The Game Awards 2021 revealed an unexpected addition to the Star Wars franchise, an action-adventure video game named Star Wars Eclipse. While the reveal presented little, developers Quantic Dream have clarified numerous details regarding the game, the most surprising of which is the setting. Star Wars Eclipse takes place during a period known as the High Republic Era, a time that has remained largely unexplored in the Star Wars franchise.
The High Republic Era lasted from 300 BBY to 82 BBY. This period was a golden age where the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order prospered. Thus, the High Republic Era saw venerable advances and many noteworthy events. Such notable occurrences defined the period and had a lasting impact on the galaxy. As such, Star Wars Eclipse should touch upon these significant events of the High Republic Era.
5 The Outer Rim Expansion
During the High Republic Era, the Galactic Republic attempted an extensive expansion into the Outer Rim. This optimistic venture sought to spread the Galactic Republics' influence and alleviate the Core Worlds' overpopulation issue. While the Outer Rim Expansion seemed like a simple undertaking, it was an adverse endeavor that met unprecedented hardship. Traversing the Outer Rim proved exceptionally dangerous, even with the aid of Supreme Chancellor Soh's Great Works. Furthermore, the Galactic Republic encountered numerous threats during its expansion that would cause many setbacks. Such a momentous undertaking should be prevalent throughout Star Wars Eclipse's storyline.
The Outer Rim Expansion's greatest hindrances were the Nihil and the Drengir. Conflict with these groups exhausted much of the Galactic Republic's time and resources. The Nihil were an anarchistic marauder group that believed the expansion was an affront to their freedom. As such, they resisted the Galactic Republics' growth through terroristic displays. The Drengir were a plant-like species that sought to consume all life in the galaxy. They threatened to decimate worlds and cause an imbalance in the force, thus, making them a significant threat. These species would make great enemies for players to face in the game.
4 The Great Works Initiative
In response to the increasing difficulty of the Outer Rim Expansion, Supreme Chancellor Soh executed the Great Works Initiative. This act commenced the undertaking of a multitude of urgent projects. The Great Works commissioned technological advancements, treaty negotiations, and beneficial construction throughout the galaxy. Despite the Galactic Republics' best efforts, the Great Works did little to benefit the Outer Rim Expansion. In truth, Supreme Chancellor Soh's ambitious projects diminished much of the Galactic Republics' valuable time and resources.
The most revered and costly of the Great Works was the venerable Starlight Beacon. This space station was constructed in the center of the galaxy's dark zones, acting as a guide for travelers and therefore lessening the difficulties of trekking the expansive, precarious sectors of the Outer Rim. The Starlight Beacon also possessed numerous other functions relating to security, research, commerce, and more. Above all else, it acted as a symbol of progress and unity for the Galactic Republic and the galaxy.
3 The Great Hyperspace Disaster
In 232 BBY, countless ships were forced out of hyperspace abruptly in an event known as the Great Hyperspace Disaster. This sudden, impactful occurrence left numerous ships stranded or destroyed. Innumerable lives were lost, and the cessation of trade left many worlds without resources. The Great Hyperspace crippled the Galactic Republic and the galaxy at large. The only group exempt was the progenitor of the catastrophe, the Nihil. In their plight against the Galactic Republic, the Nihil used the Path Engines to disturb the natural flow of hyperspace, thus halting or decimating any ship traveling well-established routes.
The most devasting consequence of the Great Hyperspace Disaster was the destruction of the Legacy Run, a venerable Class A modular freight transport. Upon its obliteration, debris of the Legacy Run propelled through the hyperspace route and eventually the galaxy. These remnants devastated several moons in the Trymant system and threatened the Hetzal system. However, the Galactic Republic provided exceptional aid, preventing an otherwise catastrophic mishap from befalling the Hetzal system. The Great Hyperspace Disaster defined much of the High Republic Era, and thus warrents inclusion in Star Wars Eclipse
2 The Nihil Uprising
The Nihil were a group of anarchistic marauders based on the fringes of the Outer Rim. Before rising to prominence, they functioned as a lowly band of pirates that conducted raids on outlying planets of the galaxy. Sometime during the High Republic Era, the Nihil were approached by Asgar Ro, who offered a device known as the Path Engine in turn for membership. The disorganized pirates accepted Ro's offer and granted him the title Eye of the Nihil, making him their leader. From then on, the Nihil's influence grew substantially, and their name became feared throughout the galaxy.
Between 233 BBY to 232 BBY, the new Eye of the Nihil, Marchion Ro, began plotting against the Galactic Republic, hoping to thwart their expansion to the Outer Rim. Finally, in 232 BBY, the Nihil utilized the Path Engine to initiate the Great Hyperspace Disaster, ushering the galaxy into a period of chaos. The Galactic Republic waged war against the Nihil, conducting numerous missions attempting to disband or eliminate the group of marauders. After many confrontations, the Nihil fell to an extensive assault known as Operation: Counterstrike in 231 BBY.
1 The Drengir Crisis
The Drengir functioned under single, collective consciousness that could dominate and corrupt the minds of others, even that of a Jedi. Despite their vulnerable appearance, the Drengir were especially difficult to defeat. They possessed exceptional regenerative abilities, making them an exceedingly dangerous threat to the galaxy that not even the Jedi could adequately face. The Drengir's unyielding hunger caused the Galactic Republic much strife, alongside the Nihil Uprising.
The Drengir Crisis was a critical moment in the High Republic Era. As a result of the Great Hyperspace Disaster, a cargo ship known as Vessel crashed onto the Amaxine Space Station. The occupants of Vessel, consisting of Jedi and crewmates, explored the abandoned station, eventually discovering powerful dark side artifacts. Attempting to neutralize said relics, the Jedi inadvertently released the Drengir from their stasis. Upon doing so, they returned the dark side artifacts, entrapping the Drengir once more. However, with the arrival of the Nihil, the Jedi were forced to release the Drengir once more.
