Tarn's mohawk

Famed throughout the galaxy for his mohawk, often mistaken for a meatlump or a punk, it was high time to explain the signification of the legendary hairstyle.

Tarn's adpoted this traditional hairstyle early in his scouting career. Beyond aesthetism, there were some pratical reasons, such as health and hygiene. Later in life, he added significance to his haircut. In accordance to traditional beliefs, the mohawk symbolizes the energy fields that radiates around a being's body. This belief may be somehow related at a symbolic level to that of the Aa'kuans to whom the respect of the private space is paramount.

Dusk of a city

The Eastern rays of the early morning were basking Twin Mountain Base; datapad in hand, Tarn wanted to wait until the last moment before severing for ever his connection to the city's communet. The server was going to shut down along with the city, urging one last time to anyone still listening to log out safely - an unnecessary code phrase to leave the city urgently. Carried on the wings of the closing TIE bombers, the time of clandestinity had come. Twin Mountain Base had finally been confirmed as a Rebellious outpost.

Over the last years, the ranks of the Antarian Rangers had dwindled. From a 100 beings strong force and another 100 sympathizers, it was down to 44 beings and 44 sympathizers. The war had taken its toll on the organization - and today's raid was going to worsen the situation.

Although the city was now deserted except for Tarn, Ibaoki, Kelv, and Siot, the city's evacuation has come too late. ISB agents combing the future rubbles for clues would identify most members of the organization. The only good news - to an extent - was that the Empire didn't know of the evacuation expecting the Rangers to put up a fight, and thus had planned for a wave of atmospheric bombardments before entering the city.

Tarn knew that. Information from the Imperial Base came to him regularly and accurately. After all, the Rangers were adept spies and had a good network of informants...80% of the city was slated for destruction, but on Lok and several other planets, other destructions would take place too.

When the Empire initiated "Demolition Day", it relied on spatial imagery and records from Planetary Authorities to identify "abandonned" buildings to be removed, via all necessary means. A heavy-handed method to be sure, but effective nonetheless.

As far as the Rangers were concerned, it was the second most threatening policy the Empire had enacted. The first one, enacted few years ago, was the regulation of independant scouts and rangers. Faced with multiplying actions of sabotage and attacks on Imperial facilities or convoys from Republican loyalists and surviving Separatists, the Empire thought it best to "regulate" these professions. Almost overnight, all the independant ranger and scout trainers were gone. Hired into Imperially-approved guilds or executed. For the Rangers, new recruits and a valuable network of informants and sympathizers disappeared in a pinch.

Ithorian morpholgy

For those wondering how an Ithorian skeleton looks like. This one was found on Yavin IV.

Corellia Times

The Corellia Times has gained an increasing visibility recently. With three articles receiving major viewings, "Who are the Meatlumps?, part I & II", Corellia Times Exclusive "Life Day Revealed", and Corellia Times "Consumer Reports: Vehicles".

Behind these successes are the efforts of the team of journalists, Halden Was (Coronet), Vani Kor (Coronet), Marles Jacobe (Restuss) and Hol't Deb Orah. In addition, the journal has a network of various invisible hands: a Corellia Times vendor (Coronet), a Corellia Times Reporter (Coronet), two Corellia Times Investigators (Coronet and Tyrena), all under the direction of Finn Shalo, the Corellia Times Editor.

The Corellia Times building is located in Coronet, we will have to wait for the next major article. Until then, writing will remain under the logo shrouding in secrecy the crypted datapads the journalists use to write their articles...

Restuss Chronicles (VI)

It is a slow period in the Galactic Civil War. Restuss, usually a den of confronting special forces is really quiet. It is a moment to gain commendation medals and evaluate the amount of destruction that the city suffers.

In other parts of the Galaxy, on Talus, Corellia and Naboo, the various factional locations have been in Imperial hands for a while. So much so, that rallying banners and stimpacks E have been delivered.

Museum of Natural History (XVIII)

With the Ewok Love Festival going on, it has been an opportunity to expand the collections of the Museum of Natural History.

Native Endor camby berries and flower bouquets have been added into the Flora Room. The camby berries are part of the traditional Ewok diet. During the Love Festival, they are dipped in chocolate to enhance the flavor. Camby berries come the Cambylictus tree

The flower bouquets are illustrative of the Ewok floral displays arrangements. These arrangements tend to be monochromatic (red or yellow), which may indicate a cultural bias against color mixing. In turn, this choice of arrangement may be illustrative of the Ewok flower symbolism. In this particular case, the colors / types of flowers are given during the Love Festival, thus linking their meaning to the event.

Finally, the Museum's collection is honored with a truly rare display. A heart drawn on a bit of bark from the Great Tree, symbol of the Festival of Love. The Great Tree occupies a prominent position in the Ewok belief system - and may be considered as a direct reference to the Living Force, as in the case of most naturalistic cults. The symbolism is therefore very strong with this item, suggesting the direct gift or origin of love from the Great Tree, the source of life itself. This could imply that in the Ewok psyche, love is the product of life - not a sentiment born by people - but rather, some sort of natural law.

All these items are on display at the Museum, so make sure to come and visit!

Hovering

Yes, it's Yoda like, yes, it's meant to be that way, but it does really look good.

As far as the Pagott is concerned, it clearly adds this touch of venerable to the would-be wise hunter, explorer of the Living Force, founder of the Lokian chapter of the Antarian Rangers and author of the Tenets.

Now, he'll just have to have an assembly to, literaly, preside over :) to be a happy man...Happy b'day Tarn.

Tarn's 60th B'day

It was an unexpected surprise, but Tarn's birthday came at an odd date. This 60 months adventuring mayor is still wearing shorts....

The celebration was, to say the least, private, as even the b'day boy didn't know it was his b'day.

Still, it didn't prevent him from enjoying his awesome hover chair.

Museum of Natural History (XVII)

A new addition to the Museum of Natural History, with the arrival of a live fish in a small aquarium. This fluorescent fish is of a rare species and will be welcomed to the museum's aquarium.

While in the Flora Room, a young woorshyyyr tree has been added. This native Kashyyykian tree, much honored during the Life Day festivities can grow to several hundred meters high.

In the Exploration / cultural artifacts room, the addition of a Wookiee rifle in a display case along with an Elite Wookiee Hunter Bandolier are tributes to the great hunting traditions of the Wookiees. Also, a life-day decorated woorshyyyr tree has been set up to honor this generous celebration.

Finally, a kowakian lizard monkey has established residence in the lower levels of the Museum, roaming in the darker corridors, close to the hunting room.

Wookiee Life Day

Celebrations of Wookiee Life Day in the city of Twin Mountain Base took place over the last few days, provoking the uncontrolled growth of woorshyyyr trees...

Tarn Pagott: the psyche under the mohawk

Somehow in this player's mind, Tarn Pagott is the quintessential ranger, explorer and archeologist. While this entails mostly scouting, treasure hunting, exploring, hunting and helping in the creation of settlements, under the mohawk this is the conjunction of many influences.

At heart are the stories of Allan Quatermain, Indiana Jones or Lara Croft for the exotic and mysterious past meets present contents ; my keen interest in paleoanthropology and prehistoric societies ; Jack London's novels such as White Fang or The Call of the Wild, Derib's Buddy Longway comics ; some teenage relent of mysticism and interest in Oriental philosophies and the idea of lost knowledges.

The SWG Grave Memorial storyline acted as a later catalyst to delve into the Pagott's family and cultural history. Although Tarn's character was established with the first day of logging in the MMO, the "scout" profession tree and the seemingly infinite wild expanses served as a medium to synthesize all these influences.

Tarn's family history is rooted in some obscure SW lore, the destruction of Kashi four thousand years prior to the creation of the Galactic Republic, "a thousand generations ago". The Tales of the Jedi Companion Sourcebook published by West End Games makes and odd reference to a Kashi-owned company four thousand years prior to the battle of Yavin, whose "official" status is contradicted by later sources. So the idea of surviving members of the destruction of Kashi being ancestors to Tarn is natural considering the character's drives.

Museum of Natural History (XVII)

New additions to the Museum of Natural History!

In the Fauna Room, two new displays from the ice planet of Hoth, a Tauntaun Eye and Unidentified bones. Those were collected in Wampa valley and in Echo Base. The tauntaun eye shows that these creatures are blue-eyed. Extensive analysis of the eye is being carried on. The current unidentified bones are being examined in order to determine the species, nevertheless, the size of the bones and their shape offer clues as to the animals. Further information will be given at a later time.

In the Resource Room, a Hoth Snow Machine is used to recreate an artificial snowfall in the room. This element contrasts with the large indoor fountain, in showing water in its various states, from liquid to crystal. The aquatic element of the resources can be examined more closely when looking at the various water containers and examine their qualities.

Happy Birthday (IV)

Announcement for Tarn's 60th month birthday, on December 17th. All are invited, main, alts, second account, trial account, whichever you like!!

Expect some story telling decorations in Twin Mountain Base, some story-telling NPC to hang around with and to shoot (not necessarily the same ones). Entertainers, silly contests such as swoop races and the like...

I'll try to get my hands on any kind of good props and activities, planning starts today and suggestions welcome.

I'll keep an update on the progress.

Homing Beacon

As far as gadgets exist this one is pretty neat, looks fun in the house and gets a good interaction with the landing officer when living in a remote planet such as Lok...The planet known for its numerous spaceports.

Landing in front of my house is something I had wanted to do for a long time, 'tis done. Checked.

I hope that with time going by, the ship's anim would be possible, but let's just enjoy the present moment and not raise hopes too wildly.

Museum of Natural History (XVI)

A new addition to the Museum, a large indoor fountain displayed in the Resource room (how fitting).

Beyond the welcome addition, it comes unfortunately at a cost -- in the particular case, a fruitful card exchange betweeen a loot TCG card, the fountain, a looted card from the Decrepit Droid Factory, a TCG Death Star Hologram.

It is somehow sad that interesting loot applicable in game is dependent on virtual purchasable cards. Display case, nice vehicles, decorative items (Dooku Bust, Fountain, Great Hyperspace War bas relief), glowing eyes, clothes, buff items (Gorax ear, Amulet) to name a few will make mouth watering additions to players such as I. It's to hope that among the virtual promo packs gratiously offered by SOE, drop loot cards .

Picture perfect

There could by two ways to look at this picture. One, a roleplaying way, Tarn and Eweev contemplating a beautiful hill on Dantooine. Two friends, very close.

The other way could be less roleplayed and simply state that it feels good to take a break, look at the scenery while hunting graul marauders. Only 40 left...

Dantooine: Stones in Small Hill

3858 167, elevation 15. On top of a small lake island, an outward pointing circle of eigh megalith limestones. The Dantari don't use boats or rafts despite extensive use of water resources, so bringing the stones to the location is an issue. This indirectly supports the theory that Dantari Rockshapers are Force adepts.

Dantooine: ???

7020 1015, elevation 2. A thune skeleton.

Museum of Natural History (XV)

A new sign for the Museum of Natural History is now visible from Kimogila Way, this sign, with its bats and rustic looks seemed quite in line with the contents of the building.

Also, as a Galactic Moon Festival sign, it acts as reminder that the Museum is also a place where traditional cultures have their crafts and traditions displayed.

Hope you'll enjoy the visit!

Treasure Hunting (IV)

This activity provides an endless fun. Not only its theme is evocative (treasures from the Jedi Enclave), but it provides an excuse for collections (Treasure Hunter) and the associated badge, some good loot, and last but not least, good moments spent with friends.

In this occurrence, Enkarn and I (and the familiars and the droids) ended up digging six treasures for a, ahem, meager result. But it was good moment nonetheless and we had the opportunity to fight a fun looking opponent (see pic). As Obi Wan once said, "he's more machine than man".