The Clone Wars Episode Guide by Jason "Mr. Atlas" Fry

Anybody got this? I did and was surprised...

It contains lots of retcons, canon continuity tidbits. worth the money!!!

Definitely Fleet Junkie stuff in there, too! Cartography stuff in there, too! Planet and Spezies infos too.

BUY IT... I am not through reading and already love it! Impatient for Season 2 Episode Guide... and Mandalorians

well.. hey Jason if you listen: Do you get Clone Wars book contracts one after the other or did you get a contract for all Clone Wars related guidebooks? Seems you are Mr Clone Wars Continuity, too in adition to Mr Atlas

 

Well, your post has made me extremely curious!!!! Can you provide us with some more details? (counting the 8 days for the amazon-order to arrive...)

 

First I'm hearing about a Clone Wars Episode Guide. Link?

 

of course I can... more details later but here a sneak peak:

we get inuniverse explanations for Battle Droid Clumsyness and chatting droid humor. Lets say: Republic Slicer Attacks infefcted separatist factories with nanoviruses. In return Confed slicers attacked republic assets with nanovirusses limiting the Tector and Imperator class SDS effectivity in their first pre-production testruns. Thus delaying their production and efficiency tests for a long time.

there is more, info on the Crystophsian human settlers from the Core Worlds, more Huttese history for Teth. More info on the species of the Clone Wars, be it looks, history etc. like locations of new moons etc. Toydarian's betraying the Hutts in creating a secret paradise which the hutts in return destroy into a dessert with corals... etc. then we have lots of inclusion of old Clone Wars expanded universe. A mention clarifying Assaj Ventress Sith Apprentice status or not.

Lots of tech data for ships, names, etc. Some new infos for why characters did what were etc. like background info. Name origins and lots of Behind the Scenes info about what was cut, discarded etc. (f.e. Bothawui ground scenes)

I could go on and on and I am not even a third into the book!

 

First I've heard too - I presume it's this.

 

I think I had seen this before (maybe on Amazon), but after how disappointed I was with the Art of Clone Wars and the Ultimate Battles book (yeah, the Ultimate Battles book wasn't meant to be anything big, but the first Visual Guide had had quite a few tidbits, so was disappointed at how most of the second visual guide just covered the latter half of season one), didn't really care about it. But this sounds good, so gotta remember to go look for it at my local bookstore later.

Until then... hm, sounds like some nice retcons involved, possible without stretching logic too far, doesn't trample over older EU, if it is how you describe it, now this is the kind of continuity changes I can live with (sorry, still in a bad mood after the last new Clone Wars episode we got). Definitely gotta read this book for the fleet junkie aspects at least.

 

what last episode? as far as I know there hadn´t been a new episode in the last 2 weeks. or do you mean the weird one about neutral corporations *coughcough*

I'll let you all know when I am through the guide and then a detailed spoiler list will follow^^

 

Updates...

Every episode gets 1 retcon minimum it seems^^ Wow

We get explained why skytop station is in the Ruusan system and nobody remembers that 1000years ago there had been this important battle etc.

More details on the friendship of Padmé and Senator Farr from Rodia and how they tie back to the Refugee Relief Movement whose President Ruwee Naberrie had been once.

Grievous Lair pet monster gets backstory, homeworld etc. and backstory features Kaleshh and Jedi fighting side by side etc. the Roggwarts^^ look very similiar or exactly like the Bithraevians from whose homeworld they come, Xenobiologists argue if through natural development, if they are a species ofshoot that is nonsentient or if it had to do with genetic tinkering or convergent evolution

Also new Droid info en masse like new droid programs tested in Kit Fistos R2 unit, new droid models, some R2 droids featuring non-R2 heads because of sparparts of other R-series models used. So R-series droids can have an R2 designation but look like an R5 f.e. with replacement domes. R-designation is not defined by dome but by interiour capabilities and program kits. But most often Dome design does represent the R-type, if not tampered with or spareparted^^

more later

 

Ceiran, anything new about the Clones that TCW has introduced (Echo, Fives, Waxer, Boil, Denal, Ponds, etc)?

 

Does any of the Jedi starfighters (Anakin's, Obi-Wan's, Fisto's) receive a proper name? Any tactical droids, clone troopers, starships got a proper designation?

 

I'm interested in any "Rookies" information.

 

Thanks man!!!!!! Seven days to go until my copy arrives!!!! Jason Fry is currently one of the best authors in SW-land!!!!

 

Any capital ship info beyond the Venator, Imperator, Tector?

 

Pantorans are a Wroonian offshoot species

Talz native to Alzoc III with colony on Orto Plutonia



not all episodes get massive details added, but little bits here and there for clones, yub. all ships are named, or if not named class and type is given in shiplist for each episode. no special names for the Jedi Starfighters so far.. not yet finished with the book

Rookiees clones get some treatment but not much new in the rookiees section, possibly elsewhere. but they are characterised in a short sentence.


the guide also has good images chosen and features transcripts and lists of all vehicles, characters per episode, each newsreel from the beginning is typed up, a short synopsis is give. then massive behind the scenes text and here and there accompanying pictures are paragraphes featuring species, ship, planet, weapon, character info, etc. and a big GALACTIC DISPATCHES full page entry about a special topic like a planet, species, history, whatever^^ there most retcons are or accompanying the image paragraphes.

GALACTIC DISPATCH on the Talz features the conditions under which the Galactic Republic determines which species is "sentient" and which is not. "The Convention of Civilized Systems" mentions as conditions several tests, among them are tool use, social complexity, ability to communicate advanced concept to other species, etc.

Captial Ships: Malevolence, Malevoloence sister ship, Republic Assault Frigate (refitted CEC Consular class Cruiser), etc. there is indeed..


PS: Can I have a counter that counts how often I am first to spoil a book? I lost track and need someone to count for me




Edit1:

The guide gives screenshots of aurebesh writing in the series and translates it

There is an "Arquata Station Ammendment to the Convention of Civilized Systems" covering sentient species that live in multiple systems/planets despite the lack of startravel technology. Like f.e. civilisations seeded by other species like the Rakata or genetically engineered and spread like through the Arkanians or colonies that descended back into barbarism post interstellar travel era.


Dave Filoni quote from the book:

Let the speculations and rewatch begin!!!


more Filoni quotes: "It (the series) really is an anthology of tales set over the period of time that is the Clone Wars."

He clarifies that the episode arcs belong together but others are aired out of order and he gives advice to TIMELINE JUNKIES:

"Let Ahsoka be your guide. A, if she is there or not - that usually gives you an idea of here this is happening in the war. - and B, her attitude. How much of a brat is she? How disrespectful (...) vs. how much she's learned? She is always a good barometer where you are at."

 

Thanks alot, sounds like a lot of interesting bts info on all kinds of things related to the series. 8)

Any namedropped ships besides the ISD and TSD (i.e. ships that don't show up in the series)?

Excellent, this might mean the Orto Plutonia mission is early in the war, before she's in the picture.

 

RED ALERT...

those who like me disliked the recent Season 2 notion of neutral companies, there is a GALACTIC DISPATCH about Kerkoida and General Whorm Loathsomes fate post-TCW Movie. The Text and new info is well written. Though the Republic is dumber than ever...

The Republic considers Kerkoida a loyal member world despite the actions of some of its species members. And General Loathsome served in its local military pre-TCW. So when he turned separatist, they treat it now as treason and put him on trial and he ends up on a prision world. So far so good, not to the worse part:

Kerkoida apologizes for some of its separatist minded Dukes, nobles and people and tries to stop them themselves to not face Republic sanctions and occupation. In return the Republic, needing its clone forces on the frontlines, spares Kerkoida and lets its government deal with the local separatists themselves. Minor separatists are even granted amnesty and higher ranking ones like officers are put under house arrest on Kerkoida. General Loathsome trades his prison world cell for house arrest in his home... where soon after the Separatists raid Kerkoida and take their loyal Separatist with them. Once again Kerkoidan government apologizes to the Republic...
now a quote: "Surely the Republic understood that and and wouldn't let unfortunate incidents like the escape of a lone Separatist risk further hard feelings."




ok... it makes sense, really. But the Republic is dumb. It is too trusting with its member worlds, too busy with hotspots and thus ignoring other future troublebrewing crisis. I agree that the Republic should not move in with the Army as soon as trouble arises, but it should start to THINK...

Also, I wonder, is every species, world, company that is separatist now loyalist and neutral? DOES NOT COMPUTE---ERROR---ERROR... well

but most stuff in the book is good.

 

Ceiran can you give any details on new Clone info?

 

Wow, a large military power making deals with troublespots to fix their problems themselves and this turns out to be a bad idea? Gee, sounds familiar...

 

Knowing Filoni, it's probably the acknowledgment that Obi-Wan has met Ventress before and that the two have a "relationship."

 

Wow, I didn't even know that one was out yet.

I wanted to include some EU material so the book had some appeal to hardcore fans like us -- plus it was fun to dig into some of the odder things we've seen in the show, and to fix a couple of my own flubs. Rob Valois did most of the heavy lifting on synopses, character descriptions, etc.

Anyway, it was fun to do and I hope people like it.

I write book to book. I've been lucky enough to develop some good working relationships with the very talented folks at DK and Penguin, and so have been able to sign on with a string of CW projects that sounded like fun. In fact, I'm procrastinating when I should be working on another CW book set for late spring/early summer.

Trivia no one but me will care about: There's a real Arquata Station, on the rail line between Genoa and Milan. Back in January I was working on the Episode Guide while traveling between those two cities the morning after huge blizzard. I was thinking the accords on sentience could use a bit of historical-sounding color, looked up, and right there in the midst of a very Orto Plutonian snowscape was a sign with the rather Star Warsy name Arquata Station. OK, that was easy.

 

Got it, and it's great (and I didn't know Terry Pratchett's Unseen Academicals was out so I got a double-treat!).

A lot of material was already covered, but let's see... (and apologies if I'm repeating information)

Techno Union's role is expressly stated. They joined the Confederacy, but some members (CEC and BlasTech) left and stayed loyal to the Republic, some (Arakyd) stayed neutral and sold to both sides, and some (like TaggeCo) initially stayed but switched sides during the Clone Wars. "Such defections were crucial in allowing the Republic to build up its own fleets and armies."

The Malevolence was confirmed as the first Subjugator-class, and the Devastation was the second - it's 'sister ship' - and was finished a few weeks after the Malevolence.

The Pantorans are probably offshoots of the Wroonians, as suspected.

"Republic frigate" from "Ambush" is confirmed to be the refitted Consular-class cruiser mentioned in the CWCG.

Pammant is stated to be the Confederacy's 'most valuable shipyard'.

The Balmorra Run is a 'hair-raising' smuggler shortcut to avoid customs stations, from Trigalis to the Chommel Sector - the "Balmorra" in the title is because it was charted by a smuggler gang from Balmorra.

A lot on the 'spy wars' - the traitorous Goldie droid was altered by Sep slicers working at a forward supply base at Milagro. Sep agents sabotaged ammo cartridge production at Duckenwell.

A named Tector! That's right, the Tector-class Gibbon - which was infected with a computer virus at Handooine and then fought in Admiral Kreuge's task force at the Battle of Salvara, where the virus replicated and lowered ships' shields when they came into a certain range of enemy forces, turning the battle into a rout. Said to be "one of a handful of prototype Tectors and Imperators assigned to live-fire exercises as a prelude to formal production".

Battle of Agomar was a Republic victory when a Republic nano-virus caused battle droids to turn on each other.

To expand on someone else's mention, Ruusan was chosen because it was centrally-located in the Mid Rim but in an area that was hard to reach and little populated - the Separatists knew nothing about the Valley of the Jedi.

Sev Tok was a planet that suffered from massive groundquakes and assisted by the Refugee Relief Movement back when Palpatine was a Senator.

The monster in "Lair of Grievous" is from Guiteica, called a "Roggwart" - many young ones were taken as trophies by the Kaleesh when they helped the Republic invade the world.

The Gran Senator, Kharrus, is said to be a 'veteran' but his representative sector/system isn't given.

Much like the Databank, Jason wouldn't reveal the Terrible Secret of the Planet Quell!

Yularen had command of an Outer Rim patrol (presumably in the Judicial Department), rousting slavers on the Listehol Run - and then a captain in the Kwymar Sector Fleet. His obsession with security and corruption caused him to resign and join the Senate Intelligence Bureau.

After his defeat at Salvara, Republic Admiral Kreuge took Kerkoidia 'not long after Christophsis', which immediately declared for the Republic.

More info on the 'brain-plague' in the Weemell Sector from the ROTS:ICS - it was released by General Grievous during the Battle of Loedorvia to kill legions of clone troopers. The outbreak terrified the Core Worlds. The Candoria, mentioned in the Essential Atlas, is brought up again as the home of the "Candorian Plague".

 

I'm really pleased with this book, especially with the Galactic Dispatches which reminds me of the good old West End Games books and Galaxy Guides. They have a lot of information and background that explains a lot of things. It's almost a shame that this book received almost no attention or publicity while it offers a lot of info about the CW (still no species for Vindi though). It does have some contraditions compared to 'Galaxy at War' but unfortunately, that book contradicts a lot of information.

I was wondering if Admiral Kreuge is a new character created for this book because WP has got him sourced from the first RPG Rulebook from WEG. I read that book multiple times but I can't remember him. I wouldn't be surprised to see this homage to WEG but can somebody let me know if Kreuge is mentioned in the Rulebook of WEG?

 

It's from the quote of the Armchair Historian template in the back of the book, roughly pg. 124 (not certain, since the templates don't have page numbers):

EDIT: Hmm, seems the Armchair Historian is more specific in the quote given in the template that's in the revised Gamemaster Screen:

 

Ack, another difference between WEG editions. * headdesk

ADDED: No, already had that one. Salvara is in the Tenuutta sector. What's the exact spelling for that one in the original source?

 

You've got it right; one "n," two "u"s, two "t"s.

I am glad you are more effective than you think. ;-)