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{{Youmay|the dark side of [[the Force]]|[[Darkside (sector)|the Coruscant sector]] or [[Darkside|the space station]]}}
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{{Youmay|the dark side of [[The Force/Legends|the Force]], also known as Bogan|other uses of the terms "[[Dark side (disambiguation)|dark side]]" and "[[Boga (disambiguation)|Bogan]]"|linebreak=1}}
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{{Citation}}
[[File:Darksiders btm.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Darth Sidious, Darth Vader and Jerec, infamous practitioners of the dark side]]
 
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{{Quote|Evil began in a time before recorded history, when magicians made themselves into kings…and gods…using the powers of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to obey one who wields great power. Those who learned the powers of the dark side were quick to exploit this weakness—to make war. Again and again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm…devouring whole worlds and entire star systems. Those who mastered dark power ''became'' dark power. They unleashed destruction, for no other reason than for selfish gain. They despoiled nations…destroyed whole civilizations. Some of them, I am ashamed to say, were Jedi.|[[Ood Bnar]]|Tales of the Jedi Companion}}
 
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[[File:Darksiders_btm.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Palpatine/Legends|Darth Sidious]], [[Anakin Skywalker/Legends|Darth Vader]] and [[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]], infamous practitioners of the Dark side of the Force.]]
The '''dark side of the Force''', called '''Bogan''' or '''Boga''' by ancient [[Force-sensitive]]s, was an aspect of [[the Force]]. Those who used the dark side were known as either [[Darksider]]s or [[Dark Jedi]] when unaffiliated with a dark side organization such as the [[Sith]]. Unlike the [[Jedi]], who were famous for using the [[light side of the Force]], darksiders drew power from raw emotions like anger, rage, hatred, fear, aggression, and passion.
 
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{{Quote|Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.''|[[Yoda/Legends|Yoda]]|<ref name="Episode 1">{{Film|I}}</ref>}}
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The '''dark side of the Force''', called '''Bogan''' or '''Boga''' by ancient [[Force-sensitive/Legends|Force-sensitives]] on [[Tython/Legends|Tython]], was a method of using [[The Force/Legends|the Force]]. Those who used the dark side were known as either [[Darksider]]s, [[Dark Side Adept]]s, or [[Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]] when unaffiliated with a dark side organization such as the [[Sith/Legends|Sith]]. Unlike the [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]], who used the [[Light side of the Force/Legends|light side of the Force]], darksiders drew power from raw emotions and feelings such as anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, fear, aggression, megalomania, and unrestrained passion.
   
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The dark side overrode an individual's character and consumed the souls of those who used it, whilst submitting to the light side meant the [[Death/Legends|death]] of the self and sacrificing for the [[Cosmic Force/Legends|Cosmic Force]], an aspect of the Force that bound all things together and [[Midi-chlorian/Legends|communicated]] its will to all life under the aspect known as the [[Living Force/Legends|Living Force]], the energy of all life.<ref name="Voices">{{TCW|Voices}}</ref> This led the [[Exile (punishment)/Legends|exiled]] Jedi and former Sith, [[Kreia]], who valued the individual over all else, to believe that as the light and dark sides were the two methods of using the Force, the Force itself was detrimental to individuals and thus should be removed from existence.<ref name="TSL">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''</ref>
==Discovery==
 
{{Quote|Once you accept it, the dark side is with you forever.|Freedon Nadd to Exar Kun|audio=FreedonNaddCorruptsExarKun-DLOTS.ogg|Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith}}
 
[[File:Schism4.jpg|thumb|260px|left|A Jedi gives in to the dark side and assaults his Master during the [[Hundred-Year Darkness]].]]
 
The dark side was an aspect of the Force, a metaphysical power that bound [[the galaxy]] together. The first known users of the dark side were the ancient [[Rakata]]ns, a species of alien that conquered a large portion of the galaxy around [[30,000 BBY]]. These aliens were able to harness the dark side to create engineering feats unheard of in their time, such as the [[hyperdrive]] and the [[Star Forge]]. However, the Rakatan [[Infinite Empire]] eventually collapsed when the Rakatans lost their connection to the Force.<ref name="TNEC">''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''</ref>
 
   
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==Definition==
In [[25,053 BBY]], long after the fall of the Infinite Empire, the galaxy was building a new government, the [[Galactic Republic]]. [[36,453 BBY|Prior to]] the dawn of this new era scientists, philosophers, priests, and warriors gathered on the planet [[Tython]] to discuss and investigate [[the Force|an anomalous energy present throughout the galaxy]]. The group was able to discover Ashla, what became known as the light side of the Force. [[25,793 BBY|Eventually]] however, members of the group discovered and began to advocate the use of Bogan, or what would later become known as the dark side. These two groups clashed on the planet in a decade-long conflict known as the [[Force Wars|Force Wars of Tython]]. In the aftermath of the war, the followers of Ashla developed the [[Jedi Order]], while the followers of Bogan seemingly faded from history.<ref name="TNEC" /><ref name="TJP">''[[The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (real-life book)]]''</ref>
 
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{{Quote|Evil began in a time before recorded history, when magicians made themselves into kings&hellip;and gods&hellip;using the powers of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to obey one who wields great power. Those who learned the powers of the dark side were quick to exploit this weakness&mdash;to make war. Again and again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm&hellip;devouring whole worlds and entire star systems. Those who mastered dark power ''became'' dark power. They unleashed destruction, for no other reason than for selfish gain. They despoiled nations&hellip;destroyed whole civilizations. Some of them, I am ashamed to say, were Jedi.|[[Ood Bnar]]|<ref name="Tales of the Jedi Companion">''[[Tales of the Jedi Companion]]''</ref>}}
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[[File:Schism4.jpg|thumb|left|260px|[[Unidentified Jedi Knight (Dark Holocron)|A Jedi]] gives in to the dark side and assaults [[Unidentified Human male Jedi Master (Sith holocron)|his Master]].]]
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The dark side was an aspect of the Force, a metaphysical power that bound [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]] together. It was selfishness and possession, interlocked with the fear of loss that gave rise to anger and hate and brought suffering to those on whom its power was unleashed and who embraced it alike.
   
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The first known users of the dark side were the ancient [[Rakata]], an alien species that conquered a large portion of the galaxy around [[30,000 BBY]]. These aliens were able to harness the dark side to create engineering feats unheard of in their time, such as the [[Force-drive|hyperdrive]] and the [[Star Forge]]. However, the Rakatan [[Infinite Empire]] eventually collapsed when the Rakatans lost their connection to the Force.<ref name="TNEC">''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''</ref>
The dark side would not present a significant threat again until [[24,500 BBY]], in the [[First Great Schism]] of the Jedi Order. Once again however, the followers of the dark side, including [[Lettow]] [[General]] [[Xendor]], the first known [[Dark Jedi]], were defeated by the members of the Jedi Order. Those who followed Xendor came to be known as the [[Legions of Lettow]], and embraced combat in place of meditation, and focused their emotions on battle rather than calm. Several members of the Jedi Order would once again take up these teachings and embrace the dark side in [[7,000 BBY]] sparking the [[Hundred-Year Darkness]]. Although the Dark Jedi were again defeated and eventually exiled, it was this conflict that allowed for the creation of an enduring dark side organization, as the Exiles would be the predecessors to the [[Sith]].<ref name="TNEC" /><ref name="TJP" /><ref name="JvS">''[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force]]''</ref>
 
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In [[25,053 BBY]], long after the fall of the Infinite Empire, the galaxy was creating a new government, the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]]. [[36,453 BBY|Prior to]] the dawn of this new era, scientists, philosophers, priests, and warriors gathered on the planet Tython to discuss and investigate [[The Force/Legends|an anomalous energy present throughout the galaxy]]. The group was able to discover Ashla, what became known as the light side of the Force. [[25,793 BBY|Eventually]] however, members of the group discovered and, led by hatred and greed,<ref name="TJP" /> began to advocate the use of Bogan, or what would later become known as the dark side. At first the group founded the [[Je'daii Order]], the predecessor to the Jedi Order. The Je'daii Order advocated using both sides of the Force and placed heavy emphasis on maintaining balance between the two.
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However, during a Rakatan invasion of Tython, the effects and demands of the war forced the Je'daii to cast aside the balance in exchange for the power of the dark side to defeat their enemies. After the Rakata had been defeated, the main Je'daii group wanted to return to the balance. However, the Order split into two groups: the followers of Ashla, who believed their gifts meant to use to achieve knowledge, and the followers of Bogan, who claimed their abilities gave them mandate to rule the galaxy and sought personal power. This conflict within the order and led to a civil war. These two groups clashed on the planet in a decade-long conflict known as the [[Force Wars]] of Tython. In the aftermath of the war, the followers of Ashla emerged victorious and formed the [[Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]], vowed to defend the light and liberate other worlds, while the followers of Bogan seemingly faded from history.<ref name="TNEC" /><ref name="TJP">[[The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (real-life book)|''The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force'']]</ref>
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The dark side did not present a significant threat again until [[24,500 BBY]] during the [[First Great Schism]] of the Jedi Order. Once again, however, the followers of the dark side, including the first known [[Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]] [[Lettow/Legends|Lettow]] [[General/Legends|General]] [[Xendor]], were defeated by the members of the Jedi Order. Those who followed Xendor came to be known as the [[Legions of Lettow]], embraced their passions and celebrated the self, rejecting the concept of order and structure. Several members of the Jedi Order would eventually take up these teachings and embrace the dark side in [[7000 BBY]], sparking the [[Hundred-Year Darkness/Legends|Hundred-Year Darkness]]. Although the Dark Jedi were again defeated and eventually exiled, it was this conflict that allowed for the creation of an enduring dark side organization, as these Exiles were the predecessors to the [[Sith/Legends|Sith]].<ref name="TNEC" /><ref name="TJP" /><ref name="JvS">[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force (real-life book)|''Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force'']]</ref>
   
 
==Nature of the dark side==
 
==Nature of the dark side==
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{{Quote|Anger, fear, aggression... the dark side are they.|Yoda|<ref name="TESB" />}}
{{Quote|Evil is a word used by the ignorant and the weak. The dark side is about survival. It's about unleashing your inner power. It glorifies the strength of the individual.|Darth Zannah|Darth Bane: Rule of Two}}
 
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[[File:Dark_Side_symbol.png|thumb|150px|An ancient symbol representing the dark side of the Force]]
The dark side was seen as having been used for selfish purposes, although many darksiders who were accused of such selfishness claimed that their dark side was simply a means to achieve an end. One of the most notable examples was [[Anakin Skywalker]], who embraced the dark side with the intentions of saving [[Padmé Amidala|his wife]], at the expense of the Jedi Order. Many found the dark side to be addictive, being unable to resist its pull the more they subjected themselves to it. Dark side users became more powerful as their physical bodies slowly decayed. However, some users like [[Mara Jade Skywalker|Mara Jade]] noted that the use of the dark side was a practical matter, as the power it granted was more efficient when performing destructive Force powers like telekinesis. Like the light side, the dark side was often treated as though a semi-sentient entity with purposeful designs.<ref name="JvS">''[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force]]''</ref><ref name="IJedi">''[[I, Jedi]]''</ref><ref name="ROTS">''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''</REF>
 
   
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The dark side was selfishness, fear, and aggressive feelings in all living things. However, beings were often tempted to deny and try to escape from this truth, imagining the dark side to be something external, something that is not the part of them, something that they can rid themselves of. Such hubris was easy to fall into—even Grand Master Yoda, who trained to conquer his darkness for hundreds of years, initially refused to recognize his own dark reflection. However, in denying this truth he only fed the dark side.<ref>{{TCW|Destiny (episode)}}</ref> The trap of the dark side was that whatever one selfishly gained through it, it was never enough. The Sith were butchering each other, victims of their own greed, [[New Sith Wars|which led to their defeat and near destruction during their wars against the Jedi]].<ref>{{TCW|Sacrifice}}</ref>
It has been theorized by some (notably [[Vergere]]) that there is no such thing as the dark side but only malevolent intent in the user, since most dark side users already had negative intentions in their being or fell victim to the temptations of absolute power and domination. This theory was fervently opposed by the Jedi Master Yoda.<ref name="Traitor">''[[Traitor]]''</ref><ref name="Betrayal">''[[Betrayal]]''</ref>
 
   
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The difference between the dark and light sides also appeared in how they feel to those who are aware of them. The light side at times was described as a flowing river: soothing, constant, with hidden strength. In contrast, the dark side was described as a roaring fire: obviously powerful, seductive, cold, and potentially dangerous. Sith lords [[Revan/Legends|Darth Revan]] and [[Darth Bane/Legends|Darth Bane]] claimed that while the light side represented the compassion and tranquility of all beings of the galaxy, the dark side focused on individual passion and strength. They also claimed that while the light side was about maintaining the status quo, the dark side was about change and evolution.
====Allure of the dark side====
 
{{Quote|That ship is alive with the dark side, Master Yoda. I can feel it clinging to my robes. And worse, it still tempts me, calling me back with promises of fantastic journeys to the far reaches of the galaxy.|[[Saesee Tiin]]|The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels}}
 
[[File:GiveInToAnger-JATM.jpg|thumb|230px|right|A [[Jedi General]] gives in to his anger and strikes down a subordinate.]]
 
   
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Although many darksiders claimed that the dark side was simply a means to achieve an end, the dark side been used for selfish purposes. One of the most notable examples was [[Anakin Skywalker/Legends|Anakin Skywalker]], a Jedi who embraced the dark side with the intentions of prevent [[Padmé Amidala/Legends|his wife's]] death after seeing her die in a [[Force vision/Legends|vision]], even at the expense of the Jedi Order and innocent lives. Many found the dark side to be addictive, unable to resist its pull the more they were subjected to it. Even as their physical bodies slowly decayed, Dark side users became more powerful in the Force. However, some users, like [[Mara Jade Skywalker|Mara Jade]], noted that the use of the dark side was a practical matter, as the power it granted was more efficient when performing destructive Force powers like telekinesis.{{Fact}} Like the light side, the dark side was often treated as a semi-sentient entity with purposeful designs.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="IJedi">''[[I, Jedi]]''</ref><ref name="ROTS">{{Film|III}}</ref>
The Sith would call it enlightenment, but no records show exactly how a conversion to the dark side transpired. The dark side was extremely addictive, and almost impossible to renounce. Every time a person in tune with the Force called on the dark side, they became more and more addicted to the power it brought them. The dark side's corruptive influences could take control in moments. Although the Jedi primarily characterized the dark side as little more than a dangerous shortcut to power, those who embraced the dark side did so for many different reasons.<ref name="JvS" />
 
   
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It has been theorized by some (notably [[Vergere]]) that there is no such thing as the dark side but only malevolent intent in the user, since most dark-side users already possessed negative intentions or else fell victim to the temptations of absolute power and domination. [[Palpatine/Legends|Darth Sidious]] also hinted that there was truly only one Force that was above such things as "positive and negative, black and white, good and evil." He claimed that the only difference was that the Jedi saw the Force as a power in itself, while the Sith believed it was a means to power. This theory was fervently opposed by the Jedi Master Yoda.<ref name="Traitor">''[[The New Jedi Order: Traitor]]''</ref><ref name="Betrayal">''[[Legacy of the Force: Betrayal]]''</ref> Additionally, Darth Plagueis believed that there were distinct differences between the energies of the light and dark sides as well as distinct differences in how one drew upon each.<ref name="Darth P">[[Darth Plagueis (novel)|''Darth Plagueis'']]</ref>
Some believed the dark side to be a more generous than the light, as it provided power, strength, and determination. Many of the original Dark Jedi in the Great Schisms of the Jedi Order held this idea, and believed it foolish of the Jedi to restrict themselves to a lesser interpretation of the Force. Some fell to the dark side for the sake of knowledge, such as [[Anakin Skywalker]] in his fight to discover a way to save the life of his wife and children.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTSn">''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (novel)]]''</ref>
 
   
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===Allure of the dark side===
Others believed that it was a necessary evil in dire times, such as [[Darth Caedus]] and [[Revan|Darth Revan]], while [[Kreia|Darth Traya]] embraced it so she might be able to find a way to destroy the Force as a whole.<ref name="Betrayal" /><ref name="KOTOR2">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''</ref> Some embraced the dark side not out of personal desire, but as a means to battle the [[Jedi]], as [[Aurra Sing]] did.<ref name="J:AS">''[[Jedi: Aayla Secura]]''</ref> For many, like [[Darth Talon]], [[Irek Ismaren]], [[Darth Bane]], [[Vestara Khai]], and [[Mara Jade Skywalker|Mara Jade]] the dark side was the first side of the Force they were introduced to, and thus they never truly "fell" into it.<ref name="LegacyBroken2">''[[Star Wars: Legacy 2: Broken, Part 2]]''</ref><ref name="TOTG">''[[Threats of the Galaxy]]''</ref><ref name="DB:PoD">''[[Darth Bane: Path of Destruction]]''</ref><ref name="Omen">''[[Omen (novel)]]''</ref><ref name="JvS" /> Often the call of the dark side was felt following a personal tragedy, as [[Shaela Nuur]] and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] experienced following the death of loved ones.<ref name="SaL">''{{Tales|23|Shadows and Light}}''</ref><ref name="SotJ">''[[Secrets of the Jedi]]''</ref> Others turned to it in times of need or distress, such as [[Exar Kun]], [[Darth Krayt]], and [[Komari Vosa]].<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS3">''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith 3: Descent to the Dark Side]]''</ref><ref name="LegacyClawsOfTheDragon3">''[[Star Wars: Legacy 16: Claws of the Dragon, Part 3]]''</ref><ref name="Databank">{{DB|character|komarivosa|Komari Vosa}}</ref> In addition, it was possible to be drawn to the dark side by proximity to a nexus of dark side energy, such as [[Malachor V]] or the [[Valley of the Dark Lords]] on [[Korriban]].<ref name="KOTOR2" />
 
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{{Quote|It takes strength to resist the dark side. Only the weak embrace it.|Obi-Wan Kenobi|<ref name="Lawless">{{TCW|The Lawless}}</ref>}}
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[[File:GiveInToAnger-JATM.jpg|thumb|left|230px|A Dark Jedi gives in to his rage and cuts down a subordinate.]]
   
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The darks side was part of all what lived. Individuals, Force-sensitive or not, could easily fallen prey to their fear, hate, anger, pride, greed and passions. Though their pasts and situations were varied, almost all who turned to the dark side did so because they faced challenges and difficulties. The changes these individuals underwent that led them to the dark side were clearly a result of their life experiences up to that point, and their willingness or unwillingness to resist the emotive forces that pulled one over the threshold of its allure and power.<ref name="JvS" /> Among the most powerful of those emotive forces—which lightsiders were ever cautioned to ''resist'' and darksiders were ever admonished to ''embrace''—are fear and anger led to hate, which, as Yoda was quick to caution, was the dark side.
Regardless of their reasons, almost all who fell to the dark side did so because they had been faced with challenges and difficulties they felt the light side was incapable of fixing. Whatever changes they had undergone were clear results of the lives they had led and the experiences they had survived.<ref name="JvS" />
 
   
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Some fell to the darkness because of the fear of loss and in attempt to defy death such as Anakin Skywalker in his fight to discover a way to keep his wife from dying.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTSn">[[Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (novelization)|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'' novelization]]</ref> Corruption often occurred following a personal tragedy, as [[Shaela Nuur]], Kueller, [[Jaina Solo Fel|Jaina Solo,]] [[Obi-Wan Kenobi/Legends|Obi-Wan Kenobi]], and Anakin Skywalker experienced following the death of loved ones - though as Kenobi and Solo showed it was possible for a Force user to reject such temptation even when someone they cared about was killed.<ref name="SaL">{{Tales|23|Shadows and Light}}</ref><ref name="SotJ">[[Secrets of the Jedi (novel)|''Secrets of the Jedi'']]</ref><ref name="ATOC">{{Film|II}}</ref> For many, like [[Darth Talon]], [[Irek Ismaren]], [[Darth Bane/Legends|Darth Bane]], [[Darth Nox]], [[Vestara Khai]], [[Galen Marek|Starkiller]], and Mara Jade, the dark side was the first side of the Force to which they were introduced and thus they were easily brought to its service.<ref name="LegacyBroken2">[[Legacy (2006) 2|''Legacy'' (2006) 2]]</ref><ref name="TOTG">''[[Threats of the Galaxy]]''</ref><ref name="DB:PoD">''[[Darth Bane: Path of Destruction]]''</ref><ref name="Omen">''[[Fate of the Jedi: Omen]]''</ref><ref name="JvS" /> Some believed that it was a necessary evil in dire times, such as [[Darth Caedus]] and [[Revan/Legends|Darth Revan]]. In some cases, Jedi who had had limited control over the light side found their power and natural talent massively stronger in the dark side. Others fell because they saw the light side and the endless rules that the Jedi expected to maintain it as too much to follow, as well as too limiting to their influence on the galaxy. They saw the dark side and its tenets of free passion, action, and emotion as a much better alternative to a life as sterile servitude under the light, as was believed by [[Kyp Durron]] and [[Kueller]]. Some believed the dark side to be more generous than the light, as it provided power, strength, and determination. Many of the original Dark Jedi in the Great Schisms of the Jedi Order held this idea and believed it foolish of the Jedi to restrict themselves to an interpretation of the Force they deemed lesser. Individuals also turned because they felt that the dark side is more effective in order to achieve their goals than the patience and peaceful nature of the light. Among these believers were Exar Kun, [[Ulic Qel-Droma/Legends|Ulic Qel-Droma]], [[Darth Karrid]], [[Anakin Skywalker/Legends|Darth Vader]] and [[Yuthura Ban]].
===Corruption of the dark side===
 
{{Quote|Will I eventually be physically transformed?"<br>"Into some aged, pale-skinned, raspy-voiced, yellow-eyed monster, you mean. Such as the one you see before you. Surely you are aquainted with the lore: King Ommin of Onderon, Darths Sion and Nihilus. But whether it will happen to you, I can't say. Know this, though, Sidious, that the power of the dark side does not debilitate the practitioner so much as it debilitates those who lack it. The power of the dark side is an illness no true Sith would ever wish to be cured of.|Darths [[Palpatine|Sidious]] and [[Darth Plagueis|Plagueis]] discuss the physical signs of dark side immersion.|Star Wars: Darth Plagueis}}
 
   
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[[File:SuljoWardesFall-CotG.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Suljo Warde]] fell to the dark side out of fear of betrayal.]]
[[File:NASTY BAST.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Palpatine|Darth Sidious]], deformed by decades of immersion in the dark side<ref name="Interview with Ian McDiarmid">{{Cite_web|url=http://outnow.ch/specials/2005/StarWars-Episode3/interview-McDiarmid.E/|title=Outnow.ch » Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - Interview with Ian McDiarmid}}</ref><ref name="Ian McDiarmid on Playing the Most Evil "Star Wars" Character of the Franchise">{{Cite_web|url=http://movies.about.com/od/starwars3/a/starwars101205_2.htm|title=About.com: Hollywood Movies » Ian McDiarmid on Playing the Most Evil "Star Wars" Character of the Franchise}}</ref><ref>[[Star Wars Insider 82]] » [[The Evil Within]] - {{C|Written by [[Brett Rector]]}}</ref>]]
 
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Fear was most often the starting point in a slide to the dark side—for, like a plague, it could quickly and rampantly affect individuals, groups, entire populations of cities, and even planets; and like a stream that becomes a raging river, it led naturally to anger, chaos, and unbridled power, if left unabated. When fear was thus allowed to fester and go unchecked, it could take hold and create a concentration of dark side energy that bordered on being something that approached a [[Vergence/Legends|vergence]] or nexus in the Force. Those who were [[Force-sensitive/Legends|Force-sensitive]] could, often with great facility, detect such concentrations. Others became vulnerable to it as a result of endured agony such as [[Darth Krayt]], and [[Komari Vosa]].<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS3">[[Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 3|''Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith'' 3]]</ref><ref name="LegacyClawsOfTheDragon3">[[Legacy (2006) 16|''Legacy'' (2006) 16]]</ref><ref name="Databank">{{DB|character|komarivosa|Vosa, Komari}}</ref>
The dark side, much like a strong, addictive narcotic, affected not only the mind of the user but the appearance as well. As one immersed themselves deeper within the dark side of the Force, its malevolent power would take a toll on the body.
 
   
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Certain individuals [[Kreia|Darth Traya]] embraced it so she might be able to find a way to destroy the Force as a whole. She also believed that the contrast of the dark side was necessary for a lightsider to truly understand the Force.<ref name="Betrayal" /><ref name="KOTOR2">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''</ref>
Many darksiders experienced a change in the pigmentation of their eyes, as their normal eye color would transform into a luminous, [[sulfur]]ic yellow. Often the skin would also lose pigmentation, becoming pale and mottled while veins became increasingly visible. The hair would also lose color, making it appear as though the darksider was aging rapidly. The user's voice would also be altered, becoming a few pitches lower and raspier.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="ROTSn" />
 
   
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The Jedi Order taught its members to reject the temptation of the dark side. In order to do this, the Jedi lived by an extensive set of rules called the [[Jedi Code/Legends|Jedi Code.]] One of the most important tenets was the cease of attachment. Living beings tended to mistake attachment for love, whereas attachment was possession and as such, like everything of the dark side, had selfishness at its core. Since it was possession, it fed into the fear of loss, which was yet another face of greed. When attachment creeped onto love, it became pain just like Anakin Skywalker described it: love was haunted by the fear of loss and the fear of the pain that loss would bring about—thus, it was not love, but a prison, in which the loved and the lover were both prisoners.<ref>{{TCW|Overlords}}</ref> Attachment led to jealousy and it was always followed by fear, which led to hate. The Jedi were well aware of that the way of the Force, the way of the universe was that everything's pass, and for this they were not supposed to form attachments: holding on to a person or a thing beyond its time was the path of misery, putting once's selfish desire against the Force. Thus the Jedi had to let go of everything they were afraid to lose, to surrender attachment to persons and things that passed out of their lives. Anakin Skywalker's attachment to his wife and the fear of loss that flowed from it caused his fall to the Dark Side of the Force.<ref name="ROTS" /><ref name="ROTSn" /><ref>''[[Labyrinth of Evil]]''</ref>
The effects generally progressed over time and immersion in the dark side, and would not immediately affect one's appearance. [[Dooku|Darth Tyranus]] and [[Galen Marek]], for example, did not suffer any of the physical degeneration of the dark side, and their eyes only assumed the yellow hue during moments of anger.<ref name="WotM">''{{TCW|Witches of the Mist}}''</ref><ref name="TFUc">''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (comic)]]''</ref> [[Luke Skywalker]] suffered none of these effects during his brief bout of intense anger that allowed him to disarm Darth Vader, nor did [[Kyle Katarn]] during either of the times that he was (at least partially) driven by the dark side against [[Jerec]] and later [[Desann]].<ref name="ROTJ">''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]''</ref><ref name="JediOutcast">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''</ref> In contrast, [[Teneniel Djo]], after calling on the Dark Side to kill a [[Nightsister]] in the [[Battle of Dathomir]], instantly acquired a burst blood vessel in her face, something common to the Nightsisters.<ref name="CoPL">''[[The Courtship of Princess Leia]]''</ref> Of those that embraced the dark side, different individuals would experience different symptoms: [[Darth Malak]], for example, experienced a change in eye color and acquired a slight pallor, but no other effects that could be explained naturally (although he required a [[vocabulator]] after his jaw was severed).<ref name="KOTOR">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''</ref> Only those that devoted almost all of their being to the dark side, such as [[Palpatine|Darth Sidious]], would have their appearance radically altered.<ref name="KOTOR2" /> It should be noted that Palpatine's most drastic physical alterations occurred during the lightsaber duel with Jedi Master Mace Windu; Windu having used his own lightsaber to deflect Palpatine's Force lightning causing the uncontrolled energy to radically alter Palpatine's physical features.<ref name="ROTS">''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''</ref>
 
   
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===Corruption of the dark side===
In time, the corruption could go beyond mere cosmetic details and directly impair physical abilities. [[King]] [[Ommin]] of [[Onderon]] was a proficient [[Sith sorcerer]] for most of his life, and the dark side held him under its decaying influence until he eventually became incapable of movement and needed support from a cyborg [[Ommin's mechanical exoskeleton|exoskeleton]] in order to survive. The worst case of this transformation would be [[Darth Nihilus]], who not only was completely consumed by the dark side mentally but also physically. He had become a living entity of the dark side of the Force and uncaring of all life.<ref name="TDSsb">''[[The Dark Side Sourcebook]]''</ref><ref name="KOTOR2" />
 
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{{Quote|Will I eventually be physically transformed?"<br />"Into some aged, pale-skinned, raspy-voiced, yellow-eyed monster, you mean. Such as the one you see before you. Surely you are acquainted with the lore: King Ommin of Onderon, Darths Sion and Nihilus. But whether it will happen to you, I can't say. Know this, though, Sidious, that the power of the dark side does not debilitate the practitioner so much as it debilitates those who lack it. The power of the dark side is an illness no true Sith would ever wish to be cured of.|Darths [[Palpatine/Legends|Sidious]] and [[Darth Plagueis/Legends|Plagueis]] discuss the physical signs of dark side immersion|<ref name="Darth P" />}}
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[[File:Emperor_Sidious.png|thumb|275x275px|[[Palpatine/Legends|Darth Sidious]], deformed after decades of using the Dark Side.]]
   
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The dark side, much like a strong, addictive narcotic, affected not only the mind of the user but the appearance as well. As one immersed oneself deeper within the dark side of the Force, its malevolent power took a toll on the body. Darth Bane explained that the reason for this physical degradation was because flesh and bone lacked the endurance to channel the immense power of the dark side indefinitely. Revan also explained that while the light side and Jedi teachings were devoted to preventing physical change through the Force, the dark side changes had to be accepted by the Sith, or they would fail due to their attempts at moderation.
The dark side could have an even greater effect on the mind, as the user may stop trusting people and become quick to anger. Following Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, he believed his wife was plotting to kill him with [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]. His paranoia and anger lead him to [[Telekinesis#Force Choke|strangle her through the Force]]. Continued immersion in the dark side could even result in insanity, as in the case of Dark Jedi [[Boc Aseca]], [[Alema Rar]], and [[Joruus C'baoth]].<ref name="ROTSn" /><ref name="DarkForces2">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]''</ref><ref name="Tempest">''[[Tempest (novel)]]''</ref>
 
   
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Many darksiders experienced a change in the pigmentation of their eyes, as their normal eye color would transform into luminous, [[Sulfur/Legends|sulfuric]] yellow, a blood red or dark orange, usually with fiery red rims around the irises. Further transformations could also turn the white of the eyes black or reddish in color, as well as the skin around the eyes. The most severe transformations would cause the darksider to appear to be aging rapidly, as the skin would lose pigmentation, becoming pale and mottled while veins became increasingly visible and hair would lose color. At some point, the user's voice could also be altered, becoming a few pitches lower and raspier.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="ROTSn" />
It was possible for these corrupting powers to be potent enough to affect those who were simply in close proximity to a [[Force nexus|nexus of dark side energy]].<ref name="TFU2n">''[[The Force Unleashed II (novel)]]''</ref> [[Colonel]] [[Tobin]] of [[Onderon]], a man who had no known sensitivity to the Force, was so affected by the presence of Darth Nihilus and the ''[[Ravager]]'' that he fell into madness and exhibited the appearance of one who had immersed themselves in the dark side.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
 
   
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The effects generally progressed with time and continued immersion in the dark side, but would not immediately affect one's appearance. [[Dooku/Legends|Darth Tyranus]] and Galen Marek, for example, did not suffer any of the physical degeneration of the dark side, and their eyes only assumed the yellow hue during moments of anger.<ref name="WotM">{{TCW|Witches of the Mist}}</ref><ref name="TFUc">[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (comic)|''Star Wars: The Force Unleashed'' comic]]</ref> [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]] suffered none of these effects during his brief bout of intense anger that allowed him to disarm Darth Vader, nor did [[Kyle Katarn]] during either of the times that he was (at least partially) driven by the dark side against [[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]] and later [[Desann]].<ref name="ROTJ">{{Film|VI}}</ref><ref name="JediOutcast">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''</ref> In contrast, [[Teneniel Djo]], after calling on the dark side to kill a [[Nightsisters/Legends|Nightsister]] in the [[Battle of Dathomir (Hunt for Zsinj)|Battle of Dathomir]], instantly acquired a burst blood vessel in her face, something common to the Nightsisters.<ref name="CoPL">''[[The Courtship of Princess Leia]]''</ref> Of those that embraced the dark side, different individuals would experience different symptoms: [[Darth Malak]], for example, experienced a change in eye color and acquired a slight pallor, but no other effects that could be explained naturally (although he required a [[Vocabulator/Legends|vocabulator]] after his jaw was severed).<ref name="KOTOR">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''</ref> Only those that devoted almost all of their being to the dark side, such as [[Palpatine/Legends|Darth Sidious]], would have their appearance radically altered.<ref name="KOTOR2" /> It should be noted that Sidious's most drastic physical alterations occurred during the lightsaber duel with Jedi Master Mace Windu; Windu using his own lightsaber to deflect Sidious' Force lightning caused the uncontrolled energy to radically alter Sidious' physical features.<ref name="ROTS" /> Darth Caedus had his eyes change hue, but after a year of using the dark side, nothing else had occurred.
[[File:Sion Korriban.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Darth Sion]] used his own pain to preserve his fractured and broken body.]]
 
   
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[[File:Corrupted_icewolf.png|thumb|left|200px|An [[icewolf]] corrupted by the dark side of the Force]]
While the dark side could destroy a body, it was also capable of sustaining one. The hateful, passionate, determined energies of the dark side were so powerful that it could prevent death for a body that was far past the point of death for a normal being. [[King]] [[Adas]] of [[Korriban]] survived for almost three centuries. [[Darth]] [[Darth Sion|Sion]], who suffered grievously in the [[Great Sith War]] and the [[Jedi Civil War]] had the appearance of a walking corpse. His flesh was "cracked and scarred" and he had "several thousand fractures in his skeleton," according to a Republic medical officer. He survived through the power of hate, according to Darth Traya, and called upon the dark side to make him near-immortal. Darth Vader had his legs and arms amputated shortly before having his lungs seared as he was burned alive on [[Mustafar]]. His life was saved only after intervention by his master, [[Palpatine|Darth Sidious]], and his dark side healing abilities. After his transformation into a cyborg, Vader called heavily upon the dark side to marginalize his wounds so he could again be self-sufficient.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="ShadowsOfTheEmpirenovel">''[[Shadows of the Empire (novel)]]''</ref><ref name="end">''{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/member/insideronline/88/indexp2.html|text=Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties|int=Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties}}''</ref>
 
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In time, the corruption could go beyond mere cosmetic details and directly impair physical abilities. [[King/Legends|King]] [[Ommin/Legends|Ommin]] of [[Onderon/Legends|Onderon]] was a proficient [[Sith sorcerer]] for most of his life, and the dark side held him under its decaying influence until he eventually became incapable of movement and needed support from a cyborg [[Ommin's mechanical exoskeleton|exoskeleton]] in order to survive. Another extreme case of dark side corruption was [[Darth Zash]], whose extensive study of the dark side led to immense physical degradation and eventually a fatal terminal condition. The worst case of this transformation would be [[Darth Nihilus]], who was completely consumed by the dark side both mentally and physically. Eventually, he became an aberration of the dark side that existed only to consume life.<ref name="TDSsb">''[[The Dark Side Sourcebook]]''</ref><ref name="KOTOR2" />
   
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The dark side could have an even greater effect on the mind, as the user often stopped trusting people and become quick to anger. Following Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, he believed his wife was plotting to kill him with Obi-Wan Kenobi. His paranoia and anger led him to [[Telekinesis/Legends#Force Choke|strangle her through the Force]]. Continued immersion in the dark side could even result in insanity, as in the case of Dark Jedi [[Boc Aseca]], [[Alema Rar]], and [[Joruus C'baoth]]. It should be noted however, that the individuals who went insane were all disturbed or traumatized even before their conversion, and the dark side simply exacerbated their conditions.<ref name="ROTSn" /><ref name="DarkForces2">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]''</ref><ref name="Tempest">''[[Legacy of the Force: Tempest]]''</ref>
===Fear of the dark side===
 
{{Quote|Don't threaten me. ''Children'' are frightened by spirits&mdash;Jedi are ''not''.''"<br />"''Mmmm. But Jedi ''are'' frightened by the dark side&hellip;or at least they ''should'' be. ''Your'' fascination with the dark side will get you into ''grave'' trouble.|Exar Kun and Freedon Nadd|audio=KunNadd-DLotS.ogg|Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (audio)}}
 
   
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It was possible for these corrupting powers to be potent enough to affect those who were simply near a [[Force nexus|nexus of dark side energy]].<ref name="TFU2n">[[The Force Unleashed II (novel)|''The Force Unleashed II'' novelization]]</ref> [[Colonel/Legends|Colonel]] [[Tobin (Human)|Tobin]] of [[Onderon/Legends|Onderon]], a man who had no known sensitivity to the Force, was so affected by the presence of Darth Nihilus and the [[Ravager (Centurion-class)|''Ravager'']] that he fell into madness and exhibited the appearance of one who had immersed themselves in the dark side.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
As the dark side was often associated with darker emotions, darksiders were portrayed to the galaxy as savage and evil. The Jedi Order disagreed so strongly with the purpose of the dark side of the Force that they distanced themselves from anything possibly related to the dark side. After the [[Ruusan Reformation]], the order placed many limitations on Jedi to protect order members from temptation by dark side influences. The Jedi Order forbade members romantic attachments, relationships with their families, and any type of action based on anger. These limits came from the belief that those Jedi who had deep personal attachments with loved ones also had motivation to use the power of the Force selfishly for protection, personal enrichment, or the pursuit of more power. Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side in large part because then-Chancellor Palpatine knew of his secret marriage to Padmé Amidala, and he was able to prey upon that vulnerable emotional connection.<ref name="TJP" /><ref name="ROTS" />
 
   
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While the dark side could destroy a body, it was also capable of sustaining one. The hateful, passionate, determined energies of the dark side were so powerful that it could prevent death for a body that was far past the point of death for a normal being. [[King/Legends|King]] [[Adas]] of [[Korriban]] survived for almost three centuries. [[Darth/Legends|Darth]] [[Darth Sion|Sion]], who suffered grievously in the [[Great Sith War/Legends|Great Sith War]] and the [[Jedi Civil War]] had the appearance of a walking corpse. His flesh was "cracked and scarred" and he had "several thousand fractures in his skeleton," according to a Republic medical officer. He survived through the power of hate, according to Darth Traya, and called upon the dark side to make him near-immortal. After [[Darth Maul/Legends|Darth Maul]] was cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo and fell down a reactor shaft, he should have died. However his rage and desire for revenge fueled the dark side to keep himself alive, to the point when he returned twelve years later. However this severe use of the dark side might have caused his descent into insanity. Darth Vader had his legs and arms [[Dismemberment/Legends|amputated]] shortly before having his lungs seared as he was burned alive on [[Mustafar/Legends|Mustafar]]. His life was saved only after intervention by his master, Darth Sidious, and his dark side healing abilities. After his transformation into a cyborg, Vader called heavily upon the dark side to marginalize his wounds so he could again be self-sufficient.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="ShadowsOfTheEmpirenovel">[[Shadows of the Empire (novel)|''Shadows of the Empire'' novel]]</ref><ref name="end">''{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/member/insideronline/88/indexp2.html|text=''Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties''|int=Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties|archivedate=20110604035610}}''</ref>
Many&mdash;especially those who had embraced the dark side&mdash;believed this to be a result of fear. Often those who held this belief looked down upon the Jedi and other lightsiders, criticizing them for cowardice and inaction.<ref name="J:CD">''[[Jedi: Count Dooku]]''</ref>
 
   
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For a rare few, however, the dark side was a path to true preservation of the body without any physical decay (besides possibly the change in eye color). Galactic Alliance Chief of State Darth Caedus was able to use the dark side to heal himself,<ref name=":0" /> and Darth Krayt restored his body to life and health when he learned how to control the Dark transfer of energy.<ref>[[Legacy—War 1|''Legacy—War'' 1]]</ref>
As the dark side was often associated with infamous historical figures, such as Freedon Nadd, Darth Revan, and Emperor Palpatine, it is unsurprising that many throughout the galaxy would harbor such animosity to its users. Many expletives were also associated with the dark side, including ''"By the Dark Side!"'', ''"Chaos take me!"'', ''"Holy Sith!'', and ''"Minions of Xendor!"''.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="TheParadiseSnare">''[[The Paradise Snare]]''</ref>
 
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===Fear of the dark side===
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{{Quote|Don't threaten me. ''Children'' are frightened by spirits&mdash;Jedi are ''not''.''"<br />"''Mmmm. But Jedi ''are'' frightened by the dark side&hellip;or at least they ''should'' be. ''Your'' fascination with the dark side will get you into ''grave'' trouble.|Exar Kun and Freedon Nadd|audio=KunNadd-DLotS.ogg|<ref name="Tales:DLSaudio">[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (audio)|''Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith'' (audio)]]</ref>}}
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Many&mdash;especially those who had embraced the dark side&mdash;believed this to be a result of fear. Often those who held this belief looked down upon the Jedi and other lightsiders, criticizing them for cowardice and inaction.<ref name="J:CD">''[[Jedi: Count Dooku]]''</ref> Many Sith and even a few Jedi mocked the Jedi Order for claiming to strive to understand the Force while refusing to study everything it had to offer. They claimed that the Jedi scrutinized a single layer of the Force, while they dug beneath layer after layer, understanding and evolving. Many Sith Lords have expressed this viewpoint. [[Darth Malgus]] claimed that the Jedi refused to accept that the Force encouraged conflict, allowing those who survive to understand it better. Darth Sidious claimed that the Sith embraced all aspects of the Force, not just "the dogmatic view of the Jedi." And [[Darth Nox]] stated that the thing that united the Sith was that they "did not repress their emotions, and they embraced everything that the Force allowed."
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As the dark side was often associated with darkness, darksiders were portrayed to the galaxy as savage and evil. As the dark side was often associated with infamous historical figures, such as Exar Kun, Darth Revan, and Darth Sidious, it is unsurprising that many throughout the galaxy would harbor such animosity to its users. Many expletives were also associated with the dark side, including "By the Dark Side!," "Chaos take me!," "Holy Sith!," "Sith Blood/Spit!," and "Minions of Xendor!"<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="TheParadiseSnare">''[[The Paradise Snare]]''</ref>
   
 
===Death of dark side users===
 
===Death of dark side users===
{{Quote|Too bad we don't have a Dark Jedi handy we could kill. Remember that big blast when C'baoth died?|Mara Jade|Vision of the Future}}
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{{Quote|Too bad we don't have a Dark Jedi handy we could kill. Remember that big blast when C'baoth died?|Mara Jade|<ref name="Vision">''[[Vision of the Future]]''</ref>}}
[[File:NihilusDissolvesOnTheRavager.jpg|left|thumb|225px|Dark energy stems from Darth Nihilus' body as it fades away.]]
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[[File:NihilusDissolvesOnTheRavager.png|thumb|225px|Dark energy stems from Darth Nihilus' body as it fades away.]]
Certain dark side users, upon being killed, would explode in a [[Dark side burst|blast of blue energy]]. [[Palpatine|Emperor Palpatine]] exploded in this way in [[4 ABY]] after being thrown down a reactor core shaft in [[Death Star II|the second]] [[Death Star]] by a redeemed [[Anakin Skywalker]]. In [[9 ABY]], [[Joruus C'baoth]] also exploded in a [[Dark side burst|blast of blue energy]] after being stabbed by Mara Jade's lightsaber. Other Dark Jedi, such as [[Darth Nihilus]] and [[Jerec]] did not explode, but rather dissolved into dark side energy upon their death, leaving no remains of their bodies. It remains a mystery why these individuals died in this manner while other dark side users, such as [[Count]] [[Dooku]], did not.<ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="TheLastCommand">''[[The Last Command]]''</ref><ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="DarkForces2" /><ref name="ROTS" />
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Certain dark side users, upon being killed, would explode in a [[Dark side burst|blast of blue energy]]. Darth Sidious exploded in this way in [[4 ABY/Legends|4 ABY]] after being thrown down a reactor core shaft in [[Death Star II|the second]] [[Death Star/Legends|Death Star]] by a redeemed Anakin Skywalker. In [[9 ABY/Legends|9 ABY]], [[Joruus C'baoth]] also exploded in a [[Dark side burst|blast of blue energy]] after being stabbed by Mara Jade's lightsaber. [[Darth Nihilus]] and [[Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]] [[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]] did not explode, but rather dissolved into dark side energy upon their death, leaving no remains of their bodies. It remains a mystery why these individuals died in this manner while other dark side users, such as Darth Tyranus, did not.<ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="TheLastCommand">''[[The Last Command]]''</ref><ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="DarkForces2" /><ref name="ROTS" />
   
Mysteriously, when [[Shaak Ti]] was struck down by [[Galen Marek]] and thrown into the mouth of a giant [[sarlacc]], she died in a way similar to the explosions mentioned above, but was in no way a dark side user. The reason her death occurred in the manner it did has yet to be clarified. It may be that this occurs when a more powerful force-user is killed and thus force "side" affiliation may be irrelevant.<ref name="TFU">''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (video game)]]''</ref>
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Mysteriously, when [[Shaak Ti/Legends|Shaak Ti]] was struck down by Galen Marek and thrown into the mouth of a giant [[Sarlacc/Legends|sarlacc]], she died in a way similar to the explosions mentioned above, but was in no way a dark side user. The reason her death occurred in the manner it did has yet to be clarified. It may be that this occurred when a more powerful Force-user was killed and thus Force "side" affiliation may be irrelevant.<ref name="TFU">[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (video game)|''Star Wars: The Force Unleashed'' video game]]</ref>
   
 
==The Four Stages of the dark side==
 
==The Four Stages of the dark side==
{{Quote|To those of you who believe they are immune to any of these stages&hellip;I say you are already victim to the dark side's seductive tendrils, and urge you to listen as you have never listened before.|Tolaris Shim|Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force}}
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{{Quote|To those of you who believe they are immune to any of these stages&hellip;I say you are already victim to the dark side's seductive tendrils, and urge you to listen as you have never listened before.|Tolaris Shim|<ref name="JvS" />}}
The '''''Four Stages of the Dark Side''''' was a thesis presented by the Jedi Master [[Tolaris Shim]] that outlined her beliefs on what constitutes a complete fall to the dark side. Based on the events surrounding the fall of Ulic Qel-Droma, Master Shim studied deep into the histories of those Jedi whose personal motivations drove them to the dark side for one reason or another. Sometime shortly after the end of the Great Sith War, Master Shim presented her findings to the Jedi assembly. These findings would be the standard by which Masters identified the signs of one's potential corruption by the dark side.<ref name="JvS">''[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force]]''</ref>
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The '''''Four Stages of the Dark Side''''' was a thesis presented by the Jedi Master [[Tolaris Shim]] that outlined her beliefs on what constitutes a complete fall to the dark side. Based on the events surrounding the fall of Ulic Qel-Droma, Master Shim studied deep into the histories of those Jedi whose personal motivations drove them to the dark side for one reason or another. Sometime shortly after the end of the Great Sith War, Master Shim presented her findings to the Jedi assembly. These findings would be the standard by which Masters identified the signs of one's potential corruption by the dark side.<ref name="JvS" />
   
 
====Stage 1: Temptation====
 
====Stage 1: Temptation====
{{Quote|Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. They fear you. In time they will destroy you. Let me show you the true nature of the Force. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death.|Darth Sidious to Anakin Skywalker|Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith}}
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{{Quote|Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study ''all'' its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a ''larger'' view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death.|Darth Sidious to Anakin Skywalker|<ref name="ROTS" />}}
[[File:ExarTempted.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Exar Kun being tempted by Freedon Nadd]]
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[[File:ExarTempted.jpg|thumb|left|275px|Exar Kun being tempted by Freedon Nadd]]
 
Tolaris Shim believed that because a Jedi was in tune with the Force and could use it to whatever ends they saw fit, situations would arise that tempted the Jedi toward selfish applications of the Force. Rushing to help friends, facing obvious perils, and ending disputes quickly were all acts of haste that according to Master Shim would result in steps onto the dark path should the individual act first and contemplate later.<ref name="JvS" />
 
Tolaris Shim believed that because a Jedi was in tune with the Force and could use it to whatever ends they saw fit, situations would arise that tempted the Jedi toward selfish applications of the Force. Rushing to help friends, facing obvious perils, and ending disputes quickly were all acts of haste that according to Master Shim would result in steps onto the dark path should the individual act first and contemplate later.<ref name="JvS" />
   
Knights like the charismatic Exar Kun were less "honor-bound". Intrigued with tales of the dark side told by Master [[Vodo-Siosk Baas]], Kun was easily seduced by what he perceived as unrestrained power&mdash;power that was his for the taking. This power was that of the dark side, and it did not hesitate in coercing other young Jedi to follow.<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS">''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith]]''</ref>
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Knights like the charismatic Exar Kun were less "honor-bound." Intrigued with tales of the dark side told by Master [[Vodo-Siosk Baas]], Kun was easily seduced by what he perceived as unrestrained power&mdash;power that was his for the taking.<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS">''[[Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - Dark Lords of the Sith]]''</ref>
   
 
====Stage 2: Imperilment====
 
====Stage 2: Imperilment====
{{Quote|Like you, he believed the dark side could be conquered from within. Such was not to be. The dark side seduced him utterly&hellip;and anger became his path!|Odan-Urr, warning Ulic Qel-Droma|Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith}}
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{{Quote|Like you, he believed the dark side could be conquered from within. Such was not to be. The dark side seduced him utterly&hellip;and anger became his path!|Odan-Urr, warning Ulic Qel-Droma|<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS" />}}
According to Master Shim, a hasty, indecisive Jedi can be quite a catastrophe to themselves. Also, any Jedi who believes that a "shortcut" through the path of the dark side will be lined with signs redirecting him back toward the light is only deluding himself. Shim felt that a Jedi cannot be blinded by the idea of doing what they perceive to be right, by any means necessary. She also believed that if one accepts the darkness by which they are surrounded as a means to power, then the next stage has no bearing on their concerns. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker was conflicted in this manner. To save his wife from impending death, Skywalker believed that he could do so through the power of the dark side, while remaining uncorrupted by it. Because he accepted the dark side as the power necessary to bring about good, he was completely given over to it. He too, like Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma before him, succumbed fully to the wiles of the dark side, yet as Darth Vader, Anakin did not realize that he may have had to turn in order to [[Chosen One|bring balance to the Force]].<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTSn" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS" />
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According to Master Shim, a hasty, indecisive Jedi can be quite a catastrophe to themselves. Also, any Jedi who believes that a "shortcut" through the path of the dark side will be lined with signs redirecting him back toward the light is only deluding himself. Shim felt that a Jedi cannot be blinded by the idea of doing what they perceive to be right, by any means necessary. She also believed that if one accepts the darkness by which they are surrounded as a means to power, then the next stage has no bearing on their concerns. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker was conflicted in this manner. To save his wife from impending death, Skywalker believed that he could do so through the power of the dark side, while remaining uncorrupted by it. Because he accepted the dark side as the power necessary to bring about good, he was completely given over to it. He too, like Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma before him, succumbed fully to the power of the dark side, yet as Darth Vader, Anakin did not realize that he may have had to turn in order to [[Chosen One/Legends|bring balance to the Force]].<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTSn" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS" />
   
 
====Stage 3: Submission====
 
====Stage 3: Submission====
[[File:PalpatineAnakin-JvS.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Darth Vader is born.]]
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[[File:PalpatineAnakin-JvS.jpg|thumb|160px|Darth Vader is born.]]
{{Quote|I pledge myself&hellip;to your teachings."<br />"Good&hellip;Good. The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as'' Darth&hellip;Vader''.|Darth Sidious anoints Anakin Skywalker as Darth Vader|Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith}}
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{{Quote|To cheat death is a power only [[Darth Plagueis/Legends|''one'']] has achieved. But if we work together, I know we can discover the secret."<br />"I pledge myself&hellip;to your teachings."<br />"Good&hellip;Good. The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as'' Darth&hellip;Vader''.|Darth Sidious anoints Anakin Skywalker as Darth Vader|<ref name="ROTS" />}}
Master Shim believed that once a Jedi accepts the dark path, having to justify the end by the means is of no more concern. Situations like attempting to destroy the Sith through infiltration, or trying to save loved ones from death have caused several famous Jedi to explain away their actions based on the desired outcomes. At this point, their fall to the dark side is nearly complete.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTS" />
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Master Shim believed that once a Jedi accepts the dark path, the end justifying the means becomes irrelevant. Situations like attempting to destroy the Sith through infiltration, or trying to save loved ones from death have caused several famous Jedi to explain away their actions based on the desired outcomes. At this point, their fall to the dark side is nearly complete.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTS" />
   
On occasion, Jedi who wander away from the light suddenly become aware of their poor decisions. According to Master Shim, these Jedi are not so far beyond redemption. Jedi Master Atris, having succumbed to the dark side influence of [[Sith holocron]]s in her possession, was restored to the light following a fierce confrontation with the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]]. Some Jedi, such as Exar Kun, found the power of the dark side intoxicating and so fully surrendered themselves to it. To Master Shim, these individuals are no longer orthodox Jedi but [[Dark Jedi|twisted perversions]] of their former selves. It is then the responsibility of the Jedi to either bring the dissenter back into the fold, or eliminate them.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS" />
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On occasion, Jedi who wander away from the light suddenly become aware of their poor decisions. According to Master Shim, these Jedi are not so far beyond redemption. Jedi Master Atris, having succumbed to the dark side influence of [[Sith holocron/Legends|Sith holocrons]] in her possession, was restored to the light following a fierce confrontation with the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]]. Some Jedi, such as Exar Kun, found the power of the dark side intoxicating and so fully surrendered themselves to it. To Master Shim, these individuals are no longer orthodox Jedi but [[Dark Jedi/Legends|twisted perversions]] of their former selves. It is then the responsibility of the Jedi to either bring the dissenter back into the fold, or eliminate them.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS" />
   
 
====Stage 4: Redemption/Atonement====
 
====Stage 4: Redemption/Atonement====
{{Quote|The Dark Lord Revan is dead. I am a servant of the light now.|Revan|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic}}
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{{Quote|The Dark Lord Revan is dead. I am a servant of the light now.|Revan|<ref name="KOTOR" />}}
Tolaris believed that a Jedi who is only slightly tainted by the dark side could atone for their actions through meditation, reflection, and absolution. She also believed that a Dark Jedi was beyond atonement, and therefore only eligible for redemption. According to Master Shim, a redeemed Jedi is one who has performed a selfless act of heroism without using the dark side to obtain results. Such acts include saving the life of another through completely selfless action (such as Darth Vader [[Duel on Death Star II#Luke's torture|saving his son from death]] by destroying Emperor Palpatine), or helping to right a wrong one has helped to create (such as Ulic Qel-Droma assisting in the [[Battle of Yavin 4 (Great Sith War)|defeat]] of Exar Kun). This happens from time to time, but on many occasions Dark Jedi were beyond enlightenment, some outright refusing to be restored. To this effect Master Shim noted that a Dark Jedi who does not want to relinquish his powers cannot be saved.<ref name="JvS">''[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force]]''</ref><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="TOTJ:TSW6">''[[Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War 6: Dark Lord]]''</ref>
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Tolaris believed that a Jedi who is only slightly tainted by the dark side could atone for their actions through meditation, reflection, and absolution. She also believed that a Dark Jedi was beyond atonement, and therefore only eligible for redemption. According to Master Shim, a redeemed Jedi is one who has performed a selfless act of heroism without using the dark side to obtain results. Such acts include saving the life of another through completely selfless action (such as Darth Vader [[Battle of Endor/Legends#Demise of the Sith|saving his son from death]] by destroying Emperor Palpatine), or helping to right a wrong one has helped to create (such as Ulic Qel-Droma assisting in the [[Battle of Yavin 4 (Great Sith War)|defeat]] of Exar Kun). This happens from time to time, but on many occasions Dark Jedi were beyond redemption, some outright refusing to be returned to the light side. To this effect Master Shim noted that a Dark Jedi who does not want to relinquish his powers cannot be saved.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="TOTJ:TSW6">[[Tales of the Jedi The Sith War 6|''Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War'' 6]]</ref>
   
While pondering the ideas behind Master Shim's dissertation, [[Tionne Solusar]] was interested in how Tolaris would view certain Jedi of more recent times, Jedi who were corrupted, restored, and believed redeemed by their colleagues. Tionne provided an account of the dark side journeys of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, and [[Kyp Durron]], but Tolaris' interactive holorecording passed the same judgments on all three: that any Jedi who kills innocents while under the influence of the dark side cannot be redeemed.<ref name="JvS" />
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While pondering the ideas behind Master Shim's dissertation, [[Tionne Solusar]] was interested in how Tolaris would view certain Jedi of more recent times, Jedi who were corrupted, restored, and believed redeemed by their colleagues. Tionne provided an account of the dark side journeys of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, and [[Kyp Durron]], but Tolaris' interactive holorecording passed the same judgments on all three: that any Jedi who kills innocents while under the influence of the dark side cannot be redeemed.<ref name="JvS" /> Such ideals were shown to be objectively wrong, however, by such beings as Anakin Skywalker who ultimately rejected the dark side and chose to go over to the light side since they were able to become light side ghosts upon their death.<ref name="ROTJ" />
   
 
==Manifestations of the dark side==
 
==Manifestations of the dark side==
{{Quote|There are spots where continued dark-side use for ages, or the presence of creatures instilled with that energy, can cause the places themselves to radiate with the power of the dark side.|Luke Skywalker|Conviction}}
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{{Quote|There are spots where continued dark-side use for ages, or the presence of creatures instilled with that energy, can cause the places themselves to radiate with the power of the dark side.|Luke Skywalker|<ref name="FotJ:Conviction">''[[Fate of the Jedi: Conviction]]''</ref>}}
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[[File:WellOfTheDarkSide-GOM.png|thumb|left|250px|The [[Well of the Dark Side/Legends|Well of the Dark Side]] on [[Mortis/Legends|Mortis]]]]
 
[[File:WellOfTheDarkSide-GOM.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Well of the Dark Side]] on [[Mortis]]]]
 
   
 
The dark side was known to manifest itself in many different ways, even in the absence of life, which was the supposed source of the Force. Locations where the dark side ran strong were sometimes called [[Force nexus|dark side nexuses]], and could be the result of many different occurrences. These locations were so potent that they could imbue nearby objects with a dark side aura.<ref name="TCSWE">''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''</ref>
 
The dark side was known to manifest itself in many different ways, even in the absence of life, which was the supposed source of the Force. Locations where the dark side ran strong were sometimes called [[Force nexus|dark side nexuses]], and could be the result of many different occurrences. These locations were so potent that they could imbue nearby objects with a dark side aura.<ref name="TCSWE">''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''</ref>
   
The Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban became a nexus of dark side power as a result of the long-term presence of the Sith, as well as their lingering spirits. The tombs within the Valley were especially saturated with dark side energy, causing the relics within to have a permanent dark side aura. Within these tombs, as well as [[Tomb of Freedon Nadd|Freedon Nadd's]] on [[Dxun]], the dark side was known to coagulate into visible pools of energy. These pools would tempt passersby to bathe in the dark energies, pulling them closer to the dark side.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
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The Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban became a nexus of dark side power as a result of the long-term presence of the Sith, as well as their lingering spirits. The tombs within the Valley were especially saturated with dark side energy, causing the relics within to have a permanent dark side aura. Within these tombs, as well as [[Tomb of Freedon Nadd|Freedon Nadd's]] on [[Dxun/Legends|Dxun]], the dark side was known to coagulate into visible pools of energy. These pools would tempt passersby to bathe in the dark energies, pulling them closer to the dark side.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
   
Other dark side nexuses include the planet [[Vjun]], which was the result of horrors attributed to the widespread insanity that gripped the planet in [[29 BBY]]. After research into [[Midi-chlorian]] manipulation resulted in their madness, the populace of Vjun proceeded to slaughter one another, tainting the planet. [[Byss]] became a dark side nexus due to the presence of the clones of Darth Sidious and his alchemical experimentations. Jedi Master Yoda used the [[Dark Side Cave]] on [[Dagobah]] to test Luke Skywalker, as the dark energies would produce visions of possible dark futures.<ref name="Y:DR">''[[Yoda: Dark Rendezvous]]''</ref><ref name="DarkEmpire">''[[Dark Empire]]''</ref><ref name="TESB">''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]''</ref>
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Other dark side nexuses include the planet [[Vjun/Legends|Vjun]], which was the result of horrors attributed to the widespread insanity that gripped the planet in [[29 BBY/Legends|29 BBY]]. After research into [[Midi-chlorian/Legends|Midi-chlorian]] manipulation resulted in their madness, the populace of Vjun proceeded to slaughter one another, tainting the planet. [[Byss/Legends|Byss]] became a dark side nexus due to the presence of the clones of Darth Sidious and his alchemical experimentations. Jedi Master Yoda used the [[Dark Side Cave]] on [[Dagobah/Legends|Dagobah]] to test Luke Skywalker, as the dark energies would produce visions of possible dark futures.<ref name="Y:DR">''[[Yoda: Dark Rendezvous]]''</ref><ref name="DarkEmpire">''[[Star Wars: Dark Empire]]''</ref><ref name="TESB">{{Film|V}}</ref>
   
The dark side could also center itself around people and objects. The Sith Lord Darth Sidious was so powerful in the dark side that a nexus of darkness followed him wherever he went. Indeed this was true for many Sith, such as [[Darth Malak]], whose dark energy was felt by [[Bastila Shan]] as he approached the ''[[Leviathan]]''. Sith artifacts carried with them potent dark power as well, such as [[Sith holocron]]s and the [[Scepter of Ragnos]].<ref name="DarkEmpire" /><ref name="KOTOR" /><ref name="JediAcademy">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''</ref>
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The dark side could also center itself around people and objects. The Sith Lord Darth Sidious was so powerful in the dark side that a nexus of darkness followed him wherever he went. Darth Vader was also known to exude a similar aura. Indeed this was true for many Dark Lords, such as [[Darth Malak]], whose dark energy was felt by [[Bastila Shan]] as he approached the [[Leviathan (Interdictor-class cruiser)|''Leviathan'']]. Sith artifacts carried with them potent dark power as well, such as [[Sith holocron/Legends|Sith holocrons]] and the [[Scepter of Ragnos]].<ref name="DarkEmpire" /><ref name="KOTOR" /><ref name="JediAcademy">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''</ref><ref name="The Last Jedi">[[The Last Jedi (novel)|''The Last Jedi'']]</ref>
   
 
===Wounds in the Force===
 
===Wounds in the Force===
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{{Quote|When you returned to us, we saw what had happened. You carry all those deaths at Malachor within you, and it has left a hole, a hunger that cannot be filled.|[[Vrook Lamar]] on the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]]|<ref name="TSL" />}}
[[File:DNs.jpg|thumb|left|140px|[[Darth Nihilus]], a wound in the Force]]
 
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[[File:DNs.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Darth Nihilus]], a wound in the Force]]
{{Quote|When you returned to us, we saw what had happened. You carry all those deaths at Malachor within you, and it has left a hole, a hunger that cannot be filled.|[[Vrook Lamar]] on the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]]|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords}}
 
A [[wound in the Force]] was the result of a massive and sudden loss of life. As the Force is derived from life, it would become traumatized and wounded, affecting the places and people involved. The wound would never heal, and always hunger for life to fill the hole where life once existed. Such wounds could cause great harm to any life that came in contact, corrupting it or devouring it. Proximity to these wounds could often cause a rapid fall to the dark side or worse. Well known Force wounds included [[Malachor V]], the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]], and [[Darth Nihilus]].<ref name="KOTOR2" />
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A [[wound in the Force]] was the result of a massive and sudden loss of life. As the Force is derived from life, it would become traumatized and wounded, affecting the places and people involved. The wound would never heal, and always hunger for life to fill the hole where life once existed. Such wounds could cause great harm to any life that came in contact, corrupting it or devouring it. Proximity to these wounds could often cause a rapid fall to the dark side or worse. Well-known Force wounds included [[Malachor V]], the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]], and [[Darth Nihilus]].<ref name="KOTOR2" />
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Malachor V was once an agricultural world in the possession of the old [[Sith Empire/Legends|Sith Empire]]. During the [[Mandalorian Wars]], [[Jedi General/Legends|Jedi General]] [[Revan/Legends|Revan]] massed his fleet of Republic warships over the planet, which was a taboo world for the [[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorians]]. Unable to resist battle, the Mandalorian fleet attacked, and fought savagely. However, [[Meetra Surik|the Jedi General]] in charge of the [[Mass Shadow Generator/Legends|Mass Shadow Generator]], a [[Superweapon/Legends|superweapon]] designed by [[Bao-Dur]], gave the order to activate it, crushing both fleets in the gravitational forces of the planet, and sending thousands of vessels crashing into the surface of the planet. The world's crust shattered, leaving a dead planetoid floating in space, surrounded by wreckage.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
   
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The same Jedi General, unable to bear experiencing thousands of deaths through the Force&mdash;deaths that she caused&mdash;shut herself off from the Force, and thus created a wound within herself. When later standing trial before the [[Jedi Council/Legends|Jedi Council]], the Masters would comment on how empty she felt in the Force, as if they were staring into the death of the Force.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
Malachor V was once an agricultural world in the possession of the old [[Sith Empire]]. During the [[Mandalorian Wars]], [[Jedi General]] [[Revan]] massed his fleet of Republic warships over the planet, which was a taboo world for the [[Mandalorian]]s. Unable to resist battle, the Mandalorian fleet attacked, and fought savagely. However, [[Meetra Surik|the Jedi General]] in charge of the [[Mass Shadow Generator]], a [[superweapon]] designed by [[Bao-Dur]], gave the order to activate it, crushing both fleets in the gravitational forces of the planet, and sending thousands of vessels crashing into the surface of the planet. The world's crust shattered, leaving a dead planetoid floating in space, surrounded by wreckage.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
 
   
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Darth Nihilus, yet another product of Malachor, would become such a powerful wound that the dark side would completely devour his mind and body. He would roam the galaxy, hunting Jedi and other Force-sensitives to feed on. He was able to wipe all life off the planet of [[Katarr/Legends|Katarr]], and cause anyone near him to be slowly drained of life. His constant pursuit of Force-sensitives to consume earned him the title "Lord of Hunger."<ref name="KOTOR2" />
The same Jedi General, unable to bear experiencing thousands of deaths through the Force&mdash;deaths that she caused&mdash;shut herself off from the Force, and thus created a wound within herself. When later standing trial before the [[Jedi Council]], the Masters would comment on how empty she felt, as if they were staring into the death of the Force.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
 
   
Darth Nihilus, yet another product of Malachor, would become such a powerful wound that the dark side would completely devour his mind and body. He would roam the galaxy, hunting Jedi and other Force-sensitives to feed on. He was able to wipe all life off the planet of [[Katarr]], and cause anyone in close proximity to him to be slowly drained of life. His constant pursuit of Force-sensitives to consume earned him the title "Lord of Hunger".<ref name="KOTOR2" />
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Force wounds like Malachor V could also be used to break the will of Jedi, corrupting them and turning them to the dark side. Revan's widespread use of this technique was one of the primary reasons he was able to amass such an enormous army of dark siders so quickly, as virtually all of them were former Jedi that he had corrupted.<ref name="KOTOR2" />
   
 
==Strength of the dark side==
 
==Strength of the dark side==
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{{Quote|It has been said that ''anyone'' who knows the ways of the Force can set her- or himself up as a King on any world where only she or he knows the ways of the Force. ''Any'' Jedi could do this. But the Jedi, fools that they are, adhere to a religion in which the Force is used only in the service of others. How shortsighted of them. Is that not why they lost the galaxy to the dark side?|Palpatine, in ''[[The Weakness of Inferiors]]''|<ref name="JvS" />}}
[[File:Battle of Pinnacle Base.jpg|thumb|right|200px|One of the most powerful dark side techniques, [[Force storm (wormhole)|Force storm]]]]
 
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[[File:Battle_of_Pinnacle_Base.jpg|thumb|left|200px|One of the most powerful dark side techniques, [[Force storm (wormhole)|Force storm]]]]
{{Quote|It has been said that ''anyone'' who knows the ways of the Force can set her- or himself up as a King on any world where only she or he knows the ways of the Force. ''Any'' Jedi could do this. But the Jedi, fools that they are, adhere to a religion in which the Force is used only in the service of others. How shortsighted of them. Is that not why they lost the galaxy to the dark side?|Palpatine, in ''[[The Weakness of Inferiors]]''|Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force}}
 
A common point of debate among Jedi and their dark counterparts was the strength that laid behind the dark side. A major claim of darksiders was that the stronger, darker emotions that fueled their power also lent them an edge over other Force users. The Jedi, and other groups who held to the light often claimed that the dark side was a shortcut to power, but also to suffering and destruction. It is true that many darksiders noticeably advanced in their command of the Force following their conversion, like [[Darth Caedus]]. Many were in fact capable of incredible feats of destruction, such as causing [[Primus Goluud|stars]] to go [[supernova]], the [[Devastation of Katarr]] and [[Force storm (wormhole)|Force storms]], powers that seemed incomprehensible for a single being to wield.<ref name="JvS">''[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force]]''</ref><ref name="Sacrifice">''[[Sacrifice]]''</ref><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS1:>''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith 1: Masters and Students of the Force]]''</ref><ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="DarkEmpire" /> The Sith often claimed that the Jedi were weak and foolish for not tapping into the Dark Side, which they considered to be the stronger side of the Force. While the Dark Side did provide for a more visual display of power, such as Force Storms, the Jedi were capable of the same amount of power, but were discouraged by their philosophy to use it regularly, as greed and desire for power was a path to the Dark Side.
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A common point of debate among Jedi and their dark counterparts was the strength that laid behind the dark side. A major claim of darksiders was that the stronger, darker emotions that fueled their power also lent them an edge over other Force users. The Jedi, and other groups who held to the light often claimed that the dark side was a shortcut to power, but also to suffering and destruction. It is true that many darksiders noticeably advanced in their command of the Force following their conversion, like [[Darth Caedus]]. Many were in fact capable of incredible feats of destruction, such as causing [[Primus Goluud/Legends|stars]] to go [[Supernova/Legends|supernova]], the [[Conclave at Katarr|Devastation of Katarr]] and [[Force storm (wormhole)|Force storms]], powers that seemed incomprehensible for a single being to wield.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="Sacrifice">''[[Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice]]''</ref><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS1">[[Tales of the Jedi Dark Lords of the Sith 1|''Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith'' 1]]</ref><ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="DarkEmpire" /> The Sith often claimed that the Jedi were weak and foolish for not tapping into the dark side, which they considered to be the stronger side of the Force. While the dark side did provide for a sometimes more visual display of power, such as Force Storms, the Jedi were capable of the same amount of power, but could not always apply it in such terrible, destructive ways. However, these powers came with a price.<ref name="TSL" /><ref>''[[Power Beyond Belief]]'' </ref> Abilities such as Force storm and the unique variant of [[Force drain/Legends|Force drain]] employed by Darth Nihilus required extraordinary immersion in the dark side, and the practitioners of such dark powers almost invariably suffered terrible physical degradation. Darth Sidious for example aged very poorly as the dark side consumed him from within. When Sidious returned from his death at the hands of Anakin Skywalker, his power in the dark side was seen to be so potent that the cloned bodies he inhabited were quickly consumed by the simple act of housing Sidious's spirit. His incredible power, combined with the fact that the clones were not as suitable for housing his essence as his original body had been, meant he had to [[Transfer essence|transfer]] his spirit into fresh clones very frequently.<ref name="Dark Empire Sourcebook" /> Darth Nihilus presented what was perhaps the most extreme example of this issue. As his power grew, he became so consumed by the dark side that his physical form was eventually destroyed, forcing him to encase his spirit in his armor.
   
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Conversely, while the dark side could provide its practitioners with destructive capabilities beyond that of light side practitioners, it fell short of the light side when it came to biologically sustainable healing. While the dark side could be used to improve one's vitality and repair one's body as the light side could, the results of utilizing the dark side in such a manner were almost always temporary, with such notable outliers as [[Dark transfer|Dark Transfer]]<ref>[[Legacy (2006) 1|''Legacy'' (2006) 1]]</ref> and [[Darth Caedus|Caedus's]] healing,<ref name=":0">''[[Legacy of the Force: Revelation]]''</ref> as well as [[Force healing/Legends|healing trances]] that any Force user might employ<ref>[[Legacy (2006) 18|''Legacy'' (2006) 18]]</ref>. Nearly all dark side-based healing powers worked only so long as the practitioner actively channeled the dark side, and whatever malady the power was meant to treat often returned in full force the moment they ceased to do so. Darth Bane's and Darth Vader's use of dark side healing abilities present a few good examples. In Bane's case, while he was at one point able to hold off the effects of [[Synox|a deadly poison]] by strengthening himself through the pain and suffering of others, he still required the assistance of the healer [[Caleb]] to actually cure himself.<ref name="DB:PoD" /> Vader was capable of using the dark side to heal the necrotic and useless tissue of his lungs to the point where he could operate in standard atmospheric conditions, but he had to maintain intense concentration on the dark side to do so. If his hate abated or his concentration slipped, his lungs returned to their injured state.<ref name="ShadowsOfTheEmpirenovel" /> The case of Darth Sion presents the most extreme usage of this power, with both its greatest strengths and weaknesses showcased perfectly. Sion was capable of using the dark side to hold his broken, clinically dead body together by feeding off the extreme pain that such an existence constantly caused him. This pain fueled his rage, and as such his strength in the dark side, which permitted him to hold his body together through increasingly violent traumas. If near to a dark side nexus like [[Malachor V]], he became essentially unstoppable. However, the instant he was convinced to let go of his hate and anger by Meetra Surik, his body gave out and he died.<ref name="KOTOR2" /> The light side, on the other hand, could provide accelerated healing in a permanent, biologically sustainable fashion. However, there are a few dark side practitioners who have demonstrated the ability to heal themselves in a more permanent fashion. Count Dooku, for instance, was able to purge his body of a deadly biological weapon during a negotiation with Jango Fett after the latter attempted to use it to extort him. [[Darth Plagueis/Legends|Darth Plagueis]] was able to use his [[Midi-chlorian manipulation|midichlorian manipulation]] technique to permanently regenerate nearly all of the wounds he sustained at the hands of [[Maladian]] assassins, even decades after the incident. However, Plagueis was the only known user of this ability, which did not use the energies of the dark side to directly heal the subject in any case.<ref name="Darth P" /> Additionally, it is not known whether Dooku utilized the dark side specifically to heal himself, or if he drew on his Jedi knowledge to do so.<ref name="Jango Fett: Open Seasons">''[[Jango Fett: Open Seasons]]''</ref>
Indeed, these powers did not come without their price, as Darth Nihilus lost his humanity and his body as a result of his dark side prowess, and one of Darth Sidious' deaths was the result of his inability to control one of his storms. It seemed that once a darksider reached the pinnacle of their power, they would axiomatically lose control of it.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="DarkEmpire" />
 
   
It was also noted by [[Jedi Master]] [[Yoda]] that the dark side was quick to aid a force-user in combat, and indeed it had great effect. [[Asajj Ventress]], a young Dark Jedi, was able to fend off three Jedi, kill one, and pull another to the dark side during the [[Mission to Ruul|Deception on Ruul]]. During her [[Rescue on the Tranquility|rescue]] of [[Viceroy]] [[Nute Gunray]] from [[Galactic Republic|Republic]] custody, Ventress was able to kill numerous [[clone trooper]]s, cripple the ''[[Tranquility]]'', and escape both [[Luminara Unduli]] and [[Ahsoka Tano]]. [[Supreme Chancellor]] [[Palpatine]] called upon the dark side and was able to quickly [[Showdown on Coruscant|slay]] three [[Jedi Council]] members and persuade Anakin Skywalker to assist him in killing the fourth. Skywalker himself, as Darth Vader, was able to kill many Jedi single-handedly during [[Operation: Knightfall]] and the subsequent [[Great Jedi Purge]]. The combat prowess exhibited by these individuals may have been the result of a lack of moral restrictions darksiders placed on themselves when in battle, however the dark side itself lent to their ferocity and determination.<ref name="TESB" /><ref name="J:MW">''[[Jedi: Mace Windu]]''</ref><ref name="CoD">''{{TCW|Cloak of Darkness}}''</ref><ref name="ROTS" /><ref name="TFUn">''[[The Force Unleashed (novel)]]''</ref>
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It was also noted by [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]] [[Yoda/Legends|Yoda]] that the dark side was quick to aid a Force-user in combat, often to great effect. [[Asajj Ventress/Legends|Asajj Ventress]], a young Dark Jedi, was able to fend off three Jedi, kill one, and pull another to the dark side during the [[Mission to Ruul (Clone Wars)|Deception on Ruul]]. During her [[Rescue on the Tranquility/Legends|rescue]] of [[Viceroy/Legends|Viceroy]] [[Nute Gunray/Legends|Nute Gunray]] from [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Republic]] custody, Ventress was able to kill numerous [[Clone trooper/Legends|clone troopers]], cripple the [[Tranquility/Legends|''Tranquility'']], and escape both [[Luminara Unduli/Legends|Luminara Unduli]] and [[Ahsoka Tano/Legends|Ahsoka Tano]]. Darth Sidious called upon the dark side and was able to quickly [[Showdown on Coruscant|slay]] three [[Jedi Council/Legends|Jedi Council]] members and persuade Anakin Skywalker to assist him in killing the fourth. Skywalker himself, as Darth Vader, was able to kill many Jedi single-handedly during [[Operation: Knightfall/Legends|Operation: Knightfall]] and the subsequent [[Great Jedi Purge/Legends|Great Jedi Purge]]. Luke Skywalker utilized the power of the dark side to defeat Darth Vader during their final duel, drawing on his rage to bolster his combat effectiveness for a short time. Jacen Solo, after his transformation into Darth Caedus, proved able to essentially stalemate [[Grand Master/Legends|Grand Master]] Luke Skywalker during a lightsaber duel, despite Skywalker's overwhelming power in the Force. The combat prowess exhibited by these individuals may have been the result of a lack of moral restrictions darksiders placed on themselves. When in battle, however, the dark side itself lent to their ferocity and determination.<ref name="TESB" /><ref name="J:MW">''[[Jedi: Mace Windu]]''</ref><ref name="CoD">{{TCW|Cloak of Darkness}}</ref><ref name="ROTS" /><ref name="TFUn">[[The Force Unleashed (novel)|''The Force Unleashed'' novelization]]</ref><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="Inferno">''[[Legacy of the Force: Inferno]]''</ref>
   
One weakness that apparently lay in the dark side, which could be seen as giving the [[Jedi]] the upper hand, was the strife inescapably associated with it. The Sith Lords could never ultimately destroy their foes because they were bound to, sooner or later, turn upon each other, with each one constantly striving for more power at the expense of others, and seeking to dominate everything around him. The Rule of Two, introduced by Darth Bane, while drastically limiting the number of true Sith, was an attempt to turn this weakness into benefit, with the apprentice through strife eventually replacing the master.<ref name="DB:PoD">''[[Darth Bane: Path of Destruction]]''</ref> However, this too caused problems due to two possibilities it failed to make note of:
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One weakness that apparently lay in the dark side, which could be seen as giving the [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]] the upper hand, was the strife inescapably associated with it. The Sith Lords could never ultimately destroy their foes because they were bound to, sooner or later, turn upon each other, with each one constantly striving for more power at the expense of others, and seeking to dominate everything around them. This flaw became particularly pronounced if there was no reigning Dark Lord to keep the lesser ones in check. The Rule of Two, introduced by Darth Bane, drastically limited the number of true Sith in an attempt to turn this weakness into a strength.<ref name="DB:PoD" /> However, this too caused problems due to two possibilities it failed to make note of:
   
Firstly, Bane never accounted for the possibility of a failed apprentice's training taking up most of the master's lifespan, precluding the training of a new pupil. Bane himself scrambled to attain [[Transfer essence|immortality]] and buy more time to train another apprentice when he believed [[Darth Zannah]] to be a failure. In this case, Bane's fears were unfounded, as she successfully killed him shortly thereafter, though it did highlight this primary problem with the Rule of Two. Secondly, the possibility of a redeemed Sith Lord killing the other was never considered, and this almost brought about the end of the Sith Order. For these reasons, the Rule of Two was abolished by the [[One Sith]].<ref name="DB:DoE">''[[Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil]]''</ref><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="LegacyBroken4">''[[Star Wars: Legacy 5: Broken, Part 4]]''</ref>
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First, Bane never accounted for the possibility of a failed apprentice's training taking up most of the master's lifespan, precluding the training of a new pupil. Bane himself scrambled to attain immortality and buy more time to train another apprentice when he believed [[Darth Zannah/Legends|Darth Zannah]] to be a failure. In this case, Bane's fears were unfounded, as she successfully killed him shortly thereafter, though it did highlight this primary problem with the Rule of Two. As demonstrated by [[Darth Tenebrous/Legends|Darth Tenebrous]], a Sith Master of Bane's Order could circumvent this problem by concurrently training two apprentices in secret, though this was rarely done.<ref name="Darth P" /> Secondly, the possibility of one of the two Sith Lords converting to the light side and killing the other was never considered. This was seen in the life of Darth Gravid, who turned to the light side and destroyed several Sith artifacts and treasures before his apprentice killed him. This particular problem also brought an end to the original incarnation of the Order of the Sith Lords when Darth Vader renounced the dark side and killed his Master, Darth Sidious. An additional flaw with the Rule of Two was that Bane created it in the hopes that each Sith Master would be forced to kill their master to claim the title. Bane hoped this would ensure that each generation of Sith was stronger then the last. However the rule was flawed in that many Sith apprentices killed their master's through trickery or ambush, rather than a direct challenge. Also unlike previous Dark Lords, who fought hundreds of potential rivals for their power. The Rule of Two made it so that each Dark Lord claimed the title simply because they were the only candidate. For these reasons, the Rule of Two was abolished by the [[One Sith]].<ref name="DB:DoE">''[[Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil]]''</ref><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="LegacyBroken4">[[Legacy (2006) 5|''Legacy'' (2006) 5]]</ref>
   
Another fatal weakness that has been repeatedly illustrated in the dark side is a lack of focus that seems to stem from a reliance on emotions such as pride, anger, and fear, which heighten powers but also lead to clouded judgment. Thus dark-siders are often defeated by their own hubris, when victory would seem assured. Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated both Darth Maul [[Duel on Mustafar|and]] Darth Vader, despite being pushed back for the majority of both battles. Darth Malak was similarly [[Duel on the Star Forge|defeated]] by Revan despite drawing on the massive dark power of the Star Forge. Count Dooku felt threatened by Anakin Skywalker and allowed his pride to blind him to Skywalker's true power, leading to Dooku's demise.<ref name="ROTS" /><ref name="KOTOR" /><ref name="ROTSn" /> Thus it would seem that the dark side offers a more tangible sort of power: one that is direct and physical, while the light side provides a more subtle kind of power, that of focus and understanding, one which darksiders often fail to understand and tend to underestimate, usually leading to their deaths.<ref name="TJP" />
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Another fatal weakness that has been repeatedly illustrated in the dark side is a lack of focus that seems to stem from a reliance on emotions such as pride, anger, and fear, which heighten powers but also lead to clouded judgment. This issue often leads to darksiders being brought low by their hubris, even in situations where victory would otherwise seem assured. For example, Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated both Darth Maul [[Duel on Mustafar/Legends|and]] Darth Vader, despite the fact that he was the less viable combatant in both situations. Darth Malak was similarly [[Battle of Rakata Prime|defeated]] by Revan during their final duel despite drawing on the massive dark power of the Star Forge (though Revan may have simply been more powerful than Malak even when taking the Star Forge's energies into account). Count Dooku felt threatened by Anakin Skywalker and allowed his pride to blind him to Skywalker's true power, leading to Dooku's demise.<ref name="ROTS" /><ref name="KOTOR" /><ref name="ROTSn" /> As such, it would seem that the dark side may offer it's adherents a more tangible sort of power: one that is direct and physical, while the light side provides a more subtle kind of power, that of focus and understanding. To their detriment, the power of the light side is one which darksiders often fail to understand and tend to underestimate.<ref name="TJP" />
   
  +
However, this weakness was not absolute, and it was indeed possible to wield the dark side without succumbing to one's own pride or rage. In a manuscript entitled ''[[The Book of Anger]]'', Darth Sidious stated that while he believed that anger was the most potent catalyst for drawing on the destructive energies of the dark side, he realized that it could impair one's judgment. As such, he cautioned that keeping one's anger under control was vital to mastering the dark side, emphasizing that a strong will and high levels of intelligence were needed to exercise this control.<ref name="Dark Empire Sourcebook">''[[Dark Empire Sourcebook]]''</ref> In keeping with this sort of philosophy, advanced practitioners of the dark side could, even in the heat of combat, keep their emotions in check as their Jedi counterparts could. Darth Vader was a prime example of a darksider with this capability.<ref name="TFU2n" />
It should be noted that the training methods of darksiders were often brutal, as exemplified by the Sith. This means that the weaker darksiders often died before ever getting the chance to fight a Jedi, which helps explain their high success rate against Jedi&ndash;more weak Jedi survived their training to fight the strongest of the Sith. Despite this, in most wars between the Jedi and Sith, the followers of the light proved victorious.<ref name="DB:PoD" /><ref name="TFUn" /> This could be attributed to the fact that Jedi at many times outnumbered Sith, until the Purge by Darth Sidious.
 
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  +
It also should be noted that the training methods of darksiders were often brutal, as exemplified by the Sith. One common result of this tendency was that the weaker darksiders often died before ever getting the chance to fight a Jedi, which may help to explain their high success rate against Jedi&ndash;more weak Jedi survived their training to fight the strongest of the Sith. Despite this disparity, the followers of the light proved victorious in the majority of large scale conflicts with dark side adherents.<ref name="DB:PoD" /><ref name="TFUn" /> This trend was due almost exclusively due to the infighting that inevitably occurred between the various darksiders during said conflicts. However the Jedi were not always victorious in their war against the Sith. A number of times the Jedi Order has been defeated in galactic conflict, such as the Great Galactic War against the [[Sith Empire (Post–Great Hyperspace War)|reconstituted Sith Empire.]] Also the Jedi Order and the Republic has been brought to the brink of destruction on at least three occasions, such as the Jedi Civil War aftermath, the Jedi Purge of Palpatine and later of [[Darth Krayt]].
   
 
==Dark side powers==
 
==Dark side powers==
{{Main|Force power}}
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{{Main|Force power/Legends}}
[[File:KraytAzlynElectrocuted.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Darth Krayt]] and [[Azlyn Rae]] suffering under [[Force lightning]]]]
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[[File:KraytAzlynElectrocuted.jpg|thumb|250px|Darth Krayt and Azlyn Rae, sufferers of Force lightning.]]
{{Quote|The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be&hellip;''unnatural''.|Palpatine, to Anakin Skywalker|Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith}}
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{{Quote|The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be&hellip;''unnatural''.|Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, to Anakin Skywalker|<ref name="ROTS" />}}
Those who wielded the dark side found many abilities of the Force easier to use, with some Force powers available only to Dark Jedi. Light side Jedi could use some dark side abilities, but most preferred not to since dark side abilities had aggressive, destructive, or perversely manipulative tendencies. [[Luke Skywalker]], for example, used [[Telekinesis|Force Choke]] at [[Jabba's Palace]], which was almost unheard of for a Jedi to use, unless unarmed. Luke was also known to use [[Force lightning]], one of the dark side's most iconic abilities.<ref name="TJP" /><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="DarkNest3">''[[Dark Nest III: The Swarm War]]''</ref> The powers commonly associated with the dark side of the Force as listed below are:
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Those who wielded the dark side found many abilities of the Force easier to use, with some Force powers. Light-side Jedi could use dark-side abilities, (even as some darksiders used light side powers) but most preferred not to since dark-side abilities had aggressive, destructive, or perversely manipulative tendencies. [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]], for example, used [[Telekinesis/Legends|Force Choke]] at [[Jabba's Palace]], which was almost unheard of for a Jedi to use, unless unarmed as Ahsoka Tano was when she used this attack.<ref>{{TCW|Padawan Lost}}</ref> Luke and Kyle Katarn were also known to use [[Force lightning/Legends|Force lightning]], one of the dark side's most iconic abilities.<ref name="TJP" /><ref name="ROTJ" /><ref name="DarkNest3">''[[Dark Nest III: The Swarm War]]''</ref><ref name="JediAcademy" /> Powers commonly associated with the dark side of the Force are:
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*[[Consume Essence]]
[[File:Sith monsters.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Several monsters created by [[Sith alchemy]]]]
 
 
*[[Deadly Sight]]
 
*[[Deadly Sight]]
*[[Mind trick#Force corrupt|Force corrupt]]
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*[[Enhance Force Sensitivity]]
*[[Force lightning]]
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*[[Mind trick/Legends#Force corrupt|Force corrupt]]
*[[Telekinesis#Choking powers|Force choke]]
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*[[Force lightning/Legends|Force lightning]]
*[[Telekinesis#Choking powers|Force crush]]
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*[[Telekinesis/Legends#Choking powers|Force choke]]
*[[Force drain]]
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*[[Telekinesis/Legends#Choking powers|Force crush]]
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*[[Force drain/Legends|Force drain]]
 
*[[Force Destruction]]
 
*[[Force Destruction]]
 
*[[Force phantom]]
 
*[[Force phantom]]
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*[[Force net]]
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*[[Force shadow]]
 
*[[Force Slow]]
 
*[[Force Slow]]
*[[Mind trick#Force fear|Force insanity]]
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*[[Mind trick/Legends#Force fear|Force insanity]]
*[[Force scream]]
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*[[Force scream/Legends|Force scream]]
 
*[[Force rage]]
 
*[[Force rage]]
*[[Force stealth]]
 
 
*[[Thought bomb]]
 
*[[Thought bomb]]
 
*[[Memory Walk]]
 
*[[Memory Walk]]
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*[[Darkshear]]
*[[Spear of midnight black]]
 
 
*[[Transfer essence]]
 
*[[Transfer essence]]
*[[midi-chlorian manipulation]]
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*[[Midi-chlorian manipulation]]
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*[[Sith Emperor's ritual]]
Not all powers of the dark side seem evil; [[Darth Sion]], [[Darth Bane]], and [[Anakin Skywalker|Darth Vader]] used their rage on occasion to heal wounds.<ref name="KOTOR2" /><ref name="DB:PoD" /><ref name="ShadowsOfTheEmpirenovel">''[[Shadows of the Empire (novel)]]''</ref>
 
   
 
===Powers of the Sith===
 
===Powers of the Sith===
 
{{Main|Sith alchemy|Sith magic}}
 
{{Main|Sith alchemy|Sith magic}}
{{Quote|A rare few have a natural affinity for the dark side itself. They can delve into the depths of the Force and summon arcane energies to twist and warp the world around them. They can invoke ancient rituals of the Sith; they can invoke power and unleash terrible spells and dark magics.|Darth Bane, on Sith sorcery|Darth Bane: Rule of Two}}
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{{Quote|A rare few have a natural affinity for the dark side itself. They can delve into the depths of the Force and summon arcane energies to twist and warp the world around them. They can invoke ancient rituals of the Sith; they can invoke power and unleash terrible spells and dark magics.|Darth Bane, on Sith sorcery|<ref name="DB:RoT" />}}
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[[File:Sith_Ghost_JATM.jpg|thumb|left|170px|A malevolent Force ghost]]
As the Sith were a cult not only devoted to the dark side, but the accumulation of power by way of the dark side, many dark side powers were known exclusively to them. Their ancient and infamous practices of [[Sith alchemy]] allowed for the creation of monsters and other terrors, while [[Sith magic]] focused more on mental manipulations and physical manifestations of the dark side.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="TOTJ:TFNU1">''[[Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1]]''</ref>
 
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As the Sith were a cult not only devoted to the dark side, but the accumulation of power by way of the dark side, many dark-side powers were known exclusively to them. Their ancient and infamous practices of [[Sith alchemy/Legends|Sith alchemy]] allowed for the creation of monsters and other terrors, while [[Sith magic]] focused more on mental manipulations and physical manifestations of the dark side.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="TOTJ:TFNU1">[[Tales of the Jedi – The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1|''Tales of the Jedi – The Freedon Nadd Uprising'' 1]]</ref>
   
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Sith Alchemy was the source of monsters and other creatures that terrorized the galaxy for millennia. Pioneered by some of the first Dark Jedi to leave the [[Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]], such as [[XoXaan]], [[Karness Muur]], and [[Ajunta Pall]], Sith Alchemy resulted in the creation of the [[Behemoth from the World Below]], [[Leviathan (creature)|Leviathan monsters]], [[Battle hydra/Legends|battle hydras]], [[rakghoul]]s, and [[Sith war behemoth]]s. This ancient knowledge was later used to create the [[Technobeast]], monsters that brought [[Belia Darzu]] to fame and characterized the [[Sictis Wars]]. [[Exar Kun/Legends|Exar Kun]] was also a master of this power, using it to mutate the remaining [[Massassi/Legends|Massassi]] warriors on [[Yavin 4/Legends|Yavin 4]] and create the [[Terentatek/Legends|terentatek]]. Thousands of years later, [[Darth Plagueis/Legends|Darth Plagueis]] mastered this ability and was able to [[Midi-chlorian manipulation|create life]]. His apprentice, Darth Sidious, was also extremely proficient in Sith Alchemy, creating the [[Chrysalide]] and authoring ''[[The Creation of Monsters]]'', the third manuscript of the ''[[Dark Side Compendium]]''.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS5">[[Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 5|''Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith'' 5]]</ref><ref name="ROTS" />
[[File:Sith Ghost JATM.JPG|thumb|left|200px|A Sith [[Force ghost]] obliterates multiple beings.]]
 
   
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Sith Magic was used throughout the ages as a way to manipulate and intimidate opponents. Unlike regular Force powers, Sith Magic required incantations, rituals, or specific hand gestures, and the individual powers were referred to as "spells." These spells were often employed to create illusions, used to confuse or attack an enemy. [[Aleema Keto]] was extremely capable in this aspect, and used it to create an entire herd of [[space grazer]]s to attack a Republic fleet at [[Empress Teta/Legends|Koros Major]]. [[Darth Zannah/Legends|Zannah]] was also a practitioner of Sith Magic, and often summoned her victims' worst fears to torture them. Sith magic also involved the use of amulets and talismans to enhance the power of the caster. Sith magic may have been involved in the creation of the [[Muur Talisman]], which housed the spirit of Karness Muur for many millennia. This magic also aided in the summoning of ancient dark-side spirits, such as [[Freedon Nadd]]'s ghost.<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS1" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS2">[[Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 2|''Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith'' 2]]</ref><ref name="DB:RoT">''[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two]]''</ref><ref name="Vector">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Vector]]''</ref><ref name="TOTJ:TFNU1" />
Sith Alchemy was the source of monsters and other creatures that terrorized the galaxy for millennia. Pioneered by some of the first Dark Jedi to leave the [[Jedi Order]], such as [[XoXaan]], [[Karness Muur]], and [[Ajunta Pall]], Sith Alchemy resulted in the creation of the [[Behemoth from the World Below]], [[Leviathan (creature)|Leviathan monsters]], [[battle hydra]]s, [[rakghoul]]s, and [[Sith war behemoth]]s. This ancient knowledge was later used to create the [[Technobeast]], monsters that brought [[Belia Darzu]] to fame and characterized the [[Sictis Wars]]. [[Exar Kun]] was also a master of this power, using it to mutate the remaining [[Massassi]] warriors on [[Yavin 4]] and create the [[terentatek]]. Thousands of years later, [[Darth Plagueis]] mastered this ability and was able to [[Midi-chlorian manipulation|create life]]. His apprentice, Darth Sidious, was also extremely proficient in Sith Alchemy, creating the [[Chrysalide]] and authoring ''[[The Creation of Monsters]]'', the third manuscript of the ''[[Dark Side Compendium]]''.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS5">''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith 5: Sith Secrets]]''</ref><ref name="ROTS" />
 
 
Sith Magic was used throughout the ages as a way to manipulate and intimidate opponents. Unlike regular Force powers, Sith Magic required incantations or rituals, and the individual powers were referred to as "''spells''". These spells were often employed to create illusions, used to confuse or attack an enemy. [[Aleema Keto]] was extremely capable in this aspect, and used it to create an entire herd of [[space grazer]]s to attack a republic fleet at [[Empress Teta|Koros Major]]. [[Darth Zannah|Zannah]] was also a practitioner of Sith Magic, and often summoned her victims' worst fears to torture them. Sith magic also involved the use of amulets and talismans to enhance the power of the caster. Sith magic may have been involved in the creation of the [[Muur Talisman]], which housed the spirit of Karness Muur for many millennia. This magic also aided in the summoning of ancient dark side spirits, such as [[Freedon Nadd]]'s ghost.<ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS1">''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith 1: Masters and Students of the Force]]''</ref><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS2">''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith 2: The Quest for the Sith]]''</ref><ref name="DB:RoT">''[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two]]''</ref><ref name="Vector">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Vector]]''</ref><ref name="TOTJ:TFNU1">''[[Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1]]''</ref>
 
   
 
==Dark side organizations==
 
==Dark side organizations==
 
===Dark Jedi===
 
===Dark Jedi===
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[[File:SWTales17-FC.jpg|thumb|right|140px]]
{{Main|Dark Jedi}}
 
  +
{{Main|Dark Jedi/Legends}}
[[File:SWTales17-FC.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Various practitioners of the dark side.]]
 
The oldest dark side cult, '''Dark Jedi''' were considered [[wiktionary:unholy|unholy]] for giving in to the dark side of the Force. The earliest of these unholy knights were the [[Legions of Lettow]], formed by ex-Jedi [[Xendor]]. The Legions were exterminated by the [[Jedi Order]] 500 years after the formation of the Republic. Millennia later, the Dark Jedi arose again to fight the order in the [[Hundred-Year Darkness]], armed with [[Sith alchemy|alchemic]] knowledge this time. The conflict ensued for a full century, resulting in the last of them becoming exiles of the Holy Order. A second resurgence occurred when a gang of Dark Jedi attempted to gain control of an ancient superweapon called the [[Cosmic Turbine]]. The incident resulted in the [[Vultar Cataclysm|destruction]] of the [[Vultar system]]. During the [[Jedi Civil War]], Dark Jedi joined [[Sith Empire (Jedi Civil War)|Revan's empire]] as Sith-in-training. Throughout the post-Ruusan galaxy, Dark Jedi continued to be a problem, some trying to claim themselves as Sith, though they were merely pretenders seeking greater power. The true Sith made their presence known hundreds of years later, though the pretenders continued their claims. A group of Dark Jedi, called the [[Dark Acolyte]]s, served the [[Order of the Sith Lords]] during the [[Clone Wars]] as a counter to the Jedi Order. An amalgamation of Dark Jedi, called the [[Dark Side Adept]]s, served the same Sith order as the replacement of the Jedi during the reign of the [[Galactic Empire]]. Dark Jedi would later serve [[Lumiya's Sith]] in [[Darth Caedus|Lord Caedus]]'s takeover of the [[Galactic Federation of Free Alliances|Galactic Alliance]].<ref name="TJP" /><ref name="JvS" /><ref name="KOTOR" /><ref name="J:CD">''[[Jedi: Count Dooku]]''</ref><ref name="Tempest" /><ref name="TOTG">''[[Threats of the Galaxy]]''</ref>
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The oldest dark side cult, '''Dark Jedi''' were considered dangerous heretics by the orthodox Jedi of the time for giving in to the dark side of the Force. However, the earliest Dark Jedi left the order not out of a desire for power, but because they believed that the Jedi Code was too limiting in its tenets. The earliest of these individuals organized themselves into the [[Legions of Lettow]], formed by ex-Jedi [[Xendor]]. The Legions were exterminated by the [[Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]] 500 years after the formation of the Republic. Millennia later, the Dark Jedi arose again to fight the order in the [[Hundred-Year Darkness/Legends|Hundred-Year Darkness]], armed with [[Sith alchemy/Legends|alchemic]] knowledge this time. The conflict ensued for a full century, resulting in the last of them becoming exiles of the Holy Order. A second resurgence occurred when a gang of Dark Jedi attempted to gain control of an ancient superweapon called the [[Cosmic Turbine]]. The incident resulted in the [[Vultar Cataclysm|destruction]] of the [[Vultar system]]. During the [[Jedi Civil War]], Dark Jedi joined [[Darth Revan's Sith Empire|Revan's empire]] as Sith-in-training. Throughout the post-Ruusan galaxy, Dark Jedi continued to be a problem, some trying to claim themselves as Sith, though they were merely pretenders seeking greater power. The true Sith made their presence known hundreds of years later, though the pretenders continued their claims. A group of Dark Jedi, called the [[Dark Acolyte/Legends|Dark Acolytes]], served the [[Order of the Sith Lords]] during the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]] as a counter to the Jedi Order. An amalgamation of Dark Jedi, called the [[Dark Side Adept]]s, served the same Sith Order as the replacement of the Jedi during the reign of the [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]]. Dark Jedi would later serve [[Lumiya's Sith]] in [[Darth Caedus|Lord Caedus's]] takeover of the [[Galactic Federation of Free Alliances|Galactic Alliance]].<ref name="TJP" /><ref name="JvS" /><ref name="KOTOR" /><ref name="J:CD" /><ref name="Tempest" /><ref name="TOTG" />
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During the Galactic Empire's era, a [[Nepherides|group]] of Darksiders from [[Byss/Legends|Byss]], loyal to the Empire, intended to integrate their [[Emperor's Royal Guard/Legends|Guard's]] ranks.
   
 
===The Sith===
 
===The Sith===
{{Main|Sith}}
+
{{Main|Sith/Legends}}
{{Quote|Those who use the dark side are also bound to serve it. To understand this is to understand the underlying philosophy of the Sith.|Darth Revan's holocron|Darth Bane: Path of Destruction}}
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{{Quote|Those who use the dark side are also bound to serve it. To understand this is to understand the underlying philosophy of the Sith.|Darth Revan's holocron|<ref name="DB:PoD" />}}
 
[[File:EVILBastards.jpg|left|180px]]
 
[[File:EVILBastards.jpg|left|180px]]
The most infamous dark side cult, '''the Sith''' were a sect of Force-sensitives bent upon the destruction of the Jedi and domination of the galaxy. Originally a species native to the planet [[Korriban]], the cult was formed from the [[Exiles|Dark Jedi survivors]] of the Hundred-Year Darkness. Following their exile from known space, these Dark Jedi landed upon the uncharted world and were worshiped by the [[Sith (species)|Sith species]] for their powers and "magic". They were proclaimed the Lords of the Sith, and established an expanding [[Sith Empire|Empire]]. The Empire would eventually fall but the Sith religion would survive, taking on numerous forms over the years. These included the [[Sith Triumvirate]], the [[Order of the Sith Lords]], and the [[One Sith]].<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="DB:PoD" /><ref name="LegacyBroken0">''[[Star Wars: Legacy: Broken]]''</ref>
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The most infamous dark side cult, '''the Sith''' were a sect of Force-sensitives bent upon the destruction of the Jedi and domination of the galaxy. Originally a species native to the planet [[Korriban]], the cult was formed from the [[Exiles|Dark Jedi survivors]] of the Hundred-Year Darkness. Following their exile from known space, these Dark Jedi landed upon the uncharted world and were worshiped by the [[Sith (species)/Legends|Sith species]] for their powers and "magic." They were proclaimed the Lords of the Sith, and established an expanding [[Sith Empire/Legends|Empire]]. The Empire would eventually fall but the Sith religion would survive, taking on numerous forms over the years. These included the [[Sith Triumvirate]], the [[Order of the Sith Lords]], and the [[One Sith]].<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="DB:PoD" /><ref name="LegacyBroken0">''[[Star Wars: Legacy: Broken]]''</ref>
   
The Sith were also seen as the masters of the dark side, and the pinnacle of dark side power. They perfected the art of dark side mutations, allowing for the use of [[Sith alchemy]] and other [[Sith magic]]. The leader of the cult, the [[Dark Lord of the Sith]], was considered the embodiment of the dark side itself, and all power of the dark side would flow from him or her.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="DB:PoD" />
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The Sith were also seen as the masters of the dark side, and the pinnacle of dark-side power. They perfected the art of dark-side mutations, allowing for the use of [[Sith alchemy/Legends|Sith alchemy]] and other [[Sith magic]]. The leader of the cult, the [[Dark Lord of the Sith/Legends|Dark Lord of the Sith]], was considered the embodiment of the dark side itself, and all power of the dark side would flow from them.<ref name="JvS" /><ref name="DB:PoD" />
   
With such great influence, the Sith religion inspired many cults that weren't technically part of the Sith Order, nor were they composed of actual Sith. Instead, they were founded and made up of Sith devotees and other Force-sensitives dedicated to prolonging the teachings and the memory of the Sith. Such cults included the [[Naddist]]s, the [[Disciples of Ragnos]], and the [[Krath]], all of whom sought the annihilation of the Jedi and the rise of the Sith to ultimate domination over the entire galaxy.<ref name="TOTJ:TFNU1">''[[Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1]]''</ref><ref name="JediAcademy">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''</ref><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS1">''[[Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith 1: Masters and Students of the Force]]''</ref>
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With such great influence, the Sith religion inspired many cults that weren't technically part of the Sith Order, nor were they composed of actual Sith. Instead, they were founded and made up of Sith devotees and other Force-sensitives dedicated to prolonging the teachings and the memory of the Sith. Such cults included the [[Naddist]]s, the [[Disciples of Ragnos]], [[Order of Revan|Revanites]], and the [[Krath/Legends|Krath]], all of whom sought the annihilation of the Jedi and the rise of the Sith to ultimate domination over the entire galaxy.<ref name="TOTJ:TFNU1" /><ref name="JediAcademy" /><ref name="TOTJ:DLOTS1" />
   
 
===Infinite Empire===
 
===Infinite Empire===
 
{{Main|Infinite Empire}}
 
{{Main|Infinite Empire}}
[[File:ConstructionOfTheStarForge.JPG|left|125px]]
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[[File:ConstructionOfTheStarForge.jpg|right|125px]]
'''The Infinite Empire''', established by the [[Rakata]] of [[Lehon]], was the earliest known galactic government. The Rakata were finally able to traverse [[the galaxy]] following their invention of the hyperdrive, which utilized the power of the Force. When exploring the stars, they came across several more primitive species, and saw this as an opportunity for domination rather than galactic cooperation. The Rakata conquered many planets and enslaved their native species, including the [[Duros]], [[Kumumgah]], [[Selkath]], [[Wookiee]]s and [[Human]]s. Their influence and reach seemed infinite and their temples could be found on planets such as [[Honoghr]] all the way into the [[Clone Wars]]. They taught the Sith King [[Adas]] to create [[holocron]]s and attempted to usurp his control of the planet [[Korriban]]. Although they were driven off-world, the battle resulted in the death of Adas, who had once seemed invincible. The Rakata also had great influence on the natural history of the galaxy, being the cause of the [[Wroshyr tree|Wroshyr Trees]] and other massive flora on [[Kashyyyk]], as well as the [[Tusken Raider]]s and [[Jawa]]s of [[Tatooine]] (their violent response to the [[Kumumgah rebellion]] caused a deviation of the species and the transformation of Tatooine into a desert world).<ref name="TNEC">''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''</ref><ref name="KOTOR" />
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'''The Infinite Empire''', established by the [[Rakata]] of [[Lehon]], was the earliest known galactic government. The Rakata were finally able to traverse [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]] following their invention of the hyperdrive, which utilized the power of the Force. When exploring the stars, they came across several more primitive species, and saw this as an opportunity for domination rather than galactic cooperation. The Rakata conquered many planets and enslaved their native species, including the [[Duros/Legends|Duros]], [[Kumumgah/Legends|Kumumgah]], [[Selkath/Legends|Selkath]], [[Wookiee/Legends|Wookiees]] and [[Human/Legends|Humans]]. Their influence and reach seemed infinite and their temples could be found on planets such as [[Honoghr/Legends|Honoghr]] all the way into the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]]. They taught the Sith King [[Adas]] to create [[Holocron/Legends|holocrons]] and attempted to usurp his control of the planet [[Korriban]]. Although they were driven off-world, the battle resulted in the death of Adas, who had once seemed invincible. The Rakata also had great influence on the natural history of the galaxy, being the cause of the [[Wroshyr tree/Legends|Wroshyr Trees]] and other massive flora on [[Kashyyyk/Legends|Kashyyyk]], as well as the [[Tusken Raider/Legends|Tusken Raiders]] and [[Jawa/Legends|Jawas]] of [[Tatooine/Legends|Tatooine]] (their violent response to the [[Bombardment of Tatooine|Kumumgah rebellion]] caused a deviation of the species and the transformation of Tatooine into a desert world).<ref name="TNEC" /><ref name="KOTOR" />
   
At the pinnacle of their power, the Rakata created the [[Star Forge]], a massive space station-factory that fed off the power of the dark side and churned out fleets of warships and war droids. The Star Forge further corrupted its builders and the Empire began to fracture, straining from huge slave revolts and a plague that killed only the Rakata. Soon the plague robbed them of their sensitivity to the Force and the Infinite Empire crumbled. After retreating to their homeworld, their relics were left throughout the galaxy for a future [[Revan|conqueror]] to find.<ref name="KOTOR" />
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At the pinnacle of their power, the Rakata created the [[Star Forge]], a massive space station-factory that fed off the power of the dark side and churned out fleets of warships and war droids. The Star Forge further corrupted its builders and the Empire began to fracture, straining from huge slave revolts and a plague that killed only the Rakata. Soon the plague robbed them of their sensitivity to the Force and the Infinite Empire crumbled. After retreating to their homeworld, their relics were left throughout the galaxy for a future [[Revan/Legends|conqueror]] to find.<ref name="KOTOR" />
   
 
===Prophets of the Dark Side===
 
===Prophets of the Dark Side===
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[[File:ProphetsoftheDarkSide-TDSS.png|left|125px]]
 
{{Main|Prophets of the Dark Side}}
 
{{Main|Prophets of the Dark Side}}
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'''The Prophets of the Dark Side''' were the leaders and clergymen of the [[Dark Force]] religion, which was founded by renegade [[Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]] [[Darth Millennial]] on [[Dromund Kaas]]. Headquartered in the [[Dark Force Temple]] on Dromund Kaas, the Prophets searched deep into the dark side of the Force in order to divine future events. The group was discovered by [[Palpatine/Legends|Palpatine]] before the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]] and made subservient to him and his future Empire. The Sith Lord installed [[Kadann]] as [[Supreme Prophet]], and titled his new servants as the '''Emperor's Mages'''. The group became extremely influential following the rise of the [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] and served as close advisors to Palpatine.<ref name="TDSsb" />
[[File:Prophets.jpg|left|125px]]
 
'''The Prophets of the Dark Side''' were the leaders and clergymen of the [[Dark Force]] religion, which was founded by renegade [[Sith Lord]] [[Darth Millennial]] on [[Dromund Kaas]]. Headquartered in the [[Dark Force Temple]] on Dromund Kaas, the Prophets searched deep into the dark side of the Force in order to divine future events. The group was discovered by [[Palpatine]] before the [[Clone Wars]] and made subservient to him and his future Empire. The Sith Lord installed [[Kadann]] as [[Supreme Prophet]], and titled his new servants as the '''Emperor's Mages'''. The group became extremely influential following the rise of the [[Galactic Empire]] and served as close advisors to Palpatine.<ref name="TDSsb">''[[The Dark Side Sourcebook]]''</ref>
 
   
However, the Prophets splintered as a result of their closeness to Palpatine, with some remaining loyal to him and the Empire and others joining Kadann on [[Bosthirda]]. The schism occurred after Palpatine dismissed Kadann's visions of the [[Battle of Endor]] and the Emperor, along with [[Imperial Intelligence]] and several renegade Prophets, created the propaganda religion, the [[Church of the Dark Side]], in direct response. Following Palpatine's death at Endor, former [[Emperor's Hand]] [[Lumiya]] became the [[Dark Lord of the Sith|Dark Lady of the Sith]]. She, along with her apprentice, [[Carnor Jax]] wished to eliminate the remaining Prophets, and sent [[Azrakel]] to slaughter them on Bosthirda.<ref name="TDSsb" />
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However, the Prophets splintered as a result of their closeness to Palpatine, with some remaining loyal to him and the Empire and others joining Kadann on [[Bosthirda/Legends|Bosthirda]]. The schism occurred after Palpatine dismissed Kadann's visions of the [[Battle of Endor/Legends|Battle of Endor]] and the Emperor, along with [[Imperial Intelligence/Legends|Imperial Intelligence]] and several renegade Prophets, created the propaganda religion, the [[Church of the Dark Side]], in direct response. Following Palpatine's death at Endor, former [[Emperor's Hand/Legends|Emperor's Hand]] [[Lumiya]] became the [[Dark Lord of the Sith/Legends|Dark Lady of the Sith]]. She, along with her apprentice, [[Carnor Jax]] wished to eliminate the remaining Prophets, and sent [[Azrakel]] to slaughter them on Bosthirda.<ref name="TDSsb" />
   
 
===Bando Gora===
 
===Bando Gora===
{{Main|Bando Gora}}
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{{Main|Bando Gora/Legends}}
[[File:Vosawindow.JPG|left|155px]]
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[[File:Vosawindow.jpg|right|155px]]
The '''Bando Gora''' were a cult of dark side worshippers who terrorized the [[Outer Rim Territories]] in the time around the [[Battle of Naboo]]. Eventually they launched an onslaught against the planet [[Baltizaar]], and were on the verge of victory when the [[Galactic Republic|Republic]] requested aid from the [[Jedi]]. A task force soon arrived on planet, but the Jedi mission was ultimately a failure.
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The '''Bando Gora''' were a cult of dark-side worshippers who terrorized the [[Outer Rim Territories/Legends|Outer Rim Territories]] in the time around the [[Battle of Naboo/Legends|Battle of Naboo]]. Eventually they launched an onslaught against the planet [[Baltizaar/Legends|Baltizaar]], and were on the verge of victory when the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Republic]] requested aid from the [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]]. A task force soon arrived on planet, but the Jedi mission was ultimately a failure.
   
During the fighting two Jedi were killed and the Bando Gora was able to capture three Jedi as prisoners of war. One of the hostages was [[Komari Vosa]], the [[padawan]] of [[Jedi Master]] [[Dooku]] who had just been passed over for knighthood. Already on the dark path following her rejection, Vosa succumbed to the dark side during her torture in captivity. She was able to free herself and kill her captors and fellow Jedi captives, gaining control of the Bando Gora. Making her headquarters on the graveyard moon of [[Kohlma]], Vosa set into action a plan for galactic domination. She would use one of the galaxy's most popular narcotics, [[Death stick]]s, to brainwash beings into devotion to the cult. Unfortunately for Vosa, the Bando Gora caught the attention of Darth Sidious, who saw the cult as a threat to ''his'' plan for galactic domination. His apprentice, [[Dooku|Darth Tyranus]], the new identity of Vosa's former master, put a bounty on her head. The bounty hunter [[Jango Fett]] was able to defeat Vosa and destroy the Bando Gora, thus proving himself worthy to be the [[Prime clone]] of the [[Grand Army of the Republic]].
+
During the fighting two Jedi were killed and the Bando Gora was able to capture three Jedi as prisoners of war. One of the hostages was [[Komari Vosa]], the [[Padawan/Legends|Padawan]] of [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]] [[Dooku/Legends|Dooku]] who had just been passed over for knighthood. Already on the dark path following her rejection, Vosa succumbed to the dark side during her torture in captivity. She was able to free herself and kill her captors and fellow Jedi captives, gaining control of the Bando Gora. Making her headquarters on the graveyard moon of [[Kohlma]], Vosa set into action a plan for galactic domination. She would use one of the galaxy's most popular narcotics, [[Death stick/Legends|death sticks]], to brainwash beings into devotion to the cult. Unfortunately for Vosa, the Bando Gora caught the attention of Darth Sidious, who saw the cult as a threat to ''his'' plan for galactic domination. His apprentice, [[Dooku/Legends|Darth Tyranus]], the new identity of Vosa's former master, put a bounty on her head. The bounty hunter [[Jango Fett/Legends|Jango Fett]] was able to defeat Vosa and destroy the Bando Gora, thus proving himself worthy to be the [[Prime clone]] of the [[Grand Army of the Republic/Legends|Grand Army of the Republic]].
   
 
===Nightsisters===
 
===Nightsisters===
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[[File:Nightsisters_NEGTF_Full.jpg|left|155px]]
{{Main|Nightsister}}
 
[[File:Nightsisters NEGTF Full.jpg|left|155px]]
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{{Main|Nightsisters/Legends}}
The [[Witches of Dathomir]] were Force-sensitive women who organized themselves into clans on the planet [[Dathomir]]. Although there were many different clans with different rules and laws, all forbade the use of the dark side. Those who utilized the dark side of the Force were banished from their clans, sent into exile in the wilds of Dathomir. In the waning days of the Old Republic, two exiles, [[Gethzerion]] and [[Baritha]] began to gather other outcasts to form a new clan of Witches devoted to the dark side. This new clan would come to be known as the '''Nightsisters''', a feared sect of female warriors and sorceresses.
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The [[Witches of Dathomir]] were Force-sensitive women who organized themselves into clans on the planet [[Dathomir/Legends|Dathomir]]. Although there were many different clans with different rules and laws, all of the laws forbade the use of the dark side. Those who utilized the dark side of the Force were banished from their clans, sent into exile in the wilds of Dathomir. In the waning days of the Old Republic, two exiles, [[Gethzerion]] and [[Baritha]] began to gather other outcasts to form a new clan of Witches devoted to the dark side. This new clan would come to be known as the '''Nightsisters''', a feared sect of female warriors and sorceresses.
   
Nightsisters in the galaxy were a rarity, as it was unlikely for any to be able to obtain passage off Dathomir, however it was not unheard of. [[Mighella]] served [[Black Sun]] [[Vigo]] [[Alexi Garyn]] as a bodyguard, [[Charal]] was able to make her way to [[Endor]], and several sisters allied themselves with the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems|CIS]] during the Clone Wars. During the reign of the Empire, Gethzerion allied herself with Palpatine, in hopes to attain transport off Dathomir. Palpatine, fearing her power, wouldn't allow her or any other Nightsisters to escape the planet, and so began to imprison the witches and quarantine the planet. Although many escaped their prisons, none were able to escape the planet following the blockade. Gethzerion later tried to broker a deal with Imperial [[Warlord]] [[Zsinj]], although he double crossed her, resulting in the destruction of the clan.
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Nightsisters in the galaxy were rare, as it was unlikely for any to obtain passage off Dathomir; however, it was not unheard of. [[Mighella]] served [[Black Sun/Legends|Black Sun]] [[Vigo/Legends|Vigo]] [[Alexi Garyn]] as a bodyguard, [[Charal]] was able to make her way to [[Endor/Legends|Endor]], and several sisters allied themselves with the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|CIS]] during the Clone Wars. During the reign of the Empire, Gethzerion allied herself with Palpatine, hoping to attain transport off Dathomir. Palpatine, fearing her power, wouldn't allow her or any other Nightsisters to escape the planet, and so began to imprison the witches and quarantine the planet. Although many escaped their prisons, none were able to escape the planet following the blockade. Gethzerion later tried to broker a deal with Imperial [[Warlord/Legends|Warlord]] [[Zsinj]], but he double-crossed her, resulting in the destruction of the clan.
   
This would not be the end of the Nightsisters, however, as [[Tamith Kai]] would recreate the group around [[23 ABY]]. Many of these Sisters joined the [[Shadow Academy]], while [[Lomi Plo|one]] became a Sith.
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This would not be the end of the Nightsisters, however, as [[Tamith Kai]] would recreate the group around [[23 ABY/Legends|23 ABY]]. Many of these Sisters joined the [[Shadow Academy]], while [[Lomi Plo|one]] became a Sith.
   
 
===Sorcerers of Tund===
 
===Sorcerers of Tund===
{{Main|Sorcerers of Tund}}
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{{Main|Sorcerers of Tund/Legends}}
[[File:Sorcerer of Tund EGF.jpg|left|125px]]
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[[File:Sorcerer_of_Tund_EGF.jpg|right|125px]]
The '''Sorcerers of Tund''' were a sect of Force-sensitives on the planet [[Tund]] who were descended from [[Sith sorceror|Sith Mages]] banished there. The Mages were under the belief that all sentient beings were Force-sensitive, as the only other species they had come into contact with as of yet were the Rakata of the Infinite Empire. The Sorcerers rarely left Tund and were recognizable by their all-concealing outfits. They called the Force the "Unity," and although they had contact with the Jedi, they refused to join their order. Their explorations of the Force were known to drive them to madness, but their mastery of Force "magic" was undeniable, as seen in their ability to create intricate illusions and shapeshift.
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The '''Sorcerers of Tund''' were a sect of Force-sensitives on the planet [[Tund/Legends|Tund]] who were descended from Sith mages banished there. The mages were under the belief that all sentient beings were Force-sensitive, as the only other species they had come into contact with as of yet were the Rakata of the Infinite Empire. The Sorcerers rarely left Tund and were recognizable by their all-concealing outfits. They called the Force the "Unity," and although they had contact with the Jedi, they refused to join their order. Their explorations of the Force were known to drive them to madness, but their mastery of Force "magic" was undeniable, as seen in their ability to create intricate illusions and shapeshift.
   
Eventually the sorcerers came under the leadership of [[Karnak Tetsu]], who unleashed a reign of terror following the [[Great Sith War]]. Following this, the Jedi took it as their responsibility to ensure that the sorcerers didn't descend into darkness, however they were forced to abandon their vigil during the Republic's twilight. [[Rokur Gepta]] was able to join the group, learn their secrets, and then destroy them, becoming the last of the Sorcerers.
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Eventually the sorcerers came under the leadership of [[Karnak Tetsu]], who unleashed a reign of terror following the [[Great Sith War/Legends|Great Sith War]]. Following this, the Jedi took it as their responsibility to ensure that the sorcerers didn't descend into darkness, however they were forced to abandon their vigil during the Republic's twilight. [[Rokur Gepta]] was able to join the group, learn their secrets, and then destroy them, becoming the last of the Sorcerers.
 
==Media==
 
[[File:Gnome-speakernotes.png|30px|(audio)]]
 
[[Media:The Dark.ogg|The Dark.]] (From the audio adaptation of the [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (novel)|''Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' novel]])
 
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
Bogan was the name given to the dark side of the Force in early drafts of ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope|A New Hope]]'' and was established as canon in the [[Expanded Universe]] by the ''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''. It was also said to be what the ancient Jedi and Sith called the dark side in ''[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two]]'' and called Boga.
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Bogan was the name given to the dark side of the Force in early drafts of [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''A New Hope'']] and was established as canon in the [[Star Wars Legends|Expanded Universe]] by the ''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''. It was also said to be what the ancient Jedi and Sith called the dark side in ''[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two]]'' and called Boga.
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  +
With the release of ''[[Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi 0]]'', Bogan is now known to have originated with the [[Tythan]]s, where [[Bogan]] was one of two moons that orbited Tython.
  +
  +
Those who subscribe to theory of the [[Unifying Force/Legends|Unifying Force]] believe that there is no dark side of the Force, nor is there a light side.
   
  +
===Media===
With the release of ''[[Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi 0]]'', Bogan is now known to have originated with the [[Tythan]]s, where [[Bogan (moon)|Bogan]] was one of two moons that orbited [[Tython]].
 
  +
[[File:Quote-audio.png|30px|(audio)]]
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[[Media:The Dark.ogg|The Dark.]] (From the audio adaptation of the [[Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (novelization)|''Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' novel]])
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
{{Scroll box|content=
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{{Scroll_box|content=
*[[Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi|''Tales of the Jedi'' comics]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm 1|''Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm'' 1]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm 2|''Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm'' 2]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm 3|''Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm'' 3]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm 4|''Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm'' 4]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm 5|''Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm'' 5]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan 1|''Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan'' 1]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan 2|''Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan'' 2]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan 3|''Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan'' 3]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan 4|''Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan'' 4]]
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*[[Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan 5|''Dawn of the Jedi: The Prisoner of Bogan'' 5]]
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*{{SeriesListing|l=1}} [[Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (comic series)|''Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi'' (comic series)]]
 
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
  +
*[[Cartel Market|''Star Wars: The Old Republic'' Cartel Market]]
*''[[Knight Errant (novel)|Knight Errant]]''
 
  +
*{{TORweb|url=info/news/blog/20150428|text=The Sixth Line: Part Two|int=The Sixth Line}}
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*''[[The Old Republic: Annihilation]]''
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*[[The Old Republic: Annihilation (audiobook)|''The Old Republic: Annihilation'' audiobook]]
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*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Rise of the Hutt Cartel]]''
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*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Galactic Starfighter]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Shadow of Revan]]''
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*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Knights of the Fallen Empire]]''
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*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Knights of the Eternal Throne]]''
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*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Onslaught]]''
  +
*{{TORweb|url=info/news/article/20220215-0|text="Disorder"|int=Disorder}}
  +
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Legacy of the Sith]]''
  +
*[[Knight Errant (novel)|''Knight Errant'']]
 
*''[[Darth Bane: Path of Destruction]]''
 
*''[[Darth Bane: Path of Destruction]]''
  +
*[[Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (audiobook)|''Darth Bane: Path of Destruction'' audiobook]]
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi vs. Sith]]''
 
  +
*[[Jedi vs. Sith 1|''Jedi vs. Sith'' 1]]
  +
*[[Jedi vs. Sith 2|''Jedi vs. Sith'' 2]]
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*[[Jedi vs. Sith 3|''Jedi vs. Sith'' 3]]
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*[[Jedi vs. Sith 4|''Jedi vs. Sith'' 4]]
  +
*[[Jedi vs. Sith 5|''Jedi vs. Sith'' 5]]
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*[[Jedi vs. Sith 6|''Jedi vs. Sith'' 6]]
 
*''[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two]]''
 
*''[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two]]''
  +
*[[Darth Bane: Rule of Two (audiobook)|''Darth Bane: Rule of Two'' audiobook]]
 
*''[[Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil]]''
 
*''[[Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil]]''
  +
*[[Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil (audiobook)|''Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil'' audiobook]]
*''[[Star Wars: Darth Plagueis]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Wrath of Darth Maul]]''
+
*[[Darth Plagueis (novel)|''Darth Plagueis'']]
  +
*[[Darth Plagueis (audiobook)|''Darth Plagueis'' audiobook]]
*''[[Restraint]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]''
+
*''[[The Wrath of Darth Maul]]''
  +
*{{StoryCite|story=Restraint|book=Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter}}
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*{{Film|I}}
  +
*''[[Star Wars Episode I Journal: Darth Maul]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Bounty Hunter]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Bounty Hunter]]''
*''[[Outbound Flight (novel)|Outbound Flight]]''
+
*[[Outbound Flight (novel)|''Outbound Flight'']]
  +
*{{Film|II}}
*''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]''
 
*''[[Shatterpoint (novel)|Shatterpoint]]''
+
*[[Shatterpoint (novel)|''Shatterpoint'']]
  +
*[[Shatterpoint (unabridged audiobook)|''Shatterpoint'' unabridged audiobook]]
 
*''[[The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny: Crisis on Coruscant]]''
 
*''[[The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny: Crisis on Coruscant]]''
*{{LFC|Padawannabes}} {{Mo}}
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*{{LivingForce|Jedi Code: Padawannabes}} {{Mo}}
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*{{Film|III}}
*''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''
 
  +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 1|''Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith'' 1]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 2|''Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith'' 2]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 3|''Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith'' 3]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 4|''Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith'' 4]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (novelization)|''Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith'' novelization]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (unabridged audiobook)|''Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith'' unabridged audiobook]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (junior novelization)|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'' junior novelization]]
  +
*[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (video game)|''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' video game]]
  +
*''[[Star Wars: Purge]]''
 
*''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''
 
*''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''
 
*''[[Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight]]''
 
*''[[Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight]]''
 
*''[[Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows]]''
 
*''[[Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows]]''
  +
*''[[Domain of Evil]]''
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=Domain of Evil|book=Classic Adventures: Volume Two}}
 
*''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]''
*''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]'' {{1st}}
+
*''[[Jedi Dawn]]''
  +
*{{Film|IV}} {{1st}}
  +
*''[[Star Wars: A Storybook]]''
  +
*''[[Under a Black Sun]]'' {{Mo}}
  +
*{{FFG|story=Takeover at Whisper Base (Adventure Book)|book=Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Beginner Game|text=''Star Wars: Age of Rebellion'' Beginner Game}} {{Mo}}
  +
*''[[Rescue at Glare Peak]]''
  +
*{{Journal|12|Small Favors}}
 
*''[[Rebel Force: Target]]''
 
*''[[Rebel Force: Target]]''
 
*''[[Rebel Force: Hostage]]'' {{Mo}}
 
*''[[Rebel Force: Hostage]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Allegiance (novel)|Allegiance]]''
+
*[[Allegiance (novel)|''Allegiance'']]
  +
*[[Allegiance (audiobook)|''Allegiance'' audiobook]]
  +
*{{Journal|11|The Most Dangerous Foe}} {{Flash}}
  +
*{{Journal|8|Uhl Eharl Khoehng (short story)}}
 
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine]]''
 
*''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]''
 
*''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]''
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=Jedi Heirlooms|book=Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (first edition)}} {{Mo}}
*''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]''
 
  +
*''[[Battle for the Golden Sun]]''
*''[[Star Wars 42: The Empire Strikes Back: To Be a Jedi]]'' {{Mo}}
 
  +
*''[[Planet of the Mists]]''
*''[[Star Wars 43: The Empire Strikes Back: Betrayal at Bespin]]''
 
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=The Heart of the Universe|book=Star Wars Gamemaster Screen}}
*''[[Star Wars 44: The Empire Strikes Back: Duel a Dark Lord]]''
 
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=Fortress of Terror|book=Star Wars Gamemaster Screen}}
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=The Monster Maker|book=Star Wars Gamemaster Screen}}
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=Mob Psychology|book=Star Wars Gamemaster Screen}}
  +
*{{Journal|2|The Way of the Yrashu}}
  +
*{{WEGCite|story=Blood Inheritance|book=Tapani Sector Instant Adventures}}
  +
*''[[The Bounty Hunter]]'' {{Mo}}
  +
*{{Film|V}}
  +
*''[[The Empire Strikes Back: A Storybook]]''
  +
*[[Star Wars (1977) 42|''Star Wars'' (1977) 42]] {{Mo}}
  +
*[[Star Wars (1977) 43|''Star Wars'' (1977) 43]]
  +
*[[Star Wars (1977) 44|''Star Wars'' (1977) 44]]
 
*''[[Star Wars Adventures: The Will of Darth Vader]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Adventures: The Will of Darth Vader]]''
*''[[Star Wars 50: The Crimson Forever]]'' {{Mo}}
+
*[[Star Wars (1977) 50|''Star Wars'' (1977) 50]] {{Mo}}
 
*{{Journal|11|The Longest Fall}}
 
*{{Journal|11|The Longest Fall}}
 
*[[Shadows of the Empire (novel)|''Shadows of the Empire'' novel]]
 
*[[Shadows of the Empire (novel)|''Shadows of the Empire'' novel]]
*[[Shadows of the Empire (comics)|''Shadows of the Empire'' comic]] {{Mo}}
+
*[[Shadows of the Empire (audiobook)|''Shadows of the Empire'' abridged audiobook]]
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire (junior novelization)|''Shadows of the Empire'' junior novel]]
*''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]''
 
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire 1|''Shadows of the Empire'' 1]] {{Mo}}
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire 2|''Shadows of the Empire'' 2]]
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire 3|''Shadows of the Empire'' 3]]
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire 4|''Shadows of the Empire'' 4]]
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire 5|''Shadows of the Empire'' 5]]
  +
*[[Shadows of the Empire 6|''Shadows of the Empire'' 6]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Ertl)|''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' Ertl minicomic]] {{Mo}}
  +
*{{Film|VI}}
  +
*[[Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (novelization)|''Star Wars: Return of the Jedi'' novelization]]
  +
*[[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi (junior novelization)|''Star Wars'': Episode VI ''Return of the Jedi'' junior novelization]]
  +
*''[[The Mandalorian Armor]]'' {{Flash}}
  +
*''[[Slave Ship]]'' {{Flash}}
  +
*''[[Hard Merchandise]]'' {{Mo}}
  +
*''[[The Truce at Bakura]]''
  +
*[[Star Wars (1977) 89|''Star Wars'' (1977) 89]]
  +
*[[X-Wing Rogue Squadron 17|''X-Wing Rogue Squadron'' 17]]
  +
*[[X-Wing Rogue Squadron 18|''X-Wing Rogue Squadron'' 18]]
  +
*[[X-Wing Rogue Squadron 19|''X-Wing Rogue Squadron'' 19]]
  +
*[[X-Wing Rogue Squadron 20|''X-Wing Rogue Squadron'' 20]]
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]''
  +
*{{Journal|4|Shadows of Darkness}}
*''[[X-wing: Wraith Squadron]]''
 
  +
*{{Journal|4|Starter's Tale}} {{Flash}}
  +
*''[[X-Wing: Wraith Squadron]]''
 
*''[[The Courtship of Princess Leia]]''
 
*''[[The Courtship of Princess Leia]]''
  +
*{{DarkStryder|adventure=Waystation|book=The Kathol Rift|reprint=yes}} {{Mo}}
 
*''[[Heir to the Empire]]''
 
*''[[Heir to the Empire]]''
 
*''[[Dark Force Rising]]''
 
*''[[Dark Force Rising]]''
  +
*[[Dark Force Rising (unabridged audiobook)|''Dark Force Rising'' unabridged audiobook]]
 
*''[[The Last Command]]''
 
*''[[The Last Command]]''
  +
*[[The Last Command (unabridged audiobook)|''The Last Command'' unabridged audiobook]]
  +
*{{Journal|12|Betrayal by Knight}}
  +
*{{Journal|6|Relic (article)}}
  +
*{{Journal|15|Firestorm (short story)}}
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''
  +
*{{Journal|14|Murder in Slushtime}} {{Mo}}
*{{LFC|Clouded Paths}}
 
  +
*{{Journal|15|Two for One}} {{Mo}}
*''[[Legacy of the Force]]''
 
  +
*{{LivingForce|Clouds of Genarius: Clouded Paths}}
*''[[Fate of the Jedi]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Legacy]]''
+
*{{SeriesListing|l=1}} ''[[Star Wars: Legacy of the Force]]''
  +
*{{SeriesListing|l=1}} ''[[Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi]]''
  +
*{{SeriesListing|l=1}} ''[[Star Wars: Legacy]]''
  +
*''[[Introductory Adventure Game]]''
  +
*''[[Star Wars Episode I: I Am a Jedi]]''
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{More sources}}
 
{{More sources}}
   
  +
===Non-canon appearances===
==Sources==
 
  +
*[[Jedi Academy (novel)|''Jedi Academy'']]
{{Scroll box|content=
 
  +
*''[[Jedi Academy: Return of the Padawan]]''
*[[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (toy line)|''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' toy line]]
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition]]''
 
*''[[Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim]]''
 
*''[[Dark Empire Sourcebook]]''
 
*[[Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)|''Star Wars: The Power of the Force'' (1995)]]
 
*''[[The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire]]''
 
*{{SOTE|cardname=Luke Feels the Dark Side|link=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC003.jpg}}
 
*{{SOTE|cardname=Vader Stays Sharp|link=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC012.jpg}}
 
*{{SOTE|cardname=Dealing with Dash|link=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC019.jpg}}
 
*{{SOTE|cardname=Vader Senses His Son|link=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC046.jpg}}
 
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised]]'' <!-- December 1996 -->
 
*''[[Star Wars: Rebellion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]]''
 
*{{GalaxyCite|8|The Dark Side}}
 
*''[[Star Wars: Behind the Magic]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Illustrated Companion]]''
 
*''[[Hero's Guide]]''
 
*''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive]]''
 
*''[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Legacy 0]]''
 
*"[[Legacies of Future Orders]]" in [[Star Wars Insider 88|''Star Wars Insider'' 88]]
 
*{{InsiderCite|102|Classic Moment}}
 
*{{InsiderCite|82|The Evil Within}}
 
*{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/BtT1|text=Behind the Threat: The Sith, Part 1: Portrayal|int=Behind the Threat: The Sith, Part 1: Portrayal}}
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide]]
 
*''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
 
*''[[Rebellion Era Campaign Guide]]''
 
*{{SWGTCG|Champions of the Force (SWGTCG)|Champions of the Force|url=http://www.swgtcgdb.com/card.php?ID=GiveYourselftotheDarkSide|cardname=Give Yourself to the Dark Side}}
 
*{{GamerCite|7|Bartyn's Landing (article)|Bartyn's Landing}}
 
*{{WizardsCite|int=Arbra: Sanctuary In the Storm|text=Arbra: Sanctuary In the Storm|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030612arbra2}} <!--June 2003-->
 
*''[[Fate of the Jedi: Dramatis Personae]]''
 
*{{Hyperspace|url=fans/hyperspace/source/nagai11202009/index.html|text=The Forgotten War: The Nagai and the Tofs|int=The Forgotten War: The Nagai and the Tofs}}
 
*''[[The Written Word]]''
 
*''[[The Unknown Regions]]''
 
*''[[The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (real-life book)|The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force]]''
 
*{{Holonet|inhabitants|sith-pureblood|Sith Pureblood}} <!--11/26/10-->
 
*{{InsiderCite|122|Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Nightsisters but Were Afraid to Ask}}
 
*{{InsiderCite|123|Secrets of the Force}}
 
*{{SWArchive|url=theclonewars/guide/episode315.html|text=''The Clone Wars'' Episode Guide: Overlords}}
 
*{{InsiderCite|125|50 Great Reasons to Rewatch Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season Three|50 Great Reasons to Rewatch ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' Season Three}}
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Complete Season Three]]''
 
*{{InsiderCite|126|Writer's Republic}}
 
*{{InsiderCite|126|The Write Stuff!}}
 
*''[[Star Wars: Darth Maul, Sith Apprentice]]''
 
*''[[Totally 20: The Phantom Menace]]''
 
*''[[Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side (real-life book)|Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Beware the Sith]]''
 
*''[[The Essential Guide to Warfare]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded]]''}}
 
   
  +
==Sources==
==Notes and references==
 
  +
{{Scroll_box|content=
{{Scroll box
 
  +
*<!-- 1984-02-12 -->''[[Star Wars Word Puzzles]]''
|content=
 
  +
*<!-- 1984-11-12 -->''[[A Guide to the Star Wars Universe]]''
{{Reflist}}
 
  +
*<!-- 1987-10-XX -->[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (first edition)|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'']]
  +
*<!-- 1987-11-XX -->''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1988-01-XX -->{{InsiderCite|2|Star Wars: The Role-Playing Game|''Star Wars: The Role-Playing Game''}}
  +
*<!-- 1988-XX-XX -->''[[Lightsaber Dueling Pack]]''
  +
*<!-- 1988-XX-XX -->''[[Star Wars Campaign Pack]]''
  +
*<!-- 1989-01-XX -->''[[Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope]]''
  +
*<!-- 1989-01-XX -->''[[The Star Wars Rules Companion]]''
  +
*<!-- 1989-XX-XX -->''[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back]]''
  +
*<!-- 1991-06-XX -->[[Cracken's Rebel Field Guide (sourcebook)|''Cracken's Rebel Field Guide'']]
  +
*<!-- 1992-10-XX -->[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', Second Edition]]
  +
*<!-- 1992-11-XX -->''[[Heir to the Empire Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1993-04-XX -->''[[Dark Force Rising Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1993-05-13 -->''[[Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim]]''
  +
*<!-- 1993-06-XX -->''[[Dark Empire Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1993-06-XX -->[[Wanted by Cracken (sourcebook)|''Wanted by Cracken'']]
  +
*<!-- 1993-06-XXM -->''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1993-09-XX -->''[[The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1994-03-XX -->''[[The Last Command Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1994-03-XX -->[[Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters'', Second Edition]]
  +
*<!-- 1994-07-18 -->''[[TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide]]''
  +
*<!-- 1995-03-XX -->''[[Galladinium's Fantastic Technology]]''
  +
*<!-- 1995-06-XX -->''[[Classic Campaigns]]''
  +
*<!-- 1995-06-XX -->[[Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope'', Second Edition]]
  +
*<!-- 1995-07-17 -->''[[The DarkStryder Campaign]]''
  +
*<!-- 1995-07-XX -->{{InsiderCite|26|The Horse's Mouth|Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A Guide to the ''Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi'' Universe, Part 1}}
  +
*<!-- 1995-10-XXF -->''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised]]''
  +
*<!-- 1995-XX-XX -->[[Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi'', Second Edition]]
  +
*<!-- 1995-XX-XX -->[[Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995 toy line)|''Star Wars: The Power of the Force'' (1995)]]
  +
*<!-- 1996-02-XX -->''[[The Truce at Bakura Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-04-15 -->''[[The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-04-XX -->''[[TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM: The Official Strategy Guide]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-04-XX -->''[[The Jedi Academy Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-05-XX -->{{Journal|10|Cracken's Rebel Operatives (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-05-XX -->{{Journal|10|Wanted by Cracken (Star Wars Adventure Journal)}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-05-XX -->''[[The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-06-XX -->''[[Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-07-XX -->{{GalaxyCite|8|The Dark Side}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-08-XX -->''[[Live-Action Adventures]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-08-XX -->''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded]]''
  +
<!-- 1996-09-XX -->{{CardGameSet|set={{SOTE}}|cards=
  +
*<!-- 1996-09-XX -->{{SOTE|cardname=Dealing with Dash|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC019.jpg|archiveurl=https://archive.is/04wd}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-09-XX -->{{SOTE|cardname=Luke Feels the Dark Side|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC003.jpg|archiveurl=https://archive.is/bSqZ}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-09-XX -->{{SOTE|cardname=Vader Senses His Son|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC046.jpg|archiveurl=https://archive.is/1LDB}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-09-XX -->{{SOTE|cardname=Vader Stays Sharp|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC012.jpg|archiveurl=https://archive.is/r38E}}
  +
}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-10-XXF -->''[[Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-10-XXF -->''[[Endgame]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-11-XX -->''[[Tales of the Jedi Companion]]''
  +
*<!-- 1996-11-XX -->{{Journal|13|Alien Encounters (article series)|Alien Encounters}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-12-XX -->[[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Limited Collector's Edition|''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' Limited Collector's Edition]]
  +
*<!-- 1996-XX-XX -->{{Galoob|set=Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Micro Machines|text=''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' Micro Machines|pack=Collection I|link=soteMM1.asp}}
  +
*<!-- 1996-XX-XX -->{{KennerCite|set=Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (toy line)|pack=Darth Vader vs. Prince Xizor|link=soteKxizor-vader.asp}}
  +
*<!-- 1997-05-12 -->''[[Wretched Hives of Scum & Villainy]]''
  +
*<!-- 1997-07-XX -->''[[Cracken's Threat Dossier]]''
  +
*<!-- 1997-09-XX -->''[[Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear]]''
  +
*<!-- 1997-10-XX -->''[[Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition]]''
  +
*<!-- 1997-11-11 -->''[[Star Wars: The Art of the Brothers Hildebrandt]]''
  +
*<!-- 1997-12-XX -->''[[Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive]]''
  +
*<!-- 1998-03-27 -->[[Star Wars: Rebellion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide|''Star Wars: Rebellion'': Prima's Official Strategy Guide]]
  +
*<!-- 1998-06-XX -->''[[Alien Encounters]]''
  +
*<!-- 1998-09-XX -->''[[Star Wars: Behind the Magic]]''
  +
*<!-- 1998-10-05 -->''[[Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary]]''
  +
*<!-- 1998-XX-XX -->''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]''
  +
*<!-- 1999-04-21 -->''[[Star Wars Episode I Who's Who: A Pocket Guide to the Characters of The Phantom Menace]]''
  +
*<!-- 1999-11-06 -->''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Data File]]''
  +
*<!-- 2001-06-21 -->{{WizardsCite|url=starwars/article.asp?x=sw20010621b_quinlanvos&c=rpg|text=Quinlan Vos: Jedi Without a Past|int=Quinlan Vos: Jedi Without a Past}}
  +
*<!-- 2001-07-26 -->{{WizardsCite|url=starwars/article.asp?x=sw20010726b_grahrk&c=rpg|text=Vilmarh Grahrk: A Devil of a Smuggler|int=Vilmarh Grahrk: A Devil of a Smuggler}}
  +
*<!-- 2001-08-02 -->''[[The Dark Side Sourcebook]]''
  +
*<!-- 2001-11-06 -->{{GamerCite|7|Bartyn's Landing (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 2002-04-22 -->''[[Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Illustrated Companion]]''
  +
*<!-- 2002-05-30 -->{{WizardsCite|url=starwars/article.asp?x=sw20020530cdarkblue&c=rpg|text=Dark Blue|int=Dark Blue}}
  +
*<!-- 2002-07-18 -->{{WizardsCite|url=starwars/article.asp?x=sw20020718bkylekatarn&c=rpg|text=Kyle Katarn, Jedi Outcast|int=Kyle Katarn, Jedi Outcast}}
  +
*<!-- 2002-08-29 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20020829amoodswings|text=Mood Swings|int=Mood Swings}}
  +
*<!-- 2002-11-21 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20021121komari|text=Komari Vosa|int=Komari Vosa (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 2002-12-19 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20021219vergere|text=Vergere, Master of Mystery|int=Vergere, Master of Mystery}}
  +
*<!-- 2003-01-02 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030102ralltiirintro|text=A Traveler's Journals of Ralltiir|int=A Traveler's Journals of Ralltiir}}
  +
*<!-- 2003-06-12 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030612arbra2|text=Arbra: Sanctuary In the Storm Part 2|int=Arbra: Sanctuary In the Storm}}
  +
*<!-- 2003-06-XX -->''[[Hero's Guide]]''
  +
*<!-- 2003-08-14 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030814trasaa|text=T'ra Saa|int=T'ra Saa (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 2003-09-11 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20030911nod|text=Lorian Nod|int=Lorian Nod (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 2003-10-09 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20031009malak|text=Darth Malak|int=Darth Malak (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 2004-01-08 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20040108fett|text=Boba Fett (NJO Era)|int=Boba Fett (NJO Era)}}
  +
*<!-- 2004-02-26 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20040226eu|text=Voss Parck|int=Voss Parck (article)}}
  +
*<!-- 2004-11-11 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20041111impbackbone|text=The Imperial Backbone|int=The Imperial Backbone}}
  +
*<!-- 2004-12-16 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20041216b|text=Furry and Fury|int=Furry and Fury}}
  +
*<!-- 2004-12-21 -->[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide|''Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords'': Prima Official Game Guide]]
  +
*<!-- 2005-01-06 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20050106a|text=Fringe Benefits|int=Fringe Benefits}}
  +
*<!-- 2005-01-20 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20050120a|text=We Don't Need That Scum|int=We Don't Need That Scum}}
  +
*<!-- 2005-03-29 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=swminis/article/rotspreview9|text=''Revenge of the Sith'' Preview 9}}
  +
*<!-- 2005-04-02 -->''[[Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary]]''
  +
*<!-- 2005-05-05 -->[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Prima Official Game Guide|''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'': Prima Official Game Guide]]
  +
*<!-- 2005-05-30 -->{{InsiderCite|82|The Evil Within}}
  +
*<!-- 2005-07-28 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20050728a|text=Heroes of ''Revenge of the Sith''|int=Heroes of Revenge of the Sith}}
  +
*<!-- 2005-10-25 -->''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''
  +
*<!-- 2006-02-14 -->[[Star Wars: Empire at War: Prima Official Game Guide|''Star Wars: Empire at War'': Prima Official Game Guide]]
  +
*<!-- 2006-06-07 -->[[Star Wars: Legacy (2006) 0|''Star Wars: Legacy'' (2006) 0]]
  +
*<!-- 2006-06-13 -->{{InsiderCite|88|Legacies of Future Orders}}
  +
*<!-- 2006-10-24 -->[[Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption Expansion: Prima Official Game Guide|''Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption Expansion'': Prima Official Game Guide]]
  +
*<!-- 2007-05-03 -->{{WizardsCite|url=default.asp?x=starwars/article/AEPreview4|text=''Alliance and Empire'' Preview 4}}
  +
*<!-- 2007-05-24 -->''[[Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]''
  +
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==See also==
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===Non-canon sources===
*[[Light side of the Force]]
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*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Dark Side]]''
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*[[Code of the Sith]]
 
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==Notes and references==
*[[Sith]]
 
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{{Scroll_box|content={{Reflist}}}}
*[[Dark Jedi]]
 
*[[Potentium]]
 
   
 
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|es=Lado oscuro de la Fuerza
 
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[[Category:Dark side|Dark side]]
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[[Category:Dark side| ]]
 
[[Category:The Force]]
 
[[Category:The Force]]

Latest revision as of 18:14, 20 March 2024

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This article is about the dark side of the Force, also known as Bogan.
You may be looking for other uses of the terms "dark side" and "Bogan".
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Darksiders btm

Darth Sidious, Darth Vader and Jerec, infamous practitioners of the Dark side of the Force.

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
Yoda[1]

The dark side of the Force, called Bogan or Boga by ancient Force-sensitives on Tython, was a method of using the Force. Those who used the dark side were known as either Darksiders, Dark Side Adepts, or Dark Jedi when unaffiliated with a dark side organization such as the Sith. Unlike the Jedi, who used the light side of the Force, darksiders drew power from raw emotions and feelings such as anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, fear, aggression, megalomania, and unrestrained passion.

The dark side overrode an individual's character and consumed the souls of those who used it, whilst submitting to the light side meant the death of the self and sacrificing for the Cosmic Force, an aspect of the Force that bound all things together and communicated its will to all life under the aspect known as the Living Force, the energy of all life.[2] This led the exiled Jedi and former Sith, Kreia, who valued the individual over all else, to believe that as the light and dark sides were the two methods of using the Force, the Force itself was detrimental to individuals and thus should be removed from existence.[3]

Definition[]

"Evil began in a time before recorded history, when magicians made themselves into kings…and gods…using the powers of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to obey one who wields great power. Those who learned the powers of the dark side were quick to exploit this weakness—to make war. Again and again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm…devouring whole worlds and entire star systems. Those who mastered dark power became dark power. They unleashed destruction, for no other reason than for selfish gain. They despoiled nations…destroyed whole civilizations. Some of them, I am ashamed to say, were Jedi."
Ood Bnar[4]
Schism4

A Jedi gives in to the dark side and assaults his Master.

The dark side was an aspect of the Force, a metaphysical power that bound the galaxy together. It was selfishness and possession, interlocked with the fear of loss that gave rise to anger and hate and brought suffering to those on whom its power was unleashed and who embraced it alike.

The first known users of the dark side were the ancient Rakata, an alien species that conquered a large portion of the galaxy around 30,000 BBY. These aliens were able to harness the dark side to create engineering feats unheard of in their time, such as the hyperdrive and the Star Forge. However, the Rakatan Infinite Empire eventually collapsed when the Rakatans lost their connection to the Force.[5]

In 25,053 BBY, long after the fall of the Infinite Empire, the galaxy was creating a new government, the Galactic Republic. Prior to the dawn of this new era, scientists, philosophers, priests, and warriors gathered on the planet Tython to discuss and investigate an anomalous energy present throughout the galaxy. The group was able to discover Ashla, what became known as the light side of the Force. Eventually however, members of the group discovered and, led by hatred and greed,[6] began to advocate the use of Bogan, or what would later become known as the dark side. At first the group founded the Je'daii Order, the predecessor to the Jedi Order. The Je'daii Order advocated using both sides of the Force and placed heavy emphasis on maintaining balance between the two.

However, during a Rakatan invasion of Tython, the effects and demands of the war forced the Je'daii to cast aside the balance in exchange for the power of the dark side to defeat their enemies. After the Rakata had been defeated, the main Je'daii group wanted to return to the balance. However, the Order split into two groups: the followers of Ashla, who believed their gifts meant to use to achieve knowledge, and the followers of Bogan, who claimed their abilities gave them mandate to rule the galaxy and sought personal power. This conflict within the order and led to a civil war. These two groups clashed on the planet in a decade-long conflict known as the Force Wars of Tython. In the aftermath of the war, the followers of Ashla emerged victorious and formed the Jedi Order, vowed to defend the light and liberate other worlds, while the followers of Bogan seemingly faded from history.[5][6]

The dark side did not present a significant threat again until 24,500 BBY during the First Great Schism of the Jedi Order. Once again, however, the followers of the dark side, including the first known Dark Jedi Lettow General Xendor, were defeated by the members of the Jedi Order. Those who followed Xendor came to be known as the Legions of Lettow, embraced their passions and celebrated the self, rejecting the concept of order and structure. Several members of the Jedi Order would eventually take up these teachings and embrace the dark side in 7000 BBY, sparking the Hundred-Year Darkness. Although the Dark Jedi were again defeated and eventually exiled, it was this conflict that allowed for the creation of an enduring dark side organization, as these Exiles were the predecessors to the Sith.[5][6][7]

Nature of the dark side[]

"Anger, fear, aggression... the dark side are they."
―Yoda[8]
Dark Side symbol

An ancient symbol representing the dark side of the Force

The dark side was selfishness, fear, and aggressive feelings in all living things. However, beings were often tempted to deny and try to escape from this truth, imagining the dark side to be something external, something that is not the part of them, something that they can rid themselves of. Such hubris was easy to fall into—even Grand Master Yoda, who trained to conquer his darkness for hundreds of years, initially refused to recognize his own dark reflection. However, in denying this truth he only fed the dark side.[9] The trap of the dark side was that whatever one selfishly gained through it, it was never enough. The Sith were butchering each other, victims of their own greed, which led to their defeat and near destruction during their wars against the Jedi.[10]

The difference between the dark and light sides also appeared in how they feel to those who are aware of them. The light side at times was described as a flowing river: soothing, constant, with hidden strength. In contrast, the dark side was described as a roaring fire: obviously powerful, seductive, cold, and potentially dangerous. Sith lords Darth Revan and Darth Bane claimed that while the light side represented the compassion and tranquility of all beings of the galaxy, the dark side focused on individual passion and strength. They also claimed that while the light side was about maintaining the status quo, the dark side was about change and evolution.

Although many darksiders claimed that the dark side was simply a means to achieve an end, the dark side been used for selfish purposes. One of the most notable examples was Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi who embraced the dark side with the intentions of prevent his wife's death after seeing her die in a vision, even at the expense of the Jedi Order and innocent lives. Many found the dark side to be addictive, unable to resist its pull the more they were subjected to it. Even as their physical bodies slowly decayed, Dark side users became more powerful in the Force. However, some users, like Mara Jade, noted that the use of the dark side was a practical matter, as the power it granted was more efficient when performing destructive Force powers like telekinesis.[source?] Like the light side, the dark side was often treated as a semi-sentient entity with purposeful designs.[7][11][12]

It has been theorized by some (notably Vergere) that there is no such thing as the dark side but only malevolent intent in the user, since most dark-side users already possessed negative intentions or else fell victim to the temptations of absolute power and domination. Darth Sidious also hinted that there was truly only one Force that was above such things as "positive and negative, black and white, good and evil." He claimed that the only difference was that the Jedi saw the Force as a power in itself, while the Sith believed it was a means to power. This theory was fervently opposed by the Jedi Master Yoda.[13][14] Additionally, Darth Plagueis believed that there were distinct differences between the energies of the light and dark sides as well as distinct differences in how one drew upon each.[15]

Allure of the dark side[]

"It takes strength to resist the dark side. Only the weak embrace it."
―Obi-Wan Kenobi[16]
GiveInToAnger-JATM

A Dark Jedi gives in to his rage and cuts down a subordinate.

The darks side was part of all what lived. Individuals, Force-sensitive or not, could easily fallen prey to their fear, hate, anger, pride, greed and passions. Though their pasts and situations were varied, almost all who turned to the dark side did so because they faced challenges and difficulties. The changes these individuals underwent that led them to the dark side were clearly a result of their life experiences up to that point, and their willingness or unwillingness to resist the emotive forces that pulled one over the threshold of its allure and power.[7] Among the most powerful of those emotive forces—which lightsiders were ever cautioned to resist and darksiders were ever admonished to embrace—are fear and anger led to hate, which, as Yoda was quick to caution, was the dark side.

Some fell to the darkness because of the fear of loss and in attempt to defy death such as Anakin Skywalker in his fight to discover a way to keep his wife from dying.[7][17] Corruption often occurred following a personal tragedy, as Shaela Nuur, Kueller, Jaina Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker experienced following the death of loved ones - though as Kenobi and Solo showed it was possible for a Force user to reject such temptation even when someone they cared about was killed.[18][19][20] For many, like Darth Talon, Irek Ismaren, Darth Bane, Darth Nox, Vestara Khai, Starkiller, and Mara Jade, the dark side was the first side of the Force to which they were introduced and thus they were easily brought to its service.[21][22][23][24][7] Some believed that it was a necessary evil in dire times, such as Darth Caedus and Darth Revan. In some cases, Jedi who had had limited control over the light side found their power and natural talent massively stronger in the dark side. Others fell because they saw the light side and the endless rules that the Jedi expected to maintain it as too much to follow, as well as too limiting to their influence on the galaxy. They saw the dark side and its tenets of free passion, action, and emotion as a much better alternative to a life as sterile servitude under the light, as was believed by Kyp Durron and Kueller. Some believed the dark side to be more generous than the light, as it provided power, strength, and determination. Many of the original Dark Jedi in the Great Schisms of the Jedi Order held this idea and believed it foolish of the Jedi to restrict themselves to an interpretation of the Force they deemed lesser. Individuals also turned because they felt that the dark side is more effective in order to achieve their goals than the patience and peaceful nature of the light. Among these believers were Exar Kun, Ulic Qel-Droma, Darth Karrid, Darth Vader and Yuthura Ban.

SuljoWardesFall-CotG

Suljo Warde fell to the dark side out of fear of betrayal.

Fear was most often the starting point in a slide to the dark side—for, like a plague, it could quickly and rampantly affect individuals, groups, entire populations of cities, and even planets; and like a stream that becomes a raging river, it led naturally to anger, chaos, and unbridled power, if left unabated. When fear was thus allowed to fester and go unchecked, it could take hold and create a concentration of dark side energy that bordered on being something that approached a vergence or nexus in the Force. Those who were Force-sensitive could, often with great facility, detect such concentrations. Others became vulnerable to it as a result of endured agony such as Darth Krayt, and Komari Vosa.[25][26][27]

Certain individuals Darth Traya embraced it so she might be able to find a way to destroy the Force as a whole. She also believed that the contrast of the dark side was necessary for a lightsider to truly understand the Force.[14][28]

The Jedi Order taught its members to reject the temptation of the dark side. In order to do this, the Jedi lived by an extensive set of rules called the Jedi Code. One of the most important tenets was the cease of attachment. Living beings tended to mistake attachment for love, whereas attachment was possession and as such, like everything of the dark side, had selfishness at its core. Since it was possession, it fed into the fear of loss, which was yet another face of greed. When attachment creeped onto love, it became pain just like Anakin Skywalker described it: love was haunted by the fear of loss and the fear of the pain that loss would bring about—thus, it was not love, but a prison, in which the loved and the lover were both prisoners.[29] Attachment led to jealousy and it was always followed by fear, which led to hate. The Jedi were well aware of that the way of the Force, the way of the universe was that everything's pass, and for this they were not supposed to form attachments: holding on to a person or a thing beyond its time was the path of misery, putting once's selfish desire against the Force. Thus the Jedi had to let go of everything they were afraid to lose, to surrender attachment to persons and things that passed out of their lives. Anakin Skywalker's attachment to his wife and the fear of loss that flowed from it caused his fall to the Dark Side of the Force.[12][17][30]

Corruption of the dark side[]

"Will I eventually be physically transformed?"
"Into some aged, pale-skinned, raspy-voiced, yellow-eyed monster, you mean. Such as the one you see before you. Surely you are acquainted with the lore: King Ommin of Onderon, Darths Sion and Nihilus. But whether it will happen to you, I can't say. Know this, though, Sidious, that the power of the dark side does not debilitate the practitioner so much as it debilitates those who lack it. The power of the dark side is an illness no true Sith would ever wish to be cured of.
"
―Darths Sidious and Plagueis discuss the physical signs of dark side immersion[15]
Emperor Sidious

Darth Sidious, deformed after decades of using the Dark Side.

The dark side, much like a strong, addictive narcotic, affected not only the mind of the user but the appearance as well. As one immersed oneself deeper within the dark side of the Force, its malevolent power took a toll on the body. Darth Bane explained that the reason for this physical degradation was because flesh and bone lacked the endurance to channel the immense power of the dark side indefinitely. Revan also explained that while the light side and Jedi teachings were devoted to preventing physical change through the Force, the dark side changes had to be accepted by the Sith, or they would fail due to their attempts at moderation.

Many darksiders experienced a change in the pigmentation of their eyes, as their normal eye color would transform into luminous, sulfuric yellow, a blood red or dark orange, usually with fiery red rims around the irises. Further transformations could also turn the white of the eyes black or reddish in color, as well as the skin around the eyes. The most severe transformations would cause the darksider to appear to be aging rapidly, as the skin would lose pigmentation, becoming pale and mottled while veins became increasingly visible and hair would lose color. At some point, the user's voice could also be altered, becoming a few pitches lower and raspier.[28][17]

The effects generally progressed with time and continued immersion in the dark side, but would not immediately affect one's appearance. Darth Tyranus and Galen Marek, for example, did not suffer any of the physical degeneration of the dark side, and their eyes only assumed the yellow hue during moments of anger.[31][32] Luke Skywalker suffered none of these effects during his brief bout of intense anger that allowed him to disarm Darth Vader, nor did Kyle Katarn during either of the times that he was (at least partially) driven by the dark side against Jerec and later Desann.[33][34] In contrast, Teneniel Djo, after calling on the dark side to kill a Nightsister in the Battle of Dathomir, instantly acquired a burst blood vessel in her face, something common to the Nightsisters.[35] Of those that embraced the dark side, different individuals would experience different symptoms: Darth Malak, for example, experienced a change in eye color and acquired a slight pallor, but no other effects that could be explained naturally (although he required a vocabulator after his jaw was severed).[36] Only those that devoted almost all of their being to the dark side, such as Darth Sidious, would have their appearance radically altered.[28] It should be noted that Sidious's most drastic physical alterations occurred during the lightsaber duel with Jedi Master Mace Windu; Windu using his own lightsaber to deflect Sidious' Force lightning caused the uncontrolled energy to radically alter Sidious' physical features.[12] Darth Caedus had his eyes change hue, but after a year of using the dark side, nothing else had occurred.

Corrupted icewolf

An icewolf corrupted by the dark side of the Force

In time, the corruption could go beyond mere cosmetic details and directly impair physical abilities. King Ommin of Onderon was a proficient Sith sorcerer for most of his life, and the dark side held him under its decaying influence until he eventually became incapable of movement and needed support from a cyborg exoskeleton in order to survive. Another extreme case of dark side corruption was Darth Zash, whose extensive study of the dark side led to immense physical degradation and eventually a fatal terminal condition. The worst case of this transformation would be Darth Nihilus, who was completely consumed by the dark side both mentally and physically. Eventually, he became an aberration of the dark side that existed only to consume life.[37][28]

The dark side could have an even greater effect on the mind, as the user often stopped trusting people and become quick to anger. Following Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, he believed his wife was plotting to kill him with Obi-Wan Kenobi. His paranoia and anger led him to strangle her through the Force. Continued immersion in the dark side could even result in insanity, as in the case of Dark Jedi Boc Aseca, Alema Rar, and Joruus C'baoth. It should be noted however, that the individuals who went insane were all disturbed or traumatized even before their conversion, and the dark side simply exacerbated their conditions.[17][38][39]

It was possible for these corrupting powers to be potent enough to affect those who were simply near a nexus of dark side energy.[40] Colonel Tobin of Onderon, a man who had no known sensitivity to the Force, was so affected by the presence of Darth Nihilus and the Ravager that he fell into madness and exhibited the appearance of one who had immersed themselves in the dark side.[28]

While the dark side could destroy a body, it was also capable of sustaining one. The hateful, passionate, determined energies of the dark side were so powerful that it could prevent death for a body that was far past the point of death for a normal being. King Adas of Korriban survived for almost three centuries. Darth Sion, who suffered grievously in the Great Sith War and the Jedi Civil War had the appearance of a walking corpse. His flesh was "cracked and scarred" and he had "several thousand fractures in his skeleton," according to a Republic medical officer. He survived through the power of hate, according to Darth Traya, and called upon the dark side to make him near-immortal. After Darth Maul was cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo and fell down a reactor shaft, he should have died. However his rage and desire for revenge fueled the dark side to keep himself alive, to the point when he returned twelve years later. However this severe use of the dark side might have caused his descent into insanity. Darth Vader had his legs and arms amputated shortly before having his lungs seared as he was burned alive on Mustafar. His life was saved only after intervention by his master, Darth Sidious, and his dark side healing abilities. After his transformation into a cyborg, Vader called heavily upon the dark side to marginalize his wounds so he could again be self-sufficient.[28][41][42]

For a rare few, however, the dark side was a path to true preservation of the body without any physical decay (besides possibly the change in eye color). Galactic Alliance Chief of State Darth Caedus was able to use the dark side to heal himself,[43] and Darth Krayt restored his body to life and health when he learned how to control the Dark transfer of energy.[44]

Fear of the dark side[]

"Don't threaten me. Children are frightened by spirits—Jedi are not."
"Mmmm. But Jedi are frightened by the dark side…or at least they should be. Your fascination with the dark side will get you into grave trouble."
―Exar Kun and Freedon Nadd — (audio) Listen (file info)[45]

Many—especially those who had embraced the dark side—believed this to be a result of fear. Often those who held this belief looked down upon the Jedi and other lightsiders, criticizing them for cowardice and inaction.[46] Many Sith and even a few Jedi mocked the Jedi Order for claiming to strive to understand the Force while refusing to study everything it had to offer. They claimed that the Jedi scrutinized a single layer of the Force, while they dug beneath layer after layer, understanding and evolving. Many Sith Lords have expressed this viewpoint. Darth Malgus claimed that the Jedi refused to accept that the Force encouraged conflict, allowing those who survive to understand it better. Darth Sidious claimed that the Sith embraced all aspects of the Force, not just "the dogmatic view of the Jedi." And Darth Nox stated that the thing that united the Sith was that they "did not repress their emotions, and they embraced everything that the Force allowed."

As the dark side was often associated with darkness, darksiders were portrayed to the galaxy as savage and evil. As the dark side was often associated with infamous historical figures, such as Exar Kun, Darth Revan, and Darth Sidious, it is unsurprising that many throughout the galaxy would harbor such animosity to its users. Many expletives were also associated with the dark side, including "By the Dark Side!," "Chaos take me!," "Holy Sith!," "Sith Blood/Spit!," and "Minions of Xendor!"[28][47]

Death of dark side users[]

"Too bad we don't have a Dark Jedi handy we could kill. Remember that big blast when C'baoth died?"
―Mara Jade[48]
NihilusDissolvesOnTheRavager

Dark energy stems from Darth Nihilus' body as it fades away.

Certain dark side users, upon being killed, would explode in a blast of blue energy. Darth Sidious exploded in this way in 4 ABY after being thrown down a reactor core shaft in the second Death Star by a redeemed Anakin Skywalker. In 9 ABY, Joruus C'baoth also exploded in a blast of blue energy after being stabbed by Mara Jade's lightsaber. Darth Nihilus and Dark Jedi Jerec did not explode, but rather dissolved into dark side energy upon their death, leaving no remains of their bodies. It remains a mystery why these individuals died in this manner while other dark side users, such as Darth Tyranus, did not.[33][49][28][38][12]

Mysteriously, when Shaak Ti was struck down by Galen Marek and thrown into the mouth of a giant sarlacc, she died in a way similar to the explosions mentioned above, but was in no way a dark side user. The reason her death occurred in the manner it did has yet to be clarified. It may be that this occurred when a more powerful Force-user was killed and thus Force "side" affiliation may be irrelevant.[50]

The Four Stages of the dark side[]

"To those of you who believe they are immune to any of these stages…I say you are already victim to the dark side's seductive tendrils, and urge you to listen as you have never listened before."
―Tolaris Shim[7]

The Four Stages of the Dark Side was a thesis presented by the Jedi Master Tolaris Shim that outlined her beliefs on what constitutes a complete fall to the dark side. Based on the events surrounding the fall of Ulic Qel-Droma, Master Shim studied deep into the histories of those Jedi whose personal motivations drove them to the dark side for one reason or another. Sometime shortly after the end of the Great Sith War, Master Shim presented her findings to the Jedi assembly. These findings would be the standard by which Masters identified the signs of one's potential corruption by the dark side.[7]

Stage 1: Temptation[]

"Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death."
―Darth Sidious to Anakin Skywalker[12]
ExarTempted

Exar Kun being tempted by Freedon Nadd

Tolaris Shim believed that because a Jedi was in tune with the Force and could use it to whatever ends they saw fit, situations would arise that tempted the Jedi toward selfish applications of the Force. Rushing to help friends, facing obvious perils, and ending disputes quickly were all acts of haste that according to Master Shim would result in steps onto the dark path should the individual act first and contemplate later.[7]

Knights like the charismatic Exar Kun were less "honor-bound." Intrigued with tales of the dark side told by Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, Kun was easily seduced by what he perceived as unrestrained power—power that was his for the taking.[51]

Stage 2: Imperilment[]

"Like you, he believed the dark side could be conquered from within. Such was not to be. The dark side seduced him utterly…and anger became his path!"
―Odan-Urr, warning Ulic Qel-Droma[51]

According to Master Shim, a hasty, indecisive Jedi can be quite a catastrophe to themselves. Also, any Jedi who believes that a "shortcut" through the path of the dark side will be lined with signs redirecting him back toward the light is only deluding himself. Shim felt that a Jedi cannot be blinded by the idea of doing what they perceive to be right, by any means necessary. She also believed that if one accepts the darkness by which they are surrounded as a means to power, then the next stage has no bearing on their concerns. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker was conflicted in this manner. To save his wife from impending death, Skywalker believed that he could do so through the power of the dark side, while remaining uncorrupted by it. Because he accepted the dark side as the power necessary to bring about good, he was completely given over to it. He too, like Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma before him, succumbed fully to the power of the dark side, yet as Darth Vader, Anakin did not realize that he may have had to turn in order to bring balance to the Force.[7][17][51]

Stage 3: Submission[]

PalpatineAnakin-JvS

Darth Vader is born.

"To cheat death is a power only one has achieved. But if we work together, I know we can discover the secret."
"I pledge myself…to your teachings."
"Good…Good. The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as
Darth…Vader."
―Darth Sidious anoints Anakin Skywalker as Darth Vader[12]

Master Shim believed that once a Jedi accepts the dark path, the end justifying the means becomes irrelevant. Situations like attempting to destroy the Sith through infiltration, or trying to save loved ones from death have caused several famous Jedi to explain away their actions based on the desired outcomes. At this point, their fall to the dark side is nearly complete.[7][12]

On occasion, Jedi who wander away from the light suddenly become aware of their poor decisions. According to Master Shim, these Jedi are not so far beyond redemption. Jedi Master Atris, having succumbed to the dark side influence of Sith holocrons in her possession, was restored to the light following a fierce confrontation with the Jedi Exile. Some Jedi, such as Exar Kun, found the power of the dark side intoxicating and so fully surrendered themselves to it. To Master Shim, these individuals are no longer orthodox Jedi but twisted perversions of their former selves. It is then the responsibility of the Jedi to either bring the dissenter back into the fold, or eliminate them.[7][28][51]

Stage 4: Redemption/Atonement[]

"The Dark Lord Revan is dead. I am a servant of the light now."
―Revan[36]

Tolaris believed that a Jedi who is only slightly tainted by the dark side could atone for their actions through meditation, reflection, and absolution. She also believed that a Dark Jedi was beyond atonement, and therefore only eligible for redemption. According to Master Shim, a redeemed Jedi is one who has performed a selfless act of heroism without using the dark side to obtain results. Such acts include saving the life of another through completely selfless action (such as Darth Vader saving his son from death by destroying Emperor Palpatine), or helping to right a wrong one has helped to create (such as Ulic Qel-Droma assisting in the defeat of Exar Kun). This happens from time to time, but on many occasions Dark Jedi were beyond redemption, some outright refusing to be returned to the light side. To this effect Master Shim noted that a Dark Jedi who does not want to relinquish his powers cannot be saved.[7][33][52]

While pondering the ideas behind Master Shim's dissertation, Tionne Solusar was interested in how Tolaris would view certain Jedi of more recent times, Jedi who were corrupted, restored, and believed redeemed by their colleagues. Tionne provided an account of the dark side journeys of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, and Kyp Durron, but Tolaris' interactive holorecording passed the same judgments on all three: that any Jedi who kills innocents while under the influence of the dark side cannot be redeemed.[7] Such ideals were shown to be objectively wrong, however, by such beings as Anakin Skywalker who ultimately rejected the dark side and chose to go over to the light side since they were able to become light side ghosts upon their death.[33]

Manifestations of the dark side[]

"There are spots where continued dark-side use for ages, or the presence of creatures instilled with that energy, can cause the places themselves to radiate with the power of the dark side."
―Luke Skywalker[53]
WellOfTheDarkSide-GOM

The Well of the Dark Side on Mortis

The dark side was known to manifest itself in many different ways, even in the absence of life, which was the supposed source of the Force. Locations where the dark side ran strong were sometimes called dark side nexuses, and could be the result of many different occurrences. These locations were so potent that they could imbue nearby objects with a dark side aura.[54]

The Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban became a nexus of dark side power as a result of the long-term presence of the Sith, as well as their lingering spirits. The tombs within the Valley were especially saturated with dark side energy, causing the relics within to have a permanent dark side aura. Within these tombs, as well as Freedon Nadd's on Dxun, the dark side was known to coagulate into visible pools of energy. These pools would tempt passersby to bathe in the dark energies, pulling them closer to the dark side.[28]

Other dark side nexuses include the planet Vjun, which was the result of horrors attributed to the widespread insanity that gripped the planet in 29 BBY. After research into Midi-chlorian manipulation resulted in their madness, the populace of Vjun proceeded to slaughter one another, tainting the planet. Byss became a dark side nexus due to the presence of the clones of Darth Sidious and his alchemical experimentations. Jedi Master Yoda used the Dark Side Cave on Dagobah to test Luke Skywalker, as the dark energies would produce visions of possible dark futures.[55][56][8]

The dark side could also center itself around people and objects. The Sith Lord Darth Sidious was so powerful in the dark side that a nexus of darkness followed him wherever he went. Darth Vader was also known to exude a similar aura. Indeed this was true for many Dark Lords, such as Darth Malak, whose dark energy was felt by Bastila Shan as he approached the Leviathan. Sith artifacts carried with them potent dark power as well, such as Sith holocrons and the Scepter of Ragnos.[56][36][57][58]

Wounds in the Force[]

"When you returned to us, we saw what had happened. You carry all those deaths at Malachor within you, and it has left a hole, a hunger that cannot be filled."
Vrook Lamar on the Jedi Exile[3]
DNs

Darth Nihilus, a wound in the Force

A wound in the Force was the result of a massive and sudden loss of life. As the Force is derived from life, it would become traumatized and wounded, affecting the places and people involved. The wound would never heal, and always hunger for life to fill the hole where life once existed. Such wounds could cause great harm to any life that came in contact, corrupting it or devouring it. Proximity to these wounds could often cause a rapid fall to the dark side or worse. Well-known Force wounds included Malachor V, the Jedi Exile, and Darth Nihilus.[28]

Malachor V was once an agricultural world in the possession of the old Sith Empire. During the Mandalorian Wars, Jedi General Revan massed his fleet of Republic warships over the planet, which was a taboo world for the Mandalorians. Unable to resist battle, the Mandalorian fleet attacked, and fought savagely. However, the Jedi General in charge of the Mass Shadow Generator, a superweapon designed by Bao-Dur, gave the order to activate it, crushing both fleets in the gravitational forces of the planet, and sending thousands of vessels crashing into the surface of the planet. The world's crust shattered, leaving a dead planetoid floating in space, surrounded by wreckage.[28]

The same Jedi General, unable to bear experiencing thousands of deaths through the Force—deaths that she caused—shut herself off from the Force, and thus created a wound within herself. When later standing trial before the Jedi Council, the Masters would comment on how empty she felt in the Force, as if they were staring into the death of the Force.[28]

Darth Nihilus, yet another product of Malachor, would become such a powerful wound that the dark side would completely devour his mind and body. He would roam the galaxy, hunting Jedi and other Force-sensitives to feed on. He was able to wipe all life off the planet of Katarr, and cause anyone near him to be slowly drained of life. His constant pursuit of Force-sensitives to consume earned him the title "Lord of Hunger."[28]

Force wounds like Malachor V could also be used to break the will of Jedi, corrupting them and turning them to the dark side. Revan's widespread use of this technique was one of the primary reasons he was able to amass such an enormous army of dark siders so quickly, as virtually all of them were former Jedi that he had corrupted.[28]

Strength of the dark side[]

"It has been said that anyone who knows the ways of the Force can set her- or himself up as a King on any world where only she or he knows the ways of the Force. Any Jedi could do this. But the Jedi, fools that they are, adhere to a religion in which the Force is used only in the service of others. How shortsighted of them. Is that not why they lost the galaxy to the dark side?"
―Palpatine, in The Weakness of Inferiors[7]
Battle of Pinnacle Base

One of the most powerful dark side techniques, Force storm

A common point of debate among Jedi and their dark counterparts was the strength that laid behind the dark side. A major claim of darksiders was that the stronger, darker emotions that fueled their power also lent them an edge over other Force users. The Jedi, and other groups who held to the light often claimed that the dark side was a shortcut to power, but also to suffering and destruction. It is true that many darksiders noticeably advanced in their command of the Force following their conversion, like Darth Caedus. Many were in fact capable of incredible feats of destruction, such as causing stars to go supernova, the Devastation of Katarr and Force storms, powers that seemed incomprehensible for a single being to wield.[7][59][60][28][56] The Sith often claimed that the Jedi were weak and foolish for not tapping into the dark side, which they considered to be the stronger side of the Force. While the dark side did provide for a sometimes more visual display of power, such as Force Storms, the Jedi were capable of the same amount of power, but could not always apply it in such terrible, destructive ways. However, these powers came with a price.[3][61] Abilities such as Force storm and the unique variant of Force drain employed by Darth Nihilus required extraordinary immersion in the dark side, and the practitioners of such dark powers almost invariably suffered terrible physical degradation. Darth Sidious for example aged very poorly as the dark side consumed him from within. When Sidious returned from his death at the hands of Anakin Skywalker, his power in the dark side was seen to be so potent that the cloned bodies he inhabited were quickly consumed by the simple act of housing Sidious's spirit. His incredible power, combined with the fact that the clones were not as suitable for housing his essence as his original body had been, meant he had to transfer his spirit into fresh clones very frequently.[62] Darth Nihilus presented what was perhaps the most extreme example of this issue. As his power grew, he became so consumed by the dark side that his physical form was eventually destroyed, forcing him to encase his spirit in his armor.

Conversely, while the dark side could provide its practitioners with destructive capabilities beyond that of light side practitioners, it fell short of the light side when it came to biologically sustainable healing. While the dark side could be used to improve one's vitality and repair one's body as the light side could, the results of utilizing the dark side in such a manner were almost always temporary, with such notable outliers as Dark Transfer[63] and Caedus's healing,[43] as well as healing trances that any Force user might employ[64]. Nearly all dark side-based healing powers worked only so long as the practitioner actively channeled the dark side, and whatever malady the power was meant to treat often returned in full force the moment they ceased to do so. Darth Bane's and Darth Vader's use of dark side healing abilities present a few good examples. In Bane's case, while he was at one point able to hold off the effects of a deadly poison by strengthening himself through the pain and suffering of others, he still required the assistance of the healer Caleb to actually cure himself.[23] Vader was capable of using the dark side to heal the necrotic and useless tissue of his lungs to the point where he could operate in standard atmospheric conditions, but he had to maintain intense concentration on the dark side to do so. If his hate abated or his concentration slipped, his lungs returned to their injured state.[41] The case of Darth Sion presents the most extreme usage of this power, with both its greatest strengths and weaknesses showcased perfectly. Sion was capable of using the dark side to hold his broken, clinically dead body together by feeding off the extreme pain that such an existence constantly caused him. This pain fueled his rage, and as such his strength in the dark side, which permitted him to hold his body together through increasingly violent traumas. If near to a dark side nexus like Malachor V, he became essentially unstoppable. However, the instant he was convinced to let go of his hate and anger by Meetra Surik, his body gave out and he died.[28] The light side, on the other hand, could provide accelerated healing in a permanent, biologically sustainable fashion. However, there are a few dark side practitioners who have demonstrated the ability to heal themselves in a more permanent fashion. Count Dooku, for instance, was able to purge his body of a deadly biological weapon during a negotiation with Jango Fett after the latter attempted to use it to extort him. Darth Plagueis was able to use his midichlorian manipulation technique to permanently regenerate nearly all of the wounds he sustained at the hands of Maladian assassins, even decades after the incident. However, Plagueis was the only known user of this ability, which did not use the energies of the dark side to directly heal the subject in any case.[15] Additionally, it is not known whether Dooku utilized the dark side specifically to heal himself, or if he drew on his Jedi knowledge to do so.[65]

It was also noted by Jedi Master Yoda that the dark side was quick to aid a Force-user in combat, often to great effect. Asajj Ventress, a young Dark Jedi, was able to fend off three Jedi, kill one, and pull another to the dark side during the Deception on Ruul. During her rescue of Viceroy Nute Gunray from Republic custody, Ventress was able to kill numerous clone troopers, cripple the Tranquility, and escape both Luminara Unduli and Ahsoka Tano. Darth Sidious called upon the dark side and was able to quickly slay three Jedi Council members and persuade Anakin Skywalker to assist him in killing the fourth. Skywalker himself, as Darth Vader, was able to kill many Jedi single-handedly during Operation: Knightfall and the subsequent Great Jedi Purge. Luke Skywalker utilized the power of the dark side to defeat Darth Vader during their final duel, drawing on his rage to bolster his combat effectiveness for a short time. Jacen Solo, after his transformation into Darth Caedus, proved able to essentially stalemate Grand Master Luke Skywalker during a lightsaber duel, despite Skywalker's overwhelming power in the Force. The combat prowess exhibited by these individuals may have been the result of a lack of moral restrictions darksiders placed on themselves. When in battle, however, the dark side itself lent to their ferocity and determination.[8][66][67][12][68][33][69]

One weakness that apparently lay in the dark side, which could be seen as giving the Jedi the upper hand, was the strife inescapably associated with it. The Sith Lords could never ultimately destroy their foes because they were bound to, sooner or later, turn upon each other, with each one constantly striving for more power at the expense of others, and seeking to dominate everything around them. This flaw became particularly pronounced if there was no reigning Dark Lord to keep the lesser ones in check. The Rule of Two, introduced by Darth Bane, drastically limited the number of true Sith in an attempt to turn this weakness into a strength.[23] However, this too caused problems due to two possibilities it failed to make note of:

First, Bane never accounted for the possibility of a failed apprentice's training taking up most of the master's lifespan, precluding the training of a new pupil. Bane himself scrambled to attain immortality and buy more time to train another apprentice when he believed Darth Zannah to be a failure. In this case, Bane's fears were unfounded, as she successfully killed him shortly thereafter, though it did highlight this primary problem with the Rule of Two. As demonstrated by Darth Tenebrous, a Sith Master of Bane's Order could circumvent this problem by concurrently training two apprentices in secret, though this was rarely done.[15] Secondly, the possibility of one of the two Sith Lords converting to the light side and killing the other was never considered. This was seen in the life of Darth Gravid, who turned to the light side and destroyed several Sith artifacts and treasures before his apprentice killed him. This particular problem also brought an end to the original incarnation of the Order of the Sith Lords when Darth Vader renounced the dark side and killed his Master, Darth Sidious. An additional flaw with the Rule of Two was that Bane created it in the hopes that each Sith Master would be forced to kill their master to claim the title. Bane hoped this would ensure that each generation of Sith was stronger then the last. However the rule was flawed in that many Sith apprentices killed their master's through trickery or ambush, rather than a direct challenge. Also unlike previous Dark Lords, who fought hundreds of potential rivals for their power. The Rule of Two made it so that each Dark Lord claimed the title simply because they were the only candidate. For these reasons, the Rule of Two was abolished by the One Sith.[70][33][71]

Another fatal weakness that has been repeatedly illustrated in the dark side is a lack of focus that seems to stem from a reliance on emotions such as pride, anger, and fear, which heighten powers but also lead to clouded judgment. This issue often leads to darksiders being brought low by their hubris, even in situations where victory would otherwise seem assured. For example, Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated both Darth Maul and Darth Vader, despite the fact that he was the less viable combatant in both situations. Darth Malak was similarly defeated by Revan during their final duel despite drawing on the massive dark power of the Star Forge (though Revan may have simply been more powerful than Malak even when taking the Star Forge's energies into account). Count Dooku felt threatened by Anakin Skywalker and allowed his pride to blind him to Skywalker's true power, leading to Dooku's demise.[12][36][17] As such, it would seem that the dark side may offer it's adherents a more tangible sort of power: one that is direct and physical, while the light side provides a more subtle kind of power, that of focus and understanding. To their detriment, the power of the light side is one which darksiders often fail to understand and tend to underestimate.[6]

However, this weakness was not absolute, and it was indeed possible to wield the dark side without succumbing to one's own pride or rage. In a manuscript entitled The Book of Anger, Darth Sidious stated that while he believed that anger was the most potent catalyst for drawing on the destructive energies of the dark side, he realized that it could impair one's judgment. As such, he cautioned that keeping one's anger under control was vital to mastering the dark side, emphasizing that a strong will and high levels of intelligence were needed to exercise this control.[62] In keeping with this sort of philosophy, advanced practitioners of the dark side could, even in the heat of combat, keep their emotions in check as their Jedi counterparts could. Darth Vader was a prime example of a darksider with this capability.[40]

It also should be noted that the training methods of darksiders were often brutal, as exemplified by the Sith. One common result of this tendency was that the weaker darksiders often died before ever getting the chance to fight a Jedi, which may help to explain their high success rate against Jedi–more weak Jedi survived their training to fight the strongest of the Sith. Despite this disparity, the followers of the light proved victorious in the majority of large scale conflicts with dark side adherents.[23][68] This trend was due almost exclusively due to the infighting that inevitably occurred between the various darksiders during said conflicts. However the Jedi were not always victorious in their war against the Sith. A number of times the Jedi Order has been defeated in galactic conflict, such as the Great Galactic War against the reconstituted Sith Empire. Also the Jedi Order and the Republic has been brought to the brink of destruction on at least three occasions, such as the Jedi Civil War aftermath, the Jedi Purge of Palpatine and later of Darth Krayt.

Dark side powers[]

KraytAzlynElectrocuted

Darth Krayt and Azlyn Rae, sufferers of Force lightning.

"The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be…unnatural."
―Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, to Anakin Skywalker[12]

Those who wielded the dark side found many abilities of the Force easier to use, with some Force powers. Light-side Jedi could use dark-side abilities, (even as some darksiders used light side powers) but most preferred not to since dark-side abilities had aggressive, destructive, or perversely manipulative tendencies. Luke Skywalker, for example, used Force Choke at Jabba's Palace, which was almost unheard of for a Jedi to use, unless unarmed as Ahsoka Tano was when she used this attack.[72] Luke and Kyle Katarn were also known to use Force lightning, one of the dark side's most iconic abilities.[6][33][73][57] Powers commonly associated with the dark side of the Force are:

Powers of the Sith[]

"A rare few have a natural affinity for the dark side itself. They can delve into the depths of the Force and summon arcane energies to twist and warp the world around them. They can invoke ancient rituals of the Sith; they can invoke power and unleash terrible spells and dark magics."
―Darth Bane, on Sith sorcery[74]
Sith Ghost JATM

A malevolent Force ghost

As the Sith were a cult not only devoted to the dark side, but the accumulation of power by way of the dark side, many dark-side powers were known exclusively to them. Their ancient and infamous practices of Sith alchemy allowed for the creation of monsters and other terrors, while Sith magic focused more on mental manipulations and physical manifestations of the dark side.[7][75]

Sith Alchemy was the source of monsters and other creatures that terrorized the galaxy for millennia. Pioneered by some of the first Dark Jedi to leave the Jedi Order, such as XoXaan, Karness Muur, and Ajunta Pall, Sith Alchemy resulted in the creation of the Behemoth from the World Below, Leviathan monsters, battle hydras, rakghouls, and Sith war behemoths. This ancient knowledge was later used to create the Technobeast, monsters that brought Belia Darzu to fame and characterized the Sictis Wars. Exar Kun was also a master of this power, using it to mutate the remaining Massassi warriors on Yavin 4 and create the terentatek. Thousands of years later, Darth Plagueis mastered this ability and was able to create life. His apprentice, Darth Sidious, was also extremely proficient in Sith Alchemy, creating the Chrysalide and authoring The Creation of Monsters, the third manuscript of the Dark Side Compendium.[7][76][12]

Sith Magic was used throughout the ages as a way to manipulate and intimidate opponents. Unlike regular Force powers, Sith Magic required incantations, rituals, or specific hand gestures, and the individual powers were referred to as "spells." These spells were often employed to create illusions, used to confuse or attack an enemy. Aleema Keto was extremely capable in this aspect, and used it to create an entire herd of space grazers to attack a Republic fleet at Koros Major. Zannah was also a practitioner of Sith Magic, and often summoned her victims' worst fears to torture them. Sith magic also involved the use of amulets and talismans to enhance the power of the caster. Sith magic may have been involved in the creation of the Muur Talisman, which housed the spirit of Karness Muur for many millennia. This magic also aided in the summoning of ancient dark-side spirits, such as Freedon Nadd's ghost.[60][77][74][78][75]

Dark side organizations[]

Dark Jedi[]

SWTales17-FC

The oldest dark side cult, Dark Jedi were considered dangerous heretics by the orthodox Jedi of the time for giving in to the dark side of the Force. However, the earliest Dark Jedi left the order not out of a desire for power, but because they believed that the Jedi Code was too limiting in its tenets. The earliest of these individuals organized themselves into the Legions of Lettow, formed by ex-Jedi Xendor. The Legions were exterminated by the Jedi Order 500 years after the formation of the Republic. Millennia later, the Dark Jedi arose again to fight the order in the Hundred-Year Darkness, armed with alchemic knowledge this time. The conflict ensued for a full century, resulting in the last of them becoming exiles of the Holy Order. A second resurgence occurred when a gang of Dark Jedi attempted to gain control of an ancient superweapon called the Cosmic Turbine. The incident resulted in the destruction of the Vultar system. During the Jedi Civil War, Dark Jedi joined Revan's empire as Sith-in-training. Throughout the post-Ruusan galaxy, Dark Jedi continued to be a problem, some trying to claim themselves as Sith, though they were merely pretenders seeking greater power. The true Sith made their presence known hundreds of years later, though the pretenders continued their claims. A group of Dark Jedi, called the Dark Acolytes, served the Order of the Sith Lords during the Clone Wars as a counter to the Jedi Order. An amalgamation of Dark Jedi, called the Dark Side Adepts, served the same Sith Order as the replacement of the Jedi during the reign of the Galactic Empire. Dark Jedi would later serve Lumiya's Sith in Lord Caedus's takeover of the Galactic Alliance.[6][7][36][46][39][22] During the Galactic Empire's era, a group of Darksiders from Byss, loyal to the Empire, intended to integrate their Guard's ranks.

The Sith[]

"Those who use the dark side are also bound to serve it. To understand this is to understand the underlying philosophy of the Sith."
―Darth Revan's holocron[23]
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The most infamous dark side cult, the Sith were a sect of Force-sensitives bent upon the destruction of the Jedi and domination of the galaxy. Originally a species native to the planet Korriban, the cult was formed from the Dark Jedi survivors of the Hundred-Year Darkness. Following their exile from known space, these Dark Jedi landed upon the uncharted world and were worshiped by the Sith species for their powers and "magic." They were proclaimed the Lords of the Sith, and established an expanding Empire. The Empire would eventually fall but the Sith religion would survive, taking on numerous forms over the years. These included the Sith Triumvirate, the Order of the Sith Lords, and the One Sith.[7][23][79]

The Sith were also seen as the masters of the dark side, and the pinnacle of dark-side power. They perfected the art of dark-side mutations, allowing for the use of Sith alchemy and other Sith magic. The leader of the cult, the Dark Lord of the Sith, was considered the embodiment of the dark side itself, and all power of the dark side would flow from them.[7][23]

With such great influence, the Sith religion inspired many cults that weren't technically part of the Sith Order, nor were they composed of actual Sith. Instead, they were founded and made up of Sith devotees and other Force-sensitives dedicated to prolonging the teachings and the memory of the Sith. Such cults included the Naddists, the Disciples of Ragnos, Revanites, and the Krath, all of whom sought the annihilation of the Jedi and the rise of the Sith to ultimate domination over the entire galaxy.[75][57][60]

Infinite Empire[]

ConstructionOfTheStarForge

The Infinite Empire, established by the Rakata of Lehon, was the earliest known galactic government. The Rakata were finally able to traverse the galaxy following their invention of the hyperdrive, which utilized the power of the Force. When exploring the stars, they came across several more primitive species, and saw this as an opportunity for domination rather than galactic cooperation. The Rakata conquered many planets and enslaved their native species, including the Duros, Kumumgah, Selkath, Wookiees and Humans. Their influence and reach seemed infinite and their temples could be found on planets such as Honoghr all the way into the Clone Wars. They taught the Sith King Adas to create holocrons and attempted to usurp his control of the planet Korriban. Although they were driven off-world, the battle resulted in the death of Adas, who had once seemed invincible. The Rakata also had great influence on the natural history of the galaxy, being the cause of the Wroshyr Trees and other massive flora on Kashyyyk, as well as the Tusken Raiders and Jawas of Tatooine (their violent response to the Kumumgah rebellion caused a deviation of the species and the transformation of Tatooine into a desert world).[5][36]

At the pinnacle of their power, the Rakata created the Star Forge, a massive space station-factory that fed off the power of the dark side and churned out fleets of warships and war droids. The Star Forge further corrupted its builders and the Empire began to fracture, straining from huge slave revolts and a plague that killed only the Rakata. Soon the plague robbed them of their sensitivity to the Force and the Infinite Empire crumbled. After retreating to their homeworld, their relics were left throughout the galaxy for a future conqueror to find.[36]

Prophets of the Dark Side[]

ProphetsoftheDarkSide-TDSS

The Prophets of the Dark Side were the leaders and clergymen of the Dark Force religion, which was founded by renegade Sith Lord Darth Millennial on Dromund Kaas. Headquartered in the Dark Force Temple on Dromund Kaas, the Prophets searched deep into the dark side of the Force in order to divine future events. The group was discovered by Palpatine before the Clone Wars and made subservient to him and his future Empire. The Sith Lord installed Kadann as Supreme Prophet, and titled his new servants as the Emperor's Mages. The group became extremely influential following the rise of the Galactic Empire and served as close advisors to Palpatine.[37]

However, the Prophets splintered as a result of their closeness to Palpatine, with some remaining loyal to him and the Empire and others joining Kadann on Bosthirda. The schism occurred after Palpatine dismissed Kadann's visions of the Battle of Endor and the Emperor, along with Imperial Intelligence and several renegade Prophets, created the propaganda religion, the Church of the Dark Side, in direct response. Following Palpatine's death at Endor, former Emperor's Hand Lumiya became the Dark Lady of the Sith. She, along with her apprentice, Carnor Jax wished to eliminate the remaining Prophets, and sent Azrakel to slaughter them on Bosthirda.[37]

Bando Gora[]

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The Bando Gora were a cult of dark-side worshippers who terrorized the Outer Rim Territories in the time around the Battle of Naboo. Eventually they launched an onslaught against the planet Baltizaar, and were on the verge of victory when the Republic requested aid from the Jedi. A task force soon arrived on planet, but the Jedi mission was ultimately a failure.

During the fighting two Jedi were killed and the Bando Gora was able to capture three Jedi as prisoners of war. One of the hostages was Komari Vosa, the Padawan of Jedi Master Dooku who had just been passed over for knighthood. Already on the dark path following her rejection, Vosa succumbed to the dark side during her torture in captivity. She was able to free herself and kill her captors and fellow Jedi captives, gaining control of the Bando Gora. Making her headquarters on the graveyard moon of Kohlma, Vosa set into action a plan for galactic domination. She would use one of the galaxy's most popular narcotics, death sticks, to brainwash beings into devotion to the cult. Unfortunately for Vosa, the Bando Gora caught the attention of Darth Sidious, who saw the cult as a threat to his plan for galactic domination. His apprentice, Darth Tyranus, the new identity of Vosa's former master, put a bounty on her head. The bounty hunter Jango Fett was able to defeat Vosa and destroy the Bando Gora, thus proving himself worthy to be the Prime clone of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Nightsisters[]

Nightsisters NEGTF Full

The Witches of Dathomir were Force-sensitive women who organized themselves into clans on the planet Dathomir. Although there were many different clans with different rules and laws, all of the laws forbade the use of the dark side. Those who utilized the dark side of the Force were banished from their clans, sent into exile in the wilds of Dathomir. In the waning days of the Old Republic, two exiles, Gethzerion and Baritha began to gather other outcasts to form a new clan of Witches devoted to the dark side. This new clan would come to be known as the Nightsisters, a feared sect of female warriors and sorceresses.

Nightsisters in the galaxy were rare, as it was unlikely for any to obtain passage off Dathomir; however, it was not unheard of. Mighella served Black Sun Vigo Alexi Garyn as a bodyguard, Charal was able to make her way to Endor, and several sisters allied themselves with the CIS during the Clone Wars. During the reign of the Empire, Gethzerion allied herself with Palpatine, hoping to attain transport off Dathomir. Palpatine, fearing her power, wouldn't allow her or any other Nightsisters to escape the planet, and so began to imprison the witches and quarantine the planet. Although many escaped their prisons, none were able to escape the planet following the blockade. Gethzerion later tried to broker a deal with Imperial Warlord Zsinj, but he double-crossed her, resulting in the destruction of the clan.

This would not be the end of the Nightsisters, however, as Tamith Kai would recreate the group around 23 ABY. Many of these Sisters joined the Shadow Academy, while one became a Sith.

Sorcerers of Tund[]

Sorcerer of Tund EGF

The Sorcerers of Tund were a sect of Force-sensitives on the planet Tund who were descended from Sith mages banished there. The mages were under the belief that all sentient beings were Force-sensitive, as the only other species they had come into contact with as of yet were the Rakata of the Infinite Empire. The Sorcerers rarely left Tund and were recognizable by their all-concealing outfits. They called the Force the "Unity," and although they had contact with the Jedi, they refused to join their order. Their explorations of the Force were known to drive them to madness, but their mastery of Force "magic" was undeniable, as seen in their ability to create intricate illusions and shapeshift.

Eventually the sorcerers came under the leadership of Karnak Tetsu, who unleashed a reign of terror following the Great Sith War. Following this, the Jedi took it as their responsibility to ensure that the sorcerers didn't descend into darkness, however they were forced to abandon their vigil during the Republic's twilight. Rokur Gepta was able to join the group, learn their secrets, and then destroy them, becoming the last of the Sorcerers.

Behind the scenes[]

Bogan was the name given to the dark side of the Force in early drafts of A New Hope and was established as canon in the Expanded Universe by the The New Essential Chronology. It was also said to be what the ancient Jedi and Sith called the dark side in Darth Bane: Rule of Two and called Boga.

With the release of Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi 0, Bogan is now known to have originated with the Tythans, where Bogan was one of two moons that orbited Tython.

Those who subscribe to theory of the Unifying Force believe that there is no dark side of the Force, nor is there a light side.

Media[]

(audio) The Dark. (From the audio adaptation of the Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novel)

Appearances[]

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I find your lack of sources disturbing.

This article needs to be provided with more sources and/or appearances to conform to a higher standard of article quality.

Non-canon appearances[]

Sources[]

Non-canon sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
  2. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Voices"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
  4. Tales of the Jedi Companion
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The New Essential Chronology
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
  9. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Destiny"
  10. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Sacrifice"
  11. I, Jedi
  12. 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  13. The New Jedi Order: Traitor
  14. 14.0 14.1 Legacy of the Force: Betrayal
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Darth Plagueis
  16. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Lawless"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith novelization
  18. "Shadows and Light" — Star Wars Tales 23
  19. Secrets of the Jedi
  20. Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
  21. Legacy (2006) 2
  22. 22.0 22.1 Threats of the Galaxy
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
  24. Fate of the Jedi: Omen
  25. Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 3
  26. Legacy (2006) 16
  27. Databank title Vosa, Komari in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  28. 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 28.16 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
  29. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Overlords"
  30. Labyrinth of Evil
  31. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Witches of the Mist"
  32. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed comic
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
  34. Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
  35. The Courtship of Princess Leia
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 The Dark Side Sourcebook
  38. 38.0 38.1 Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
  39. 39.0 39.1 Legacy of the Force: Tempest
  40. 40.0 40.1 The Force Unleashed II novelization
  41. 41.0 41.1 Shadows of the Empire novel
  42. HyperspaceIcon Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties on Hyperspace (article) (content removed from StarWars.com; backup link)
  43. 43.0 43.1 Legacy of the Force: Revelation
  44. Legacy—War 1
  45. Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (audio)
  46. 46.0 46.1 Jedi: Count Dooku
  47. The Paradise Snare
  48. Vision of the Future
  49. The Last Command
  50. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - Dark Lords of the Sith
  52. Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 6
  53. Fate of the Jedi: Conviction
  54. The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
  55. Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 Star Wars: Dark Empire
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
  58. The Last Jedi
  59. Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice
  60. 60.0 60.1 60.2 Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 1
  61. Power Beyond Belief
  62. 62.0 62.1 Dark Empire Sourcebook
  63. Legacy (2006) 1
  64. Legacy (2006) 18
  65. Jango Fett: Open Seasons
  66. Jedi: Mace Windu
  67. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Cloak of Darkness"
  68. 68.0 68.1 The Force Unleashed novelization
  69. Legacy of the Force: Inferno
  70. Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil
  71. Legacy (2006) 5
  72. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Padawan Lost"
  73. Dark Nest III: The Swarm War
  74. 74.0 74.1 Darth Bane: Rule of Two
  75. 75.0 75.1 75.2 Tales of the Jedi – The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1
  76. Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 5
  77. Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 2
  78. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Vector
  79. Star Wars: Legacy: Broken