The story of SWTOR is constantly being spun further. To make sure you’re ready for KotET, we’ve summarized the most important points once again.
On December 2, 2016, the new expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be released. If you want, you can directly dive into the add-on “Knights of the Eternal Throne” and face 9 new story chapters at level 65 without detours.
However, if you’ve taken a long break from SWTOR, you may have lost touch with the story. So that you can dive into the adventures of “KotET” without much delay, we have summarized the key events once again. Those who want to experience the plot themselves should, of course, not read further. Massive spoilers ahead!
The Eternal Empire of Zakuul
After several years of conflicts, both the Republic and the Empire are weakened, as the ongoing conflicts have consumed a lot of resources.
A new enemy unexpectedly appears and exploits this weakness: The eternal Emperor Valkorion. Together with the eternal fleet, a massive armada of battleships, he defeats both parties and kills many high-ranking politicians (such as the Sith Council or numerous Senators). The player (now referred to as the “Outsider”) is also overwhelmed and captured. When the Outsider is brought before Emperor Valkorion, a chaotic incident occurs: the Emperor’s son, Arcann, kills his father and successfully shifts the blame onto the Outsider. As punishment, the Outsider is frozen in carbonite, while Arcann rises to become the new Emperor and rules alongside his sister Vaylin as his advisor.
In Carbonite – the Presence of the Emperor
While the Outsider is frozen in carbonite, he experiences some visions and learns that the presence of Valkorion has taken refuge in his mind. When Arcann killed his father, the spirit transferred to the Outsider. The spirit of Valkorion is none other than the former Sith Emperor. Valkorion offers the Outsider immense powers and does so repeatedly throughout the story. As a result, the Outsider gains strength but loses more and more of his will to the Emperor.
The Time After Carbonite – the Alliance
Several years pass until the Outsider is freed from carbonite by the former ally Lana Beniko and can escape captivity. In the following weeks and months, the Outsider gathers new allies and resources to overthrow Arcann. Key characters include Theron Shan (Republic Intelligence SID), Kaliyo (former companion of the Imperial Agent), Vette (former companion of the Sith Warrior), and Senya, Valkorion’s former wife and mother of Arcann and Vaylin. Among the new allies is also SCORPIO, an amazing droid with massive learning capabilities (Imperial Agents had her as a companion back then). Together, this group, supported by many other factions such as the Mandalorians, calls themselves “The Alliance.”
The GEMINI Droids
Thanks to SCORPIO, the Alliance learns that the entire Eternal Fleet is controlled by a collective known as the GEMINI Droids. The Outsider devises a plan to swap one of these droids to overpower the fleet from within and deprive Arcann of his power. During the attack on one of the ships, an incident occurs. The GEMINI Droid of the ship overpowers SCORPIO and destroys her. The Alliance barely manages to save itself from death.
SCORPIO’s Betrayal
Shortly after, it becomes clear that SCORPIO was not truly destroyed, but her existence has been transferred into the collective of the GEMINI Droids. The GEMINI Droids are based on her model – only she is better equipped. SCORPIO has seized control of part of the Eternal Fleet and has betrayed Arcann by revealing the location of the Alliance’s camp.
Arcann storms directly towards the Alliance’s camp, where a showdown occurs. The Outsider defeats Arcann in one-on-one combat, but has to retreat when SCORPIO begins to bombard both ships. While the Outsider flees, Senya takes the weakened Arcann’s body and escapes with her son.
Empress Vaylin
After both sides have retreated, Vaylin ascends to the Eternal Throne and appoints herself – just like her brother before – as Empress. SCORPIO offers her the assistance of the Eternal Fleet to “defeat common enemies,” which Vaylin accepts.
The current situation is as follows: Vaylin is the new Empress of the Eternal Empire of Zakuul and still commands the fleet as long as SCORPIO keeps her promise. The remaining forces of the Republic and Empire are engaged in combat with Zakuul, and the presence of the Sith Emperor still lurks within the Outsider – and this is precisely where “Knights of the Eternal Throne” begins.
