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[Teneb]

Spoiler: Yes, I’m keeping the image resolution at 700x500 until the end of this LP (click to show/hide)

PART 37 – Anakining

Tatooine/Ebon Hawk

Finally, we move on with the plot. Which, for Tatooine, is incredibly fast. As dragged out as these updates are, I think it took me an hour to do everything in the planet. Maybe a bit over an hour because of swoop and pazaak grinding.




There is no way to convey in screenshots, but let me put this out here: jawas talk fast. I’m surprised I actually managed to not miss a screenshot.

: What is it you want, Jawa?
Iziz: Iziz, I am. Leader of the tribe that is mine. You are the same in kind, a leader that stands before your tribe? There are troubles that we have. The giants made of sand, they are horned ghosts that take us away.
: Giants made of sand…  sand people?

Still refuse to capitalize sand people.

Iziz: That is how you know them. Giants are different for us, we being smaller. People of Sand are who I mean.
: So, Iziz, what do you want me to do?
Iziz: There has been no help given by asking the great group that digs with machines. Now Iziz asks you. I ask that you find us, and then bring away from People of Sand. Then we will offer a trade with you. Long have we scavenged, among you and those that came before. We have things you will like for this service.
: Tell me about “those that came before”.
Iziz: You stand on Anchorhead, a place named and named again. You come to dig, but it was already dug. Settled over and over. Also long ago, ships fell after battles above. Now we scavenge and find the pieces. You dig ore and dirt. In time from now, we will dig you, just like digging those that came before.
: A few more questions, all right?
Iziz: Iziz answers hoping you will free the tribe that he holds.

I could abridge, but I really like the jawa dialogue.

: I’m looking for something called a Star Map. Can you help?
Iziz: These are things I know! Yes! From those that came before, the guide to the lights far and away. I can tell you! Please, first help the tribe of Iziz among the People of Sand, and we will trade what we each need.
: You’ll tell me after I help you? Why should I believe this?
: Warning: More likely the deceiving little organic hopes to trick you into going there so you release his people while searching, master.
Iziz: I know this! Listen to the words I could not know without seeing it! A map of stars to those from before! Please release the tribe, and I will make this known to you. Your rewards will be fair with me.
: Why have they taken your people?
Iziz: We find things, and they use them. Jawas slaves, serving. They lead with the whip and gaffi. With the group that digs, we trade and are free. With People of Sand, we serve and die. We prefer you.
: I’ll check it out when I leave the city. Goodbye.
Iziz: Iziz hopes you the luck you need.



We can talk to the guard to leave.

Tatooine Dune Sea


This area has some nice design, for an open desert.



Notice the figures on the left.

Marlena: When you see Tanis, and I know you old boys always stick together, tell him his wife hopes he enjoys the anniversary gift.

Anyway, she refuses to acknowledge that we are not one of her husband’s (I guess ex-husband now) hunting friends, despite him being pretty reviled by the other hunters for using droids. She pretty much admits she’s trying to kill him and that she’s leaving the planet.



But screw that. Let’s go back to the Hawk. Since HK-47 is here, we get a new “service” inside the ship. He can let us play the turret shooter minigame on demand. I will never, ever, select that dialogue option. In fact, I save before going between planets just so I can reload if I get unlucky. With that done… back to the Dune Sea thanks to the magic of seamless transitions!



These markers tell you the border of the zone, so it’s not just an invisible wall.



It may not be obvious, but there is a bit of wreckage right ahead of me in that screenshot. There is stuff like it all over this area. If we interact with it…




Sand People/Rakata Ambush

We get attacked by Sand People. You can use it to grind for experience. This is also is where I realize my mistake in taking Mission. She is just too weak.

Tatooine Dune Sea



A bit before and to the left of the sandcrawler, we meet this guy again.



If you try to interact with the droids right away, he freaks out and asks you to talk to him.


Tanis: Oh, hey, it’s you. I remember you at Fazza’s place. Could I get you to help out a fellow hunter? Please?

He’ll actually remember us since we talked to him earlier. If we ask what happened, he’ll explain how his wife sabotaged his droids to explode if he moves or fails to disarm them.

: Commentary: One would hope the female is better at repairs than Yuka Laka. I still would like to crush his neck, master.

He then asks us to disarm them instead.

: Commentary: I saw we blast the meatbag and save you the trouble, master.
Tanis: What’s with all the droids, lately? My wife get to you, too?
: Negative. I just don’t like organic meatbags. Except for the master, of course. Ha ha.

I agree to do it if he gives me all his cash.  He also explains how you can mess up once, but only once.



His wife also left a bit of taunting in the droid. If you check the status of the droids, you get this:
Droid: This unit is one of four linked droids of similar type. Group Status by Unit: K-X12a: Energy governor out of alignment. Error introduced by Slimeball Must Die subscript.

We can repair it with parts (1, since I got decent repair skill) or try to do it manually. I just use a part.

Once we free him…

 

He leaves and we get 400 credits and some experience, which is what I really want. Now, on to the main setpiece here:



Miner Captain: I doubt we could hold out on our own against another wave of them.
: I would assume this was done by the sand people?


Sand People/Rakata Ambush

Every time we take down a wave, another appears for a total of three or four (I forget).

Tatooine Dune Sea


Miner Captain: Did the company send you? It’s about time they drove these animals out!
: I agreed to try and stop the sand people attacks.
Miner Captain: Well you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Do you know about their enclave to the south? Don’t even try to go near it.

We are going near it.

Miner Captain: They’ve taken all the Czerka weapons that were supposed to protect out sandcrawlers. That place is a fortress. A death trap. You’ll have to find some way to sneak into the place. Glad it’s not my job.

We could actually assault the place head on, but screw that.



These things are the wraids whose plate we were conned into buying and reselling for 0% profit and some light side points.

Then I get attacked by sand people again, and finally swap out Mission for Bastila.



This is the last thing of note in the area. Let’s also activate the party’s shields for no reason.



Ugzak: *squeee!*
Gurke: We did a good ambush and you and you [sic]better pay… uh… maybe 500 credits no! You die otherwise!
: Who are you to threaten me? I could be dangerous.
Ugzka: Uh… what? Gurke said they be easy picking!
Gurke: Shut up, stupid! *snort* They are just bluffing you! They got no hope at all!
: That’s it! You’re all going to die!
Gurke: What? Attack them! They are trying to fight!

Tatooine Battle

And so die the Gamorrean “hunters”, who were so unremarkable I forgot to screenshot the fight with them.

We near the exit of the area.

Sand People/Rakata Ambush



There’s a lot of enemies and mines here.



But it’s pretty easy now that Mission isn’t here to die in a single hit. Those items are pretty important.

Tatooine Dune Sea


In the next area, we can see the sand people fort.

Time to dress up.


Perfect.



There are a bunch of sand people warriors about, who are passive until you talk to them. Then they’ll notice the ruse and attack… but only the ones you talk to. You can literally kill one of them next to his buddies and they won’t react!



This (mostly hidden by Deth Sord) is what we’d have to deal with if I went for a frontal assault.




: Interjection: One moment… I believe I understood that, master. It may not have been his intention, but he did actually communicate something.
: Why can you understand him but I can’t?

Damn it, writers. This line makes no sense.

: Cautionary: I am unsure, master. Now is not the time for speculation, however. I will attempt to address your question later.
: Quickly, tell him we are not a threat!
: Translation: [Unintelligible]. Result: I believe I have succeeded in confusing him, master. We have shown an interest not common among outsiders.
: Apologize for being here. Say we want peace.

Could it be? Could it be that I gave up on the challenge and am going full light side?

: Translation: [Unintelligible]. Translation: He is expressing disbelief… as am I… but his duty requires that he report to the Chieftain. Extrapolation: It would seem that we are at least worthy of curiosity, for the moment. I would much rather this get bloody, master, but it is your call.



Our robes are unequipped automatically, meaning we are “naked”.

: Translation: I can transtate with some guarantee of accuracy that he is demanding to know why he should let us survive this encounter, master.
: Tell him to surrender or face death.
: Protocol: While I enjoy the prospect, master, are you sure that is wise? He will not react favourably.
: You have my orders. Do as I say!
: Translation: [Unintelligible]. Translation: The results were predictable. He says we have tainted this place by being here and have insulted his leadership. Translation: And something about your parentage and a grub worm, but he won’t repeat it. Prepare for battle, master.

First, I obviously was being sarcastic a few moments ago about abandoning the challenge. Second, normally you can’t equip armour in combat… but having the auto-pause at the start of each combat enabled mean we can do that!

Time to go Anakin on the sand people.

Tatooine Battle




We also get his gaffi stick.



 I was serious about the Anakin thing.

Tatooine Dune Sea



Oh, hi there. Too bad I ditched your sister.


Griff: So, uh… you’re here to save me, right? I’m sure you’ll get… a huge reward! Yes indeed, Mission always said some people would pay to find me.
: You know Mission? Who are you?
Griff: My name is Griff. You know her? Are you from Czerka Corporation? Please, tell me what’s going on here!

I’m being an brooding edgelord to lower my alignment.

: I know Mission. She’s here on Tatooine with me.
Griff: I’m her brother! She’s alive? I… I can’t believe it! When I heard about Taris I thought the worst! Come on, take me to her! Get me out of here!
: Run to Anchorhead. They’re too busy fighting me to operate the turrets.
Griff: What, no speeder escort? Okay, okay, I should just take what I can get. I sure would like to see Mission, though. She’s probably waiting for you on the ship you used to come to Tatooine, right? I think I’ll go to the spaceport and see her. She’d like that. Thanks again. Oh, and don’t tell Mission I’m coming. I want it to be a surprise when I show up at the spaceport. I can’t wait to see the look on her face.

On the cell opposite to Griff are the Jawas we are looking for.

Jawa: Iziz must have sent your coming. Are you a rescuer? You must be.

Jawas are the best.

: Go to Anchorhead. They’re too busy fighting me to operate the turrets.
Jawa: There are thanks you must have. The Jawas under Iziz will reward in trade. Find him and you will see. Iziz will wait by the walls of your city that open to the sand. He’ll trade fair. Thank you.

I also level up and get both the Improved Dueling feat and the Drain Life power. We’ll need that second one.

And that’s where I’ll end the update.

[Akura]

Spoiler: Note about the frontal assault (click to show/hide)

It's impossible. If you try to enter the front gate without the disguise on, the game goes right to the game over screen. This happens even with massive Force Speed boosts to outrun the turret fire which will kill you disconcertingly fast. Oh, and the ones besides the one you screenshotted are much larger if I recall.

[Teneb]

Spoiler: Note about the frontal assault (click to show/hide)

It's impossible. If you try to enter the front gate without the disguise on, the game goes right to the game over screen. This happens even with massive Force Speed boosts to outrun the turret fire which will kill you disconcertingly fast. Oh, and the ones besides the one you screenshotted are much larger if I recall.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Huh. I actually never tried it, but that seems dumb. It could at least throw an incredibly difficult battle at you instead.

[Teneb]

Damn, vacation does a lot to speed these up.

Spoiler: Viewer participation (click to show/hide)

PART 38 – Pickled Jedi

Tatooine/Ebon Hawk

Last time, we committed war crimes. Soon, we get to reap the spoils. They suck. I say soon because this is a Companion Update. Brace yourselves.

Before anything else, though: Last update I said you can try a frontal assault on the sand people fort. Turns out I was wrong. The turrets can nearly insta-kill you, and if you manage to run past them… you get a game over. Yup, just like that. Thanks for the correction, Akura.



I have no idea why Mission is naked. After this, I entered the Ebon Hawk and checked… and she had her gear on.

: I… I have to ask you something, Griff. It’s important. I ran into Lena. She said… she said it was your idea to leave me on Taris. It’s not true, is it?

Despite everything, Mission is still somewhat in denial.

Griff: Ah, well… there’s the truth and there’s the *truth*, you know? I always meant to go back to Taris, sis. Just as soon as I had the credits to pay off my debts. But credits have been hard to come by.

Hell, his name is pretty much “grifter”.

: You mean it’s true? It was your idea to leave me there? I’m your sister – how could you abandon me like that?
Griff: Come on, sis. You didn’t need me to look after you anymore. You may have been young, but you knew how to take care of yourself. Besides, you’re here now – I mean everything worked out fine.
: That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me after all these years after deserting me on Taris?
Griff: That and… uh you look good, sis. Like you’re doing well. Financially, I mean. Say… you think you could spare me a few credits to get back on my feet, do you? Um…
: You… you’re hitting me up for credits? I don’t believe this! Lena was right about you, Griff! We should have just left you to the sand people! Don’t talk to me anymore – ever!
Griff: Huh… that didn’t go so well. Sis always was a little too fiery for her own good. She’ll cool down in time.

Mind you that she’s still right there. She’ll only despawn after this cutscene is over.

: Now what, Griff?

You can try to ask for a reward, but the guy was trying to shake down his own sister because he’s broke.

Griff: You may have saved my life, but I don’t have a single credit to my name. Say, you wouldn’t be able to spare me some credits? Just till I get back on my feet, you know?

Grumble. I like how the game acts as if 100 credits was a lot, though.

: Sure – here’s 100 credits.

We’re never seeing this money again.

Griff: That’s it, huh? Oh, figured you would be able to spare a bit more than that, but, you know, I’ll take whatever I can get. Don’t worry about me… I’ve already got a job waiting for me.

I think Griff is wearing jeans. Which is understandably weird. As is this commentary, but I just noticed that while making this update.

Griff: Greeta, the manager over at the Czerka supply shop, said I could come work for him if I ever get tired of the mines. I think I’ll go take him up on his offer. You know, maybe there’s something else you can help me with. I need to talk to a guy first and set up the details, but if you’re interested in a job come and see me in Greeta’s shop.

And so it is that I will develop PTSD. You will see why.

Griff: Goodbye, Mission. Uh… I’m glad you’re not dead.


: Look, I’m happy Griff’s alive but I’m mad at him right now. And I don’t know what kind of job he’s got for you, but I don’t trust him. It’s probably just another scam!

And so is her quest finished. Forever. I will only ever need to use her mugshot again in the endgame and once per planet. Rejoice.

And now for some more Tales of the Jedi.

: Did I say that? Strange the tricks memory plays on you when you get older.
: So you weren’t an adventurer?
: Didn’t I say that my past was my affair? You don’t see me poking and prodding you with questions, do you?
: You’re just not used to company. Stop being an old coot.
: Hmph. I might be. But a mouthy young thing like yourself shouldn’t get to call me and old coot, dammit. And besides… you don’t really want to hear about me. We’re talking ancient history, probably before you were born. History bores kids. Proven fact.

Jolee, why do you have to break my heart?

: Yeah? Well old people love to talk about history. Proven fact.
: Oh fine, fine, have it your way. Just don’t cry about it later. Yes, yes, I was an adventurer. Happy now? I wasn’t even done with my Jedi training back then. I had a head full of hair and an eagerness to see absolutely everything. Sounds familiar? The Council was never very happy with willful, brash Jolee Bindo, you see. Even less so when I began my smuggling career.

Maybe we should forget saving the galaxy and start a drug business with Jolee and Canderous.

: *You* were a smuggler?
: Don’t look at me like that, dammit! I wasn’t always the wrinkled old coot I am now, you know. I can still fight, too, so wipe that smirk I see there. At the time the Ukatis system was interdicted by its own King. He preferred to keep his people starving and poor, all the better to oppress them. The Senate was trying to negotiate a peace, but they were getting nowhere as usual. I decided I wasn’t going to wait. I found myself a ship and a partner and we began smuggling food and supplies to the Ukatis citizenry through the blockade.
: Where did you get the credits for all the supplies?
: Well… we didn’t *buy* all the equipment, per se. Some were happy to donate goods. Some we just, ah, knew had more than they could use…

Fell off the back of a speeder. Got it.

: So you stole it?
: *Stole* is such a harsh word. They would have donated those goods readily enough if they were compassionate. I considered it a tax on the greedy. We only got caught once. A lone Ukatish frigate shot us down and forced a crash landing. I thought the Force had abandoned me, as I remember.
: What happened then?
: Well, as it happens, getting shot down turned out to be very fortunate. That day was the day I…
: That was the day you what?
: Well, that… that was the day I met my wife.
: Bad memory, I take it?
: No. No, that was a good memory. There are just… much worse ones that followed. I… if it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to stop talking now. My mouth is starting to draw flies.

Well then. Let’s pester Juhani instead.

: Please do.
: In the early days of the Mandalorian war, there had been fighting closer to the Outer Rim worlds.
: Your people were in that region?
: Cathar was there, yes. My people had a great reputation as warriors… and that appealed to the Manadlore version of ‘honor’. They sought to test themselves against us, I think… test themselves by bombing our world, slaughtering my people while they slept or while they ran.
: The Mandalorians fought dirty.
: They swooped down from space across the world, firing at anything that moved. They used ships in space to destroy all orbital facilities and bombard the surface. We did resist, and in spite of their violent attack we did stave them off for quite a while. But in the end we were doomed…
: Why did the Republic not help you?
: We were not members of the Republic. Cathar was beyond the edge of the Republic, in the Outer Rim. And besides, they could not have known. Our insterstellar communications were the first things the Mandalores hit. All other short-range communicators were jammed… we were on our own. We knew what was coming. We had fought the Mandalorians in the first war against Exar Kun and the Sith. We knew there would be no mercy for us. The most we could do was pack the few of our people who survived onto what few ships remained and send them off into space as fast as they could. Most did not make it.
: But you survived?

No, Hero, you are talking to a ghost. Spoopy.

: My parents carried me as a baby with them and were lucky enough to escape. They fled as far as they were able, and eventually settled on Taris. They could stand running no further, I think… But Taris was a horrible choice. Dominated by humans, intolerant of other species, it made everyday life unnecessarily hard.
: Taris is not a nice place to raise a child.
: No, it is not. But they had little choice. Each of us dealt with it in our own way. My father… my father turned to stimulants. He spent much of his time in local bars and dives.

I wonder why they don’t say drugs. It’s not like this game was made in the 90s or earlier.

: But we are warriors. It runs through our blood. And when he was on stims he… he… he became foolish… he let his warrior nature get the best of him. So he would get intoxicated, and he would fight, and finally one day he would die.
: How did he die?
: Killed by a man who provoked him into a fight and killed him like an animal. I… I am sorry, I cannot talk about this any longer right now…

Now we walk out of the ship several times with different companions to trigger their quests. Carth is first.



Jordo: It *is* you, isn’t it? I knew it when I laid eyes on you! You old spacedog, how have you been? I thought for sure you’d be fighting on some ship out there.
: I was. I crashed.
Jordo: Ha ha ha! That’s pretty rich. I can’t imagine what it would take to keep you on the ground. Must have something to do with your friend, here, hey? How’s it going?
: You’re a friend of Carth’s, I take it?
Jordo: Sure am. We joined the militia together back on Telos. That was a lot of years ago, of course.
: So, what are you doing here, Jordo? The last time I saw you was on, um… well, Telos, actually.
Jordo: Yeah… it’s a shame about home. Telos still hasn’t recovered. The family and I moved on, and I’m working for Czerka now. I didn’t see you after… er, what I mean is, my condolences on your wife. I heard what happened. At least your boy made it through alright.
: My… boy? You mean… Dustil?
Jordo: Yes, of course. I saw him on my last stop, on Korriban, though he didn’t recognize me. You… didn’t know he was there?
Jordo: No! Jordo, Dustil has been missing since the attack on Telos! Are you… are you absolutely certain it was him?!
Jordo: Yeah. I’d recognize Dustil anywhere. Positive. He’s, uh… he’s joined the Sith, Carth…
: What do you mean he’s joined the Sith?
Jordo: There’s an academy for the Sith on Korriban. He’s a student there. I saw him suited up in their outfit and everything. Sorry… I though you knew.
: No… no, I… I didn’t. Well, thanks for telling me, Jordo.
Jordo: Sure, no problem. Good to see you again, Carth. Hope everything works out with Dustil.
: Dustil… Dustil is alive! We have to go to the Korriban academy and find him!
: I understand. We’ll go as soon as possible.
: Thank you. I… I just have to see him. I have to know what happened to him. All this time I’ve thought he was… he must be a man by now…

This kind of raises the question of how old everyone is.

Next is Jolee.



: Well, I’ll be a Wookiee’s uncle. Davin! Davin Kotras!
Davin: Ha! Jolee? Jolee Bindo? Why, you old freak! Last time I saw you, you were still wandering the galaxy in that old tug. I thought you were dead, old man.
: I crashed somewhere and decided to stay. Heh heh.
Davin: Yeah, yeah, I’ll just bet. Damn, old man, you look exactly the same as the last time I saw you1 You pickle well.
: You’re too kind. Not the young lad anymore yourself, I see.
: Care to introduce your friend, Jolee?
: What, are you deaf? His name’s Davin. Old friend from my wanderer days. By the by, Davin, I really should be running off…
Davin: Of course, old man. Oh, wait… if you’ve been traveling in this sector, I suppose you heard about Sunry?
: No. Why? What’s there to hear?
Davin: He’s been picked up by the Selkath authorities on Manaan. For murder.
: That’s preposterous.
Davin: I know. Elora is beside herself, as you can imagine. Maybe you could help them? I’m sure Sunry would appreciate a Jedi’s assistance right about now.
: Perhaps I will at that. It’s up to my friend, here, actually. I’m just tagging along.
: We could check into it when we’re on Manaan next.

We’ll be heading there anyway once we wrap off the planet.

: I’d appreciate that. Sunry’s an old friend… I’d hate to see him hurt.
Davin: Same here. Well, heh, it was good to see you again. Give my regards to Elora, if you see her.
: I will. Be safe, old friend.

We can now question him about it.

: What? You think because I’m a hermit I’ve always been a hermit? Just because I haven’t seen Sunry for twenty years doesn’t mean he’s not a friend. A man could have changed a lot in that span of time, though. But to become a murderer? Oh, mm mm mm. I can’t see it. That’s not the Sunry I knew. He was a good man. Put me up in his home for a year back after I left the order. War hero, too, or so I hear. I wouldn’t mind helping the fellow, if we can. I owe it to him. Or you can be a young monkey-lizard and ignore me, I guess… well, I don’t expect much these days.

We also hit the trigger to continue his little storyline. In fact, the only one I’m having trouble with is Canderous. He’s one dialogue away from his quest, but I can’t seem to trigger that. Juhani already qualifies for her, but we need to take her to Korriban.

: You mentioned something about your wife before?
: I don’t want to talk about that.
: Sorry. Maybe we can talk about it later.
: Maybe, but I doubt it. I’m made stubborn that way.

Well, turns out we can’t progress if we’re not a prying bastard.

: I don’t mean to pry, but…
: Yes you do. You may mean well enough, but my private affairs are that: private. Let me tell you something. Once you’ve lived as many years as I have, you’ll have yourself a long, long list of memories. If you’re lucky, most of them will be good. If you’re not, some will be bad. If you’re really unlucky, some will be so bad you never want to be reminded of them again… ever. You’ll go far away, to a place that doesn’t hold any memories at all. And there you’ll be happy to forget and be forgotten.
: is that why you went to Kashyyyk?
: Heh. Partly, maybe. I doubt I could ever it explain it to you fully, even if I wanted to. Let me ask you this: have you ever been in love? Truly in love, I mean, and not simple infatuation.
: Well…
: Exactly. You’re still at the beginning of your life. There will be women in your life… perhaps many women… but if you’re fortunate you’ll find love once. The Jedi, with their damnable sense of over-caution, would tell you love is something to avoid. Thankfully, anyone who’s even partially alive knows that’s not true.
: What’s this? Love advice from an old Jedi?

He want to help you complete the romance sidequest I refuse to do!

: And why not? All this nonsense about avoiding love is so much foo-foo. I shouldn’t be the only one who realizes that.

Damn, now I want to start using foo-foo instead of crap or shit occasionally.

: Love doesn’t lead to the dark side. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled… but passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love… that’s what they should teach you to beware. But love, itself, will save you… not condemn you. Ahhhh, but listen to me go on as if I had all the answers. What do I know of love anymore? I’m just a lonely old man who’s not even a Jedi.
: No, I want to hear what you have to say.
: You do, do you? I wouldn’t listen too closely… I’m no authority on anything. I just think that the greatest things in life shouldn’t be avoided because they come with a few complications. Love causes pain, certainly. Inevitably love is going to lead to as much sorrow and regret as it does joy. I suppose there are perfect, eternal loves out there… but I haven’t seen any. How you deal with the bad part of love is what determines your character, what determines the dark side’s hold over you.
: Maybe the Jedi just think you shouldn’t take the risk.
: Bah. A life without risk is boring. Is that how you want to live? You want love, you’ve got to fight for it. I’ll tell you one thing: sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you and the one you love simply aren’t meant to be together. The trick is to know when that is, to know when it’s time to fight and when it’s time to part ways. Hmph… there I go waxing philosophical again. Somebody blast me already! Let’s get going before I start talking in riddles, dammit!

I imagine he would be a lot more foul-mouthed if this game (and franchise) wasn’t family-friendly.

Next update I’ll finish Tatooine.

[Teneb]

Spoiler: If you want a picture of the future, imagine a space monkey doing backflips - forever (click to show/hide)

PART 39 – Bantha Don’t Care

Tatooine/Ebon Hawk

Today, we’ll wrap up Tatooine once and for all unless I underestimate the length of some dialogues.

Let’s start by grabbing a sidequest that will be the source of much nightmares for me.



Griff: Mission didn’t come with you, I see. Uh… guess she’s still mad at me. Oh well… it’s probably for the best. This job is more up your alley anyway.
: What’s the job.
Griff: As you may know, tach glands can be refined into a very potent powder.

Okay, okay, stop. First, space monkeys. Fucking. Space monkeys. Second, apparently space drugs are made from space monkey organs.

Griff: It’s the primary ingredient in Tarisian ale – that’s what makes it so strong. Of course, now that Taris is pretty much wiped from the face of the map Tarisian ale has become somewhat scarce – and uh… very, very valuable. Luckily, I know the secret recipe!
: So you want to open a bar?
Griff: I know this guy… he’s with the Exchange. Now, if I give him a small sample of Tarisian ale he says he can synthesize it and reproduce it in mass quantities. Problem is, I need one of those Tach glands to make the first batch. And now that Taris is a smoking ruin, the only place to find tach is on Kashyyyk. If you can get your hands on one of those tach glands I’ll make it worth your while.
: What’s in this for me?
Griff: Sorry, like I said before I don’t have any credits on me. And Greeta won’t lend me any credits. I mean, it’s like he doesn’t trust me to pay him back or something. But you come through on this and I promise you’ll get a huge payday down the road. Two… no! Three thousand credits! How’s that sound?
: Don’t worry, Griff, we’ll get those tach glands for you.
Griff: Yeah, I knew you’d come through for me! You won’t regret this… you’ll see! Uh… just… just don’t take too long, okay? This guy from the Exchange could stop by any day. I kind of told him I already had the stuff, so if he shows up and I’m empty handed… well, let’s just say I really, really hope it doesn’t come to that.

So, here’s a problem. I killed all the tach. Fortunately, the devs thought of that and added some more glands inside a barrel at poacher camp in the shadowlands. Which I looted and sold to them with the rest because it was all-or-nothing. And the tach of the lower shadowlands are not hostile.

I thought of using console commands to get me the item, but turns out? There are huge lists of nearly all the items in the game and their codes around the internet. The gland is not among them. And all links to save game editors are super dead.

But there is a way, an unintentional way, but a way still. It’ll have to wait though.

And now, to collect on our mass murder.


: I have gaffi sticks to redeem for bounties.
Protocol Officer: I see that, but do you have the all important Chieftain’s Gaffi? That was what you agreed to get for us.
: Just the regular ones for now.
Protocol Officer: Then I’ll take those off your hands, but the real prize is still out there.

When we deliver the chief’s gaffi…

Protocol Officer: Well, that is a very big headache that you have removed. I’m sure there are still sand people out there, but they will be quieter now. I think I’ll give you a bonus for this. You’ve more than lived up to your side of the bargain. Czerka Corporation thanks you.
: [Force Persuade] You want to give me an additional reward.
Protocol Officer: [Success] And I wouldn’t want you to leave without this additional reward. Yes, of course I wouldn’t.
: *whisper* Czerka may be a corrupt organization, but that doesn’t justify us using the Force for personal gain.

Shut up Bastila, I want my dark side points. Speaking of, guess how many we got?

None.

Yup. None. We murdered a whole tribe, and not a single point either way. Fuck. It’s like the game wants me to fail the challenge.

Let’s talk to the jawas to cheer ourselves up a bit.


Iziz: It is as was agreed, as Iziz hoped it was. I have things to give you… take and be welcome.

When we ask about the Star Map…

Iziz: You have saved the tribe of Iziz, and we of Jawa are willing to trade. I know of this, but it is far away. In the sands of the east, the Eastern Dune Sea, we dig for the People of Sand and find this strange thing of the people before. Already do you have a map for the eastern dunes. Follow it and you will find what you need in the lair of the dragon.
: A dragon? What kind of creature is that?
Iziz: The greatest of the desert. There is no larger. Bigger than the big machines. Jawas don’t know how to fight something so big. There is a hunter, a Twi’lek. He has seen many things. Look in the Eastern Dune Sea when you go and he may help.
: Thank you. Goodbye.
Iziz: You are a good friend of the Jawas. We will remember when your kind are gone. Ask if you need more of anything.

He’s talking about Komad there, of course.

Tatooine Dune Sea





Note the only notable thing in the background.



You mean the dragon you can clearly see from about a kilometer away?




I know there were limitations, but this still looks incredibly stupid. If there had been a bend inside the cave and the dragon was behind that, it’d be more believable.

Well, let’s talk to Komad since our map is behind the dragon.


Komad: I have tracked a very special beast to its lair. A krayt dragon rests within, and tonight he is the hunted, although by unorthodox means.

Komad, please, it isn’t night.

We can ask about how come he wants help, he kept bragging about solo hunting and so on and he will admit he has daddy issues and how his father solo’d one. He also promises us one of the dragon’s pearls.

: I’ll help. Give me more information about how.
Komad: We must bait the great beast out of hiding and ambush him swiftly. There is no room to engage him in the lair, and his hide will repel blaster fire. I have placed mines around the mouth of the cave. We must coax him out, but this is the end of his season of hibernation. It will take much to rouse him.

By the by, trying to rush into the cave is an instant game over unless you glitch the game by repeatedly quicksaving and quickloading.

Komad: The food of a beast this size is almost exclusively banthas… and foolish hunters, if we are not careful. To lure him out we must lure his food to tempt him.

He then explains how we need to get bantha fodder to get them to follow us. We already have looted it from a sand people raider. Alternatively, you can buy it in Anchorhead, though I am not sure it will be available for purchase before this dialogue.

Komad: If you find fodder and bait the banthas here, the mines will deal with the dragon as it emerges to feed. Not exactly a glorious hunt, but it will ensure the safety of the region.
: That seems very easy. What aren’t you telling me?
Komad: There is one added threat. The sand people regard banthas as sacred. Attempting to feed the herd in this area will likely lead to an attack. We are far from the weakened tribes around Anchorhead. The sand people of this region are strong, fierce and will think nothing of killing you. Be careful.

We get a special dialogue if we already have fodder. Say it fast to get the joke.

: Look, I have your fodder.

He’ll tell us to grab the banthas. So I grab the banthas.




They die.





Seriously, BioWare? The dialogue has already been initiated, you could’ve just segued into it without a problem.

Komad: Quickly, be ready. The banthas are in position and will soon stir our restless prey. I hope the mines do their job quickly.
: Don’t worry, I’m ready.
Komad: Wait… what is that rumbling sound? Oh boy, he’s a big one.

BioWare really should’ve made it impossible to see the dragon in the cave, if they were going to have everyone act as if that was the case.







It’s like watching it live!






Those are some stone cold banthas though. Most animals would’ve fled when the apex predator was coming towards them and everything was exploding.






Case in point. Those are the most badass herd beasts you’ll ever see.



Komad: I thank you for your aid, human. You have earned a share of the victory, such as it is.
: Thanks. We did what had to be done.

I think I figured out how to complete the challenge since Tatooine was a desert also when it came to alignment points.

Komad: Regrettably so. I just hope you remember there were higher reasons for this. Don’t let the spoils be your only reason to hunt. Wealth fades. The sands remain.

Well, yeah. We need to advance the plot.

Komad: I thank you for your help here today, human. I shall see you again, I am sure.

No you won’t, you casual speciesist.



Like the Rancor, we can attack the body to make it vanish.


Found our lost jedi.


And Bastila’s Dad’s Belt.


: About my mother? I am unsure. I seem to find it difficult to remain objective when it comes to her. I find that… disturbing.
: Are you going to give the holocron to her?
: Do you think I should?
: Do you need it more than she does?
: I would like to keep something to remember Father as much as she would.

I think his name is never said.

: I’ll think about it. I should… try and remember my training. I should be able to let go of this, but I can’t. I don’t want to talk about this any more. Let’s… keep going.

And now for the main event.








: I do not think it is mere chance that we have found the Star Map here, in the lair of a krayt dragon.

Blah, blah, blah, no coincidences, only the force, blah, blah.

: The Star Map is an artifact of the dark side. The krayt dragon may have been drawn here by its dark power, only to be enslaved by it. Come. We should leave this place. There is nothing else for us here.

Jump cut to the cantina…

Tatooine/Ebon Hawk


: I have the holocron, Mother. I’m just not sure I want to give it to you.
Helena: And why not? Would you deny me even that?
: I’ve never denied you anything, Mother. You may think I don’t remember what it was like before I left for the order, but I do. You were the one who pushed Father to go on one treasure hunt after the other. You loved living in wealth. You think I don’t remember the fights? You were eager to send me to the Jedi, even though I didn’t want to go. You took Father away from me, and now this holocron is all I have of him.
Helena: Fool girl! You have a strange way of remembering things. That wasn’t –
: No. I don’t wish to argue with you any more, Mother. It’s time we parted ways, now, for both our benefit.
: You’re right. Let’s go.
Helena: So that’s the way it is, is it? All that Jedi training and you haven’t learned a thing.
: On the contrary, I’ve learned much. I’ve learned, for instance, when it is best to walk away from a situation that can lead only to conflict.
Helena: How can you learn anything when you hear only what you want to hear? Well, go on, then. Keep the holocron. It was for you, anyhow. I’ll just go off and die peacefully and you needn’t bother with me anymore. That’s obviously what’s best.
: Farewell, Mother. May the Force be with you.
Helena: Hmph. It may as well be with one of us.

Guess how many dark side points for this? None. Fuck this planet.


: Yes, but I don’t feel any better. After all my training, I would have thought myself above such anger. For it to come so easily disturbs me greatly. I don’t need a holocron to remember my father, and I will never see Mother again. Have I learned nothing? It… no, I don’t want to talk about this. Thank you, but I must think about what I have done.

To finish this stupid place on a high note, let’s talk to a Jawa.


Jawa: You have the thanks of the Jawa under Iziz. We will remember when you are the ones that have gone.

We’ll still need to come back for Canderous’ quest, whenever we unlock it, but I am glad to be done with this craphole.

And now we're halfway through the game. Crazy. I reiterate my desire to finish it this year.

[Akura]

And all links to save game editors are super dead.

Try this. I'm not actually sure if the tach glands are available with that editor, though.

[Teneb]

And all links to save game editors are super dead.

Try this. I'm not actually sure if the tach glands are available with that editor, though.

Thanks. I'll give it a shot if the alternate method fails.

[BFEL]

So wasn't there an option to kill Konrad for the other Krayt Pearl? I seem to remember that being a thing.

Also those space monkeys REALLY got their fucking revenge on you didn't they?

[Harry Baldman]

Also those space monkeys REALLY got their fucking revenge on you didn't they?

An unintentionally poignant depiction of the terrible cost that loss of biodiversity can carry.

[Teneb]

So wasn't there an option to kill Konrad for the other Krayt Pearl? I seem to remember that being a thing.

Also those space monkeys REALLY got their fucking revenge on you didn't they?

There probably was but I forgot about it.

[BFEL]

So wasn't there an option to kill Konrad for the other Krayt Pearl? I seem to remember that being a thing.

Also those space monkeys REALLY got their fucking revenge on you didn't they?

There probably was but I forgot about it.

Good job. You fucked up your chance to get dark side points. JUST LIKE YOU FUCKED UP YOUR STATS OH GOD THE DEXTERITY HAUNTS ME

[Teneb]

So wasn't there an option to kill Konrad for the other Krayt Pearl? I seem to remember that being a thing.

Also those space monkeys REALLY got their fucking revenge on you didn't they?

There probably was but I forgot about it.

Good job. You fucked up your chance to get dark side points. JUST LIKE YOU FUCKED UP YOUR STATS OH GOD THE DEXTERITY HAUNTS ME

I've taken to dumping most points in DEX every level I get them just because of this.

[ATHATH]

Crazy Theory: The dragon is force-attuned.

It passively manipulates the minds of creatures around it so that it is harder to see/detect (but not so hard to see that it can't be seen in broad daylight (by a human)). Jedi (like the PC) have the necessary mental training to resist its powers and see it clearly, even in the dark. Banthas are weak-willed animals, so they can't even see the dragon's corpse (due to the residual force-energy on the corpse). Alternatively, the dragon stunned/stupefied/calmed them with its mental/force powers. That hunter that went into the cave clutched his head because he was being mentally assaulted.

As for the banthas not being startled by the mines... They're probably used to sudden explosions, considering that they live in a warzone (between Czerka and the raiders).

[Akura]

According to Wookiepedia, Krayt dragons are naturally drawn to areas where the Force is strong, particularly the Dark Side - and the Star Maps are powerful Dark-aligned artifacts. This suggests a natural Force sensitivity.

In addition to being maps, one was suggested to have been responsible for the size of Kashyyyk's trees, while another is implied to be-

Spoiler: SUPERMASSIVE SPOILERS (click to show/hide)

responsible for the Great Firaxian Shark and the kolto on Manaan.

That the Tatooine Star Map could imbue a Krayt dragon that made the map chamber a nest(possibly drawn in by the map to serve as a guardian) with considerable Force powers might not be that impossible.

[Teneb]

Just a little reminder that I have neither forgotten or abandoned this. I've just been really damn tired for the past while.