USH'S STAR WARS GAME- Endgame approaching once more
It's that traditional time when, every few months, the current Episode starts to see its twilight and we look forward to new things.
Except it is different this time. Whilst the Light Side are reaching the climactic finale of the biggest darn fight we ever saw, the Dark Siders are still planning their big tour de force- and that's only in Part I of their story! Whilst their Part II is much smaller, in the same way as the Light Side Part I was small (and to make things even more confusing, these were the original Parts III and IV when both Episodes I and II were a single episode, before I realised they were far too big), it's clear that we have a de-synch.
This is party a tribute to a very detailed Dark Side setting we have had, combined with their highly amusing (and in-character) squabbling. It's also a tribute to how efficient we have become in doing these fights- I thought a ten Jedi vs. battle droid army fight would take four to six months. In fact, it looks like the entire Episode II for the Light Side is going to be done in about three and a half months (not from now- from start to end). In comparison, Episode One took eight months, and it certainly was not even twice as big. The fight has gone with commendable speed, so thanks to everyone for taking part and putting the effort in, and let's hope the Dark Side does just as well.
Which leads us to two pionts
1. Looks like this original storyline for the new Campaign is going to have lasted a whole year. Wowser! Indeed, we kicked it off in May 2004. Time flies.
2. I am changing the schedule to re-synch the plotlines.
Not that synching them is vital as they are seperate, but doing this allows me to maintain some form of relative balance between the two as to how much progress they are making, and also allows me to make plot revelations that may affect both sides simultaneously, rather than having one side 'spoil' the other.
So, what does this mean? Let's see...
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First, with the inevitable post-scripting after the end of the fight, the Light Side Episode II will wrap up inside this month. This concludes their opening storyline, which started as two (later three) disparate investigations that coalesced into one mission against the Techno Union, new bad guys for the Jedi, who in general are now classed as dodgy, and specifically some of their number are decidedly criminal. The focus on the Sith has of course now gone, that was an entry point only, which is inevitable because, of course, I can't use the Sith as my main bad guys because the main films do that and I can't trample on that plot.
Obviously, the Techno-Union, and the titular Arms Race of their episode, will continue as plot functions for the Light Side as the build up to the Clone Wars continues. The big fight coming to an end is the first of two examples of what life in a Clone Wars campaign might be like, btw. But other than that, all the direct plotlines introduced in Episode I will conclude, as will Xeth's original investigation that brought him into the game way back in Episode II of the first campaign as they finally corner the perpetrator.
At this point, Light Siders will spend xp, discuss things, new players may join, others may drop out, and in general prepare for the next game, During this point, the Dark Siders will be making their snatch, and dealing with whatever results (Galder hopes- small war!)
Then, a small change. Original Episode II (now Episode III) was going to start with a prologue for both sides which did nothing to the main plots but acted as interesting interludes. That plan is now abandoned. Partly because of this re-synching and partly because I need to extend Dark Side play so it doesn't come in risk of over-taking off-line Dark Side play (and so have to stop as I would have no plot!), the Dark Side Prologue is being extended to consist of the entire Episode. More on that in a mo.
The Light Side prologue is now being broken away from the Episode entirely, and will now be played on its own.
Which means, once the Light Siders have done their xp spending etc. and the Dark Siders make their grab, whilst the Dark Siders are moving onto Part II of their Episode, the Light Siders are invited to play a one-off mini-episode, consisting of a single operation which is totally finished by the end of it. It will be a great intro to new players and also a good way to test out your xp spending (and grab a few more xp points as well). Furthermore, some players will be very personally motivated to play it once they see what the objective is. The interlude is set 18 months after Episode II. (Episode III is six months after that, hence two years after Episode II, and four years since the battle of Naboo, six before the battle of Geonosis.)
Everyone in the Light Side is working together for the interlude section. There will be a fight in the interlude, so bring your sabres. I don't want it to last more than a month.
Meanwhile, the Dark Siders will be playing their Part II. ASSUMING they complete the snatch and escape from the Ghost Citadel, Part II deals with the total conclusion of their current storyline, as they meet up with Doon and Kuylen, bringing the tablet, and have their future placed in front of them. As you know, this storyline since you landed on Demarus in May last year has been a prequel to your set-up for the new Campaign. Part II completes that set-up. Last time you were Sith wanna-bes- what will it be this time? Soon you will know. But in advance, I can say that the final part will be both aggravating (I know Galder is cut up about the prospect of Kuylen dying already, though to be fair I did warn you all that this Campaign would be Kuylen-less, I just didn't tell you why) and exceptionally satisfying.