Two-Bit Con Artist
Codex is, by and large, a labor of love. The focus of Lore is often not particularly useful in competitive PvP, and easy to over look compared to the glamour of a new gun or a zoom zoom ship. But the work that goes into Codex by the members of Chaos has the potential to enrich the entire background galaxy we all write in. Whether it is full planets or esoteric tomes, fantastical religions or interesting creatures, the submissions offered by you all through our corner of Chaos have the potential to be the jumping off point for any number of stories we tell together.
The Codex staff is pleased to offer these highlights of submissions we have been particularly impressed with. Some are excellently balanced, some have intriguing lore, while others are thought provoking and offer less common ways of looking at a particular topic. What they all have in common are their attention to detail without being overly restrictive, offering new lore that is possible to utilize but also invites further imagination and expansion.
Thank you to everyone, highlighted or not, for your submissions to Codex. We look forward to future highlights and seeing the heights of your creativity and work!
Planets
Easily the most ambitious section in Codex, planets have the potential to be brilliant set pieces. This is, in my opinion, one of the most challenging sections to excel in, but also one of the most rewarding when done well.
Thule by [member="Darth Carnifex"]
Getting the right balance necessary to expand a canon world while keeping true to the source material as well as including Chaos canon events can be a challenge. This sub hits all the right notes, spanning from 5000 BBY to the present day, including the particular flavor of the current Sith Empire faction without over whelming the canon feel of the planet.
Species
This section bursts at the seams with potential for diversity. At its best, the species section gives us fascinating alien biology, creative cultures, and interesting traits balanced in ways that make sense and give writers highly playable templates upon which to build unique characters. The various canon species give Star Wars so much of its flavor, and our Chaos additions are no exception.
The Extant by [member="Mother"]
For a board steeped into a big sci fi fantastical setting, Chaos hasn't had a lot of focus and attention on weird alien things. Which has always been kinda sad, but also makes it even more awesome when the weird stuff does pop up. The Extant are a cool example of it. Hivemind parasites who grow smarter as more join their collective. They are nicely balanced, offer some really cool stuff to play with and are as alien as they come. More of this please!
Lervon by [member="Argos Xalen"]
I started my tenure in the Factory as a Species Judge (which will tell ya how long ago that was) and I have always had a soft spot for them ever since. This is a cool as feth submission. Sand constructs that use the Force to keep themselves together, being able to reshape, etc. Basically the mythical coyotes from Native American mythology, but with a few twists. I loved how reasonable it was, not overpowered, just really neat lore. More of this pls.
Locations
Offering the widest range of different template options, this section ranges from the deeply personal of a homestead to entire star systems. With so many options, there is something for everyone to utilize and expand upon- and boy does it, being one of our most popular sections.
Shaol'mara | Mistwalker Village by [member="Jorah zos Darnus"]
I love the flavor of this sub. Taking existing culture and looking at it from the direction of a transplant into new places is under utilized and it is done well here. There's enough detail to give a clear picture, but enough open spaces to allow someone else to fill in more as the reader or a character engaging in the setting.
Caliban System and Vector Null by [member="Atlas Drake"]
Making this a single nomination, because these two submissions belong to one another. I really love it when people sub weird/out there submissions and this is definitely that. A locale full of monsters, danger and death. Plus, it doesn't actually push a lot of boundaries, even though it was one of the first submissions that was made with the loosened regulations. Fixed in canon, fleshes out some cool stuff, what's not to like?
Palmyra's Wail by [member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"]
The details and history here are the platonic ideal of a Nexus submission. I love that while it is a Dark side nexus, it is just as dangerous to darksiders as lightsiders. The combination of science and the supernatural in the flavor is also incredible and well melded to create something very unnerving.
Concord Dawn Moon by [member="Gilamar Skirata"]
Every once in a while a submission comes around that has a nice mix of lore potential, canon grounding and a bounty of story. This is one of them. A big centerpiece in Mandalorian canon, used by many PCs, this submission both gives respect to the established canon while providing people with an interesting cool setting to play around with in their story. Nothing overpowered about it, instead all the focus is on the lore. Hats off on this one!
NPCs
Every scene has the potential. Every background face has a story. From individuals to companions, from combat units to ship crews, these are often used to enhance stories through additional flavor and dialogue beyond the faceless.
Bryn'adûl | M'gaelak Siege Tower by [member="Tathra Khaeus"]
This was a really interesting and flavorful submission. Ambitious in its details, but limited in its scope. The details were well thought out and explained, while balancing some pretty powerful creatures with a narrow utility and well themed weaknesses.
Pyronauts by [member="Darth Tacitus"]
An attractively put together sub, both visually appealing and well thought out. This specialist unit has good and sensible weaknesses based on the strengths, expanding on particular facet of a Chaos group that has spanned time and factions.
Lore
While all of Codex is focused on Lore, this forum brings a laser focus to that topic. Give us your religions, your holocrons, your organizations. The fluff is strong with this one and we want it all.
The Thirriken Empire by [member="Darth Saarai"]
I am never so pleased as when creativity of members builds off of each other. Building off of the Thirriken species submitted by [member="Jorus Merrill"], this submission pulls together a collection of lore built over time, utilizing new ideas that tie in to a Major Faction as well as the personal story of the character himself. I love the heart and attention to detail, while still offering continued room to grow.
Ashiranism by [member="Vaena Askari"]
Sio has been doing a lot of work in the Codex fleshing out some of the things she has created over the years. I had a bit of trouble picking out a specific one, but ended up going for the Ashiranism. First religion sub, just as meaty and expansive as her other submissions. Expands yet another part of the Eldorai, which might be one of the most elaborate species/cultures Chaos has seen to date.
The Codex staff is pleased to offer these highlights of submissions we have been particularly impressed with. Some are excellently balanced, some have intriguing lore, while others are thought provoking and offer less common ways of looking at a particular topic. What they all have in common are their attention to detail without being overly restrictive, offering new lore that is possible to utilize but also invites further imagination and expansion.
Thank you to everyone, highlighted or not, for your submissions to Codex. We look forward to future highlights and seeing the heights of your creativity and work!
Planets
Easily the most ambitious section in Codex, planets have the potential to be brilliant set pieces. This is, in my opinion, one of the most challenging sections to excel in, but also one of the most rewarding when done well.
Thule by [member="Darth Carnifex"]
Getting the right balance necessary to expand a canon world while keeping true to the source material as well as including Chaos canon events can be a challenge. This sub hits all the right notes, spanning from 5000 BBY to the present day, including the particular flavor of the current Sith Empire faction without over whelming the canon feel of the planet.
Species
This section bursts at the seams with potential for diversity. At its best, the species section gives us fascinating alien biology, creative cultures, and interesting traits balanced in ways that make sense and give writers highly playable templates upon which to build unique characters. The various canon species give Star Wars so much of its flavor, and our Chaos additions are no exception.
The Extant by [member="Mother"]
For a board steeped into a big sci fi fantastical setting, Chaos hasn't had a lot of focus and attention on weird alien things. Which has always been kinda sad, but also makes it even more awesome when the weird stuff does pop up. The Extant are a cool example of it. Hivemind parasites who grow smarter as more join their collective. They are nicely balanced, offer some really cool stuff to play with and are as alien as they come. More of this please!
Lervon by [member="Argos Xalen"]
I started my tenure in the Factory as a Species Judge (which will tell ya how long ago that was) and I have always had a soft spot for them ever since. This is a cool as feth submission. Sand constructs that use the Force to keep themselves together, being able to reshape, etc. Basically the mythical coyotes from Native American mythology, but with a few twists. I loved how reasonable it was, not overpowered, just really neat lore. More of this pls.
Locations
Offering the widest range of different template options, this section ranges from the deeply personal of a homestead to entire star systems. With so many options, there is something for everyone to utilize and expand upon- and boy does it, being one of our most popular sections.
Shaol'mara | Mistwalker Village by [member="Jorah zos Darnus"]
I love the flavor of this sub. Taking existing culture and looking at it from the direction of a transplant into new places is under utilized and it is done well here. There's enough detail to give a clear picture, but enough open spaces to allow someone else to fill in more as the reader or a character engaging in the setting.
Caliban System and Vector Null by [member="Atlas Drake"]
Making this a single nomination, because these two submissions belong to one another. I really love it when people sub weird/out there submissions and this is definitely that. A locale full of monsters, danger and death. Plus, it doesn't actually push a lot of boundaries, even though it was one of the first submissions that was made with the loosened regulations. Fixed in canon, fleshes out some cool stuff, what's not to like?
Palmyra's Wail by [member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"]
The details and history here are the platonic ideal of a Nexus submission. I love that while it is a Dark side nexus, it is just as dangerous to darksiders as lightsiders. The combination of science and the supernatural in the flavor is also incredible and well melded to create something very unnerving.
Concord Dawn Moon by [member="Gilamar Skirata"]
Every once in a while a submission comes around that has a nice mix of lore potential, canon grounding and a bounty of story. This is one of them. A big centerpiece in Mandalorian canon, used by many PCs, this submission both gives respect to the established canon while providing people with an interesting cool setting to play around with in their story. Nothing overpowered about it, instead all the focus is on the lore. Hats off on this one!
NPCs
Every scene has the potential. Every background face has a story. From individuals to companions, from combat units to ship crews, these are often used to enhance stories through additional flavor and dialogue beyond the faceless.
Bryn'adûl | M'gaelak Siege Tower by [member="Tathra Khaeus"]
This was a really interesting and flavorful submission. Ambitious in its details, but limited in its scope. The details were well thought out and explained, while balancing some pretty powerful creatures with a narrow utility and well themed weaknesses.
Pyronauts by [member="Darth Tacitus"]
An attractively put together sub, both visually appealing and well thought out. This specialist unit has good and sensible weaknesses based on the strengths, expanding on particular facet of a Chaos group that has spanned time and factions.
Lore
While all of Codex is focused on Lore, this forum brings a laser focus to that topic. Give us your religions, your holocrons, your organizations. The fluff is strong with this one and we want it all.
The Thirriken Empire by [member="Darth Saarai"]
I am never so pleased as when creativity of members builds off of each other. Building off of the Thirriken species submitted by [member="Jorus Merrill"], this submission pulls together a collection of lore built over time, utilizing new ideas that tie in to a Major Faction as well as the personal story of the character himself. I love the heart and attention to detail, while still offering continued room to grow.
Ashiranism by [member="Vaena Askari"]
Sio has been doing a lot of work in the Codex fleshing out some of the things she has created over the years. I had a bit of trouble picking out a specific one, but ended up going for the Ashiranism. First religion sub, just as meaty and expansive as her other submissions. Expands yet another part of the Eldorai, which might be one of the most elaborate species/cultures Chaos has seen to date.
