The best solution for this mess is as follows: Three Factions Imperial Republic Alliance The Alliance faction is smaller and depending on the decision made by the player-character Alliance Commander the Alliance either allies with the Empire or the Republic - or possibly is truly independent, taking on missions from both factions that provide the most benefit to the Alliance, or align closer to the Alliance Commanders light/dark choices. The two main factions operate as normal. The Alliance faction operates from Odessen (not Fleet) with shuttles that players can use to transport them to either Imperial or Republic fleets for missions - or as another idea, there is a diplomatic section on Odessen where both Republic and the Empire have their ambassadors who give out missions/quests. Odessen also has unique player housing accessible only from Odessen. New players starting in the game begin by choosing either Empire or Republic, then after Nathema (and working their way through all the previous content), decide what their path should be - Alliance, Empire or Republic, after that, they are locked in.

Choice is the important word here. Having three player factions gives people a choice. It shouldn't be an all or nothing situation, or black or white when some of us prefer to play grey. As a writer and a novelist it just doesn't fit that something that a character has worked years for, is discarded just like that. Ditto for the new companions like Arcann or Senya who have sworn themselves to the Alliance - I cannot see them easily going to the Republic or the Empire. In fact, if they did they'd just end up in gaol for war crimes. Major plot hole if they follow the Alliance Commander back to one of the two factions. Having three factions makes sense, not only for players, but also for the story. After all, these events happened a long time in the past, and as a real-life historian I know that Empires rise and fall and a third-faction Alliance would be completely believable, just as it is completely believable that it is subsequently lost to history in the time of the movies which inspired this game. At any rate, I hope Devs are reading this thread and taking my thoughts on. I know there are at the time of my posting five other people in this thread alone who apparently would appreciate an Alliance faction. Project that percentage out into the general population who are playing the game and I surmise you'd get a fair number, sufficient to warrant adding this content.

It's really not rocket science. Three factions comprising two major ones (Republic & Imperials) and a smaller faction (like Hutt/Mandalorian) only it is a player faction (Alliance). Alliance faction operates from an enlarged Odessen base (with associated player housing, merchants, mission npcs, trainers etc) and is allied to either the Republic or Empire depending on the choice of the individual Alliance Commander. It really wouldn't be that difficult to create and would allow players who want to remain Alliance to keep their choice.

+1 So the Alliance that my Sith Warrior built and fought for is now....nothing. Tell me at least that there are plans for unique Odessen player housing so those of us who have head canoned our way out of the Sith Empire and the Republic, can at least maintain the fiction of a still-existing-in-some-form Alliance.

Hi, I was visiting the Republic Fleet earlier today and noticed a player character dressed in a classic star wars (as from the movies) Jedi outfit - belted white tunic, brown robes, and from memory, white trousers and brown boots. He or she had even copied the whole Obi-Wan bearded look. Now, it was my understanding that the classic Jedi outfit was unavailable in SWTOR due to licensing issues so I wonder where the player managed to get his outfit from? I did an inspect and the gear was stated as being 'Blue Scalene Chestguard' and 'Red Scalene greaves' but when I look these items up, they bear no resemblance to what the player-character was wearing. Is this Jedi armour set something new, something old, something obtained from gaining very high reputation with a particular group, or something from a special event. Or perhaps it was a visiting developer with his own unique robes? This enquiring mind would like to know. Cheers from Oz, AureliaSulis

The story continues... Part 8 - Visions and Portents

Part 8 - Visions and Portents -------------------- Veeta looked up when the homestead door opened, for she had only just put Ael down to sleep. When she saw her husband’s scarred and weather-beaten face smile grimly at her, a tight ball of tension began to knot within her belly. Reflexively she picked up Ael and held her close against her breast, the sleeping child grumbled at being picked up, but immediately settled again with the scent of her mother embracing her. Sul and Shee, sensing their mother’s tension, came out from their hiding spots and stood behind her, pale identical faces peeping fearfully out from behind her plain brown robes. Only Sulis stood alone before her mother and sisters, defiant, her training staff in her hands, even at age twelve she instinctively moved to protect the vulnerable. “Easy girls,” Aule said, “we have a visitor. She means us no harm.” Veeta subtly relaxed and Sul and Shee inched their way out from behind their mother’s robes. Sulis changed her stance from a defiant one to a guarded stance. Aule smiled approvingly at his eldest daughter. She would make a fine Jedi Knight. The door opened fully and Dalen entered, following behind him, a strange figure with mottled red skin and luminuous blue eyes. At the sight of the alien, Sul and Shee shrank back behind their mother again. “Her name is Sana-Rey, and she is a Mystic from Voss,” said Dalen, his introduction short and curt. “Mairi, can you join me outside for a bit – this, ahem...lady, has words for Aule and his family.” “Please stay,” said Veeta, “I’d like you to hear what she has to say.” Aule nodded, “You and Mairi are like family to us. There will be no secrets here.” “Very well,” Dalen replied. “I admit that I am interested in finding out what has brought a Voss Mystic to our humble homestead.” Aule moved to stand next to his wife, and Mairi joined her husband. “I am sorry for causing you so much fear and dismay,” the Mystic said. “It was not my intention to alarm you, but I felt that it was my responsibility to make amends for my error thirteen years ago, and also bring you news of my latest Visions.” “You said something about that,” Aule growled. “What sort of mistake did you make?” “May I sit?” Sana-Rey asked. “My journey has been long and I have not rested or refreshed myself since I arrived at Alderaan this morning.” “Of course!” replied Mairi, immediately moving to get the Mystic a chair. “Please forgive us for forgetting our responsibilities as host.” She shot Dalen a reproving look, “Dalen, can you boil some water for tea.” Dalen’s face flamed red with embarrassment, “I am sorry, my wife reminds me that I am a poor host. Sit down Sana-Rey, refresh yourself and then tell us your story.” They fussed around the Voss for a few minutes, then once they were all seated and settled with mugs of steaming tea in their hands, the Voss began to speak. “Thirteen years ago I went to visit the Republic on Coruscant, and the Empire on Drumond Kaas. I went to them with the message that I had been gifted a Vision that pertained to both the Republic and the Sith Empire. In my Vision I saw two hooded and cloaked figures. One figure was clearly Jedi, the other I knew to be Sith. In my Vision their faces were obscured by their hoods, but two names came into my mind – Aule Tanamon and Iovita Regnis. They stood at the centre of the galaxy and around them the stars moved as in a stately dance. I knew then that two Force Fulcrums had been born and that the galaxy would be altered by their actions.” She paused and took a sip from her tea before continuing on. “I thought that the Republic and Empire would celebrate such a momentous event, but in my naivety I failed to understand that those who cling to power will do whatever it takes to hold onto that power. So when I heard word of the death of the Sith I was much troubled for I knew that I had been unwittingly instrumental in causing her demise.” She glanced across at Veeta and Aule and her eyes pleaded for forgiveness. Veeta shrugged, she did not hold grudges against events so long in the past. Sana-Rey nodded, she understood. Then she went on, “I was granted another Vision. A Vision that refuted the news I had heard.” “What was your vision?” Veeta asked quietly. Sana-Rey took a moment to respond and her mottled red face blushed brighter with embarrassment, “I saw you both clearly and fully for the first time – you were entangled in a loving embrace and from both of you the Light streamed out to encompass the galaxy.” Aule cleared his throat, “Yet you said nothing to the Republic or the Empire about your vision.” Sana-Rey nodded, “You are correct. I asked for counsel from the Three who guide and guard the Voss, and they advised me to keep my knowledge a secret.” Sana-Rey’s eyes flickered over the three girls and the infant in Veeta’s arms, “I now see the fruit of your embrace, and I know my Vision to be true.” “I still don’t understand this Force Fulcrum thing,” Veeta said. “Are you suggesting that we are still Force Fulcrums because frankly I don’t believe Aule and I have done anything to alter the galaxy...” “You are correct,” interrupted the Mystic, “you are no longer Force Fulcrums for I have been gifted further Visions. These Visions specifically involve your four daughters.” “What! All four?” Aule moved startled to stand by his wife and daughters’ side. The Voss nodded, “if I might continue?” “Of course, my apologies Lady Sana-Rey.” The Voss took a deep breath and in a low voice she intoned, “Daughters of the Light, all four are weapons forged by two Force Fulcrums, and Force Fulcrums they in turn will be.” She turned first to Sulis, and stared deeply into her fierce green eyes, “Aquilae Sulis. Hammer of the Republic, she is the hawk in flight. She will rock the galaxy to its core. The man who heals will stand resolutely by her side but in time he will fall away.” Then the Mystic’s eyes fell upon Sul whose deep blue eyes grew as round as dinner plates when she realised that the alien was going to speak about her. “Invicta Sul. Wrathful is she. The mightiest shall fall to her blade and Unconquered and Outsider shall be her names. The smiling man will deceive her but will earn his redemption and her love.” She turned then to the other twin who again dived behind her mother’s skirts, then peeked out curiously at the strange alien. “Feyra Shee. She is the dream walker and bearer of spirits. She will sit as one with the Dark Lords and yet never be one of them. She will be loved by two but choose only one.” Then the Mystic smiled as she looked upon the sleeping baby, “Vindicta Ael. The Force has not chosen her yet her name will be Vengeance and she will hunt her prey across the galaxy gaining great renown. A warrior-born will stand by her side and she will wear his ring.” Sana-Rey closed her eyes, “it is done. I have told you all that I know. I am tired now, is there some place that I may sleep before I return again to Voss?” Aule and Dalen exchanged glances, but Mairi, the exemplary hostess was the first to speak, “of course, I will make a bed for you directly. Please follow me.” The other adults waited until the Voss had left the room, then Dalen was the first to speak, “Phew, what did you two make of all that?” Aule could only shake his head bemused, but Veeta was livid, “the mystic said that Shee would sit with the Dark Lords. I forbid it Aule. I will not have any of my daughters trained as Sith!” “Hush love,” he said, gently hugging both her and the baby. “It is likely that she misread that vision. Besides, you know that I will never allow any child of mine to become a Sith. I would die first before that happens.” “As would I,” said Veeta firmly. “If they must be trained in the Force, then at least let them be trained on Tython where I know they will be treated fairly and well.” Then her attention turned to the child sleeping against her chest. “Poor little Ael, I have suspected for awhile that the Force did not move within her. What will become of her, Aule?” “If the Voss is correct,” Aule replied, “then she too will make her mark on the galaxy, just like her sisters, although to be honest, I would be far more content knowing that she grew up to be a small-holder here on Alderaan with a husband and a brood of children of her own.” “Still,” Dalen said, “whatever happens will be years away. In the meantime put what was said aside and enjoy your children as they are – innocent and unaware.” “Dalen, you speak words of wisdom,” replied Aule smiling with relief. “We will remember what was said, and more importantly, we will put what was said to the side. Whatever the galaxy plans for us, we will still have years of joy ahead of us as a family.” ------------------- To be continued....

I would like an expanded, full version of Odessen.

Part 7 - The Visitor ----------- Veeta gently picked up the baby from the cot and walked over to her favourite bench seat which sat under a large old flowering tree. Sitting down, she rearranged her robes so that little Ael could nurse at her breast. On the other side of a low stone wall she could see her eldest daughter training with Aule and Dalen in a nearby grassy field. Dressed in a light blue tunic and soft leather breeches, Sulis was barelegged from the knees down, and her tanned arms, legs and feet showed that she had spent more time outdoors in the fields, than inside at her books. As Sulis gracefully flowed through the series of practiced movements, her long white-blonde hair which had worked free of its customary braid, whipped around her unsmiling face, revealing the degree of control she was exhibiting. Veeta knew that although Sulis was only twelve years old, her training in the Force was progressing well under the experienced eyes of the two former Jedi Knights. “She’s a natural,” said a voice behind her. Veeta looked up and smiled at Mairi, “Yes, Aule wants Sulis to go to Tython when she turns thirteen. He says that she is far advanced in the Force for her age and that the Jedi masters would happily take her on as a Padawan.” Mairi sat down with an audible groan, “Oh these knees of mine give me endless grief,” then she sat back and watched the training with Veeta. “Will Aule give her his light-sabre?” she asked finally. Veeta shook her head, “It seems that she will be given her own at Tython as part of some ceremony, but she has trained enough with Aule’s weapon to know how to use it safely and well.” “And what do you think Iovita...are you happy for your eldest daughter to train as a Jedi?” Veeta laughed, “I haven’t heard that name in over twelve years. That name belongs to another life, not this one.” Then she sighed, “I would have preferred to keep her close to me, but she is so strong in the Force that she would fret if she stayed here. No, Tython is her future.” “So, what about those two?” Mairi asked, pointing up to where two identical pale-haired girls climbed and played happily in the branches of the tree above where the women sat. “We don’t know. The twins are only seven. Aule tells me that they are Force sensitive too, but he wants to wait a year or two before he and Dalen begin their training. Aule says that he wants them to have as long a childhood as possible.” “A sensible plan,” mused Mairi, “especially as how the training has changed Sulis so much.” Veeta nodded and a cloud passed over her face, “Aule says that he regrets starting her early in her training. Sulis used to be such a happy, laughing child, but she has taken the Jedi code to heart now and every day she disciplines herself mastering her emotions.” “Well, the twins certainly have no problem showing their emotions,” laughed Mairi. “Most of the time I can hear them coming before I see them – they laugh and shout so much.” Veeta turned to the older woman, “You don’t mind?” Mairi shook her head, “Not at all. Your girls have brought much joy and energy to our household...and here come Sulis and our husbands.” Veeta glanced across to see her eldest daughter walking back with the two older men. Aule, seeing his wife look up, indicated that he wanted to talk to her. “Well, it looks like training has finished early today and Ael here hasn’t finished her feed,” said Veeta with a slightly exasperated smile. Deftly she disengaged her youngest daughter from her breast, rearranged her robes, and popped a pacifier between Ael's open lips. “Now don’t you fret, little Ael," she said. "Your lunch will soon resume. I just have to see what your father wants.” “I’ll take her for you,” Mairi offered, holding out her arms to the child. Veeta smiled her thanks and placed the young baby into Mairi’s arms. The older woman gathered the child to her, rocking her and crooning under her breath. “What’s up Aule?” said Veeta standing, as Aule leapt over the low stone wall. Aule pointed into the distance where a slight dusty smudge on the dirt road indicated a solitary speeder, “We have a visitor. It might be an idea to get the girls inside and out of sight. You too Veeta – I know it’s been almost thirteen years, but we have so few visitors and none unexpected.” “I’ll go in too,” said Mairi, “and help keep the twins quiet. Sulis, can you call your sisters down please.” “Sure thing Aunty,” replied Sulis, and putting her fingers to her mouth, let out a loud whistle. Immediately branches rustled and the twins jumped down onto the soft and springy grass. “Lunch?” they asked in unison, as they brushed leaves and twigs from their hair and clothing. “Soon,” said Sulis, “but how would you girls like to play a game of Silent Hide and Seek inside first.” “Really!” shrieked Sul, the elder twin by a matter of minutes, “It’s been ages since we played that game. Come on Shee, race you to the house!” The twins ran inside, Sulis swiftly on their heels. The two women followed the children inside. “Any idea who it might be?” asked Aule as he and Dalen watched the speeder get closer to the holding. “No idea,” Dalen replied. “But I’m not perceiving a threat.” “Nor am I,” said Aule, stroking his short blonde beard. The two men walked away from the house and to where the dirt road terminated at the stone wall which marked the boundary of the house and garden. Aule, with cat-like grace, leapt up on top of the fence to get a better look, while Dalen leaned against the metal gate. Five minutes later the speeder pulled up at the gate and the driver, dressed in a padded flight suit and wearing a silvery-reflective full-faced helmet turned off the vehicle and for a moment, sat and gazed silently at the two men. “You are a long way from the Capital, stranger” said Dalen. “Are you lost?” “You are Aule Tanamon,” the driver said looking up at Aule, ignoring Dalen’s question. Aule nodded. Dalen straightened and gave the stranger a hard stare, “I’m Dalen Isay the co-owner of this holding. I ask you, what business do you have here?” The driver, unclipping the helmet, eased it gently off his head. The two men stared in astonishment at the strange alien who stood before them. “I thought I knew most of the alien races,” mused Dalen, almost to himself, “but your kind is unfamiliar to me.” “Voss? If I’m not mistaken,” said Aule suddenly, jumping to the ground from the stone wall. “Now what would a Voss Mystic want with me?” “You are perceptive,” said the alien in slightly mechanical tones. “And you lady,” replied Aule, “are a long way from home. I am here, now answer Dalen’s question. What business do you have here, and what do you want of me?” “Lady?” Dalen asked Aule in an undertone. “However can you tell?” “Voss females have skin with hues of red and they have blue eyes. Their males, blue skin with red eyes,” Aule replied quietly to his friend. “I remember reading about them on Tython, years ago.” “You are correct,” replied the Voss. “My name is Sana-Rey and I have come all the way from Voss to Alderaan because I have seen you, your wife Iovita Regnis, and your four daughters in a number of visions. I have come to tell you of those visions.” Aule visibly started at that. “The Voss Mystic smiled at him, “Do not be alarmed. No one else knows of your wife’s presence here. Once I am gone your secret will remain with me. I give you my Sacred Promise and my word as a Mystic.” “Then I guess you should come in,” replied Aule coolly. “However, know that if you break that sacred promise of yours, the galaxy will not be large enough for you to hide from me.” “I now understand that their lives would be in peril,” replied the Mystic. “I will not make the same mistake again as I did thirteen years ago.” Aule started again in surprise. She put a hand up to forestall any further questions, “I will speak further when your wife is present.” ---------------------------- To be continued....

I'm slowly writing my way towards my characters' back stories. Currently the first one is just a glimmer in her mum's eye.

Lana is okay; however, I'd personally love to cast Mr Toad-face Skadge (Bounty Hunter companion) into the nearest black hole.

Part 6 - Alderaan ----------- Iovita sat in the co-pilot’s seat and secured the safety belt across her hips. The picturesque landscape of Alderaan unfolded before her as Aule as expertly piloted the small star-ship over a high mountain range and towards a blue river glinting in the late-afternoon sunlight. “Over there, love,” he said. “That’s Dalen and Mairi’s holding there.” Iovita leaned forward in her seat and glimpsed in the distance a small cluster of white buildings surrounded by a patchwork of brown and green fields. “It’s still early spring,” he explained. “They will have already done their late winter planting and once the warm weather and the spring-rains come, those fields will be bursting with green life.” “I don’t know anything about farming,” Iovita admitted. “The food comes from the processors and that’s all I know.” He glanced across at her and grinned, “Well you’ll be learning a lot more pretty fast. There are no idle hands on the Aurelian homestead – yes, they have droids for the heavy manual work, but they do a lot of the farming themselves the traditional way. Dalen said that it keeps him grounded and too busy to brood.” “You never said what happened to him,” Iovita asked. “I’ll tell you another day when we have more time,” replied Aule. “Just take my word that it was bad – he almost died in deep space. Anyway, we’re coming in to land now. You got your gear together?” She glanced back at her filthy robes bundled up in her dusty cloak, “yes, such as it is.” He smiled and squeezed her hand, “I reckon that you look much better in my tunic. I’ll talk to Mairi, she’ll get you sorted for clothes.” Aule turning his attention back to the controls, quickly and efficiently landed the craft on a small landing-pad next to an ageing shuttle. The constant subdued roar of the engines immediately faded away to a silence broken only by the tick..tick...tick of cooling metal. Iovita glanced out through the window and saw two figures emerge from the nearest white stone building – a man tall, lean and tanned in his mid-thirties with closely cropped dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard speckled with early grey. The woman appeared to be a similar age, but smaller and stouter with pixie-cut blonde hair. Both were dressed in plain labourer type coveralls that she had seen field-workers wear in the past. Aule grinned and waved at them through the window. Pushing down a lever, he opened the main hatch door and immediately fresh and fragrant air touched with hint of snow wafted into the cabin. “Come on,” the Jedi said, “time for introductions.” Barely had they exited the ship when Aule was enveloped in a bear hug by the other man. “Aule! It has been too long my friend...two years since I last saw your ugly face!” “Agreed, it has been too long!” replied Aule grinning, returning the hard embrace. “You have not grown prettier either, and where did all that grey hair come from?” Dalen laughed and smiled back at the small blonde woman standing by his side, “Ah Mairi, she works me too hard.” Then he held Aule at arm’s length and studied him carefully, “I see more battle scars marring that face of yours, but you seem...happier than the last time we met, settled.” “And you are as perceptive as ever my friend. I am happier, content now as I have never been before.” At Aule’s words Dalen’s eyes slid across to Iovita. “Aule messaged us ahead of your arrival. You are Aule’s friend come to stay with us?” Iovita nodded, suddenly feeling very shy. Aule beckoned Iovita forward, “Iovita, these are the friends that I have told you of; Dalen Isay and his wife Mairi Aurelian. Dalen and Mairi, this is Iovita Regnis.” “You are most welcome,” Dalen said as he held out his hands and took Iovita’s hands in his own. In his hands Iovita felt warm strength and rough calluses from years of hard toil. Dalen’s eyes widened at her touch and he shot Aule a searching look. “You are very welcome,” murmured Mairi to Iovita in a low and gentle voice. “Come Iovita, let us go in and let the men catch up. These are your only clothes? Let me find you better ones than Aule’s old tunic and also show you your room and perhaps after that we can talk for awhile of things that yon men would find tiresome?” The two men waited silently for the women to go into the house. “Iovita is a Light-aligned Sith,” murmured Dalen, as he drew his friend aside. “What exactly are you up to Aule?” Aule smiled easily, “Just following the demands of the Light, Dalen.” “Then you better tell me the whole story because your message was brief and not very informative...” It did not take long for Aule to update Dalen with the events of the last week. Dalen shook his head at the end, “so you two were supposed to kill each other, and in the end...you fell in love. Oh, I know you deliberately left that bit out of the story but it is very obvious to anyone who has known you as long as I have. However, I’d like to know why you so quickly abandoned the Jedi code?” Aule grinned ruefully, “Truly it wasn’t planned. I think it began with empathy for her situation and then it quickly grew into love – especially after how she trusted me so totally and implicitly. You know, I think I might well have been the first friendly face that she has seen in years. Iovita might have been Sith but emotionally she is very fragile, despite her connection to the Force. To be honest I don’t know how she survived this long under her cruel masters. You should see her back Dalen. It’s more scar tissue than unblemished skin...” “The Force has certainly given her strength and resilience,” Dalen replied carefully. Then he paused before adding, “Did you also know that she is carrying a child – a very young one, less than a week old, but still I felt the spark of life within her.” Aule turned to his friend, his green eyes shining with joy, “She has quickened so soon?” “Is it yours?” The Jedi Knight nodded. Dalen’s breath hissed out through his teeth, “You walk a perilous path my friend.” “I know, but do not tell her yet. She will no doubt realise in time that she is bearing my child. Do you know if it is a son or a daughter?” “Too early yet to tell, I only know that a child is growing within her.” Dalen scratched at his beard, “Mairi and I, well we tried but – after the last miscarriage, what can I say other than nature at times can be very unkind. Mairi will be thrilled to have a youngling in the house. She did so want children of her own.” “I am glad for her,” Aule said simply, “be glad for us too Dalen, it may not be a lawful path we walk, but I’m absolutely certain that it is the path that the Light chose for us both.” “I understand. So how long will you stay with us my friend?” Dalen asked. “A month, if you are agreeable? Good...after that I must return to my duties and obligations on Tython, but I will return to check on Iovita and the child as often as I can get away and without rousing suspicions from the Council.” Dalen nodded, “What is it exactly that you want us to do?” “Just keep her safe and hidden from both the Empire and the Republic,” said Aule. “Iovita bears some slight resemblance to Mairi so perhaps she can be passed off as a long-lost relative?” “That might work,” Dalen replied, nodding, “although Mairi would need to agree to the plan first. You do understand that Iovita will need to have a new name, for the name Iovita Regnis would arouse too many questions here on Alderaan. For it is a name with no connections with any of the Houses.” “What do you suggest,” asked Aule. “I will suggest to Mairi that Iovita and her child should bear the name of House Aurelian,” replied Dalen. “Iovita can pick her own first name, but after today there should be no link back to Iovita Regis. As far as the galaxy is concerned, Iovita Regnis died on Daxia-Two.” “A sound plan,” agreed Aule. “Now tell me, how did the winter plantings go?” The two men wandered off speaking of farming and other matters. -- ------- “What do you know of the term ‘Force Fulcrum’?” Aule asked Dalen as the two men sat at the dinner table. Behind them, the two women worked quietly in the background, organising bedding for the guest quarters. Iovita turned her head briefly at the sound of Aule’s voice. She was quickly settling into the quiet serenity of Mairi and Dalen’s house, but the questioning tone of Aule’s voice intrigued her and blankets in her arms, she paused in her task to listen to him speak. “Force Fulcrum? No, I’ve not heard of it before. What was the context?” Dalen replied, as he leaned back in his chair, his long clay baccy pipe resting gently in his hands. “Something the Council said, that two Force Fulcrums had been named, and that I was challenged to a duel.” Aule shook his head, “it’s been playing on my mind since I heard it because I’m certain that I’ve heard or read the term somewhere, sometime in the past but I can’t recollect where or when.” Dalen puffed meditatively on his pipe, “Well, a fulcrum is a support about which a lever turns, so I suggest that whoever, or whatever those fulcrums might be – we can ascertain that they are force users, and that somehow they are important and they influence others or cause change.” His dark eyes flicked back to Iovita, “I am guessing that young Iovita there is one, otherwise why else would she be sent away to be ritually killed in a duel. ‘If’ she is one, and I’d bet next season’s alma crop that she is, then there is something about her that has so alarmed the Dark Council that they ordered her death.” Aule leaned closer to his friend and spoke quietly, in a low undertone, “I don’t understand. She’s force-attuned, but not strongly – if I had wished to kill her then it would have been an easy matter. You said earlier that she possessed a strength and tenacity, I agree with you there, but what is it about her that would make her a fulcrum? I mean, she is rather ordinary...” he chuckled to himself, “not ordinary in attractiveness, because she is rather lovely, but ordinary in her knowledge and use of the Force.” Dalen shrugged, “I don’t know. Perhaps it is something she may do in the future, but you forget something my friend. The Jedi Council said that there were two Force Fulcrums. I ask you, why were you chosen for this duel? Why were you both supposed to duel to the death?” It was Aule’s turn to shrug, “I’ve no idea. The doings of the Jedi Council are beyond my understanding. I just do what they tell me to do.” Dalen put his pipe down and stared at the other man, “Do you know what I think? I think that you are the other fulcrum and by one fulcrum killing the other would cancel out the importance of what you and Iovita both are. That there has to be two Force Fulcrums in order for change to happen.” “If you are right, and I’m not saying that you are. I wonder if that was why the two Councils allowed us to meet?” pondered Aule. “Perhaps they knew that we were one day fated to meet, decided to force the issue via a duel, assuming that she being Sith and me being Jedi we’d just automatically kill one another.” Dalen barked a short laugh when he heard that, “So much for the plans of the two Councils....” Aule stood suddenly and paced the room, then he noticed Iovita standing by with questions in her eyes and he smiled reassuringly at her, his expression saying ‘Don’t worry’. He walked back to Dalen and flopped back in his chair, “So we’re both still very much alive and, if this prophecy pans out, one day we’re both going to do something that will change things? Is that what you think will happen?” Dalen nodded, “...and going by the actions of both Councils, whatever you do will have far-reaching effects, perhaps touching even the entire galaxy itself.” “Damn, you do know how to unsettle a fellow, Dalen.” Dalen stood and laid a hand on the other man’s shoulder, “Don’t let it consume you, Aule. Just live your lives together. If more is fated to happen, then it will happen. If not then you’ve probably gained more than most denizens of this sad universe.” He paused and looked across to Iovita, standing still with blankets bundled in her arms. “Aule,” he said in a low voice, “just remember that you two have already done something together, created something together...something that both Councils did not foresee and certainly did not expect.” Aule’s head shot up at that and his gaze rested hotly on Iovita, who immediately blushed and hurried into the guest room with her load of blankets. “Knowing this...guessing this, you still wish to guard her?” Aule asked quietly, turning back to his friend. “Of course, I have given you my word. Besides, I bear the Jedi Council little love after what happened in deep space and if I can help stymie their machinations,” Dalen laughed again and there was a note of old pain in his voice. Aule nodded and the two men hugged. “Come now my friend,” said Dalen, as he moved to close the front door of the homestead. “The night grows old and we have much work to do tomorrow. A farmer’s day begins early and I fully expect you to help me with my chores tomorrow.” ------------------ To be continued....

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Hi, have been collecting some more screenshots. Thought you might like to see them. At home on Odessen. Jedi Knight Aquilae Sulis visiting her Imperial sisters at Drumond Kaas. If any of you are following my serialised story about the Aurelian Legacy, here are a couple of pictures of Aule Tanamon and Iovita Regnis.

I'm in Australia and have for the last 48 hours been trying to log into the SWTOR forums. Only now has the password function worked properly. In the last 48 hours passwords would either simply not arrive, or arrive hours later, and totally unusable. I am wondering where the logjam might have been? Was it at BioWare's end or some delay elsewhere along the many server hops from East Coast Australia to East Coast USA. Thing is, on another computer (the one that is used for gaming and not my elderly laptop that is used for general internet surfing and writing) I can log straight into game no problem, no password required. Weird. Anyways, it is working now, fingers crossed that it keeps working.

It always bothered me that when you activate a speeder, taxi or other vehicle animation, your companion 'poofs' into the aether to reappear when your character gets off. So my suggestion is for the Devs to create an animation of your current companion sitting behind you or beside you on the vehicle. I could see two or three seated-type animations that could be used. Oh, and can the Devs please close the standing gap between companion and character please - you might want to get up close and personal with your companion for screenshots or roleplay, but they keep moving away as if your character has some kind of communicatible disease or hasn't had a bath in a while. Just a couple of suggestions.

I don’t see why in a future expansion(s) the playable factions should be limited to just Republic and Empire. On Earth and ever since the Neolithic there has been a countless stream of various City States, Empires, Nation States and Civilizations that have risen and declined, some almost lost to human memory. It should be the same for the SW-TOR galaxy. If these factions are not talked about in later lore then perhaps the reason was because they were deliberately written out of recorded history – after all, the writing (or should I say, rewriting) of inconvenient events has happened in human history here on earth and both the Republic and the Empire might prefer later generations to not know that other factions challenged their supremacy. So I say, let the Alliance continue as a third faction for exiled and disillusioned Jedi, Sith, Imperials and Republic forces.

Part 5 – Departing Daxia-Two ------------------ A pale red dawn was suffusing the sky of Daxia-Two when Iovita, her now grubby and dusty robes swirling about her, made the final dash through the boulders to the clearing where Jedi Aule Tanamon’s small star-ship was located. As soon as she reached the vessel, a door at the side cracked open and Aule’s face, unfamiliarly marked by worry, appeared. “You’re late,” said Aule, as he extended his hand to help her clamber into the ship. “There was a patrol,” she explained. “If not for the Force warning me, I would have walked straight into them. Luckily I was able to find cover in time.” “They didn’t see you?” She shrugged her heavy cloak onto the floor, “No, at least I don’t think so. I thought you said that they didn’t patrol.” He shook his head, “I’ve never known them to....” Suddenly he stopped and put a finger to his lips. Quickly he beckoned her to follow him. Picking up her cloak, she silently she moved with him to the forward section of the ship. He reached up and unhooked a ceiling hatch, pulling it open “Up there,” he whispered, “If you lie flat you should be able to easily fit in the space. Stay quiet and still until I tell you all clear.” She nodded, and with his strong hands gripping her waist, he lifted her up. Awkwardly she levered herself into the warm, dark space. As she settled herself into the confined area, she could hear the hatch click shut behind her. Moments later there was a muted rap on the nearside cabin door, and she heard the sound of muffled voices. “Jedi Tanamon?” “Yes?” “Can I speak with you?” She heard him moving about below her, and then the low hiss as a main cabin door opened. “Is anything the matter, Commander? I’m about to begin my pre-flight checks.” “It’s probably nothing it’s just that one of our people picked up a heat signature about twenty minutes ago. Were you outside your ship before?” “Yes, I had forgotten some supplies that I had stashed in my meditation area. I just went back to retrieve them.” “Ah, okay, that would explain it then,” said the voice, now tinged with relief, “for a moment I thought we had Imps creeping about.” “On this barren rock?” Aule replied, humour evident in his voice. “Unlikely hey,” said the voice. “Nothing here except rocks, dust, and us; and then in ten days time it will be back to rocks and dust.” “Is this base closing down?” said Aule, a note of surprise in his voice. “Yes, got word from Coruscant overnight, assets are being redirected elsewhere. There is simply no need to have a base here. Supply ships will be coming in ten days to dismantle and remove everything including us.” “Well, good luck with the deconstruction. I’m off to Alderaan now, visiting friends on my layoff.” “Half your luck,” replied the voice, “safe flight Jedi Tanamon.” “You too Commander, May the Force be with you.” Iovita listened as with a heavy clang the main door shut, and then she heard Aule’s footsteps grow nearer. There was silence for a few minutes, and then light flooded into her space as he opened the hatch. “Are you okay to stay up there a little longer,” he whispered. “I want to clear this planet first.” She nodded. “Good, it won’t take long, a few minutes only. Just have to finish my pre-flight checks.” The hatch clicked shut again, and darkness dropped on her again like a stiflingly heavy cloak. Below she could hear Aule moving about, and then shortly after, the ship shuddering and juddering as he activated the main engines. The shuddering was quite apparent in her close confinement and she felt light dust falling upon her exposed arms. Then the tone of the engines suddenly changed to a dull roar, and she felt her stomach drop as the ship lifted off the ground. Then a clank as the undercarriage was retracted, and a heavy pressure as the star-ship quickly climbed away from the surface. Moments later, light flooded her space again as the Jedi Knight re-opened the hatch. Holding out his arms he smiled at her. “Come on dusty, time to say goodbye to Daxia-Two.” Iovita half-pushed herself out of the hatchway and allowed herself to fall and be caught in Aule’s strong arms. For a moment he held her close against him, and then he turned back to the visual display of the rapidly receding planet. “I used to think it a sad sort of place,” he mused, “just rocks and dust, but now...well, I have other nicer memories of Daxia-Two,” he looked back at her and winked. Catching his look Iovita blushed, clearly remembering the nights that they had spent together in the cave in intimate and loving embrace. “I will remember it too,” she said simply, smiling gently at him. “I thought Daxia-Two was going to be my grave, but instead it offered me an unexpected new life.” She gazed at the rust-red planet, “So where now? I overheard you saying something about Alderaan...” “Yep, got friends there, and don’t worry,” he added, intercepting her nervous look, “you’ll be fine. My friends have an isolated holding well away from the capital and I plan to hide you there. I think you’ll like them, Dalen Isay and his partner Mairi Aurelian. Dalen trained with me on Tython back in the day, and Mairi is the last descendant of the little-known House Aurelian.” “Another Jedi?” Ioviata said surprised. “Ex-Jedi,” Aule corrected her, “he left the Order a few years ago after...well, there was a bad accident in deep space and he wasn’t the same since. So the Council effectively gave him an early retirement on compassionate grounds. He’s Mairi’s right-hand man now and they farm their holding together. A good man and true, but unsuited now for conflict.” “Will you tell them the truth about me?” He nodded, “there are no secrets between Dalen and I. He may not truly understand the situation, but I know that because of our long friendship he’ll help us.” “Then I will trust you,” Iovita replied. “Because ever since I met you, you have not given me any cause to mistrust you.” He moved close to her and their lips touched briefly, and he smiled wryly, “you must have brought all the dust on Daxia-Two on board with you. Up the back of the ship is my sleeping quarters and in one corner is a steam shower. Clean up there and I’ll find a tunic of mine you can wear – although to be honest it would sit more like a dress on you. The ship is on auto-pilot, but I have to get back to navigating soon to get through a nasty asteroid belt. I’ll join you out the back once we’re clear and I’ve plotted a course to Alderaan. It will take about two standard days to get there so we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other even better...” he grinned cheekily and Iovita blushed again. “Go on,” he said, giving her a gentle shove, “shower time because to be honest I can’t tell what part of you is red-dust and what parts are blushes.” Laughing softly, Aule settled himself in the command seat, his attention immediately focused on the instrument panel and the visual display. Iovita, smiling, turned to explore the rest of the small star-ship and locate the steam-shower that her lover had told her about. --------------------

Given that my Alliance Commander Sith Warrior has grown rather attached to Odessen, I just hope that the Alliance continues on in some form as a smaller third faction.

Just noting that I've had no problems with the PVE game since patch day. Fleet imperial side works fine. Am able to switch between characters np. Lag (and I play from Australia) is pretty standard. Am able to access trainers, bank, merchants, quest/mission-givers work fine, player star ship has no problems. I have one player Fortress (Drumond Kaas) but have not visited it (and don't plan to for awhile). I have had no issues with planets Quesh, Hoth and Belsavis. That's all.

I am looking for a recommendation for a new gaming computer. I’d prefer a laptop as it has to wear many ‘hats’ as I am also a writer and a university student, so the machine needs to be portable. Clearly it needs to be able to easily run games like SW-TOR without needing to adjust graphics right down, but most importantly it needs to have a decent cooling system as I live in regional Australia and summers here can get quite warm and taxing on computers. I’m open to suggestions, as I’ll be looking to buy towards the end of this year.

Can't have this thread vanish into the void. Devs, how about implementing these suggestions?

Laggy antipodeans. Btw, I did some cameo screenshots. Aquilae Sulis Invicta Sul Feyra Shee Vindicta Ael

Why not go ancient Roman with three names, a praenomen (given name), nomen (clan name) and cognomen (family name). http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/roman_names.php

All my characters are on Star Forge. I don't believe any of them are currently in a guild. If you want to include my Imperial characters, feel free. I will be online in the game tomorrow morning Australian time. As a reference, Australia - New South Wales - Sydney is 14 hours ahead of United States - Florida - Eastern Time. I'll probably be on my Bounty Hunter Vindicta Ael. The other Imperial characters are Invicta Sul (Sith Warrior) and Feyra Shee (Sith Inquisitor). Send me an ingame mail if you see me on because I tend to not listen to general chat.