Merry Mara Monday!

Fun finds at Goodwill today, Han Solo trilogy, fresh paperback of The Last Command (mine is barely clinging to the material realm). Not to mention Pride of Baghdad is a great non-SW read on its own.

I remember reading Han Solo when they came out but can't remember much, so adding it again to the queue.

Worth it just to have those incredible Drew Struzan covers on the shelf. 🤤

The Darkside Elite were a group of seven Dark Jedi personally imbued with Force power from and bound to the will of the Reborn Emperor Palpatine. Whenever any would fall, they would be replaced from the ranks of the Darkside Adepts who would go through the same ritual to bond them to the Emperor and further enhance their own powers.

From left to right:
Zasm Katth, Baddon Fass, Vill Goir, Sedriss QL, Krdys Mordi, Kvag Gthull and Kam Solusar.

Γεια σας everyone!

I'm Greek, so I grew up with two languages and two alphabets, and I think that's half the reason I've always been obsessed with the languages in Star Wars. A while back I decided I wanted to actually speak Huttese instead of just recognising it. Turns out there's nowhere to properly learn it. It's all scattered across wikis, old forum posts and people pausing scenes to read subtitles.

So my cousin and I started learning it together and it kind of snowballed into a site: protocolbot.net

Right now it has Huttese and Gungan. Each one has lessons with the pronunciation spelled out, flashcards, a quiz, a phrasebook, and chat scenes where you have to talk your way out of a cantina or a Hutt's palace (pick the wrong reply and things go badly). I also just added a mini-game where you shoot the right words, which is way more fun than flashcards. There's a Biddy Blas section too, obviously.

Posting here because so much of this stuff comes from the EU. Mando'a is only a proper language because of Karen Traviss and the Republic Commando books, and it's next on my list. If anyone here knows it well I'd genuinely love some help getting it right. Same goes for any old Legends Huttese sources I might have missed.

I'll be honest that I used AI to help build it. I'm not a coder, so it helped me put everything together, but the design and ideas are all mine and I was learning Huttese long before I started on the site.

It's free, no ads, and you don't need an account unless you want your progress saved. I'm adding more as I go, so let me know what language you'd want after Mando'a.

Also, half these languages were never fully fleshed out, so if you see something wrong, tell me and I'll fix it.

Ευχαριστώ, and ret'urcye mhi.

(Unofficial fan project, not affiliated with Lucasfilm or Disney.)

It feels like nowadays, whenever the Republic is discussed, it's always about its problems and failures. I like to think it's more nuanced than that, so what were some actual good things the Republic brought to the galaxy?

When I finished Shadows of the Empire, I thought I was done with this guy. Sure, he was a fine villain, but he was WAY too stupid for how the book was portraying him, in my opinion (I'll explain more later). Then I moved on to the Bounty Hunter Wars Trilogy, which I thought was good, although, I found Boba Fett to be the second-least engaging character and found everyone else's plots to be more engaging to me...except for Xizor, who somehow managed to become an important enough character to piss me off the entire trilogy. Then I thought well that's gotta be the last of him right? There's no way he'll show up in the next book I read, right?? Then I started the Coruscant Nights Trilogy...AND THIS GUY CAN'T JUST STAY AWAY!! And in every book he has mostly the same problems and I just don't get it.

For me, he's nowhere close to the master strategist and intellectual that he keeps being portrayed as. In SotE, his plan is SO stupid. Yes, kill Luke Skywalker and INTENTIONALLY piss of Vader, who has no problems casually executing people who piss him off and only hasn't killed you because the Emperor thinks it's funny. Like, with how intelligent writers try to portray him as, it just seems so idiotic that he can't see that Palpatine knows about the Black Sun and is just keeping him around to piss off Vader.

And I know the chapters from his perspective might be written as if they are skewed by his own views of himself, but I don't believe that, it feels so genuine considering how much the rest of the book and other material flaunt how smart this character is, despite the fact that if you think about his plans for like two seconds you can immediately find holes and stupidity that, if it were written intentionally, wouldn't make any sense for a character to have ascended to his position with, especially if that's one of his DEFINING QUALITIES!

His death is the stupidest part of the book, with Vader LITERALLY telling him he's going to kill him if he doesn't surrender, and Xizor just goes hummm, naw, he's bluffing. No matter what protections you think you have with Palpatine, to think Vader wouldn't have the balls to kill you to keep his own agenda going, consequences be damned, and especially if Palps ISN'T THERE TO SAVE YOU is such a level of sub intellect that I find it hard to believe he could have ever gotten as far as he has.

Now, you may think: well, he just has a massive ego, it's written as his fatal flaw. But the problem is, his ego is SO MASSIVE that it should have been much more of a detriment than it actually was! If he is so arrogant that he believed Palpatine didn't know about his side business, then that makes him so evidently blind that it's inconceivable that NO ONE was able to supplant him or even notice his blatant strategical blindspot throughout his time as the leader of the Black Sun or even before. He NEVER demonstrated in that book anything that would make me see him as anything other than an arrogant moron, except the plot practically begging me to think he's smart.

And it's not like he wasn't always this arrogant, in Coruscant Nights he fully believed he could kill Jedi, and ya he did well but he still lost and it was a really stupid thing to do especially just after the height of the Jedi. Plus, his entire plan in Bounty Hunter Wars was just to intrigue Palpatine, piss off Vader, and hope Palps is entertained enough not to let Vader kill him, AND HE'S ALMOST WRONG, which is too close a gamble to be something anyone with modicum of brain cells would bet on. And throughout all of that, he still believed Palps bought into his loyalty garbage (unless I forgot a line where he says otherwise, been a bit since I've read it).

He also, in one of the books I forgot which one, receives vital information from one of his people and almost decides to EXECUTE him so no one else knows, but like, what do you think you're teaching your CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION by killing him? That loyalty and doing a good job isn't rewarded so you might as well try to betray your way out? Because that's what that would say, which isn't something that an intelligent person would be blind to. And him deciding not to kill him wasn't even because of the reason above, he didn't even consider it, it was for some other thing that I don't remember but I'm pretty sure it was something kind of stupid (I could be wrong though).

But still, the WORST part about the whole thing, is that despite how sub-intellectual this guy is, HE HAS ALMOST AS MUCH PLOT ARMOUR AS BOBA FETT! The only reason he lives in the first Coruscant Nights book is because the assassin trying to kill him gets bumped and misses his shot, he makes it out of his previously mentioned encounter with a Jedi because of plot convenience, his survival and success in the Bounty Hunter Wars was mostly plot armour, both his and Fett's, and he only loses in that one because Fett had MORE plot armour than him.

This guy should have died LONG before he made it to Palpatine's side. So I'm curious if anyone else feels this way or if I'm alone on this (or even if I'm the moron and missed some blatant explanation that would counter my points).

Also, enjoyed all of the books I mentioned above, some have a bit of problems (outside of Xizor) but would recommend. Jax Pavan is cool.

Nefarious dinosaurs being in Star Wars is neat. Let's all say "Thank you, Kathy Tyers" in unison.

As I continue my journey through the legends novels set post ROTJ I encountered something quite peculiar: a story about how the hero, whom everyone believes to be perfect, does something that might cause quite a stir… Now, where have I heard that before?

I loved this novel. As my first foray into Matthew Stover’s work, it stands out as truly captivating; it engages dynamically with familiar characters, providing a plausible progression for them given the situations in which they find themselves. This is best exemplified by Luke: the story delves into the plight of a man burdened by the legend that has grown around him, a shadow that hardly represents who he truly is, yet one that, in more superficial or generic fiction, is used as propaganda for wartime training. In this sense, the antagonist, Cronal, is a fascinating adversary, not only because he embraces this cult of personality, but because that is precisely where his power in the Force originates. He doesn't believe in Jedi or Sith; rather, he believes in the "Darkness", an uncompensable chaos from which we emerge and into which we return. There is a horror in the very simplicity of the concept, which serves to present a thesis on the value of life and the purpose we choose to assign to it. We craft metaphors to make sense of things that inherently lack meaning, yet that does not make them any less real. He is a remarkably well-executed villain that, at times, especially toward the end, I found him absolutely abhorrent.

The nods to how historical figures are portrayed in cinema are generally quite fun; they reinforce the work’s central message, suggesting that even when such accounts are riddled with falsehoods (or "creative liberties," as Geptun might call them) they can still serve to inspire others.

Philosophical musings aside, the entire conflict on Mindor was very engaging, featuring space battles and the involvement of Rogue Squadron, which (my recent obsession with them notwithstanding) makes for an entertaining read, with a sense of spectacle that only intensifies with each chapter.

The new characters introduced in the novel are compelling enough to leave you wanting more, especially Nick, whose perspective as a (coerced) agent of Cronal provides some unexpectedly visceral moments, and whose references to the prequels create a great synergy. Oh, and that scene where R2 thinks about C-3PO was beautiful.

Perhaps my only critique is that Han and Leia (especially her), while very well characterized, don’t have much to do within the story; they serve more of a functional narrative purpose. Their subplot works well and offers several genuinely sweet moments between them as a couple, but I would have loved to see them play a more influential role.

Overall, it’s a very human look at Luke’s character, one that, ultimately, reminds us why it’s worth holding fast to what we believe in.

Hello!! I'm currently rewatching SW and once I finish I want to start read novels and comics, which ones do you reccomend? (I love CW/early Empire and late Empire eras, if they're canon, even better)

Found these at Goodwill for $1.50 a piece! I’ve read every EU book (Legends) but I’m trying to get my physical copy library on point with some of you guys.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #16

Just a design appreciation post. I'm currently reading and playing KOTOR1 for the first time

From Star Wars (1977): #58

I've finished reading this book recently and I wondered what everyone's favourite moments or details from this book are, given that its one of the most popular legends novels.

What are some Jedi who held the position of Masters over the very long history of the order, but who weren't fit to be masters, as they obviously lacked the qualities and wisdom to lead other Jedi, and were too arrogant, prideful, narrow-minded, passive, or had other flaws that led them to make disastrous decisions for themselves, their Padawans, and/or other Jedi as well?

Jorus C'baoth is a fitting example; it's very jarring how the Jedi Council even allowed him to proclaim himself Master and not do anything about it, despite Jorus' very arrogant, obnoxious, and prideful personality, and his open contempt and prejudice toward non-Force users.

At least half of the Jedi Covenant's main members qualify. While Xamar and Q'Anilia could reasonably have become Jedi Masters with them looking nice, wise, and reasonable enough to hold the position, Lucien and Feln's cold and callous personalities make one wonder how they achieved that position, and even more so for the very aggressive, hot-blooded, and impulsive Raana Tey.

I donated these uncut sheets for the Shadows of the Empire card set to be raffled off at this year's Desert Bus for Hope charity event. 100% of money raised goes to Child's Play Charity.

Giveaway: 1996 Topps Shadows of the Empire Uncut Sheets | Desert Bus 2026

What is Desert Bus for Hope? It raises funds for Child's Play, which uses those funds to help kids in Children's Hospitals and domestic violence shelters have access to toys, games, and other support. Read more here: About Desert Bus | Desert Bus 2026

The raffle happens on Wednesday and they typically pick a random amount between $5-$10usd for each entry.

It's a great event and any support you can give them and, by proxy, me is great appreciated!

First draft of the World Between Worlds feature. Still soooo far from done. Keep having a train of ideas that keep detracting me.

I am planning to have 3 separate eras. For now, building the galaxy to take place during The High Republic, with the WBW being used to travel to other timelines ofc.

- First clip: Darth Traya, didn't walk up bc I dont have a model for her yet lmao. I also have no idea what loot should be obtained from killing her.

- Second Clip: Planet X, with Marchion Ro and the nameless. I set 1/12 ship rides to have a chance to pull you out of hyperspace to crashland onto a outpost to fight against a nihil raid. Every raid gives fragments to a one time route to Planet X.

- Third Clip: I wanted to add a way to get the darksaber, but genuinely couldn't come up with an idea for when/where it should be attainable during the High Republic Era. Said fuck it and made the encounter in the WBW. Please let me know if you have any other better ideas.

Other WBW encounters that are barely constructed for now:
-Uliq on the libraries of Ossus being destroyed
- Jedaii on Tython in a Tho Yor
- a triple fight against Emperor vitiate and his other two forms
- ofc Darth revan in the temple of sacrifice, and darth nihilus at the end of the ravager.

link to first post: https://www.reddit.com/r/StarWarsEU/s/89RVYn1BA0

The title is the question. Why are Drop Pods, such an iconic part of Military Scifi, so frequently absent in the franchise literally named "Star Wars"?

There's examples, here and there. The Sith Empire uses drop pods in Tales of the Jedi, the Doomgiver has its large drop pods to assault Yavin 4 in Jedi Outcast, and drop pods are used to deploy vehicles in a few video games.

The Probe Droid in Empire Strikes Back is the only example I can think of in the movies, and even then we don't really see the pod itself, only the fireball of its engines and atmospheric entry. Most of the time, drop pods are used to deliver vehicles, while infantry arrive by shuttle, even though one fo the first things we establish in the original movie is that escape pods exist and can carry people safely to a planet's surface.

Small one-man insertion pods seem to exist, but nobody seems to think to deploy commando forces with them ala Halo's ODSTs. and besides the Doomgiver, the Warhammer 40k-style giant pods full of troops and armour seems conspicuously absent from the Empire's arsenal, who you'd think would love the idea of deploying troops rapidly with maximum shock and awe.

Considering Star Wars' love of WW2/Cold War imagery, I feel like the lack of drop pods used as a Scifi equivalent of paratroopers is particularly notable. No Clone Wars Market Garden flustercluck? No Storm Commandos dropping in silently to sabotage before a big attack?

I certainly have not read everything Star Wars, and in particular I haven't read much of the more explicitly military-angled books, so am I simply missing the major examples? That's certainly where I would expect to see it, but I never see it discussed or described.

In fact, the most prominent military scifi book I have read is Starship Troopers, prominently featuring drop pods and the other "big thing" often absent from Star Wars, power armour, which could have a separate yet largely identical post to this one.