Path of Destruction: Jedi Valenthyne Farfalla

I searched for a similar topic, but could not find one. But if there is one Mods, could you direct me to the right place? Thanks.

I just finished Path of Destruction, loved the book. But did anyone else love this character Lord Valenthyne Farfalla that was created, or was it just me? He was hilarious as a Jedi - he seemed completely out of sync with everything the Jedi stood for; his buffed and polished gold armor with bright red sleeves and encrested with rubies matching the color of his eyes (red?) and totally over the top foppish attitude with his deep flourishing bows and pedantic speech. He was described as taking more care over selection of his battle wardrobe (and manicured nails) than the battle itself. Yet he was a paradox because on the other hand, he seemed a deep thinking strategist, fought in every Sith Battle against the Dark Lords as a member of the Army of the Light - and survived them all despite all of the Sith having come to know him well and able to spot him readily because he stood out with his overboard clothing and long flowing blond locks. And we saw a bit of his honorable nature in his duel with Kopecz, who was all but dead. And he was loyal as all get out, kneeling before Hoth and declaring he'd go into the caves with him then had to be talked out of it and conceded with tears in his eyes. And finally, he commanded his fleet and set up rescue missions like a champion warrior. All this from a foppish, over-the-top, daintily described, Jedi. I thought he was one of the best creations in the tale, he had me both laughing at him and in admiration of him. What did you guys think of this character as a Jedi? I don't think there is another comparable.

(ps. I haven't read Rule of Two, yet, so if he appears there and there is more info, I don't know about it. I'm just starting that book tonight - and I hope there is more of this character, he is such a laugh.)

 

^ in for a surprise

 

He was actually created for the Jedi vs. Sith comic book. I thought he was interesting, too, though he hasn't proven particularly popular...

 

TBH I wasn't really fussed with any of the Jedi in the books. It was all about Bane for me.
However Farfalla was an odd fit in the Jedi Order.

 

yay! love surprises Watto. I don't care if I end up loving or hating the guy - but I have to say, the character added tremendously to the book as a laugh relief and what with his paradoxical nature - at least in book one. Now you have me really wondering what is going to happen. I'll check back tomorrow after I finish because someone might spoil the surprise. But you have made me anxious to get started now...

Yeah I gotta catch up on some of the comics...I've gotten kind of behind, that is why I hadn't heard of him I guess.

 

If you thought his idiosyncrasies were hilarious, wait till you see the rest of him!

[image=http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/7/7e/Farfalla.JPG]

 

I enjoyed Master Farfalla as well. Yes, you will get a surprise in DB: RoT.

 

...

 

If you eventually read Jedi Vs. Sith you may notice that one panel toward the end seems to imply Farfalla dies in the thought bomb. That, of course, has been changed for POD/ROT.

 

He is just ridiculous.
There were some other Equine in Jedi vs Sith, that proved out to be brave warriors, doing their best in the war, despite them looking silly and not looking like they have good stability and coordination abilities. However, I found the whole species to be a good material, but I didn't really like Farfalla. Although he is an interesting character, not something you see every day, not even in Star Wars, I didn't really like him because he stands as a total opposite of what a Jedi should be.
Maybe he, and people like him, were one of the reasons the Order changed quite a lot after Ruusan - with the no possessions rule and poverty.

 

Actually, I find him a refreshing change for the Jedi.

Does he have weaknesses in his adherence to Jedi code...certainly...but so do brown robed morose monks of the order.

Please read on in "Rule of Two" and bring this topic back up...I'll hold my peace until then.

Perhaps he's not what the Jedi "vision" of Jedi would be...but he's a unique character at least.

And yeah...he comes from Jedi vs. Sith...just for the sake of peace...there are some folks who may pop blood vessels in their temples if POD gets credit for JvS creations.

 

A suggestion made by Trip... or, maybe it was Havac... or Hydro.

I've forgotten who, but it was ACE suggestion.

Anyway, whoever it was suggested that - as a contrast to his pre-Ruusan days - Farfella should embrace the new "monastic" lifestyle of the Post-Ruusan Jedi wholeheartedly and become a symbol for the transformation of the entire Jedi Order.

I loved that idea. Loved it. And, whilst I enjoyed RoT immensely, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed that the character stayed more-or-less the same. It... would have helped Drew really convey the changes that had been made in the ten years since PoD if Farfella had dropped the flamboyance gig.

 

That flamboyant streak reminded me of Kyp Durron, of all people.

 

Yeah, that would be great. And it would really make sense and set fundations to the 'modern' (PT) order.

 

Only in reference to Kyp in early NJO, I'd say.

He's certainly withdrawn some of his peacock feathers Post-Vong Incursion.

Which is what I think was expected of Farfalla as some have suggested.

I think it serves a much better point that he can be ostentatious...and still be a good Jedi.

 

Post-what?

 

Finished RoT. And just to get it out of the way, I was really, really, very, very, disappointed with the way the Jedi-Sith battle was narrated at the end. Johun and Valenthyne were nothing to this story of course in terms of it focusing on Bane and Zannah, but come on - why bother us with all the trimmings of these characters just to have them swatted out like milk-flies with zilch fanfare? (Not to mention Zannah should have been so dead.) - but liked the book overall, tho not nearly as much as PoD.

Okay now beyond that rant point and back to topic. You were all right about RoT, the expanded world of Farfalla had me laughing even more - the four poster depicting his royal birth - LOL. But they did tone him down to some degree in ways and it was his "witty and charming" abilities combined with his status I imagine that convinced the Jedi to agree to settle into what went on to be the tone of the future for them (ambassadors of peace). The one spark was his showing up at the final battle in his garish shirt with everyone else in the muted brown Jedi robes.

About his changing; I didn't want him to change; to me it was something so off the wall, so NOT Jedi I loved it. I am sad he won't be showing up for future moments of hilarious outtakes, but by book's end, they stopped really making much of it anyway. He did make me think of Kyp, but he was more over-the-top I thought - at least in POD.

I can't help thinking though that they could have taken this a little further because Star Wars does well with a little kick of color now and again. The greatest was when some flamboyant point about his dress or actions was referred to and then in the next breath he's telling a young Jedi to "watch their anger" in what I imagine to be his best "Obi-Wan Kenobi Voice" - same thing when he spoke to Hoth in PoD with his pedantic advice, with Hoth's inner POV declaring how much he was getting on his nerves...lol. Too it made his 'Jedi strategy leader' moments all the more compelling. Well, he's gone, but the comics will be kick, Jedi v. Sith is one of the few I haven't read as I have had to suck in all in during term breaks from law school, but I will start tonight as seeing this dude in full color already has me laughing at the thought... (and the pic insert was a graphic lure Catherine, lol)

 

I laughed when I read the first post because I figured you were in for a surprise. I did find Farfalla...interesting. Definitely a change from the normal Jedi. I had seen that pic that was posted earlier when I first read PoD and laughed when I did because I thought it looked so goofy for a Jedi. I did like Farfalla.

That being said, I think that Farfalla and Johun dying was perfect. We don't see much of that really, with the Jedi losing. It just doesn't happen much. It offered a nice twist to the normal good-vs-evil thing going on, and made the book even more dark, which was great IMO. I was shocked with the way that they went out, but I thought it was awesome (that could just be because I am a Sith fanatic ).

 

I must note that I am a little embarrassed for never realizing farfalla had horse legs. I never picked up on that in the book. oops.

 

Don't be. Karpyshyn intentionally left that detail out of the books, as he felt it would detract from the narrative.

 

Had to add: Just finished Jedi v. Sith and you guys were right again...I was rolling on the floor laughing. It is even funnier in ways although not as comprehensive. My favorite line for this character was "Jedi is as Jedi does, and if a Jedi has taste..." LOL...Hoth went ballistic...it was perfect. This Farfalla had more of a predilection for anger than in Pod/RoT, but just as funny. I had read the Old Republic comics, but I got the JvS comics last, so I hadn't read them, but they ended up adding to the story more than some other comic/novel duos have.

Anyway, great stuff - oh yeah, and the first we see anything related to him at all is a huge layout of the Fairwind, Farfalla's ship, LOL...that was classic!

 

Well, xx_Anakin_xx, lemme tell ya: you're a breath of fresh air.
You really don't want to know how often this stuff has been bickered about.