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SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS
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CONTENTS
©2020, Chris Cold; "Ooradryl"
What is Star Wars: Supernatural Encounters?
Called by some "The Silmarillion of Star Wars," Supernatural Encounters (and the shorter "Cult Encounters," which is included) is a Star Wars book written in an annalistic style with short stories, vignettes, a frame story set in 38 ABY, and a flashback saga spanning thousands of years, tying together continuity from across the EU and beyond. The plot synopsis reads as follows: An uncertain time. A fragile peace. A mystery that could shake the foundations of a galaxy... Historian Arhul Hextrophon and his faithful droid companion, Cuenyne, seek the answers to mysteries as ancient as civilization itself in the one place no mortal dare tread—Otherspace! It is a realm of dark suns and darker entities who prowl the strange expanse. On one hidden world lies the remnant of a Precursor race vanished for long millennia—a people who survived the Cosmic Wars, and may even have borne witness to the dawning of the galaxy... a time when the Architects, the Old Ones, and horrifying Immortal Gods of the Sith vied to cast down the benevolent Celestials and claim dominion over the ocean of stars. But such secrets are not merely heretical—they are jealously guarded. And the shadows ever watch and wait… What's the publication history of Cult Encounters and Supernatural Encounters?
"Cult Encounters" (CE) and Supernatural Encounters (SE) were originally intended to be published as articles in Star Wars Gamer magazine, as follow-ups to the in-universe article Rich Handley and I wrote for the first issue of the magazine, "The University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life: The Marvel Series," in Star Wars Gamer (2000), with illustrations by Joe Corroney. Although we had the green-light from Lucasfilm, only “Cult Encounters” was far enough along when events beyond his control happened that prevented Rich from continuing to write for the license.
Star Wars Gamer then ended in 2002. Five years later, I approached Pablo Hidalgo, an old colleague from my West End Games (and SWFA) days, who was then in charge of the official Star Wars site about publishing CE and developing SE for publication on the Star Wars Hyperspace service, a Lucasfilm exclusive content initiative. The framework of Supernatural Encounters was first written at the end of 2007. Pablo agreed to the idea, which coincided with his plans to have Hyperspace feature exclusive articles and stories. So CE was conceptually reworked as "Cult Encounters: Excerpts from the Last Days of Arhul Hextrophon" and submitted. Supernatural Encounters: The Trial and Transformation of Arhul Hextrophon, novella was then developed in its first draft and submitted. Pablo liked it and said it would have to be published in installments. I told him it needed a lot more work and continued to send updated drafts over the course of the next few years. He noted that I could continue to develop it until it was put on the publication schedule. I signed a licensing agreement and a tax form and proceeded.
A work of this nature--involving the ancient past--required a lot of work, research, and editing to make sure everything was right, but since I had been given the time time to continue working on the manuscript until it was put on the schedule, work on Supernatural Encounters was yet ongoing when, in 2010, it was abruptly announced that the new management at LFL were discontinuing Hyperspace.
Were these stories licensed?
Yes; I filled out the requisite legal documents (a CA-587 form, which is called a Non-Resident Withholding Allocation Worksheet and W-9 tax form) when the stories were first approved for publication by Pablo Hidalgo, the same licensing process I went through for my previous contributions to Star Wars. There isn't any Lucasfilm licensing process beyond this.
Were these stories cancelled and how did some elements make their way into continuity?
As with Abel Pena's Skyewalkers, we were never given notification of cancellation in any form, and it was hoped that the stories would find a new home elsewhere, so I continued working on the manuscript. In the interim, concepts from CE and SE were incorporated into other works by my colleagues. Ampotem Za was added in the 2007 Hyperspace article “Aliens of the Empire,” by Abel G. Peña and Rich Handley. The Rozzum and Typhojem found their way into the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide and Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side, by Dan Wallace. I then posted Cult Encounters on this site, followed by a beta version of Supernatural Encounters the year after to gage whether there was enough interest to resume work on it. There was.
Did you get in touch with Lucasfilm again and did they see the completed version?
Yes. In late 2015, Abel, Rich, and I approached Lucasfilm regarding our unpublished stories for the Star Wars Blog. Matt Martin (then of the Lucasfilm Story Group) and Dan Brooks (who then ran the Blog) approved them for online publication with the plan of putting Supernatural Encounters out in parts due to the length. I suggested an alternative means: posting them on my personal website as Abel G. Peña had just done with his SkyeWalkers. They could then be linked or embedded in the Blog. They approved this plan, but I requested time to bring the story to where it needed to be, and they approved this plan, allowing me to continue working on it until it was ready, requiring only that I write an introduction for the Blog and a clear indication that this was Legends material.
When it was getting close to being ready, I reached out again to Matt and Dan and sent them the introduction, but it was clear that the word on high was that they were to focus exclusively on the new canon. While this didn't come as a surprise, it was disappointing, so I posted the completed story here free to the public, which this site has done with other unpublished Star Wars works. I later got in touch with Matt and Dan and sent them the completed version. They thanked me but said they were unable to follow through on the original arrangement at this time, which confirms what everyone knows about management's policy towards Legends content, which is that they are no longer permitted to do anything with it (Marvel #108 being the sole exception because the licensee pushed for it). Hopefully, that will one day change.
What evidence do you have for all of this?
The 2007 to 2015 emails between me and Lucasfilm attest to the veracity of this. I first sent this privately to Wookieepedia, but they ignored it. Given the controversy that arose, I've since provided the emails to the public here, redacting only emails that were of a personal nature or which were exchanged on personal emails, which is appropriate (as I noted earlier, Pablo and I were friends before he was hired by Lucasfilm).
What material was added or restored to the "extended edition?" Why was it cut?
For the beta version released online, I had cut out swathes of material that needed more time, development, and which might have conflicted with Star Wars: The Old Republic. The complete edition added or restored numerous vignettes, historical details of the ancient world, dialogue, and continuity pertaining to the Sith, the Mecrosa, the Sorcerers of Tund, the Sorcerers of Rhand, forgotten wars such as the Qaldyon Reckoning, and lore cut from the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide and Abel's unpublished “Vader's Legacy.” There is a lot of additional revisions and improvements to dialogue and characterization, as well as things normal for the editing process and to ensure continuity with pre-existing works. In addition, full-color illustrations by the amazing Chris Cold and Guillaume Ducos were provided thanks to the contributions of fans.
I've heard there are a lot of crossovers. What is that about?
The Star Wars expanded universe has always had crossovers with other IPs since the very first EU book was released, when Alan Dean Foster included a statue of Cthulhu (called Pomojema by the tribe that lived nearby) in Splinter of the Mind's Eye in 1978. This was made explicit in Terry Austin's SOTME comics in 1995-6 and by Foster who told me that this was intended to be an image of Cthulhu--and not a mere simulacrum.
But that was just the tip of a much larger iceberg.
The Marvel Star Wars comics had several crossovers, the first in issue #79, when Lando Calrissian disguised himself as Captain Harlock from the 1977-79 manga-anime series Space Pirate Captain Harlock; the second in issue #89, when Braxas, a member of E.T.'s race (from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial) appears, which, of course, Lucas later made explicit in TPM; and the third in Alan Moore's "The Pandora Effect," which featured the Lovecraft entity Yog-Sothoth (called Wutzek).
Additionally, Robert Sawyer's cancelled Alien Exodus series introduced THX-1138 and other films by Lucas, including Indiana Jones, into ancient Star Wars continuity. In the Dark Horse Comics, West End Games, and Del Rey books, there are countless examples: The Firefly-class ship from Firefly-Serenity appears in both Evasive Action: Prey and in 2003 Battlestar Galactica miniseries; the xenomorph from the Alien/Predator series appears in X-Wing Rogue Squadron: The Phantom Affair and in Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows; Michael Reaves name-dropped Barsoom in Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter; Barsoom was already visited (then called Shiva IV) in issues #53 and #54 of the Marvel Star Wars series, which were leftover issues of John Carter: Warlord of Mars, by Chris Claremont and Carmine Infantino; in MedStar II: Jedi Healer, Michael Reaves and Steve Perry reference the Oni of Uru, which come from the 1980s anime-manga series, Urusei Yatsura, which itself referenced Star Wars. In Dark Force Rising #3, Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, and Mr. Spock from Star Trek appear on the planet Jomark along with the U.S.S. Enterprise and a Star Trek communicator. Kevin J. Anderson-Rebecca Moesta's Titan AE novel includes Rybets. The Disney canon and EU have also been crossed over in Fantasy Flight Games, The Old Republic MMORPG, and much more.
To help make sense of all of this, I developed the Grand Unification Theory to provide an in-universe explanations, while also allowing different interpretations for fans who object to crossovers. In SE's endnotes, I explained: The presence of crossovers should not be seen as a dogmatic declaration that these universes exist in the Star Wars galaxy. As with anything associated with new or controversial ideas, how far one is willing to go and what one finds palatable is ultimately dependent on the individual reader. For this reason, I came up with a multi-pronged methodology for interpreting crossovers; four different approaches for understanding and interpreting crossovers that allow fans to make their own determination as to what works best for them: 1. Coincidental: The events bear similarities, but are not the same. 2. Relational: The events represent a version of that universe, but are not exactly as depicted in the original source, which might represent in-universe works such as holodramas. 3. Congruity: The events represent the very same events as depicted in the original source. This doesn’t mean that the characters or narrator are correct about everything they conclude. 4. Some-or-All of the Above: You determine what works best in each given scenario. This allows you to take each on a case-by-case basis. The Grand Unification Theory is meant to provide potentialities for fans to have fun with, whether in their own imaginations, RPG adventures, stories, artwork, etc. The Skyriver galaxy is mammoth and its history is long and old; and as much as is revealed in SE, there’s room to spare for much more.
Was Supernatural Encounters printed?
Supernatural Encounters exists as a free PDF to the public, and until LFL says otherwise, it cannot be sold commercially, though contributors at a certain level have received physical copies as a perk; second editions were made available at cost by a third party on Amazon who did not profit from the endeavor. A 3rd ed. deluxe version was recently made available with a standard edition to come for those who missed out on the prior versions.
How did you become involved in Star Wars? What was your involvement before this?
My timeline was first solicited and submitted to Bill Smith of West End Games and Bob Cooper of Dark Horse Comics in the early '90s. While my first credit appeared in the Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised Edition; 1996, I was invited to write fiction for West End Games when Bill Smith was prepping No Disintegrations. The RPGA was called "The Temple of Shadows" (or "The Temple of Ooradaal") and has since been released here. I went on to contribute to the Star Wars Insider under Titan Magazines and Star Wars Gamer published by Wizards of the Coast. Rich and I wrote introductions for the reprinted Marvel series (with an illustration by Robin Pronovost), and I provided Dark Horse with all the rare material published in the Wild Space omnibus. I've written non-fiction Star Wars essays for various publications, including Secrets of the Force, edited by Edward Gross (St. Martin's Press, 2021), A More Civilized Age: Exploring the Star Wars Expanded Universe, A Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring Star Wars Comics and A Long Time Ago: Exploring the Star Wars Cinematic Universe for Sequart Books. Other projects came and went. Abel G. Peña, Rich Handley, and I began work on Star Wars: The Essential Reader's Companion, which ended up going to Pablo. You win some, you lose some...
How did you conceive this story?
Supernatural Encounters was always intended to bridge the lore of the Marvel series, the Ewoks and Droids animated series, the RPG material, and other weird and obscure bits of Star Wars lore with modern EU continuity. It was also intended to delve into the ancient past that Alan Dean Foster, Archie Goodwin, Roy Thomas, and Alan Moore had hinted at, as well as to make sense of the many seemingly strange crossovers.
After considerable research, the story came to me almost fully formed in November 2007, when it poured out over the course of a few days as a dense, lengthy dissertation on metaphysical subjects, esoteric races, and obscure histories, with subjects ranging from time dilations and realm distinction to ontology, cosmogony, and theology, all embedded in the tale of Arhul Hextrophon and his droid’s search for the origin of life in the Star Wars galaxy. Their quest into the ancient world ended up matching my own journey, as I too set out to find the truth amongst the many myths and fables that have been revealed over the long years of the Expanded Universe's existence.
Who else worked on the Encounters duology?
There were numerous amazing proofreaders, editors, and backers. Rich Handley, Kyle Rawlings, Edward Dodds, Corey Carter, Ryan "Sinrebirth" Shepherd, Harry Thornton, Robert Newnham, Greg Mitchell, Luke Van Horn, Matt Wilkins, Derek Stevens, Abel G. Peña, Neil Farnum, Michael Steinberg, Logan Andrews, Chayim Mescher, Stuart Bailey, David Canavese, Patrick Maes, David Beck, and Arthur Lowrey!
What is the future of Supernatural Encounters?
There are new stories expanding from SE (called the ESE Initiative), an animated adaptation, music, artwork, guides, games, a full-cast audio-drama and soundtrack, as well as numerous analysis videos, essays, and much more. You can find all of the videos on my playlist here and links to all of this content right here on this page!
Will Supernatural Encounters lore appear on Wookieepedia?
That's for the fans to decide. As far as I'm aware, many had already begun chronicling lore on Wookieepedia when it's current leadership took the stance that the work was "cancelled" (which it never was) or "unlicensed" (which is also untrue) and have labeled it as such. I'm not involved with any of that, though I did forward my emails with Lucasfilm to the administrators so as to help the folks at Wookieepedia properly categorize the work; they appear to have disregarded it.
So, is Supernatural Encounters canon?
Of course, "canon" refers to something quite different now than when I wrote the work. But it was written and intended to be an Expanded Universe work, and would have been categorized as C-canon in the old classification system. Many consider it the last EU book. Matt Martin understood it to be "Legends" and approved it for publication as such; I did incorporate some elements of lore from the newer material since SE puts forth what I call a "One Canon: Three Universes" approach, which allows the EU, DU, and even Infinities to coexist as separate but adjoining universes, thus providing room for all fans under the larger Star Wars umbrella.
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Deluxe 3rd edition, Vol 1 (pub 3/14/25)
Deluxe 3rd edition, Vol 2 (pub 3/14/25)
Contributors edition, 1st ed., single volume HC (pub 9/1/23)
Contributors edition, 1st ed., single volume TP (pub 9/1/23)
LegendsCon I edition, single volume HC (pub 9/9/23)
LegendsCon I edition, single volume TP (pub 9/9/23)
Amazon.com 2nd edition, three volume TP set (published 2/1/24)
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Supernatural Chronology
For those curious about the chronological reading order, either for scholarly or reading purposes, here is a summary (if you need to see the dates, head over to the Complete Saga page). Suffice it to say that the frame story in Cult Encounters immediately precedes the frame story of Supernatural Encounters, which occurs after the Dark Nest series and before the Legacy of the Force series. -Book III (Chapters 20-33) |
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Created by Maxine Morrell |
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For Supernatural Encounters, music played a large role both in-universe and out-of-universe. I actually had a playlist for different sections, which I'll one day retrieve and post here. But for fans of the Heavy Metal genre, the following compositions by Lord Vader were all inspired by Supernatural Encounters. Check out his page for more EU and SE-inspired music! The Black Plague: Mnggal-Mnggal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_SQ0zR1obY The Crimson King—Nyarhepdreh: https://youtu.be/OcO4trX-5EA Elder Daughter of Gorog: Qusothhuga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DafVZUfzL2I El'Shuddem: Tilotny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WLI6CpbQBo Father of Shadows: Nakhash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKm6KusqOl4&t=5s Lord of the Dead: Eosforos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfXNMBsnd0w Lord of Worlds: Sithlan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Jh1dBgRtc Monolith Dominion: Darth Dreadwar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIAS7l5TMmM Mother of Abominations: Lothan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NNWdoCH9dA Nest Of Betrayal: Daar’ok’straedr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAk9vapZm-Y Prince of Stars: Kordil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UjH2Fh-ayE&t=3s Queen of the Perpetual Night: Thargorograht: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDllHNgME64 The Left Handed God: Typhojem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZssG8bpwnw Much more is available at the content creator's channel. Be sure to like and subscribe!
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To help better understand the context of the events that play out in Supernatural Encounters, here is a recommend reading list which includes the following EU and extra-EU stories for added fun:
And that's just the tip of the iceberg (for more, see the Grand Unification Chart) |
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Not to be confused with the forthcoming full-cast audiodrama, this is a visual-audial adaptation of various chapters of the book with imagery and music. Akin to the immersive adaptations done for H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Lord Dunsany, and Robert E. Howard by AGM Storytime (and others), this is a treat for the senses and an incredible way to experience this story anew or for the first time! (An interview with the creator of this project can be found here.) Star Wars: Supernatural Encounters--Chapter 20: Animated adaptation available here! Star Wars: Supernatural Encounters--Chapter 21: Animated adaptation available here! Star Wars: Supernatural Encounters--Chapter 22: Animated adaptation available here! Star Wars: Supernatural Encounters--Chapter 23: Animated adaptation available here! Star Wars: Supernatural Encounters Chapter 24, Pt 1: Animated adaptation available here! More to come! |
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Note: Page numbers reflect the first edition.
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In his ever-expanding library where he caters to the demands too many pets, New York native Joe Bongiorno has co-written with Alan Berry the documentaries, Black Sabbath—Master of Reality and Black Sabbath—Vol 4. Joe is the editor of The Lost Tales of Oz and Cyberpunk Nexus: Exploring the Blade Runner Universe, and author of numerous essays and short stories on Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Twin Peaks, the X-Files, Oz, and The Planet of the Apes for Sequart Press, ATB Publishing, Wizards of the Coast, and the International Wizard of Oz Club. Joe is in the midst of the eight-volume Black Sabbath: The Illustrated Lyrics series and in his spare time studies weird fiction, runs a small-press publishing company, and manages the Star Wars Expanded Universe Timeline, the Royal Timeline of Oz, and The X-Files Chronology. |
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Note: Unpublished. rare. or out-of-print Star Wars stories will be taken down if/when officially released/reprinted |
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Cult Encounters
Previously unpublished duology intended for Hyperspace and the Star Wars Blog. |
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Lightsider
Tom Veitch's unpublished bridge story between Dark Empire I and II |
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Much More over at |
