Smuggler Archive

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Smuggler_Caylin wrote:

Ryutek has done more as a smuggler in these forums and the game than most.

He has been here a long time and the TK's are damn lucky to have him.

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Yep, and he was the one who's sig style I "borrowed"

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Eivo wrote:

/cheer

Very nice post. Let hope those incharge of the revamp have your same insight into the smuggler profession.

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The post was made back in March, if they had, we would be smuggling by now.

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PhoenixOrion wrote:

Man I read this thread and then I got down to the bottom and was like...dang. Necro post of an old thread. Darn necro posters!

The sig was confusing me too, b/c I was like...Ryutek isn't a smuggler via his sig...

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Not on my main anymore, but still a Smuggler at heart. The sig is for my main only

As for Smugglers in the movie, I saw a perfect example late at night not so long ago. It was a black and white movie from the 40s based somewhat on a true story about a American smuggler who helped smuggle rubber out of newly occupied Japanese territory in Southeast Asia in the beginning of the war. It was a perfect model, he was released from prison, travels and the first person he talks to is a Jabbaesque crimelord who helps him get in touch with his old crew who proceed to use all their smuggler connections to evade the Japanese Empire and smuggle the rubber out. Wish I could remember the title of the movie. It had A list actors, so someone may remember it.

Now in television, I can think of a great example that totally fits the model you're setting out and that is Glenn Frey's (of the band the Eagles) character on Miami Vice. He even wrote a song for the show called Smuggler's Blues.

Message Edited by lurdanta on 12-04-2004 08:48 AM

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Ryutek wrote:

What is a Smuggler?

By Ryutek


I've seen a lot of pepople lately who have different ideas of what a smuggler is, or should be, and wanted to take the time to define Smugglers from a few perspectives.



Section 1: Definition(s)
Section 2: Smugglers in the Real World
Section 3: Smugglers in the Movies
Section 4: Smugglers in Star Wars
Section 5: How Smugglers Should be Viewed, My Analysis




Section 1: Definition(s)
Merriam-Webster
Main Entry: smuggle
Function: verb
transitive senses

• 1 : to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law
  
• 2 : to convey or introduce surreptitiously

intransitive senses

• 1 : to import or export something in violation of the customs laws

Dictionary.com
smuggle

• 1 : To import or export without paying lawful customs charges or duties.
  
• 2 : To bring in or take out illicitly or by stealth.

Section 2: Smugglers In The Real World

Throughout history there have been many good examples of Smugglers, and instead of trying to name the vast majority of them I am going to instead give just a few examples of different groups. Let's get started:

• "Legit" people smugglers, including the Underground Railroad in the USA as well as Oskar Schindler
  
• The West African diamond trade
  
• Air America in the 1970s
  
• Prohibition and the US in the 1930s
  
• The Eastern European sex slavery industry
  
• The French Resistance and the Spanish Civil War and their underground pipelines of weapons and information

These are just a few examples, for more look at electricnomad's response in this thread.



Section 3: Smugglers in the Movies

• The Transporter

Statham's character would move anything for anyone, as long as it was in package form and the rules of the deal were not broken. I know there are many examples in television and film (such as Schindler in Schindler's List, Crapgame from Kelly's Heroes,Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, and the list can continue), but in all honesty I think this is the perfect example, and so I'll leave it at this one, unless someone feels I need to elaborate more.



Section 4: Smugglers in Star Wars

Han Solo (Link to Databank)

• A Capable Pilot.
  
• A Ship "Mechanic." (Was at least able to keep the Falcon flying, Chewie was more of a mechanic IMO)
  
• Handy with a Weapon. (Basically Some Pistoleer)
  
• Arguably some Squad Leader Ability.
  
• Definitely NOT a Businessman. Solo was basically just a hired hand as a Smuggler.

Lando Calrissian (Link to Databank)

• An "OK" Pilot. (Started out as a terrible Pilot)
  
• Handy with a Weapon. (Again, basically some Pistoleer)
  
• More of a Businessman than most, but as a Smuggler he was still not as big a businessman as some would believe (see the SW Databank for a brief description). He became more of a Businessman when he turned "respectable."
  
• A Gambler

Talon Karrde (Link to Databank)

• A Decent Pilot, relies on his crew to do the actual piloting and instead Captains the ship.
  
• Handy with a Weapon when necessary.
  
• Definitely a Businessman.
  
• A Leader of an Organization that deals in Smuggling AND Information Gathering, not just a Smuggler. (NOTE: He would "smuggle" the information to the appropriate person, so in a way these go hand in hand)
  
• Some Creature Handler.

NOTE: These are very basic rundowns of some of the more notable Smugglers. You will notice, however, that if you go back and read the descriptions for each there is very little written about them BEFORE they went "respectable." The same basic thing is stated about each one (with the exception of Karrde). Solo and Calrissian both were "scoundrels" who operated in the fringe and "rubbed elbows" with the likes of Mercenaries, Bounty Hunters, Thieves, etc. They were not great leaders or businessmen as Smugglers. They were merely hired help whose sole purpose was to move cargo that was considered illegal.

NOTE: Smugglers in the Star Wars Universe did not make spices, they transported them, and slicing was something they utilized for their own gain, not for the benefit of others.


Section 5: How Smugglers Should be Viewed, My Analysis

What does all of this mean? Well (and this is really the main part of my post, the rest just helps to show the diversity and give some credence and support to my views), I'm glad you asked.

First and foremost, the Smuggler moves goods from Point A to Point B for another entity or entities. Technically these goods are considered illegal, although depending on the laws of the governing bodies of each point, these items may not be illegal at both ends. An example would be Smuggler A moving crates of Rice for the Government of Country A into Country B. The intent of Country A is to supply Humanitarian Aid, and the only reason they need a Smuggler to transport the Rice is to get it past the warring factions in Country B and actually to the "People."

Now, we can all agree that tangible items can be smuggled, and should be smuggled, from person to person (given they are illegal or that, such is the case above, there is just some type of obstruction between the two parties). This is the view that most people have, but there is a failure to incorporate one more piece to this puzzle.

An intangible item can also be smuggled. This item is information (stored on a tangible item such as a datapad, a droid, or even in the mind of a person). The perfect example, from Star Wars no less, would be the Bothan Spies who managed to obtain the plans of the Original Death Star. Do not get me wrong, spies are not the same as smugglers. Smugglers would be used to get the spies, or the information, back to the interested party. Granted, this would not be every case, but it would happen at times.

So what is my point? Let's keep in mind that Smugglers are not thieves, although some may decide to pursue the life of a thief (such as "shipjacking" and smuggling the ships). Smugglers are not, technically, businessmen, although some may pursue that lifestyle. Smugglers are not true fighters, although many will learn to fight to ensure their survival. Smugglers are the people you rely on to move cargo, be it weapons, drugs, people, information, etc., from one point to another effectively, and who are able to complete that assignment even if "problems" arise (problems being law enforcement, competition, engine failure, etc.)

Smugglers are only the people that move the goods. End of story. How they achieve this is up to each individual Smuggler.

A Smuggler can choose to pursue business, or piloting, or fighting, or creature handling, or anything else to help them do their job. They are not required to do so.


So What is a Smuggler?
A Smuggler is a person who moves items from one point to another, regardless of odds, for a profit or ideal. Amazing how that one sentence sums everything up isn't it? This entire thread can be summed up that way, so I'll repeat it:


A Smuggler is a person who moves items from one point to another, regardless of odds, for a profit or ideal.







This sort of applies for the moment, so I wanted to add this link in:

A Letter To Those Who Do Not Understand The Smugglers' Position

Message Edited by Ryutek on 03-24-2004 12:09 PM

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Smuggler = N.A character or profession rather in SWG who repeatively gets screwed over by the devs and csr's who they provide jobs for.

I looked it up in Websters