Hey guys it's been a long, long time. Merry Christmas! Unlike last year I haven't been able to do something crazy such as create a 40k word chapter, only around a 20k chapter. Now I hope you guys aren't too disappointed with the chapter, I took a long break from writing over the year which has delayed the release of this chapter, as well as the fact it was meant to be an intermission chapter has really restricted how long it was going to be.
When I say intermission, I mean all this chapter was supposed to be, was a set up for many different story arcs later in the novel. This can be seen with over half the scenes alluding to something that will come in the future. Some faster than others.
Now I wanted to get this out of the way as well. The first scene and last scene in the chapter and any other chapter I generally do, are likely to not be in chronological order. As can be seen with the Shmi start to the chapter, followed by the council meeting.
If you were to look at a timeline of events the council meeting happens before the Shmi scene when she arrives on the planet. I have done this so it's harder to determine a proper time line, generally because this gives me a little leeway in what I can put into each chapter.
I think that having the first and last parts of the chapter, possibly being out of chronological order gives me a lot of opportunities to set things up in the future. Almost always I would say the last scene in the chapter will be set outside the timeline of events that happened in the chapter. Ranging from weeks to months into the future.
Of course in the case of this intermission, there is a little chronological order in the timeline of scenes, but it is hard to tell because there is nothing so connected that you can tell. Outside of the first two scenes and the last scene. (Honestly hope I'm not confusing you guys too much here)
Now moving on, as I haven't been writing at all this year, outside of a few small chapters I really would love to hear what you guys think. I believe that the council scene wasn't bad, as well as the Shmi scene. Though my forte does not lye with political scenes and I find them hard to write, especially the planning that happened in the council scene.
Other than that I also think I did a not too bad job with the self-realization with Aayla, though I think I could have possibly done it better. The mental image in her head that she fights was very hard to write in my opinion. Also I'm sure a lot of you noticed who cameoed there.
Speaking of Cameos
In regards to the Commander of his forces…. I dropped about 3 hints into that part of the chapter, 2 small one and a major hint. For those that figured it out. This is going to be an amalgamation of both canon and legends that I'll be working with. I want to make the character more logical and impersonal; really give off a power went to his head kind of vibe to him, which will change how his back story and name are given to him. It will be very fun when a certain (Hint), Demi-god and Living-God meet… I'm thinking (Foreshadow) The battle of Hypori.
So as in regards to Ventress. Yes she will be in the story in the future as an apprentice no less! But who's apprentice shall she be?…. I mean I think a few people can make logical jumps to figure it out. It's pretty damn obvious when you think about their personalities and how they match up. But again this is really just a set up for her, like everything else in this chapter. Now onto the main point here. I don't know her full backstory, I'm still going through it right now. But to those avid Ventress fans, no I don't know which version of her back story I will use, legends or canon. There are good parts about both. In regards to her father figure/master I'm still deciding if I should have it that he killed her first slaver/father that she grew attached to. I think it's a good story point to explore, just don't know if I will.
Finally on to the mysterious planet and the queen. As I have said already in the other notes, all of these little scenes connect one way or another into story lines that will play out with the main characters/companions. So going off that some might figure out who this connects to. Really only 2 people that I could be talking about.
This is an original created planet, in that I mean, the planet name when revealed will be from star wars, but their culture, political structure, military, religion etc. will all be fiction made by myself, which is something that evolved from events mentioned in past chapters. Take your best guesses in the comments, sadly I won't be able to confirm or deny whether you are right until a later date.
Finally I know I'm going to get some hate, but I obviously put in a scene about Rey. Yes I will be doing a story line with her. Yes a future version of her, yes a young version of her (Which means I can turn her into anything, don't immediately jump the gun on hate… and yes I have thought about other people in the clone war periods that I could use instead of her. Yes I will be using most of the ones you will list for different story lines, Best example right now Ventress herself.)
Other than that I also think I should mention I might tone down the introduction of new female characters specifically. I mean I feel like I've just been introducing way too many of them. When it came to the 'Golden Twins' in this chapter, I originally had it that they were both sisters, but almost changed it to a brother/sister relationship. It wouldn't change much. It was just after thinking about it, this story really does have a lot of female leads, even though Mace is the main character, I have focused on, Aayla, Nadia, Padme, Jaesa, heck even Rey.
I would like to know what you guys think, I find I've done that with stories in the past, introduce a lot more female characters compared to male ones. Now that's not to say I don't have any Male characters I will be introducing, actually next chapter I'm going to be introducing one. It just seems like there are a lot of females right now. Your thoughts?
PS. Ventress is like around 12 or something like that for people that are wondering. She is still young and there are 10 years before the start of the clone wars, so lots of time for her to grow.
PPS. For those wondering, the armour used by the Royal Guard is based on the SWTOR Exiled Padawan Armor Set.
Next chapter: Temple Ransacking (Working Title)
Now I'm very tired, excuse me while i go sleep!
Zevren out!