Spice/Legends: Difference between revisions
imported>Cavalier One |
imported>PastaBot m Template fixes |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
Spice was mined on [[Kessel/Legends|Kessel]] by criminals. Since Kessel lay within the [[The Maw|Maw Cluster]], in the unlikely event a prisoner were to escape they would not likely go far because of the surrounding [[The Maw|black holes]]. The spice found on Kessel was [[Glitterstim/Legends|glitterstim]], one of the most prized spices in [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]]. This particular spice was created by a [[Species/Legends|species]] of [[energy spider]]s that would spin the spice into webs. Any unlucky miner that came into contact with one of these creatures would have their life energy sucked out of them in seconds. | Spice was mined on [[Kessel/Legends|Kessel]] by criminals. Since Kessel lay within the [[The Maw|Maw Cluster]], in the unlikely event a prisoner were to escape they would not likely go far because of the surrounding [[The Maw|black holes]]. The spice found on Kessel was [[Glitterstim/Legends|glitterstim]], one of the most prized spices in [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]]. This particular spice was created by a [[Species/Legends|species]] of [[energy spider]]s that would spin the spice into webs. Any unlucky miner that came into contact with one of these creatures would have their life energy sucked out of them in seconds. | ||
Spice mining was a very dangerous job. Kessel had no natural [[Atmosphere/Legends|atmosphere]], and factories on the surface created air; however, the air was still too thin to breathe without an [[Oxygen/Legends|oxygen]] mask. Spice was activated by light, forcing workers to work in complete darkness or under dim, [[Color/Legends|red]] lights that lacked photons energetic enough to trigger it.<ref name="The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett"> | Spice mining was a very dangerous job. Kessel had no natural [[Atmosphere/Legends|atmosphere]], and factories on the surface created air; however, the air was still too thin to breathe without an [[Oxygen/Legends|oxygen]] mask. Spice was activated by light, forcing workers to work in complete darkness or under dim, [[Color/Legends|red]] lights that lacked photons energetic enough to trigger it.<ref name="The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett">{{Shortstory|story=The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett|book=Tales of the Bounty Hunters}}</ref> Along with the obvious dangers of energy spiders, glitterstim threads were very sharp, and could easily remove digits if the worker was not careful.<ref name="The Paradise Snare">''[[The Paradise Snare]]''</ref> | ||
The [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] attempted to keep a tight rein on the circulation of the various forms of spice, making it a frequent item for [[Smuggler/Legends|smuggling]]. It must be noted, though, that various forms of spice had medicinal uses—not every form of spice was addictive, or even illegal. | The [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] attempted to keep a tight rein on the circulation of the various forms of spice, making it a frequent item for [[Smuggler/Legends|smuggling]]. It must be noted, though, that various forms of spice had medicinal uses—not every form of spice was addictive, or even illegal. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
Prior to the ''New Game Enhancements'' introduced to ''[[Star Wars Galaxies]]'', spice was a consumable within the game that players who chose the smuggler profession could craft. Once ingested, it would improve a certain number of stats at the cost of decreasing others. After the effect wore off, you would experience spice withdrawal for several minutes, prompting your character to appear to vomit and lowering all of your stats. | Prior to the ''New Game Enhancements'' introduced to ''[[Star Wars Galaxies]]'', spice was a consumable within the game that players who chose the smuggler profession could craft. Once ingested, it would improve a certain number of stats at the cost of decreasing others. After the effect wore off, you would experience spice withdrawal for several minutes, prompting your character to appear to vomit and lowering all of your stats. | ||
Author [[Kevin J. Anderson]] noted that some "politically correct" individuals at Lucasfilm almost forced him to characterize spice as a food additive in ''[[Jedi Search]]'' out of concern for characterizing Han as a drug dealer during his smuggling days. The matter was brought up to [[George Lucas]], who confirmed that spice is a drug. Anderson compromised by adding positive qualities to the substance instead of categorizing it as a damaging substance like [[Wikipedia:Crystal meth|crystal meth]].<ref name="dwolver">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160113032611/http://www.alternativenation.net/interview-star-wars-author-kevin-j-anderson-recounts-jedi-academy-trilogy-darksaber-tales-jedi | Author [[Kevin J. Anderson]] noted that some "politically correct" individuals at Lucasfilm almost forced him to characterize spice as a food additive in ''[[Jedi Search]]'' out of concern for characterizing Han as a drug dealer during his smuggling days. The matter was brought up to [[George Lucas]], who confirmed that spice is a drug. Anderson compromised by adding positive qualities to the substance instead of categorizing it as a damaging substance like [[Wikipedia:Crystal meth|crystal meth]].<ref name="dwolver">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160113032611/http://www.alternativenation.net/interview-star-wars-author-kevin-j-anderson-recounts-jedi-academy-trilogy-darksaber-tales-jedi Interview: Star Wars Author Kevin J. Anderson On 'Jedi Academy Trilogy', 'Darksaber', & 'Tales of the Jedi']</ref> | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
| Line 170: | Line 170: | ||
*[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (junior novelization)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' junior novel]] {{Mo}} | *[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (junior novelization)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' junior novel]] {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Star Wars Journal: Hero for Hire]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Star Wars Journal: Hero for Hire]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
* | *{{Shortstory|story=A Free Quarren in the Palace: Tessek's Tale|book=Tales from Jabba's Palace}} {{Mo}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Twin Stars of Kira (West End Games)|text=''Twin Stars of Kira''|story=The Package (adventure)|stext=The Package}} | *{{WEGCite|book=Twin Stars of Kira (West End Games)|text=''Twin Stars of Kira''|story=The Package (adventure)|stext=The Package}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Twin Stars of Kira (West End Games)|text=''Twin Stars of Kira''|story=For a Few Kilotons More}} | *{{WEGCite|book=Twin Stars of Kira (West End Games)|text=''Twin Stars of Kira''|story=For a Few Kilotons More}} | ||
| Line 179: | Line 179: | ||
*''[[X-Wing: The Bacta War]]'' | *''[[X-Wing: The Bacta War]]'' | ||
*''[[X-Wing: Wraith Squadron]]'' | *''[[X-Wing: Wraith Squadron]]'' | ||
* | *{{Shortstory|story=Hutt and Seek|book=Tales from the New Republic}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=The Politics of Contraband|story=The Politics of Contraband (adventure)|stext=The Politics of Contraband}} | *{{WEGCite|book=The Politics of Contraband|story=The Politics of Contraband (adventure)|stext=The Politics of Contraband}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures|story=The Politics of Contraband (adventure)|stext=The Politics of Contraband}} | *{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures|story=The Politics of Contraband (adventure)|stext=The Politics of Contraband}} | ||
| Line 191: | Line 191: | ||
*{{Journal|8|Counterstrike (Adventure Journal)|Counterstrike}} {{Mo}} | *{{Journal|8|Counterstrike (Adventure Journal)|Counterstrike}} {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Jedi Search]]'' | *''[[Jedi Search]]'' | ||
* | *{{Shortstory|story=The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett|book=Tales of the Bounty Hunters}} | ||
*''[[Young Jedi Knights: Trouble on Cloud City]]'' | *''[[Young Jedi Knights: Trouble on Cloud City]]'' | ||
*''[[Young Jedi Knights: Crisis at Crystal Reef]]'' | *''[[Young Jedi Knights: Crisis at Crystal Reef]]'' | ||
Revision as of 01:50, 26 August 2022
- "Glitterstim's all right if you're blue. Everything takes on a rise, a buzz, a life, as if your whole body had been made new and your whole future with it."
- ―Greglik
Spice, also known as narco-spice,[2] was slang for various mind-altering drugs. Varieties included ryll and the strongest (and most expensive), glitterstim. The planet Kessel was rich with these spices, which were harvested from dangerous mines, at one point in history by slave labor. Sevarcos II, Rori, Ryloth, Troiken, and Mon Gazza were other sources of spice. The word could also refer to non-narcotic herbs and minerals used to give foods or drinks flavor.
History
Spice was mined on Kessel by criminals. Since Kessel lay within the Maw Cluster, in the unlikely event a prisoner were to escape they would not likely go far because of the surrounding black holes. The spice found on Kessel was glitterstim, one of the most prized spices in the galaxy. This particular spice was created by a species of energy spiders that would spin the spice into webs. Any unlucky miner that came into contact with one of these creatures would have their life energy sucked out of them in seconds.
Spice mining was a very dangerous job. Kessel had no natural atmosphere, and factories on the surface created air; however, the air was still too thin to breathe without an oxygen mask. Spice was activated by light, forcing workers to work in complete darkness or under dim, red lights that lacked photons energetic enough to trigger it.[3] Along with the obvious dangers of energy spiders, glitterstim threads were very sharp, and could easily remove digits if the worker was not careful.[4]
The Galactic Empire attempted to keep a tight rein on the circulation of the various forms of spice, making it a frequent item for smuggling. It must be noted, though, that various forms of spice had medicinal uses—not every form of spice was addictive, or even illegal.
Most forms of spice were collected raw, then processed and refined. Some forms of spice were produced completely synthetically, without the use of any kind of natural material. Many organizations, and planets, took on this enterprise, notably the Hutts.
Spice was known to have gained widespread use since the days of the Galactic Republic, even before 4000 BBY. In 13 ABY, Lando Calrissian bought the spice mines of Kessel.
The illegal spice market was virtually destroyed as a result of the Yuuzhan Vong War. With the Hutts attempting to fight off the Yuuzhan Vong, their contacts were stripped of their connection. Many people were forced to confront their addictions, and spice all but lost its worth. By at least 130 ABY, the spice trade had been rebuilt.
Behind the scenes
It has been posited that Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel Dune (1965) had a heavy influence upon Star Wars. The drug known as "the spice" Melange plays a central role in the Duniverse.[5] Spice was first mentioned at the beginning of the original Star Wars with C-3PO's worry to R2-D2 that "We'll be sent to the Spice Mines of Kessel, smashed into who-knows-what!"
The concept of spice in the Star Wars universe appeared for the first time in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and is only mentioned briefly by C-3PO and Luke.
Since then spice has appeared in countless Expanded Universe works, and is even mentioned briefly in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.
Prior to the New Game Enhancements introduced to Star Wars Galaxies, spice was a consumable within the game that players who chose the smuggler profession could craft. Once ingested, it would improve a certain number of stats at the cost of decreasing others. After the effect wore off, you would experience spice withdrawal for several minutes, prompting your character to appear to vomit and lowering all of your stats.
Author Kevin J. Anderson noted that some "politically correct" individuals at Lucasfilm almost forced him to characterize spice as a food additive in Jedi Search out of concern for characterizing Han as a drug dealer during his smuggling days. The matter was brought up to George Lucas, who confirmed that spice is a drug. Anderson compromised by adding positive qualities to the substance instead of categorizing it as a damaging substance like crystal meth.[6]
Appearances
Sources
Notes and references
- ↑ Planet of Twilight
- ↑ Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters, Second Edition
- ↑ "The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett"—Tales of the Bounty Hunters
- ↑ The Paradise Snare
- ↑ Lethbridge, Thomas: Everything Star Wars Took From Dune (2021-10-20). Screen Rant: "However, perhaps because of its shared genre, the book's most obvious descendent is probably the Star Wars universe. In fact, in the 2003 Herbert biography Dreamer of Dune, written by his son Brian, it is claimed that "(Herbert) & the other science fiction writers who thought they saw their work in Lucas's movie formed a loose organization that my father called, with his tongue firmly placed in his cheek, the We're Too Big to Sue George Lucas Society." This demonstrates the clear parallels that Herbert himself saw between his work and the Star Wars movies. Upon closer inspection, it's clear that he may have had a claim. Here is everything that Star Wars took from Dune. (...) One of the most important plot points in Dune is the so-called spice melange, a mind-altering substance that allows for interstellar travel and that's only known source – at least in the first book – is the planet Arrakis. Possession of the spice influences everything in the world of Dune and is one of the factors that shapes the Harkonnen/Atreides feud at the center of the narrative. Although the spice of Star Wars is not as significant to the overall plot as the spice of Arrakis, George Lucas' films do feature so-called spice mines on the planet Kessel, highlighting a clear connection between the two works." (archived from the original on October 29, 2021)
- ↑ Interview: Star Wars Author Kevin J. Anderson On 'Jedi Academy Trilogy', 'Darksaber', & 'Tales of the Jedi'