This week's winner (not claimed)

Keeping to my word, it's time for another weekly raffle.

This week's selection is...

Emjay

Please comment here in a week's time to earn your prize.

Stay tuned for a new name Sunday...

Citizen of the Month 2010.03 (Klouds)

The main question might be to ask what this title is about. Or what this is about below...

I made a promise to be more involved and help bring the community together. Something I always wished to do was reward those positive citizens who rise above the norm. So this is the first official citizen of the month.

On the last week of the month, I will announce a citizen who will be next month's person. The date format is easily explained [year.month]. My only regret was not having a better system in mind sooner.

The statue seen above presently sits outside the Solaria shuttle in rather plain view. It has an inscription of this honor, and a proclamation also hangs above the ballot box in city hall. The statue will later become a trophy for the citizen to keep when the next one is placed in the city.

This citizen of the month is...

Klouds

Why?

Many agree Klouds is an exemplary citizen in Solaria. She is always keen to help entertain in one of our cantinas, and also never complains when asked to move a house or help arrange an event. She has lived in the city for years and traveled almost every direction in Solaria.

Klouds also has the only theater in Solaria (named Solaria's Theater) in the southeast which I used as the centerpiece of the latest community I developed for the city. Never be shy to ask for a buff, since she is one of the most approachable citizens in Solaria.

Please congratulate her in the comments or when passing her in the city. She has earned it!

Who is Dave Berry and why watch his home video?

To keep in a "cinematic" spirit I wanted to show some old home movies.

Well Dave Berry's home movies have frames like this...

That's because Dave Berry is a man who just happened to work in a company called ILM. And if you don't know what that means...then buddy, you are logging into the wrong galaxy. :)

This is a compilation of the original Star Wars movie's visual effects; where Han shoots first and Jabba existed in name only. if you look fast you'll see basically everyone who has worked on at least one movie with special effects you have liked in the last couple decades with their names popping on screen fast when the image pauses for posterity.

Not to hype this vid anymore but see that TIE above go boom, a Falcon 360, and even some of the guy playing around with the most famous starfield ever put on film.

You'll have to click the link to watch "5757" but I promise you any Star Wars fan will be in awe seeing it. And by the way, there's a "trench run" that didn't make it to the final film.

http://www.vimeo.com/5494280
Enjoy!

What's new with Solaria?

What's new in Solaria?

 There has been a massive amount of redecorating in Solaria. Some of it was to help returning citizens squeeze their houses back into the city and in other cases to help keep it lively and reward more active developments.

If you have something new by your house, congratulations. If you lost decoration near your house, another item might turn up when new citizens move in. Keeping a rotation of decor helps keep people active in the city and let visitors see something different when traveling through while exploring or purchasing from a vendor.

I won't give a whole rundown this time, but it was mostly a shift in gardens. Space is sparse again until houses flag again or if there's a demolition window again like past years.

Thanks again for all the support from the citizens...and don't forget to vote.

Alliance News Network videos

To keep things a bit more SWG-centric, I wanted to share some of my fav videos from SWG.

The Alliance News Network was an amazing concept and was shot right in the galaxy of Starsider. One of my favorite things about these videos are the wide variety of voices and accents; which makes it feel much more immersive and showcases the aspect of how diverse the members of the Rebellion are.

The ANN vids were created by Gwreng Masnachwr of FDWS, and I am pleased to know him. He has graciously allowed me to showcase these videos here. Thanks, Gwreng! Maybe if enough people bribe him, he'll make more to this series. :)

Coincidentally, I was at one of the events in the second video (but I don't think I am seen). WAY back there was a push to help unite all the stronger rebel guilds to help gain footing against the very well-organized imperials. It actually did work, but then Order 67 [er, CU] hit and much of that unraveled on the rebel front.

To see more of his work, please check out (or subscribe to) his Youtube channel. I am a member. =)

http://www.youtube.com/ddraigx





Do you have something to share? Please submit links to your images, videos, stories and it might end up here too: with credit.

This week's winner... (claimed)

This is a surprise contest I had in the works. It's to promote viewership and interaction. This one is just for citizens though.

All you have to do is be a citizen and check in once a week. I'll try for Sundays.

I'll post a random citizen with the /pick feature (a brilliant addition to the game since no dice needed). When your name is picked, you have a week to contact me [in game, commenting here, mail, etc]. If you get hold of me in time, then you win. Otherwise, better luck next time.

To be fair, try not to tip off the winner. At least make the person go to the blog to find out for his/her self.

This week's selection is: Velrent

Sundays start a new selection.

Starsider Player City Tribute (video)

As promised, here's my "Star Wars" post for Saturday. 

This is an old tribute video for various pre-CU cities.  It wasn't too extensive, and Solaria probably did exist before one or two of them.

Purpose of the video on here is to let outsiders get a peek at how fantastic the cities in SWG can be.  See if you recognize any.




Credit for this video goes to KevininNC on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aEAcCmDME8
(link to video)

Sister Cities Solved?

I have been deliberating with mayors across the galaxy to come up with the most exciting yet least intensive way to have official sister city setups.  Sister cities are to be friendly ways to recognize the good efforts of others.

This is the concept so far:

Have any sort of decoration in your city which proclaims Solaria as your sister city, and I will either name a garden or an item of decor.  In addition-

I'll have a post about it on the Solaria blog, a pic of your city as well as where the decor can be found in both cities.  I can even print a small story about the city and its mayor.  Keep in mind Solaria is aligned rebel, but anyone is allowed in the city hassle free so long as they aren't hassling anyone else.  If your city is called Rebel Gankatorium, Talus (just an example) it may not be the best fit.

Still working out details here, so there may be more to it on my end.  PLEASE submit your own ideas also.  I am open to all suggestions.  Especially if it should be rebel only or a little flexibility to truly unique imperial cities also.  This would be equal recognition...and maybe a way to spread diplomacy across the galaxy.

Watch this space...

Not *this* space but...

I'm going to "force"(Force?) myself to do some weekend mischief  with the blog - if I get into the routine, that means I could have a Saturday and Sunday post. 


So far I see it as...
Saturday Star Wars and Sunday Citizen.

Hopefully it has a nice ring.  Saturday could be SWG related, could be Star Wars related.  Could be both(?!)  The more who contribute, the most posts I'll have of course.  But Sundays will be for Solaria and Saturday is SW or SWG.  Fair enough I hope.

If you have ideas or links to post, just let me know.  There's contact info and you can always comment on any of these posts.  And a talkback thing, remember?

Don't be shy...and watch the skies.

Writing Assignment (IC or OOC?)

[No promises how long this will be here.]

In the writing group I'm in, there was a writing assignment.  It was supposed to be based on our previous day.  Those who know why I wrote this will know: some easily and other begrudgingly.

Whether a vet or a new player to SWG, maybe this will resonate in a way.

-----
When I spoke to him, there was more I couldn't say versus what we told each other.  Part of me always knew he always had my back no matter what I did.  But I didn't drag him back for that purpose.

It's difficult to be a man of action when you don't want the revolution televised Even more difficult when you are the one working to quash the revolution at hand.

Objectivity is not pure.  It must skew one way or the the other.  A war or coup is never is never agreeing to disagree.  It is a form of bloodshed in which two people were right.  I wish I could say this battle was the last.  It is more important for me to know my people are willing to fight for me, rather to have them to take up arms.  Does that make me a dictator?  This was not the first time, but this is stemming more from seeds of hate than selfishness or pure discontent.

Before was more clear-cut.  It was more destructive in nature; but property and vision more than spirit or soul.  Did the fires of our siege char my objectivity?  Did it destroy the the kindness or compassion of my leadership?  Did it shape me into the word of what it is: a ruler.

(announcement soon)

What Subject(s) Do You Want to See Covered?

 

Don't call it poster's block!

I have a few different paths for this little place.  Solaria is number one of course.  But how wide or narrow of focus should it be?

Choices are...

Solaria + Star Wars Galaxies
Solaria + SWG + Star Wars-related links/posts

SWG can be screenshots, game news, and anything encompassing the game itself.  Star Wars can be anything related to the saga; from fanfilms to novel news.

Or it can be everything and anything... but would it be too confusing?

Comment.  Suggest your own ideas too.  This is supposed to be a fun and informative place.  Please ask your own questions and I'll be glad to answer them in a future post; if I can.

Sister City Suggestions

 

Through my times as a mayor, I have made friendships and acquaintances with many mayors and have traveled to or attended events in their cities.

I always wished to have a way to show these friendships or allegiances with other cities, whether in Solaria itself or a venue such as this place.  Hopefully mayors and citizens can chime in with their opinions here; suggesting how to do it.  My only hope is official "sister cities" make some mutual effort also.  That way all would know.

Please speak your minds.

How anyone can contribute

 

 Thanks for giving a look at the Solaria blog.  This is a place for citizens to come and contribute, as well as be featured on it.

Rather than trying to drive the blog myself, it's where citizens can interact and post.  Perhaps you want to see your city photos here, or you'd like to display your house.  Maybe you want a profile done on yourself, or you wish to see a Q&A section.

The great thing is ALL of these things can be done; or even something not thought of yet.  Anything contributed I will give recognition for.

Solaria is about the citizens.

What is Solaria?

 

Solaria is a city on Rori [Star Wars Galaxies; Starsider] which was one of the first cities founded in its original incarnation.  It is a rank five city, making it a Metropolis: the highest ranking possible.  The current mayor is Jivaro Qel-Jairus.

The city is a Research Center, meaning it helps with crafting/experimenting inside city limits.  There are a number of public crafting stations (marked by streetlights) which help traders make their wares and also assists jedi with crafting better lightsabers.  Solaria also boasts a diner; aiding with domestic and structure crafting.

There are no taxes in Solaria, and ticket cost is set to the bare minimum.  There is no citizen, sales, or property tax.  Instead, the city accepts voluntary donations inside of city hall.

To live in Solaria, one must be a rebel or neutral affiliation.  Imperials are rare as a good complexion on a sith lord. A person must also wish to live in a friendly and community-minded atmosphere.  Interested people should be willing to stay a declared citizen.

CITY RESTRICTIONS:
No more than a MEDIUM house (or correlating footprint) are allowed as a whole due to available space.  Rare exceptions are decided on a case-by-case basis.  The city prefers Naboo style houses, but generics can also be placed.  Corellian or Tatooine structures cannot be built on Rori at all.

TCG structures can possibly be placed in Solaria on a case-by-case basis.  The Mustafar Bunker is an example of a structure which cannot fit in the city due to the land situation.

Most citizens are members of the guilds GFA and ASF but a PA affiliation is not a guaranteed factor.  To learn more about living in Solaria, please contact Jivaro (best way) or comment on this post.

Almost anyone can host an event in Solaria.  With early notice, permissions can be granted to allow decorations and the like - at least a week or more ahead of time.  There are a number of "friendly neighbors" or "sister cities" Solaria has made acquaintance or affiliation with.  If Solaria hosts any event, these other cities will have open invitations to also attend.

Any species of any gender or affiliation are welcome to this metropolis.  Citizens are expected to treat all visitors in a respectful matter with the expectations visitors have good intentions when making use of our city.

Citizen or not: All comments, complaints, critiques, and suggestions are welcome with no consequences.  Use the contact link or talk box to leave feedback.


Thank you for your time,
-Mayor Jivaro Qel-Jairus