discipline (Composure) Test or capitulate to following any commands given to them. You may assume that anyone who shares a Faction with your Patron knows of their rank, while it is up to the GM who else is aware of it.

Rogue Travel

Rogue Traders: +1 Patron Influence

Your Patron has forged alliances with a Rogue Trader dynasty, and is able to arrange passage for you aboard one of their vessels. During each mission, you can undertake up to two voyages on the Rogue Traders’ vessel, including Interplanetary (Warp) travel, as well as hiding you from Imperial Authorities whilst aboard. Your accommodation and meals are of Standard Quality for a week, after which your Patron’s agreements do not cover the expense of further accommodation and rations.

Water Caste Envoy

Any one Faction: +1 Patron Influence

Once per adventure, your Patron gives you a direct line to a Por’el—a Water Caste Diplomat—granting you the right to an audience with a member of the Imperial nobility or high-ranking military on any world, with the Por’el joining you on mission, under orders of your patron to facilitate negotiation.

T’au Air Support

Your Patron can always secure you Good Quality Planetary travel on atmospheric craft. Additionally, once during a mission you can call in a focused air strike or close air support of either Imperium or T’au make, which can be resolved as three attacks of either Frag or Krak Missiles with a Ranged skill of 60. At the Gamemaster’s discretion at the exact nature of the air strike may change, for example a flyover from a Barracuda Class Fighter may consist of two attacks by Pulse Blasters and a single drop of an EMP Grenade and a Ranged skill of 60.

Liabilities

Redundant Observer

Your Patron wants to know exactly how you operate, and has entrusted a Drone to acquire that information. Your Patron deploys a Drone equipped with only a Video Recorder to document your exploits. These obsolete observers will occasionally hinder progress in missions by getting in the way, making noise, or otherwise bumbling around.

Background and Influence—T’au

If your Patron has positive Influence with the T’au they have likely worked alongside the T’au towards a common goal. They may have joined forces, organising a pushback on a Tyranid swarm, or perhaps some Gue’vesa aided the escape of your Patron from an oncoming Waaagh! of Orks, maybe the Patron themselves worked closely with the T’au.

If your Patron has negative Influence with the T’au they will likely have interfered with T’au plans, most likely through serving the imperium directly in conflict with the T’au, though may have had a more indirect effect such as preventing T’au technology being spread to the Gue’vesa within the sector, or maybe your Patron had some hand in warning a settlement the T’au originally targeted for the Greater Good.

Questions your players may inquire: Having a Gue’vesa character—or a T’au Patron for that matter—within a group raises more than a few questions. For example: “Why, in the Emperor’s name, would we ally with Xenos?” To which a number of reasons could be given or hidden from the players. Perhaps those further up the chain of command have allied with T’au within the sector to take out a common threat of Tyranids, Orks, or Drukhari. Maybe you are setting up a conflict with the T’au themselves later down the line; knowing your enemy always hits harder. Access to T’au technology may be another tempting reason to ally with them.