Jul 12, 2011

Posted by in News, The Nerfherder's Guide To The Galaxy | 5 Comments

The Nerfherder's Guide to the Galaxy: Tython

From the crystal-laden caverns of Ilum to the Jundland Wastes of Tatooine, this is your guide to discovering the distant worlds and locales of Star Wars:The Old Republic. Welcome to The Nerfherder’s Guide to the Galaxy!

“When the Temple on Coruscant fell, the Sith believed they were victorious. But in our ‘defeat,’ we were reminded of the importance of humility. We returned home, to the very birthplace of our Order in the heart of the galaxy. Here we recover and remember the true nature of the Force.”
-From the Journal of Jedi Master Tarn

Jedi Enclave

Tython is a world of lush forests and tall mountain ranges. Located within the Deep Core, it is one of only a handful of known navigable worlds within the center of the galaxy. Amid the changing systems and intense mass of the Deep Core, Tython was host to the earliest understanding of the Force. Tens of thousands of years before the Treaty of Coruscant, a group of scholars, scientists, and mystics came together on Tython to better understand the universe.

Their work led to an understanding of the Force in all its forms. An ideological schism between followers of the Ashla (Light Side) and the Bogan (Dark Side), however, resulted in the Force Wars. In many ways, the ongoing conflict between Jedi and Sith is nothing more than an aftershock of that first, terrible war.

The devastation of that war left much of Tython in ruins. Those followers of Ashla who survived the conflict eventually refined their ideas, left the scarred world of Tython behind, and became the first of the Jedi. The Jedi Order established a temple far from Tython, on the Outer Rim world of Ossus, and eventually expanded to worlds such as Coruscant and Dantooine.

Tython was left to crumble into ruin, slipping from the memories of even the oldest Jedi. Recently, however, the hyperspace route to Tython was rediscovered by Master Satele Shan and efforts began to recover the lost teachings of the ancient followers of the Ashla. The treacherous Sacking of Coruscant and the destruction wrought by the armies of Darth Malgus, however, have resulted in the Jedi leaving the Republic capital world and rebuilding their Temple amid the ancient ruins of Tython.

Now, surrounded by the architecture of their forebears, the Jedi seek to reclaim their heritage and return balance to the Force.

Awaiting the Jedi Council...

Tython acts as the starting planet for both the Jedi Knight and Jedi Consular in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Screenshots, video, and hands-on demonstrations have shown that beginning Jedi are armed with a training sword, rather than a lightsaber.

On Tython, players of both Jedi classes can expect to build their first lightsabers and begin their journey to strengthen the Jedi Order. Maps indicate that the remains of the Jedi Forge are located toward the southern region of Tython. This Forge was once used to infuse Jedi swords and katanas with the Force, enhancing their weapon’s connection to the Jedi who wielded it. This place may also hold the key to the creation of a Jedi’s first lightsaber.

Since the Jedi Temple is also located on Tython, players are likely to meet the Jedi Council and Grand Master Shan as well. The newly built Temple is located on the western side of the starting area, south of the Master’s Retreat and north of the mysterious Ruins of Kaleth. The Temple itself contains numerous chambers where the Jedi Masters can meet and discuss the future of their Order, as well as a marketplace and cantina.

At the northern tip of the known area of Tython is the Master’s Retreat. The Master’s Retreat seems to overlook the ocean and provides a scenic introduction for players to this serene yet dangerous world. This complex also includes speeders that can be used to travel to other areas of Tython.

Information on the official site indicates that a dark influence remains on Tython. Perhaps the followers of the Bogan have left their mark on the world. This could result in players who are just starting off already being tempted to turn from their Jedi teachings and begin walking the path toward the Dark Side of the Force.

Flesh raiders, terrible marauders who have firmly entrenched themselves on Tython, also present a threat to young padawans and newly ordained Jedi. These vicious raiders have brutally stamped out their territory on the eastern side of Tython’s navigable area, and moved into other regions as well. To the north of their territory is Kalikori Village, and further north a rough area of Tython known as the Gnarls.

With a combination of verdant forests, snow-capped mountains, new structures, and ancient ruins, Tython offers a wide range of environments to explore. Personally, I cannot wait to build my first lightsaber. But what area or event on Tython are you most excited for? Meeting the Jedi Council and Grand Master Shan? Exploring the ruins and ancient past of the Jedi Order? Or getting past it all to return, once more, to Coruscant?

In-Game Map of Tython

  1. noneyabiz says:

    Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Darkclaymore says:

    My favorite part of Tython is definitly going to be getting to meet Satele Shan.

    • I think that’s number two for me. I’m hoping Bioware does a nice job of incorporating the lore figures they are creating into the game. Other MMOs too often build up this cool figure, then you meet him/her and it just lets you down. I don’t need Malgus to give me a cake or anything, but meeting these figures should at least feel impressive.

  3. Dariuas says:

    I am very excited

  4. Slithers says:

    Very excited to start on Tython. Looks amazing!!

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