May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)
- Thread starter Dr. Snark
- Start date
- Sci-Fi
-
- Tags
- star wars canon what canon tsundere dice ck2 quest actions have consequences all the credits all work and no play makes ciaran a dull girl best sister capitalism ho! despairing qm teetotaller society member gotta catch 'em all insanity looting off the rails sage dice approaching spicy sheev tsundere asajj
I'd love to see that too. Also, that video was hilarious.
Palps was putting on a show for Anakin. He slaughters all but 1 of the Masters, and then Mace is suddenly winning? Ridiculous. Putting Anakin in a pressuring situation is the best way to make him go with bad decisions, and then he's committed and will lie to himself that he made the right choice. Yoda was doing better, but he prioritized speed over thoroughness. Trying to limit the damage Palpatine could do by killing him quickly. That just meant attacking in the Senate building where all Palps has to do is hold off for a few minutes. While Yoda seemed a better fighter, Sidious was perfectly capable of backing when at a disadvantage and he knew he had it in the bag. It's why he was cackling like a fool while hanging from a hover-platform. He was practically playing the whole fight.
Darrenb209
"Who are you, who do not know your history?"
- Location
- Scotland
Palpatine has been shown as successful as the aggressor and not so successful any other time.
Anything else is a personal inference from what they see.
What I saw in the Palpatine vs Yoda fight was Palpatine consistently underestimating Yoda, leading to the end result of Palpatine hanging on for his life while Yoda safely escaped.
Yoda might have been capable of defeating Palpatine there, but the Clones were too close so he had to leave.
What I saw in the Windu vs Palpatine fight was Windu winning right up until Anakin arrived and Windu had to pay attention to two dangerous factors at once.
Palpatine kept his guard up, Windu let it down for just a fraction of a second and Palpatine took advantage and won.
Well, that and it's hard to win a fight after your ally betrays and cripples you.
Last edited:
Dr. Snark
Exactly As Planned...Probably
- Location
- Right where I want to be
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Just realized I missed a question in the rush. Sorry about that!
1. Ciaran's honestly kind of scary at this point. Thanks to her taking to Matukai like a fish to water she's got very high endurance, to say nothing of the functional immunity to poison, increased strength, and so on. Combine that with her ability to detect physical shatterpoints and hit them really hard and she's starting to be seriously bad news for any opponent. Right now her big weakness is against large groups of targets, as she doesn't really have any herd-hitting abilities.
2. Probably would be automatic at this point, but that's still very much hypothetical.
1. Ciaran's honestly kind of scary at this point. Thanks to her taking to Matukai like a fish to water she's got very high endurance, to say nothing of the functional immunity to poison, increased strength, and so on. Combine that with her ability to detect physical shatterpoints and hit them really hard and she's starting to be seriously bad news for any opponent. Right now her big weakness is against large groups of targets, as she doesn't really have any herd-hitting abilities.
2. Probably would be automatic at this point, but that's still very much hypothetical.
- Location
- his hidden lair
I'm not so sure Soresu isn't useful against Palpatine. Palpatine is a Sith, a particularly arrogant one at that- he's clever, he's cunning, and he's also absolutely convinced he's the smartest and most capable person in the room. Combine that with actual limited presience, a personality that's all about getting a rise out of people, and Ciaran being completely unorthodox in her tactics and capabilities... I think she can, if not get the better of Palpatine while being nominally on the defensive, at least turn the tables a few times.
To say nothing of the fact, especially if we subvert the clones- a protracted engagement of Palpatine favors us. The Jedi getting called in favors us, military units moving to secure the capitol building favor us, any footage of Palpatine being a force user favors us.
In terms of raw capability, such a strategy might not favor us- but in the context of subverting Palpatine's reinforcements and with Ciaran's sheer unpredictability- I think that's a viable angle to leverage.
To say nothing of the fact, especially if we subvert the clones- a protracted engagement of Palpatine favors us. The Jedi getting called in favors us, military units moving to secure the capitol building favor us, any footage of Palpatine being a force user favors us.
In terms of raw capability, such a strategy might not favor us- but in the context of subverting Palpatine's reinforcements and with Ciaran's sheer unpredictability- I think that's a viable angle to leverage.
He was consistently losing to Yoda, but he wasn't worried at any point in that fight. Every time a bad situation started to turn into a terrible one, he backed off. He was deliberately counting on reinforcements coming, and making the situation untenable for Yoda. Palpatine won the strategic battle that fight. Personally, I bet Yoda was counting on finishing him quickly, and then withdrawing. When Palps proved able enough to survive a blitz attack, Yoda made the smart move and withdrew before guards turned the tables, and he was at a disadvantage. Palpatine wasn't trying to directly flee, and was goading him on exactly because he was trying to get Yoda to stay in my opinion. Yoda is too powerful and skilled for Clones Commandos, and too strong for a personal confrontation. The best bet then, is to lure him in, and quickly bring in distractions so Palpy can finish him himself.
As for Windu....he did get into a bad position. It conveniently forced Anakin to choose between his friend the Supreme Chancellor (who was oh so pitiful and in pain), and Master Windu who's always been a bit of a prick. Palpatine appealed to his emotional side, and he fell for it. Now don't get me wrong Windu is hard to fight, but Anakin is supposed to be pretty easy to detect in the force, and the timing is just too convenient. He killed the others quickly to mitigate complications, and then set himself up to be 'trapped'. If he really wanted out, I don't think his deadlock with Windu would have lasted nearly so long considering the moves he pulled against Yoda, arguably Windu's superior.
Last edited:
Darrenb209
"Who are you, who do not know your history?"
- Location
- Scotland
It's difficult to argue that Windu is Palpatine's superior in Force skills, but in the lightsaber part of their fight he was dominating. And all the force skills Palpatine uses including lightning have about a second before they activate.
So Windu keeping the pressure up allowed him to win the duel, but he lost the battle by taking too long and allowing Anakin to arrive at which point Palpatine had won simply by allowing Windu to think he had won.
Yoda vs Palpatine, Yoda needed to win that in the first twenty seconds or it was his loss, despite how much stronger Yoda is.
Yoda might be ridiculously force strong and great with a lightsaber, but even he can't take on an army and a Sith at the same time.
Palpatine's greatest strength isn't lightsaber combat or force strength, It's people, words, planning.
Give him a chance to talk and you're done, he's pulling a plan on you that you aren't aware of.
He knew Windu well enough to delay him while losing a lightsaber fight until Anakin arrived, He knew Yoda well enough to drag on their fight despite being outclassed force wise until his army arrived. He knew the right things to say at the right moments to stage this whole war without suspicion falling on him...
He's the worst kind of Sith for a Jedi to fight. Competent in all things, ridiculously strong in one or two and is actually planning ahead.
Last edited:
If it was sabers alone, Palpatine should have been ganked when there were like 5-6 other MASTER JEDI in the room with him distracting him, and taking up his time. I stead he mowed through them until right before Anakin came. Now maybe it just took that long for Windu to get his measure, but personally I'm kinda sceptical of that for any Master Jedi. Given Sidious' history of manipulation...yeah. Maybe Windu really did pin Palpy, but he definitely organically took advantage of the situation to manipulate Anakin, and stayed in the pin. If he was genuinely losing like with Yoda, he would have backed out for more room to manuver. Given that he was the one e who told Anakin...I think we can safely say he knew the strike force was coming and took care to empty the building. It was an option if he truly needed it.
Looking at @Karugus post, he had the inverse situation with Yoda. Yoda was better, but Palpatine was able to play keep-away, and wait for back-up. Our problem is we need to keep him from pulling a Yoda and running away. Because while Yoda mostly just fucked-off to Dagoba, Palpatine has a bunch of metaphorical and probably literal time-bombs scattered throughout the Galaxy.
Darrenb209
"Who are you, who do not know your history?"
- Location
- Scotland
What I've mostly been getting at is that Palpatine's lightsaber defense is shoddy but his offense, planning skills, force abilities and ability to take advantage of the slightest thing compensate significantly for that.
But yeah, the hardest part of beating Palpatine is going to be finding some way to keep him from running.
- Location
- his hidden lair
Except we have two of the best information networks in the galaxy who are going to be keeping a close eye on Coruscant while all this is happening. We'll have subverted military that no one necessarily even knows is on our side. Yoda escaped because Palpatine had other fish to fry and a planet to pacify. We won't be dealing with those sort of distractions when we try to coup Palps.
Palpatine is good- damn good. But he's not yet aware he's playing a game with a nominal peer, someone who has a lot of his game plan on their desk and is doing their utmost to fuck it up. That's a huge problem for him when the assets he has in place for escaping/vilifying the Jedi are being identified and subverted one by one.
To say nothing of Ciaran is exactly the sort of person who orchestrates some climactic fight that nearly get's her killed all so she can either bug him directly or the ship he's fleeing on. And it's not like Ciaran will be fighting him alone, I'd be really surprised that HK- master assassin droid who as a point of pride kills force users, wouldn't be all about placing some kind of present on Palp's getaway vehicle.
This isn't the Jedi trying to arrest Sheev, this isn't Yoda trying to go all 'lone gunman' to take him out- this is a conspiracy on multiple levels with a ton of capable people willing to go all in to kill Palps. It's a whole different beast than even Yoda escaping Palpatine.
Last edited:
Obi Wan uses Form I along with Soresu.
Form V is basically Form III with bits of Form II to cover offense.
Also, Form III relies on -years- of training to get to where Obi Wan is.
As in a decade or so.
Really, that's true of basically anything, we're just ignoring that for the sake of the quest (as far as I can tell, anyway -- maybe we're a super genius at learning stuff or something).
- Location
- Canada
I found this video to also be pretty good for Soresu.
To be fair, Ciaran does seem to take to physical combat skills like a duck to water, she has a solid history of being very good at learning how to beat the ever living crap out of anything and everything.
See learning the lightsaber under Dooku and having a whale of a time being trained in combat and survival by Grievous, not to mention her ability with Makutai, she often has trouble with more esoteric skills.
Dr. Snark
Exactly As Planned...Probably
- Location
- Right where I want to be
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Usually for Ciaran's purposes getting to an adept's level in a technique is enough; she's no master at Makashi but she's got at least a decent command of the style. Though admittedly it helps that she was learning under Dooku, probably the best user of the style alive in the galaxy right now. It's certainly enough to surprise anyone expecting her to crumble instantly in a lightsaber duel.
With the Matukai techniques, it turned out to be surprisingly resonant with her Shatterpoint training, as very nicely covered by this omake here.
But also this. Turns out Ciaran is just naturally good at hitting stuff apparently. Go figure.
- Location
- Australia
Can we get a trait for this that gives us a bonus to rolls to learn this stuff?
More Messages From Ciaran (Mostly Canon)
- Location
- At the Edge of Insanity
Collection of various rambling messages of Lady Ciaran as recorded by Rhymana a'Lathel:
"Lady Ciaran here and this is your warning in advance that either a diplomatic team, some Corporate moneybags or some Jedi has been invited. Stay in your part of the Oracle, seal it and hide. Also try to raid the mess hall beforehand before we can hear your stomachs rumbling on the other end of the ship or otherwise people are going to believe that I have a pet Rancor somewhere. I mean, what am I? A Hutt? I'll leave dangerous pets to them and stick to dangerous employees. More cost-efficient and practical. Anyway, off you go." - Pre-Recorded message on the Oracle in case Non-Abyss Watcher Individuals are about to arrive on the ship
"Attention all you lovely scientist and galaxy improvers. Var Zheen once again managed to knock himself out somehow so I'd like it if someone were to fix whatever mess he left behind before his involuntary nap and replace him until he wakes up. Honestly, this happens so often that I can't even come up with anything clever to say about it." - Pre-Recorded message in any location where Var Zheen conducts experiments
"To all you Mandalorians onboard, your boss is coming for a visit so I'd like to ask you in advance to keep your ethusiasm in check and to not start... lets call it celebrating. It intimidates the new recruits nearly as much as Grievous and his warriors showing up and I'd prefer it to not traumatize them any further than they likely allready are. I mean, the benefits and paycheck are great but I'm sure they are still worried enough about the whole 'Galactic Conspiracy' thing without being scared to death by you all." - Pre-Recorded message prepared in advance to one of Jangos visits on the Oracle
"Contrary to popular claims I'm definitely running a charity here. Which means for all of you that I managed to annoy the bean counters along with old and spooky to lay off with their critisism about my spending habits for a while and therefore the selection of dishes is back to its old glory! No need to thank me, since I'm allready enjoying it!" - Message from Ciaran upon managing to restore the recently decreased selection of food on the Oracle back to normal
"Advice for the day: Run for your lives. I'm serious. Grievous is on his way, but that is not the dangerous part as he is 'only' planning to go on a hunt. The dangerous part is that he somehow roped Jar Jar Binks into another 'adventure' and I know for sure that there is nothing in existence that is idiot proof enough to prevent him from causing complete havoc." - Non Pre-Recorded Message sent by Ciaran to a Abyss Watchers expedition after Grievous roped Jar Jar Binks into another 'adventure'. Somehow.
((I was bored.))
"Lady Ciaran here and this is your warning in advance that either a diplomatic team, some Corporate moneybags or some Jedi has been invited. Stay in your part of the Oracle, seal it and hide. Also try to raid the mess hall beforehand before we can hear your stomachs rumbling on the other end of the ship or otherwise people are going to believe that I have a pet Rancor somewhere. I mean, what am I? A Hutt? I'll leave dangerous pets to them and stick to dangerous employees. More cost-efficient and practical. Anyway, off you go." - Pre-Recorded message on the Oracle in case Non-Abyss Watcher Individuals are about to arrive on the ship
"Attention all you lovely scientist and galaxy improvers. Var Zheen once again managed to knock himself out somehow so I'd like it if someone were to fix whatever mess he left behind before his involuntary nap and replace him until he wakes up. Honestly, this happens so often that I can't even come up with anything clever to say about it." - Pre-Recorded message in any location where Var Zheen conducts experiments
"To all you Mandalorians onboard, your boss is coming for a visit so I'd like to ask you in advance to keep your ethusiasm in check and to not start... lets call it celebrating. It intimidates the new recruits nearly as much as Grievous and his warriors showing up and I'd prefer it to not traumatize them any further than they likely allready are. I mean, the benefits and paycheck are great but I'm sure they are still worried enough about the whole 'Galactic Conspiracy' thing without being scared to death by you all." - Pre-Recorded message prepared in advance to one of Jangos visits on the Oracle
"Contrary to popular claims I'm definitely running a charity here. Which means for all of you that I managed to annoy the bean counters along with old and spooky to lay off with their critisism about my spending habits for a while and therefore the selection of dishes is back to its old glory! No need to thank me, since I'm allready enjoying it!" - Message from Ciaran upon managing to restore the recently decreased selection of food on the Oracle back to normal
"Advice for the day: Run for your lives. I'm serious. Grievous is on his way, but that is not the dangerous part as he is 'only' planning to go on a hunt. The dangerous part is that he somehow roped Jar Jar Binks into another 'adventure' and I know for sure that there is nothing in existence that is idiot proof enough to prevent him from causing complete havoc." - Non Pre-Recorded Message sent by Ciaran to a Abyss Watchers expedition after Grievous roped Jar Jar Binks into another 'adventure'. Somehow.
((I was bored.))
Last edited:
- Location
- Maybe?
Sidenote: my personal theory regarding Palpy's Force Lightning is that if you activate FL, you have to commit to the attack, in other words it's a finisher with a hidden downside. You have to commit to your attack putting down the target, and you cannot easily turn it off.
This explains three aspects of FL shown in the movies: first, Palps never ever uses it as an opener. Second, when Yoda does his absorb/reflect move, Palpy becomes distraught but seems unable to stop. And third, Palps dies when Vader tackles him in the middle of FL, and it's never clearly explained why Palps doesn't just float to safety ... unless the FL actively feeds on your rage, and requires some amount of calm and self-control to turn off. Which would explain why Palpy kept incontinently frying the walls as he fell down the shaft.
If true, this has strategic implications for our Palpy fight.
This explains three aspects of FL shown in the movies: first, Palps never ever uses it as an opener. Second, when Yoda does his absorb/reflect move, Palpy becomes distraught but seems unable to stop. And third, Palps dies when Vader tackles him in the middle of FL, and it's never clearly explained why Palps doesn't just float to safety ... unless the FL actively feeds on your rage, and requires some amount of calm and self-control to turn off. Which would explain why Palpy kept incontinently frying the walls as he fell down the shaft.
If true, this has strategic implications for our Palpy fight.
Last edited:
- Location
- At the Edge of Insanity
Canon Grievous is a raging Psychopath. Our Grievous is a 'reasonable' Warlord who likes violence and hunting but at least isn't insane. (I also insist on calling him SPACE SHAKA ZULU.) Also, they would likely absolute HATE each other.
As for how they stack up against each other? Canon Grievous is a cybernetic monstrosity with lightsabers while our Grievous is a mundane fighter with a preference for Slugthrowers (with bayonets) and blades/bladed staffs/spears. Therefore: Canon Grievous is A LOT more deadly than our Grievous.
Last edited:
If I recall correctly the novelisation of Return of the Jedi explains that whilst torturing Luke to death with FL he was so in the throes of the Darkside that when Vader turned on him he was unable to even think of doing anything other than striking out at Vader and inflicting as much suffering as he could, completely blinded to what he could do to easily save himself.
Even More Ciaran Messages (Canon)
Even More Ciaran Messages
"Attention people trying to sneak through the air ducts. First off I'd like to point out that those aren't the actual air ducts. Ever since I was nearly assassinated by poison gas, I've made sure to make them too small to put a gas grenade in, let alone an actual person. Second, I hope you enjoy barbecue because you're about to be roasted by the plasma vapour rapidly spreading through the enclosed space. On the bright side, if you survive this, we'd like to offer you a job. I don't turn down that sort of talent."
-Prerecorded message by Ciaran encase of foolish infiltrators
"It has come to my attention that some of you are using ray shields for doors. While certainly 'high tech' and admittedly impressive that you managed to rig them up, we're getting complaints from OOM-9 because they're sucking up all the power. They also provide less security than you think because all it takes is for some genius to play with the fuse box and turn them off. A door made out of paper provides more security. Anyway we're going back to metal doors. Maybe make the code for it, not the same you use for your luggage."
-Message from Ciaran to the crew of Oracle
"ZK-711 would like to make it known that he mixed laxatives in Professor Zheen's personal coffee supply to identify the people who keep stealing from it. Will the culprits please report to the Research Labs for volunteering to be the latest test subject in whatever experiments are going on and a fresh pair of pants."
-Message to the Karada Corporation Coruscant Headquaters
"To all pranksters, hooligans and bored employees. You are no longer allowed to pin magnets to Doctor Sair. While funny the first time, she is now crying in her lab. Considering her boyfriend is a bounty hunter and the Galactic History's Most Dangerous Droid owes her a lot of favours, it may be wise to find a way to cheer her up before someone does something more idiotic.... any ideas?"
-Message from Lady Ciaran in response to the teasing
"To anyone who thinks PR-1 is a pushover when compared to the rest of the High Council. He has drained your credit account, had all your clothes shoved hazardously in the dryer to shrink, put your name on the child sex offenders register and has alerted local law enforcement that you are in the midst of violating your parole. Go apologise to him.... NOW!"
-Pre-recorded message by Lady Ciaran for members of the Abyss Watchers
"For those of you who have to take any calls from Prime Minister Zinnerman today, I would like to give you the preemptive answer to the question that will be asked. No, Lady Ciaran did not have anything to with the twenty six foot statue of herself in Salvation Plaza. The statue we involved ourselves with is only life sized, tasteful and is standing near the front entrance of Mercy Hospital."
-Memo to Karada Employees on Taris
"Attention people trying to sneak through the air ducts. First off I'd like to point out that those aren't the actual air ducts. Ever since I was nearly assassinated by poison gas, I've made sure to make them too small to put a gas grenade in, let alone an actual person. Second, I hope you enjoy barbecue because you're about to be roasted by the plasma vapour rapidly spreading through the enclosed space. On the bright side, if you survive this, we'd like to offer you a job. I don't turn down that sort of talent."
-Prerecorded message by Ciaran encase of foolish infiltrators
"It has come to my attention that some of you are using ray shields for doors. While certainly 'high tech' and admittedly impressive that you managed to rig them up, we're getting complaints from OOM-9 because they're sucking up all the power. They also provide less security than you think because all it takes is for some genius to play with the fuse box and turn them off. A door made out of paper provides more security. Anyway we're going back to metal doors. Maybe make the code for it, not the same you use for your luggage."
-Message from Ciaran to the crew of Oracle
"ZK-711 would like to make it known that he mixed laxatives in Professor Zheen's personal coffee supply to identify the people who keep stealing from it. Will the culprits please report to the Research Labs for volunteering to be the latest test subject in whatever experiments are going on and a fresh pair of pants."
-Message to the Karada Corporation Coruscant Headquaters
"To all pranksters, hooligans and bored employees. You are no longer allowed to pin magnets to Doctor Sair. While funny the first time, she is now crying in her lab. Considering her boyfriend is a bounty hunter and the Galactic History's Most Dangerous Droid owes her a lot of favours, it may be wise to find a way to cheer her up before someone does something more idiotic.... any ideas?"
-Message from Lady Ciaran in response to the teasing
"To anyone who thinks PR-1 is a pushover when compared to the rest of the High Council. He has drained your credit account, had all your clothes shoved hazardously in the dryer to shrink, put your name on the child sex offenders register and has alerted local law enforcement that you are in the midst of violating your parole. Go apologise to him.... NOW!"
-Pre-recorded message by Lady Ciaran for members of the Abyss Watchers
"For those of you who have to take any calls from Prime Minister Zinnerman today, I would like to give you the preemptive answer to the question that will be asked. No, Lady Ciaran did not have anything to with the twenty six foot statue of herself in Salvation Plaza. The statue we involved ourselves with is only life sized, tasteful and is standing near the front entrance of Mercy Hospital."
-Memo to Karada Employees on Taris
Last edited:
If I recall correctly, the reason for some of his more 'hurr for the evulzz' moments is because those cybernetics include mental suggestion and obedience chips Dooku neglected to tell him about.
Edit: I almost think the Clone Wars was referring to that in his lair episode where the personal Droid is asking why he got the Cybernetics to begin with. His denial that it was no one's decision but his seemed a little...forced. Especially with all the coughing.
Last edited:
- Location
- Australia
Hmm.... I don't like the implication that Ciaran wouldn't commission a 7.9 metre tall statue made of solid gold and jewels with a holoprojector displaying a golden halo around her head.