Everything you need to know before reading 'The First Impression'

The final instalment of Tom Carver's 'Fear and Harmony' trilogy is about to arrive!

We have followed the separate adventures of Pihtt Tancura and Kaydis Otayo in The Face of Fear and A Fragile Harmony, both short stories set in the High Republic era, 200 years before The Phantom Menace. Pihtt is a recently knighted Jedi, who struggles with the code forbidding attachments; Kaydis is a newly appointed politician, who struggles with the responsibility of representing his whole sector on the planet T'faal. Their paths will collide in The First Impression, as the Jedi are stranded on T'faal, and Pihtt must work with Kaydis against a rising terrorist movement. Also thrown into the mix is a mysterious new bounty hunter: Venyks.

The First Impression promises to be a climactic final chapter in this trilogy, and it's just around the corner. Whether you want a recap of the previous two stories, want to know more about the exciting new High Republic era, or are simply looking to hype yourself up for the latest entry in the SWEU... this article has you covered!

The Face of Fear

The Face of Fear, by author Tom Carver, was the very first short story to be released as part of the Star Wars Editor Universe back in June 2021. Pihtt Tancura made his debut appearance, as a padawan in the Jedi Order about to undergo the necessary trials to become a Jedi Knight. He leaves behind his stern master, Rhee Soldarum, departing the Coruscant temple for the Moon of Scalale with fellow padawan Elio Adfel; their task, to retrieve a precious mineral that can be used to make lightsaber hilts. This mission is challenging because of the 'The Shudder', native creatures of Scalale which can tap into and amplify a person's fear until it drives them mad. Things are further complicated by Pihtt's romantic attraction to Elio, which he tries and fails to hide. Pihtt has serious imposter syndrome, and an encounter with The Shudder reveals his fear that he will disappoint the Jedi - but ultimately, when Elio is critically injured by a wild animal, Pihtt forfeits his trial and faces The Shudder once again in order to bring him back to safety. This selfless act, and confrontation of his fear, earns him the title of Jedi Knight; however, although Pihtt and Elio go their separate ways, Pihtt knows he can't deny his feelings any longer.

A Fragile Harmony

Next, we are introduced to Kaydis Otayo, a young man around Pihtt's age on the planet of T'faal. He is the son of a restaurant owner, but dreams of being a singer; what he never expected is to be randomly chosen as a representative for his sector of the planet, Affamori (T'faal has an unusual system of government, which we will touch on shortly). Kaydis must be a Delegate of the Assemblage - a politician - for a five year term, leaving behind his home and his family to become a leader of millions of people. Kaydis, like Pihtt, believes that he is not good enough for this responsibility, and feels like a fish out of water amongst the other delegates; however, he befriends a young and outgoing young woman named Hesti Karis, who is representing her sector of Satakka. T'faal is proudly independent of the Galactic Republic - but almost as soon as Kaydis is appointed to the Assemblage, Republic Chancellor Lina Soh reaches out to T'faal with an invitation, and he is faced with a decision for the future of his planet.

Hesti passionately campaigns for joining the Republic, but the majority opinion seems to be against her. Suddenly, Hesti is arrested, for lying about her age and entering the Assemblage despite being only sixteen - the public are outraged, Kaydis feels he has been deceived, and the campaign for joining the Republic seems like it has finished as quickly as it began. However, Kaydis soon finds out that Hesti and her family are homeless, and accepted the invitation to become a Delegate with hope that they could improve T'faal. The Republic's resources could help to eradicate poverty, and seeing such terrible living conditions up close makes up Kaydis' mind. He finds his voice, giving a powerful speech which sways the majority opinion and is instrumental in allowing negotiations to open with the Republic! But in what seems to be a new age of prosperity, disaster is just around the corner...

A new organisation is rising, opposing Republic involvement on the planet and named simply 'T'faal First'. Just as Republic ambassadors arrive, T'faalian ships are giving an air display - but one breaks off to fire on the new visitors. T'faal First has gained influence everywhere, even in the highest ranks of the military. The Republic senators are injured, along with two accompanying Jedi Knights: Mavra Zane, and one young Pihtt Tancura...

The government of T'faal

Like in A Fragile Harmony, the setting for The First Impression is the formerly peaceful planet of T'faal. There are some essentials pieces of information regarding T'faal, its culture and system of government, which make it a very intriguing place.

It is said that a long time ago, T'faal was ruled by ten deities. The people of the planet chose to honour these deities by splitting the planet into ten sectors, one for each of them:

Aurum: The Deity of Life and the Suns

Satakka: The Deity of Courage

Affamori: The Deity of Love

Eidat: The Deity of Wisdom

Steron: The Deity of Craft

Jeshiir: The Deity of Health

Tyolin: The Deity of Nature

Koti: The Deity of Oceans

Inzora: The Deity of Skies

Zurum: The Deity of Death and the Moons

The people ensured that the planet progressed and flourished under this new system. One day, the deities ascended into the sky and left the people behind with their newfound peace and prosperity. Many believe that they still watch over T'faal, living amongst the stars.

In the High Republic era, the capital sector of T'faal - Aurum - creates eight golden leaves, called Aurum leaves, and the underground sector of Zurum distributes them to the other eight sectors using the water supply. Whoever happens to receive an Aurum Leaf is invited to become the Delegate for their sector, representing it in the T'faal Assemblage under the leadership of Ignatius Arteran, sovereign ruler of the planet. Affamori is Kaydis' sector, and Satakka is Hesti's. Through this tradition, Kaydis suddenly became an important political figure, and has loyal Guard Captain Ashla Rhomar by his side.

T'faal has incredibly wealthy, beautiful city areas, but also areas of extreme poverty and hardship for its citizens - citizens who Kaydis is determined to help. But why does this new story take place here?

The Great Hyperspace Disaster

If you haven't read any of the official entries in Lucasfilm's High Republic initiative, here is a brief summary of this previous unexplored time in galactic history! It takes place 200 years before the prequel trilogy, and as you might expect, is the time when the Republic and the Jedi Order are at their height. The Jedi are living up to their reputation as noble guardians of peace and justice, legends spoken of throughout the galaxy. They serve the Republic, which is creating a series of 'Great Works' and expanding its influence into the outer rim, under the leadership of Chancellor Lina Soh. All is well - that is, until the Great Hyperspace Disaster.

A huge cargo and passenger ship, the 'Legacy Run', is ripped to shreds while in hyperspace, scattering debris at incredible speeds, threatening many star systems. As for the true cause of this disaster, you will have to read Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi to find out - but what is important is that for now, it is unknown, and hyperspace lanes are closed by order of Chancellor Soh. This leaves many people stranded, which includes Pihtt Tancura and Kaydis Otayo on T'faal. Pihtt is the only Jedi fit enough to take action against the threat of violence from T'faal First; unable to call for reinforcements, he will have to use all his wits - and some newfound companions - to restore peace.

The First Impression connects with other High Republic events and characters even more than the previous two stories in the Fear and Harmony trilogy, while still forging its own story about an unlikely team-up and the threat of civil war on T'faal. It releases on Saturday, February 12th - now that you are caught up on all the essential things to know, the SWEU team sincerely hope you enjoy it!

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Artist credits

• TFI, TFOF and AFH cover art by Jack Ingram

• Great Hyperspace Disaster art by Lucasfilm, from an official High Republic promotional video

• Pihtt and Kaydis art by Benji Marsh