by Tom Veitch
This is more of a summary than a review, so watch out for ***SPOILERS***
The Freedon Nadd Uprisingis a continuation of the battle on the dark-side imbued planet of Onderon (see review of Knights of the Old Republic). Despite the presence of Jedi Master Arca and his three apprentices, brothers Ulic and Cay Qel-Droma and Tott Doneeta, as well as newly arrived Jedi Oss Wilum, they are unable to fend off the Naddists, worshippers of the ancient Sith Lord Freedon Nadd who once ruled Onderon. Although Ulic defeats the armored dark side apprentice Warb Null, who looks like a cross between a Transformer, a Bionicle, and a Shogun Warrior–but with a lightsaber–the planet’s dark power is so forceful that it weakens Master Arca. King Ommin, the “dying” old ruler of Onderon, and father of Princess Galia, is actually a dark side master who has plans for Master Arca.
Princess Galia, the heir to Iziz, is now married to Odon Kira, son of Beast Rider Lord Modon Kira. The Beast Riders have been long-time enemies of the Iziz citizens, and despite the union, the two cultures aren’t necessarily at peace–a perfect opportunity for the Naddists to begin their uprising. while Princess Galia is whisked away to safety among the Beast Riders, a group of Jedi who were studying at the academy on Ossus are chosen to be sent to Onderon to help.
These Jedi are Dace Diath, Shoaneb Culu, Qrrrl Toq, Kith Kark, and Nomi Sunrider. Nomi has finally embraced her role as a Jedi and has been under the tutelage of Master Vodo-Siosk Baas on Ossus, where she successfully constructed a lightsaber, a weapon she was once reluctant to wield.
Yet the Sith power on Onderon is so strong that even Nomi’s Battle Meditation ability is affected. Cay loses his arm again during a battle, but fortunately, it was the prosthetic. Ulic looks more and more troubled–like Master Arca, his skin tone has darkened as though dark side power is permeating his body.
While chaos reigns on Onderon, two young aristocrats, cousins Satal Keto and Aleema Keto, heirs to the Empress Teta System, have begun dabbling in Sith magic and even dubbed themselves and their friends the Krath. On a visit to a museum on Coruscant, Satal manages to acquire a Sith book. Unable to translate it, he and Aleema travel to Onderon, ignoring the planet’s current turmoil. There they meet the spirit of Freedon Nadd, who provides them with a talisman that allows the cousins to read the book, as well as with other Sith treasures. The two manage to leave Onderon with their new prizes in hand. Stay tuned for the next installment! Heh.
