Sunday, December 27, 2015

Assassin's Den Reviews: The Force Awakens



Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den!  It's time to review the newest Star Wars movie, the Force Awakens!  Now, I warn you, there will be spoilers, but I'll try to keep them to a medium level.

Now, people have been saying that this movie feels like Episode 4, and both my dad and I agree.  It brings back what we loved about Episodes 4-6 while dropping the baggage of 1-3.  No mention of the Clone Wars, Dooku or midiclorians.  On top of that, they've turned both Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker into beings of myth and legend.  Heck, the lightsaber that the two men shared, in essence, became the "item of power" for the main hero.  The Force has been made mystical and mysterious again.  No trade conflicts, no conspiracy, no gungans, just a story about a young reluctant hero being forced to become the hero the galaxy needs her to be.

That's right; in the tone of Disney's badass princess and J.J. Abrams tendency to make stories about badass women, the hero of the story is Rey, a woman from the planet Jakku.    Portrayed by British Actress Daisy Ridley, Rey shows little girls of this generation that they can be a hero, no matter what anyone says.

Now, time for spoilers.  30 years have past since the end of Return of the Jedi, and while the galaxy isn't in the same dire straits as it was during the Rebellion, it is in trouble.  The First Order, a dark side cult dedicated to a lot of the principles of Palpatine's Empire, is searching for Luke Skywalker, the "Last Jedi" as he's called in the opening crawl, seeking to finish Palpatine and Vader's quest to wipe out the Jedi.  The Resistance, an offshoot of the New Republic military, is led by General Leia Organa, fought back against the First Order and is keeping Luke's location a secret by splitting up the map and keeping it safe.

The major focus of the movie is that of Finn, a First Order Stormtrooper deserter, and Rey, a scavenger on Jakku who has the Force in her.  She gets caught up in the adventure when Finn gets Poe Dameron, a Resistance pilot, off the First Order base, who had previously given his droid, BB-8, the missing piece of the map to Luke Skywalker.  At first, Rey doesn't want to get involved, wanting to return to Jakku after getting BB-8 to the Resistance, even rejecting the item of power that is the lightsaber, but when the chips are down and her friends are threatened, she steps up and accepts her destiny, actively using powers she'd been using instinctively since childhood.  And, much like Luke before her, she seems to be a prodigy with a lightsaber, being able to beat a wounded Kylo Ren in a lightsaber duel, even rejecting the Dark Side's pull to kill him.

Now, I won't beat around the bush with this; Kylo Ren is Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, grandson of Darth Vader.  And the mythical figure of Darth Vader is who he looks up to; he rejects the light legacy of his mother and uncle, and embraces the Dark Side like his grandfather did.  He's even the reason Luke went into exile; Luke was trying to rebuild the Jedi Order and Ben was one of his students.  But Luke's lessons didn't take, and Ben murdered Luke's other students.  Luke, feeling a failure, went into exile, and that's where we are at this point; Rey needs Jedi training, and Luke is the only place to get it.

This movie feels good. It pays homage to what we've loved about the franchise and reminds us that someone out there still cares about where the franchise is going.  Some people are upset that it doesn't conform to the previous Expanded Universe canon, but honestly, it feels right. Disney did away with the the baggage of the Yuuzhan Vong, the Killiks, Darth Jacen Solo (I know Kylo Ren fulfills his role, but he's not Jacen Solo. He wasn't lied to in order to be come Sith. Hell, he's not even Sith at all.  He's more of a Dark Jedi who wants to emulate Vader.  That's the whole reason for his mask!).  It focuses on the story of the characters, and is not trying to make the bad guy sympathetic.  But even then, it succeeds; Kylo Ren is sympathetic because he's trying to be bad, but isn't, unlike his grandfather, who was trying to be good, but wasn't.

All in all, I enjoyed Episode 7.  It felt like Star Wars, something that you couldn't really say about 1-3.  (Yeah, 3 was good, but it didn't feel like 7 does.)  I'm looking forward to what Disney and J.J. Abrams bring to the table with Episode 8 and 9.

But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

KOTFE Pictures: Lightsabers

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, it's time for the second round of weapon pictures, as well as the second round of the guessing game.

Same rules apply; one weapon per universe, but this time, I've got more than set of lightsabers that show up for more than one character.  But as a favor, I'll bring up when a lightsaber hilt is for more than one character.

Secondly, there's one lightsaber that hasn't shown up, so I'll just out him completely.  However, it does have lightsabers for the Twins Universe characters.

Other than that, send the guesses to my email address at wolfmanhitokiri@hotmail.com.

1. This is Ragdat's lightsaber.  I love the look of this, and I've decided that this is the one he built from the start. Crystal from previous picture is the same color, though.
 2.
 3.
 4. Now, this one violates the rule; it's the only one that exists in one universe on two characters at the same time.
 5.
 6.
7. This one exists in both the game canon and Twins universes.

 8.
 9.
 10. This one exists in both the White Knight Universe and the game canon one.
 11. 
 12.
 13.
 14. This one exists in both the game canon universe and as a replacement weapon in the White Knight Universe.
 15.


I've got a few weapons that don't show up on characters, and I'll post them if you want.  But for now, look forward to the stories, and stay beautiful freaks!

Monday, December 21, 2015

KOTFE Pictures: Blasters

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, I'm posting the pictures of the weapons of the KOTFE characters and starting the picture guessing game!

Now, here's how things will work.  Weapons will show up once per universe, but some show up in more than one universe.  I'll remark when a weapon shows up in more than one universe.  Second, with one exception, I'm using two models for the weapons; one for lightsabers, one for blasters.  I had planned on using only 2 models, but I forgot which one had the unique blaster.

Anyway, on with the game. Place your guesses in the comments, or sent me an email at wolfmanhitokiri@hotmail.com if you run out of space.  Each weapon's number corresponds to the picture directly below it.
 1.
 2.
 3.  This one's easy, due to the mistake I made in model choice.
 4.
 5.
 6.
7.

Luckily, all the blasters appear once per universe on the playable character.  I've used a couple of these for other characters in certain universes, but these are the player character blasters.




And yes, I have a new picture for Amelisan.  I saw the Shield Warden armor at the Yavin 4 reputation vendor when I was running her through it, and I was like "This looks like a really good as a time jumped Havoc Squad armor set."

I'll be posting the lightsabers in a day or two.  Post your guesses in either the comments or in the email address I posted earlier, and I'll let you know how accurate you were. But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Mamine

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, Mamine gets her updated profile!

Name: Mamine (pronounced Ma-Me-Nay)
Gender: Female
Species: Cathar
Age: 31 standard years (26 biologically)
Homeworld: None (Exiled)
Class: Jedi Knight/Jedi Sentinel
Personality Profile: "You've made great strides in rejecting the Dark Side, in climbing out of the dark hole you'd been unknowingly drowning in.  You now understand the consequences of your actions and how they affect others, and you take care to not hurt people intentionally.  And even though they can no longer legally acknowledge you due to the nature of a Cathar exile, you know you're making your parents and the shaman proud.

But your greatest test is still ongoing.  Because now, Vitiate is once again in your head, but unlike before, he's not trying to dominate you.  No, he's offering power and 'wisdom', though you know the latter is nothing of the sort.  And the power that he offers no longer appeals to you, as well; you know that the power of the Dark Side only leads to pain.

When the time comes, you'll be happy to be rid of him, but right now, his knowledge of Zakuul's practices and rites is useful.  Still, you don't trust him.  He offered his power when you met him as Valkorian for a reason, and you want no part of it."








Yep, she's changed a great deal from what I introduced her.  And while she's got some growing to do, Mamine's gained a LOT of wisdom the hard way, like many Jedi who fall to the Dark Side and return to the Light do.

Now, over the next few days, I'll be capturing holstered pictures of weapons, since I realized that nobody has a clear picture of their weapon choices on here!  I've even decided to have some fun with it; I'm going to see if you can recognize which weapon belongs to which character.  But don't expect to recognize the weapon by the armor, since I'm using two models, since those two have weapons I can't get on anyone else.

But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Jedi Padawan

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, I bring in the final side character in the White Knight Universe!

Name: Suthazi
Gender: Female
Species: Cathar
Age: 14 standard years
Homeworld: Cathar
Class: Jedi Padawan/Jedi Guardian Tank Focus
Personality Profile: "When people think about Jedi and war, the last thing people think is about the Padawan who loses their Master.  A few return to the Order's headquarters, but most fall, either to the Dark Side, the Sith or bounty hunters.

This is unacceptable to you.  As one of the few Padawans your age with any real combat training, you've been traveling the galaxy in Mamine's old Defender starship, forming what you're calling 'The Padawans' Collective', gathering other displaced Padawans and completing as much of your training as you can.

But no matter what you do, it's not enough.  You're one of the oldest of the displaced Padawans, and your training is far from complete.  You may be somewhat combat trained, but you'd die if you try fighting a Sith.  Also, you lack resources; only two members of the Collective have built their lightsabers, and while the mechanical components are easy to get, safe places to get crystals are not.  You'd try to make synth crystals, but you lack knowledge there as well.

But there's hope. Theron Shan found out what you're doing, and has been leading you toward resources and knowledge, and now, back to Mamine.  You were overjoyed to hear that she's alive, and you're eager to show her just how much you've grown."




Yep, the little girl that asked how to resist the Dark Side in one of Mamine's redemption chapters, and showed up again, named, in the Imperial assault on Tython.  And when Mamine gets to Chapters 9 and beyond of KOTFE, this Padawan will be come extremely important in her story.

Tomorrow, Mamine's profile returns, and will show her growth as a person and a Jedi.  Until then, stay beautiful freaks!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: White Knight Side Characters

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, I introduce a brand new character, and a familiar character for anyone who read the story before I deleted her chapters!

Name: Azulini
Gender: Female
Species: Rattataki
Age: 29 standard years
Homeworld: Rattatak
Class: Bounty Hunter/Mercenary
Personality Profile:"Savage. Brutal. Violent.  These are the things that people would call you, but growing up in the Rattatak wastes made you this way.  A life without a ready supply of food, clean water, a safe place to sleep or even clothes has made you focused first on survival, with everything else being secondary.

However, this means that there is a LOT of galactic society that confuses you; social cues, how bargain without offending, even the language at times.  Heck, even emotional stuff occassionally confuses you.  And when things start to frustrate you, you tend to start shooting things.  But with your husband Hardatt's help, you've been making your way in the galaxy, making credits and killing people who get in your way."








Mostly the same, and I thought it important to show the helmet she wears more than often not.

Name: Hardatt
Gender: Male
Species: Rattataki
Age: 32 standard years
Homeworld: Nal Hutta
Class: Smuggler/Gunslinger
Personality Profile: "Your wife may be the brawn of the relationship, but you are the brains.  Growing up under the thumb of the Hutts, you've learned how to think on you feet and talk your way out of anything.  You've mastered huttese and basic, and you know how to get as much money as you want from anyone.

You also know the best ways to get money and see action, and right now, that's working with the Sith Lords Yokonari and Casek and aiding in their quest for revenge.  This has given you and Azulini a lot of ships to raid, a lot of homes to rob and a lot of people to kill.  Yep, life is good right now, and you'll do what you can to keep it that way."
Special Note: Hardatt's ship is a heavily modified and upgraded Corellian XS, and he, Azulini, Yokonari and Casek use this ship in their missions.







Tomorrow, I introduce the last of the 3 side characters in the White Knight Universe, and the second one that might be familiar to you!

But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Monday, December 14, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Yokonari and Casek

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, I'm going to show our former White Knight pair, and show more that the White Knights are not what they seem...

Name: Yokonari
Gender: Female
Species: Pureblood Sith
Age: 29 standard years
Homeworld: Disavowed
Class: Sith Warrior/Sith Maurader
Personality Profile: "The White Knights have betrayed you.  When the Eternal Empire snapped, they gave you and Casek up to them, but not for any good reason.  Instead of being transferred into the Zakuul Knights as many other promising White Knights were, you two sent to be imprisoned, due to your rejection of Vitiate's plans.  As public figures in the Sith Empire, you two couldn't just disappear, so you were publicly defeated, humiliated and sent to the fate of their worst criminals.

For two years, you were tortured.  Your dominant arm was ruined by the Zakuul interrogators, and now requires cybernetics to be able to move and strength boosting armor to be able to fight with anything close to what you used to be able to do.

It took Anstrisil's Rattataki mercenary pair to free you two.  And you've spent the last three years fighting both the White Knights and the Eternal Empire.  You and Casek will have your revenge on both the cause of your suffering and the those who betrayed you to them."










Name: Casek (pronounced Cah-zek)
Gender: Male
Species: Zabrak
Age: 27 standard years
Homeworld: Disavowed
Class: Sith Inquisitor/Sith Sorcerer
Personality Profile: "You never understood the lure of the Dark Side until your torture at the hands of the Zakuul torturers.  Between Yokonari's arm being pulped and her tendon utterly destroyed and your jaw being repeatedly shattered, the pain alone makes you now understand the rage that now fuels the both you.  Both of you now require cybernetics to get back to your full strength, but due to how badly pulped your jaw was and the infection that set in, you had no choice but to have it removed.  You now require a vocoder to speak and a tube to eat.

For the past three years, you, Yokonari and the Rattataki mercenaries have fought back against the Eternal Empire and searched for artifacts of power to give you all an edge that you sorely lack. You have struck down the Order on Dromund Fels and Yokonari's parents for betraying you.  But even now, those responsible are still just out of reach.

But now, there's a chance for true revenge. Anstrisil has contacted you, and told you that Mamine is back and gathering allies.  And if that Jedi can get you what you need to strike back, then you will work with her.  But you will never be a victim again."







Yep, they've fallen to the Dark Side!  Yokonari's armor change is now a strength enhancer she needed after her torture, and not an aesthetic choice I had originally thought of!  And the brand new picture for Casek has a very good reason for the face mask.

Tomorrow, I introduce a revamped version of a familiar Rattataki and a new one.  But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Anstrisil

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, it's time to update our favorite Pureblood Sith Barsen'thor, Anstrisil!

Gender: Male
Species: Pureblood Sith
Age: 39 standard years
Homeworld: Dromund Fels
Class: Jedi Consular/Jedi Sage Telekinesis focus
Personality Profile: "You're tired.  Of the constant warfare, of the mistrust even after seven years, of people not listening.  The White Knights, the Republic, the Jedi Order...no one seems to trust you.  Your record should speak for itself that you know what you're talking about, but no matter how much you prove yourself, people seem to doubt you.

First it was the White Knights serving Vitiate.  Then, it was was the ties to the Eternal Empire that were ignored.  And now, it's the importance of the Republic and the Empire working together that people are ignoring.  If it wasn't for the people who have seen what you've seen personally trusting you, those who have fought at your side and have been taught by you accepting your words without hesitation, you'd go off and become the wise hermit on a remote world that you'd thought about becoming after you left the White Knights.

But not all hope is lost. A few who believe you have powerful connections, and they've been working to stop what you've been warning about for over a decade.  And you'll fight and protect and teach until this war with Arcann is over. But once that's over, you're done.  You're leaving the Republic, the Empire, the Jedi and the Sith behind and becoming the hermit that you feel you're meant to become.  And once you do, you're not coming back."









That last one is to show that, by the time of KOTFE, everyone knows the Barsen'thor is Pureblood Sith.  He's had plenty of time to build his reputation, so he doesn't NEED to keep that hood that casts a partial shadow over his face up at all times.

Tomorrow, I bring out the updates to Yokonari and Casek, whose fates tie closer together than ever before.  But until then, stay beautiful freaks!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Ragdat

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! Today, we're finally tackling the protagonist of KOTFE: Ragdat's Darkest Days.

Name: Ragdat
Gender: Male
Species: Rattataki
Age: 34 standard years (29 biologically, due to being frozen for 5 years)
Homeworld: Rattatak, but was found by the Jedi on Nar Shaddaa
Class: Jedi Knight/Jedi Guardian DPS focus
Personality Profile:  "The galaxy has changed since you were frozen.  The Republic and Empire are no longer as strong as they were, and the Eternal Empire that Vitiate claims to be his true focus is now the dominant force.  On top of that, your family has disappeared, and you've got Vitiate stuck in your head, trying to turn you to the Dark Side with his 'help'.  It's strange that he's not actively trying to corrupt you, but this is merely a more insidious way to turn you, since his previous attempt at forcing you down that path failed in the long run.

But all hope is not lost.  Your family may be gone, but the friends and allies you made on Rishi and Yavin are still around, and they want to help you.  They're giving you the resources you need take on Arcann and the Eternal Empire, and a couple of your friends want to help you get Vitiate out of your head. And maybe now, you can take the fight to those who took five years away from you."

In case you're wondering, Ragdat's "family" are the members of his crew.  These are the people that mean the most to him, so they became his family.








This is actually the look I wanted for him the whole time. So this is what he had back when he fought Darth Angral.

Tomorrow, we start in to the White Knight Universe with Anstrisil.  But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Friday, December 11, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Side Characters

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den! And today, it's time to tackle the side characters that I haven't covered!

Name: Colmallus
Gender: Male
Species: Pureblood Sith
Age: 35 standard years
Homeworld: Jaguada's moon
 Class: Powertech/Juggernaut hybrid.  He has the arsenal of the Powertech, but forgoes the jetpack and pistol for the Force and a Lightsaber, but he has a lot of the abilities of the Juggernaut as well.
Personality Profile: "Part of you feels great satisfaction over your parents' death.  Not because Laurus tried to kill you to focus on the named heir. No, it was because he wasn't strong enough to succeed.  Your father waited too long before he chose to get rid of you to focus on Adaso.

That said, despite giving up all rights to your titles and name, you don't want to see the legacy of Adas end.  That's why you formed your clan and joined Adaso in the first place; he deserves having forces at his control, and having a clan of Mandalorians at his command shows just how powerful he is.

But things have not gone as well as they should have.  You only have a dozen warriors out of the hundred that you had before, and half of them aren't fit to fight anymore.  But the worst part is that they didn't fall to the Republic or the Eternal Empire.  No, Darth Acina, the acting Empress of the Sith Empire, attacked Adaso's house and destroyed your warriors over a petty concern that he'll take her throne.  And when the war with the Eternal Empire that Adaso is focused on is over, Darth Acina will pay for destroying everything you hold dear."







Name: Chas'Raan
Gender: Female
Species: Twi'lek
Age: 24 standard years
Homeworld: Coruscant
Class: Jedi Shadow
Personality Profile: "Even though they fed you, clothed you and trained you, you've never really felt that you fit in with the Jedi.  Oh sure, you believe in the principles of the Order; of helping the helpless, protecting the weak and all that, but you've never really felt like you fit their mold.

Which is why you've been working with the Republic military structure more and more often.  You know people like the SIS Director, General Garza and  Jace Malcom better than the Jedi Masters.  You've even been asked by Amelisan to help her SpecForce regiment, working behind the scenes and doing things that only you can do.  You've even been made an unoffical member of Havoc Squad, to be called into action when Havoc is reactivated."
Special note: Similar to Corran Horn after her, Chas'Raan struggles with telekinesis.  Floating a stone is difficult for her, and doing things like throwing her lightsaber is nearly impossible. However, she excels in mind tricks, Force Cloak, and energy absorption. In fact, it takes an infusion of energy, through things like electricity, fire and other types, for her to use telekinesis with any power.







Name: Tavella
Gender: Female
Species: Human Cyborg
Age: 45 standard years
Homeworld: Dromund Kaas
Class: Sith Lord (Sith Magic focus)
Personality Profile: "Over the last 20 years, you've watched the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge change hands many times, and your star either rose or fell depending on the one who led it.  You've presented your research into Revan, the Rakata and their technology and how they've affected the Sith, and they've raised or cut your funding as their interest waxed and waned.  Darth Thanaton was the worst, as he viewed anything outside the rites and traditions was a waste of time.  Luckily for you, Darth Nox took over before he could get rid of you, and she had worked closely with you on your research into Revan.

However, you've really come to shine in her eyes after Yavin 4.  Revan's actions there, and how he managed to split himself into a fully Light and fully Dark form before merging to become whole again, were the accumulation of 20 years of research.

This experience has given you a position withing Darth Nox's inner circle, and a chance to look into things you've only been theorizing for years.  Things are looking up for you, and you will not disappoint the only patron you've ever had."
Special: One of Tavella's specialties is in Sith Alchemy,  a power that allows her to warp technology and organic material into anything she wants.  As such, her weapon and armor have been warped into having lightsaber resistant properties.





I'm only doing her headshot, because her clothes really don't matter.  She spends most of her time either in a library or a laboratory, so she really just dresses for comfort now.  If she has to go somewhere dangerous, she'll wear her outfit from before, but for the most part, she wears the Star Wars equivalent of sweats, jeans and a tshirt or a labcoat most of the time.

Tomorrow brings in Ragdat's update, and then, we head on to the White Knight Universe.

But for now, stay beautiful freaks!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

SWTOR Character Tales KOTFE Profile and Picture updates: Vedere and Vizhdam

Welcome back, my beautiful freaks, to the Assassin's Den!  Time to take a look at our descendant of Visas Marr and her childhood friend!

Name: Vedere Marr
Gender: Female
Species: Miraluka
Age: 26 standard years
Homeworld: Alpheridies
Class: Jedi Consular/Jedi Shadow DPS Focus
Personality Profile: "With the majority of the Jedi Council gone and Master Satele missing, you are the de facto Grandmaster, though you haven't officially taken the title due to your youth.  However, this doesn't change the fact that you're keeping the Jedi Order organized and protecting the people of the Republic, and directing them via the holonet.

However, this responsibility hasn't stopped you from your research into Ragdat's destiny.  You've seen the reports of what he did while you were chasing down the Children of the Emperor, and you've noticed his path intersect with Vitiate and Revan's at many points.  Their destinies seem to be intertwined, so you've spent the last two years on Voss, working with the Mystics to get a clear picture of his future.  And now that he's back, you've noticed that his destiny and Vitiate's combine.  Combine that with his efforts to stop the Eternal Empire, the Force seems to congregate around him, and you need to find out why."

And here's the picture of Vedere in her Voss robes. This is the reason for the outfit change for her.







Now, let's add her bodyguard, Vizhdam.

Name: Vhizdam
Gender: Male
Species: Miraluka
Age: 34 standard years
Homeworld: Alpheridies
Class: Jedi Knight/Jedi Sentinel
Personality Profile: "Hard to believe that Vedere is leading the Jedi Order, but she's been through a LOT in the last ten years.  You remember her studying with your sister for the tests in their respective realms, and now, she's steeped in the mysticism of the Force.  However, no matter how powerful or knowledgeable he is, she's never been the greatest fighter.  She's always preferred deceiving her foes and striking from the shadows over a straight up fight.

And that is why you stand at her side, protecting her.  As one of the Battlemasters of the order who trains people in lightsaber combat styles, you know the best ways to keep this young Jedi Master alive.  If she falls, the Order will descend into chaos."








Tomorrow, we've got a three profile one; Tavella, Colmallus, who I wish I'd have the idea of combining with Adaso before this entry, and Chas'Raan.  And when they're done, it's time for Ragdat.

But for now, stay beautiful freaks!