On March 31 (2001) I got the opportunity to ask author Michael J. Stackpole (I, Jedi, Onslaught, Ruin and The X-wing Series), in a RebelPilots.Com and JediNet hosted chat, the question burning in our minds: Why is Kyp Durron portrayed the way he is in the New Jedi Order books? Read up. You can catch the whole transcript at RebelPilots.Com in the Documents section.

SarahMK- Here, I want to put this as respectfully as possible.
SarahMK- Stackpole, did you write Kyp in as a devious character in your duology because you.. SOMEHOW saw it IN his
SarahMK- character.. or did you twist him around a bit to get what you needed for the story?
Stackpole- well, let me phrase the answer as diplomatically as possible:
Stackpole- I think, in I, JEDI, I pretty much made fairly clear how I saw Kyp. The character murdered BILLIONS. Now fifteen years later, after he's been unable to live this down, after he's been working hard to prove himself to be better than the man who did that...
Stackpole- he's bound to be a bit twisted. Moreover, we needed someone to be a focal point for a growin schism in the Jedi. Kyp was a natural. I picked up on what Bob Salvatore had done and moved forward.
GhentZ- Or rather, what LFL told Bob to do ... :)
SarahMK- I agree. I just hope you don't kill him off, I believe he has a lot of potential.
SarahMK- For a story.
Stackpole- I do understand that there are Kyp fans who don't like what has become of him. I can understand why they don't, but, gosh, he's a fictional character and a fictional character in a franchise universe.
SarahMK- hehehe
GhentZ- :)
Fish- Star Wars isn't real?
Windu- There are Kyp fans?
Windu hushes up :)
Stackpole- Kris is right, Bob was directed to paint him that way, and I was part of the group that discussed that direction for Kyp.
GhentZ- Blllllasphemy
SarahMK- Windu, do you want to die by my hand?
Stackpole- As for his fate, heck, I don't know what will happen to him. and if I did and was tempted to tell, the implant would explode.
SarahMK- lol
SarahMK- Thanks.
GhentZ- And that would be bad! :(
Stackpole- Do bear in mind, though, I was writing a lot of the scenes concerning kyp from Corran's point of view.
Stackpole- Corran doesn't like him, never has, and that certain colored the presentation.

Occassionally, Sarah M. Kauthen takes time out of her day to bother thee hell out of the merciful and gracious Kevin J. Anderson via chat or email. Thus illustrated, the petty tiny fruits of her labor. Belit. Dats me:

This was the chat hosted by www.moseisley.com on July 7th, 1999.

Belit- Durron were in our world? What would he listen to?
KJA- Kyp Durron would definitely listen to....STAR WARS soundtracks, of course.
bubba- Kyp strikes me more as a Soundgarden type of person.
KJA- Really, Kyp would listen to Crystal Method, Psykosonik, Mortal Kombat stuff

"Besides if Kyp Durron was in our world he would be listening to depressing stuff. Kinda the goth grunge area. How do i know this? The fact is I dont. But what I do know is that if he is half the depressing brooding basterd I am he will be listening to something that is telling him to wallow in self pity and mishope." -Andy Salmon.

mugu- kevin, silly thing, is kyp pronounce kuh-eye-p or kip
KJA- KIP
KJA- (or you can pronounce it BILLY if you like...)

Yes, I watch anime. Though, I'm not a die-hard fan like a lot of my art-friends. Through my limited experience, I've tripped up on a few things. Here's a funny one to point out: If you've read the Leviathan comic series drawn by Carrasco, the characters and costumes share a likeness to the anime, "Record Of The Lodoss War". Watch Lodoss War and tell me if Parn doesn't kinda remind you of (just slightly). But ignore that, pay attention to Deedlit, the elf high priestess. The hair, the clothes. Check out this pic of Deedlit playing a guitar (I think) surreal, isn't it? Even the color scheme is the same: gold/green. Almost identical. And the Jedi-Master'ish character of 'Slayn'? Pff- animated Skywalker ;)





Hey, I went to the cinema a few nights ago and saw a movie that really blew, but guess who was in it! No person any less than Kyp Durron himself! The odds of that! After randomly catching the Queen of The Damned preview featuring Mr. Stuart Townsend (photo) crawling around on the floor- my "imagination" just exploded. Unfortunately, the movie, itself, was incredibly lame. What was good: cinematography, Aaliyah, the soundtrack- but most of all. But that's not what we're really there for, is it? We're there to see- KYP DURRON!!! Yep! So, it's great to see Kyp hanging around the silver screen, I can't wait till he starts production on his next movie. But this time, I hope it's called Violin.







Kyp: The name of Kyp gives you a clever, quick, analytical mind, but you suffer with a great deal of self-consciousness, lack of confidence, and much aloneness because of misunderstandings. Your idealistic and sensitive nature gives you a deep appreciation for the finer things of life and a strong desire to be of service to humanity. There are times when you experience inner turbulence at your inability to say what you mean. It is far easier for you to express your deeper thoughts and feelings through writing than verbally. You find pleasure in literature, in poetry, and in your ideals and will turn to them when you feel you have been misunderstood. You are deeply moved by the beauties of life, especially nature. Because your feelings run deep, you must guard against the ups and downs, being very inspired one minute, then moody, reserved, and depressed the next. Your reactions to people vary according to how you feel. You tend to be secretive and noncommittal about private matters, yet at times you will talk effusively in order to hide your self-consciousness or to lead others away from personal subjects. You are inspired by encouragement from others, yet suspicious of their intent. You crave affection but seldom find anyone who understands your nature. Physical weaknesses would show in your heart, lungs, or bronchial organs.

Thanks to Jade for providing this bit of agnomenal information via Kabalarian Philosophy. Most interesting!





The Dark Jedi Song

KYP:
Well, the whole outlook for the universe is bleak, sometimes despairing on the Outer Rim – But Master Skywalker thinks the Vong can be defeated, and that somehow the galaxy will find hope in the light side of the – Oh, sod it!

I don’t want to be a good Jedi.I never wanted to wear this stupid cloak.I don’t want to rabbit on all day about good feelings, and group hugs spreading through the Temple...

I wanted to be...

A Dark Lord of The Sith!!!

Cutting down the masses as they tremble with immeasurable fear and adoration! The Corellians! The pudgy Gamoreans! Loquacious Wookies - The soft shelled, sometimes fried Mon Calimarian… with a Dark Apprentice by my side, we’d sing… Sing… SING!!!

I'm a Dark Jedi, and I’m ok
I disco all night, and I slay all day!

SITH:
He's a Dark Jedi, and he’s ok!
He discos by night, and he slays by day!

KYP:
I vaporize planets. I eat Ewoks.
I go to the Imperial Palace.
On Life Day, I go marauding -
And have buttered Quarren with tea!

SITH:
He vaporizes planets. He eats Ewoks.
He goes to the Imperial Palace.
On Life Day, he goes marauding -
And has buttered Quarren with tea!

He's a Dark Jedi, and he’s ok!
He discos by night, and he slays by day!

KYP:
I vaporize them planets - I sing and dance.
I write poems to Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Phantom of The Opera was simply misunderstood!
I’m actually a very sensitive soul…

SITH:
He vaporizes them planets - He sings and dances.
He writes poems to Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Phantom of The Opera was simply misunderstood?
He’s actually a very sensitive soul…?!

He's a Dark Jedi, and he’s ok!
He discos by night, and he slays by day!

KYP:
Those planets are dust! I perm my hair,
With Loreal and Nicky Clarke
If I’d only been less evil…
Like that nance, Luke Sky-walkaRrr

SITH:
Those planets are dust! He perms his hair…
Like that nance… Luke Skywalker!?

KYP:
Why couldn’t I have had a stronger master?
Perhaps, Darth Va-derRr!

(Stunned silence. Sound of a single pair of boots clicking away. Hatch opens. Hatch shuts. Silence.)

SITH:
He's a Dark Jedi, and he’s ok!
He discos by night, and he slays by day!.

Note: Thank you, Monty Python.