Development Cycle Archive
Thread: IC4: Path of the Jedi
NabooHippy
Wed Mar 24, 2004 4:28 pm
#1106
A path to a Jedi.
The path should be long and dangerous. The rewards at start should be minimal and increase over time. Everyone should get step one, but only the dedicated should progress farther.
Start: Open Holocron – Holocron disappears.
Character is told to seek out a person, well call him hermit for now, within an area of a planet as a riddle. “Seek out one who sees a waterfall that is not a waterfall.” This could be the spring in the Agrilat Swamp. The hermit can be anywhere within 200m of the spring and will only talk to the character who opened the holocron. The mission could be that the Selonians and Drall are in need of a resolution on a matter that is causing both sides to combat each other. There is an NPC of each type in the bottom of a dungeon that spawns upon talking to the hermit. The character must have at least 2500 positive faction of the NPC to be spoken to. The NPC will tell the character of a special item that was stolen and the evidence that the other side took it. The opposing faction will also require 2500 positive faction in order to be spoken to. The opposing faction will also show evidence that they first faction stole from them. The character gets both pieces of evidence that are items of the opposing side. This should show the character that more than likely someone set both sides against each other. The character then needs to locate an NPC that can clear up the confusion of the evidence. This could be a bothan informant, a junk dealer, a bartender, etc. This NPC would then give a player clues as to what person or group who created the items. “These markings are very similar to those that used to be used by crimelords on Naboo.” Borvo or other crimelords may hold the clue as who planted the evidence. Once the appropriate crimelord feels that the character is worthy of a final mission, they are told to go pick up a delivery from a friend of the crimelord. This “friend” knows that the crimelord is out for his hide so will attack the character on sight. The character will get the needed info and a treasure map from the “friend”. This treasure map is for a random planet so each planet will need to be traveled to in order to locate the items. Once the items are found, they will need to be taken to the Selonian and the Drall NPCs that will thank the character for his returning of the item and finding the real culprit. Once this is done, the character can return to the hermit who tell them of a rumor of strange activity on [random planet] near the [random area another riddle]. This NPC will not respawn for the character unless the character uses another holocron.
2nd quest: Strange happenings
Character goes to location and may or may not see anything amiss. (This is start of timed either scheduled or random.) Once the character is there and locates a “miner”, they are told of a strange ore that he found. The ore was stolen that night. He goes on to say that any time his team find any it disappears overnight and no amount of security or monitoring can see the thieves. The miner found some tracks one morning and followed them to a point but lost the trail. (The character gets waypoint) Within 200m of the waypoint, there is a destroyed speeder that is glowing oddly and has two bodies. There is a container on the speeder that has a damaged datapad. If the character has artisan skills, they can repair it and get a waypoint of a lab where the initial delivery of this ore took place. The character then travels to the lab to see a building with bodies around it. Inside the building is a mutated creature that is glowing like the speeder, the creature attacks the character on sight. Once destroyed, the character can get data from a terminal that shows experimentation on this creature was done with the ore and how the creature is able to seek out more after it has been extracted from the ground. The character returns to the miner who thanks them. No clue is given from here for the next step.
3rd quest: Solo mission
Some time in the future the character is doing a solo mission (this means they can not be grouped when taking the mission) – faction, normal, entertainer, etc, an NPC is near the mission waypoint that has a specific name. This NPC will not talk to the character until the mission is complete. Afterwards they will talk and state how well they handled themselves and if they could help out in a matter of some delicacy. If the player agrees, they are given a package to deliver to a contact. However, this item is contraband and will trigger at least two scans by Imperials with the squad at double strength. If the character is Rebel or Neutral, they must get away before dying. If they die, they lose the package and must wait again for the NPC to spawn again at a random solo mission. If the character is Imperial, they must get away because the scan will cost them faction and the package again waiting for the random solo mission scenario. The NPC who is waiting for the package will attack the character after the conversation due to not needing any witnesses. No clue is given from here for the next step.
4th quest: Power pack
Treasure maps are fairly rare spawns. There is a chance of a power pack in treasure loot. This special loot will not spawn until at least quest #1 is complete. The description can read something like: “This is a high energy power pack. It is very small and very light. Use this to create a lightsaber.” This is a non-tradable item as each jedi-wannabe must find their own. The character is given a message that their quest leads them to [random newbie planet].
5th quest: Random spawn
On the designated newbie planet, there is a random spawn that appears for a period of time perhaps 1 hour that the character must locate and speak with. If the timer runs out, there can be a random time of 1-4 hours before the spawn reappears somewhere else. The spawn will only speak with the character it is waiting for, but once spoken with the spawn will stay around. The spawn, lets call him teacher, will tell the character that they have been watching them for some time and feel they are worthy of being an apprentice. The player is now given the chance to decide if they wish to follow the light side of the force. If they chose not to, the teacher can say “Begone with you and your kind. Stay on [random high level planet] like [dark teacher name] and bother me no more. I warn you to not let our paths cross if you travel down the dark path as I will not be so lenient then.” (The dark side teacher will follow much as below, but will be overly more negative than positive in speaking to apprentice.) If the character chooses the light side, they are given the task of locating a force crystal. The ones dropped from the low level mobs outside cities will do. However, the player will be told that they can proceed, but their end product will be as weak as their devotion to finding the best. The high level ones will be dropped by high level planet NPCs randomly. The character is given a one use schematic for a lightsaber crafting kit. They must find an artisan, if they do not possess the skills to make it. The resources are random per person so no stocking up to create nor does quality matter in the end product. The character then returns to teacher and gives kit. The teacher tells the character well done, and gives them back the kit and the newbie lightsaber schematic. The character is warned not to wield the saber in public until such time as they have mastered its use (In game terms, a TEF will be earned). At this point, a new novice profession/skill is opened up that requires X number of lightsaber (much like jedi xp now) before returning to the teacher. Deaths can drop this xp total.
6th quest: The trial
After the character has learned how to use his lightsaber, the teacher will tell them that they must show themselves worthy of further training. This is a timed quest that must be completed ungrouped and will involve multiple planets. Examples could be understanding creatures as in collecting each type of animal/insect/avian resource on each planet in 2 hours, buying a drink in each cantina on each world in 2 hours, etc. If the player completes this and returns to the teacher in 2 hours, they are told well done as they were able to complete a trying and sacrificing task (in credits, make sure you get to those shuttles). The padawan tree is opened at this time, and the character is given the waypoint of his trainer. The teacher then despawns.
Knight
Once the padawan tree has been completed, the trainer will tell the character that they can learn no more from them. The character will receive a waypoint to someone who may be able to help…
Quests from here should become more involved, harder, and longer. Once knight is earned, the same for the Master tree.
Tymtraveler
Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:30 pm
#1107
Thanks TH and Dev Team for opening up the discussion with regards to how the current Jedi systems works/does not work and how it will work in the future.
I ve been playing since week two of release and overall I have enjoyed the experience. In the early days, friends and I, would search out NPC's in the various cities across the galaxy to find unique quests and to hopefully find some clue as to how to become a Jedi. It was still a mystery, It was still fun, It was interactive, and we enjoyed trying to obtain the Hermit Badges, Do the Jedi Missions at the Jedi Temple on Dantooine, etc.. And this was before the convenience of Vehicles, Mounts, or City Shuttle Ports Mind You.
What I m trying to say is, please do not make this 'New' system overly convenient, or canned. A theme park, a 'Dungeon', etc.. Make it more depedent on 'What' your main character does during the course of the game, more dependent on who and how he/she interacts with the game world. The 'Old' theory of a 'Force Meter' that was tallying secret experience up through our actions was actually one of my favorites because it's more organic.
I have been the leader of a Major Player Association, Mayor of a Player City. Led countless hunts across countless planets, and have met some terrific people in game. Sometimes I ve logged on simply to chat with them, rather than 'Grind' out missions for experience. Please focus more on the role play aspect here when you are re-doing the path to the Jedi. Luke did not grind out 33 professions to become Jedi, nor did he only go Hunt Creature A and Talk to Person B, to become a Jedi.
So, quests, missions, badges, factions, etc. should all be considered on a whole when a person becomes 'Force Sensitive'. This way not only the elite combat classes can obtain Jedi Knighthood simply by doing the quests that entertainers, crafters, or everyday players tend not to be able to do. My biggest complaint about the holocrons when they came out was they were not available for anyone other than the elite combat classes. Please don't make the same mistake here. Make sure that each person's journey down the light or dark path to the Force is more individualized.
How? I m not a developer/programmer 
) Good Luck Guys! Looking forward to seeing how the Jedi Revamp comes along. Again, been here since the beginning, and really appreciate the hard work you have put in, especially since November. Keep the great publishes coming.
) Good Luck Guys! Looking forward to seeing how the Jedi Revamp comes along. Again, been here since the beginning, and really appreciate the hard work you have put in, especially since November. Keep the great publishes coming.P.S. Thanks for Wookie Armor
Darmana, Ahazi Server, Wookie
ace60galaxy
Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:05 pm
#1108
i think that the quest style path should be closely made under the influence of the movies....like visiting certain locations and obtaining certain objexs of jedi knowledge thru the quests
SenateGuard
Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:22 pm
#1109
I believe that jedi's should be made into a profession like any other one (e.g. artisan, commando, etc...), but there power and/or abilities should be lowered/highered to be able to accomodate evenly with all the other professions because the current ways to become a jedi are not all that great,fun, nor can you be t social, and even in this new quest format it might not still be to social for the jedi players. altough, it would still be neat to aquire this xp through a quest, it would also still be really nice and great if you where to fairly/evenly add it on as a profession labeled somthing like Force User, and then after mastering this profession you should be able to start a new profession slot that lead to Sith master or Jedi Master ( one or the other, not both ).
eTboy
Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:26 am
#1110
Please dont take my holos away. I worked 6 months to get them and grind half of themand now U are changing it all 
Please give us the option to grind holos and/or do quests. I beg u!!!!! And all the other 1000's of ppl who are half way threw there holos do too.
Please give us the option to grind holos and/or do quests. I beg u!!!!! And all the other 1000's of ppl who are half way threw there holos do too.
KhartrinRhan
Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:49 am
#1111
After reading the stratics dev chat transcript, I have the following question. If the new Jedi quest system allows your current character to become FS, what will happen to those players who unlocked the FSCS and have an extra character on their server? Will those players be allowed two characters on a server or will they be forced to delete one?
I like the idea of a quest based system as the current holo system is geared more toward power gamers. After reading Gary Gattis's "State of the Game" letter, I liked the idea of instance adventures like the Corellian Corvette. Why not meld this concept into the Jedi Quest system? Nothing bugs me more than immature power gamers camping spawns (i.e. The Force Caves on Dantooine, Emperor's Retreat on Naboo).When I played Anarchy Online, the missions/quests youreceived gave you a "key" and a waypoint. You then went to a building or cave entrance that was at the waypoint and entered it. This allowed only you (or only your group) to do that particular mission. While I would like a similar system for all missions/quests in this game, how about implementing this idea for the Jedi quests?
Yango
Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:56 am
#1112
i think the jedis should have different classes of jedi ones with different speciality. like in knights of the old republic a very well made role playing jedi, they had 3 types of jedi a consuler witch concentrated on force capabilities, a jedi sentinal witch had a balnce between force and saber combat and a jedi guardian that concentrated on saber combat skills instead of force powers. i think they should start off all the same till padawan after padawan i think they should choose witch jedi proffesion they should take and each jedi proffesion shoud be different in the amount of force you get like a counsuler gets more force points then a sentinal or a guardian but a guardian is beter at saber combat than the others there for they would get skills that make them beter with a saber
but a sentinal ill be a balnce between the two just like in the game. i would also like to see some of th powers they have in knights of the old republic like that force jump attack thats cool it would shorten the distance for when people try to kite the jedi thats ho i killed one but he was new soo he couldnt saber reflect.being able to force jump on top of buildngs would be cool too but that may be asking too much.
CosmicChef
Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:03 am
#1113
In the new jedi system, please keep the idea of unlocking your slot, and THEN creating a new jedi charactar.
I created my current character to do artisan-related things, not to fight. Whatever some people may say, the Mon Calamari just isn't designed for combat, put aside the fact that we can't wear some of the cooler armor and suits (Tusken & RIS). Please do not stop the new character creation upon unlocking! A mon calamari is nowhere near the battle potential of another species like human or zabrak.
I created my current character to do artisan-related things, not to fight. Whatever some people may say, the Mon Calamari just isn't designed for combat, put aside the fact that we can't wear some of the cooler armor and suits (Tusken & RIS). Please do not stop the new character creation upon unlocking! A mon calamari is nowhere near the battle potential of another species like human or zabrak.
darksithmage
Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:27 am
#1114
Like most have said here already, a series of quests should be given out that spans over a series of planets and has variance in each one. I would strongly emphasize that maybe they should happen in some of the game's more neglected areas. Places like the Dathomiran Prison, perhaps quests from the nightsisters (they're the most well known force sensitives of the time frame anyway)
If it were up to me, I would have the path based largely on a player's behaviour too, rude,griefing and otherwise jerkish players (those who are known to have several player complaints against them, and investigated by the CSRs of course for verification) would automatically be disqualified from the path.
For actual Jedi quests, a no brainer for starters would be the ability to go to a trainer who directs you on a quest to find force crystals for your light saber, this would solve the problem of people not having to be uber crafters just to play their jedi....I don't want to grind away to get my slot only to be halted from enjoying the fruits of my work cause I don't have 50 million credits. I would even be so bold as to say there should be a quest that grants you a krayt pearl for your lightsaber, put this one on a timer, perhaps only available in 2 week or 1 week intervals. This will seriously drive the price of pearls down significantly but won't take them off the market entirely. Krayts will still be lootable for tissues (which keeps the normal classes happy) But to get a decent lightsaber, a jedi should not be dependant on others. Stating boldly that Jedi is a solo class and then having the class entirely dependant on others (buffs, armor, foods, crystals, pearls, protection from griefing BHes) is just wrong.
A less important but otherwise fun quest I believe would be to allow jedi to choose from a variety of saber hilts, they could be ranged from simple, to very complex (like count dooku's or Desann's from jedi outcast) The latter requiring specific and maybe rare resources. If anything it would just allow a jedi to be unique.
Lastly, to further diversify one jedi from another, there should be quests and epics much like the "master levels" in daoc. These would act to allow jedi to choose specific abilities and powers not ordinarily available in the regular jedi skill trees. these would be one time quests, and the choice on the ability be permanent (until skill loss of course) For example, at the Padawan level, maybe a quest that has 3 rewards, for a more fight oriented character 10+ to saber damage, another could be more force pool points, while the third can be +10 to saber deflection.
Similar power selections could be at the knight, guardian and master levels and would aid in not making each jedi a cookie cutter template of another. These would as I said be at the padawan, knight, guardian and master levels and each choice is hard set until skill loss.
Ok I know I said that was the last idea, but i have one more and this is probably the most important.
LET JEDI INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER MORE FREELY!!!!
Galaxlerner
Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:37 am
#1115
Different Jedi Classes
In reading the different posts of players and developers, I have thought about the issue of the different player classes (combat, support, service) becoming a Jedi. My only solution is that you have several Jedi Professions.
- Jedi Guardian Skill Tree - Focuses on Jedi combat and defence
- Jedi Sentinal Skill Tree - Focuses on Jedi interactive skills (Force moves, Mind Trick, Animal Persuasion, Force Drain, and Force Shield)
- Jedi Healer/Crafter Skill Tree - Focuses on Jedi healing and support (crafting Jedi clothes and such - NOT Lightsabers)
After going through the FS path to become Jedi, the player would be assigned one of these Skill Trees according to their play style. Of course they could migrate from one to the other skill trees as they choose. Only give them enough Jedi Points to either focus on 1 and 1/2 of these trees or a little of all of these. I realize that the mix and match method has not worked out in terms of balance in the other professions. Although, the way this was handled with the Creature Handler tree could be used as an example of how this could be set up (i.e. +2 points for each block for certain important, often-used skills). Masters of each of the Skill trees naturally would be the most formiable characters.
- Master Guardians would be the toughest PVP players.
- Master Jedi Sentinals would be the best support players for a Player group.
- Master Jedi Healers/Crafters could heal Jedi specific wounds and could supply the Jedi with Force enhancing clothing andbe capable of recovering or crafting better materials for Jediequipment.
This method gives all players the chance to become a Jedi and continue to use their preferred play styles on the Jedi path.
darksithmage
Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:37 am
#1116
Like most have said here already, a series of quests should be given out that spans over a series of planets and has variance in each one. I would strongly emphasize that maybe they should happen in some of the game's more neglected areas. Places like the Dathomiran Prison, perhaps quests from the nightsisters (they're the most well known force sensitives of the time frame anyway)
If it were up to me, I would have the path based largely on a player's behaviour too, rude,griefing and otherwise jerkish players (those who are known to have several player complaints against them, and investigated by the CSRs of course for verification) would automatically be disqualified from the path.
For actual Jedi quests, a no brainer for starters would be the ability to go to a trainer who directs you on a quest to find force crystals for your light saber, this would solve the problem of people not having to be uber crafters just to play their jedi....I don't want to grind away to get my slot only to be halted from enjoying the fruits of my work cause I don't have 50 million credits. I would even be so bold as to say there should be a quest that grants you a krayt pearl for your lightsaber, put this one on a timer, perhaps only available in 2 week or 1 week intervals. This will seriously drive the price of pearls down significantly but won't take them off the market entirely. Krayts will still be lootable for tissues (which keeps the normal classes happy) But to get a decent lightsaber, a jedi should not be dependant on others. Stating boldly that Jedi is a solo class and then having the class entirely dependant on others (buffs, armor, foods, crystals, pearls, protection from griefing BHes) is just wrong.
A less important but otherwise fun quest I believe would be to allow jedi to choose from a variety of saber hilts, they could be ranged from simple, to very complex (like count dooku's or Desann's from jedi outcast) The latter requiring specific and maybe rare resources. If anything it would just allow a jedi to be unique.
Lastly, to further diversify one jedi from another, there should be quests and epics much like the "master levels" in daoc. These would act to allow jedi to choose specific abilities and powers not ordinarily available in the regular jedi skill trees. these would be one time quests, and the choice on the ability be permanent (until skill loss of course) For example, at the Padawan level, maybe a quest that has 3 rewards, for a more fight oriented character 10+ to saber damage, another could be more force pool points, while the third can be +10 to saber deflection.
Similar power selections could be at the knight, guardian and master levels and would aid in not making each jedi a cookie cutter template of another. These would as I said be at the padawan, knight, guardian and master levels and each choice is hard set until skill loss.
Ok I know I said that was the last idea, but i have one more and this is probably the most important.
LET JEDI INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER MORE FREELY!!!! a jedi should be able to sense others who are vibrant in the force. I know most would like to keep their FS alts a secret, for those types merely give them the option to go force anon.
Dark and light jedi are in an eternal struggle and I would for one love to see them battle it out, give quests out that puts light side jedi against dark side. The system runs a check of similarly skilled jedi and you can get a mission for said jedi, but make it fun for all so that others would want to fully cooperate instead of just run like sissies. What I mean is, have this be the oNLY time when a jedi is not subject to visibility,skill loss, TEFS,and bounty hunters jumping in on the fight while it's going on. It's more or less just a friendly way to test your progress on others without getting griefed six ways to sunday. Successfully winning a duel against another jedi PC would grant some type of reward or trophy, perhaps jedi exp, though that is a tentative idea as it could be easily exploited if not handled properly, one easy way is to only have the mission against another jedi to be available every few days.
well those are a few ideas I have, I think they would help to make the class fun and not just a grind.
Snoopy-Scylla
Thu Mar 25, 2004 11:12 am
#1117
Most likely been repeated over and over, but each voice carries his or her own power. Those who have been trying to open their FS slot should be rewarded for their efforts in the old system. Each of us have mastered our own series of professions alike. My current count is 22 and I am hoping within the next 2-5 months before they do finally redo the jedi system that my slot will open as I continue my journey of the mysterious silent holo quest. Should I not obtain my FS slot before the system is redone, I would hope that my efforts up to that point would not go unnoticed. Is it my fault that the current holo system is being considered an ineffective means for obtaining your FS slot and jedi? No I had nothing to do with the design of the game. But to see countless hours of trying new professions, learning new professions and obtaining new masters just throw away because I wasn't able to find that elusive right profession, I would find outraging. To have to start all over again on my quest for jedi is not worth my $15 a month. As it is I have seen most professions, done alot of quests, been nearly everywhere. To have to do it again is not worth it. There have been many professions along the way I have enjoyed, that I would go back over and do again if I was not searching for my jedi. But I play this game today to be a Jedi, not to run around my city or my home crafting or fighting the GCW. My goal is to be a Jedi. After I obtain my Jedi then I will refocus my efforts more specifically into ridding the system of rebel scum.
To see 9 months of trying different professions, obtaining holos to become a jedi, and mastering many professions along the way as my quest to become a jedi just throw away because the system didnt work for those who cannot or have not played the game long enough. Well, that just doesn't sit well with me. I wanted to be a jedi from day one, I worked for it and if SOE and SWG does not see that those of us who have put forth the effort into the system and world provided to us and the means to become a jedi currently. My $15 a month and I'm sure many others will be accepted anywhere else besides here.
-Snoopy
HalasterTheBlack
Thu Mar 25, 2004 11:48 am
#1118
You have achieved a greater awareness of your surroundings.
It was simple increase in... feelings. It suddenly struck me just as I finished the quest. I didn't realize it at the time, but that must have been where this all began.
At first, it didn't really manifest itself in any noticeable way. After a while, I realized that I was becoming more slightly proficient at just about everything I did. When I shot my Carbine, I missed a bit less. When others returned fire, they missed a bit more. My meditation skills helped me regenerate a bit more quickly.
We need to talk. Meet me here.
It was a simple email from someone calling himself a hermit. Or could it be a trap? My activities to assist the Rebellion had become more and more prevalent... and violent...in the last month. Perhaps the Empire had finally taken notice and thought to do something about it. No matter, I'm exceedingly curious. I prepared for the worst and set out for the waypoint the email contained, hoping for the best.
You have greater potential than you realize. Let me teach you.
The hermit was... a hermit. He told me about the Force, and a group of people dedicated to its... worship? They called themselves Jedi. Their numbers are few now, but in the past they were larger. Most supported the causes and notions of "good". Apparently he thought I had the ability tolearn to be one of them. To use the Force to help the people who I've been using my business and fighting skills to help. After a lengthy conversation, I decided I wanted to learn what he could teach me.
Wealth, power, fame... a Jedi craves not these things.
Hmm. I had amassed quite a fortune and had been using it to support the Rebellion with weapons, armor, travel. I wasn't quite ready to divest myself of the business I had built up, especially since it was helping a cause so near and dear to my heart.
But still, I had partners in that business. If I am to take this next step, they'll have to run that business for me.I opened up my datapad and my email and made the arrangements to transfer my funds and property to my partners. They were shocked initially, but they'd understand in time.
You'll need to learn to use this.
He handed me the broken-off handle grip of a Swoop bike. Well, not exactly. It was considerably more intricate than that. He called it a "practice" lightsaber. Then he showed me how to turn it on, and taught me the beginnings of how to use it. Then he brought out a spherical, levitating droid and bade it shoot at me. I suppose my first lesson had begun in earnest.
After a time, he bade the droid to stop and transferred its ownership to me. He suggested I practice with it and the lightsaber, far away from populated areas. In time, he said, my skills would improve. When they did, I should return to him.
And you'll need to learn to use this.
It was a survey device, after a fashion. I was intimately familiar with survey devices, having spent the earlier part of my career building up a mining business. This one, he said, would help me find "force crystals"... special components required for improving the lightsaber he had given me. He suggested that I use it on some of the outer worlds, near the ruins of some of the Jedi temples that existed there.
Fare well, Sif. I shall contact you when you are ready for further training.
Indeed. I hid the lightsaber away and started back toward town.
My next several weeks were spent out in the wilds. I visited Dathomor, Yavin, Dantooine, and even Lok. The interesting thing there was that somehow, the travel terminals didn't charge me for travel tickets. That was a good thing, of course, since I had no money left.
On those worlds, I traveled to remote locations. I practiced dilligently with my lightsaber. Some of the time, I took to using it against the local fauna - especially the fauna that thought I might make a tasty meal. Somehow, I seemed to advance my understanding of the weapon more efficiently using the droid the hermit had given me though.
I also learned quickly to shed my Composite Armor. That armor had saved my hide too many times to count, against monsters and Imperial foes alike. But with the lightsaber in my hand, it only served to slow me down. I felt I could barely move in it. The bolts of energy from the droid hit me with far greater frequency when I wore that armor.
I also discovered that the artificial enhancements that I used to rely on were no longer effective. No longer could Sigrun's expert medical skills enhance my strength or agility. Nor could the foods I consumed nor the spice I used in emergencies enhance my mind or body. It seems that the path to the Force is to rely on the Force.
The survey device was another matter altogether. Nearly every time I used it, it came up empty. In my business, I had grown accustomed to finding high densities of resources within minutes or hours. This thing was either horribly inefficient or there were just none of these "force crystals" to be found! Days and days have I spent surveying, and all I had to show for it was a single crystal I drew from a single point I had found. And that was it - there was exactly one crystal in the area. I hoped it would be sufficient for the next step, whatever that was.
It is time for you to return.
Different planet, same hermit. He demanded to see the force crystal I located. Fortunately enough for me, it was higher in quality than what I presently had in my lightsaber. He took my weapon from me, applied the force crystal, and returned a new and improved lightsaber to me.
He then handed me an improved training droid and taught me a few more moves with the saber and how to get better results from the survey tool. He admonished me to find a few crystals this time around, and to practice well with the lightsaber.
Days rolled in to weeks, and the weeks rolled in to months. I progressed pretty steadily, if a bit slowly, for all that time. Eventually he dubbed me a "Master" and sent me on my way.
I began frequenting my old haunts. I saw more than I saw before. The Imperial presence had increased, even in Theed, the city I loved to call home. I was gone far too long in my training. Bad things were happening.
Corsica is under attack! All hands return to her defense!
I have a very bad feeling about this. That was Altaire, still Regent of House An'geles. My old friends were in trouble. Time to see if what I have learned can help save the lives and livelihoods of those who need protection...
I arrived in Corsica to find it under seige by a combined Imperial force consisting of many of our old adversaries. They had three AT-ST walkers at play and a good 100 ground troops. The few defenders HA had on hand weren't faring very well.
I drew my lightsaber and charged toward the flank of the attacking force. A few riflemen in that force noticed me, and a group broke off from the main attack to address my presence. A Combat Medic tossed a poison my way, but the Force protected me from its effects entirely.The riflemen knelt and fired. Again, the Force guided my hand to deflect those bolts; some of them directly into the shooters. This slowed their attack considerably.
That was just long enough for me to close. They discovered quickly that a combat medic and a handful of riflemen were no match for a Jedi Master. I had hoped they cloned, for the sake of their families...
That skirmish had drawn the attention of a larger force, including one of the AT-ST walkers (the other two were under attack from a couple HA commandos). I had never deflected anyting as significant as a blaster bolt from an AT-ST before... I hoped it would work if it came down to that. Fortunately enough for me though, those vehicles were designed to attack vehicles and structures. Its pilot would need to get exceptionally lucky to hit a running, dodging target.
And that's exactly what I was doing... running and dodging into the center of the armed force attacking Corsica. Even while doing that, I felt the Force continuing to guide my had to deflect small arms fire those people sent in my direction. By the time I arrived at its center, the group had all but given up the fight.
The crowd parted and I saw him... the commander of this Imperial attack force, red lightsaberin hand, waiting for me. The forces of both the Imperials and Rebels stopped, stood, and watched as I closed the distance. This was to be the final test then...
/sigh
It's a start, at least. There was more I wanted to address, like quests given by the hermit and 1v1 fights vs. bounty hunters (which a Jedi should nearly always win easily). But it's a start...