UGP : Vote for Planet Story -winner declared

[Phrubruh]

It's friday and time to cast your votes for the best Planet background story for our Star Wars planet group project. Please PM me your vote by sending me the story number at the top of each message. One vote per user. PLEASE DO NOT POST NEW ENTRIES OR OTHER MESSAGES TO THIS THREAD!

I will post the results on monday.

[Phrubruh]

Story 1:

Kashyyyk

Between Episodes III-IV

The Planet is under siege.  The Empire is gaining the upper hand during an amphibious assault on the beach of Kashyyyk, in the town, in the jungle.  Hundreds of wookiees have been taken prisoner, but some remain at large where they are ripping VOTC stormies arms from their sockets.  Decaying Kashyyyk clones and armor (Fritzkrieg   ) and battle droid parts are still visible protruding from the sands on the beach.  An intense guerrilla style wookiee assault is being fended off by VOTC stormtrooper and Evo sandtrooper units in the streets of the Kashyyyk town (think Mos Eisley with more foliage).

[Phrubruh]

Story 2:

Planet name: Palacious

Capital: Phoxis

Population: 6.2 Billion

Species: Human, Rodian, Bothan, Zabrak(sp), Mon Calamari

Geography: a large continent of crystal covers half of the planet, several small islands dot the oceans

Climate: Average temp 35 degrees, farenheit, one snowy season(3 standard mos)

Planet history: In 1,682 BBY, a large group of scientists set up a laboratory on a large, cold, planet in an uncharted part of the Outer Rim. This planet they named Palacious for its large continent of blue crystal, on which the one of the planet's cities resides, its capital, Phoxis. The city cascades up as a cone with many caves in the wall where many homes and buisnesses are located. A large magnalev train carries the inhabbitants to and from the differnt caves. One of the smaller cities, Osharzin, contains a large group of the planet's wealthy reside. Phoxis was home of the scientist's main lab where they mined the blue crystals, known as Oceanisaas. These crystals were sold for great profit to the Core Worlds' wealthy for jewlery and decoration. The people of Palacious lived in peace until the Empire was formed in 19 BBY. That year, the Empire took over the planet's government and its miing buisness. The planet's poor and middle-class were plunged into poverty, while the wealthy sold their share of the mining industry. A tall, looming, Imperial base was constructed on the small island of Osharzin at the top of the crystal. over 1,000 feet of crystal on the top was blown off to accomidate a low alttitude base. Over 1,300 people were forced from the area. The Empire currently rules its wealthiest aquisition with an iron fist.

[Phrubruh]

Story 3:

-Centare: Rise of a planet-

Although the planet Centare has seen many years of history and without a doubt countless wars, some didn’t believe that it even existed, as it’s native species did not ever leave the planet until its later years. Slightly off of the Perlemian trade route, and with its neighboring planets, Mandalore and Obroa-Skai, many thought it was too close to the deep core to be a habitable planet. The humanoid, Centarens thought otherwise.

From time to time traders would be forced to make “pit stops” on the planet and would be stripped of their valuable items and killed. This acquiring of technology from many civilization’s led the Centarens to grow rapidly, not only by using the weapons or other items they had gathered, but by improving on them.  For many years, the Centarens advanced in technology, not only improving life in the dense jungle outskirts and City core of their planet, but creating a means to make a formidable army as well.  The Centarens became so advanced that it was questionable as to whether they would be able to stay unnoticed for very long. Cautious of the now emerging galaxy the Centarens formed their army and began to train for battle. By 3996 B.B.Y the Centarens had amassed a full fledged military and when war brought itself to the doorstep of Centare they were prepared for the burden it would be on their world.

-The Mandalorian Wars-

Seeking to use the planet as a supply and hyperspace jump point (unknowing as to how difficult hyperspace jumps from the deep core are) the Mandalorians arrived on the planet in force during what would later be called The Mandalorian Wars. Much to the Mandalorians surprise they were met with a military of great strength and the Mandalorians were driven from the planet, leaving some of their prized armor and weapons, along with many of their comrades. They vowed however, to return someday and conquer.  Little did the Mandalorians know, they would be caught on the planet of Onderon and devastated, by Republic forces just one year later. This would not stop the long feud that would later exist between the two civilizations.

-A time of peace?-

Years passed and peace had found itself on Centare. The wars of factions and planets had stopped and the Centarens began to again focus on technology and were not as cautious of other planets as they had been in the past. Centarens had perfected Hyperspace jumps in the deep core and with this discovery were not only able to travel, but were now able to use the close by Perlemian trade route, which stretched from Courscant, through Taanab and all the way past Felucia. As the hyperspace technology spread across the galaxy many different species came to Centare in search of goods and many of the usual shops and cantinas that were so popular on other planets began to open up. The planet of Centare gained massive wealth from this trade route, but peace could not last long. They began to swim in greed as the military generals wanted to use their newly gained power to conquer planets (namely mandalore) and the higher politicians seeked a partnership with the Republic in order to establish more trade routes passing through and around Centare. The Centarens began to destroy themselves from the inside as the civilization split into two factions, the Neshan and the Bosok. The Neshan which inhabited the jungle area of the planet used guerilla warfare to harass the Bosok city dwellers who were “too filled with pride to use what works” said the Neshan leader commenting on how the Bosok refused to use the Mandalorian inspired armor that the Neshan swore by.

-Unable to fight another war-

By 23 B.B.Y. the factions had crumbled and while the technologies they had established remained intact (both on Centare and off world thanks to the, its people were devastated. They began to rebuild. A year later the Seperatist movement had rose and little did they know all their reconstruction would be in vain as the planet of Centare would be host to many battles (most of which had no strategic significance) during the clone wars. By 19 B.B.Y. the Centarens were in dire need of assistance with rebuilding their planet and negotiatans were opened up with the Republic. Unfortunately, the Republic had sunk and the newly formed Galactic Empire was established too soon for the Centarens to get any real help.

-A Precious Commodity-

Under an Imperial rouse, Imperial Transports and StarDestroyers carried down stormtroopers as Centarens in complete disbelief were being gathered by the thousands and branded as slaves to the Empire because of their technological prowess. Grand Moff Tarkin spearheaded the campaign and said only this about the planet. “We have gathered a precious commodity on Centare, its people.”

[Phrubruh]

Story 4:

WEll, I'm not good at stories or names or any of all that, so I'll just throw out a couple of ideas I had.  I also like the look of both Chewies and Glassmans drawings, though I'd like to see a little less forset and more rock/mountain land and grasslands on eachside of it, maybe right at the edge of the city, there's a couple fields and hills, then a forest, then rocks and the mountain.
Even thoguh I think a forest would look real cool.. I'm afraid it will tale away from a lot of stuff that can be put in and around it...

I like the big Imperial tower in there.. I'd like to see some sort of "Medieval Castle" take on it.. back then, the way a castle was constructed, was the main living area was in the center, then there was a smaller wall, and then the "town" where the peasants lived... In a way, I think this would look cool.. Yet I dont mean making an actual Medieval looking castle/tower, but just using the layout/look of one for the Imperial Tower and the town surrounding it.

Another thing I was thinking was maybe making the setting in a cooler, almost winter climate... Hear me out.. thinking about the construction process, I think this would work in out favor... we could have a setting where, it's like the beginning of a winter cycle, that way, when we start to piece together the thing, if there's any inconsistencies in the terrain, we could easilt get some fake snow and cover up small areas, so it jus tlook like snow drifts or what not...  I think it'd also help in the trees area, I mean, making forests and treas can be a huge undertaking, not to mention, how well will the "leaves" look?? If we go with a cooler climate, we could ditch the leaves, and have bear trees, and I think this would actually help in the forest.. at least you could  set up a number of mini dios going on in the forest.. and not worry about people straining to see throught the foiliage..

Someone mentioned using stone tiles.. and I like this idea.. but that can add a lot of weight to the project.. what about buying some cheap linoleum floor tiles.. buying some of that stone/rock spray paint and going over them with that? And to make it even more effective, there can be a different number of sprays used for streets, clear areas in the town/outpost...

I'm for being set between EP3 and 4.. I dont know if this has been set in stone or not, but I really think this will be good cause, that's what Lucas is gonna be working on and most likely what we'll be seeing at C4, stuff for the animated and live action show...

If we pick that time frame(like I said, I dont know if it has been or not), I'd like to see a good clone/stormtrooper hybrid... I think one easy simple solution would be to use a stormtrooper helmet on a clone body.. I think clones are a lit easier to find than "good looking" stormtroopers... and I think we could also use snowtrooper/Galactic marines here as well...

I like the idea of a Hutt "crimeloard" of some sorts.. maybe we could build his "palace" in the mountains.. and that'd be perfect for a slew of seedy characters as we saw in RotJ in Jabba's Palace.

I mentioned in the main thread, but I'd like to see something like a race track of some sort, at first I mentioned a swoop track, but with thinking about the cooler climate, maybe a different kinda speeder race track of some sorts. the main reason I wanna do something like this, was I think this could be our one way of each contributing something that would represent who we are in the real world.. we could each customize a speeder/swoop/hovercycle whatever it is.. and put it in there, maybe even do how nascar and Rally racers do and put our name on the "car"...  This way, even if someone did help in the planning, construction, figures, vehicles, or whatever.. you wouldn't really know who did what(I'm talking about the passerbys at the con).. but if we say put a little stand up near the "race track" and had a list of the vehicles(maybe by number) and the vehicles, we could explain how each "race car" represented a customizer that worked on the project...

[Phrubruh]

Story 5:

Well, we COULD base part of it off of a short story I was starting. It's about an unfortunate Smuggler and his mishaps around Coruscant. Perhaps this would be a good setting because of the diversity of such an urban area, and its bright lights and myriad of buildings. I thought of sending it in, but I'd like to see what you guys think of the short story before I actually write the background to send in if that's okay.


I know this is the backstory of only one character, but maybe if you guys like it I can expand it into a background story of the whole city. Maybe it could be an area of coruscant we haven't been to before. If I may post it:

  A Good Blaster   
By Dave S (AKA ThePerennial)                         

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”
Han Solo said it best; it’s all that you can depend on in this business. It’s practically why I chose this job. I’ve copied almost every career choice he’s made. I work for major underground organizations (you know, the ones lead by Hutts?), I have a correllian freighter to transfer “goods”. I’ve even got the same blaster he has: the good old reliable BlasTech DL-44 is always at my side.

I’ve idolized Han ever since I’d heard stories of him as a little kid. Escaping bounty hunters and the Empire and making money doing it. He made it look so exciting whenever I saw him on the holonet news. He made it look so easy. Too bad I’d never heard Han talk about how bad this kriffing job could get. Maybe that’s why he joined the Rebel Alliance. Maybe that’s why I should’ve.

It’s a cold, wet night in the Corusanti underworld and I’m waiting behind Beedo’s Diner for a shipment of “goods” to come in. These damn rodians never show up on time. My client, Barra the Hutt, is gonna be furious if I don’t get the shipment in by the end of the week and these beady-eyed koochoos have stood me up three times before tonight. Why did I just call them “idiots” in huttese? Oh yeah, because I like swearing in huttese. I wish I knew how to speak the language fluently so I could yell expletives at them in complete sentences.

I do speak a little huttese. In this business, you have to. It’s where the big credits are if you’re a smuggler. I mostly know the swear words. I’d picked the language up from an old shipmate, actually. Ironically, he was rodian.  The only rodian whose head I didn’t want to blow clean off with my blaster.

“Forget it,” I say to myself “They’re not coming.” I’ve waited two standard hours in the rain and cold and those noseless nerf herders haven’t shown up yet. I’m leaving, but I’m freezing and I’m wet. I’ll stop in the diner for a nice hot mug of caf and hopefully they can toss me a dishrag to dry off with.

“Koona t'chuta?” ‘Going somewhere?’ asks a voice. I raise my blaster in its direction and see that they’ve made it… two hours late. I have little patience and an anxious trigger finger. These rodians better watch what they say.

“Kapa tonka.” ‘Hands up.’ I reply. I’ve got the taller one’s head in my sights. I’m aiming for his left antenna for a warning shot.

“Ap-xmasi keepuna!” 'Don't shoot', begs the shorter one “Dolpee kikyuna!” 'I am a friend!'

I can see that my ‘friend’ has urinated his pants in fear. Charming.

I lower my blaster, but I still wanna cave the tall one’s stupid, slimy face in. I can’t decide whether these things look more like bugs or correllian sandfrogs, either way I want to shoot the tall one right where his nose would be if he had one. He’s giving me a dirty look… I think. I can never tell with those big beady eyes.

“You’re late.” I say. They look at me perplexed. I forgot they speak huttese. “Alay,” I say, “You’re both Alay.”

They nod in apology. The shorter rodian wraps his jacket around his waist to cover his urine-soaked pants. I look at him and say “And you, my friend are stoopa peedunky.” A stupid punk. “The rain’s going to soak you anyways, why cover it up?”

Fierfek, rodians can be so stupid sometimes. I wonder if they even brought the “goods” with them. Knowing how dense rodians can be, they probably left it somewhere, and I’ll have to explain to Barra the Hutt what happened to his drug shipment.

Yeah, yeah, those “goods” are drugs. I’m not a nice guy, if you haven’t noticed.

I’m a smuggler – it’s in my best interests not to be a nice guy. It’s things like being nice that gets you killed in this business.

And sometimes it’s things like rodians.

[Phrubruh]

Story 6:

the planets name is concord dawn, before the clone wars it under the control of jango fett until most of his armys were destroyed by a jedi task force on the planet gallidran, inbetween the clone wars and the yuzan vong invasion it was controled by a nul clone trooper who was acidentally given some of jango fetts memories in a genetic fluke caused by a accident prone kaminoan, he had memories of concord dawn and deserted the republic to go there and raised an army (he became known as Mandalore the resurector) and during the yuzan vong invasion boba fett took control and marshalled the last mandalorian crusade from the populace of concord dawn,that crusade was marshalled in defence against the yuzan vong, the planet is a colonised planet controled by the mandalorians, it was their main outpost, and was used for ship building and as a mandalorian colony, concord dawn is the planet which jango fett was found on, and was raised by jaster mereel there, it is also the planet the mandalorian protectors originate from, mandal motors was founded on concord dawn, and even though the mandalorians are nearlly extinct, they live on in this company (who specialise in anything from speeders to capital ships) no body really knows anything about what happened in between episodes 3 and 4, it is rumored that boba fett went there and went under the name jaster mereel, leading to the belief that they are the same person, which boba didnt argue about as it added to his mistique and jaster mereel was one of the greatest warriors who ever lived.

[Phrubruh]

Story 7:

Planet name: Tor-Bella

Tor-Bella was once a thriving vacation destination for all species across the galaxy.  The lush jungles were populated with numerous species seen through out the galaxy.  The coast line enjoys a large amount of sun during the 14 standard month year.  Fruits from the jungle were picked and used to create exotic drinks used in the costal resorts.  It was an eden-esque planet…until the Clone Wars.  Tor-Bella was contested over highly during the 4 year conflict.  Resorts were garrisoned by GAR and Separatist troops alike to be used for troop housing and defense.  The jungles were scorched with the constant turbo laser bombardment from both sides.  Mechanical and clone casualties littered the beaches equally.  The beautiful planet that was Tor-Bella was no more. 

Years after the cease fire, the natives rebuilt.  Though not as full of life as it was in its prime, Tor-Bella is now becoming the destination it was once.  Though the locals would prefer a higher-class clientele, they seem to get people from all walks of life.  Upper class Courscanti and Corellians , down to Hutts, Twi’leks, and Toydarians have made their way to Tor-Bella.

[Phrubruh]

Story 8:

Name: Malitorin

Capital: Zylarna

Species: Human, Twi'lek

Governments: Monarchy 1,237 BBY- 19 BBY, Military Dictatorship 19 BBY- 6 ABY

Points of Interest: Malanian Plains, Jasu Mountians, Jater Kased Memorial, Kased Royal Palace, Zylarna Spaceport, the Hatu District, Opara Hotel, Tyu Opera House, The Great Cleansing Memorial Wall.

Leaders: Kased Royal Family 2,752 BBY-19 BBY, Jast Garwen, Malitorin Regional Governor, 19 BBY-12 BBY, Owae Dasti, Malitorin Regional Governor, 12 BBY-6 BBY, Pastu Sarwun, Malitorin Regional Governor, 6 BBY-1 ABY, Lastus Gytel, Former Imperial Senator for Malitorin, 1 ABY-6 ABY.

Police: Zylarna Regional Police. Imperial Secret Service.

History: In 3,048 BBY, a group of refugees from a planet only known as "The Homeland" migrated to a large, mountainous, uninhabited planet that became known as Malitorin. The refugees were forced from their planet by what was called "The Great Death." Scientists have now studied the DNA of a large number of Malitorian citizens and detirmined that it was a biological weapon used by the Sith. The population of the refugees was a mix. The majority was Human with 76.5 million, Twi'lek with 45.3 million, Wookie with 31.2 million, and Bothan with 11.8 million, 5.9 million were other. The planet was a slum for nearly 500 standard years. Then, in 2,502 BBY, the Humans started to become racist towards the other species. They felt that since they ae the largest ethnic group, they should hold the power. In 2,596 BBY, the Humans started ethnic cleansing. The entire idea was started by Baron Uwas Zas. He began a propognda campagin against all of the other species. Huge numbers of the alien population were eliminated. The Twi'leks went from 45.3 million in 3,048 BBY to 21.6 millionn 2,741 BBY. In 2,743 BBY, the Republic intervined. A man named Jater Kased helped rebuild the war torn planet. The people elected Kased to the throne in 2,752 BBY. In 2,754 BBY, a memorial was constructed to honor the great leader. The same year, the Royal Palace began construction. The following year, Kased moved every Malitorin to the capital city, Zylarna, and built a wall around it. On this wall, Kased put the name of everyone who was killed during The Great Cleansing on it. If you streched the wall out in a staight line, it would be 2,345 miles long. The Kased family would rule until 19 BBY. In 23 BBY, the Supreme Chancellor hd a military base built in Zylarna to disperse its troops more evenly in the event of war with the newly formed CIS. In 19 BBY, a CIS fleet made an attack on the planet. The Republic base sent out fighters that destroyed the fleet. When the Empire came to power, the planet became a Rebel's worst nightmare. The military overthrew the Kased Royal Family. The Regional Governor's ruled the planet. The terror cell, Phoenix Reborn set up their base here. A Rebel base was also constructed in the mountains surrounding the city. In 15 BBY, the two groups joined together and bombed the Imperial Embassy. It was even rumored that  Jedi Purge survivors hid themselves in the slums.

[Phrubruh]

Story 9:

Judde Lulos (The Empire's Jewel)

In the years after the Clone Wars, the empire spreads it reach across the galaxy. They have overtaken may star systems. Judde Lulos was an untapped resource. While chasing a separatist shuttle, Vader stumbled across this untapped resource for spice. After reporting this to His master, a spaceport and Imperial Command outpost were quickly developed.
Mostly mountainous terrain encompassed the planet. But one area was ripe for spice mining. The native inhabitants of this world, who refused to succumb to the empires rule were driven into the treacherous jungle areas of this world or forced to work the mines.  . The credits earned from the spice this planet provided, was used to pad the account of the Empires Elite. Vader was entrusted to make sure this “jewel” never fell into the hands of the many ruthless organizations that fought for their piece of the Spice Market.
Smaller settlements formed and some attempts to over throw the imperial hold on this once peaceful place, were made.
When Separatists got word of the existence of this world, they secretly provided the native rebels with weapons and training to hopefully overthrow the imperial command center. Doing so would provide a great resource of credits for the growing rebellion against the Empire…

clicky the link for the concept sketch
http://home.comcast.net/~glassmandesigns/customs/JuddeLulos.jpg

[Phrubruh]

This is the last day to get your votes in on the best planet story for our ultimate group project. Please have them in by 7am monday morning.

[Phrubruh]

Less than an hour left to vote.

[Phrubruh]

The winning story and planet name is Judde Lulos - Story #9!

Story #9 received five votes
Story #8 received 1 vote
Story #7 received 1 vote
Story #3 received 1 vote
Story #1 received 1 vote

Thank you all for participating. This will be the layout, planet name and theme of our project.

[CHEWIE]

Sounds good to me.  I think we need to try and reduce the forest area of that planet and incorporate as much into the design as we can that we all have agreed on.  I really like the idea of trying to get some of the Dantooine feel to it.

 

[BrentS]

Sounds good to me.  I think we need to try and reduce the forest area of that planet and incorporate as much into the design as we can that we all have agreed on.  I really like the idea of trying to get some of the Dantooine feel to it.

 

I totally agree with Chewie on this.  Its a great concept planet but we do need to thin the trees and try to replicate the look and feel of some of the Dantooine areas