History AlternativeCharacterInterpretation / StarWarsTheOldRepublic

* Imperial Agent: Do you believe MyCountryRightOrWrong, serving the Empire despite its lack of competent leadership, fascist policies, and brutal racism? Are you a WildCard who grows weary of your government's policies and just wants to stop the network of terrorists trying to destroy both major powers? What kind of a WildCard do you even want to be, for that matter, someone who keeps to the shadows and swears allegiance to no one, or someone who knowingly aids and abets the biggest terrorist of them all because you're tempted by their vision and promises of power? A deep cover agent for the [=SIS=] (Republic Intelligence)? A person who has seen way too much and wants out, no matter who gets double-crossed? A PunchClockVillain who is just doing a job they happen to be good at?

* Imperial Agent: Do you believe MyCountryRightOrWrong, serving the Empire despite its lack of competent leadership, fascist policies, and brutal racism? Are you a WildCard who grows weary of your government's policies and just wants to stop the network of terrorists trying to destroy both major powers? A deep cover agent for the [=SIS=] (Republic Intelligence)? A person who has seen way too much and wants out, no matter who gets double-crossed? A PunchClockVillain who is just doing a job they happen to be good at?

* Ki Sazen in the Imperial Agent's story arc. At first glance, she seems to be a crazed cult leader who manipulates her followers for her personal gain. However, depending on how you interpret her backstory, she can also be seen as yet another Jedi Padawan that was hopelessly mishandled by her teachers (like Ashara). She saved a group of Nikto from a monster and they pledged themselves to her. The Jedi insisted that she send them away, despite that being an insult to the Nikto's honor (they consider themselves indebted along the lines of a Wookiee life-debt.) This is where she starts to deviate, and eventually break away, from the Jedi order. Through it all, she seems to genuinely care about the Nikto and is looking for a place for them to settle. [[spoiler:You can TakeAThirdOption and have her join Republic SIS rather than killing her or recruiting her to either order, which becomes HilariousInHindsight when you find out that the head of the SIS cell you're infiltrating at the time is a failed Jedi himself.]]

* General Garza: According to Havoc squad, she sent them out and then let left them to die on orders of the Senate. However, as part of the Trooper's storyline, she constantly sends you on missions that turn out to be ambushes because she is being outsmarted by her opponents. Can Havoc's experience be explained by [[HanlonsRazor incompetence rather than malice]] on [[GeneralFailure Garza's part]]?
* Is [[spoiler: The game's take on Revan]] a WellIntentionedExtremist and TheUnfettered who knows all too well how powerful Vitiate is, and is trying to stop a threat the player characters and their respective empires fail to understand, or nothing more than a useful idiot playing right into Vitiate's scheme and too deep fried by [[spoiler: centuries of torture]] to see that he's being played? And if it is the latter, how long was he playing right into Vitiate's hands and too stupid or insane to realize it? [[spoiler: Which would bring a whole new light to both ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' games - he wasn't the grand genius everyone thought, but a foolhardy puppet who was on Kreia's leash, then Vitiate's leash, then the Jedi Council's leash (first game), and ended up as Vitiate's unwitting tool.]]

* A [[HitmanWithAHeart light-sided Bounty Hunter]] could just not care for the Empire at all and is only involved with them because it's [[OnlyInItForTheMoney good for business]]. A light-sided Hunter (especially an ''alien'' Hunter, that gets treated like garbage from the Imps anyway) also can be played as cheerfully sabotaging the Imperials right and left and being paid to do it. [[spoiler: The fact you can take the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic upon a deal and effectively switch sides helps.]]

** A ''dark-sided'' Consular (especially the Shadow sub-class) can come off as a merciless KnightTemplar who is the Order's [[DirtyBusiness executioner]] and [[ShootTheDog "cleanup crew"]], or a [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]] who subtly makes the galactic situation ''worse'' in order to make them dependant on the Consular, allowing the Consular to influence the situation to their personal benefit [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords al a Darth Traya]].

*** Why are they so violent, cruel and merciless, even to those who are genuinely on their side with the Empire? Sure, you could easily chalk it up to typical sith behavior, but what if there’s a deeper reason? Is Darth Nox just a typical sadistic sith lord who only cares about power and just happens to go along with the Sith Empire because they gain more from doing so? Or is Darth Nox a bitter, angry former slave who has been consumed by their rage and wants to hinder and destroy the Sith Empire from within out of spite for the way that they’ve been treated in the past? Are they really just a typical power-hungry and bloodthirsty sith? Or do they secretly want to destroy and tear it all down, both Republic and Empire alike, to watch the galaxy burn, in retaliation for all the suffering and hardships that both the Republic and the Empire has brought upon them?

*** Can one even consider Darth Imperius a ''Sith?'' A good case could be made that the Inquisitor is simply playing their game for now, all the while secretly working to advance themselves into a position where they can better undermine the Sith from within. Indeed, a lot of their dialogue makes it clear they don't particularly ''care'' for their fellow Sith or the Empire, but ''do'' hold some [[WorthyOpponent modicum of respect]] for the Republic and the Jedi. Alternatively, the Inquisitor's conversations with Ashara often discuss [[InternalReformist reforming the Empire into a more peaceful organisation]] and forging an alliance with Grey Jedi, founding a movement that unites both Sith ''and'' Jedi teachings.

*** When it comes to their relationship with Ashara (regardless of if it’s healthy or not), they, like their light side and neutral counterparts Darth Imperius or Darth Occlus, end up going along with Ashara to reform the Sith Empire from within. However, since Nox is far more brutal, evil and merciless than Occlus or Imperius, this ends up coming across as an OutOfCharacterMoment for them, since they usually don’t care about the good of the Empire and are only looking out for themselves. This raises the question: Did Ashara’s influence convince Darth Nox to change their ways to become a better person and does Nox genuinely want to help Ashara make the Empire a better place? Or is Darth Nox just pretending to go along with Ashara’s plans by telling her what she wants to hear so that they can manipulate her and corrupt her, not unlike [[TheCorrupter what Palpatine did with Anakin]] in the prequel trilogy movies? The latter is especially notable when you take into account that a), Ashara has a lot in common with Anakin, and b), the Sith Inquisitor class archetype (especially the sorcerer sub-class) is heavily based on prequel era sith lords like Palpatine, Maul and Dooku.

** The [[SociopathicSoldier Dark-side Republic trooper]]: A JerkAss/sadist who happens to be loyal to the Republic for whatever reason, a WellIntentionedExtremist who views their ShootTheDog moments as a NecessaryEvil to save more lives in the long run, or a [[ShellShockedVeteran shell-shocked]] [[ChildSoldier former child soldier]] who's too damaged to do things any other way and/or just wants the war to end as quickly as possible?

* Is [[spoiler: The game's take on Revan]] a WellIntentionedExtremist and TheUnfettered who knows all too well how powerful [[VillainSue Darth Vitiate]] is, and is trying to stop a threat the player characters and their respective empires fail to understand, or nothing more than a useful idiot playing right into Vitiate's scheme and too deep fried by [[spoiler: centuries of torture]] to see that he's being played? And if it is the latter, how long was he playing right into Vitiate's hands and too stupid or insane to realize it? [[spoiler: Which would bring a whole new light to both ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' games - he wasn't the grand genius everyone thought, but a foolhardy puppet who was on Kreia's leash, then Vitiate's leash, then the Jedi Council's leash (first game), and ended up as Vitiate's unwitting tool.]]

* Ki Sazen in the Imperial Agent's story arc. At first glance she seems to be a crazed cult leader who manipulates her followers for her personal gain. However, depending on how you interpret her backstory, she can also be seen as yet another Jedi Padawan that was hopelessly mishandled by her teachers (like Ashara). She saved a group of Nikto from a monster and they pledged themselves to her. The Jedi insisted that she send them away, despite that being an insult to the Nikto's honor (they consider themselves indepted along the lines of a Wookiee life-dept.) This is where she starts to deviate, and eventually break away, from the Jedi order. Through it all, she seems to genuinely care about the Nikto and is looking for a place for them to settle. [[spoiler:You can TakeAThirdOption and have her join Republic SIS rather than killing her or recruiting her to either order, which becomes HilariousInHindsight when you find out that the head of the SIS cell you're infiltrating at the time is a failed Jedi himself.]]

** A ''dark-sided'' Consular (especially the Shadow sub-class) can come off as a merciless KnightTemplar who is the Order's [[DirtyBusiness executioner]] and [[ShootTheDog "cleanup crew"]], or a {{Chessmaster}} who subtly makes the galactic situation ''worse'' in order to make them dependant on the Consular, allowing the Consular to influence the situation to their personal benefit [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords ala Darth Traya]].

** A [[LoveableRogue light-sided smuggler]] can be interpreted as a WideEyedIdealist that should have gone broke and starved to death a long time ago. Despite the title, [[ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything he/she may rarely engage in any actual smuggling]], and actively turn down opportunities to make money by refusing to deal in drugs or participate in actions that will harm the Republic's war effort. One of your companions, [[MafiaPrincess Risha]], will outright call you on this, accusing you of being a thief that doesn't steal, and ask if you actually have any plans about what you are doing with your life. Alternatively, the light-sided Smuggler could be described as a privateer (think pirates on government payroll), and while ''pirates'' typically ended their careers at the end of a rope, a privateer could end his with a big plantation and a title of minor nobility! The Smuggler actually does carry a privateers license from act 2 onwards. Or they could be just an independent merchant trying to run as honest a business as they can under the circumstances. Alternatively, they could be a thrill-seeker, traveling around the galaxy looking the next adrenaline rush and just earning enough money to keep up the life-style.

* Imperial Agent: Do you believe MyCountryRightOrWrong, serving the Empire despite its lack of competent leadership, fascist policies, and brutal racism? Are you a WildCard who grows weary of your government's policies and just wants to stop the network of terrorists trying to destroy both major powers? A deep cover agent for the [=SIS=] (Republic Intelligence)? A person who has seen way too much and wants out, no matter who gets double-crossed? A PunchclockVillain who is just doing a job they happen to be good at?

* Imperial Agent: Do you believe MyCountryRightOrWrong, serving the Empire despite its lack of competent leadership, fascist policies, and brutal racism? Are you a WildCard who grows weary of your government's policies and just wants to stop the network of terrorists trying to destroy both major powers? A deep cover agent for the [=SIS=] (Republic Intelligence)? A person who has seen way too much and wants out, no matter who gets double-crossed?

* As a Sith Warrior: Are you merely a HotBlooded warrior who saves his brutality for the battlefield, but otherwise prefers rational behavior? A nasty BloodKnight who wants to slaughter everything in his path? A cunning player who is gathering a power base so he's practically untouchable from his fellow Sith? A WildCard who does as he damn well pleases, no loyalty to anyone (even the Empire), and backs up his arguments with a force choke if he has to?

* As a Sith Inquisitor: You start as a lowly slave plucked from the auction block once it's discovered you're Force Sensitive. So, are you loyal to the Sith now that you have a chance to move among them, or have you not forgotten how badly you were treated when the collar was around your neck? Are you gathering power as to destroy your fellow Sith, or so you are never hurt again?

* Imperial Agent: Do you believe MyCountryRightOrWrong, serving the Empire despite its lack of competant leadership, fascist policies, and brutal racism? Are you a WildCard who grows weary of your government's policies and just wants to stop the network of terrorists trying to destroy both major powers? A deep cover agent for the [=SIS=] (Republic Intelligence)? A person who has seen way too much and wants out, no matter who gets double-crossed?

*** Can one even consider Darth Imperius a ''Sith?'' A good case could be made that the Inquisitor is simply playing their game for now, all the while secretly working to advance themselves into a position where they can better undermine the Sith from within. Indeed, a lot of their dialogue makes it clear they don't particularly ''care'' for their fellow Sith or the Empire, but ''do'' hold some [[WorthyOpponent modicum of respect]] for the Republic and the Jedi. The Inquisitor's conversations with Ashara often discuss reforming the Empire into a more peaceful organisation and forging an alliance with Grey Jedi, founding a movement that unites both Sith ''and'' Jedi teachings.

* Darth Ravage and Darth Marr during the end of the Sith Inquisitor ending. [[spoiler:When the Inquisitor takes Thanaton's place on the Dark Council, Darth Ravage will object, citing a mere Lord of the Sith cannot be on the Dark Council, while Darth Marr feels the Inquisitor has earned their place and names them a Darth on the spot]]. However, both Ravage's statement and Marr's reaction to said statement are a lot more demeaning and angrier, respectively, if the Inquisitor is female, implying that Ravage is looking down on the Inquisitor because she is a woman, while Marr knows this and is angrily defending her. It doesn't hurt that there appears to only be two other women on [[spoiler:the Dark Council]] as it is,[[note]]Darth Zhorrid, who only appears in Chapter 1 of the Imperial Agent storyline, and Darth Acina, who is exclusive to a sidequest chain until KOTFE[[/note]] and it wouldn't be the first time a female PC encountered sexism from other Imperials in the game, either: a male army officer on Quesh can potentially make some StayInTheKitchen comments, towards them ([[RunningGag the Inquisitor can shock him for it]]).

** A [[LoveableRogue light-sided smuggler]] can be interpreted as a WideEyedIdealist that should have gone broke and starved to death a long time ago. Despite the title, [[ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything he/she may rarely engage in any actual smuggling]], and actively turn down opportunities to make money by refusing to deal in drugs or participate in actions that will harm the Republic's war effort. One of your companions, [[MafiaPrincess Risha]], will outright call you on this, accusing you of being a thief that doesn't steal, and ask if you actually have any plans about what you are doing with your life. Alternatively, the light-sided Smuggler could be described as a privateer (think pirates on government payroll), and while ''pirates'' typically ended their careers at the end of a rope, a privateer could end his with a big plantation and a title of minor nobility! The Smuggler actually does carry a privateers license from act 2 onwards. Or they could be just an independent merchant trying to run as honest a business as they can under the circumstances. Alternatively, they could be a thrill-seeker, traveling around the galaxy looking the next adrenalin rush and just earning enough money to keep up the life-style.

* Darth Ravage and Darth Marr during the end of the Sith Inquisitor ending. [[spoiler:When the Inquisitor takes Thanaton's place on the Dark Council, Darth Ravage will object, citing a mere Lord of the Sith cannot be on the Dark Council, while Darth Marr feels the Inquisitor has earned their place and names them a Darth on the spot]]. However, both Ravage's statement and Marr's reaction to said statement are a lot more demeaning and angrier, respectively, if the Inquisitor is female, implying that Ravage is looking down on the Inquisitor because she is a woman, while Marr knows this and is angrily defending her. It doesn't hurt that there appears to only be two other women on [[spoiler:the Dark Council]] as it is,[[note]]Darth Zhorrid, who only appears in Chapter 1 of the Imperial Agent storyline, and Darth Acina, who is exclusive to a sidequest chain until KOTFE[[/note]] and it wouldn't be the first time a female PC encountered sexism from other Imperials in the game, either: a male army officer on Quesh can potentially make some StayInTheKitchen comments, towards them ([[RunningGag the Inquisitor can shock him for it]).

* Darth Ravage and Darth Marr during the end of the Sith Inquisitor ending. [[spoiler:When the Inquisitor takes Thanaton's place on the Dark Council, Darth Ravage will object, citing a Lord cannot be on the Dark Council, while Darth Marr feels the Inquisitor has earned their place and promotes them on the spot]]. However, both Ravage's statement and Marr's reaction to said statement are a lot more demeaning and angrier, respectively, if the Inquisitor is female, implying that Ravage is looking down on the Inquisitor because she is a woman, while Marr knows this and is angrily defending her. Marr is portrayed as a ReasonableAuthorityFigure later in the game and becomes a staunch ally of Imperial [=PCs=], while the Inquisitor gets some minor opportunities to put one over on Ravage later.