Revan
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Unknown, Deralia (pre-programmed identity)Template:Ref |
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Black Template:Ref |
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Unknown, yellow (dark side)Template:Ref |
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Light Template:Ref |
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Revan, renowned as "The Revanchist" and dreaded as the Sith Lord Darth Revan, was an eminent Jedi Knight turned conquering Dark Lord of the Sith until, stripped of his true persona, he returned to the crumbling Jedi Order and helped defeat the Sith Empire he had established. A Human male of unknown origins, he was trained as a Padawan by Kreia and a number of other Jedi Masters, both on Coruscant and at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine.
Acknowledged as a very gifted pupil, by 3,964 BBY he was a Jedi Knight respected enough to amass a notable following that argued for Jedi intervention in the Mandalorian Wars. Though opposed in this by the Jedi Council itself, Revan could not be dissuaded. Revealing the horror of the Mandalorians' genocide of the Cathar, Revan bolstered his support base and then quickly circumvented the Council, exploiting a technicality that forced it to begrudgingly "sanction" the intervention he desired. With the Council sidelined, the charismatic young Jedi and his closest friend, Malak, were able to recruit and lead a faction of the Jedi Order to war without fear of reprisal.
A talented military tactician and strategist, Revan directed the Galactic Republic to victory after assuming command of its forces in 3,961 BBY, finally ending the conflict the following year with the defeat and execution of Mandalore the Ultimate, the destruction of Malachor V and the disarmament of the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders. Yet in the wake of this triumph, Revan, his loyal Jedi followers, and the third of the Republic fleet that remained under his direct control ventured into the Unknown Regions—ostensibly in pursuance of Mandalorian stragglers—and ceased all communications with the known galaxy.
In those unknown regions of space, on Dromund Kaas, Revan and Malak came face to face with the long hidden Sith Empire and its Emperor. Thus, having already embraced the seductive Sith teachings he encountered at the Trayus Academy on Malachor V, Revan's induction into their traditions was finally completed. Bid by his newfound master to acquire the Star Forge—a superweapon of the Infinite Empire—on his behalf, Revan successfully tracked down the last Rakatan Star Maps required to reveal its location. Upon securing the ancient space station, however, he returned to the civilization he had left behind openly as Darth Revan, proclaiming himself to be the Dark Lord of the Sith. Commanding the continued obedience of many veterans of the Mandalorian Wars, and alongside the man who was now his Sith apprentice, Darth Malak, Revan betrayed the Jedi, turned against the Republic, and plunged the known galaxy into the Jedi Civil War.
Utilizing the Star Forge to spawn an immense armada, Revan cut a carefully calculated path of conquest through the Outer Rim, building his own powerful Sith Empire to which new converts regularly flocked. Though the Republic staved off total defeat for two years, thanks to the extraordinary battle meditation of the gifted Jedi Bastila Shan, Revan's ultimate triumph seemed inevitable until he and Malak were ensnared by a Jedi trap. As a Republic fleet engaged that of the two ruling Sith, a strike team led by Shan boarded Revan's flagship and battled its way to the Dark Lord. Moments before the Jedi engaged Revan in combat, however, Malak—sensing an opportunity to be rid of both the Jedi and the Master whose power he coveted—had his own vessel open fire on the distracted Sith Lord's bridge. Caught by surprise, Revan was incapacitated by Malak's attack and then captured by the strike team while his traitorous apprentice, believing his Master destroyed, seized control of his Empire.
His mind shattered, his memories scattered, and soon thought dead by the galaxy-at-large, Revan's life was preserved by none other than Shan, an act that forged a Force bond between them. Either unable or unwilling to restore their prisoner's true self, but requiring the knowledge buried within his mind, the Jedi Council used the Force to rebuild Revan with a new identity loyal to the Republic. Almost one year later, after Revan, still oblivious to his true past, rescued the captive Shan alongside Commander Carth Onasi and an eclectic band of allies on Taris, the Jedi Council on Dantooine opted to retrain him. Reawakening to his former skills and charged with unearthing the source of Malak's colossal fleet, Revan and his loyal comrades thwarted all obstacles and adversaries as he and Shan were guided by shared "visions"—in truth Revan's own memories—to the Star Maps on Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban.
In the midst of this odyssey, the group was ensnared by Admiral Saul Karath, commander of the Sith fleet, and imprisoned aboard the Leviathan. Though Revan and his friends escaped, killing Karath along the way, Darth Malak confronted his former Master, revealed his true identity and ultimately recaptured Shan, the woman Revan had come to love. Continuing in the face of this loss, Revan and his allies successfully discovered the final Star Map and the location of the Star Forge. There, in the Rakata System, Revan rejected the darkness of his past, turned Shan—whom Malak had broken to his will—back to the light and vanquished the reigning Dark Lord, playing his part in the battle that brought the war he had instigated to a close. A year onward, having driven the warring Sith factions from Korriban, Revan—with more memories returning—left the known galaxy behind on a solitary quest against the true Sith Empire. As of 3,641 BBY, he was thought to have never returned.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Early life[edit | edit source]
- "Some said that Revan was born in the Outer Regions, beyond the Rim, and that's what called to him during the Mandalorian Wars… and after. It was the call of home."
- ―Kreia
The exact details of Revan's early life cannot be ascertained. Though there were some that claimed he had been born beyond the Outer Rim Territories, the exact details of his parentage and homeworld remained a mystery.[1] Regardless of his unknown origin, he was eventually deemed suitable at an early age for instruction in the ways of the Force by the Jedi Order.[2]
Jedi training[edit | edit source]
- "Revan had many Masters, Zhar, Dorak, Master Kae before Kae left for the Wars. Towards the end of his training, he sought out many to learn techniques. It is said that he returned to his first Master at the end of his training, in order to learn how he might best leave the Order."
- ―Mical
By the Jedi Master Kreia's account, it was she who undertook Revan's initial instruction in the Jedi Arts[1] and, along with his closest friend Alek, Revan was trained both on Coruscant[2] and at the Jedi Academy on Dantooine.[3] Though both Revan and Alek would visit Twi'lek Jedi Master Zhar Lestin for additional training, the elder Jedi noted Revan's "insatiable" desire for knowledge in particular. At the time, he dismissed it as mere exuberance and eagerness, believing the youth to be a future champion of the Jedi Order—a sentiment shared by Master Vandar Tokare. Master Vrook Lamar, on the other hand, later claimed that Revan was perhaps too eager to learn more about the Force, and even suspected Revan of seeking knowledge of ancient "Sith magics."[2]
Revan was said to have left his first Master's tutelage entirely, going on to study beneath numerous Jedi Masters, including the aforementioned Lestin, as well as Master Dorak, the Jedi chronicler of the Dantooine Jedi Enclave,[2] and Arren Kae. Some years later, the former Jedi hopeful Mical would claim that Revan had deeply studied the process of Force bonding, among other techniques, during his time as a Padawan learner. Eventually, however, it was said that Revan returned to Kreia, his first Master, when "he realized there was nothing more to be learned from the Jedi—except how one could leave them forever."[1] By 3,956 BBY, the general consensus amongst the Jedi Masters on Dantooine was that, though a very promising Padawan, Revan had been headstrong, proud and far too quick to dismiss the dangerous temptations of the dark side.[2]
Some time before 3,963 BBY, Revan, along with Alek, attained the rank of Jedi Knight.[4] The two friends were acknowledged as being among the Order's most promising members, although Revan was always recognized as the leader—the more powerful and intelligent of the pair.[2]
The Revanchist[edit | edit source]
- "Who I am is not important—my message is."
- ―Revan
During the early Outer Rim skirmishes between the Galactic Republic and the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, Revan—by this time a well known, powerful and charismatic Jedi Knight—moved throughout the Jedi Order, arguing his case for Jedi intervention. At first, he was a lone voice among the Jedi, causing the Republic Media to brand him as the "Jedi's own crusader."[4] But as the Republic's military and civilian casualties increased, Revan gradually gathered a small but dedicated following of like-minded Jedi. The first to be drawn to Revan's cause was his best friend Alek, who then aided him in further recruitment.[5] By late 3,964 BBY, Revan was considered as the honorary "Master" of those who followed him—specifically Alek.[4] With the backing of Alek and the rest of his followers, Revan made the decision to journey to the Mandalorian front against the Jedi Council's wishes, so as to scout out the enemy lines. On the way, he and his followers briefly stopped by Taris. An acquaintance of the Jedi Master Lucien Draay, Revan hoped to recruit more Jedi to his cause from the academy on the world, yet neither Draay or any of the other Jedi on the planet were willing, or allowed, to oblige.[6]
Sometime after leaving Taris, Revan left the majority of his followers on the planet Suurja while he investigated events on Onderon and Dxun. Though he reported his "disturbing" findings to the Jedi High Council shortly after the onset of the Mandalorian Wars proper, the Council told him yet again that there was "no place" for the Jedi Order in the war and sent him on a mission to rescue those of his followers that had been captured during the Fourth Battle of Suurja. As he departed the Council chambers, Revan encountered Lucien Draay once more and, after a brief conversation about an undefined "truth," he left to complete his task.[7]
Ultimately, however, Revan's captive "learners" were saved from the experiments of the sadistic Demagol by the fugitive Jedi Padawan Zayne Carrick, who was framed by his former Master Lucien Draay for the Padawan Massacre of Taris,[8] and the rogue Mandalorian Rohlan Dyre.[9] Once reunited with his disciples, Revan's campaign for Jedi intervention in the war against the Mandalorians continued, albeit somewhat differently than before. Whereas his efforts had previously been considered a curiosity at best, in the context of a larger Mandalorian War he suddenly found himself a celebrity. As the Revanchist movement behind him grew, the Republic media cast Revan in the role of crusading savior, wrongfully ignored by the aloof High Council. Though first referred to as "the Revanchist Leader" in reports, it was not long before the young Jedi Knight was given a new, "snappier" moniker: the Revanchist.[4]
Revan continued to travel the galaxy during this time, taking his message of Jedi intervention to all who would listen. During the Battle of Serroco, while on the planet Cathar alongside Alek, he—along with many other Jedi across the galaxy—felt the deaths of thousands on Serroco as the Mandalorians rained nuclear warheads onto the surface. Doubled over in empathic pain, the most he could say to his best friend was: "I feel it!"[10] A short time later, Revan was invited to bid on the exogorth superweapons that the leader of Adascorp, Arkoh Adasca, was selling on behalf of his increasingly large faction within the Jedi. Unable to attend due to pressing business elsewhere, Revan sent Squinquargesimus in his place. Several Jedi had visions concerning Adasca's exogorths and the role they could play in the war, so Revan instructed Squinquargesimus to ensure that the danger they presented was taken "out of the mix."[11]
Shortly after the Adasca affair, the siege of Taris, and the bombardment of Jebble, Lucien Draay was appointed to the Jedi Council. He reported to the Council that Republic intelligence reports indicated that there was a blow to the Mandalorian's plans of conquest, reportedly by an insurrection within their own ranks, and stated that the "interventionist path" sought by Revan was wrong for both the Republic and the Jedi. The Council approved his motion, which ordered the recall, or if necessary, detention, of the "prowar renegades."[12] The Jedi Council sent Squinquargesimus back to Revan and his followers with a final warning.[13] after Squinquargesimus, now going under the guise of "Captain Malak",[14] testified to the Jedi Council against the secret cabal known as the Jedi Covenant.[13]
The Mandalorian Wars[edit | edit source]
- "When the Mandalorian threat first arose, Revan and Malak were eager to defeat the enemy of the Republic. But the council thought it best if we moved with care and caution. The true threat, the council feared, had not yet revealed itself. But Revan would not be dissuaded. Charismatic and powerful, it was inevitable many of the Order would flock to Revan's seemingly noble cause. Malak was the first to join his closest friend. Others followed, many of our youngest and brightest, intent on saving the galaxy from the Mandalorian threat."
- ―Zhar Lestin
As the Mandalorians continued to wage their war of conquest against the Galactic Republic, an all but defeated Republic military petitioned the Jedi Council for aid. Unwilling to charge into another conflict so soon since the last war with Exar Kun, and in fear of an unknown threat other than the Mandalorians, the Council refused to allow the Jedi to fight in the war. Revan and his followers, however, did not agree with the Council's reasoning and remained determined to rally the Republic forces against the Mandalorian invaders.[2] Once the devastating details of the Battle of Cathar became publicly known—several years after the Mandalorians' virtual extermination of the Cathar race—Revan used the atrocity to his advantage. In an act of rebellion above and beyond anything he had ever done before, he refused to acknowledge the authority of the Jedi High Council and sent out a full call to arms within the Jedi Order, requesting that all willing Jedi rally with him to the Republic's cause. He was no longer arguing for Jedi intervention; he was going to intervene, even in defiance of the Council. As always, Alek was the first to join his closest friend, and was soon followed by hundreds of Jedi who answered Revan's call.[2] The Council responded by issuing an arrest order for Revan and any Jedi who stood with him,[12] thus causing Alek to hide under the alias of "Malak."[14]
When Malak returned from Coruscant to Cathar, both he and Revan, along with their followers, were confronted by Vrook Lamar and a large group of Jedi who were prepared to arrest the renegades and end their quest before it had even begun. It seemed as though their efforts would be for naught, as the Revanchists were unwilling to be taken into custody. Revan, however, discovered something in the dirt—a Mandalorian mask. Suddenly, the group was beset by Cathar fleeing toward the ocean, followed by a swarm of Mandalorians. The Jedi ignited their lightsabers and tried to help the Cathar, only to discover that both the refugees and their pursuers were only visions of the past. The incident that the Jedi were witnessing occurred years earlier, when Cassus Fett—Mandalore's primary strategist—unleashed the Mandalorians upon the defeated Cathar. The Jedi watched helplessly as the frightened Cathar were herded into the ocean where Cassus intended to murder them all.[15]
One Mandalorian, however, flew in front of the Cathar and pleaded with Cassus on their behalf, arguing that they were defeated and genocide was unnecessary. Cassus declared that the Cathar had to be annihilated for dishonoring the Mandalorians during the Sith Wars, and that if the warrior wished to stand with the Cathar in their final moments, then she could perish alongside them as well. Cassus saluted her efforts before authorizing his warships to fire away, thus killing the female Mandalorian and all of the Cathar. It was this woman's mask that Revan had found, and after being inspired by her sacrifice, he placed the mask on his face and vowed to wear it until all of the Mandalorians were brought to justice for their atrocities.[15]
Even the Jedi Council was affected by the details that were discovered behind the massacre of the Cathar. Although they were still unwilling to lead the entire Jedi Order into the war, the Mandalorians' war crimes were sufficient enough for the Council to begrudgingly sanction the intervention of Revan and his Jedi faction on behalf of the Republic.[15] Officially, they still denounced Revan's actions as unwise and too hasty, and continued to dissuade the rest of the Order from joining Revan's cause. But in reality, the Mandalorians' own actions made it impossible for them to stand in the way of Revan's seemingly noble cause. Soon afterward, thousands of Jedi, sympathetic to the suffering of the Republic's citizens, flocked to Revan's banner as he took overall command of the Republic's war effort.[2]
The intervention of Revan and his Jedi Crusaders into the Mandalorian Wars marked a turning point in the Republic's favor. Revan's brilliant military strategies and tactics, coupled with Malak's courage and fiery determination, saw the pair becoming the foremost heroes of the conflict. Claiming victory time and again, they were propelled through the ranks of the Republic military and were eventually given direct control of a full third of the Republic's fleet. With his new-found authority, Revan spearheaded the Republic war effort and began to steadily push the Mandalorians back to the edge of the galaxy. Together, Revan and Malak liberated Taris, fought Cassus Fett at Jaga's Cluster, and defeated much of the Mandalorian army at Althir. Yet, despite such victories, there were concerns raised over the Jedi's behavior. Though Revan's tactics were virtually flawless and Malak's righteous fury unmatched,[2] the two young Jedi Knights began to adopt very similar characteristics to the Mandalorians they were fighting. Far from the optimistic Jedi who were moved by compassion and desire to safeguard for innocent lives, Revan and Malak grew to despise weakness and indecisiveness in all its forms. Unfortunately for the galaxy, the growing darkness surrounding Revan did not just stem from his experiences with the Mandalorians.[1]
At some point in the year 3,961 BBY, Revan found a Rakatan Star Map on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. He then discovered the ancient Sith world of Malachor V, which was considered a taboo to the Mandalorians. On its surface, Revan was quickly assaulted by the destructive dark side energies that permeated the world, yet through the strength of his will, he was able to feed on the evil power without being consumed by it. Soon thereafter, he stumbled upon the Trayus Academy,[16] a Sith Temple on the surface of Malachor. While unearthing the planet's buried secrets, Revan learned the exact location and immense significance of the planet Korriban, the homeworld of the Sith species. Though further details of what transpired in that ancient Sith bastion remain unknown, Kreia would later imply that it was there that Revan discovered the continued existence of the "true" Sith, causing him to voluntarily surrender himself to the dark side in hopes of gaining the power to unite the galaxy against a far greater threat than the Mandalorians.[1]
Returning to the front of the Mandalorian Wars, Revan forced a final confrontation with the Mandalorians over Malachor V. Unknown to even his own followers, Revan had devised an ingenious plan to wipe out nearly all of his enemies in a single stroke. Destroying the Mandalorians was only half of his plot; the Jedi and Republic soldiers whose loyalty could not be counted on would have to die as well. For the time being, his descent into darkness had to remain shrouded in total secrecy until he was ready to unveil his true agenda to the galaxy at large. To ensure that only his most loyal followers survived the end of the war, Revan was resolved to purge his army of everyone who were unlikely to forsake their allegiance to the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic.[1]
To accomplish this, he ordered the recently constructed Mass Shadow Generator placed on the planet, where the majority of the Mandalorian forces had gathered in a final attempt to defeat Revan's forces and determine the fate of the galaxy once and for all. In accordance with his plans to purge his army, Revan strategically placed the Jedi and Republic soldiers, whose loyalty did not lie strictly with him, on the planet so that they would all die alongside the Mandalorians. With all of the pieces in place and his plans set into motion, Revan personally confronted Mandalore the Ultimate, intent on killing him and preventing the Mandalorians from ever rising to threaten the galaxy again. A young female Jedi Knight, who had risen to become Revan's most trusted general—second only to Malak—was entrusted with the responsibility of activating the world-devastating weapon.[1]
In the final battle of the Mandalorian Wars, Revan single-handedly killed Mandalore in single combat. At the same time, Revan's plan to convert his most loyal Jedi followers to his cause was aided by the dark side energies emanating from the surface of Malachor V; their commitment to the light side had been withered away by years of fighting and thus made them extremely susceptible to the allure of the dark side. With Mandalore dead and the majority of the Mandalorians within range of the Mass Shadow Generator's effects, Revan's trusted Jedi General activated the secret weapon to finally end the war for good.[1] As the entire planet was crushed and fractured to its core, everyone on its surface was killed—Mandalorians, Jedi Crusaders and Republic soldiers alike.[17]
The battle resulted in catastrophic losses on both sides. Nevertheless, the Republic was joyfully elated to see the Mandalorian Wars concluded in victory. Revan was hailed as a hero of the Republic and the savior of the galaxy. His triumph over the Mandalorian forces even caused the Jedi Council to question its position on the war.[18] But in the end, many Jedi were twisted to the dark side, and the once proud Mandalorian clans were on the brink of extinction from which they could never truly recover from, just as Revan had intended. Defeated and humbled by Revan's superior skills, what was left of the Mandalorians unconditionally surrendered themselves to the mercy of the victors. After the battle, Revan denied the vanquished force their leader's ancestral mask, and with it their ability to choose a true successor. He then ordered his forces to strip the Mandalorians of their weapons and armor, and to dismantle their Basilisk war droids. Deprived of their pride and sense of purpose, the Mandalorians unquestioningly complied as Revan condemned them to perpetual exile. With their sense of unity shattered, the Mandalorians broke apart from each other as they dispersed themselves throughout the galaxy. Some remained together to form small groups while many others chose to live in isolation. Overall, Revan's actions caused most Mandalorians to become bounty hunters, bodyguards and mercenaries willing to serve whoever paid them enough money.[2]
Unknown to those who were praising Revan as a champion of the Galactic Republic and a paragon of the Jedi Order, the Sith teachings had already swept through the ranks of those who had followed him into war. Many Republic soldiers were devoutly loyal to Revan in gratitude for saving them. They had also developed a burning hatred towards the Jedi Order for allowing the Republic's soldiers and civilians to die by the billions. Their devotion to him was so complete that they even renounced their allegiance to the Republic and its Senate. Also, the Jedi Crusaders that rallied behind Revan's leadership fell from the path of the light and accepted their new calling as adherents to the dark side of the Force.[1]
Instead of returning to the Republic, Revan and Malak took the remainder of their fleet and disappeared from the known galaxy. To avoid suspicion, they excused their actions by pretending to search for the remnants of the Mandalorian fleet—those who had fled the final, devastating battle at Malachor V. In reality, Revan knew that the Mandalorians were no longer a threat to the galaxy or his plans. Neither the Republic or the Jedi suspected that Revan was actually leading his followers in a quest to discover the power of the ancient Star Forge[2] and to develop a deeper understanding of Sith dogma.[16]
Mantle of the Sith[edit | edit source]
- "We know nothing of what transpired when Revan and Malak met the Sith Emperor. One thing is certain: when they returned, they did so on behalf of their new dark Master."
- ―Gnost-Dural
During their expedition into the unknown regions of deep space, Revan and Malak verified the existence of the long hidden Sith Empire. After making their way to the Sith capital of Dromund Kaas, Revan and his disciple confronted the mysterious Sith Emperor under arms. But Revan and Malak, having already surrendered themselves to the Sith teachings of the Trayus Academy on Malachor V, agreed to fight for the Sith cause rather than destroy the Emperor.[18]
Desiring the immense power of the Star Forge to accelerate his machinations, the Emperor returned his new acolytes to Republic space to seek out the final Star Maps that would reveal the Star Forge's secret location. The addition of the Star Forge to the Emperor's control would allow him to begin the preparations for a full scale Sith invasion, with Revan and Malak acting as the vanguard of the Sith war machine, thus enabling the Emperor to exact his vengeance against the Jedi and Republic centuries earlier than he had anticipated. But shortly after discovering the Star Map on Dantooine, Revan and Malak began harboring ambitions of forging their own empire. Just as he had secretly renounced their allegiance to the Jedi and the Republic near the end of the Mandalorian Wars, Revan turned against the Sith Emperor and intended to use the Star Forge for his own purposes in his path to becoming a Dark Lord of the Sith.[18]
Recovery of the Star Maps[edit | edit source]
- "If we pass beyond this door, we can never go back. The Order will surely banish us."
- ―Malak
Revan's recovery of the ancient Rakatan Star Maps, though eventually co-opted by the Sith Emperor, took place between the waning years and the immediate aftermath of the Mandalorian Wars.[16] Though Revan may have discovered the Star Map on Kashyyyk alone, the first Star Map that he and Malak discovered together was on Dantooine. Avoiding detection by the Jedi, the pair entered the old burial mounds located near the Jedi Enclave. After successfully completing the "trials" set for them by the guardian that had been left behind by the so called "builders", they were given access to the Star Map.[2]
But before they entered the room that contained a piece of the overall map to their intended destination, Malak—still new to the dark side—warned Revan that stepping beyond such a threshold would mean that they could never return to the Jedi Order. Whether or not Revan considered the consequences of his actions, or even cared by then, as he paced in front of the sealed door is unknown. But if he had any doubts, he swiftly cast them aside and unsealed the door. After examining the Star Map on Dantooine, Revan and Malak went on to uncover Star Maps on several other planets, including Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan and Korriban. Although the order in which they did so is unknown, Bastila Shan was aware that the pair had visited Korriban "at least once" when they were known as Jedi, suggesting that they had began their search for the Star Maps during the Mandalorian Wars, rather than after the conflict's end.[2]
Once they had pieced together the Star Maps to ascertain the location of the Star Forge, Revan and Malak traveled to the previously unknown Lehon system. But upon their arrival, their starship immediately crashed on the planet Lehon. Shortly after, they were attacked by the primitive Black Rakata, who attempted to take them prisoner. The Dark Lord and his apprentice bested them easily, and though Revan could not understand the Rakatan language, he was able to use a Force technique to rip it from their minds, while also driving Basic into their skulls in turn through a unique Force power. Having been cowed into submission by the Sith Lords' Force powers, the Black Rakata took them to meet their leader, The One. After "teaching" the Rakatan leader Basic, Revan explained that he was pursuing the power of the Star Forge, and that he would require access to the Temple of the Ancients. Yet, from the superstitious, primitive ramblings he received in response, it soon became clear that neither the One nor his followers had any true comprehension of their species' past, nor the technological might that they had once commanded. Nevertheless, the One promised to help Revan enter the Temple, providing he used his "strange magics" to slaughter the Elders—a competing Rakatan tribe that had so far resisted his might. Revan swore he would do so.[2]
Revan soon realized that the "Elders" were likely in possession of the answers he sought and, rather than destroy them, he instead approached them in peace. This proved wise, as from the Elders, Revan learned much of the Rakata and their old empire—and of the disruptor-field that had caused his ship to crash. Sensing the Elders' abhorrence for their species' violent past, Revan proclaimed himself to be a servant of the light, searching for a way to destroy the Star Forge. Trusting him entirely, the Elders gave Revan and Malak access to the temple, and thanking them, the pair promised to destroy the Star Forge and return.[2] Instead, Revan took control of the Star Forge and with it, he was ready to execute his plans as the new Dark Lord of the Sith.[16]
The Star Forge[edit | edit source]
- "All you saw was an enormous factory, all you ever imagined was an infinite fleet rolling forth to crush the Republic."
- ―Darth Malak
Leading his hidden forces to the Lehon system, Revan began to realize his plans. Though the Star Forge was capable of granting vast power to those who fully embraced its dark nature, Revan minimized his exposure to the ancient space station, using it purely to construct an enormous fleet with which to conquer the Republic. Darth Malak, horrified that his Master would reject such strength, would later balk at what he perceived to be Revan's stupidity, yet the truth was that Revan was far from ignorant.[2]
Revan, unlike his apprentice, understood the dangerous consequences of drawing upon the Star Forge too heavily. The artifact had led the Infinite Empire to its doom: fueling the Rakatan species' hate, driving them to civil war. Revan had no intention of letting over-reliance on the Star Forge disrupt the order he planned to bring to the galaxy. As with everything else, he would use it for as long as he needed it, then discard it.[2][19]
Once ready, Revan led his powerful new Sith armada back into known space, finally revealing himself as a Sith Lord and plunging the galaxy into war once again. As his old teacher Dorak would later say: "The hero had become a conqueror."[2]
The Jedi Civil War[edit | edit source]
- "Revan understood one thing–the real battle was going to be fought between the Jedi on both sides. That was the only battle that mattered. […] Whoever had the most, the strongest Jedi were going to win the Civil War. If Revan couldn't convert Jedi, then Revan would kill them."
- ―Atton Rand
In the year 3,959 BBY, Revan began a campaign to end the "tyranny" of the Jedi Council once and for all.[20] They returned to Korriban, and seized control of the planet, establishing a new Sith academy.[16] The war, while bloody, was orchestrated to topple the Republic while doing little damage to its underlying industrial infrastructure. Under his leadership, Sith forces bypassed militarily vital planets that would be required for the defense of the galaxy against the threat of the "True Sith." Revan's plan was to keep the Republic largely intact for the purposes of post-war rebuilding. He even took out a number of political figureheads, such as Yusanis of the Echani,[2] Senator Mimas Yoon of Corellia and Lelin-Dor of Serroco. As such, he could begin his rule with a relatively functional military and economy rather than starting from scratch. Also, had he failed in conquering the galaxy, he believed the end result would be much the same: a stronger Republic, more capable of defending itself.[1]
A year after they returned to the Republic, Revan and his Sith carried out a successful attack at Foerost, capturing a majority of the Republic fleet; they also carried a successful attack on the world of Telos IV. Revan had intended for Telos to be conquered,Template:Fact but his apprentice Darth Malak ordered the former Republic admiral Saul Karath to prove his loyalty to the Sith by destroying Telos. Karath complied, earning the wrath of surviving Telosians such as the Republic captain Carth Onasi, whose wife died after the attack.[2]
Revan knew that, with Jedi in the war, this contest would come down to whoever had the most and strongest Jedi. He pioneered new Sith tactics relying on secrecy rather than brute force. His Sith assassins quietly flooded into the Republic to kill and/or abduct Jedi throughout known space. Revan reestablished strongholds and academies upon worlds of ancient power such as Lehon, Dxun, and Korriban. On these particular planets, his most faithful servants broke captured Jedi and converted them to the dark side. Revan also kidnapped some of his own Force-sensitive troops and converted them into Dark Jedi. Utilizing assassin droids—such as HK-47, whom Revan created after the Battle of Malachor V—Revan eliminated threats to the stability of his fledgling Sith Empire.[1]
With Revan at the helm and Malak as his head general, the Sith forged vital alliances to expedite the support and deployment of their forces. They conspired with the Czerka Corporation, one of the richest and most powerful galaxy-spanning companies of the time, to amass much needed resources, and they secured diplomatic relations with the ocean planet of Manaan so that they were able to export the healing agent kolto.[2] At some point during the war, Malak saw Revan as being too soft, resulting in a tension that culminated in a lightsaber duel in which Revan removed Malak's entire jaw with a single stroke from his lightsaber. Malak's injury necessitated a cybernetic jaw guard,[16] which allowed Malak to speak, albeit with a gruff electronic tone which created an intimidating effect. During this time, Malak had asked Revan's assassin droid HK-47 what he thought of him. When Malak was informed by the droid of his "meatbag" status, Revan found the term amusing and programmed HK to call all organics such.[21]
The apprentice betrays the Master[edit | edit source]
- "I betrayed you when I realized my own strength was greater than yours."
- ―Darth Malak
The reinvigorated Sith won battle after battle, until a young Jedi Knight named Bastila Shan entered the fray with her battle meditation, a powerful Force ability that increased the combat effectiveness of the Republic's forces and sapped the will of enemy combatants. Yet, even with Shan's aid, the Republic forces knew that they could not hold out forever against the Sith. In 3,957 BBY, in a desperate attempt to end the war, the Republic and the Jedi set a trap for Revan and Malak, luring them into battle against a small fleet. During the space battle, Shan led a team of Jedi that boarded Revan's flagship and managed to corner the Dark Lord on the bridge. Revan, however, seemed unfazed by the strike team, as he quickly eliminated all the Republic soldiers while the Jedi took down the Sith Lord's Dark Jedi.[2]
As the Dark Lord prepared to battle with the Jedi, Darth Malak, in the hopes of destroying both Revan, Shan, and the Jedi, betrayed his Master, ordering the ships under his command to fire on the bridge of Revan's flagship. Although Malak believed himself to have been successful in killing the man who had been his best friend, this was not the case. Revan survived the turbolaser blasts that had rocked through the bridge, although rendered comatose. Shan also survived, and was faced with a choice. Upon regaining her wits, she was confronted with the broken, comatose body of Darth Revan. The Dark Lord was nearly dead—by Shan's own admission, just a tiny spark of the Force remained alive within him.[2]
For whatever reason—perhaps a sense of duty to the Republic, pity, or a simple urge to save his life—young Shan made the decision to grab a hold of that waning spark and keep Revan alive. Through that act, she somehow tied Revan's life to her own, unwittingly forging a powerful Force bond. Shan took Revan and escaped the cruiser, while the Sith, believing their Master dead, retreated from the battle. Shan had stabilized Revan, but the Sith Lord was still in critical condition and his mind remained heavily damaged. Shan brought him to the Jedi, and a huge debate enveloped on what to do. Eventually, the Jedi Council decided that in order to find out how Revan had made a practically unbeatable fleet, they had to rely on Shan's bond with the former Jedi Knight to draw out Revan's memories and find the answers. To do this, Revan's broken mind was reprogrammed by the Council to conceal the Dark Lord's old identity. Shan was charged with keeping Revan's identity hidden and drawing out the former Dark Lord's memories.[2]
Crash-Landing on Taris[edit | edit source]
- "Taris? The planet's all one big city…"
- ―Carth Onasi
A year later, Revan, who was under an implanted name and with no recollection of his real history or of his former mastery of the Force, was enlisted as a common soldier in the Republic army,[3][22] and placed under Shan's command on the Republic warship Endar Spire. Darth Malak, thinking his Master dead, had devoted all his forces to the hunt for Shan, and in orbit above the world of Taris, his fleet ambushed the Endar Spire. Revan awoke in the middle of the battle and proceeded to fight his way off the ship with the aid of fellow Republic soldier Trask Ulgo, who sacrificed himself to save Revan from a "Dark Jedi"—none other than Darth Malak's apprentice, a former Jedi named Darth Bandon. Along with the Republic captain Carth Onasi, he managed to escape in the last escape pod on the Endar Spire just moments before it exploded.[2]
The search for Bastila[edit | edit source]
After crash-landing on the surface of Taris, Revan was knocked unconscious. Onasi dragged Revan from the crash site, where Revan began experiencing flashbacks through the Force of his buried past. The two men discovered that Shan had been captured by the Black Vulkars swoop gang and was being offered as a prize to the winner of a swoop race tournament called the Tarisian Season Opener.[2]
With help from the Vulkars' rival, the Hidden Beks, as well as a young Twi'lek female by the name of Mission Vao and her Wookiee friend Zaalbar, Revan entered the tournament himself and was able to win Shan's freedom. These accomplishments were enough to attract the attention of the Mandalorian mercenary Canderous Ordo, who gave Revan an offer to escape Taris: stealing the Ebon Hawk, an extraordinarily fast freighter from the Exchange crime lord Davik Kang.[2]
Escape[edit | edit source]
After Revan and his companions were able to steal the bypass codes to the Sith blockade overhead from the Sith base, with the help of their new droid companion T3-M4, Ordo introduced Revan to Kang as someone wanting to join the Exchange. While Kang ran a background check, Revan and his newfound crew broke into the hangar in an attempt to steal the Ebon Hawk. There they were confronted by Kang and the infamous bounty hunter Calo Nord. During the short firefight that ensued, Malak ordered the Sith admiral Saul Karath to bombard the planet saying "Wipe this pathetic planet from the face of the galaxy!" The resulting bombardment resulted in Kang's death, and allowed Revan and his crew to make their getaway.[2]
Return to the Jedi Enclave[edit | edit source]
- "I have not heard of any new apprentices being accepted for training recently. What brings you to this place, may I ask?"
- ―Deesra to Revan upon arrival on Dantooine
Deciding that they needed to regroup, Revan and his companions fled to the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. Shan spoke to the Jedi Council of "recent developments", and once being informed of Revan, the Council requested an audience with him. Onasi found that the invitation was unusual for someone who was apparently not even a Jedi yet, and the Twi'lek Jedi Deesra Luur Jada remarked that he had not seen anyone accepted for training recently. Normally, the Council would not accept an adult for training, but Revan was a "special case".[2]
Shan presented Revan to the Jedi Council. Jedi Master Zhar Lestin, a member of the Council, told Revan that they had been discussing him, and that Shan had told them that he was strong in the Force. However, contrary to the other Masters, Vrook Lamar said that they needed indisputable proof of his strong connection to the Force before they could even consider training him. Shan argued that surely all of them could feel the strength of the Force within Revan. Lestin said that they could indeed, though the power was wild and untamed, and that they could not ignore it. Knowing Revan's former identity, Lamar further argued that if they trained him, perhaps the Dark Lord–Revan himself–would return. Not wanting to reveal Revan's identity to him, Master Vandar Tokare declared that they would discuss the matter in private.[2]
While the Council debated, Revan and Bastila shared a vision of himself and Malak, as Jedi, visiting Dantooine's ruins when they found the first Star Map. After Shan and Revan told the Council of the event, Master Dorak claimed that the ruins had long been known to them, but they believed them to be merely burial mounds. Revan learned from the Masters that he and Shan shared a Force bond, and the Council believed that together, they would both be able to defeat Malak. The Council decided to send them to the ruins in their vision, where they believed they would find some clue as to why he and Malak had been corrupted by the dark side.[2]
Jedi training and disputes on Dantooine[edit | edit source]
- "What greater weapon is there than to turn an enemy to your cause? To use their own knowledge against them?"
- ―Bastila Shan
Before Revan was to be sent, he was trained in the ways of the Force–unknown to him to be the second time. Revan's progress was amazing, and Zhar Lestin, his teacher, said that he had never seen anyone who had mastered the initial training so quickly. He was soon welcomed fully into the Jedi Order. Before ending his apprenticeship and becoming a Padawan, he was to complete three tests. First, his knowledge of the Jedi Code was tested; second, to build a lightsaber. After succeeding in both the trials, he was told by Lestin of his third trial: to cleanse a meditation grove of its dark taint.[2]
There, he found the source of the dark taint: a Cathar female Dark Jedi named Juhani, who, before his mind was destroyed, he had encouraged to become a Jedi after rescuing her from the Exchange on Taris. After Revan dueled and defeated her, Juhani, realizing that he was stronger, explained who she was. Revan spared her life and persuaded her ask the Jedi Council for mercy. The Jedi Council was pleased with his success, and his decision to redeem her. He had passed the final test, and therefore became a Padawan. Meanwhile, during his stay at the Enclave, he learned of the history of the Mandalorian Wars and of his turn to the dark side, as well as Malak's.[2]
Revan also helped the farmers and settlers of Dantooine. He met a farmer named Jon, who demanded justice for the Mandalorian's murder of his daughter. While Revan did not initially rebuke Jon, he was not one for wanton violence, and so continued on his set tasks. Inadvertently, Revan was forced to kill several Mandalorians in combat, due to their ambushing him on the fields around the Enclave. Returning to Jon with the news, Revan inquired deeper into the situation.[2]
Jon told him that the carnage would not stop until the ringleader, Sherruk, had been killed. Despite Revan's constant avoidance of the lure of the dark side, he set out after Sherruk, with the justification that he would be helping the farmers. On the grassy plains of Dantooine, he confronted Sherruk, and urged him to refrain from his actions. When Sherruk refused and attacked him, Revan killed him and his cronies in combat. Revan returned to Jon with the news, which calmed the volatile farmer down. Jon insisted that Revan take his reward of a hundred Republic credits.[2]
Another situation he influenced involved the Matale and Sandral families. The Matales had a long running feud with the Sandrals, and even with assistance from the Jedi Enclave, no compromise could be reached to settle the arguing. Later, Shen Matale was kidnapped by Nurik Sandral, who believed his son Casus was killed by the Matales. When Revan arrived at the Sandral estate, Rahasia Sandral, Nurik's daughter, told Revan about Shen's kidnapping. Due to Revan's interference, Shen escaped with Rahasia, but both were ambushed by their parents outside the estate. Revan was able to convince the fathers to allow their children to live their own lives, and the two agreed to purchase a new house for their children.[2]
The ancient ruins[edit | edit source]
- "You're a neophyte Padawan who's been saddled with the responsibility of tracking down these Star Maps. Why? That's not normal!"
- ―Carth Onasi
After this, he and Shan went to investigate the ruins that they had seen in their vision of Revan and Malak. Once inside, they were confronted by a droid speaking the language of the Rakata, which were, at this time, completely unknown to the rest of the galaxy. It switched to a language resembling that spoken by the Tusken Raiders, but finally changed to something Revan understood. The language happened to be an archaic and ancient dialect of the Selkath language. The droid said that it had been programmed to serve the "builders" if they sought knowledge of the "Star Forge". When asked whether he knew of Revan and Malak, the droid replied that they were neither builders nor slaves, like him, but they had proven themselves worthy, and that they themselves must now do the same.[2]
After passing the tests, they gained access to the room which contained a Star Map, which would help lead them to the Star Forge. Though the Map was not complete, it pointed the way to the worlds of Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban, on which it was suspected more Star Maps could be found. Only with the combined information of these five worlds would Revan be able to rediscover the location of the mysterious Rakatan artifact. Revan and Shan reported their findings to the Council immediately after, and the Jedi Masters agreed that the Star Forge must be found. The Council still wanted Shan to continue drawing out Revan's memories to find the Star Maps. They were also curious to see if Revan could complete this mission without falling prey to the dark side, and reclaiming his former title as Dark Lord. Juhani requested that she join Revan's party in their search for the Star Forge. Onasi expressed confusion over the Council's choice of sending Revan on an assignment that could be the deciding point of the war.[2]
The second search for the Star Forge[edit | edit source]
- "Who do you bring before me, Yuthura? A young human, bristling with the Force?"
- ―Uthar Wynn on Revan
Revan, Shan, and their companions journeyed to these worlds, tracing the steps Malak and his Master had taken years before. During these travels they gained two new companions; on Tatooine, Revan purchased the assassin droid that he created as a Sith Lord, HK-47, and on Kashyyyk, the self-exiled Jedi named Jolee Bindo joined his party on the search for the Star Forge. On each planet, the powerful dark side aura of the Star Maps created perilous conditions that made accessing the Maps difficult.[2]
Additionally, the crew of the Ebon Hawk found themselves hunted by Sith and bounty hunters, such as Calo Nord on his last stand on Tatooine, and confronted with the problems of the local populace at every turn. One of their greatest challenges was Darth Bandon, Malak's apprentice, who met his end in a duel at the hands of Revan after he had found the fourth Star Map on Manaan. Throughout their journey, Revan and Bastila grew closer due to the feelings created by their Force bond. However, Bastila feared their love, thinking it would only lead to the dark side. In truth, she was afraid to face her feelings, out of fear of who Revan once was. She attempted to resist the feelings, yet their love for each other was undeniably strong.[2]
Revelation on the Leviathan[edit | edit source]
- "You cannot hide from what you once were, Revan! Recognize that you were once the Dark Lord - and know that I have taken your place!"
- ―Darth Malak to his old Master
As the crew was searching for the fifth and final Star Map, Revan and his allies were captured by the Sith flagship Leviathan which was under the command of Admiral Saul Karath, Onasi's former mentor. As the Ebon Hawk was being brought in via tractor beam, its crew discussed their escape, and Revan chose a member of his party to escape the Sith and save them from capture.[2]
Revan, Shan, and Onasi were put into Force cages and interrogated by Admiral Karath. After Onasi argued with him and insulted him for the deaths on Telos, Saul said that he was insignificant part of events anyway, and that Darth Malak was far more interested in the two Jedi, who both said that they would never turn to the dark side. From Revan's words, Saul found, unexpectedly, that he did not know of his former identity. He, however, said that he would not be the one to deprive Malak of the pleasure of telling him himself. Karath suspected that he would not succeed in the interrogation, and said that the Dark Lord would no doubt torture them for information and for his own twisted pleasure. He knew, however, that at the time Malak was in another sector and that it may be some time before he would arrive, and so he began torturing them himself.[2]
Knowing that Revan cared for Shan, Karath made her suffer each time when Revan refused to answer his questions. He used this to test Revan's loyalty when he asked him where the Jedi base was. Revan's will weakened, but still gave no answer to the former Republic Admiral. Karath revealed that the question was only a test, for Malak, of course, being a former Jedi, knew the location of the Jedi Enclave and had destroyed it. Karath then left the three alone until Malak would arrive, leaving Shan greatly upset by the Academy's destruction, and hoping that the Jedi had managed to escape. Both Jedi soon felt a disturbance in the Force, and they knew that Karath had sent a message to the Dark Lord of their current location. Meanwhile, the party member Revan had chosen to free them found them and deactivated their force cages. Feeling Malak's dark presence approaching, the Jedi devised a plan to escape; go to the bridge, in secrecy, and disable the tractor beam. Onasi was also included in the plan, for he wanted to kill Karath, who would be on the bridge, in revenge. Revan also sent Canderous Ordo and the rest of his crew to the docking bay so that they could deal with the guards.[2]
They fought their way to the bridge and confronted Karath and his guards. The Admiral said that if they lay down their weapons, he would ask Darth Malak to be merciful when he arrived–he could have arrived at any minute–but Onasi said that he had seen enough of Sith mercy and attacked him. Revan, Shan, and Onasi slew the Sith troopers and left Karath mortally wounded. His dying words to Onasi were the revelation of Revan's identity. Furious, Onasi accused Shan of keeping the secret from him, and Shan pleaded with Onasi to not let Revan know at the time, and said that she would explain everything to both of them when they had escaped the flagship. Just before they would be able to arrive in the docking bay which held the Ebon Hawk, they were confronted by Darth Malak, the Dark Lord of the Sith. After discovering that Revan still had no knowledge of his time as the Dark Lord, Malak was amused and told him his true identity, which had been wiped by the Jedi. Stunned and bewildered, Revan refused to believe that he was the former Dark Lord of the Sith, the infamous Darth Revan, until Malak's assertion was reluctantly confirmed by Shan, who said that she had been part of the Jedi strike team sent to capture him. Darth Malak took advantage of Revan's shock and made every effort to sow discord between his former Master and the Jedi who had manipulated him, yet Revan refused to turn upon his allies.[2]
Following their brief discussion, Malak created a stasis field around both Shan and Onasi and prepared to end his former Master. Revan fought valiantly, proving himself a capable swordsman. Malak had always regretted betraying his Master from afar, for because of it others claimed that he was a coward, but now he had been given a second chance to prove himself. Shan ultimately sacrificed herself so that Revan and Onasi could escape. Reluctantly, Revan and Onasi left, and they and the rest of the crew escaped the ship. Revan was forced to deal with Malak's revelation and the loss of his beloved Shan. When he told his companions of her sacrifice, Jolee Bindo suspected that Malak was planning to turn her to the dark side and use her Battle Meditation against the Republic. Revan then revealed the shocking revelation to the crew. Onasi, who had been told by Karath on the bridge of the Leviathan, was furious but said he would try to accept it. This made no difference to Mission Vao, who said that he was a different person than he was before, and Zaalbar said that he was still bound by his life-debt to the man Revan was, not the Dark Lord. Bindo claimed that he had known his identity all along but that he would still follow him, and Canderous Ordo was simply glad to battle alongside his people's conqueror. HK-47's deleted memory core was restored, and he revealed that Revan was his creator. He also recalled once calling Malak a meatbag, which Revan had found humorous, and programmed the droid to call all organics a meatbag.[2]
Confrontation on Lehon and the Battle of the Star Forge[edit | edit source]
- "Well done, Revan. I was certain that the defenses of the Star Forge would destroy you, but I see now that there is more of your old self in you than I expected."
- ―Malak to Revan
After finding the fifth and final Star Map, Revan and the crew discovered the Star Forge in the home system of the ancient Rakata. Upon arriving, the Ebon Hawk was forced to crash on the unknown planet because of its disruptor field. Revan was assaulted by warriors of the Rakatan tribe, but after seeing Revan's power, he and his crew were granted an audience with the One. The One told Revan about his original promise to kill the Elders and gain their secrets to enter the Temple of the Ancients, so Revan sought out the Elder tribe. When the Elder Council revealed how brutal and warlike the One and his tribe were, Revan and his crew decided to help the Elders. The Elder Council was very reluctant to trust Revan again due to his betrayal the last time they had met.[2]
They tasked Revan with rescuing an Elder scout from the One's enclave in order to regain their trust. Upon arriving at the One's enclave, the One and his tribe turned on Revan and his crew. The entire tribe fell under Revan's strength, and Revan freed the scout. After gaining the support of the Elders, Revan, Jolee Bindo, and Juhani entered the Temple of the Ancients and defeated the hordes of Dark Jedi that Malak had left in the temple. At the top of the temple, Revan was forced to confront a fallen Shan. Following a week of torture at Malak's hand, she had at last given in to her hate and had embraced the dark side. She was now, she claimed, the Dark Lord's new apprentice, replacing the slain Bandon. After a short duel, Shan realized Revan was still powerful in the Force, despite what the Council had done. She attempted to entice Revan to reclaim his former identity as the Dark Lord of the Sith with her as his apprentice. Revan was faced with a decision that could alter the course of the galaxy.[2]
Revan chose the path of a Jedi, and rejected Shan's temptation and ultimately chose the light side. Enraged, she retreated to the Star Forge. Revan and the crew repaired the Ebon Hawk and pursued Shan as a Republic fleet that had arrived commenced an assault on the Star Forge. Surviving Jedi from Dantooine's destroyed enclave boarded the Star Forge in hopes of disrupting Bastila's battle meditation so the Republic capital ships could close in to destroy the Star Forge. Aboard the Star Forge, Revan displayed his restored affinity for the Force and mastery of lightsaber combat by nearly single-handedly confronting and defeating Malak's army of Star Forge battle droids and Dark Jedi. In the Star Forge's war room, Revan faced off against Shan once again, this time, alone. Though Shan was able to draw on the Star Forge to renew her strength, Revan still bested her. She begged Revan to kill her after all she had done, but Revan attempted to convince her to return to the light side by drawing on the powerful bond of love they shared. He succeeded, and Shan used her battle meditation to aid the Republic, turning the tide of the climactic battle.[2]
The Final Confrontation[edit | edit source]
- "Once again, we shall face each other in single combat, and the victor will decide the fate of the galaxy."
- ―Malak to Revan
Revan then confronted Malak who, upon his arrival, used the Force to choke two Jedi prisoners, and threw his lightsaber into one and blasted the other with Force lightning, killing both. The former Dark Lord told Malak that if he surrendered the Jedi might show him mercy, but Malak replied that the wiping one of one's identity was no act of mercy, and that he would rather die. He then unleashed the unlimited army of Star Forge battle droids upon Revan and escaped to the Star Forge's observation tower. Revan, however, managed to stop the droids from attacking and followed Malak to the observation tower. Realizing that Revan had become stronger than he ever was as the Dark Lord, Darth Malak said that he could break his former Master's will and bind him to him as his apprentice, but he continued that perhaps Revan was too powerful to be his apprentice, and perhaps that when and if Revan became stronger than him, he would betray him, as he himself had betrayed Revan. The former Dark Lord said that he would never turn to the dark side again, which Malak said were "foolish words."[2]
They then began a lightsaber duel, whose victor, unlike in their previous duels,[23] would decide the fate of the galaxy. Revan proved himself to be a better lightsaber duelist, almost defeating Malak, but Malak withdrew from battle, explaining to Revan that he could not be defeated. He told Revan that he had brought the bodies of Jedi from the Jedi Academy on Dantooine to the Star Forge, but instead of letting them become one with the Force, he drained the life from them, transferring it to himself. Revan, instead, freed as many of the Jedi as he could and allowed them to become one with the Force, successfully shortening Malak's supply of energy. At last, Malak was brought to his knees, mortally wounded.[2]
Before he died, Malak wondered and asked Revan what would have happened had their roles been reversed, or if Revan had never led him down the dark path. Revan apologized for starting him down the dark path, but reminded Malak that he had continued down it willingly. Malak accepted his apology, realizing that he had no one to blame for his fate save himself. Thus, the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Malak's life ended in darkness and regret immediately prior to the Star Forge's destruction. Revan and his crew were given a hero's escort back to Lehon. There, they were each rewarded with the Cross of Glory, the Republic's highest award. Vandar also thanked Revan, re-bestowing his rank of Jedi Knight, and proclaiming him the Prodigal Knight, and his friends as the heroes of the era and galaxy.[2]
Into the unknown[edit | edit source]
- "He left a lot of people who cared about him behind. But I think he did it because he thought it was the right thing to do. But whatever he set out to do, I… I don't think he succeeded."
- ―Admiral Carth Onasi
Following the Battle of Rakata Prime, it was rumored that Revan intended to return to the warring Korriban so as to subdue the threat of any potential Sith insurgents.[1] Thousands of years later, Revan was indeed credited with having "driven the Sith from Korriban".[24]
Since defeating Malak, Revan regained more and more of his memory, including his knowledge of the Trayus Academy on Malachor V, and the Sith teachings he had harnessed there. According to Kreia, Revan's first and last Jedi Master, Revan rediscovered the threat posed by an ancient Sith faction known only as the "True Sith" that lurked within the Unknown Regions and resolved to battle against them.[25] She would later say to her last student that she did not believe the Jedi Council had changed Revan as they claimed, but that they had merely stripped away the surface and allowed his true self to emerge once again.[26] During Revan's final duel with Malak, Malak said to him that the balance was tipped one way, but that it could easily be tipped again.[2]
He entrusted Carth Onasi with the Republic's safety, and left instructions to Canderous Ordo to unite the scattered clans of the Neo-Crusaders by reclaiming Mandalore's helmet, which Revan took for his own after the execution of Mandalore the Ultimate. He said goodbye to Bastila Shan, and traveled to the shattered remains of Malachor V with T3-M4 and HK-47, then he left the Ebon Hawk and his droid companions behind, and disappeared from the known galaxy. Revan's decision to leave behind everyone he cared about haunted Bastila Shan, who never truly understood why he left. Kreia believed that Shan would have been better off if Revan had made her understand his reasons, especially since she was strong-willed and did not comprehend war as Revan did.[1]
Unknown to Revan, however, T3 was ordered by Shan, who had learned how to sense Revan's mind to a certain extent through their bond, to return to the Republic and contact her, or anyone else who could help, in case anything happened to Revan. In time, the small astromech droid set out to find assistance aboard the Ebon Hawk, and found one of the last known Jedi Knights in 3,951 BBY,[27] the Jedi Exile, who also happened to be sought by another of Revan's acquaintances, his first Jedi Master, Kreia. The Exile came under Kreia's tutelage and took ownership of T3 and the freighter.[1]
Canderous Ordo, by then known as Mandalore the Preserver, later joined her against the remnants of Revan's former Sith Empire. She also met Admiral Carth Onasi following the Battle of Telos IV and eventually learned of Revan's ties to her companions.[1] When the former Jedi General asked T3 if he had acquired the Ebon Hawk with Kreia, the droid had little to say on the matter, and since T3 had the only means of accessing the ship's voice-locked navicomputer,[28] the Exile had no way of knowing whence the ship came from either.[1]
During the Exile's search for Master Lonna Vash, she discovered the ancient tomb of the Sith Lord Ludo Kressh, hidden deep in the Shyrack cave. Upon entering the tomb and facing several trials, including encounters with apparitions from her past, the Exile entered a room containing the resting place of Ludo Kressh. In front of the sarcophagus, however, stood an apparition of Darth Revan and a version of herself who was immersed in the dark side of the Force. When the Exile's dark half disappeared, the former Sith Lord silently approached the Exile, who was shocked to see her former comrade once more. When Revan attacked her, the Exile was forced to defend herself against the dual lightsaber-wielding apparition. Ultimately she triumphed over the final test, causing the vision of Darth Revan to disappear.[1]
After the Exile defeated and mortally wounded Darth Traya, the true identity of Kreia, her former master offered knowledge of Revan's whereabouts before succumbing to her injuries. It was Traya's hope that the Exile would leave the dead world of Malachor V to its final destruction and pursue the same path that Revan took in his quest to destroy the Sith Empire. Following the destruction of Malachor V and the Sith Triumvirate, the Jedi Exile left to join Revan again as she did in the Mandalorian Wars. Like Revan, she also left behind her companions, knowing that such attachments would be a weakness and that her new journey would be a solitary one.[1] About 300 years later, the galaxy believed that Revan and the Exile never returned from unknown space.[29]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
- "My time here is ended. Take what I have taught you and use it well."
- ―Darth Revan to Darth Bane
Three hundred years after his second disappearance from known space, Revan was regarded as a legend and a great hero of the Jedi Order. Despite betraying the Jedi and nearly conquering the Republic, the death of Darth Malak at the hands of Revan single-handedly redeemed his reputation in the eyes of the Jedi and the Republic, both of which welcomed him back with open arms. Although he left to confront the ancient Sith Empire on a solitary quest, Revan's victory over Malak provided the Republic with three centuries of relative peace and prosperity. However, the Emperor would use that time to simultaneously strengthen the military might of his empire and to weaken the Republic and the Jedi from within.[18]
Though he eventually rejected the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith and returned to the light side, Revan's legacy as a powerful Sith Lord would live on thousands of years after his death in a holocron that he had constructed during his reign. Hidden away on the planet Lehon, within the Temple of the Ancients, it would remain undisturbed for nearly three thousand years. Having become obsessed with the knowledge and prowess of the ancient Sith, Revan in particular, Darth Bane traveled to Lehon in search of power enough to topple the existing Sith regime, the Brotherhood of Darkness. Despite Revan's turn to the light side, Bane regarded him as one of the greatest Sith Lords in history.[19]
Once there, he discovered Revan's holocron and from it received training and instruction that, he felt, surpassed the entirety of the Korriban Academy's archives. After obtaining all the trainings from Darth Revan's holocron, Bane destroyed it as was the way of the Sith to eliminate things that were of no further use. Partially through the wisdom and Sith philosophy imparted to him by Revan, Bane would acquire the strength, power, and knowledge necessary to reshape the Sith as he saw fit, destroying the Brotherhood of Darkness and establishing the Rule of Two,[19] thus birthing a new incarnation of the Sith Order; one that would go on to topple the Galactic Republic and all but destroy the Jedi Order.[30]
During the New Sith Wars, the Zelosian Sith Lord Darth Rivan would choose his name from a corrupted Sith manuscript that misidentified Revan as "Darth Rivan, the most powerful Dark Lord of the Jedi Civil War."[31]
Personality and traits[edit | edit source]
- "Savior, conqueror, hero, villain… You are all these things, Revan, and yet, you are nothing."
- ―Malak to Revan on the Star Forge
Before his fall to the dark side of the Force, Revan was a very gifted Jedi who possessed the potential to become a champion of the Jedi Order, as believed by Jedi Master Vandar. In addition to his exceptional skills, Revan was also noted for having a charismatic personality and insatiable desire for knowledge.[2] His abilities in charisma and persuasion were more than powerful enough to win the personal loyalty of countless Republic soldiers, including thousands of Jedi who willingly stood with him against the wishes of the Jedi Council. As a general, Revan was acknowledged as the greatest military tactician of his time, especially due to the fact that his entry into the Mandalorian Wars was a pivotal turning point for the all but defeated Republic. Intelligent and decisive, Revan won the devotion and admiration of not only his followers, but also the Mandalorians, many of whom were humbled after being defeated by Revan's tactics. As a military strategist, his exploits were legendary throughout the Galactic Republic.[1]
Revan's involvement in the Mandalorian Wars, including his descent into darkness, was ironically facilitated by his compassion for the crumbling Republic. From the beginning of the conflict, he was defiant towards the Jedi Council's decision to keep the Order out of the fighting[18] while Republic civilians and soldiers died by the millions.[1] As the Mandalorians grew increasingly aggressive, Revan reached his breaking point when he learned of the genocidal massacre on Cathar. Ultimately, it was his strong sympathy for the victims of the war and the desire to bring the Mandalorians to justice that compelled Revan to lead a significant portion of the Jedi Order against the aggressors.[15]
As time went on however, Revan grew more ruthless to the point where he despised weakness and indecisiveness, thus becoming very similar to the Mandalorians he was fighting. Canderous Ordo noted the drastic change in Revan's approach to the war, most notably in his willingness to leave entire worlds defenseless in order to fortify key strategic planets that were vital to the Republic's defense.[2] HK-47, Revan's personal assassin droid, recalled his master's cold and calculating nature by the end of the Mandalorian Wars—Revan not only destroyed Malachor V, but also used the planet's destruction to simultaneously annihilate the Mandalorians and to purge his growing army of the Jedi and Republic soldiers whose loyalties were not completely with him.[1]
Ultimately he turned to the dark side by becoming the feared Sith Lord Darth Revan, determined to conquer the Republic that he originally tried to protect.[2] It was believed by some, including his first Jedi Master Kreia, that he may have turned because he knew about the "true" Sith and sought to prevent a greater evil from being unleashed by willingly submitting himself to the dark side. Yet despite his turn to the dark side, Revan remained focused on his original goal to consolidate the galaxy into a stronger force better capable at defending itself. G0-T0 observed how Revan's strategy was based on a more complex plan than simply destroying all opposition in his path; Revan purposely spared planets that were essential to the Republic's economic and military infrastructure. In order to build a long-lasting Empire in a short span of time, Revan understood that he needed the Republic's overall structure to remain intact so as to avoid building an galactic-spanning empire from total scratch.[1]
At the height of his reign as the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Revan had given himself fully to the dark side. Honor and glory meant nothing to him any longer. The feelings of compassion, mercy and loyalty no longer held any relevance to him as they once did during his time as a Jedi; he had embraced the Sith philosophy for the sake of power and control through the dark side of the Force. As far as Revan was concerned, it was all or nothing—to walk the path of moderation was to be dragged down into failure by one's own conceits. By immersing himself in darkness, Revan understood that the nature of the dark side could be both the greatest strength and weakness of the Sith—to cull the weak from the ranks of the strong, yet also being forced to remain eternally vigilant for signs of treachery. To that end, Revan concluded that the strong had to be careful to avoid being overwhelmed by those serving beneath him. Hence, he believed that every master should train only one apprentice, or else risk falling to the combined might of multiple disciples.[19]
Ultimately, Darth Revan became an uncompromising believer in rule of the strong. From Revan's point of view, there could be only one Dark Lord who would rule until he was overthrown by a more powerful opponent, thus insuring that his Empire would always be ruled by the strong. The strong rule and the weak serve was the underlying philosophy of the Sith that formed the core of Revan's beliefs, which he in turn made sure to pass on to all of his followers.[19]
One of his greatest traits as the Dark Lord, however, was his ability as a manipulator. The combination of his charismatic personality and the allure of the dark side was more than enough to cause thousands of Jedi and countless Republic soldiers to break their former allegiances and flock to Revan's cause. The greatest testament to his skill in manipulation was in the person of his first follower and best friend Darth Malak, formerly the Jedi Alek who once possessed a strong affinity for the Jedi and the Republic.[5] In training Malak, Revan turned a once prominent Jedi Knight, who staunchly upheld the values of the Jedi Order, into a brutish Sith Lord with a bloodlust for extreme violence and carnage.[2]
But even while immersed in the dark side, Revan apparently retained a slight sense of humor. HK-47's reference to Malak as a "meatbag", including Malak's furious reaction, amused Revan enough to cause him to reprogram the assassin droid to refer to all organics as meatbags. HK-47's multiple use of the term in regards to Malak drove Dark Lord's apprentice to extreme lengths of frustration, much to Revan's amusement. Even under his programmed personality, Revan was still just as amused at the thought of Malak being the "original meatbag."[2]
After being saved from a near-death experience by Bastila Shan in the aftermath of Malak's treachery, Darth Revan's identity was virtually wiped out by the Jedi Council out of fear of being unable to control the Dark Lord, essentially leaving Revan's mind as a blank slate. The Council then used the Force to insert an artificial persona with false memories into Revan's damaged mind, thereby causing the former Sith to initially forget about his past. Under the Jedi-created persona, Revan believed himself to be a native of the planet Deralia who enlisted into the Republic military as a raw recruit. As a result of the Jedi's tampering, the "new" Revan was fiercely loyal to the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order, constantly upholding their ideals and determined to end the threat of the Sith for good.[2] Kreia, however, did not believe that the Jedi changed Revan as they later took credit for. She believed that the Jedi merely reversed the effects that war and the dark side had on Revan, thus allowing his true self to reemerge from the depths of his mind—a person who was willing to go to war to protect others.[1]
Over time, however, Revan came to gradually piece back together the damaged memories of his former life. The revelation of his true identity shocked Revan to the core. In comparison between his original self and the artificial personality forged by the Jedi Council, some of his companions noted a few similarities and differences. HK-47 observed that his master was ultimately different from the man he once was, mainly regarding the fact that "Revan's" compassion for others contrasted sharply with Darth Revan's ruthlessness and cruelty. HK-47, suspecting that Revan's concern for life may have been an inherent trait rather than a side effect of memory loss, reluctantly concluded that Revan's new persona was an improvement on the person he once was. Canderous Ordo recognized that Revan was no longer the same person who defeated the Mandalorians in the war. Despite this, Revan had still managed to earn Ordo's respect a second time due to his prowess as a warrior and a leader. Darth Malak even commented that in spite of Revan's loss of his old personality, the former Dark Lord remained as charismatic as ever, inspiring loyalty in those who followed him just as he had done in his past life.[2]
But unlike the first time, Revan avoided a second fall to the dark side of the Force, even when his lover Bastila Shan attempted to seduce him and instigate a rebirth of Darth Revan. He had become firmly entrenched behind his loyalty to the Jedi and the Republic, his devotion to the light side of the Force, and remained dedicated to saving Bastila and defeating Darth Malak. When Revan and Malak faced each other for the final time, he expressed regret at leading his former friend to the dark side, but also reminded Malak that it was his own choice to continue down the dark path.[2] But as more of Revan's memories—as noted by Bastila Shan—returned to him shortly after the death of Malak, his former self subtly reasserted itself, mainly in his pragmatism and understanding of war. Realizing that his attachments to Bastila and their companions would only weaken him, Revan made the choice to leave behind all those that he cared about in order to take on a solitary quest to destroy the true Sith just as he originally intended to do so.[1]
Physical appearance[edit | edit source]
Revan was an unprepossessing man, with fair skin and black hair[18]. Neither tall, nor particularly handsome. Indeed, Revan described his own features as "unremarkable" and "average"Template:Ref. During the Mandalorian Wars Revan took to wearing his hair long, sometimes tied back and sometimes flowing freely past his shoulders. However, after having his memories altered by the Jedi Council Revan maintained a shorter style. At somepoint before or after his conscription aboard the Endar Spire Revan grew a beard, which he wore throughout the Jedi Civil War, and after. This beard eventually became a trademark part of his appearance. So much so, that after being awarded the Hero's Cross Revan shaved it off and ceased wearing Jedi robes in public, seeking to dissasociate himself from the celebrity he had become.Template:Ref
Relationships[edit | edit source]
- "Love doesn't lead to the dark side. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled, but passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love, that's what they should teach you to beware, but love itself will save you, not condemn you."
- ―Jolee Bindo
Bastila Shan[edit | edit source]
- "I love you too, with all my heart."
"You aren't afraid to love anymore?"
"After this? No. Nothing could make me feel safer than to be loved by you." - ―Bastila Shan and Revan
The first known interaction that took place between Revan and Bastila happened on the bridge of his flagship when he was still the Dark Lord of the Sith. Bastila had been part of a strike team that was assigned to capture him. But before they could engage in combat, Malak betrayed Revan by firing on the bridge the ship. Revan was seriously wounded by the attack and on the verge of death. When Bastila realized there was still a chance to save Revan, she used the Force to save his life, and in doing so forged a Force Bond between them. Bastila would later tell Revan that she saved him because as a Jedi, she held all life sacred, even the life of a Sith Lord.[2]
Bastila brought Revan to the Jedi Council, who decided to erase his memory and create a new identity for him. They did this because the bond between him and Bastila allowed her to see Revan's past memories, which they thought might lead to finding a way to stop the Sith. Revan became a soldier under Bastila's command and went on to rescue her on Taris. After returning to Dantooine, the Council there decided to retrain Revan in the Jedi arts. Revan was eventually deemed worthy of being a full fledged member of the Order again, and he and Bastila were assigned to track down the Star Forge.[2]
During their search for the Star Forge, Revan and Bastila started to grow closer, and eventually fell in love. Although Revan believed they could be together, Bastila was reluctant since the Jedi forbade love. However, after resisting for a period of time, she opened up to Revan and they shared a kiss. But after that, she insisted that it was for the best that they stay on their mission and ignore the feelings they shared. Saul Karath would later attempt to exploit their feelings by torturing Bastila to gain information from Revan. But although seeing his love in pain was torture to him, Revan refused to tell Karath anything.[2]
During the escape from the Leviathan, Revan discovered his true identity and the truth behind his memory loss. Soon after this, Bastila was captured by Malak and Revan was forced to leave her behind to continue the quest for the Star Forge. Revan and Bastila would meet again atop the Temple of the Ancients on Lehon. There, Revan found Bastila had fallen to the dark side and become Malak's apprentice. A devastated Revan tried to persuade Bastila back to the light, but Bastila attacked him, Jolee and Juhani. After beating her back, Bastila attempted to persuade Revan to reclaim the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith, even trying to manipulate his feelings for her to do so. After a struggle with his inner darkness, Revan refused Bastila's offer, and the fallen Jedi fled to the Star Forge.[2]
Revan and Bastila's love would face its ultimate test when they confronted each other on the Star Forge. Bastila, under orders from Malak, attempted to kill Revan. But after several rounds, Bastila saw she wasn't strong enough to defeat Revan. She begged Revan to kill her, but Revan refused and once again implored her to return to the light. Although Bastila didn't believe she could be redeemed, she was proven wrong when Revan confessed that he loved her. This knowledge ultimately led to Bastila rejecting the dark side and declaring her love for Revan. After the confrontation, Bastila used her battle meditation to aid the Republic fleet in battle against the Sith armada while Revan went off to confront Malak for the last time. Both escaped the Star Forge before it was destroyed, and along with their companions, they were proclaimed the heroes of the Republic.[2] Within two years of this, Revan and Bastila were married. Template:Ref
Despite this happy outcome, Revan and Bastila would ultimately have to part ways. In the year following the end of the war, Revan continued to remember more of his past, and he eventually remembered the True Sith Empire. Believing he had to do what he could to stop the Sith, Revan said goodbye to Bastila and left for the Unknown Regions. As of five years later, Bastila was still waiting for Revan to return, but it is believed he never did.
Bastila eventually gave birth to at least one child, and her family line would continue on for at least three hundred more years. Although it is unknown if Revan fathered Bastila's child, by the time of the Treaty of Coruscant it was believed by some that Satele Shan was Revan's descendant.
Powers and abilities[edit | edit source]
- "…Your potential is unlimited…"
- ―Zhar Lestin
Lightsaber training[edit | edit source]
- "You, Revan, are the single greatest warrior of this age, and any battle we fight will bring me honor."
- ―Canderous Ordo
Revan was known as a highly skilled warrior, having defeated some of the greatest and most accomplished fighters of his time during the Mandalorian Wars and the subsequent Jedi Civil War, including the former Echani general and senator Yusanis, Mandalore the Ultimate, and Darth Malak, who was counted among the skilled swordsmen of the era.[2]
While he was stuck on Taris, he participated in the dueling ring to earn some credits. Under the alias of "The Mysterious Stranger", Revan defeated the top five duelists, Deadeye Duncan, Gerlon Two-Fingers, Marl, Ice, and Twitch, to become the champion. His dueling sparked the interest of the former Mandalorian Bendak Starkiller, who only fought in death matches, but it is unknown if these two met in the ring. Perhaps one of Revan's more impressive feats was his single-handed slaying of a pair of terentatek in the depths of the ancient Sith Lord Naga Sadow's tomb on Korriban. Finally, Revan was able to fight his way through the entire compliment of battle droids, Sith troopers, and Dark Jedi stationed on the Star Forge, and was able to defeat both Bastila and Malak despite their powers being augmented by the strong Dark Side alignment of the Star Forge itself.[2]
Revan wielded a violet-bladed lightsaber when he acquired his trademark helmet on Cathar.[15] By the end of the Mandalorian Wars, however, Revan's lightsaber shined a deep cyan.[18] Upon falling to the dark side of the Force and becoming a Sith Lord, he would change his lightsaber color to crimson.[2] Following his capture, reconstruction and redemption, Revan would once again utilize a blue lightsaber crystal in his fight against Malak and the Sith.[18][32]After the end of the war he switched to a green lightsaber which he used during his journey to the Unknown Regions.
Force powers[edit | edit source]
- "Revan was power. It was like staring into the heart of the Force."
- ―Kreia
Revan was an incredibly talented and diligent student of the Force— the most gifted of his time—and eventually, by all accounts, became a very powerful Force practitioner. As one of the few individuals in galactic history to reach the heights of Sith power and return to the Jedi, he proved himself highly skilled in the use of both the light and dark sides of the Force.
Both as a Sith Lord and as a Jedi, Revan used a variety of Force powers. He was extremely proficient in the use of Telekinesis being able to move many objects simultaneously, use a very powerful force push.He could also grip, choke and wound his enemies and even use the Force to create a whirlwind of Force energy that would encircle and damage his opponents. He was also proficient in the use of Force storm using to create untold havoc among his enemies. He also used the force to augment his speed or perform various acrobatic feats, and was able to use the dark side of the Force to tap into his innermost fears, pain and hate, and convert them into intense anger, channeling it to increase his speed, strength, and ferocity. Revan also used powers that were able to afflict his opponents, and was capable of using the Mind trick.[16] He also used the Jedi healing technique.[5] Though the full extent of Revan's abilities is unknown, before his and Revan's final duel, Darth Malak stated that Revan was stronger in the Force than he ever was as the Dark Lord of the Sith.[2] When he was retrained in Dantooine he also displayed Floating Meditation. At some point in his life Revan also created a Holocron, which was later discovered by Darth Bane, where he had information on the usage of many dangerous and very powerful force powers, such as the deadly Thought bomb. Whether Revan knew how to use these techniques contained in the holocron is not known.
Other abilities[edit | edit source]
- "His strategies and tactics defeated the best of us. Even Mandalore himself was taken aback by the ferocity of his attacks, the tenacity of his defenses and the subtlety of his plans."
- ―Canderous Ordo
Revan was an exceptionally capable strategist and tactician. Certain individuals, such as Canderous Ordo, went as far as to place almost the entirety of the Republic's victory in the Mandalorian Wars on his success.[2] Likewise, before his capture during the Jedi Civil War, there were those that believed that it was only a matter of time before he conquered the entire galaxy.[1]
Revan's originality as a battlefield commander would earn him the undying respect of both the Mandalorian and Echani warrior cultures as according to the former, Revan represented a supremely worthy foe—one that both embodied their philosophies and showed them their weaknesses.[2] The Echani, on the other hand, believed that Revan represented the epitome of what one could achieve in the arts of war, and that his skill was born out of a highly advanced battle precognition.[1]
- "What can I say? I'm a talented individual."
- ―Revan
In addition to his combat prowess, Force mastery, and imaginative battle strategies, Revan spoke and comprehended a variety of languages, including Basic, Mando'a,[33] Binary, Huttese,[16] Shyriiwook, and the Selkath and Rakatan languages. It is unknown whether this was an intuitive understanding born of his Force sensitivity or the result of his previous application of Force techniques, but the The One, the leader of the Black Rakata, stated that during his time as a Dark Lord of the Sith, Revan ripped the language from the mind of one of the Rakata. Interestingly, he was unable to understand the language of the Sand People, requiring the use of HK-47 as an interpreter.[2]
Like Anakin Skywalker millennia later,[34] Revan was a skilled mechanic. According to Kreia, the first of his Jedi Masters, Revan exhibited a natural talent and interest in machinery, particularly droids. While Kreia held a great deal of pride for her Padawan's unique abilities with the Force, she was nevertheless confounded by Revan's preference of droids as she herself could find little to no interest in "all things dead to the Force." Years later, Kreia stated to the Exile that she believed Revan's talent for building droids stemmed from his desire for followers that obey orders without question. With that in mind, Revan would come to succeed in creating his ideal droid not long after recreating himself into the Dark Lord of the Sith.[1]
Shortly after the Battle of Malachor V, he built the sophisticated "protocol droid," HK-47.[1] He also displayed this skill during his time searching for the Star Forge, when he was able to repair HK-47 enough to regain many of his old memories and combat programs. However, HK's memories of his previous service with Revan would remain locked deep in his memory core and untouchable until Malak revealed to the re-programmed Revan his true identity. He proved adept at repairing abandoned, decommissioned, or rusted droids encountered on his journey and could program them to fight for him.[2] Furthermore, Revan proved himself adept at racing swoop bikes. His first known taste of the sport was on Taris, where he defeated the veteran Black Vulkar racer Redros, taking the Sector Championship to win Bastila Shan's freedom. He continued to compete professionally, eventually winning both the Tatooine and Manaan sector championships.[2]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Most of Revan's story, as dictated above, is the plot of the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Though there are numerous possibilities to change on the details of the events above and Revan may end up as a redeemed Jedi or a renewed Sith Lord, the canonical ending features his return to the light side.[16] This follows the usual practice of LucasArts. While Revan's gender is specified by the player, the canonical Revan is confirmed by Leland Chee to be male.[35] Also, The New Essential Chronology[36] and the Chronicles of the Old Republic,[37] published prior to the release of The Sith Lords, both refer to Revan as male. However, this has proven a controversial point among some fans of the series.
Revan was voiced by Rino Romano. While his main dialogue is never voiced, when his game sprite is selected, poisoned, achieving a critical hit, etc., his voice can be heard.[2]
As second place runner-up in the ToyFare magazine Fan's Choice Figure Poll, an action figure of Darth Revan was released in the third quarter of 2007 in the 30th Anniversary Collection: Expanded Universe Wave 5.[38] Originally a Quinlan Vos figure was to be made, but Hasbro was already creating one in a special two-pack series. The figure is wearing a mask that does not match the one seen in the game.
Continuity[edit | edit source]
Because of the interactive nature of the game vs. the set format of continuity, many canonical aspects of Revan's life may contradict player choice, such as order in which the Star Maps are found, lightsaber color/style, etc. Due to his appearance with two lightsabers in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords,[1] some have argued that Revan employed Jar'Kai as his combat style. In all Knights of the Old Republic cutscenes[2] and other canonical source material,[31] Revan wields but one blade. It is not known which form Revan favors, and no retcon has yet been developed to assign one to him.
Amnesia[edit | edit source]
- "Even the combined power of the Jedi Council couldn't keep your identity buried forever, could it? The Jedi strike team captured you and the Council used the Force to reprogram your mind: they wiped away your identity and turned you against your own followers."
- ―Darth Malak
Some uncertainties remain concerning the sequence of events that caused Revan's amnesia. Within the primary source material, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, two seemingly contradictory explanations are provided. Bastila Shan told Revan, "When Malak fired on the ship you were badly injured. We thought you were dead. Your mind was destroyed"; however, all other sources in the game and all later sources, including the Chronicles of the Old Republic,[37] The New Essential Chronology,[36] and the StarWars.com Databank,[39][40] clearly report that the Jedi Council erased Revan's memory.
The New Essential Chronology explicitly states that the "Jedi Council chose not to imprison or execute Revan. Instead they Force-scoured the memories from the fallen Jedi's brain, placing Shan in charge of a powerful warrior who was now little more than a blank slate."[36] In any case, Revan had recovered the memories taken from him by the Jedi Council by the time he and his party infiltrated the Star Forge; the New Essential Chronology states, "Aided by the full Republic fleet, Revan—now in possession of the memories the Council had erased—killed Darth Malak and destroyed the Star Forge above Rakata Prime."[36] However, according to Bastila Shan, Revan's full memory could never be restored to him: "Your mind was too badly damaged to ever fully restore your memories, Revan. But your power, your strength of will, the essence of who and what you are: these things remain!"[2]
Fall to the dark side[edit | edit source]
During a conversation in Knights of the Old Republic, Lamar stated that "Revan was once a promising Padawan. But ever eager to learn more about the Force, Revan sought knowledge of Sith magics, foolishly ignoring the dangerous lure of the dark side." Lamar also expressed the opinion that Revan and Malak had fallen under the sway of the dark side even before the Mandalorian Wars. Later in the game, Bastila Shan and members of the Enclave Council opined that Revan and Malak took their first steps towards the dark side when they investigated a complex of ruins on Dantooine. Inside, they found the first of five Star Maps which, when combined, would ultimately lead them to the Star Forge. Shan stated that, "this must be what Revan and Malak found when they entered this temple. This must be where their journey down the dark side began."[2]
The Chronicles of the Old Republic state that, in the year 3,963 BBY, Revan was already influenced by the dark side when he began to develop "an evil but brilliant plan: Using the dark power of Malachor V, he will seduce an army of Jedi, completely loyal to him alone." In the years following that event, the Chronicles assert that Revan was further corrupted while studying Sith artifacts, relics, and holocrons which he had discovered within vast tombs and cities buried beneath the surface of Malachor V.[37] According to Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, Revan became the Dark Lord of the Sith two years after discovering Malachor, in the year 3,961 BBY.[31] However, the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide states that Revan assumed the position of the Dark Lord of the Sith after he and Malak found the Star Forge in the year 3,960 BBY.[16]
The available evidence concerning Revan's motivations for embracing the dark side is equally conjectural. In The Sith Lords Kreia stated that, "perhaps Revan never fell. The difference between a fall and a sacrifice is sometimes difficult, but I feel that Revan understood that difference, more than anyone knew. The galaxy would have fallen if Revan had not gone to war. Perhaps he became the dark lord out of necessity, to prevent a greater evil."[1] Yet, whatever his original intentions may have been, Revan eventually embraced the dark side completely. His holocron would later advise Darth Bane that the "dark side offers power for power's sake. You must crave it. Covet it. You must seek power above all else, with no reservation or hesitation."[19]
Daniel Erickson, lead writer for Star Wars: The Old Republic, wrote that Revan and Malak went into deep space and met the Sith Emperor where they were turned and sent back to prepare the way for the return of the true Sith;[41] however when they started to conquer the Republic, they started doing things by their own will. It is not certain if both were already fallen Jedi turned by the Emperor into Sith or just strongly tainted by the dark side when they met him.
Name[edit | edit source]
- "The importance you put in a name is misleading, young one. You of all people should remember that."
- ―Nemo
In Star Wars continuity, there has been some ambiguity concerning whether or not "Revan" is the character's original name or merely an alias. Abel G. Peña comments on his starwars.com blog that he believes that Revan and Malak used their true names, thus making them the first Sith to take up the "Darth" title without also adopting a Sith moniker.[42] However, in the guide Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, Alek Squinquargesimus, a Jedi from the Knights of the Old Republic comics, was confirmed to have been Darth Malak.[31] John Jackson Miller has hinted that Revan might not be his original name, although the Knights of the Old Republic comics have not taken a stance on Revan's identity as of yet.[43] Similar inquiries were answered in Star Wars Insider with a reminder that Revan was mainly referred to as such by people talking about him well after he took up the name Darth Revan,[44] although some logs left over from the Mandalorian Wars on Dxun in Knights of the Old Republic II refer to him as "Revan."[1] In the Q&A section of the twenty-ninth issue of the comic series, Miller promised that the comics would "speak to the matter of Revan and Malak–perhaps sooner than you may think."[45] However, it is known that for a time, he was known as the "Revanchist" by the public. While his real name has not been revealed, his discovery of his signature Mandalorian mask led him to take on the shortened name of "Revan". Therefore, it seems likely that Revan is not his real name, and rather a moniker that allowed others to identify with him, and also a symbol of what he wished to accomplish.
Revan's designation as "the Prodigal Knight" does not actually make sense, given that "prodigal" means "wastefully or recklessly extravagant".[46] This mistake is likely due to a misunderstanding of the Biblical Parable of the Prodigal Son, a story which tells of a young man who spent his inheritance foolishly before repenting and returning to his father. In that context, "prodigal" refers to the mistake of the son in wasting his inheritance, not his later repentance for that error.
Dark side ending[edit | edit source]
- "Malak is dead—all hail the return of Darth Revan, the true Lord of the Sith!"
- ―Bastila Shan
Accepting Bastila Shan's offer, Revan struck down the Jedi Jolee Bindo and Juhani (only Jolee if Juhani had been killed on Dantooine), the stain of their blood on the temple stone symbolizing Revan's return to power. He returned to the Ebon Hawk and explained the absence of Bindo and Juhani to his stunned party. Shocked by his return to the dark side, Carth Onasi fled, leaving Mission Vao to be mercilessly struck down by Revan. Alternatively, Revan used his mind-dominating Force powers to convince Zaalbar to kill Mission, or Revan will have to kill them both. Flying to the Star Forge, Shan used her battle meditation to thwart the Republic fleet, allowing Revan to penetrate the depths of the Star Forge to fight Darth Malak. Striking Malak down, Revan regained his rightful place as Dark Lord of the Sith.[47]
Using the resources he now commanded as Master of the Star Forge, Revan created an infinite fleet that rolled forth to crush the Republic.[47] Surprisingly, however, Revan soon halted his offensive. It was noted as odd that Revan deliberately avoided striking the Republic's manufacturing facilities in his previous war, and again that he seemingly ended the Star Forge's production of vessels early. Shan, in a holocron discovered on Korriban, reported that Revan mysteriously vanished one day and told her to wait for him. Bereft of a strong dark side user to guide it, the Star Forge atrophied and was destroyed by the Republic.
It is assumed that Darth Revan visited all his former strongholds searching for something that is not yet readily apparent. It is known, however, that he headed for the Unknown Regions with the intent of stopping something menacingly powerful, something that was apparently responsible for initially coercing the Mandalorians to invade. Revan's former Master, Kreia, suggested that Revan was searching for the original Sith Empire.[48]
Cut alternate ending[edit | edit source]
- "No, it's too late for that. And it's too late for you to turn back… but you can end this here. There's still time for one final act of redemption."
- ―Carth Onasi (from cut non-canon ending)
Should the player have chosen to play as a female Revan and successfully completed the romance sub-plot with Carth Onasi, if they then choose to join the dark side on Lehon, Onasi flees, declaring that she is not the woman he loves. After Revan defeated Darth Malak on the Star Forge, she was confronted by Onasi again. At this point, Revan was forced to either kill him or have Bastila murder him.[49] Five years later, the Exile would discover a message in T3-M4 from Onasi, which he left as a back up plan in case the increasingly dark-sided Revan eventually betrayed them.[50]
In a cut ending for the first game, it is possible for a dark-sided female Revan to change her mind, kill Bastila, and die with Carth as the Republic destroys the Star Forge. However, the final game only includes the options for Revan or Bastila to kill Carth due to time constraints in making the final movie.[51]
Non-Canon Romances[edit | edit source]
Carth Onasi[edit | edit source]
- "I love you. Even now. Even after… after… after all you have done. I love you like I haven't loved anyone or anything since my wife died. And I didn't even think that was possible."
- ―Carth Onasi
Although not considered canon, if the player chooses to make a female Revan, she and Carth Onasi could flirt and tease each other through the entire game. Because of Onasi's growing affection for Revan, he began to think less about the death of his wife and his desire to kill Saul Karath, the man responsible for her death and the loss of his son, Dustil Onasi. Onasi eventually promised to protect Revan from what was to come. When he discovered that the woman he is falling in love with was Darth Revan, he remained isolated from her, unsure what to do with this information since he believed that Revan's betrayal of the Republic destroyed his life. Onasi eventually came around and confessed that he couldn't hate her no matter how hard he tried. When Revan declined Shan's request to join the dark side, Onasi confessed that he loved Revan in front of the rest of the party members on the beach of Lehon.[52] Although the scene is open for interpretation, fans have assumed this to be the place of Revan and Onasi's kiss, since Mission Vao makes the comment, "Sheesh, get a room, will ya?"
Onasi and Revan remained together as he advanced through the Republic military up to the rank of admiral. But Revan began to remember things she had done as the Dark Lord and used it as a wall between them. She eventually told him that she had to go beyond the Outer Rim to find the other threat beyond the Mandalorians, the True Sith and their empire, though she did not specify exactly what the threat was to Onasi and she left without warning. However, he had anticipated this, at least to some extent, and left hidden programming in T3-M4. Onasi was desperate to find some sign of her, and eventually met up with the Jedi Exile and hoped to hear some word of Revan. Unfortunately for him, the Exile had no news to offer him, but he asked the Exile that if she ever found Revan, to tell her that he was still waiting for her.[53]
Juhani[edit | edit source]
- "I… I… I care for you. I do not know why. I do not know if anything will be possible or if you even return what I feel, but I do know it is there."
- ―Juhani
A second non-canon romance was available to female players. If a female Revan turned Juhani back to the light side and continued to build her trust and friendship along their journey, Juhani slowly developed feelings towards Revan. After Revan rejects the dark side and former identity on the Rakatan temple, Juhani will shyly admit her feelings.[52] This is all that happened between them for the remainder of the game, and what happened for them, regardless if Revan rejects or returns her feelings.
In the original pressing of the first game, there was a bug in the game that allowed a male romance option in certain copies of the game. This bug has been fixed in subsequent versions of the game, and a male romance is not possible without hacking the game.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Shadows and Light Template:Vision
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 0: Crossroads
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 9: Flashpoint Interlude: Homecoming
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 15: Days of Fear, Part 3
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 18: Nights of Anger, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 19: Daze of Hate, Part 1 (Mentioned only) Template:1stID
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 21: Daze of Hate, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 23: Knights of Suffering, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
Interference on Hyperspace (article) (content removed from StarWars.com and unavailable) (Mentioned only)- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 29: Exalted, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Galactic Republic Defense Ministry Daily Brief KD0092 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 42: Masks (In flashback(s))
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 49: Demon, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Lost Tribe of the Sith: Sentinel (Mentioned only)
- The Betrayal of Darth Revan (Mentioned only)
- Knights of the Old Republic: Opportunities (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic: Revan
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords Template:Vision
- Star Wars: The Old Republic, Threat of Peace Act 3: Uncertain Surrender (Mentioned only)
- Timeline 8: The Jedi Civil War Template:Hologram
- Timeline 9: The Mandalorian Wars Template:Hologram
- Timeline 10: The Exar Kun War Template:Hologram
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (Mentioned only)
- Template:Holonet (Mentioned only)
- Knight Errant (Mentioned only)
- Darth Bane: Path of Destruction Template:Holocron
- Echoes of the Jedi (Mentioned only)
- Template:WizCite (Mentioned only)
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Knights of the Old Republic: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
- The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- Chronicles of the Old Republic
- Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide
- The New Essential Chronology
"Heritage of the Sith"—Star Wars Insider 88- Vader: The Ultimate Guide
- The New Essential Guide to Droids
- Template:Wizards
- Star Wars Miniatures: The Force Unleashed
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Handbook
- Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force (The Revanchist first identified as Revan)
"Behind the Threat: The Sith, Part 1: Portrayal" on Wizards.com (original article link, backup links)- Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 22
- The Essential Atlas
- Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 28
- Template:Topps (Sketch Cards)
- The Unknown Regions
- The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
- "Let the Wookiee Win!"—Star Wars Insider 121
- Template:Holonet
Episode Commentary #3.17: Ghosts of Mortis on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
Ebon Hawk in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)- HK-47 in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
- Saul Karath in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
- Darth Malak in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
- Canderous Ordo in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
- Bastila Shan in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
- Sith fighter in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
- Star Forge in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link not verified!)
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
Revan on Wikipedia- Checklist: 10 Star Wars Superweapons - Star Forge on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
- Template:CUSWEID
- Template:CUSWEID
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with missing permanent archival links
- Pages with broken file links
- Candidates for speedy deletion
- Authors
- Dark Lords of the Sith
- Duelists
- Fallen Jedi
- Heads of government and state
- Humans
- Jedi Generals
- Males
- Pre-Ruusan Jedi Knights
- Redeemed Jedi
- Revanchists
- Sith Lords of Revan's Sith Empire
- Sith Lords of the resurgent Sith Empire
- Sith Masters
- Space explorers
- Swoop racers
