Smuggler Archive
Thread: SOE is WRONG: The Empire itself makes and distributes spice
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Achilles467
Mon Jan 26, 2004 8:52 pm
#1
SOE, you are wrong. You are breaking continuity with this Imperial crackdown nonsense. Have any of you ever read any of the EU? It appears that none of you have. If you had read any of the EU you would know that spice, drugs that enhance the senses,is not only *legal*, but the Empire itself mines spice. Though the Empire maintains a strict control over the production anddistribution of spice, mainly to the Imperial forces and in some cases the public depending on the type of spice. Why does the Empire mine spice? Profit. The Empire uses slave labor (convicts) to mine the spice. The Empire maintains a virtual monopoly over who buys it and for how much; black market spice is the only alternative for those to whom the Empire would not sell spice. It is not a stretch to believe that the Empire would make battle enhancing spice avaliable to its armed forces.
The famous "Kessel run" that Han Solo talks about is about Han solo trying to deliver spice *smuggled* off the planet of Kessel (i.e. black maket transportation/distribution) to transports moving through the area. I have compiled several quotes that clearly and undeniably prove that spice is produced and controlled by the Empire.
Quotes taken *directly* from the EU, specifically Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson. NOTE: All EU books *must* be personally approved by George Lucas and his people, thereforeare canon.
"The Empire had controlled spice production except for what smugglers had managed to steal from under Imperial noses."
"Han had always been proud to boast that the Falcon had made the Kessel run in record time, but he recounted the whole tale, that he had actually been fleeing Kessel with a full load of spice in his secret belowdecks compartments, when Imperial tariff ships had tagged him."
"Han got the shipment, as always, from Moruth Doole, the frog-like man in charge of skimming black-market spice from Imperial production quotas."
"The Empire maintained strict control over the spice output"
The following quote is fromt he *official Star Wars site*
The infamous world of Kessel is known for its dreaded mines, hard labor [Imperial] correctional facilities where convicts are often sent to extract valuable spice from the rock."
These quotes prove beyond all reproach that the Empire not only makes but distribues spice. So, where do SWG smugglars come in when it comes to spice? Here you go:
Imperial
- Smugglers are merely requistion officers
- No Imperial officer should be penalized in any manner for having spice.
Neutrals and Rebels
- Smugglers are smugglers illegally distributing spice.
- All neutrals and rebels caught with spice produced by other neutrals or rebel smugglers should be penalized for possession of smuggled goods.
bomber46
Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:00 pm
#2
Achilles467 wrote:
...the Empire maintains a strict control over the production anddistribution of spice ...
That's all this part of the crackdown is about. How can they maintain control with random players running around with huge stockpiles of it?
Jaso Yigo
Master Smuggler
Darth_Bravo
Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:12 pm
#3
bomber46 wrote:
Achilles467 wrote:...the Empire maintains a strict control over the production anddistribution of spice ...That's all this part of the crackdown is about. How can they maintain control with random players running around with huge stockpiles of it?Jaso YigoMaster Smuggler
So what? You sudgest that we get our spices from the imperial recruiter?
bomber46
Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:20 pm
#4
Darth_Bravo wrote:
So what? You sudgest that we get our spices from the imperial recruiter?
Well, if you want to be "legal" about it, yeah. But then the whole point of being a smuggler is to do things outside the law. So, yeah, you guys (Imperial) go talk to your recruiter, and I'll handle all the non-Imperial players out there. 
Jaso
SatansCircus
Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:20 pm
#5
He is correct.
The empire doesn't restrict spiceand theydo in fact regulate it and try to crackdown on any private production that could infringe on their business. Deathstars aren't cheap they need all the money they can get.
Solo4114
Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:55 pm
#6
This "Crackdown" is about irritating the players. Pure and simple. It's supposed to be creating the sense that the Empire is cracking down on the galaxy, tightening its grip, etc. And yet, the Empire refuses to issue a list of all contraband items. Obviously, spice and slicing gear will be contraband, but no one knows what else is, nor do the Devs seem like they intend to tell us.
TH's response? "It's more fun this way."
No joke. No, seriously. He said that. You can pick your jaw up off the floor now.
It is more....fun....to sit around and wonder what the hell is illegal or not.
Yep. Fun. Sign me up. Better yet, sign me out.
simon23
Mon Jan 26, 2004 10:27 pm
#7
I like the idea of the crackdown. I think it will add alot more fun to my particular gaming experience.
Anyone want anything smuggled somewhere after the crackdown goes live on Flurry server feel free to contact me.
~Simon Moon
Flurry server
Moby_Harper
Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:36 pm
#8
I second simon, spice is a general term like drug
Some drugs are legal (like tobacco, alcohol, prozac)
Some drugs are illegal (like marijuana, crack, PCP)
The Empire mined spice to bring in revenue, and cracked down on non-imperial licensed spice (they allowed the tobacco and prozac, not the crack and PCP)....
I love the idea of the crackdown, and how it is implemented ; my only gripe is such an environment gives smugglers a chance to smuggle and they need to capitilize on this.
Achilles467
Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:08 am
#9
You're fine with the current system being totally and competely unfair to Imperial players? If a rebel gets scanned and has contraband he gets attacked and in a worst case scenario he dies and suffers 5% decay. If an Imperial player is scanned he loses 500 fp (approx. 50,000 credits worth) and may lose rank; if he's a colonel he loses 6,000 fp (approx. 600,000 credits worth).
Moby_Harper wrote:
I love the idea of the crackdown, and how it is implemented
Solo4114
Tue Jan 27, 2004 7:25 am
#10
The general concept of the crackdown IS good. And it does provide us with the opportunity to smuggle, assuming SOE actually decides to implement changes for us at the same time as the crackdown goes live. Where the problems come in is with what we call in the legal profession "notice requirements". Not telling people what is legal and what is illegal to own is just goofy.
If they're trying to create the image that the Empire is tightening its grip, make it clear as to what the Empire is tightening its grip ON. Just having stormtroopers take "stuff" seemingly at random isn't fun and doesn't accurately portray a crackdown.
On the other hand, shakedowns and corruption CAN be implemented in a similar way, by having random officers or troopers shake you down for cash just because they can what with the crackdown being in effect. The key, however, is making it clear to the player that one or the other is happening. It's actually VERY cool to include corruption with the crackdown, because it's logical that the two would happen simultaneously. Along with a wide range of items being made contraband (and publicly decreed as such), you'd expect to see a few officers decide to skim a little off the top too. There's nothing wrong with that in principle, and it makes the game world more immersive.
But, you need to distinguish between the two and you need to make the contraband known to the public. IE: here's the list. By the way, not all Imperial officers will be honest, and some may shake you down just because they can. You'd expect to see this especially with the local authorities like CorSec, FedDub, and the Royal Naboo Security forces. But just making us try to figure out what is and what isn't contraband is stupid in the extreme.
Sowsky
Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:50 pm
#11
Hi all
1.- I agree and like the Crackdown Idea.
2.- Anyone that is not Overt should not have access to spice in a legal way and overts only paying a HUGE price for them.
3.- Is gonne be fun cause now people will have o meet other places than starport (Hey no more "Slicing for xxxx (Master Smuggler)" on the Coronet or Theed Starport. I like this consecuence 
Achilles467
Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:08 am
#12
You're fine with the current system being totally and competely unfair to Imperial players? If a rebel gets scanned and has contraband he gets attacked and in a worst case scenario he dies and suffers 5% decay. If an Imperial player is scanned he loses 500 fp (approx. 50,000 credits worth) and may lose rank; if he's a colonel he loses 6,000 fp (approx. 600,000 credits worth).
Moby_Harper wrote:
I love the idea of the crackdown, and how it is implemented
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