For a thousand years the Galactic Republic flourished, with the Jedi Order maintaining
the peace. Slowly and without need for violence or war, the Republic expanded across the galaxy,
spreading their values of democracy, equality and justice to all member worlds.
And while many planets did indeed thrive under Republic rule, those outside their borders
were often left to their own devices, becoming a refuge for mercenaries, pirates and those
escaping the law. Without the jedi or Republic Judicials to enforce rules and regulations,
the Outer Rim became a land of wild ambition, where men might make their fortune. But with
these opportunities and freedoms came great risk and suffering. Slavery was a common practice
in the Outer Rim, with worlds often deeply stratified between rich and poor.
Planets like Tatooine became the home of crime families like the Hutts, while Eriadu was
ruled by the Tarkin family, who brought order and relative prosperity to the world through
iron fisted authority.
The Tarkins even implemented an Outland Regions Security Force, combining the resources of
several Outer rim worlds to create a fleet capable of dealing with rampant piracy within
the Seswenna sector. Over time the people of the Outer Rim began
to resent the rich and comfortable planets of the Republic, believing them responsible
for their difficult conditions.* As a result a culture of animosity and hostility for the
Republic developed on many of these worlds. Isolated from the devastation and poverty
of the Outer rim, the Republic grew complacent, and became corrupted from within. Though the
Galactic Senate and the office of the Chancellor were elected to deal with potential conflict
through peaceful means, the political process became mired in bureaucracy and games of political
ambition. The Jedi, considered themselves allies and servants of the Republic but did
not think it appropriate to interfere in matters of politics, and so were unable to prevent
the factionalism and partisanship of the Senate. Blinding themselves to the possible consequences
of deep political turmoil.
Yet not all Jedi were unaware of the potential for war. It was Jedi Master Sifo Dyas who
foresaw a major conflict approaching. He urged the Jedi High Council to commission a standing
Army for the Republic, but was met with outrage and indignation. Sifo Dyas was expelled from
the High Council, but determined to go on, he travelled in secret to the world of Kamino,
where he ordered the creation of a clone army.
It would take years for the clones to grow mature and ready for combat, but Sifo Dyas
was confident they would be necessary, and so acted alone, believing he was the only
person to know of the plan.
Yet he was decieved, for another had become aware of his schemes and sought to take advantage
of situation.
After the death of Darth Bane, his apprentice became Master of the Sith,* and in keeping
with the Rule of Two, took on a single apprentice, teaching him the secrets of their Order. With
only 2 Sith ever alive at one time, the only method of Advancement for an apprentice would
be to kill their master and take their place. And so the relationship was maintained on
a balance of loyalty and strength. As long as the Master was Strong, the Apprentice owed
absolute obedience, yet if either one ever wavered in their strength or loyalty, the
other would have license to attack. Leaving only a single Sith alive, to find a new apprentice
and begin the process again. Eventually, Darth Plagueis, the wise, came
to power and took on as his apprentice Sheev Palpatine of Naboo who took the name Darth
Sidious. Plagueis was a powerful Dark Lord who found the secret of manipulating the Force
to prevent himself from aging, and may even have had the ability to prevent the deaths
of others. Together with his apprentice they hatched a plan to take over the Senate and
Republic so they might have their vengeance against theJ, and fulfill the vow of revenge
sworn by Darth Bane so many years earlier. And so Sidious, known the rest of the Galaxy
only as Palpatine, worked his way into the political system becoming a Senator for his
home world. Plagueis however would remain in the shadows, ruling through Sidious. Yet
in keeping with the traditions of the Sith, the appentice came to see the subtlety of
Plagueis as weakness, and as murdered his Master in his sleep.
Sidious than rose to the rank of master, and in keeping with the rule of 2, took on Darth
Maul* of Dathomir as his apprentice, training him first as a Dark Side assassin, and after
the death of Plagueis, trained him as a Sith wielding a duel bladed red lightsaber.
For years Sidious, acting as Senator palpatine, manipulated the system from within, finding
allies and earning a reputation as a man of action and integrity. While in secret he took
every opportunity to corrupt and manipulate the process for his own benefit. And so when
Sifo Dyas approached the Kaminoans for a Clone Army, Sidious became aware of his actions,
and contacted Lama Su the Prime Minister of Kamino, arranging for every clone Soldier
to be implanted with an inhibitor chip, that would allow Darth Sidious to gain control
of the entire army at the moment of his choosing.
Darth Sidious than ordered the death of the Jedi Master, ordering the fallen Jedi Count
Dooku who arranged for the Pyke Syndicate to shoot down his ship above the moon of Oba
Diah. 32 years before the battle of Yavin, Sidious
was at last prepared to unleash the revenge of the sith against the Jedi Order. Beginning
with what came to be known as the Naboo Crisis.
The Trade Federation, an enormous merchant conglomerate, with its own representation
in the senate, was outraged by the Republic's decision to begin taxing Free Trade zones
and so allied with Darth Sidious who convinced them to use their droid army to blockade the
relatively weak and unprotected planet of Naboo. Thereby pressuring the Senate to abolish
the new tax laws. In response Senate Chancellor Valorum and
the Jedi High Council sent Master Qui Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi Wan Kenobi to
negotiate terms with the Trade Federation could bring about a peaceful resolution to
the conflict. But Sidious, uninterested in peace, ordered the Federation to kill the
Jedi, and begin a ground invasion of the planet. Despite the betrayal, Qui Gon and Obi Wan
survived and were able to rescue Queen Amidala from Naboo, hiding her on the planet Tatooine
for a time. There, they found a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker, and sensed in
him great Force potential. After learning that the boy was conceived through the Force,
Qui Gonn came to believe he was the Chosen one, who ancient prophecy stated would bring
balance to the force. He then arranged for the boy to be freed, and taken to the Jed
Temple on Coruscant. Yet as they prepared to leave Tatooine, Darth Maul Attacked, and
the Sith at last revealed themselves to the Jedi. And while Qui Gon and the others were
able to escape unharmed, the High council was greatly disturbed to learn of the re-emergence
of the Sith Order. Back on Coruscant the Trade Federation was
able to use loopholes and bureaucratic tricks to block and delay any investigation into
the invasion of Naboo. Senator Palpatine, feigning loyalty to his homeworld, then organized
an opposition to Chancellor Valorum, convincing the Senate he was responsible for the failures
of government. After a vote of no confidence, Senator Palpatine used all his connections
and influence to be elected as new chancellor of the Republic, promising to end the corruption
of the senate and return peace to the galaxy. But Queen Amidala grew impatient and unwilling
to leave the fate of her planet to politicians. And so returned to Naboo, alongside Qui Gon
Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi assigned to protect the Queen. Young Anakin also accompanied them,
despite the hesitation of Yoda and the Council who initially rejected Anakin Skywalker, claiming
he was too old and fearful to become a Jedi. But Qui Gonn disobeyed the council and took
the boy on as his apprentice, claiming Obi Wan was ready for the Trials to become a full
Jedi Knight. On Naboo, Queen Amidala worked quickly, organizing
a defense of her planet, alongside the native Gungan race who lived in the waters of their
world. While the Gungan’s distracted the Federation’s Droid Army in battle, the Queen
and Jedi who accompanied her would attack the palace, to capture the Trade Federation
leadership. Yet as they made their way through they confronted by the Sith Lord Darth maul.
Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi stayed behind and engaged the Sith Lord resulting in the
death of Qui Gon Jinn. Upon seeing the fall of his master, Obi Wan was able to defeat
Maul, cutting him in two and sending him falling down a cavernous shaft. Qui Gon’s final
words to his apprentice instructed him to take on Anakin as an apprentice, once again
claiming they boy was the chosen one. Obi Wan agreed.
Though the Trade Federation was defeated and Naboo liberated, they were only ever pawns
for the larger game being played by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. And despite the appearance
of a defeat, he had in fact succeeded in his plans, having used the Naboo crisis to get
himself elected as Chancellor.
Though Darth Maul was believed dead by all, having been cut in half by Obi Wan Kenobi,
he was so powerful in the dark side of the force, and his hatred so strong, he survived
the event and went on to seek revenge against Obi Wan Kenobi and redemption for his failure.
His journey would see his body restored, and reunite him with his brother, Savage Opress,
who was made a powerful dark side user by the Witches of Dathomir. Together Maul and
Savage used their mighty powers to build an army, taking Mandalore as their realm.
Meanwhile, Darth Sidious, believing his Maul dead, chose the fallen Jedi Count Dooku, as
his apprentice. Darth Tyranus, as he was named, was then ordered to begin a secessionist movement
within the Republic, fracturing the Galaxy and plunging it into war. He obeyed and over
several years his populist movement grew, most strongly in the Outer rim, where resentment
against the bureaucratic corruption of the senate had long been growing. Thousands of
worlds left the Republic and pledged themselves to the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Darth Sidious, then used the Secessionist threat to pass the Military Creation Act,
allowing for the Republic to raise an army to defeat the Separatist threat.
The Jedi and senate, unaware that both sides of the conflict were being manipulated by
Sith Lords, took the Separatist threat seriously and made the decision to use the recently
discovered Clone Army of Kamino, as Republic forces against Dooku and his droid armada.
The Clone Wars, as they became known dragged on for many years utterly devastating both
sides. During the war Anakin Skywalker developed into one of the most powerful Jedi in the
Galaxy, taking on an apprentice of his own in Ashoka Tano, who also proved strong in
the force. Anakin also grew closer to Chancellor Palpatine
and fell in love with Queen Amadila, violating the Jedi Code by marrying her in secret. Chancellor
Palpantine took every opportunity to encourage Anakin’s independent thinking, even organizing
his own kidnapping, manipulating events so that Anakin and Obi Wan would have to face
Count Dooku for his rescue. The Sith apprentice defeated Obi Wan, but was then defeated by
Anakin Skywalker and beheaded at the order of Palpatine. With his Sith apprentice dead,
Palpatine introduced Anakin to the ways of the Dark Side, and revealed himself as a Sith
Lord. Anakin reported the discovery to Mace Windu
who along with Jedi Masters Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar and Saesee Tin attempted to arrest the
Sith Lord Chancellor. Sidious killed all the Jedi save mace Windu who was able to turn
his force lightening against him, scarring his face and draining him of life. Yet just
as Master Windu was about to land the finishing blow, Anakin Skywalker cut off his arm, allowing
for Sidious to send Mace Windu flying out a window to his death. Anakin had fallen to
the Dark Side, believing that only with the help of Darth Sidious would he be able to
prevent the death of his wife and unborn child. Sidious named Anakin Darth Vader and ordered
him to kill of the last of the Separatists leadership to bring about an end to the Clone
Wars. With the attempt on his life a failure, Sidious
pronounced Order 66, triggering the inhibitor chips in all clone soldiers. The clones turned
against their Jedi generals, murdering them even in as they fought side by side. The great
Jedi Purge as it came to be known, finally granted the Sith their vengeance against the
Jedi Order. Sidious then ordered Darth Vader lead the assault against the Jedi Temple on
Coruscant personally, killing Jedi Younglings as his initiation into the Sith.
Having survived the initial purge, Obi Wan Kenobi tracked down Anakin and upon seeing
his fall to the Darkside set out to destroy his former apprentice. The two battled viciously
but obi Wan came out the ultimate victor, cutting off Anakin’s legs and an arm, leaving
him to burn in the fires of Mustafar. Padme Amadala died soon after learning of
Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side, but was able to successfully give birth to twins,
naming them Luke and Leia before her passing.
The children of Anakin Skywalker were split up, with Obi Wan taking the boy to Tatooine
to live with relatives of Anakin’s mother, and the girl given to Bail Organa who would
raise her as a princess of Aldaaran.
Though the Purge devastated the Jedi, some did survive, such as Grand Master Yoda, who
went into exile on Dagobah, having learned from the Force that it was his destiny to
wait for one who would restore the Jedi Order.
With the Separatists and Jedi both defeated, Chancellor Palpatine dissolved the Republic
and declared himself Emperor of the First Galactic Empire. Darth Vader was rescued from
Mustafar and given a machine body and respirator mask to keep him alive and mobile. Vader,
now consumed by his anger and hatred for the Jedi and all he once stood for, was ordered
to lead the hunt against Jedi survivors, in order to ensure their complete annihilation.