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Lit Did Palpatine know of the oncoming Yuuzhan Vong?

Discussion in 'Expanded Universe' started by Kyle Denny, Jun 30, 2012.

  1. Kyle Denny Jedi Master

    I was wondering, did Palpatine ever suspect that there would be in the future that the Yuuzhan Vong would eventually attack the Galaxy? A little bit like Revan did when he became a Sith, he tried to unite the Galaxy under his Sith empire to stop the True Sith Empire, did Palpatine view that the Empire would be able to stop them before they ever invaded?
  2. AngeDéchu Jedi Master

    ''Outbound Flight'' states that yes, he knew.
  3. darthboba Only a Prime can defeat Vader and his Emperor.

    Yes, he knew. Any sort of comparison with Revan isn't feasible with the Dark Empire Sourcebook, however- that makes it very clear Palpatine had precisely no benign intentions towards the galactic citizenry. He represented himself this way to Thrawn, but Palpatine was very good at presenting himself as whatever the person he was manipulating wanted him to be. Grand galactic unifier to Dooku, only hope against the Yuuzhan Vong to Thrawn, savior of his wife to Anakin Skywalker, loyal ally and apprentice to Darth Plagueis...see the pattern developing here?
  4. JaijeeDzashe Jedi Master

    Revan became a Sith Lord to unite and save the galaxy as he knew it. Palpatine wanted to conquer and rule the galaxy. He maintained the Empire's massive navy despite there being no viable threats largley in part to prepare for a war with the Vong.
  5. Kyle Denny Jedi Master

    I thought Revan became a Sith Lord because The Sith Emperor dominated his mind?
  6. Arawn Fenn Force Ghost

    I'm seeing a conflict here between the situation as implied by KOTOR 2 and what was explained ( retconned ) in Revan. As of the latter source:

    "Malak and I were turned to the dark side, but in doing so we found the strength to block out all memory of the Sith and the Emperor, partially freeing us from his control."
  7. Zeta1127 Jedi Grand Master

    Thrawn told Palpatine about what the Chiss called the "Far-Outsiders" in Outbound Flight.
  8. JaijeeDzashe Jedi Master

    Arawn Fenn is right, there are conflicts between KOTOR 2 and Revan. I personally stand with the story as explained in KOTOR 2 because it add a lot more weight and importance to Revan's decisions rather than he was brainwashed by a super-powerful Sith Lord. Revan thought he could use the dark side to save the galaxy but in the end he succumbed to it like anyone else.

    Actually it was Palpatine who informed Thrawn about the Vong via Doriana.
  9. Zeta1127 Jedi Grand Master

    Ah, that's right, Rogue Planet was when Palpatine found out about the "Far-Outsiders" via Tarkin, it gets confusing when one hasn't read the books in awhile.
  10. Arawn Fenn Force Ghost

    As far as the conflict is concerned, I think it's significant that Kreia was speaking of things she wouldn't have had any way of knowing. I'm really not a fan of the whole "virtuous turn" retcon myself. Sometimes a turn is just a turn, and there's no hint of such a thing in the first KOTOR.
    RC-1991 and Sable_Hart like this.
  11. stung4ever Jedi Padawan

    Yes Palpatine knew about the Vong.

    But they had absolutely nothing to do with his plans to overthrow the Republic, wipe out the Jedi, and install himself as ruler of the galaxy. He was all about power; nothing more, nothing less.

    Although he did use that knowledge to gain support of individuals who may or may not have supported him otherwise. Thrawn, for example.
    RC-1991 likes this.
  12. Nobody Jedi Master

    Yeah, Palpatine probably would have opposed the Vong... mainly because if anyone is going to rule the galaxy, its going to be him. But rumors of the Vong also act as convenient excuses for keeping a huge Imperial navy around, 'in case of barbarian invaders". I think one of the guide books (Incredible Cross sections maybe, or maybe Visual Guide, not sure) mentioned that as an excuse for keeping all those Star Destroyers and building many, many more after the Clone Wars.

    I haven't played KotOR II yet (although that upcoming collection sounds interesting, it would be nice not have to have to keep track of four CDs), but since Revan isn't actually in that game, I thought it was just Kreia theorizing? And in KotOR I, Revan had just fallen to the darkside after going too far in the Mandalorian Wars, and TOR has retconned the Jedi Civil War to be because Revan and Malak were dominated by the Sith Emperor but mostly forgot about the True Sith Empire by the time they got back to Republic space. And honestly, never liked the idea that Revan was trying to prepare the Republic for the True Sith, KotOR's story probably works better as a fallen Jedi rather than a well-intentioned extremist.

    Maybe those superweapons would have been useful against the Vong, maybe not, but Palpatine's Empire wasn't built to counter the Vong, he was just evil and wanted to rule the galaxy. For Thrawn it probably was one of his main reasons for working for Palpatine though. Too bad VotF hinted at that kind of threat (that even the combined resources of the New Republic and Empire and led by someone like Thrawn might not be enough), but that was referencing... entities in the Unknown Regions, but the Vong would count too.
  13. JaijeeDzashe Jedi Master

    The TOR version of Revan's fall is ridiculous. He chased the Mando's to Sith space...then he was brainwashed by the Emperor..then when he came back to the Republic he 'forgot' about the Sith?!

    Like how many times did the writers need to give Revan amnesia in order to suffice their convoluted storylines?
  14. The Phantom Calamari Jedi Master

    I'm not a big fan of the implication that Palpatine's totalitarian militaristic build-up was actually intended for a purpose that would be legitimately beneficial to the galactic populace, even if that was only part of the reason. It just smacks of all the "Gee, maybe the Empire wasn't so bad after all!" twaddle that crops up with increasing frequency in the EU these days.
  15. Daft-Vader-Prototype Winner - Apples to Apples

    yeah I disliked that idea too - Palps doesn't/shouldn't need a reason to build the Imperial Fleet
  16. Ulicus Jedi Grand Master

    Well, the RotS visual dictionary states that Palpatine genuinely sees himself as saviour who has brought peace to the galaxy.

    So, at least at that point in time, I can see the Revan comparison holding.

    When is a turn "just" a turn?

    There's always a reason. No-one has ever turned "for the lulz" that I'm aware of. That KotOR II decided it resulted from Revan's misguided messiah complex didn't stop him from being a thoroughly vile Sith Lord. Hell, it was KotOR 2 that established just how despicable and evil he was.

    And then TOR (EDIT: Revan?)comes along and tries to blame it all on the Sith Emperor's brainwashing? Tries to pretend Revan even needed to be seduced to the dark side after he'd ALREADY destroyed a planet, killed all those who weren't fervently loyal to him over the Republic, rent a hole in the Force for the sole purpose of breaking those Jedi who remained on the light to his will and then allowed the Force-dead Exile to live as "a warning" to the Jedi Council? Nuh uh. Not buying that. [face_not_talking] :p

    Might be what amnesiac!Revan thinks, but he's wrong. :-B

    EDIT: Though, actually, now I'm thinking I'm pretty sure Gnost-Dural's video log made mention of the fact that Revan had grown dark over the Mandalorian Wars. Too lazy to check at the moment, though.
  17. ceiranharmony Jedi Master

    oh my, here we go again..

    Yes Palpatine knew and is a savior, even he has good intentions sometimes, just the wrong means to the end, he is not the stereotypical pure evil always, you know? Or how do you rationalise that he cared for Mara Jade when she was a kid and raised her with help but he did that.. not some nutcase droid. And I mean that, Palpatine is dark, is evil often but even he has reasons. I prefer the buildup being because of the doom vision with the Vong thing. Logic is better here than him wanting to ruin the galaxy which would be stupid. He wants to rule, to change, yes, but not to doom it all, except if that would ultimately have a higher goal. Evil does not see itself as evil after all ;) except nutcases but those are not the brilliant masterminds Palps is

    And while the Empire wasn't that bad vibe is not the best in the EU indeed, it is not the worst either. A good monarchy is better than a bad democracy any day. Still a working democracy is best.
  18. Sable_Hart Jedi Master

    I dunno, I dislike the idea that Palpatine was some misguided demagogue. I mean, you could justify his duplicity against the Republic and the Jedi as him trying to replace a flawed government with a better one, but it's the stuff he does in his private time—the torture, mindgames, consistent demonstrations of narcissistic sadism—that seems to conflict with the idea that he thought of himself as a savior. I always thought of Sidious as someone who didn't consider himself evil, but someone who never really cared for labels. He wants to do something, he does it, simple as that: no moral justifications necessary.
    The Phantom Calamari likes this.
  19. ABELOTHS_SERVANT Jedi Master

    I dont think that Palp's kept the imperial navy after the clone wars because he was scared that the Vong would come and over throw him. If Thrawn was as smart and as good as a scout as he was a general, he probably told Palp's that these "Far-Outsiders" were great warriors. I could see Palp's not using the navy as a protection from the Ving but more as a means to conquer and enslave them if they were to ever come.
  20. ceiranharmony Jedi Master

    Palpatine is no hero or savior, but he is not the total monster either. he wants to be prepared for the Vong, but for his own sake, not that of the galaxy. same with his course against Jedi and Republic, he wants to rule and make it better so that his view dominates, not that all is better. he is selfish, yet still logic. which is why he tortures etc. to create his vision come true instead of help the galaxy his way.

    Not saying he is a misguided demagogue.. rather he can be seen as one by those not knowing his true intentions and selfishness. Palpatine is not doing it for best of all, that is what Jacen Solo tried and he too did nasty things in the end sadly much like Palpatine. Palpatine is doing what is best for all when it is best for him too! but aside that he had some interesting twists and good sides too about him. see my Mara Jade example
    Zeta1127 and ABELOTHS_SERVANT like this.

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