Posted by Raz | 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

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.

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?

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Posted by Lethality | 11 Comments

Tython – The Lost Footage

It was like discovering a Datacron.

Last night while going through cameras and other equipment that we use to document the various events for Star Wars: The Old Republic, I came across a nice surprise: more footage of the Jedi origin world of Tython!

Video of this origin world is scarce, as PAX East was the first time the classes were playable to the public. In fact, we believe that we have the only other known footage of Tython from the event. (If you know of others, or if you have your own, please let us know!)

The video shows a player running around exploring the various areas around the Jedi Temple, as well as inside the temple itself. No combat, but it gives you a nice feel for the area. As a side note, I guess this could be a visual spoiler if you want to experience it for yourself – so don’t watch if that’s the case :)

Now, for the disclaimer. Keep in mind that this is all very early footage. As we all know, the UI has changed drastically, including that of the Codex. Every bit of everything you see in this is subject (and likely) to change!

Enjoy!

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Posted by Lethality | 18 Comments

PAX East 2011: Tython. Is. Beautiful.

Throughout all of the conventions that Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ has been available for players to get their hands on, there has been one slightly minor omission: the Jedi Knight and Jedi Consular classes!

We heard from BioWare Senior Writer Drew Karphyshyn last year at Star Wars Celebration V that this was because they really wanted to get it right… The Jedi are, after all, arguably the most iconic characters in the Star Wars universe.

But that all changed here at PAX East… for the first time, the Jedi classes (Consular and Knight) were available on the show floor for fans to play. It’s one of the major reveals of the show!

So it was curious that there wasn’t any video footage of the Jedi origin world Tython popping up around the web. We decided to fix that!

Thanks to Senior Community Coordinator David Bass and the booth crew, we were allowed to go in and capture about 10 minutes of footage of a Jedi Knight during the starting area on Tython!

Let me just say, this video doesn’t do it justice. Tython is one of the most beautiful zones I’ve seen in an MMORPG. Period. I’ll just leave it at that.

Apologies for the shakiness at the beginning, it gets better after about a minute… Hope you enjoy!

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Posted by Lethality | 9 Comments

PAX: Presentation Video & Screens

Finally!  Below you’ll find Part 2 of our HD recording of yesterday’s TOR panel at PAX. We decided to do Part 2 first because it contains all of the good stuff – all of the new reveals and videos!

We’ll be posting the other parts as well, including the multi-player combat demo (helmed by Sado from DH, TOROCast, and TORSyndicate!) and the Q&A session at the end.

UPDATE: Part 3 is up including the Revan complex as well is the PvP(vE?)!
UPDATE: Part 4 is up, which includes the Daniel Erickson Q&A!

TOR @ PAX – Part 2

TOR @ PAX – Part 3

TOR @ PAX – Part 4

As a side note, check out these awesome HD screenshots from community member Aneon as well! Click Here.

p.s. Apologies for any camera shakiness!

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