Basic Overview (The Conflict)

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OKAY
SO.
I decided against grabbing a paragraph from Wookieepedia simply because that site has the annoying ability to make it pretty much impossible to just grab a small little summary and hope it makes sense, as they add a whole onslaught of information to it that, while interesting to me, confuses other people who are just hearing about it now.
That being said, I'm going to be nabbing the whole thing from a conversation my KotOR character (Rina Kast) had with the Jedi Chronicler, Master Dorak.

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The Overview[/size]

SO. Basically I'm all: "Yay, I iz Jedi whoo!"
And he is all: "WHICH LIGHTSABER CRYSTAL WULD U LYK"
And I'm all: "BLUE, BITCH"
And he's all: "YOU PICKED THE 'SMASH THE DOOR DOWN' OPTION. YOU'RE A JEDI GUARDIAN!"
And I'm all: "HUZZAH, BITCH"

So I amble over to Master Zhar, build the saber, and amble back to good ol' Master Dorak.

And he's all: "THE MANDALORIAN WARS BLAH AND THE FALL OF REVAN BLAH IMPORTANT."
And I'm all: "I AM EAGER TO LEARN LOL"
And he's all: "OF COURSE YOU'RE TOO STUPID IT'S TOO LONG TO LEARN THE WHOLE HISTORY SO I'M JUST STARTING HERE LOL DON'T REPEAT THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST LOL LARGELY IMPLIED AND HINTED FORESHADOWING"

The following is word-for-word from the game, except for where I fucked up and made typos. Yes, I actually had to start over from a point and repeat the conversation, so you'd better appreciate the typing I did or I'll be sad.

Master Dorak: “Instead, I will begin forty years ago with the war of Exar Kun. Like Malak and Revan, Exar Kun was a Jedi who fell to the dark side and led an army against the Jedi and the Republic.
“Exar Kun was defeated, but the war left both the Republic and our own Order severely weakened. For twenty years we struggled to rebuild, trying to erase the scars of the terrible conflict.

Rina Kast: “What does this have to do with Revan and Malak?”

Master Dorak: “All things in time. You shall learn that history is an intricate weaving of many events. No one thing can be understood without the proper context.
“Twenty years ago the Mandalorians, aware the Republic was in a weakened state, began conquering small world on the Outer Rim. They were careful to choose only planets out the Republic’s jurisdiction.
“After much debate, the Senate chose not to intervene. As long as the Mandalorians avoided planets that were members of the Republic itself, there would be no retaliation.”

Rina Kast: “That sounds like a big mistake.”

Master Dorak: “Well, you can hardly blame the Republic. The memory of war was fresh in everyone’s mind, nobody was eager to relive the horrors in a campaign against the Mandalorians. But in the end it was unavoidable.
“The Mandalorians stockpiled resources from their conquered worlds, preparing for a massive assault. Seven years ago they launched a simultaneous attack in three separate sectors of Republic space.
“The Senate had no choice but to retaliate with the entire Republic fleet. The Mandalorian Wars had begun.

Rina Kast: “Did the Jedi join in?”

Master Dorak: "The Republic partitioned the Jedi Council for aid, but there were many factors to consider before we allowed ourselves to be drown into another conflict so soon after the war with Exar Kun.
“While the Jedi Council preached patience, there were many among our Order who were eager for us to join the battle. Two young Knights in particular demanded immediate action: Revan and Malak.
"They rallied many of the Jedi to their cause and, against the wishes of their Masters, joined the Republic fleet battling the Mandalorians.
“Revan was a brilliant military leader, and the Republic fleet began to win victory after victory. Four years ago the Mandalorians surrendered unconditionally.

Rina Kast: “So Revan did the right thing.”

Master Dorak: “No one is denying that Revan was one of the keys to defeating the Mandalorians… but something happened out there on the Outer Rim.
“Instead of returning after the war’s end, the ships under Revan’s command went deep into unexplored space. They claimed to be searching for the last remnants of the Mandalorian fleet.
“All contact was lost. For many months it was assumed some great disaster had befallen the entire fleet. Everyone thought they were dead.
“There were unsubstantiated rumours of Revan and Malak being seen on a number of different planets during these months – scattered sightings that were never confirmed.

Rina Kast: “Where did they disappear to?”

Master Dorak: “Perhaps they simply went far beyond the edges of Republic space. Maybe they found previously undiscovered hyperspace routes to the ends of the galaxy. Nobody knows for certain.
“Three years ago, Revan and Malak returned at the head of a massive invasion fleet. Revan had assumed the title of Sith Lord; the hero had become a conqueror.

Rina Kast: “Where did Revan get the ships for the Sith fleet?”

Master Dorak: “Some of the ships in the fleet are those that were under Revan’s command during the Mandalorian Wars. But many more are of an alien design we have never seen before.
“The source of this massive fleet is one of the things about the Sith we cannot explain. It seems impossible to have created it in such a short time, yet we cannot deny its existence.
“The source of the Sith soldiers is, unfortunately, much easier to understand. Initially the bulk of the force were former Republic soldiers who had served under Revan.
“With each conquest thousands more flocked to join the invaders, swelling their numbers. Even many of our own Order have betrayed us, lured by Sith promises of riches and power.

Rina Kast: “So what happened next?”

Master Dorak: “For two years the Sith were nothing but invincible. Fortunately, Bastila and her Battle Meditation allowed the Republic to win a few key battles and kept the Sith from total triumph.
“In desperation we set a trap for the Dark Lord. Bastila was with the strike team that tried to capture Revan, as you probably know. She was there at Revan’s end.
“That was nearly a year ago, but things have not improved. Malak has stepped in and assumed the mantle of Dark Lord for himself, though he is far from Revan’s equal in strategy or tactics.
“Still, his fleet continues to grow both in ships and soldiers. If we do not find some way to stop the Sith soon, Malak will overwhelm us with sheer numbers.”

Rina Kast: “What can I learn from Revan’s history?”

Master Dorak: “Revan's tale shows us how even the greatest of Jedi can fall to the dark side. You must always be on guard against the evil that dwells within you. Think hard upon this lesson.”

Rina Kast: “I will think on this, Master Dorak.”

Master Dorak: “May the Force be with you.”

--

And there you go. That's the information we game players get (and I was in grade five when I played this, and it made sense), so that's really all the information you absolutely need.
Erm... have fun, and ignore my stupidity ;D

[Laya]

you'd better appreciate the typing I did or I'll be sad.

I really appreciated it, Yami! Thank you so much

[C H E Y E N N E]

You're welcome (:

[Rogue of Night]

I appreciate this work you have done for the Galaxy. The Jedi Council will be very pleased. -bows respectfully-

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I'd be the worst. Jedi. Ever.
xD

[Rogue of Night]

I'd run amuck in the Sith Empire, and tear it to shreds before sitting on the throne as the Sith Lordess ^^

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Would you?
I'd just be a horrible Jedi.
Then, if I ever fell to the dark side, I'd usurp you.

[Rogue of Night]

-leaps back holding the newly forged Death Star- MY SITH!!!!

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... What?

[Rogue of Night]

I will not allow you to usurp me!!!!

[C H E Y E N N E]

Too bad, man. It's what I do best.

[Cute]

Yami Needs To Continue Being Awesome. D:<

[Rogue of Night]

>w<

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ROSIE! *Glomps* You gonna join? *Bounces*