Over the years we have had the unique pleasure of speaking with various authors, artists, programmers, and game designers about a myriad of topics, including typos/errata, incomplete/rejected story elements, and missing information in the Star Wars® Franchise. This page serves as a depository of those interviews including behind-the-scenes information that can be used to enrich the experience of both Player and Gamemaster in adding enhanced detail and rules clarifications for their campaigns. Some questions and answers were slightly edited for clarity. Players please consult with your Gamemaster before using this information in your individual campaigns.
In your story “The Right Place...” that was included in the 1992 publication of “The Politics of Contraband” there was a starfighter, owned by Vohrkrewel, at the very end, on the last page (p.50) that was called "The Blood Hawk". The stats for this “Mestapol Zephyr” was described as a “Light Combat Fighter”. The stats also state the length of this “Light Combat Fighter” at 50 meters.
50 meters = 164.041995 feet
That is big, about double the size of the biggest Russian fighter ever made here on 21th century Earth. So these are my questions:
Did you mean 50 feet (15.24 meters) not meters OR Did you mean 15 not 50 meters OR Is this fighter truly over 164 feet long?
We have never seen an image of this fighter in any publication, was there some earth fighter or science fiction fighter that inspired this design (what does it look like)?
Boy. I have no idea what I meant at that time. I would guess that it should have been 50' because I never imagined it being that large. As far as what it looks like, I've always pictured it as something like a Viper from the original Battlestar Galactica, but with larger “wings” and a stylized “bird” insignia painted on the bottom.
I just finished "Jedi Search" a few days ago and noticed your descriptions of the Hornet Interceptor don't seem to match the artwork produced later on in "The Jedi Academy Sourcebook" and the "Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels". I took careful note of how you originally described the craft at the end of chapter one:
“ The ship, aerodynamically perfect, slid through the atmosphere like a vibroblade, ignoring the heat generated on its hull. ” — “Star Wars: Jedi Search”
Clearly, by your detailed description, you have an outstanding understanding of what a hypersonic atmospheric aircraft would look like and the official drawings of your ship seem to exhibit an abridged understanding of "aerodynamic perfection".
Did the artists Doug Chiang and Troy Vigil take your initial description from the first sentence "One sleek, insectile ship" too literally and ignore the rest of the interceptor's description? In other words, are you satisfied with the artwork that was produced of your Hornet Interceptor in light of your original descriptions or do they fall short of your original mental vision?
Now I do remember that one! I did not see the sketches until they were actually published, and the designs in the book were not what I'd had in mind. I wanted something that had the sleek ellipsoidal feel of an elongated hornet body but very streamlined...not a robot insect.
I was doing some study of your drawings from “Cracken's Threat Dossier”. The fighter I am specifically studying is the Yevethan D-Type. The ship looks like an aerodynamic atmospheric fighter. What I was wondering is if you recall anything else about this fighter when you drew it? Was this fighter inspired by some other ship or earth fighter?
I think the brief did ask for an atmospheric fighter. And I was cranking out so many illos in such tight deadlines in those days for WEG, that I'm not sure exactly what I was going for. However, just by looking at it, I'm sure I was influenced by the F-21 experimental... pics of that craft were just surfacing at the time. And I added some extra dorsal fin thingies (that is a scientific term, thingies <g>) to sci-fi it up a little.
I am wondering if you could wrack your brain and recall from days long past in 1993 two alien races you mentioned in Galaxy Guide 9?
The first is the "Agorffi" found on page 53. They were a strong race enslaved by the "The Slaver Syndicate".
The Agorffi are a throwaway race name which I've only referred to half a dozen times throughout my notes and I don't have any significant details on them. They are ape-like, slightly similar to Wookiees, but they're not as strong and they don't have climbing claws, berserk abilities or any of that sort of nonsense. They are technologically primitive (makes them vulnerable to slaving). I suppose, think roughly 'Planet of the Apes' in terms of appearance (or maybe 'Planet of the Apes' crossed with a Neanderthal).
Use the Tough Native template for typical game statistics for a player-character Agorffi, and probably Aqualish (those walrus-headed things) in terms of typical attitude, behaviour and level of sophistication. They'd be a playable race, but as they're on about the same sort of level as Gamorreans, I don't see many players being all that interested in playing them. They were intended for use by GMs as goons, thugs or spearthrowers, or as the victims of slavers or Imperial pogroms.
I am wondering if you could wrack your brain and recall from days long past in 1993 two alien races you mentioned in Galaxy Guide 9?
The Second is the "Ailon" found on page 57. They were a militaristic race idled by the Empire.
Well, when I submitted the manuscript, the 'Ailon Nova Guard' were the Thyrsus Sun Guard (or is it Thrysus? I often transpose the y and the r and I'm not sure which way round is correct.) Here's what I originally wrote:
The Sun Guards of the Thrysus system have a reputation for martial prowess exceeded only by that of the Imperial Royal Guard and the Mandalorians. For a Sun Guard, training for combat is an act of religious devotion, and is also part of a martial tradition stretching back more than 13,600 years. Indeed, the battle honors of the Thrysus regiments are so numerous that only on the most prestigious ceremonial occasions are they all brought out. In these cases, the first PLATOON, known as the Honor Platoon, carries the regimental honors. That is, every Guardsman carries one banner, and every banner has over one hundred honors displayed - at a rate of one honor for each battle the regiment has been involved in. By anyone's standards, that's a tremendous amount of martial tradition.
But under the Empire, the military activities of the Thrysus Sun Guards have been toned down a little - that's the job of the Imperials, and consequently the ceremonial side of their duties has expanded. No-one should miss seeing the annual Thrysus Military Tattoo at least once; it makes the annual Red Square military display look like a tea party. There are fireworks, laser displays, flying displays, mock battles, feasts, parades, festivals, displays - anything and everything with a military theme. This is one of the most prestigious events in the military calendar too, and the Empire always sends some of its stormtrooper legions and elite stormtrooper units as part of the display. There are always plenty of TIE fighters (and other craft) performing aerobatics too, including the galaxy-renowned Imperial TIE Interceptor display team. They ALWAYS provide a good show.
You can see how much that has been changed (and added to) in what was published. If I needed some cannon fodder alien soldiers, I might use the Ailon Nova Guard more or less as published (once I'd chopped out the Thrysus-bits given above). If I wanted some /elite/ alien soldiers, I'd use my version of the Thrysus Sun Guard. Note also that I didn't provide any game stats, so what's published is entirely West End Games' invention.
What can you tell me about the alien race known as the Drell? We know they are a race of shipwrights who build well-armed starfighters and military-grade space cruisers for piracy and other shady businesses. But what of these Drell? What do you know about them your curious readers do not know? I would love to know.
Regarding the Drell, I can't remember exactly what I created about them at the time I wrote those passages. Obviously I visualized them to some extent, but I mostly created them probably because I was too lazy to look up another race in the references that built ships. It was easier to think up a new one!
(I did a lot of research for those books, but most of what I learned has faded in the decade or so since I wrote them.)
Who is Xendor and why are his minions so terrible or despicable as to be considered a curse or explicative?
Insofar as Xendor was concerned, I couldn't have Star Wars characters cursing in the "normal" words we'd use, so I thought up some curses that wouldn't be anachronisms by being too earthlike, and used them. I never developed a history or background for Xendor.
Have a great day, enjoy!
-Ann C. Crispin
P.S. Look for my next novel, to be released May 17, 2011.
Do you recall anything about the race called the “Aplocaph” or the alien being known as “Saduu Nagag" who was an “Aplocaph“ that you wrote about in “Riders of the Maelstrom”.
Unfortunately I don't remember anything special about the Aplocaphs. I think they were created as a throw-away alien species to fill out the Princess's passenger list.
Mr. O'Brien, back in November of 1995, you Authored an outstanding article for West End Games in their "Star Wars Adventure journal #8", titled "The Gree Enclave". On page 55 you make mention of a race that traded with the secretive Gree, on the planet Asation, known only as the "Aggoron". I can find no other reference to this alien race anywhere. I was wondering if there was any additional information on the "Aggoron" or was it just one of hundreds of throw-away subjects STAR WARS is sadly festooned with? Please help and thank you in advance for any light you can shed on the subject.
Hello, and thanks.
I'm sorry to say that my archives from this period are incomplete, so I can't say whether the Aggoron were in the original draft or added by the editor - it's likely that they are indeed a throw-away species.
Thanks for getting in touch,
Tim
I have no recollection of the “Aggoron”, and I doubt it was something I as editor inserted; my general editorial philosophy throughout my tenure at West End Games was to use already established elements when possible, whether from canon or the “Expanded Universe”.
I am wondering where the “Grenna Base” that Bria Tharen spoke of actually is???
This was the secret facility used by the Rebel Alliance you mention in “Rebel Dawn”. Doctor Daino Hyx used it as a treatment center for slaves rescued from Ylesia during a raid by Red Hand Squadron.
If by some miracle can you recall this secret base, and where was it located??? Did you have a specific planet in mind or was it a free-floating space station in deep space???
Hi, Frank:
At the time I wrote those books, there was no official "map" of the Empire or the planets there. I knew that Alderan and Coruscant weren't too far apart from each other, but other than that, the only way they referred to journeys was by time "three days to get to X."
I think I envisioned Grenna as a big Rebel facility in space that could be moved if the Empire zeroed in on them.
Other than that...I don't have a clue.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
-Ann
Are you the same Daren Horley who won honorable mention in the "Design an Alien" Contest back in 1996 in "STAR WARS Galaxy" magazine?
If so, is there any additional original artwork, of this Alien, available?
Also, is there any additional information about the alien race known as the "Amphi-Hydrus" you might recall?
Afternoon Frank,
My word you have an outstanding memory, even I'd forgotten that one. That artwork is the only one and the description is all that exists. it was an off the cuff creation, no real expansion was ever made beyond what was printed in that Magazine. Sorry there's not any more I can provide you with.
I am aware of the stock stats for the Stalwart-class and the "silhouette" of the freighter in "Pirates and Privateers". I have the book and "Alliance Intelligence Reports".
The Nightcast is described as 19.7 meters long on on page 28 of "Alliance Intelligence Reports". On the same page it claims the freighter has a cargo hold big enough to house Callandri's vintage Jadai Q-6100 Ground Vehicle. The Q-6100 is listed as being 8.5 meters long. It's essentially a stretch-limousine if its width and height is that of an automobile. I suspect the Q-6100 is massive in all proportions based in its descriptions (reminds me of a 1959 Eldorado) thus it may be as huge as a bulldozer or tank. The problem is how do I shoehorn a 8.5 meter speeder in a 19.7 meter freighter that also holds 2 crew, 2 gunners, 11 passengers, and all the necessary mechanicals to fly and travel through hyperspace? By any chance did you mean 91.7 m, 79.1 m, or 71.9m? I suspect the length of the ship is incorrect or the ship is much wider than long by a factor of two.
The "silhouette" on page 59 of "Pirates and Privateers" resembles a swept-wing assault fighter or gun-boat but not a light freighter. When you overlay a 8.5 meter stretch limo over the "silhouette" scaled to 19.7 meters long, you don't get a very pretty sight. I get the impression Tim O'Brien did not consult you on the shape and proportions of this ship. My other suspicion is that the artwork was mislabeled and it's not the Stalwart-class we see on page 59 of "P&P".
Thus this begs the question, What did Callandri's Nightcast really look like in your opinion? If you can't describe it, was it inspired by some other space ship or aircraft from some other story? Whatever minute detail you can recall will be helpful. Lastly the name "Stalwart-class" is a model name like "Camaro" or "Mustang" not a manufacturer name like "Chevrolet" or "Ford" respectively. The descriptions of Callandri indicate she worked for Kuat Drive Yards and she also had her ship modified with military components by KDY. If I had to guess on a make and model, I would guess Callandri's Nightcast was a "KDY Stalwart-class Light Freighter". Is this a correct assumption or was the ship made by another company and retrofitted with KDY components?
I envisioned the Stalwart as, yes, much wider than it was long. The silhouette from P&P was way off, and looked like a gunship more than anything. I had always thought of it as a triple-wide Firespray (a post-Imperialization KDY enlargement of the old-school KSE designs), somewhat similar to how the T65 was the new-gen Z-95. Cargo was loaded perpendicular to how we see the Slave I loaded in TESB, and because the holds ran along the long axis, there was plenty of cargo space. The lift/mass ratio was intended to be high, as I further envisioned something of a jump-jet takeoff akin to the Firesprays.
Some of the history I remember including was that it was designed by Selen Ventroni, who later defected to the Alliance, and that he was also building post-Longshot Lantillian prototypes for Alliance SpecForce teams (including the Bain IV, which used modified AT-ST hydraulics in its landing assembly).
In “Heir to the Empire” you make reference to the "Paonnid" or "Paonidd" alien race. Two questions:
What is the correct spelling?
What do they look like?
1. Paonidd 2. No idea. :)
I have a question regarding “Enemies for Life” from “Star Wars Adventure Journal” No. 4.
In said article you created a huge 50 meter (164 foot) Interceptor. The model was Corellian Engineering Corporation INT-66 and the ship was called “The Gorgon”. The ship's stats appeared on page 202 but there was no artwork for the ship.
What did the "The Gorgon", the INT-66 look like?
As for what she looked like... urmmm.. the closest image I can conjure for you is a Gunstar from Last Starfighter or a Starfury from Babylon 5 (four engines toward the rear, spaced out for rotational thrust). Measuring at 50m, however, the INT-66 is certainly larger than both other vessels.
You're right about the ship being huge. In fact, I'm going to call my younger-self out on its classification. In modern military parlance, it's fair to say the INT-66 was really a gunship, not an interceptor, despite my use of the word "heavy".
I *believe* these were submitted to WEG. They generally requested and I tried to provide concept sketches for the professional artists at WEG. And, being a terrible illustrator, I'm surprised WEG let me keep working with them. :)
Although the schematics for the Gorgon never made it to print, Peter and WEG did a fantastic job with my concept art for other starships. In particular, I'm fond of the treatment they gave to the Arakyd Helix http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Helix-class_light_interceptor. I enjoy reading the fiction that grew up around the vessel, which first appeared in Peter's Star Wars Adventure Journal.
Anyway, please enjoy the attached, and thanks again to my friend and editor Peter for hooking us up, and for your interest. I've enjoyed reading your archive.
Oh, and please forgive the brown stains. After I submitted the concept art to West End, I used it in my own campaigns. Despite being protected by a plastic liner, as in all RPGs, the marks of pizza and soda stains signify a character/ship sheet well-loved.
Hello again Mr. Carey,
I was reading through the Star Wars Adventure Journal #11 and saw your article "Cracken's Rebel Operatives". On page 266 is a light freighter called "The Agent" which is a Anxarta-class light freighter. This 28 meter ship has no artwork and I was wondering if you have any recollections what this ship might look like. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help you can give us.
Frank V. Bonura
Hey Frank, good to hear from you again. We never got around to fleshing out specifics for the Anxarta, but its basic shaped was intended to be similar to a Death Star Gunner's helmet, with the turbolaser mounted near the chin and the twin cannons mounted starboard and port, about 1/4 back from the viewscreen (which was a 180-degree wrap-around, again, borrowing from the helmet).
Landing gear was recessed and similar to the Lantillian-style. Boarding ramps aft and fore.
It's been so long, sorry I don't remember more about it. Cheers
Craig
Roy,
There is an reptilian alien in Star Wars® #84 — Seoul Searching:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ualp_Xathan
"Ualp Xathan" if you scramble the first name and change the "X" to "N" spells Paul Nathan.
My question is, who was Paul Nathan and was "Ualp Xathan" an homage or memorial to a real person? I suspect there is some interesting backstory here.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Thanks for asking. There is a back story, but it's not what you think.
That whole issue is an homage to sci fi writer Andre Norton, who had a race of reptilian aliens in her books called the Xacathans.a
They were scientists and historians who were also pacifists. They spent most of their time as supporting characters known for exploring alien ruins.
If you are unfamiliar with Norton's work, I would recommend checking out "Zero Stone," it is one of her best, out of a career that saw her write over 300 books. I read Zero Stone in the 4th grade, and most of her other books over the years. Many old time science fiction readers feel that George Lucas owes her a nod for a lot of what is in Star Wars.
Thanks for your interest,
Roy
I was wondering what more you could tell me about the pilot Durquist's race the furry starfish-like sapients, the "Conjeni"?
As to the Conjeni, I'm afraid they were altered a bit for the adventure. The characters were part of a larger campaign that I ran at SUNY Binghamton back in the day. That's how I met Bill Smith! They wanted the adventure to be a bit more smuggler/pirate related so I took a few characters and tweaked them.
Originally Durquist and Morph were a bit more like Han Solo and Chewbacca. Durquist's fedora was actually a nod to Indiana Jones. Morph was the last of his species and had a revenge arc going on in his story. Without digging out my old notes (I don't remember where I put them, but I do have them) I will tell you what I remember about the Conjeni. They were mechanically advanced for sure. They especially had a fondness for advanced weaponry. Durquist would travel with Morph finding antique artifacts and selling them for a profit - typically to a museum run by Skikki, a Rurrian. Since he was so far out from his homeworld, I never actually gave too much more thought to their species. I do recall they were unusually stubborn though!
LT-9000 Rendilii Interceptor painted a light blue. The pink lettering on the side of the ship declares it to be the Tasty Acorn.
I know this ship has a hyperdrive and a backup hyperdrive. Is there anything more you can tell me about the LT-9000? Was the ship inspired by a science fiction or real-world spacecraft / aircraft?
The LT-9000 was something that I came up with to fill a need for a campaign I ran. Plako was a mechanic for Boyd and Foop (who never appeared in "Treasure Hunt") who owned "Boyd's Be There In A Minute Delivery Service". It was an older model pursuit vessel that had a crew of 3 to 4 along with some small storage space. A bit smaller than the Millenium Falcon.
On page 275 of the "Star Wars Adventure Journal" No. 10 is the infamous "Lathien Leth" piloted by Rani Quanic the Sullustan. The Ship is a SoroSuub Nella 342 Light Freighter. We all know what the silhouette looks like in "Pirates & Privateers" page 58, but like the Stalwart-class, I'm pretty sure it's wrong.
Question: What does the Nella 342 Light Freighter really look like?
I went through the books and I only recall a vague concept of the Nella (mind you, this was a long time ago) ... but I do remember talking to Tim or somebody working on P&P about the design at some point, and that it had something of an over-hanging cockpit, like those angler fish deep in the ocean (I think I was going to make the Nella some cavern monster in the sulfurous caverns on Sullust).
So the silhouette was basically correct, but when viewed at the same orientation as the other ships in its row, I think it made it look like the cockpit was on the side instead of high and ahead. Does that make sense?
Basically, I tried to avoid the classic YT- or Ghtroc-style disk designs, and leaned more toward Lantillians, Firesprays, or one-offs, etc. ... I never really followed up on the design with whomever it was who did that section (Brian or Joe in the art dept., probably), and by the time I had time to really think about it, we'd all been laid off and the WEG staff was cast to the wind. *le sigh*
I have a question about the West End Games publication “Pirates and Privateers”. On page 44b you mention a "Deck Clearing Blaster", model: DL-87 Firespray. This powerful and lethal weapon is listed at only 100 credits. Was this a typo or perhaps the prices were somehow swapped with the less-than-lethal Merr-Sonn Deck Sweeper Stunning Blaster from page 42 (listed at 500 credits)?
I'm sure that's an error, and probably a typo. It is in the original text, so it's my mistake. That 100 credits should probably be 1000 credits.
In "Heir to the Empire", The planet Bpfassh had two neighboring solar systems that were unpronounceable to humans.
Was this deliberate, to add alien flavor, or was writing momentum more important than stopping to make up two system names?
Do humans have nicknames for these unpronounceable systems?
It was deliberate, for the reason you suggest. And I'm sure humans have nicknames; sadly, Han and Leia never mentioned them.
I know you drew them, did they have a species name is the big question?
Okay, Frank....how about this name for the lil' freaks?
V'lardians.
Their planet of origin: V'lar
Mystery solved!
Mike V.
I was wondering if I could ask you about the extinct alien race on the planet Jerrilek you wrote about in “Loyalties” in the “Star Wars Adventure Journal” number 4?
I threw in the extinct aliens as nothing more than "local color" for the planet. The brief reference in the adventure is all there is.
Hello Mr. Eldred
Do you remember “Platt's Starport Guide” Page 94?
There are a bunch of starfighters in your drawing. What are they?
Hi - I remember that drawing but I don't remember where those fighters came from. I probably made them up.
In the "Star Wars Adventure Journal" number 13, in the article "Scouts' Dispatch" you detail stats for a Starcat-class Freighter. I have two questions.
Is the illustration on page 260 a depiction of the Starcat, and if not what does the ship look like?
Was there a dominant donor ship or manufacturer that made up the majority of the ship's components?
That was supposed to be what it looked like, yes.
It was supposed to be a Kuat ship that never went into full production, so there were only a handful out there.
Pablo Hidalgo wrote an article in the Star Wars Adventure Journal #12 called "Shape Changers". There is a chapter on the Polydroxol (a.k.a. Morph's race). Did Pablo consult you when he wrote the article?
Stupid question to end debate. Is Morph a nod to the T-1000 of "Terminator" fame?
Sadly Pablo did not consult me. One of the downfalls of being freelance.
And yes, Morph was a nod to the T-1000.
Are you the Carolyn Golledge who wrote "Firepower" for the Star Wars Adventure Journal 8?
“The ones that look like overgrown scaly swamp creatures are called Ghawems. We gotta steer clear of them. They'll be spouting methane gas from their backpacks. Come to think of it, they've probably already flooded the upper decks with the stuff.” — Star Wars Adventure Journal, No. 8, page 280
I was wondering if you knew anything more about the alien race you wrote about, the Ghawems?
Yup. Guilty as charged. I did indeed write Firepower all those years ago. Also wrote about 60 or so fanfic novellas. Alas, I don't think the Ghawems featured in any.... hmm... maybe a bit part in one i could check. I don't remember much about them now, though i do recall making notes of their background. Seemed a good way to capture another ship without damaging anything but its crew. They worked in unison with the ... spelling and name from memory.... the ! Myills.... little rodent like creatures that were trained to chew through certain types of wiring after being being put on board in cargo by would be heisters. Ah that's right, Myills, i got the idea from Mynocks of ESB.
Anyway, thank you so much for contacting me. It's nice to know someone actually read Firepower! ☺ Btw, there was a third story in the series, its called Double Deal, but never saw print as editors were changed at least twice, and then Lucas pulled the plug on the AJ altogether.
Nice to meet you and thx again!
realize its been 20 years but If I don't ask, I will never know.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Malagarrian
Do you remember this alien race [Malagarrian] from “Star Wars Missions 20: Total Destruction”???
It's my hope you could shine some more light about this race that wiped itself out.
Hi, Frank,
My memories on all this are actually pretty good, I think.
When Scholastic hired me to write the Star Wars® Missions books, I'd never written a role-playing game book/story, so the assignment was very new territory for me. I thought it would be practical if the reader/gamer could consult with another character throughout the games/stories. I created Q-7N, who could fly around and act as an "eye in the sky" for the gamer.
But at the outset, I told Scholastic and Lucasfilm that I thought Q-7N should not survive the SW Missions series. I proposed that Q-7N should "die" for continuity reasons and also dramatic purposes. I created Q-7N for a story set in a very specific and limited time period after the events of the Battle of Yavin. I believed Q-7N would be more memorable if he sacrificed himself to save others.
Re. the quote you cited . . .
They were fools. Despite their technological capabilities, the Malagarrians could not control the radioactive energy from within the planet. In a matter of weeks, millions of Malagarrians died. The few survivors moved underground. In time, they died, too. Only the droids remained.
. . . that was simply dialogue that served to convey a backstory for Q-7N, to give that character something resembling a past.
Did I expect Lucasfilm to hire me to write a story that would reveal more about the Malagarrians? No, but if they had, I'm sure I could have come up with something. Are you the first person to ever ask me about the Malagarrians? Yes, you are!
I can't say I ever visualized what the Malagarrians looked like, or anything about their society or history beyond Q-7N's dialogue, his brief reminiscence. Because if I only think about Star Wars in direct proportion to how much I'm getting paid to think about it. Yeah, I know, that sounds cynical, but it's the truth! Ha ha.
I hope that info is helpful, and that this message finds you well.
Best regards,
— Ryder
I am trying to find additional information about the Dark Horse Comics original version of the Star Wars Invasion story line. I am referring to the original story prior to Del Rey taking over the license.
I am particularly interested in Nom Anor's race and how it was originally going to be portrayed.
I remember very little about any plans we might have had. The few things I do recall are these:
1. Originally we had the vague concept of Nom Anor's species being totally alien -- nonhuman, non-bipedal, etc. We had talked about them being creatures inside bio-mechanical suits (hence Nom Anor's head-to-toe armor). Back in those days I was completely ignorant of Doctor Who and the fact that we were more or less describing the Daleks.
2. Because we were dealing with comics storytelling, and since comics are often at their most powerful when the conflict boils down to two characters in physical contact, we wanted to give Nom Anor and his ilk a weapon with which they could go toe-to-toe with the Jedi. Our initial idea was something like a lightsaber, but comprised of flame (or apparent flame).
As has been said before, we didn't get very far with our plans before Lucasfilm turned the newly licensed Del Rey loose on the idea. They did just about everything differently than we would have, and we lost interest pretty quickly.
God day Mr. Betancourt.
I had a curious question about "And the Band Played On: The Band's Tale".
You make reference to "Chagarian Ale" in the story.
What is the root word being you made it up (Chagar, Chagari, Chagaria, or Chagary)?
Chagar, I suppose? It was a LONG time ago!
Good morning,
I was wondering if you could recall something from "Star Wars Adventure Journal #3"? In the article "Droid Trouble" you detail a SoroSuub Ambassador-class Shuttle. Unfortunately there is no artwork for this shuttle.
I was wondering if you could recall what it looked like or maybe what science fiction or real world vessel may have inspired it???
Thank you in advance for your time and help.
It was based on the Sentinel landing shuttle (pictured), but since it was a SoroSuub craft I removed the fin, flattened and shortening the wings, expanded the cockpit to be the same width, and rounded off the cockpit a little, giving it three segments: cockpit, passenger hold, and drive section. I had a had drawn image of it that I had submitted with the story, but I have no idea where that might be now.
Were the stats for the [Ambassador-class] Shuttle in "Droid Trouble" in SWAJ #3 representative of a stock model or was the Bothan craft modified?
That was a stock Bothan shuttle, specifically built for the ambassadors.
According to the editor, Peter Schweighofer, there was something cultural about the vertical fins. I don't remember what it was off hand.
The ranges [of the Double Laser Cannons] on the stats [of the Ambassador-class Shuttle] are a bit weird.
Range: 1 - 5 / 10 / 25
Atmosphere Range: 100 - 500 / 1 / 2.5 km
Typical laser cannons range as follows:
Range: 1 - 3 / 12 / 25
Atmosphere Range: 100 - 300 / 1.2 / 2.5 km
The range discrepancy I think comes from a difference in the draft rules version I was provided with versus what was published.
I'd met the editorial team at a Comicon in Philly, and they had sent me a few rules drafts.
I had a question regarding the alien race called the Sumrias from the West End Games, "Imperial Sourcebook"
“ The eight-base measure was developed by the Sumrias of the Lol system; members of the Sumrian thought-caste have four digits on each hand. ”— “Imperial Sourcebook”, 1st Edition, page 113
I know its been almost 30 years since you wrote the book but I am wondering if you recall anything else about this alien race or maybe even the original inspiration for these aliens???
Thank you in advance for your time and Help.
My response will be in a few parts. First a bit of background on how I designed the Imperial Sourcebook, and how I applied that to the Sumrians. I picked ancient bronze age earth as my basic model for the empire. It was a period of vast empires that were economically connected, but which could not maintain complete political control no matter how militarily strong or ruthless they were. Seemed a good start.
I built alien societies by their institutions. All stable human societies have at least five: economic, education, family, government, religion. Aliens would have some in common with human societies, but lack some and/or have others in addition.
The Sumrians were one of the most ancient cultures in the Empire. They consider themselves one of the eight most ancient peoples in the galaxy, and adopted a base-eight numbering system as a result. Their castes are their social institutions. The castes are rigidly hierarchical within a caste, but they are extremely flexible on inter-caste interaction. A junior scholar of the thought-caste would need ritualized contact to talk to a senior researcher of the thought-caste, but could bump into a merchant prince of the starfarer-caste, and talk about anything they might think of.
I do not remember all the eight castes. The ones I do remember, and their human analogs are:
| Economy | Starfarer-caste |
| Education | Thought-caste |
| Family | None |
| Government | None |
| Religion | Enlightenment-caste |
| No analog | Xeno-caste |
| No analog | Ancients-caste |
What military the Sumrians have are mercenary companies protecting interests of the Starfarer-caste.
The Xeno-caste is the group the Sumrians lump all alien species into. The Xeno-caste is expected to resolve all issues for all member species, a pipe dream that leads to all manner of criminal operations setting up shop in Sumrian systems.
The Ancients-caste searches, finds, and reclaims planetary systems of dead races. Sumrian theology holds that Sumrians are destined to be the vessels for departed races who have made significant impact on the Force. The Ancients-caste tells the other castes when a new planet is to be reclaimed. Part of the reclaiming is genetic modification of natal Sumrians so they are born with as many characteristics of the ancient race as possible. Sumrians therefore don't have a specific species appearance; they look like the race whose home they have revived.
That's all I have got. I was lucky in that I still had one notebook of playtest stuff which had a couple of the above points. Hope this helps.
On page 93 of the "Star Wars Adventure Journal" you mention the locations of several planets that have a temple of Kooroo located on their surface.
“ Shrines of Kooroo have been uncovered on several Outer Rim worlds, including Haffrin, Gelgelar, Branteez, Sufezz, and Boztrok. By carefully studying the placement of shrines and the movement of various astrological bodies, it might be possible to pinpoint the scouts’ homeworld and send an archaeological expedition. ” — “Star Wars Adventure Journal”, No. 13, page 93
Is there any additional information about these outer rim planets?
More importantly do you know where is the Kooroo homeworld in relation to these planets?
Any light you can shine on these subjects would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help.
I first introduced the Temples of Kooroo in Platt's Starport Guide on the planet Gelgelar (pp. 72-74). This short bit included an overview of the Shrine of Kooroo there, the Wise Man of Kooroo who haunts the temple, a sidebar adventure idea related to the temple, and a sidebar on the Fellowship of Kooroo offering slightly more insight and speculation on the temples.
In Star Wars Gamer Magazine #8 (from Wizards of the Coast) there's a Temple of Kooroo in the “Topside Infiltration” scenario, a companion piece to the "Vaynai Starport" article (Vaynai was originally supposed to be named "Boztrok" but was changed at some point).
An unpublished (and hence non-official) scenario run as a charity gaming event with Timothy Zahn at various conventions in the 1990s (including at least one GenCon) placed a lost Temple of Kooroo on the planet of Port Haven (also from Platt's Starport Guide), though it was set during the New Republic era.
I'm not sure if other authors used the concept of the Temples of Kooroo in their work. I do not believe anything else was developed for the planets you named aside from Boztrok/Vaynai in Star Wars Gamer #8 and Gelgelar in Platt's Starport Guide (and possibly a Journal short story by Jean Rabe if my fading memory is correct).
I did not develop the Temples of Kooroo further. They were intended as ancient ruins and an archaeological mystery to cater to that aspect of the science fiction genre as a slice of Star Wars. The unpublished Timothy Zahn adventure posits that each temple had a series of inscribed stone obelisks radiating out from the central temple in even increments. Platt's Starport Guide speculates the temples enhance telepathic powers or tap into those powers used by the original builders. The Fellowship of Kooroo serves as a modern "cult" for Star Wars, a following of those interested in understanding the mystery of the temples and those who built them (the Fellowship plays a role in “Topside Infiltration”).
As for the Kooroo homeworld, I'm afraid that'll remain a mystery.... Although it might have connections to other aliens or civilizations with telepathy, particularly the Gree.
I have a discrepancy in "Wanted by Cracken" in "Star Wars Adventure Journal" number 4, page 230 (Ma'w'shiye)
Ma'w'shiye has the following Technical Skills
His equipment lists the following weapon: “ heavy blaster riffle with Tru-Vu 4 Scope (6D+1, +1D to blaster riffle skill) ”
Question: Is this riffle the SoroSuub XC24?
Hey Frank! Oh man, that was ages ago. But yes, the XC24 was intended to be the heavy blaster rifle (the one shown in the Wanted entry)
There are two moons in the Birjis system, Derora from “Idol Intentions” in the “Star Wars Adventure Journal” number 12, and Isamu (Mu Trees) from "Laughter after Dark" — “Star Wars Adventure Journal” number 15.
I was wondering if there was any more information about this solar system? Did both moons orbit the same planet? Was that planet called "Birjis" or did they orbit different planets in the same solar system?
The Birjis system is named for its sun. Both moons orbit the same planet, which I never named.
I was wondering what more you could tell me about the two aliens in this picture?
There has never been any “official” explanation or names for the two very different alien races seen in the piece, not to mention the lovely young lady caught up in the middle of it.
Hi Frank,
It was the cover for a Star Wars role playing game I did back in the 1980s.
It was painted in oils on illustration board.
From what I remember, the AD wanted a female cadet on board of a transport ship with different made up aliens.
They were playing the famous 3D chess and the alien was cheating.
The stormtrooper is coming over to see what the matter was (he is reflected in the wine glass).
Good morning,
I came across The Starknife, a KDY-D9 Runner found on pages 10-11 of “Secrets of the Sisar Run”. I was wondering if that was one of your ship designs, and if so, do you recall what it looked like?
Hi Frank,
Yes the KDY-D9 was one of mine. Basically it was named on the premise that after KSE was “Imperialized” the new firm restarted their model numbering conventions (e.g., the Firespray was 31, later models would have higher numbers, etc.). The D9 was an early-in-the-Empire design.
Although it was a freighter and not a patrol craft like the Firespray, I envisioned a similar design, but — and forgive me, I was a teenager when I designed most of this stuff — it was more angular like the Robotech Mechs or Russian attack helicopters instead of the more curved/organic/Mon Cal-esque lines of the Firespray's face.
Hope that helps -- that whole project was a whirlwind and I don't have many (if any!) of my notes, somehow.
Did West End Games use a formula for creating the four ranges (Point Blank, Short, Medium, and Long)? Also if there was such a formula, do you know which game designer developed it?
If there was formula, it was developed before I worked on the project. I wasn't given one to apply to any of the SW material I worked on.
Nothing that I'm aware of. The first ed. math was done years before I got to WEG, and I can assure you: Bill Smith did not do additional math. Everything was kinda 'go from the gut'.
On page 42 of "Pirates and Privateers", There is the LaserHone Talon Vibrodagger, listed with a price of 50 credits. The price seems very low, and I am wondering if this was a typo, with "500 credits" being intended? I noticed most vibro-weapons are priced in the 250-500 credit range and the adjacent LaserHone Duelist Vibrorapier, on the same page, is listed as 300 credits.
It is probably a typo.
I was reading, “Rebel Dawn”, and noticed this reference in the Acknowledgements Section.
Rich Handley, Craig Robert Carey (godfather of Wookiees!), Mike Beidler, and Pablo Hidalgo, for vital information regarding the Star Wars universe. Thanks, guys.
— The Late, Great, Ann Carol Crispin
“Godfather of Wookiees”, is quite a title, why did the late, great, Ann Carol Crispin refer to you as such?
Haha. She and I had a number of great conversations about Wookiee culture, etc ... the denizens of Kashyyyk were my niche for some time in behind-the-scenes source materials. LFL sent her my way to sort specifics. She sure was a sweet lady.
I was like 22 at the time, and a tad starstruck. Id been reading her works since 5th grade.
In the comic panel, Kemplex IX has a planet in the foreground. This suggests the Jump-station is in orbit of the barren rock planet.
Questions:
Is Kemplex IX the planet or the Jump-station?
Is or was there a Kemplex I through VIII as well?
I believe Kemplex IX is the planet in the foreground, and presumably there were 8 other worlds in the system as well. But you realize this was a throwaway detail in something I wrote twenty years ago? I certainly don't have any memory of that bit.
On page 81 of “Gundark's Fantastic Technology - Person Gear”, and page 122 in the “Tales of the Jedi Companion” under the listing of "Gyro-Grappler" the price indicated is 15 credits. The price seems low for a rocket-propelled grappling hook. Is it possible we are dealing with a typo or an order of magnitude error and the intended price was supposed to be 150 credits?
Hi Frank! It's been a while, but 150 credits seems right to me. I'm guessing it was a typographical error somewhere along the way. That's the way I would price it in my own campaign, at least.
It's been over 20 years, so I'd assume if it sounds erroneous, you've got a better grasp of the universe than I and it's a typo.
I had a question regarding "Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters", of which your editor credit may shed some light on the subject.
Page 91c, "Luma Flare", The device has a primary use as a night vision device. It is also listed as having an alternate weaponry value doing 4D damage in 20 meter radius as well as blindness in a 50 meter radius. This weapon also has a rocket-propelled range of 5 kilometers.
Is it possible the price of this weapon, 100 credits, is a typo or perhaps an order of magnitude error and the intended price was meant to be 1,000 credits? The "weapon" as published poses an issue with game balance due to under pricing.
Dear Frank:
I'll see if I can shed some light on your luma flare question from GG10: Bounty Hunters, though I did not edit that project (more on that below).
The description of the item's application as a weapon are pretty specific, but I think the creator and editor were looking at its intended use when determining pricing. Despite the details of setting its detonation point and its damage effects, I'd imagine factors of terrain and cover could mitigate its effect on ground targets, even if savvy players set it to detonate not on ground impact but, say, 10 meters above the intended target. As a gamemaster I might let characters get away with using this as a cheap missile once or twice, given the element of surprise against adversaries; after that I'd be more sensitive to critical failures in launching it (problems with both targeting and detonation timing), weather/terrain conditions impairing its accurate course, and fires/explosions near luma flare stockpiles the characters keep.
As an interesting aside, the title page of West End Star Wars products (and most other publications) included two sections crediting staff: the top part consists of those who directly worked on the project; the bottom part, what publishers would call the "masthead," lists everyone at the company at the time with their respective titles/departments. For GG10, Bill Smith was directly responsible for the book's "development and editing" while Denise Palter had practically nothing to do with the book beyond her duties making sure the company operated smoothly. It's an interesting record year-to-year of who worked on staff, when folks arrived and when they departed, and how job titles changed.
Hope I've managed to address you questions.
Many thanks,
Peter
I had a question regarding the "Merr-Sonn Excluder" found on pages 242-243 of the "Star Wars Adventure Journal" number 6 in the article "Scouts' Dispatch".
The retail price of the device is 350 credits. In spite of its less-than-lethal nature, the device has a significant area of effect (up to a 2,513 cubic meter hemisphere), is very effective at repelling dangerous animals, and is only a handheld device (massive miniaturization for essentially a portable space transport-sized shield generator). The device is slightly imbalancing for gameplay at the 350 credit price point.
Question: might there have been an order-of-magnitude TYPO and the price was supposed to be 3,500 credits instead?
Hi there! Oh yeah, that was definitely a typo - my first in print, as I recall, though sadly not my last. You are correct that it was supposed to be 3,500, not 350.
I noticed a few issues with "Platt's Smugglers Guide", and I hope you can shed some light on them.
On page 57 there is the Power Prybar (SoroSuub Prybar 2800) listed for only 30 credits. I realize generic power prybars are listed in several older sources for 30 credits but when you sit down and look at your stats and description, I get the sense we are dealing with an order of magnitude typo that dates back to the first edition of the "Star Wars Sourcebook". The power prybar as per your description contains: hydraulic pistons, a small pressure computer, and a slot for a replaceable power cell. Bottom line this is not a simple crowbar but is why I suspect we are dealing with a 300 credit tool. I would argue the pricing problem is systemic with all power tools in the game for the same reasons.
I have a second theory: there might have been a COPY/PASTE typo here as well. On the following page (page 58) I see the Price, Availability, and Game Notes for the Laser Welder are pasted from the Hydrospanner on the previous page (page 57). I am wondering if the Power Prybar might have suffered from the same misstep? I also suspect the Laser welder should also be 500 credits and not 50 credits.
I commend your diligence in your devotion to West End's Star Wars Roleplaying Game and the work we did so long ago.
That said, it was long ago for me and I regret I have no recollection of how those specific details made it into Platt's Smugglers Guide. I might have referenced them from the sources you mention, the editor might have altered them (or played with copy-paste functions as you suggest), or it might have reflected systemic trends (as you also suggest). As with any roleplaying game information, change it to suit your needs and your vision of the setting, which you do.
As an aside, Matt Busch's original cover sketches (and possibly the painting, I can't recall at this point) included a modest pump heel on Platt's boots, to which Lucasfilm approvals folks objected as impractical for a spacer like her.
I maintain that WEG's Star Wars RPG materials were not perfect; given the vast volume WEG produced (upwards of three, sometimes four products a month during my tenure there) I would expect occasional errors and discrepancies.
I have a question regarding page 17 of "Hideouts and Strongholds". You list the following weapon:
" Stun grenade launcher, Character, missile weapons: grenade launcher, 1-5/10/15, damage 7D (stun), ammo 35. "
The problem is if the range is in meters, the grenade would be more efficiently launched by being tossed by hand (thrown weapons skill). Were there some zeroes missing and the intended range was 1-50m/100m/150m or was the range accidentally swapped with another weapon?
- AND -
I have a question regarding page 64 of "Hideouts and Strongholds". You list the following weapon:
Missile Bank
- Weapon: Bryn & Gweith Multi-Purpose Missile Bank XVI
- Type: Multipurpose missile launcher
- Scale: Starfighter
- Skill: Missile weapons
- Crew: 6, skeleton: 3/+10
- Ammo: 42
- Cost: 18,000 (new), 9,000 (used)
- Availability: R or X
- Body: 7D
- Fire Rate: 6/4
- Fire Control: 3D (5D when linked lo external sensor systems. may target ships, vehicles or attacking troops)
- Range: 1-30/100 km/Low orbit
- Damage: 9D
At 18,000 credits this weapon is incredibly imbalanced. At 9D damage (starfighter scale), this weapon can even pose a threat to capitol ships. Was a zero left off at the end of the price and 180,000 credits was intended?
Any light you can shed on these two items would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.
Thanks for the interest, Frank.
I haven't looked at these stats for years. After comparing the grenade launcher with the one on page 65 of Rules of Engagement (SpecForces book), I would go ahead and add a 0.
Comparing the Missile Bank with the other large weapons, I would also add a 0.
I don't immediately see any story reasons for either of these items to be all that different from similar weapons.
This is a drawing you produced and appeared in "Twin Stars of Kira" on page 91. The organic ship in the distance is clearly The Stelaciter, an lskallon Light Frigate (the Borg analog in the Star Wars Galaxy). The ship rocketing towards it in the foreground is assumed to be the Player's ship in the scenario. Do you recall anything more about this ship as there are no game stats for it in the scenario?
I vaguely recall the approaching ship being a similar analog to a Starfleet vessel (hence the nacelles). There might have been a conversation about making the saucer a mirrored Corellian freighter with modified engines mounted to the back. It might be fun to revisit but, yeah, no stats, just a certain look as I recall.
The treelike Jedi stood motionless, watching, sensing the jungle . . . and she knew her enemies would come to her. She had only to wait. Her roots dug deeper into the soil, drawing on it for greater energy. She felt the sap pulsing through her, boiling in her veins, allowing her to gain the speed for the unwavering action that she would require just this once . . . she hoped.
— Kevin J. Anderson,
“Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Under Siege”, page 70
In “Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Under Siege” twice you make mention of a Jedi trainee that is an unidentified tree species. I am wondering if the tree Jedi is the same race as Jedi Master Ood Bnar, a Neti?
Yes, that was our intent.
I was wondering if you could tell me anything more about the alien race called the “Modbrek” from “Nightlily: The Lovers' Tale”?
After thirty years, I don't recall whether the Modbreksd were a race I found in one of the Star Wars planet handbooks from West End Games, or a people I made up because I needed an alien female whose distress would illustrate what an s.o.b. Trevagg the Gotal is. I apologize - I simply don't remember.
In Chapter 9 of “Children of the Jedi” you wrote:
“According to the Will, there are no aliens on this ship,” said Luke, with a kind of wry weariness. “According to the Will, concentrations of bodies with internal temperatures of a hundred and five degrees—Gamorrean normal—don't exist, either. Or those with temperatures of a hundred and ten, or one-six, or eighty-three, which means there aren't any Jawas, Kitonaks, or Affytechans around. But I have found a way to get up onto the upper decks without—was…”
Were those body temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius???
Regarding body temperatures - Since Fahrenheit and Celsius are both local Earth designations, I assume that Luke was thinking in terms of some kind of Imperial Standard measurement. (I'm assuming Luke and his family are colonists on Tatooine, or descendants of colonists. The local inhabitants - the Jawas and the Sand People - don't appear to be sufficiently technological to establish or even think about such measurements).
We know a great deal about what the appearance of the Affytechans look like from your writings but because they were under the mind control of the Eye of Palpatine, we know little about the alien race's culture and personality. The Affytechans remind me of the talking flowers in, "Alice in Wonderland". Is there anything else you can tell us about these sapient plants?
As to the Affytechans, research about them is difficult because they adapt to the cultures of the researchers, and display whatever cultural traits the researchers themselves possess. In the unlikely event that the researchers would be, for instance, Gamorreans, they would act with Gamorrean aggressiveness (not that Gamorreans would undertake such research). Should a research party consist of Jedi knights, the Affytechans would assume the cultural characteristics of the order and display wisdom and compassion. Galactic researchers find this extremely frustrating to deal with.