501st? Rebel Legion? Don't fit with them? Let's make our own.

[Akos_Amun]

Nhylus said in another thread that both groups seemed stuck up. I have met some members in the 501st and they are nice until you show interest in joining and then they get pretty snooty and particular. I know they have standards and everything is canon, nothing can be original beyond mods for stormtrooper armor.

That is great, and they have some really amazing costumes but since most of us have our own costumes that we put together and most of us aren't really trying for replicating exact characters I thought it would be cool to have a group for people that just want to be in a Star Wars group, have costumes, and have fun. We might not be able to get together all the time but I say we need a name! What shall we be called?

This would hopefully go beyond just this forum to enthusiasts anywhere but everything has to start somewhere, so remember the name doesn't need to be "Galactic Saberist Organization" or such like but it could be. Just a name that captures some essence of the freedom of originality. Maybe something like "Followers of the Force". Idk but I just thought I might try to get the ball rolling and maybe something cool will happen.

[batty53]

Maybe a few ideas in a brain storm!

Alliance of the Force

Lightsaber Alliance

Force Lightsaber club

Lightsaber Owners Group

Keepers of the Lightsabers

Lightsaber Wielders

Just shooting stuff off the top of me head 

[Master Bluespike74]

Although I am not into cosplay, I really like this idea.  Elitism is not something that should be held as a badge of honor.  Prior to getting into lightsabers as a hobby, I worked a judge for TCGs.  The formats changed every 6 months on what could/could not be played and there were 2 formats that I truly despised because only people with insane amounts of money could have top tier decks.  I am talking about 8 year olds whose parents were spending $3000 for an entire deck with single cards costing $300.  I got a joy out of seeing two poor kids that managed to piece together a $40 deck and got into the top 8 during one of the formats.  Drove people insane.  

I really like the idea of doing something that makes things more inclusive so that people can enjoy themselves.  The main reason I left judging TCG's and stopped playing poker on a regular basis was that the fun was no longer there.  

Great idea.  How about Bright Shadows as a name.  Have a yin yang as the emblem.  Should appeal to light and dark side users.

[Remy Lost]

   I have to agree here.  I know enough guys from both the 501st and the Rebel Legion that are great people.  But the costume standards for both get to be annoying and judgments on costumes get to be petty.  Neither are intended to be joined by people looking to have fun, they are clubs for those wanting to spend serious money to fit in. 

   My costumes are meant to reflect what I would wear in the "reality" of the Star Wars Galaxy.  They make me happy, that is all I care about.

[Darth Nonymous]

The 501st and Rebel Legion seem like Re-enactment societies more than fan based cosplay groups. They do great stuff and all, but their deal isn't the creative aspect, it's the recreation. I'm not into that.

[Nhylus]

Well this is cool haha. I definitely do support this. I mean there are somethings that are just so iconic to starwars, you don't need a set of "501st or Rebel Legion approved" robes. Such as a lightsaber.
So being recognized as a StarWars group is not hard.
And the really sad part is that if Lucasfilm decided some character who wears garbage bags and wields a giant lightsaber shaped like a lolly-pop is canon, they'd probably be okay with it <_< hahah.
Now, there is a third group called the Jedi Assembly, but they are just the same. All 3 groups refuse to acknowledge that a force-user would ever wear something besides traditional robes (except Luke from ROTJ, theyre okay with that)
A big thing I think that would really prevent most of us from having a huge interest in 501st or Rebel Legion is that they don't allow saber training. You're not allowed to create saber/combat training sessions under their name.
But this seems like a great idea and I would definitely support it. It could even lead to members grouping together at conventions.

[Darth Cestual]

An extended Star Wars fan group that promotes saber training and creative costume / character development sounds like a whole lot of WIN in my book.

[batty53]

I am getting really excited about this idea, I have looked into all 3 organizations but felt that they are way too pike up the but for me.  I love the idea of the charity work they do but am discouraged with all the insane specific requirements to be a member.  I think the idea of like minded people uniting based on something they enjoy and bringing that to others is awesome!!

Who is to say that a group can't evolve and become something more 

I am ready to share in the WIN, what can we do to make it happen??!!

[ThreadJack]

I've been wanting to join the Legion, for the better part of 2 years now, as an X-Wing pilot. In looking around, I've noticed that the pilots are pretty laid back and cool, heck they'll let you put just about anything on your helmet and make it any color you want. However I can't say the same about the other groups, I've seen what you guys are talking about.

I like this idea. I've had an idea for a costume in my head for a while now, that wouldn't fly with any of the groups currently out there. I'm basically going to try to get a "Non-Traditional" Jedi costume together, that I want to look in universe enough that if I were standing in a group of Star Wars characters, I wouldn't look too out of place and it'd be believable enough. At the same time I want it to look normal enough, that if I were to wear it to say the grocery store, upon a quick glance most people probably wouldn't notice I was in costume.

[Akos_Amun]

Alright! I'm glad to see such a good response to this. I just want to make sure we don't slide into bashing on other groups. These groups do some great things, I think that is commendable. They also decided that for their purposes they needed to have costumes of a certain standard. Now I have associated with nerdy/geeky people for a long time and while many are well adjusted completely normal people, many have social oddities or in some cases social leprosy. People like this forget what the main point is and feel like they are amazing while others are not. That doesn't help give the type of impression I believe these groups stand for, and the behavior of some tends to form the opinions of most.

So with that, I would like to stay on topic of naming/creating a group where we can enjoy the things we enjoy with as many as possible.

Maybe a few ideas in a brain storm!

Alliance of the Force

Lightsaber Alliance

Force Lightsaber club

Lightsaber Owners Group

Keepers of the Lightsabers

Lightsaber Wielders

Just shooting stuff off the top of me head 

Good stuff batty

Although I am not into cosplay, I really like this idea.  Elitism is not something that should be held as a badge of honor.  Prior to getting into lightsabers as a hobby, I worked a judge for TCGs.  The formats changed every 6 months on what could/could not be played and there were 2 formats that I truly despised because only people with insane amounts of money could have top tier decks.  I am talking about 8 year olds whose parents were spending $3000 for an entire deck with single cards costing $300.  I got a joy out of seeing two poor kids that managed to piece together a $40 deck and got into the top 8 during one of the formats.  Drove people insane. 

I really like the idea of doing something that makes things more inclusive so that people can enjoy themselves.  The main reason I left judging TCG's and stopped playing poker on a regular basis was that the fun was no longer there. 

Great idea.  How about Bright Shadows as a name.  Have a yin yang as the emblem.  Should appeal to light and dark side users.

I really wish parents didn't do that sort of thing... oh well. I like the Bright Shadows idea. Sounds pretty cool to say. I also found some symbols that looked pretty cool, but it wasn't what I had imagined. Maybe Relmeob can use his sweet photoshop skills to come up with something, or Darth Cestual can draw up something awesome.

I think it would be great when we get together to have some training sessions and do some charity work or something. I don't see why a less conventional group can't do great things too.

haha, I just had a funny thought. We could be WTF --- Will of The Force. both sides are following what they feel  is the will of the force and a grey jedi is doing the same. anyway, I just thought the acronym was funny.

[ThreadJack]

I like Alliance of The Force, myself.

[Nhylus]

I like most of the names summed up so far haha.

Also @Akos_Amun. I didnt mean to come off as ranting or bashing the other groups haha XD. Im sorry if thats what it seemed like. They all do good charity work and provide entertainment. Just dont agree with their strict standards.

[Darth Nekesus]

I think Will of the Force is already taken some where.  Either way I think this is a great idea and I would love to join although I Will have to make a costume.

Also because we are very spread out we could have groups for regions and events such as Bright Shadows Midwest chapter or such other names based on location.  Just a thought

[Manroon]

I too recognize what most of you are talking about. I am all for accuracy, but my main thing is plausibility. Does it look real? I want to wear costumes that look like they could be in the movies, not like they actually were. I mean, I like generic smugglers and such. No place for such a costume in the legions that I'm aware of. I'd be in for something like this. A group of guys with decent costumes who just want to have fun, help new guys into the hobby, and things of such sort. The other groups all have their Niches, but I haven't seen or heard of one to fill quite this spot as yet. I share my Wingmate's liking for Alliance of the Force. Then again I like anything with reference to the Rebellion in it. lol

[Jammo]

As long as you don't frown on the idea of a Jedi with a Rocket Launcher, I'm down.

Hey, what about The Potentium, after a radical group that was expelled from the Jedi circa 132 BBY?