The first Star Wars novel by Jeff Grubb, Scourge takes place in the New Republic era, when Bantam Spectra had reign of the Star Wars Expanded Universe novels. It takes place in 19 ABY. Synopsis: In the heart of crime-ridden Hutt Space, a Jedi Scholar searches for justice. While trying to obtain coordinates of a secret peril-packed but potentially beneficial trade route, a Jedi novice is killed--and the motive for his murder remains shrouded in mystery. Now his former Master, Mander Zuma, wants answers, even as he fights to erase doubts about his own abilities as a Jedi. What Mander gets is immersion into perilous underworld of the Hutts as he struggles to stay one step ahead in a game of smugglers, killers, and crime lords bent on total control.
The novel opens with the death of Jedi Knight Toro Irana on Makem Te. His Master, Mander Zuma, an archivist, has been dispatched by the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV on behalf of the New Republic. Mander is at a loss for his apprentice's death. Mander blames himself for Toro's death. Toro's sister, Reen, blames Mander, but quickly comes to his aid when he identifies that poison was used to kill her brother. The local Swokes Swokes and Rodians are trying to kill them. Koax, an aide to the Spice Lord, receives Toro's lightsaber from Dejarro. Dejarro is a Tempest--a hard spice--runner. Koax kills Dejarro for his failure to stop Mander and Reen. They identify the poison as Tempest. It's a new spice that showed up in 18 ABY and it's suddenly all over the galaxy. Toro's mission was to get coordinates for the Indrexu Spiral. The Hutts hold the answers so Mandar, Reen, and a Bothan named Eddey Be'ray head to meet with the Anjiliac clan's head, Popara Anjiliac Diresto. They talk to his aide Vago Gejalli Thokka and learn that Popara is willing to give the New Jedi Order the coordinates so long as Mander serves the Anjiliac clan. Things go awry, especially when the Bomu Rodian clan and Koax get involved on the plague-ridden planet of Endregaad. The Corporate Sector Authority also gets involved. Mika Anjiliac Chiera helps Mander and his allies by capturing two Tempest addicts during a fight. The CSA locks Mander and his allies, except Mika, up. Mander and his allies take Mika to Nal Hutta. Popara dies and Zonnos Anjiliac Priare accuses Mander, Reen, and Eddey. The trio escapes to Nar Shaddaa with Angela Krin, Lt. Cmdr in the CSA. Zonnos puts a price on their heads. Mika passes them info on the Tempest. They find out that Zonnos killed Popara. Mander kills Zonnos and Mika takes over the Anjiliac clan then demands that Mander and his allies leave Hutt Space. The Spice Lord is unimpressed with Koax's recent dealings. Through a couple of contacts, Mander, Reen, Eddey, and Angela head to Dennogra and confront Koax. Koax dies and the last of the Bomu clan die. The information leads them to Varl and Vago. It was a set up. Mika is the Spice Lord and has been behind the whole thing, including the death of his father. Mander fights Mika which results in Mika's death. The novel ends with an agreement between Vago Gejalli and Mander Zuma about the Anjiliac business model.
A great first Star Wars novel by Jeff Grubb. Considering this is based on the Tempest Feud game product for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, from Wizards of the Coast which was written by Jeff Grubb and Owen K. C. Stephens. Very well crafted, great characterizations of the main characters from the RPG, and great prose. Grubb has demonstrated that he knows the Star Wars Expanded Universe as well as the World of Warcraft universe which he also writes in.
The novel opens with the death of Jedi Knight Toro Irana on Makem Te. His Master, Mander Zuma, an archivist, has been dispatched by the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV on behalf of the New Republic. Mander is at a loss for his apprentice's death. Mander blames himself for Toro's death. Toro's sister, Reen, blames Mander, but quickly comes to his aid when he identifies that poison was used to kill her brother. The local Swokes Swokes and Rodians are trying to kill them. Koax, an aide to the Spice Lord, receives Toro's lightsaber from Dejarro. Dejarro is a Tempest--a hard spice--runner. Koax kills Dejarro for his failure to stop Mander and Reen. They identify the poison as Tempest. It's a new spice that showed up in 18 ABY and it's suddenly all over the galaxy. Toro's mission was to get coordinates for the Indrexu Spiral. The Hutts hold the answers so Mandar, Reen, and a Bothan named Eddey Be'ray head to meet with the Anjiliac clan's head, Popara Anjiliac Diresto. They talk to his aide Vago Gejalli Thokka and learn that Popara is willing to give the New Jedi Order the coordinates so long as Mander serves the Anjiliac clan. Things go awry, especially when the Bomu Rodian clan and Koax get involved on the plague-ridden planet of Endregaad. The Corporate Sector Authority also gets involved. Mika Anjiliac Chiera helps Mander and his allies by capturing two Tempest addicts during a fight. The CSA locks Mander and his allies, except Mika, up. Mander and his allies take Mika to Nal Hutta. Popara dies and Zonnos Anjiliac Priare accuses Mander, Reen, and Eddey. The trio escapes to Nar Shaddaa with Angela Krin, Lt. Cmdr in the CSA. Zonnos puts a price on their heads. Mika passes them info on the Tempest. They find out that Zonnos killed Popara. Mander kills Zonnos and Mika takes over the Anjiliac clan then demands that Mander and his allies leave Hutt Space. The Spice Lord is unimpressed with Koax's recent dealings. Through a couple of contacts, Mander, Reen, Eddey, and Angela head to Dennogra and confront Koax. Koax dies and the last of the Bomu clan die. The information leads them to Varl and Vago. It was a set up. Mika is the Spice Lord and has been behind the whole thing, including the death of his father. Mander fights Mika which results in Mika's death. The novel ends with an agreement between Vago Gejalli and Mander Zuma about the Anjiliac business model.
A great first Star Wars novel by Jeff Grubb. Considering this is based on the Tempest Feud game product for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, from Wizards of the Coast which was written by Jeff Grubb and Owen K. C. Stephens. Very well crafted, great characterizations of the main characters from the RPG, and great prose. Grubb has demonstrated that he knows the Star Wars Expanded Universe as well as the World of Warcraft universe which he also writes in.
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