The Star Wars universe has captivated audiences for decades with its rich storytelling, diverse characters, and thrilling battles between the forces of good and evil. One fascinating yet often overlooked aspect of the expansive Star Wars lore is the existence of Death Troopers, a terrifying breed of undead warriors. These zombie-like creatures have struck fear into the hearts of many in the galaxy far, far away. This article will delve into the chilling origins, history, and impact of Death Troopers within the Star Wars universe, giving fans an opportunity to explore the darker corners of this beloved franchise. Origins of the Death Troopers The Sith Alchemy Connection The origins of the Death Troopers can be traced back to the malevolent practice of Sith alchemy, a dark and ancient art that combines science and the Force. Sith alchemists were known to create monstrous creatures and imbue them with dark powers, manipulating…
storytelling
SWTOR: “Snare” Short Story
BioWare Austine posted a new SWTOR short story. BioWare’s success in creating compelling Star Wars stories is the studio’s commitment to creating deep and complex characters. In many of their games, players are given the opportunity to create and customize their own character, allowing for a more personalized and engaging experience. This is particularly true in games like Knights of the Old Republic, where players can choose to align themselves with the light or dark side of the Force. Another reason for BioWare’s success is their attention to detail when it comes to creating immersive environments and worlds. The studio puts a great deal of effort into creating detailed and believable settings for their games, making the player feel like they are truly a part of the Star Wars universe. This is evident in games like The Old Republic, where players can explore a vast and varied galaxy filled with…
SWTOR: “All That’s Left” Short Story
It has been a whille, but finally the good guys and girls over at BioWare Austine is releasing new story content for Star Wars the old Republic. Here is the latest short story named “All that’s left”. Enjoy: “Sa’har?” That voice–so familiar, despite the years since she last heard it. It sounded impossibly far away, yet close enough that she swiveled her head in search of its owner. “Sa’har–is that you?” The voice, its edges rippling with echoes, was louder. Closer. She ran toward the sound, but her feet were heavy… like stone. “Sa’har! I always knew you would find me. I’m… so happy to see you.” And there he was. Sa’har reached a trembling hand toward the brother she had not seen since she was taken to be trained by the Jedi. As her fingers inched closer, she could see her brother’s gaunt face was marred by fear, by…
New SWTOR Short Story! “Seeing Red” by Jay Watamaniuk
The guys over at BioWare Austine posted a new short story named “Seeing Red”. I don’t understand what the picture in the article is supposed to be LOL. I thought it might be the dueling ring but that’s not how it’s described. Does anyone recognize this from somewhere ingame? I wonder if it is maybe some type of hint for future stuff? The filename is just rass_ordo_story.jpg Anyways. Check it out below: Late again. Jek is going to kill me. Rass Ordo was only steps away from the entrance to “Cover Fire”, the favored watering hole he and his brother Jekiah had been frequenting for years. When Jekiah wasn’t on assignment, it was a good bet he could be found here at about the same time of day, eating about the same kind of thing, surrounded by about the same kind of people. This was the unofficial cantina of warriors….
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 17
Chapter 17Finn leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. He sighed and unlatched his helmet. He set it aside and pulled off his gauntlets. He heard someone coming up behind him and looked back. Rose stepped around the K7 unit and sat down in the copilot’s seat. “You ok?” she asked. Finn shrugged. “Well, I am now wanted for treason, sedition, and murder, so other than that, I am fine.” “Well, you are among company,” Rae said from the doorway. Lowbacca ducked in and set her in the seat that K7 wasn’t collapsed against. “Really ought to thank you two for saving our hides.” Lowbacca nodded in agreement. “You’re Finn, right?” Finn nodded. “This is Dr. Rose Tico.” Rae nodded to Rose as she turned her seat around. “I’m Rae and this is Lowbacca.” Rose watched her. “What are the Jedi doing in Imperial space?” “Looking for him,”…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 16
Chapter 16Finn felt that they were far enough away from the city and pulled up taking the Star Dust through the atmosphere and out into space. He applied more thrust and broke orbit. He had the onboard navi-computer begin to calculate a course. The dedicated computer was more effective than an astromech droid but it couldn’t help do repairs to the ship. Lowbacca growled and pointed at the sensor display. Finn looked over to see two blips closing rapidly with the Star Dust. Finn focused the sensors on them. “Interceptors,” he said. He adjusted the sensors. “And eight more behind them.” Lowbacca growled something at Finn. “No idea what you said,” Finn said, “But, we just have to keep ahead of them for a little longer and we will be out of the planet’s gravity well.” The ship rocked as a few blaster bolts hit the shields. “It’s going to…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 15
Chapter 15 Finn flew the Star Dust toward the landing field. Captain Phasma sat in the co-pilot seat and Rose sat behind her. As he came around the tower, he could see the large black ship in the middle of the landing field like a large inky stain on the ferrocrete. Beyond it was the hangar that held the tie-fighters and shuttles. “What is that?” Rose asked when she saw the ship. “A Ravager class corvette,” Captain Phasma said. “It’s been modified for covert operations. Perhaps they are going to give me an actual command.” “Maybe,” Finn said as he extended the landing gear. The comm unit sounded and he absently reached out flipping it on. “This is the Star Dust,” he said. “This is tower control. You are to alter you landing status. You are to land on pad twenty A,” a voice said. Finn was applying more power…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapters 13 and 14
Chapter: 13 Lando paced in and out of the cockpit. Each time he came in, he looked at the holo-projection then turned and walked out again. Nein sighed as Lando came back in once again. There wasn’t anything that they could do until the padawans contacted them. Lando grumbled then turned to walk back out of the cockpit. BX began making noise and whistling. “What?” Lando said. Nein said something and pointed at the holo-projection. Lando looked at the Holoprojection. It zoomed in on a ship that was descending toward the city. “It can’t be,” he said and sat down in the pilot’s chair. BX whistled again. Nein looked at some other information on a different screen. He muttered something to Lando. “Well, poodoo,” he said. “Of all the luck to see them again.” The hologram turned as the ship sailed overhead. The words Star Dust clearly visible. “I think…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 12
Chapter 12 “Oh, come on, Lowie,” Ren whispered. “Aren’t you in yet?” Lowbacca growled at her from where he was half inside a console. He grabbed hold of the frame and pulled himself out. “Don’t get that tone with me, Furball,” Rae snapped. He bared his teeth and held up a small device. “You were able to get the information?” she asked. He nodded and tucked the device into one of the pouches on his belt. Lowbacca paused as he pushed himself to his feet. He glanced to Rae and saw her frozen. He growled softly and she nodded. “I sense it to, Lowie. Someone’s coming.” She glanced over to him. “Where do we go?” He did not have to think about it. He knew the only way out was up. He pointed upward and growled. Rae didn’t argue, only gave him a curt nod. They both ran, heading out…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 11
Chapter 11 General Dene stood next to an I9L2 intelligence droid. He stood with his hands behind his back wishing that he had another cup of caff but there wasn’t time. The glossy black droid was not tall as a K-series security droid. Its torso was larger around to hold the computing power needed. The general sighed and scanned the night sky. “What is taking him so long?” he said. “According to sensors, he entered atmosphere a few minutes ago, General Dene,” the droid said. “His ship should be landing shortly.” Dene and I9L2 looked around as they both heard a humming sound. They both turned in time to see a large corvette come around the tower into view. The black color of the ship seemed to absorb the light around it, creating hole in the sky. “Does it have a cloaking device?” Dene asked. I9L2 was quiet a moment…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 10
Chapter 10 Lando held his breath as he brought them out of hyperspace. BX had engaged the cloaking device before they had completely slowed to relative speed. For a moment they were flying blind until the small extensions poked past the cloaking field. Rae stood behind Lando’s chair, holding onto the back of it. Nein monitored the ships systems from the co-pilot’s seat. Lowbacca watched the forward screen from the engineer’s seat. Nothing could be seen for a moment then the screen flickered and then they could see outside the ship. “Cloaking devices suck,” Lando said. “Sure they keep things from being able to see inside the field, but they also prevent you from being able to see out.” Lowbacca growled and MTD translated. “You are using passive probes? How big are they?” Lando nodded. “They are a millimeter in width. There are six that stick past the field.” “Can’t…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapters 8 & 9
Chapter 8 Ben strode through the halls of the Jedi Temple. He turned the corner and went into the council chambers. Luke was looking at the holographic map of the galaxy that hung in the center of the room. “You’re agitated, Ben,” he said turning away from the map to face Ben. Luke had a full beard that was going grey and white, very little of the color from his younger years as left in it or the hair atop his head. His eyes were bright though, seeming to pierce through Ben. “What has you upset?” Ben stopped and sighed. He pushed his hair back from his face. “I cannot get R2 to tell me what Lando and my padawans were looking into.” “I thought you were going to let them be and see what they came back with,” Luke said. Ben looked past Luke to the map…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Lando climbed down the steps that lead to the Lady Luck’s cargo hold. Rae and Lowbacca have spent most of their time there. He came down and watched them a few times. Sometimes they were just levitating some of the crates and each other, other times, they were practicing with the stun sticks that he saw Rae and Master Solo using on Yavin. This time, they were sitting a few meters apart. A torch hung in the air between them. Two more lay on the ground, twisted and broken. Occasionally, the torch would snap on then immediately shut off. Rae’s eyes were closed and she was sweating. Her body was tense as she sat there cross legged, hands going between being relaxed and balling into fists. Lowbacca sat with his legs crossed as well. His eyes were opened but it looked as if he were looking through Rae…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Finn fixed his helmet in place, returning to his duty as a faceless Stormtrooper. Captain Phasma had already donned her helmet and was striding down the ramp from the Stardust to the hangar of the Star Destroyer. Finn followed her in time look though the opening in the floor of the hangar and see the stars become streaks as the Star Destroyer Vigilance jumped to hyperspace. There was much activity in the hangar. Troops moving equipment and guiding heavy lift droids. Finn saw a group of officers were moving toward Captain Phasma. When they got close, Captain Phasma came to attention as did Finn. He let her salute. “Captain,” one of the men said who had a Colonel’s rank and saluted back. “Colonel,” she answered in response. “What is going on?” The colonel sighed and turned to walk toward the open space that shown with the shifting colors…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 5
Chapter 5 “Nien, I know. Not really thrilled with it but it will take days if not weeks for the Jedi to make up their mind,” Lando said. The two of them sat on the bridge of the Lady Luck with the door shut. The flicking light from hyperspace filling the bridge. Nien waved his arms and gestured back to the door. Lando sighed. “Look, Nien, they tried to kill us. You don’t try to kill someone in a business deal unless you are doing something you don’t want to get out. And don’t tell me you changed your mind about the fact that we both agreed that this wasn’t something we could ignore.” Nien made a face and gestured again back toward the hatchway. “We take what we can get, bud. We are going to head back to Yavin once we see if Takodana has anything for us.” Nien…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 4
Scene 4 Saint swept the sidewalk in front of his store. He leaned against the broom for a moment and watched as the Lady Luck rose into the air, its landing gear retracting into the hull. It turned and headed almost straight up, growing smaller as it ascended to the heavens. He walked back into the store, leaning the broom against the door frame. His dark hands pushed the dreads back from his face and he twisted a copper strip around them to restrain them. “J12, mind the store,” he said then walked into the back. An old protocol droid pushed away from the wall. “As you wish sir,” it said and walked behind the counter. Saint moved down the hall and stepped into a locker room. He looked in the mirror staring at the older dark skinned human. He ran a hand through his beard and debated on shaving…
Star War: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within Chapter 3
Scene 3 The Lady Luck descended into the atmosphere of Yavin 4. Lando flew past a Mon Calamari Cruiser and four Nebulon B frigates that were stationed in orbit. None of the ships contacted them but they were scanned multiple times. “Yavin control to Lady Luck, please state the nature of your visit,” came an almost childlike voice from the comm. “Yavin control, this is Lady Luck. We are here to speak with,” Lando paused for a second giving Nien a glance who shrugged. “Grand Master Skywalker.” “Affirmative, Lady Luck. Sending coordinates for landing now. Please be aware, we do not have automated guidance and the skies are busy.” “Copy that, control. Coordinates received.” Lando banked the Lady Luck and descended toward the jungle below. In the distance he could see the crescent of the gas giant rising and below a jagged hung of superstructure from the original Death Star. …
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within – Chapter 2
Chapter 2 Han leaned against the door frame and watched as the Lady Luck glided toward the landing deck. He straightened up as he noticed several jagged pieces of metal sticking out from under the ship. “What have you gotten yourself into Lando?” Han muttered. Lando saw Han watching the ship come down. “I didn’t expect him to meet me at the landing pad,” Lando said. The ship dipped a little then leveled out. “Number two repulsor is shot,” he said. Nien nodded and sighed. When the ship touched down, he motioned Lando toward the back saying something to him. Lando smiled. “Yeah, you get the easy job, I have to explain this to Han and Leia.” Han winced as the landing ramp descended with an audible screech of protesting metal. He watched Lando come down the ramp. ‘He’s looking old,’ Han thought then laughed. Lando was only a few…
Star Wars: Darkness Rising: The Threat Within.
Author’s Note: I have been watching and reading Star Wars since I was 7. When Disney brought the Star Wars IP from George Lucas for more money that I could conceive of, I thought that we were in for some epic storytelling and stunning visuals. I was worried when Disney decided to say that the vast number of books and comics were not canon. Rogue One served to give me hope that they were still going to make good content. It was a good story that was set in a short time line that told the story of how the Rebel Alliance obtained the Death Star plans. The Force Awakens was vastly underwhelming from a storytelling point of view. The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker only served to confirm my dislike of the way that Disney was treating the IP. I have also followed a number of blogs…
SWTOR Jedi Under Siege: State of the Galaxy
Here is some new story telling by Bioware to prepare us for the upcomming game update Jedi Under Siege Jedi Under Siege: State of the Galaxy Get up to speed on the state of the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ galaxy in Sith Lord Lana Beniko’s latest intelligence report and find out more about the upcoming Game Update 5.10: Jedi Under Siege! ALLIANCE INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY 495-22 SUBJECT: STATUS AND DISPOSITION OF GALACTIC POLITICAL FACTIONS AUTHOR: BENIKO, LANA SUMMARY: War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire is inevitable. While the Alliance cannot stand alone, both factions are eager to secure our allegiance; given the tremendous skill of the individuals in our ranks, we are far more desirable as friends than enemies. This provides us with an opportunity for continued operations and influence over galactic affairs while retaining functional autonomy. Sided with Jace Malcom and the Galactic Republic on Iokath DATA INPUT: Sided with…
Surface Details: The events of a boring and forgettable day.
BioWare posted a new of there famous diary entries. This entry was written by Charles Boyd himself, lead writer for the Trooper story. This entry is really well done. I almost wish bioware would release a shot story series of these “diary entries”. Give a great sense of backstory. Even though, those of us, who follow what have been datamined out of the Public test servers, knows where this story leads, I still love how they continue to give good quality writing to their new storyarchs. Brings me back to the days of “Blood of the Empire” and the “Holo Journals of Gnost Dural”. Check out out over at the official website, or read our copy paste below: 08.14.2014 Surface Details “Next.” Varko gave the hydro-dispenser on his desk a quick tap, then rubbed the fluids into the skin of his hands. He’d heard it could take a few weeks…
Tales from Nar Shaddaa
“<Krobok kill gang, smash droids, get much credits and weapons. Krobok do good?>” “Well, Krobok – their leader surrendered, but you killed him before we could interrogate him. We still need to figure out their shipping schedule somehow.” “<But…Krobok smash gang all away – Krobok no do good?>” *sighs* “Krobok did good.” And so the story begins… Ok, we have written before about how we absolutely love these! Now we are happy to bring you “Tales from Nar Shaddaa” and the special Bonus Series this time. They come to us from ThaBenMan on Reddit, who says he loves making them and will be continuing the series. We can’t wait to see more. How about you? Do you know of another SWTOR fan doing something awesome like this? If so, drop us a line and let us know. We want to share it with all the readers! — What happens when…
Bioware Puts Focus on story-based Flashpoints for SWTOR Future
Stay Classy, Consular… It has been almost a month since the release of SWTOR and the first patch, 1.1 is due out next week. Many players, like me, are anxious to know what new content the patch will add to the game. Some players love all the MMO instances they can get so they can fight bad guys for loot and XP to level up faster. Others prefer story based flashpoints where they can concentrate more on their character. It really depends on the player and your gamer style. Gamesradar.com interviewed Bioware Gabe Amatangelo and asked the question, “Do you think, moving forward, you’ll be focusing on the story-based flashpoints more than the traditional MMO-style instances?” Amatangelo answered by saying, “We’re taking a look at metrics, but we’re inclined to do more of the story ones.” How do you feel about that answer? Are you excited to hear Bioware’s upcoming…
GDC Online: Collaboration Key to Effective Storytelling
Gamasutra gave us another update from GDC Online in Austin Tuesday morning and this one contained the writers at Star Wars: The Old Republic who stressed the importance of collaboration with other non-writing disciplines when it comes to SWTOR and even just to games in general. “”BioWare writers are very different from other writers in the games industry,” said Hall Hood, senior writer at the studio. “”BioWare writers come on very early in development.”” As a writer (and as someone who has met BioWare writers), I cannot agree more. In the video game industry, we writers often get contracted on to close up some dialogue after the game is deep in development, as Gamasutra explains in their post. However, with SWTOR, this was not the case. When this happens, the main story hooks are already set in stone. Writers are often used to working alone (don’t I know this one)…