[Interest Check] in Norse/German/BBG themed faction

[SonnyIAm]

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I love the aesthetic of the Helghast Army in the video game series Killzone. The idea of these autocratic space marines hell-bent on conquering the known galaxy is amazing in my eyes, and I enjoy the designs that are shown throughout the games. I actually love the aesthetic in general, I feel like this autocratic Empire based civilization is what the Galactic Empire was supposed to be in the original Star Wars. However, the storm-troopers we see wear white, dont seem all that bright, and can barely hit the broadside of a barn. These observations are all generalizations of course, but I have always wished the Galactic Empire looked darker and had a much more menacing appearance. The white armor of the stormtrooper never looked right to me honestly, and I'd love to see Chaos embrace a darker empire.

I'd love to create a very minor faction that is based on this thought process. An Empire born from autocratic desires with a penchant for destruction and knee-bending. An Empire that believes that the galaxy has become lawless at this point, and needs to be reigned in a bit. Furthermore, this faction would have a severe lean towards starships and fleeting. Pilots and spaceship combat is a huge hallmark in Star Wars, and I would love to really show love to a navy that deserves it. Those that joined would need to be interested in missions based on fleet operations, space combat, etc.

I am quite active throughout the site now, and would love for this project to blossom. But before I put in any work at all, I'd like an interest check and maybe even bounce some ideas off of people. Would this empire spurn those that know the Force? Perhaps they are terrified of these people and put them away? Maybe the Emperor/King is the only Force-User in the entire Empire?

I think this could be a neat faction idea that could possibly spawn some very cool missions, battles and characters. If anyone else feels the same, please comment and add to this. I'd love some feedback and perhaps some creativity shoved into this. Am I alone here or is this something that tickles the fancy of certain people?

 

[Gren Blidh]

[member="SonnyIAm"] It's an interesting idea, and you are correct that the Empire in the movies is heavily influenced by National Socialist Germany and similar regimes. The First Order takes it even further. Aside from that though, there isn't really anything Germanic about them in terms of culture, mostly because we don't know much about the Empire or First Order culturally, other than vague proclamations like "they want to uphold order", or whatever that is supposed to mean. So the Empire/First Order being Norse/Germanic flavored is only the result of Nazi aesthetic being an easy trick to let the audience know "these are the bad guys". That's where the comparison ends.

Star Wars really isn't very good at world-building in general, at least not in most of the movies/games/books. You don't get a sense that different species/planets are really all that different from each other, as aliens in Star Wars basically act like humans in everything but appearance for the most part, and everyone uses the same weapons and technology, generally speaking. The differences are very superficial. We are supposed to root for the Rebellion/Resistance because they stand for "democracy" while the Empire/First Order are evil because they are "fascist", and there's little elaboration beyond that.

What I'm trying to say is, I think if you were to create a true Norse/Germanic flavored faction, do something that hasn't been done before. Look at some time periods besides World War 2 - go back further than that. The whole "Nazi Empire" thing has been done already, and Nordic myth is one of the richest literary traditions in the world. Familiarize yourself with some Norse myths maybe, and get your inspiration from there. Learn about ancient Germanic culture and create a group here that draws influence from it. Your creation will seem way more authentic, and interesting. It would interest me, at least.

 

[SonnyIAm]

Oh, I agree. Absolutely agree.

I was going to argue with you about the world-building, as I believe that Star Wars has serious world-building attributes. But then I thought about the relationship between the powers in the movies, books, etc. and I realize you are quite right. Its like a facade of world-building then anything else.

I would love to create something more akin to Norse/German, but I am unsure how to incorporate those themes into Star Wars. A tribe of Norse-Like humans/aliens that treasure the thought of raiding and pillaging? Maybe the tribe is filled with Force-Users that use thralls of over races that have been dominated by them? I know the Norse had some serious religious convictions, but they were not fanatical.

[member="Agent Rinnan"]

 

[Gren Blidh]

[member="SonnyIAm"] If you read up on Germanic culture, you can pick and choose what might make for an interesting faction, or perhaps race.

Might I recommend, if you're very interested in the subject:

Vilhelm Gronbech - The Culture of the Teutons
Viktor Rydberg - Teutonic Mythology (Vols. 1-3)

You may even be able to find them for free online.

A good starting point would be that Germanic tribes generally placed more emphasis on war and martial prowess than their Celtic neighbors, especially as Rome came into the picture and began to "civilize" the Celts. This doesn't always have to translate into raiding and pillaging, though. Men were simply expected to be proficient in warfare and able to defend themselves and their families. Some Germanic tribes intentionally chose a more difficult lifestyle in order to make their men into tougher warriors. A common theme in Norse myth is that living a life of action and purpose is preferred to comfort and stasis. The great men were the "movers and shakers" - those who lived a life of action and earned a place in Valhalla. Everyone else was resigned to Hel - a place that is neither good nor bad, but simply is. A boring place, for boring people. This was all in effect well before the Viking age, by the way.

As for religion, it's good to remember that Germanic paganism (and all indigenous European paganism) was not a universalist religion, but a folk religion. In other words, its primary purpose was maintain a sense of community between the worshipers. The Germanic tribes, and the Vikings, were not terribly concerned with converting outsiders to their religion because such a concept would have been foreign to them. The gods existed to serve their particular ethnic and community needs, thus there was no need to invite foreigners in or try to convert them. There were no prophet or divine gospel to spread.

Also, in Germanic myth, magic (the Force?) was generally seen as a feminine activity. Practitioners of magic were usually female, while other things like being a warrior were considered masculine. How to incorporate this into Star Wars? You could have a female Force-cult while the men form a warrior-cult. Just some ideas.

 

[Brumhilda deWinter]

Well. I have a name that fits Though I have a hard time seeing Brumhilda willingly as a part of an evil empire.

 

[Connor Harrison]

[member="SonnyIAm"] Chaos always needs more variety and creativity in it's Dark Side / villains, so go for it. A nice idea, a little different to what we usually see, and I am sure many people will have a similar urge to create characters / organisations in such a way.

Best of luck!

 

[Armand Temi]

I think this sounds very intriguing. I personally write a mix of both FUs and nonFUs so something like this would appeal on the board.

Good luck and I'll keep an eye out for it when it launches.

[member="SonnyIAm"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

[member="SonnyIAm"]

Already flying that flag my man.

 

[SonnyIAm]

I love all of these ideas honestly. The idea of the women of the faction being the Force-Users is very intriguing to me. Furthermore, I could see the men having melee weapons being imbued with "power" (The Force) in order to make the men effective against Jedi/Sith alike. Imagine a hulking warrior clad in armor with sword and shield in this time period. As for the spreading of culture and faith, this particular faction would have no need to converting those that were non-believers. Kill those that resist and leave the rest.

[member="Agent Rinnan"]

Good to see some interest! I will get something written up soon.