There are many reasons why people could like her and want her back in the game. It could be her quirky attitude, maybe her sense of adventure, or her amazing voice actor, Catherine Taber. It might be all three of those combined, but I think the single largest thing that makes Vette more anticipated than any other companion is nostalgia.
(Header art by Leafpuppy)
Let’s start way back
To understand what I mean by this, we have to go back to July 15th, 2003. I was buried in this little video game that nearly every writer on this site likes to talk about: Star Wars Galaxies. As I was trying to figure out which holocron I need to become a Jedi, BioWare was about ready to release the game that would, in my opinion, become the cornerstone for the studio: Knights of the Old Republic. Of course, the studio had already made many great games before then — Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights to name just a few — but KOTOR really defined the BioWare storytelling model and set the bar for any future Star Wars or BioWare games.
Even as far back as Baldur’s Gate, BioWare set out to make memorable characters. Many players became very attached to a pair of characters you run into in the underworld of Taris: the Wookiee Zaalbar and the spunky Twi’lek Mission Vao. From guiding Revan in underworld of Taris to the ultimate defeat of Malak in the Starforge, Vao stuck by the conflicted Jedi, always adding a bit of lighthearted humor to an otherwise somber story of a Dark Lord returning to his or her Jedi roots.
When SWTOR was its infancy, BioWare started releasing videos that would talk about a certain companions. There was one on Kaliyo, Bowdaar, and a few others. Of course, Vette was chief among them. In that video BioWare revealed that Vette was modeled after the other famous Old Republic Twi’lek: Mission Vao. The studio even brought back the same voice actress to play the role. Many KOTOR fans were disappointed that Mission was a teenager, which meant there wouldn’t be a romance option for the character. However, Vette was the studio’s way of making up for that. She is a very similar character who is old enough that it’s not creepy for your character to have a romantic relationship with her.
Comparing two blue Twi’leks
The similarities between Mission and Vette are endless. I mentioned the voice actor. They are also both Rutian Twi’leks. They both have a spunky attitude and are prone to making wisecracks at the worst times. But the similarities go beyond just the physical. The interesting thing is how shockingly similar their backstories are. Mission Vao and Vette grew up on a planet whose city expanded the whole globe. Vette’s planet (technically moon) was, of course, Nar Shaddaa. There, she ran with a few different gangs and nefarious individuals (we will get to one in a minute). Mission’s ecumenpolis was of course Taris, where she was also a street urchin.
Mission was best friends with a Wookiee named Zaalbar. They were very close, like brother and sister. On his home planet of Kashyyyk, we learn that Zaalbar was like Wookiee royalty, being the son of a Chieftan. Vette also has a well-to-do best friend: In the Smuggler story, we learn that Risha is actual the daughter of Nok Drayen, who as it so happens is in line to rule the planet Dubrillion. He was also a chief member of the super-secret Star Cabal. Although she’s never mentioned by name, we know that it was Vette who was Risha’s best friend growing up because the stories that each of those companions tells crosses and reinforces the other.
Each of these blue Twi’leks had one sibling apiece, who for one reason or another left her, leaving the young woman to fend for herself. Mission’s brother Griff left her on Taris. And at an early age, Vette’s sister Tivva was sold to many different scoundrels, ultimately ending up as an entertainer on Nar Shaddaa. Both of these missions cannot be discovered unless you gain affection with the companion. And funny enough, both of these missions end up on Tatooine. Of course, Vette’s mission ends with a search for her mother, and Tatooine is where you ultimately find Mission’s brother Griff.
Then, in the ultimate piece of similar history, both end up as part of an infamous crew of heroes lead by a Sith Lord. Mission stays aboard the Ebon Hawk, travelling the galaxy with the flip-flopping Jedi-turned-Sith-turned-Jedi Revan. Vette, of course, ends up with Vitiate’s ultimate enforcer, the Emperor’s Wrath, who — funny enough — might be a good guy after all, too.
Continued parallels?
I’m curious about this next chapter. BioWare and fans alike are generating a lot of hype around the return of Vette. According to the trailers, we’ll see a huge heist led by Gault and Vette. Of course, it’s supposed to help the Odessen Alliance, but knowing Gault, I’m sure there is some sort of hidden agenda. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Vette’s story ended up having a choice very similar to the one Revan had to make regarding Mission? Some very tough decisions had to be made on Lehon if the player of Revan chose the dark-side options.
Let me know what you think. Are you waxing nostalgic for Vette’s return? Do you think that Vette’s popularity stems from her comparison to Mission, or is it because she has a shock collar? Let me know what you think in the comments.
Every other week, Larry Everett jumps into his T-16 back home, rides through the hypergates of BioWare‘s Star Wars: The Old Republic, and posts his adventures in the Hyperspace Beacon. Drop him a holocom on Twitter @Shaddoe or send him a transmission at larry@massivelyop.com. Now strap yourself in, kid — we gotta make the jump to hyperspace!
