What's The Story? was an exclusive feature on the Star Wars fan club website, Star Wars Hyperspace. It gave Hyperspace members a chance to leave their mark on the Star Wars Expanded Universe by allowing them to provide the backstory for certain aspects of the saga; usually obscure background characters or vehicles from the films. Winning entries became official Star Wars lore: published in the Databank and added to the Holocron continuity database. This feature was launched June 24, 2005 and concluded on January 4, 2008, as first hinted by Pablo Hidalgo of Lucas Online.[1][2] The feature began with the backstory for Tannon Praji, a character from the (then) recently released Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, and, somewhat appropriately, the final entry was Bane Malar, a character from Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, chronologically the (then) final Star Wars film.
In October 2008, new stories from What's The Story? authors began to be published on Hyperspace. As of December 2009, Edward M. Erdelac, Nathan O'Keefe, Adrick Tolliver, James McFadden, Gregory Walker, and John Hazlett have authored Hyperspace articles.
Contents
The process[edit | edit source]
- The submission form was regularly updated presenting a new subject for fans to write about, originally weekly, then in a fortnightly period and finally on the first Friday of every month. Entries were be based on the information and criteria given, and all had to be under 2000 characters in length.
- Every submission received was read by a panel of judges, with the best marked as finalists. Pablo Hidalgo then selected the winning entry, or merged several entries and edited them into the final product. The Databank was updated with five or six winners at a time or, sometimes, individually.
List of entries and authors[edit | edit source]
Round (Entry) | Subject | Author(s) | Author(s) real name(s) respectively | Databank |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 (6)[3] | Bane Malar | caledre | Edward M. Erdelac | Link |
10 (5)[3] | Pontifex Maxiron Agolerga | Sompeetalay | Tim Veekhoven | Link |
10 (4)[3] | Teckla Minnau | Shadowcultist | Evan Burger | Link |
10 (3)[3] | Slyther Bushforb | jSarek | John Hazlett | Link |
10 (2)[3] | Seib Nod | Captain Yossarian | Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe | Link |
10 (1)[3] | Oakie Dokes | Grand Admiral Sean8 | Unknown | Link |
09 (9)[3] | Theomet Danlé | winstonvalleyjedi | Unknown | Link |
09 (8)[4] | Yoxgit | caledre | Edward M. Erdelac | Link |
09 (7)[4] | Janus Greejatus | vader_of_bast | Timothy S. Maddocks | Link |
09 (6)[4] | Niai Fieso | exarxan | Sander de Lange | Link |
09 (5)[4] | Willrow Hood | Captain Yossarian | Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe | Link |
09 (4)[4] | Tian Chyler | yoda's waiter, the fragrant wookiee (provided name) | Timothy Carlsson, Ian Tapley (provided name) | Link |
09 (3)[4] | Mini-Huvicko/Yuzabi Dowser binary hydromech droid | caledre | Edward M. Erdelac | Link |
09 (2)[4] | Pello Scrambas | Darth NTM | Aidan Hennessy | Link |
09 (1)[4] | Lushros Dofine | AdmiralD'orl001 | James Lord | |
08 (6) | Augara Jowil | nawaraven104 | Chad Finke | Link |
08 (5) | Eddicus-class planetary shuttle | JMMC | James McFadden | Link |
08 (4) | Krayt's Honor | KenobiDX67 | Paul Rock Sandrock | Link |
08 (3) | Teyora Rekab | Valin Kenobi | Nathan O'Keefe | Link |
08 (2) | Rolo droid | nob01 | Neil Baker | Link |
08 (1) | Antidar Williams | the fragrant wookiee | Ian Tapley | Link |
07 (5) | Myhr Rho | Captain Yossarian | Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe | Link |
07 (4) | Y'bith | ShadowCultist | Evan Burger | Link |
07 (3) | Nar Hida | NarbFlick | Gregory Walker | Link |
07 (2) | Cebann Veekan | DJ Maul: Got Feet?, Bubba1227 (species name) | Tommy Mac, Bob Vitas (species name) | Link |
07 (1) | Nobot | Jedi Flaherty | Shaun Flaherty | Link |
06 (6) | Onara Kuat | Darth NTM | Aidan Hennessy | Link |
06 (5) | Covert Ops clone trooper[5] | |||
06 (4) | Braha'tok-class gunship | Ello137 | Unknown | Link |
06 (3) | Cane Adiss | jSarek | John Hazlett | Link |
06 (2) | 3B6-RA-7 | TalonCard86 | Adrick Tolliver | Link |
06 (1) | Dusty Duck | Hedec Ga | Greg Mitchell | Link |
05 (6) | DC0052 Intergalactic speeder | Nathan (ChronoRadio) and The Dark Moose | Nathan Butler, Withheld | Link |
05 (5) | Utapau Shadow Trooper | Maso Tirag | Sam D. Garito | |
05 (4) | Wam "Blam" Lufba | Sompeetalay | Tim Veekhoven | |
05 (3) | Corla Metonae | The2ndQuest | Billy Buehler | Link |
05 (2) | Ottegru Grey | Nex: the T is Hott!!, magicofmyth2, Valin Kenobi (name) | Zack Bossan, unknown, Nathan O'Keefe (name) | |
05 (1) | Silya Shessaun | Twi'LekEntertainer, with some elements by ShadowCultist, Master Starkeiller and Hedec Ga | Nathan Hathaway Adams, with Evan Burger, Withheld, and Greg Mitchell | |
04 (6) | BesGas Three | Fisty Fiham | Tyler Fisher | Link |
04 (5) | Nem Bees | Lord Hydronium | Kyle Jewhurst | Link |
04 (4) | Bal'demnic | Arf Maul | Arthur Papadam | Link |
04 (3) | E-3PO | The Phantom Calamari, ejmacki, Fisty Fiham (introductory text) | Unknown, Unknown, Tyler Fisher (introductory text) | Link |
04 (2) | Wol Cabasshite | ejmacki | Unknown | Link |
04 (1) | Olana Chion | the fragrant wookiee, Master Starkeiller, The2ndquest (finishing touches) | Ian Tapley, Withheld, Billy Buehler (finishing touches) | Link |
03 (6) | Tzizvvt | Sompeetalay | Tim Veekhoven | Link |
03 (5) | Barrow Oicunn | Jedi Master Daniele F, jawajames1 (provided first name only) | Daniele F., James Floyd (provided first name only) | Link |
03 (4) | Diva Shaliqua | nelwyn53100, Valin Kenobi | Unknown, Nathan O'Keefe | Link |
03 (3) | Acros-Krik | NarbFlick | Gregory Walker | Link |
03 (2) | Melee | jarjarsmeagol, Ghent_the_Slicer, Cockroach King FS, jawajames1 | Alex Dishal, Unknown, Unknown, James Floyd | Link |
03 (1) | Leektar | Hecko Tenton, Arf Maul | Andrew Gilbertson, Arthur Papadam | Link |
02 (6) | Narglatch XJ-2 airspeeder | Master Devwi | Unknown | Link |
02 (5) | Yavid | Valin Kenobi | Nathan O'Keefe | Link |
02 (4) | Pax Bonkik | javajawas | Ashley Sharpe | Link |
02 (3) | Kalyn Farnmir | Captain Yossarian | Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe | Link |
02 (2) | Romeo Treblanc | Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi, Captain Yossarian (also provided name) | Aaron Sinner, Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe (also provided name) | Link |
02 (1) | Grizz Frix | Kast Morben | Paul Celer | Link |
01 (6) | UT-AT | The2ndquest, The Dark Moose | Billy Buehler, Withheld | Link |
01 (5) | Swilla Corey | Sompeetalay | Tim Veekhoven | Link |
01 (4) | Janu Godalhi | TalonCard86, gohan316427, General Tarfful | Adrick Tolliver, Unknown, Unknown | Link |
01 (3) | Magaloof | NarbFlick | Gregory Walker | Link |
01 (2) | Rango Tel | Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi, Captain Daultay Dofine (provided name only) | Aaron Sinner, Unknown (provided name only) | Link |
01 (1) | Tannon Praji | Nex: The T is Hott!! | Zack Bossan | Link |
Later EU appearances and references[edit | edit source]
A list of What's The Story? aspects that have since appeared in new Expanded Universe material.
Direct references[edit | edit source]
- UT-AT, in Guide to the Grand Army of the Republic, Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Barrow Oicunn, in Underworld Appendix: Swoops, Spice, and Wretched Rogues and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Grizz Frix, in Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Corla Metonae, in Star Wars Insider 90
- Nem Bees, in The New Essential Guide to Alien Species and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Pax and Trax Bonkik, as Hasbro action figures, and in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- 3B6-RA-7 in the StarWars.com Visual Guides
- Wol Cabasshite in Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Clone shadow trooper in Echoes of the Jedi
- Krayt's Honor in Starships of the Galaxy, Saga Edition and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Bane Malar as a Hasbro action figure, and in Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Galactic Hunters
- XJ-2 airspeeder in Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Champions of the Force and Star Wars Galaxies
- Tannon Praji in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
- Rango Tel in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Magaloof in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Janu Godalhi in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and Death in the Slave Pits of Lorrd
- Swilla Corey in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Romeo Treblanc in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Kalyn Farnmir in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Yavid in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Leektar in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, as a Hasbro action figure and in Star Wars Miniatures: Imperial Entanglements (as "Ewok Scout")
- Melee in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Acros-Krik in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Diva Shaliqua in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Tzizvvt in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- E-3PO in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Bal'demnic in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji and The Essential Atlas
- BesGas Three in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Silya Shessaun in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Ottegru Grey in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
- Wam Lufba in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- DC0052 speeder in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Dusty Duck in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and The Wrath of Darth Maul
- Cane Adiss in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Braha'tok-class gunship in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Cebann Veekan in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Nar Hida in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Y'bith in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Myhr Rho in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Antidar Williams in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Rolo droid in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Eddicus-class planetary shuttle in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Augara Jowil in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Lushros Dofine in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Pello Scrambas in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Mini-Huvicko/Yuzabi Dowser binary hydromech droid in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Tian Chyler in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Willrow Hood in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Niai Fieso in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Janus Greejatus in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Theomet Danlé in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Oakie Dokes in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Seib Nod in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Slyther Bushforb in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Teckla Minnau in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Onara Kuat in The Essential Guide to Warfare
References within other WTS entries[edit | edit source]
- Romeo Treblanc, in
Shaliqua, Diva in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link) and
Grey, Ottegru in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Tannon Praji, in
Grey, Ottegru in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link) and
Kuat, Onara in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Rango Tel, in
Dusty Duck in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Ottegru Grey, in
Kuat, Onara in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Cebann Veekan, in
Rho, Myhr in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Tian Chyler, in
Willrow Hood in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Wam Lufba, in
Yoxgit in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
Entries reprinted in Star Wars Insider[edit | edit source]
- Tzizvvt and E-3PO in Star Wars Insider 89
- Dusty Duck and Utapau Shadow Trooper in Star Wars Insider 100
Indirect references[edit | edit source]
- Onnelly Praji, daughter of Tannon Praji, in Evasive Action: Recruitment and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
- Ongree species information from the Acros-Krik databank entry in The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
- Tusus Comestibles, connected to Belo Tusus, in
Rekab, Captain Teyora in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Luptoom in
Rekab, Captain Teyora in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- A'roFilter, mentioned in
Yoxgit in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Acceptance in Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
- Hamadryas in Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice, The Force Unleashed novel, Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide, and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Doovo Bonkik, sharing the surname of Pax and Trax Bonkik, in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
- Ensolica in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
- Tash Metonae, sharing the surname of Corla Metonae, in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
- Aneesa Dym in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Almak and Leffingite in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji
Cut references[edit | edit source]
- Bal'demnic; Abel G. Peña mentioned Bal'demnic in Underworld Appendix: Swoops, Spice, and Wretched Rogues, but Lucasfilm cut the reference.[6]
Minor elements introduced[edit | edit source]
Other elements introduced (or first identified) into continuity through What's The Story? include:
- A'roFilter
- Almak
- Aneesa Dym
- Bak'rofsen system
- Beezar Pert
- Belo Tusus
- Braha'tok
- Brotherhood of Cognizance
- Bryyn Woolery
- Chesea
- coolth suit
- 84-U hunting rifle
- Noslo-19 slug rifle
- Daystar Craft
- DC0040 speeder
- DC-19 "Stealth" carbine
- Diva
- Dornean Braha'ket Fleetworks Conglomerate
- Eminence
- Enso
- Ensolica
- The Eye of the Beyonder
- Hamadryas
- Honorary Elder
- Imperial Entertainers Guild
- Ingoda
- Kon'me
- Layn Wynest
- Leffingite
- Luptoom
- Musikagung
- Naftrat Odarr
- New Nozho
- Org Banelli
- parental collective
- Plasma leech
- Pontifex
- Prospector's Riot
- Qel-Droma
- Red Bush Grove
- Tash Scrambas
- Scri Oscuro
- Set
- Siqo Vass
- Sisterhood of the Beatific Countenance
- Spanner
- Sono-class thrust pod
- symponik
- Symponik Nabooalla
- Symponika Crunchen-Grand
- TechSpan I
- Torktarak
- Trax Bonkik
- Tusus Comestibles
- Vekka Lodik
- Veré
- Veterned
- Wol Cabassh
- Yarlubb river
- Yuvernian
What's The Story legacy[edit | edit source]
Beginning in October 2008, new articles and stories authored by What's The Story? writers have been published on Hyperspace.
- Fists of Ion (October 2008) by Edward M. Erdelac
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji on Hyperspace (content removed from StarWars.com and unavailable) (February 2009) by Nathan O'Keefe
- Death in the Slave Pits of Lorrd (June 2009) by Adrick Tolliver
- The Forgotten War: The Nagai and the Tofs (November 2009) by James McFadden
- Dining at Dex's (December 2009) by Gregory Walker
- The Written Word (March 2010) by John Hazlett
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑
"What Is (And Isn't) Hyperspace?" – Lucas Online, Pabawan's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; archived from the original)
- ↑ Hidalgo, Pablo (2007-06-27). Webstrip Chatter at Celebration IV. The Official Star Wars Blog. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 These entries were published along with a retrospective after the competition had finished.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Round 9 databank entries were released individually, rather than a group as were previous rounds.
- ↑ Was not published. To quote Pablo Hidalgo: "A winning entry was selected, but it became apparent that projects in the works tread too closely to the lore being established in the CO troopers, that the call was made to pull it. Better that than introduce an instant-continuity error." It is unknown if the entry will ever be published in the future.
Whats the Story? Discussion and Analysis on StarWars.com Message Boards. (content now obsolete; backup link not available) The winning entry was not entered into the Holocron continuity database in any form, and Lucasfilm Ltd. has not revealed who was the writer of the entry.
Holocron continuity database questions on StarWars.com Message Boards. (content now obsolete; backup link not available)
- ↑ Insider 89: "Underworld: A Galaxy of Scum and Villiany" by Abel, Ryan, and Joe on the Jedi Council Forums (Literature board; posted by Halagad_Ventor on August 29, 2006, 2:05pm) (backup link)
External links[edit | edit source]
What's This Guy's Story? on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
Hyperspace:
What's The Story?—Submit A Backstory on Hyperspace (content removed from StarWars.com and unavailable) (fortnightly submission form)
Hyperspace Presents: What's the Story? on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) (original media release)
Databank:
Hyperspace Presents: What's the Story, Round 1 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 1 winners in Databank, published August 12, 2005)
Hyperspace Presents: What's the Story, Round 2 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 2 winners in Databank, published September 30, 2005)
What's the Story, Round 3 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 3 winners in Databank, published November 18, 2005)
What's the Story, Round 4 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 4 winners in Databank, published February 3, 2006)
What's the Story, Round 5 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 5 winners in Databank, published April 17, 2006)
What's the Story, Round 6 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 6 winners in Databank, published August 31, 2006)
What's the Story, Round 7 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 7 winners in Databank, published September 28, 2006)
What's the Story: Episode I on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 8 winners in Databank, published January 12, 2007)
Forum threads:
Whats the Story? Discussion and Analysis on StarWars.com Message Boards. (content now obsolete; backup link not available)
- Official "What's the Story?" Hyperspace Databank Feature Discussion on the Jedi Council Forums (Literature board) (backup link)
Blog entries:
"To Aspiring Writers" – Halagad, Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; archived from the original)
"Your First Steps Into A Larger World" – Halagad, Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; archived from the original)
"What's the Story? …Behind the Scenes" – Halagad, Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; archived from the original)
"That Was One In A Million" – Halagad, Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; archived from the original)