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Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: parents, pronouns, skin, children, siblings, type, partners, families, cyber, feathers, mass and unrecognized parameters: era
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Revan was a Jedi Knight and General during the Mandalorian Wars. A Human male once known by the nickname the Revanchist, he was both a charismatic and enigmatic leader, a renowned tactician and expert strategist, and a hero of the Galactic Republic during the Mandalorian Wars, leading the Republic fleets to victory after victory. Ending the conflict personally, with the execution of Mandalore the Ultimate and the destrucition of Malachor V; Revan led the remains of the Republic fleet deep into the Unknown Regions to hunt down the remaining Mandalorians. He returned however, as Darth Revan, the Dark Lord of the Sith.
Deploying his vast armada, the very ships that had fought alongside him during the Mandalorian Wars, against the Republic fleet; Revan ignited the Jedi Civil War. Once again, Revan and his Sith apprentice Darth Malak claimed repeated victories against the Republic, and in the process established a powerful new Sith Empire. For two and a half years Revan's fleet cut a swathe through the Republic fleet before the Dark Lord was finally betrayed by Darth Malak, and captured by the Jedi Order.
Thought dead to the entire galaxy, thanks to the intervention of Bastila Shan, Revan's mind was severely damaged although alive. Unable to restore the Dark Lord's memories, the Jedi Council repaired what they could of the damaged mind, programming a new identity into Revan: one loyal to the Republic. In the year that followed Revan and a company of followers scoured the galaxy for the source of Malak's strength of numbers, and despite eventually learning of his previous identity Revan rejected the evil of his past, defeated Malak and ended the very war he had begun.
A year later, Revan once again departed for the Unknown Regions. A former Jedi master of Revan's, the aged Kreia, believed that Darth Revan's brutally efficient invasion of the galaxy had been part of a complex plan to secure the Republic from a long-hidden threat known as the "True Sith", and suggested that Revan had departed on a solitary quest to defeat them once and for all.
Biography
Early life
- "Some said that Revan was born in the Outer Regions, beyond the Rim, and that's what called to him during the Mandalorian Wars… and after. It was the call of home."
- ―Kreia
The exact details of Revan's early life cannot be ascertained. Though there were those that claimed he had been born beyond the Outer Rim Territories,[2] his parentage, homeworld and birth name remain unknown. Regardless, he was eventually deemed suitable for instruction in the ways of the Force by the Jedi Order.
Jedi training
Three of Revan's many teachers.
- "Revan had many masters, Zhar, Dorak, Master Kae before Kae left for the Wars. Towards the end of his training, he sought out many to learn techniques. It is said that he returned to his first master at the end of his training, in order to learn how he might best leave the order."
- ―Mical
By Kreia's account, it was she who undertook Revan's initial instruction in the Jedi Arts[2] and, according to Deesra Luur Jada, Revan was trained on Dantooine.[6] Even so, it is known that Revan was on Coruscant for at least a time, where he and his closest friend, Alek "Squint" Squinquargesimus, often visited Jedi Master Zhar Lestin for additional training.[1]
The elder Jedi, though noting Revan's "insatiable" desire for knowledge, dismissed it as exuberance and eagerness, believing the youth to be a future champion of the Jedi Order. Master Vrook Lamar, on the other hand, later claimed that Revan was perhaps too eager to learn more about the Force, and had sought knowledge of ancient "Sith magics".[1]
Revan is said to have left his first master's tutelage entirely, going on to study beneath numerous Jedi Masters[1], including the aforementioned Zhar, as well as Master Dorak and Arren Kae. Some years later, Mical would claim that Revan had deeply studied the process of Force bonding, among other techniques, during this period. Eventually, however, it is claimed that Revan returned to his first master when, Kreia would say, "he realized there was nothing more to be learned from the Jedi—except how one could leave them forever."[2]
Whatever the truth, by 3,956 BBY the general consensus amongst the Jedi Masters on Dantooine was that, though a very promising Padawan, Revan had been headstrong, proud and far too quick to dismiss the dangerous lure of the dark side.[1]
The Revanchist
- "Who I am is not important—my message is."
- ―Revan
The Revanchist.
During the early Outer Rim skirmishes between the Republic and Mandalorians, Revan—by this time a well known, powerful and charismatic Jedi Knight—moved throughout the Jedi Order, arguing his case for Jedi intervention. Though at first a lone voice among the Jedi, considered the "Jedi's own crusader" by the Republic media,[7] Revan gradually gathered something of a following. The first to be drawn to Revan's cause was Alek, who then aided his friend in further recruitment.
- "Our master's an acquaintance of your Master Lucien. We were hoping to recruit some Jedi to come with us."
- ―Alek Squinquargesimus to Zayne Carrick
Late into 3,964 BBY Revan, now considered the honorary "Master" of those who followed him—specifically Alek,[7] made the decision to journey to the Mandalorian front against the Jedi Council's wishes, so as to scout out the enemy lines. On the way, he and his followers briefly stopped by Taris. An acquaintance of Lucien Draay,[8] Revan hoped to recruit more Jedi to his cause from the academy on the world, yet neither Lucien or any of the other Jedi on the planet were willing, or allowed, to oblige.
Sometime after leaving Taris, Revan left the majority of his followers on the planet Suurja while he investigated events on Onderon and Dxun. Though he reported his "disturbing" findings to the Jedi High Council shortly after the onset of the Mandalorian Wars proper, the Council told him yet again that there was "no place" for the Jedi Order in the war and sent him on a mission to rescue those of his followers that had been captured during the Fourth Battle of Suurja.[9] As he departed the Council chambers, Revan encountered Lucien Draay once more and, after a brief conversation about an undefined "truth," he left to complete his task.[9]
- "The further the Mandalorians stab, the more traction our colleague back there will get."
- ―Q'Anilia on Revan
Alek and his "master" sense a great disturbance in the Force.
Ultimately, however, Revan's captive "learners" were saved from the experiments of the sadistic Demagol by Zayne Carrick and Rohlan Dyre.[10] Once reunited with his disciples, Revan's campaign for Jedi intervention in the war against the Mandalorians continued, albeit somewhat differently than before. Whereas his efforts had previously been considered a curiosity at best, in the context of a larger Mandalorian War he suddenly found himself a celebrity.[7] As the Revanchist movement behind him grew, the Republic Media cast Revan in the role of crusading savior, wrongfully ignored by the aloof High Council. Though first referred to as "the Revanchist Leader" in reports, it was not long before the young Jedi Knight was given a new, "snappier" monkier: the Revanchist.[7]
Revan continued to travel the galaxy during this time, taking his message of Jedi intervention to all who would listen. During the Battle of Serroco, whilst on the planet Cathar alongside Alek, he—along with many other Jedi across the galaxy—felt the deaths of thousands on Serroco as the Mandalorians rained nuclear warheads onto the surface. Doubled over in empathic pain, the most he could say to his best friend was: "I feel it!"[11]
A short time later, Revan was invited to bid on the exogorth superweapons that Arkoh Adasca was selling on behalf of his increasingly large faction within the Jedi. Unable to attend due to pressing business elsewhere, Revan sent Alek in his place. Several Jedi had visions concerning Adasca's exogorths and the role they could play in the war, so Revan instructed Alek to ensure that the danger they presented was taken "out of the mix."[12]
Sometime after the Adasca affair, the siege of Taris, and the the bombardment of Jebble, Lucien Draay was appointed to the Jedi Council. He reported to the Council that Republic intelligence reports indicated that there was a blow to the Mandalorian's plans of conquest, reportedly by an insurrection within their own ranks, and stated that the "interventionist path" sought by Revan was wrong for both the Republic and the Jedi. The Council approved his motion, which ordered the recall, or if necessary, detention, of the "prowar renegades".[13]
The Mandalorian Wars
- "When the Mandalorian threat first arose, Revan and Malak were eager to defeat the enemy of the Republic. But the council thought it best if we moved with care and caution. The true threat, the council feared, had not yet revealed itself. But Revan would not be dissuaded. Charismatic and powerful, it was inevitable many of the Order would flock to Revan's seemingly noble cause. Malak was the first to join his closest friend. Others followed, many of our youngest and brightest, intent on saving the galaxy from the Mandalorian threat."
- ―Zhar Lestin
As the Mandalorian Wars continued, the desperate Republic military petitioned the Jedi Council for aid. Unwilling to charge into another conflict so soon since the last with Exar Kun and fearing a greater threat, the Council refused. Revan and his followers, however, didn't.[1]
With the devastating details of the Battle of Cathar having become widely known—several years after the fact—Revan used them to his advantage. In an act of rebellion above and beyond anything he had ever done before, he refused to acknowledge the authority of the High Council and sent out a full call to arms to the Order. No longer was he arguing for Jedi intervention, he was going to intervene. As always, Alek was the first to join his closest friend, but soon hundreds of Jedi answered Revan's call.[1]
The entrance of Revan and his Jedi into the war marked its turning point. Revan's clever military strategies and tactics coupled with Alek's courage and fiery determination saw the pair becoming the foremost heroes of the conflict. Claiming victory time after time, they were propelled through the ranks of the Republic military and were eventually given direct control of a full third of the Republic's fleet. With his newfound authority, Revan spearheaded the Republic war effort and began to steadily push the Mandalorians back.[1]
Together, Revan and Alek liberated Taris, fought Cassus Fett—Mandalore's primary strategist—at Jaga's Cluster, and defeated much of the Mandalorian army at Althir. Yet, despite such victories, there were concerns raised over the Jedi's behavior. Though Revan's tactics were near flawless and Alek's righteous fury unmatched, the pair began to adopt very similar characteristics to the Mandalorians they were fighting, growing to despise weakness and indecisiveness in all its forms.
Unfortunately for the galaxy, the growing darkness surrounding Revan did not just stem from his experiences with the Mandalorians. At some point in the year 3,961 BBY[6], Revan visited the ancient Sith world of Malachor V while scouting for new outposts along the embattled Outer Rim.[14]
Word had reached him that Malachor was anathema to the Mandalorians, and he wished to know the reason why. On its surface, Revan was quickly assaulted by the destructive dark side energies that permeated the world, yet through the strength of his will, he was able to feed on the evil power without being consumed by it.[14]
Soon thereafter, he stumbled upon the Trayus Academy, an abandoned training center built by a mysterious Sith faction known as the "True Sith". While unearthing the planet's buried secrets, Revan learned the exact location and immense significance of the planet Korriban, the homeworld of the Sith species.[14]
Though further details of what transpired in that ancient Sith bastion remain unknown, Kreia would later imply that it was there that Revan discovered the continued existence of the "True Sith" and, "to prevent a greater evil," embraced the Sith teachings himself.[2]
- "Only Revan was worthy of our respect. We swept throughout the Outer Rim without opposition—until Revan assumed command of the Republic forces. Only then did the battle turn."
- ―Canderous Ordo
Returning to the wars, Revan forced a final confrontation with the Mandalorians over Malachor V. His plan was to unleash the recently constructed Mass Shadow Generator on the planet, wiping out the majority of the Mandalorian fleet, as well as those Republic forces and Jedi who were not fervently loyal to him.[2] Trusting the device's activation to a capable Jedi General who would later become known as the Jedi Exile, Revan battled and killed Mandalore the Ultimate himself.[1]
The battle resulted in catastrophic losses on both sides. In the end, many Jedi were twisted to the dark side, and the once proud Mandalorian clans were crippled, just as Revan had intended. After the battle, Revan denied the vanquished force their leader's ancestral mask, and with it their ability to choose a true successor. Ordering his forces to strip them of their weapons and armor, and to dismantle their Basilisk war droids, Revan condemned the Mandalorians to perpetual exile, where many became bounty hunters, bodyguards, and mercenaries.[1]
Such a total victory over their adversaries, despite the Republic casualties, saw Revan hailed as a savior. Yet unbeknownst to those praising him, the Sith teachings were already sweeping through the ranks of those who had followed him to war.
Instead of returning to the Republic, Revan and Alek took the remainder of their fleet and disappeared from the known galaxy. They claimed to be searching for the remnants of the Mandalorian fleet; those who had fled the final, devastating battle. In reality, they were pursuing the power of the Star Forge.[1]
Quest for the Star Forge
- "Once we pass beyond this door, we can never go back. The Order will surely banish us."
- ―Malak
Whether during or after the wars, it is known that Revan and Alek visited Dantooine at some point, avoiding detection by the Jedi and entering the old burial mounds located near the Jedi Enclave. After successfully passing the "trials" set for them by the guard droid that had been left behind by the so called "builders", they were given access to a Star Map.[1]
Moments before they went beyond the door that led to the dark side artifact, however, Alek—still new to the dark side—warned Revan that stepping beyond this threshold would mean that they could never return to the Jedi Order; they would certainly know that the two Knights had fallen to the dark side. Whether or not Revan considered this, or even cared, as he paced in front of the sealed door is unknown; but if he had any doubts, he swiftly cast them aside.[1]
After examining the Star Map on Dantooine, Revan and Alek would go on to uncover Star Maps on Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban. Though the order in which they did so is unknown, Bastila Shan was aware that the pair had visited Korriban "at least once" when they were known as Jedi[1], suggesting that they may have gone to this planet during—rather than following—the Mandalorian Wars.
Similarly, in 3,956 BBY, the interface that Revan had installed to restrict access to the Star Map on Kashyyyk claimed that it had last been accessed "no earlier than five standard years ago", placing his discovery of that Star Map at around 3,961 BBY.[1]
Despite Revan and Alek's lack of connection to the Sith species, they drew knowledge from the Sith tombs on Korriban and declared themselves the new Dark Lords of the Sith – "Darth Revan" and "Darth Malak".[6]
With the information obtained from the five Star Maps, Revan and Malak were able to travel to the previously-unknown Lehon system; yet upon their arrival, the pair immediately crashed on Lehon. Shortly after, they were attacked by the primitive Black Rakata, who attempted to take them prisoner. The Dark Lord and his apprentice bested them easily, and though Revan could not understand the Rakatan language, he was able to use a Force technique to rip it from their minds, driving Basic into their skulls in turn.[1]
Having been cowed into submission by the Sith Lords' Force powers, the Black Rakata took them to meet their leader, The One. After "teaching" the Rakatan leader Basic, Revan explained that he was pursuing the power of the Star Forge, and that he would require access to the Temple of the Ancients. Yet, from the superstitious, primitive ramblings he received in response, it soon became clear that neither the One nor his followers had any true comprehension of their species' past, nor the technological might that they had once command. Nevertheless, the One promised to help Revan enter the Temple, providing he used his "strange magics" to slaughter the Elders—a competing Rakatan tribe that had so far resisted his might. Revan swore he would do so.[1]
Revan soon realized that these "Elders" were likely in possession of the answers he sought and rather than destroy them, he instead approached them in peace. This proved wise, as from the Elders, Revan learned much of the Rakata and their old empire—and of the disruptor-field that had caused his and Malak's ship to crash.[1]
Sensing the Elders' abhorrence for their species' violent past, Revan proclaimed himself to be a servant of the light, searching for a way to destroy the Star Forge. Trusting him entirely, the Elders gave Revan and Malak access to the temple, and thanking them, the pair promised to destroy the Star Forge and return. They didn't.[1]
The Star Forge
The Star Forge.
- "All you saw was an enormous factory, all you ever imagined was an infinite fleet rolling forth to crush the Republic."
- ―Darth Malak
Leading his hidden forces to the Lehon system, Revan began to realize his plans. Though the Star Forge was capable of granting vast power to those who fully embraced its dark nature, Revan minimized his exposure to the ancient space station, using it purely to construct an enormous fleet with which to conquer the Republic. Darth Malak, horrified that his master would reject such strength, would later balk at what he perceived to be Revan's stupidity, yet the truth was that Revan was far from ignorant.[1]
Revan, unlike his apprentice, understood the dangerous consequences of drawing upon the Star Forge too heavily. The artifact had led the Infinite Empire to its doom: fueling the Rakatan species' hate, driving them to civil war. Revan had no intention of letting over-reliance on the Star Forge disrupt the order he planned to bring to the galaxy. As with everything else, he would use it for as long as he needed it, then discard it.[1][15]
Once ready, Revan led his powerful new Sith armada back into known space, finally revealing himself as a Sith Lord and plunging the galaxy into war once again. As his old teacher Dorak would later say: "The hero had become a conqueror."[1]
The Jedi Civil War
- "Revan understood one thing–the real battle was going to be fought between the Jedi on both sides. That was the only battle that mattered. […] Whoever had the most, the strongest Jedi were going to win the Civil War. If Revan couldn't convert Jedi, then Revan would kill them."
- ―Atton Rand
The Sith Lords Darth Revan and Darth Malak.
Revan began a twenty-year campaign to end the "tyranny" of the Jedi council once and for all.[16] The war, while bloody, was orchestrated to topple the Republic while doing little damage to its underlying industrial infrastructure. Under his leadership, Sith forces bypassed militarily vital planets that would be required for the defense of the galaxy against the threat of the "True Sith".[2]
Revan's plan was to keep the Republic largely intact for the purposes of post-war rebuilding. He even took out a number of political figureheads, such as Yusanis of the Echani[1], Senator Mimas Yoon of Corellia and Lelin-Dor of Serroco.[2]
As such, he could begin his rule with a relatively functional military and economy rather than starting from scratch. Also, had he failed in conquering the galaxy, he believed the end result would be much the same: a stronger Republic, more capable of defending itself.[2]
Revan knew that, with Jedi in the war, this contest would come down to whoever had the most and strongest Jedi. He pioneered new Sith tactics relying on secrecy rather than brute force. His Sith assassins quietly flooded into the Republic to kill and/or abduct Jedi throughout known space.[2]
Revan reestablished strongholds and academies upon worlds of ancient power such as Lehon, Dxun, and Korriban. On these particular planets, his most faithful servants broke captured Jedi and converted them to the dark side. Revan also kidnapped some of his own Force-sensitive troops and converted them into Dark Jedi.[2] Utilizing assassin droids—such as HK-47, whom Revan created himself[1] —Revan eliminated threats to the stability of his fledgling Sith Empire.
With Revan at the helm and Malak as his head general, the Sith forged vital alliances to expedite the support and deployment of their forces. They conspired with the Czerka Corporation, one of the richest and most powerful galaxy-spanning companies of the time, to amass much needed resources, and they secured diplomatic relations with the ocean planet of Manaan so that they were able to export the healing agent kolto.[1]
The apprentice betrays the Master
- "I betrayed you when I realized my own strength was greater than yours."
- ―Darth Malak
The reinvigorated Sith won battle after battle, until a young Jedi named Bastila Shan entered the fray with her battle meditation, a powerful Force ability that increased the combat effectiveness of the Republic's forces and sapped the will of enemy combatants. Yet, even with Bastila's aid, the Republic forces knew that they could not hold out forever against the Sith.[1]
In 3,957 BBY, in a desperate attempt to end the war, the Republic and the Jedi set a trap for Revan and Malak, luring them into battle against a small fleet. During the space battle, Bastila led a team of Jedi that boarded Revan's flagship and managed to corner the Dark Lord on the bridge. Revan, however, seemed unfazed by the strike team, as he quickly eliminated all the Republic soldiers while the Jedi took down the Sith Lord's Dark Jedi.[1]
Bastila Shan and other Jedi confront Darth Revan just prior to his apparent death.
As the Dark Lord prepared to battle with the Jedi, Darth Malak, in the hopes of destroying both Revan, Bastila, and the Jedi, betrayed his friend and master, ordering the ships under his command to fire on Revan's flagship's bridge. Though Malak believed himself to have been successful in killing the man who had been his best friend, chance, or perhaps the Force, kept Revan alive.[1]
After surviving the turbolaser blasts that had rocked through the bridge, Bastila was faced with a choice. Upon regaining her wits, she was confronted with the broken, comatose body of Darth Revan. The Dark Lord was nearly dead—by Bastila's own admission, just a tiny spark of the Force remained alive within him.[1]
For whatever reason—perhaps a sense of duty to the Republic, pity, or a simple urge to save his life—young Shan made the decision to grab a hold of that waning spark and keep Revan alive. Through that act, Bastila somehow tied Revan's life to her own, unwittingly forging a powerful Force bond. Bastila took Revan and escaped the cruiser, while the Sith, believing their master dead, retreated from the battle.[1]
Bastila had stabilized Revan, but the Sith Lord was still in critical condition and his mind remained heavily damaged. Bastila brought him to the Jedi, and a huge debate enveloped on what to do. Eventually, the Council decided that, in order to find out how Revan had made a practically unbeatable fleet, they must rely on Bastila's bond with the former Jedi Knight to draw out Revan's memories and find the answers.[1]
To do this, Revan's broken mind was reprogrammed by the Council to conceal the Dark Lord's old identity. Bastila was charged with keeping Revan's identity hidden and drawing out the former Dark Lord's memories.[1]
Crash-Landing on Taris
- "Taris? The planet's all one big city..."
- ―Carth Onasi
Revan, under an implanted name and with no recollection of his real history or of his former mastery of the Force, was enlisted as a common soldier in the Republic army,[17][6] and placed under Bastila's command on the Republic warship Endar Spire.[1]
Darth Malak, thinking his master dead, had devoted all his forces to the hunt for Bastila and in orbit above the world of Taris, his fleet ambushed Endar Spire. Revan awoke in the middle of the battle and proceeded to fight his way off the ship with the aid of Trask Ulgo, who sacrificed himself to save Revan from a "Dark Jedi"—none other than Darth Malak's apprentice, a former Jedi named Darth Bandon. Along with fellow Republic soldier Carth Onasi, he managed to escape in the last escape pod on the Endar Spire just moments before it exploded.[1]
The search for Bastila
Revan and Carth escape the Endar Spire in an escape pod.
After crash-landing on the surface of Taris, Revan was knocked unconscious. Carth dragged Revan from the crash site, where Revan began experiencing flashbacks through the Force of his buried past. The two men discovered that Bastila had been captured by the Black Vulkars swoop gang and was being offered as a prize to the winner of the Tarisian Season Opener.[1]
With help from the Vulkars' rival, the Hidden Beks, as well as a young Twi'lek by the name of Mission Vao and her Wookiee friend Zaalbar, Revan entered the tournament himself and was able to win Bastila's freedom. These accomplishments were enough to attract the attention of the Mandalorian mercenary Canderous Ordo, who gave Revan an offer to escape Taris: stealing the Ebon Hawk, an extraordinarily fast freighter from the crime lord Davik Kang of the Exchange.[1]
Escape
After Revan and his companions were able to steal the bypass codes to the Sith blockade overhead from the Sith base, with the help of their new droid companion T3-M4, Canderous introduced Revan to Davik as someone wanting to join the Exchange. While Davik ran a background check, Revan and his newfound crew stole the Ebon Hawk, resulting in Davik's death, and made their getaway just as Darth Malak unleashed an orbital bombardment upon the planet.[1]
Return to the Jedi Enclave
- "I have not heard of any new apprentices being accepted for training recently. What brings you to this place, may I ask?"
- ―Deesra to Revan upon arrival on Dantooine
Deciding that they needed to regroup, Revan and his companions fled to the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. Bastila spoke to the Jedi Council of “recent developments”, and once being informed of Revan, the Council requested an audience with him. Carth found that the invitation was unusual for someone who was apparently not even a Jedi yet, and the former Jedi chronicler Deesra Luur Jada remarked that he had not seen anyone accepted for training recently. Normally, the Council would not accept an adult for training, but Revan was a “special case”.[1]
Bastila presented Revan to the Jedi Council. Zhar Lestin, a member of the Council. told Revan that they had been discussing him, and that Bastila had told them that he was strong in the Force. However, contrary to the other Masters, Vrook Lamar, who Revan had known before his amnesia, said that they needed indisputable proof of his strong connection to the Force before they could even consider training him.[1]
Bastila argued that surely all of them could feel the strength of the Force within Revan. Zhar said that they could indeed, though the power was wild and untamed, and that they could not ignore it. Knowing Revan’s former identity, Vrook further argued that if they trained him, perhaps the Dark Lord–Revan himself–would return. Not wanting to reveal Revan’s identity to him, Vandar declared that they would discuss the matter in private.[1]
While the Council debated, Revan and Bastila shared a vision of Revan and Malak, as Jedi, visiting Dantooine's ruins when they found the first Star Map. After Bastila and Revan told the Council of the event, and Dorak claimed that the ruins had long been known to them, but they believed them to be merely burial mounds.[1]
The Jedi Enclave.
Revan learned from the Masters that he and Bastila had a Force bond, and the Council believed that together, they would both be able to defeat Malak. The Council decided to send them to the ruins in their vision, where they believed they would find some clue as to why he and Malak had been corrupted by the dark side.[1]
Jedi training
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Before Revan was to be sent, he was trained in the ways of the Force–unknown to him to be the second time. Revan’s progress was amazing, and Zhar, his teacher, said that he had never seen anyone who had mastered the initial training so quickly. He was soon welcomed fully into the Jedi Order.[1]
Before ending his apprenticeship and becoming a Padawan, he was to complete three tests. First, his knowledge of the Jedi Code was tested; second, to build a lightsaber. After succeeding in both the trials, he was told by Zhar of his third trial: to cleanse a meditation grove of its dark taint.[1]
There, he found the source of the dark taint: a Dark Jedi named Juhani, who, before his mind was destroyed, he had encouraged to become a Jedi. After Revan dueled and defeated her, Juhani, realizing that he was stronger, explained who she was. Revan spared her life and persuaded her ask the Jedi Council for mercy.[1]
The Jedi Council was pleased with his success, and his decision to redeem her. He had passed the final test, and therefore became a Padawan. Meanwhile, during his stay at the Enclave, he learned of the history of the Mandalorian Wars and of his turn to the dark side, as well as Alek’s.[1]
Disputes
Revan also helped the farmers and settlers of Dantooine. He met Jon, who demanded justice for the Mandalorian’s murder of his daughter. Whilst Revan did not initially rebuke Jon, he was not one for wanton violence, and so continued on his set tasks. Inadvertently, Revan was forced to kill several Mandalorians in combat, due to their ambushing him on the fields around the Enclave. Returning to Jon with the news, Revan inquired deeper into the situation.[1]
Bastila and the Dantooine Jedi Council.
Jon told him that the carnage would not stop until the ringleader, Sherruk, had been killed. Despite Revan's constant avoidance of the lure of the dark side, he set out after Sherruk, with the justification that he would be helping the farmers. On the grassy plains of Dantooine, he confronted Sherruk, and urged him to refrain from his actions. When Sherruk refused and attacked him, Revan killed him and his cronies in combat. Revan returned to Jon with the news, which calmed the volatile farmer down. Jon insisted that Revan take his reward of a hundred Republic credits, although Revan may or may not have accepted the gift.[1]
Another situation he influenced involved the Matale family. The Matale family had a long running feud with the Sandral family, and even with assistance from the Jedi Enclave, no compromise could be reached to settle the arguing. Later Shen, was kidnapped by Nurik, who believed his son Casus was killed by the Matales. When Revan arrived at the Sandral estate, Rahasia Sandral, Nurik's daughter, told Revan about Shen's kidnapping. Due to Revan's interference, Shen Matale escaped with Rahasia, but both were ambushed by their parents outside the estate. Revan was able to convince the fathers to allow their children to live their own lives, and the two agreed to purchase a new house for their children.[1]
The ancient ruins
After that, he and Bastila were then sent to investigate the ruins believed to have been visited by Revan and Malak that they had seen in their vision. Once inside, they were confronted by a droid speaking an unknown language. It changed the language it spoke to a dialect of the Selkath language, which Revan could understand, and said that it had been programmed to serve the “builders” if they sought knowledge of the “Star Forge”. When asked whether he knew of Revan and Malak, the droid replied that they were neither builders nor slaves, like him, but they had proven themselves worthy, and that they themselves must now do the same.[1]
After passing the tests, they gained access to the room which contained a Star Map, which would help lead them to the Star Forge. Though the Map was not complete, it pointed the way to the worlds of Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban, on which it was suspected more Star Maps could be found. Only with the combined information of these five worlds would Revan be able to rediscover the location of the mysterious Rakatan artifact.[1]
Revan and Bastila reported their findings to the Council immediately after, and the Jedi Masters agreed that the Star Forge must be found. The Council still wanted Bastila to continue drawing out Revan's memories to find the Star Maps. They were also curious to see if Revan could complete this mission without falling prey to the dark side, and reclaiming his former title as Dark Lord. Juhani requested that she join Revan’s party in their search for the Star Forge.[1]
Carth expressed confusion over the Council's choice of sending Revan on an assignment that could be the deciding point of the war.[1]
- "You're a neophyte Padawan who's been saddled with the responsibility of tracking down these Star Maps. Why? That's not normal!"
- ―Carth Onasi
Revan's mind flashes back to his reign as the Dark Lord.
The second search for the Star Forge
Revan, Bastila, and their companions journeyed to these worlds, tracing the steps Darth Revan and Malak had taken years before. During these travels they gained two new companions; on Tatooine, Revan purchased the assassin droid that he created as a Sith Lord, HK-47, and on Kashyyyk, the self-exiled Jedi named Jolee Bindo joined his party on the search for the Star Forge. On each planet, the powerful dark side aura of the Star Maps created perilous conditions that made accessing the Maps difficult.[1]
Additionally, the crew of the Ebon Hawk found themselves hunted by Sith and bounty hunters, such as Calo Nord, and confronted with the problems of the local populace at every turn. One of their greatest challenges was Darth Bandon, Malak's apprentice, who met his end at the hands of Revan.[1]
Throughout their journey, Revan and Bastila grew closer due to the feelings created by their Force bond. However, Bastila feared their love, thinking it would only lead to the dark side. In truth, she was afraid to face her feelings out of fear of who Revan once was. She attempted to resist the feelings, yet their love for each other was undeniably strong.[1]
Revelation on the Leviathan
- "You cannot hide from what you once were, Revan! Recognize that you were once the Dark Lord - and know that I have taken your place!"
- ―Darth Malak to his old Master
As the crew left Manaan attempted to reach the fifth and final Star Map, Revan and his allies were captured by the Sith flagship Leviathan which was under the command of Admiral Saul Karath, Carth's former mentor who he had long hoped to kill in revenge for killing his wife when bombing Telos. As the Ebon Hawk was being brought in via tractor beam, its crew discussed their escape, and Revan chose a member of his party to escape the Sith and save them from capture.[1]
Revan, Bastila, and Carth were put into Force cages and interrogated by Admiral Karath. After Carth argued with him and insulted him for the deaths on Telos, Saul said that he was insignificant part of events anyway, and that Darth Malak was far more interested in the two Jedi, who both said that they would never turn to the dark side. From Revan's words, Saul found, unexpectedly, that Revan did not know of his former identity. He, however, said that he would not be the one to deprive Malak of the pleasure of telling him himself.[1]
Revan, Bastila, and Carth are tortured by Saul Karath.
Karath suspected that he would not succeed in the interrogation, and said that the Dark Lord would no doubt torture them for information and for his own twisted pleasure. He knew, however, that at the time Malak was in another sector and that it may be some time before he would arrive, and so he began torturing them himself.[1]
Knowing that Revan cared for Bastila, Saul made Bastila suffer each time when Revan refused to answer his questions. He used this to test Revan's loyalty when he asked him where the Jedi base was. Revan's will weakend, but still gave no answer to the former Republic Admiral. Saul revealed that the question was only a test, for Malak, of course, being a former Jedi, knew the location of the Jedi Enclave and had destroyed it.[1]
Karath then left the three alone until Malak would arrive, leaving Bastila greatly upset by the Academy's destruction and hoped that the Jedi had managed to escape. Both Jedi soon felt a disturbance in the Force, and they knew that Saul had sent a message to the Dark Lord of their current location.[1]
Meanwhile, the party member Revan had chosen to free them found them and deactivated their Force cages. Feeling Malak's dark presence approaching, the Jedi devised a plan to escape, go to the bridge, in secrecy, and disable the tractor beam. Carth was also included in the plan, for he wanted to kill Saul, who would be on the bridge, in revenge.[1]
They fought their way to the bridge and confronted Saul and his guards. The Admiral said that if they lay down their weapons, he would ask Darth Malak to be merciful when he arrived—he could now arrive at any minute—but Carth said that he had seen enough of Sith mercy and attacked him. Revan, Bastila, and Carth slew the Sith troopers and left Saul mortally wounded.[1]
Saul's dying words to Carth were the revelation of Revan's identity. Furious, Carth accused Bastila of keeping the secret from him. Bastila pleaded with Carth to not let Revan know at the time, and said that she would explain everything to both of them when they had escaped the flagship.[1]
Just before they would be able to arrive in the docking bay which held the Ebon Hawk, they were confronted by Darth Malak, the Dark Lord of the Sith. After discovering that Revan still had no knowledge of his time as the Dark Lord, Malak was amused and told him his true identity, which had been wiped by the Jedi. Stunned and bewildered, Revan refused to believe that he was the former Dark Lord of the Sith, the infamous Darth Revan, until Malak's assertion was reluctantly confirmed by Bastila, who said that she had been part of the Jedi strike team sent to capture him. Darth Malak took advantage of Revan's shock and made every effort to sow discord between his former Master and the Jedi who had manipulated him, yet Revan refused to turn upon his allies.[1]
The Ebon Hawk escaping the Leviathan.
Following their brief discussion, Malak created a stasis field around both Bastila and Carth and prepared to end his former Master. Revan fought valiantly, proving himself a capable swordsman. Malak had always regretted betraying his Master from afar, for because of it others claimed that he was a coward, but now he had been given a second chance to prove himself. Bastila ultimately sacrificed herself so that Revan and Carth could escape.[1]
Reluctantly, Revan and Carth left, and they and the rest of the crew escaped the ship. Revan was forced to deal with Malak's revelation and the loss of his beloved Bastila. When he told his companions of Bastila's sacrifice, Jolee suspected that Malak was planning to turn her to the dark side and use her Battle Meditation against the Republic.[1]
Revan then revealed the shocking revelation to the crew. Carth, who had been told by Saul on the bridge of the Leviathan, was furious but said he would try to accept it; it made no different to Mission, who said that he was different person than he was before; Zaalbar was still bound by his life-debt; Jolee had known his identity all along; and Canderous was simply glad to battle alongside his conqueror. HK-47's deleted memory core was restored, and he revealed that Revan was his maker. He also recalled calling Malak a meatbag, which Revan had found humorous and had programmed the droid to call everyone a meatbag.[1]
Battle on the Star Forge
- "Well done, Revan. I was certain that the defenses of the Star Forge would destroy you, but I see now that there is more of your old self in you than I expected."
- ―Malak to Revan
After visiting the final Star Map, Revan and the crew discovered the Star Forge in the home system of the ancient Rakata. Upon arriving, the Ebon Hawk was forced to crash on the unknown planet because of its disruptor field.[1]
Revan was assaulted by warriors of the Rakatan tribe, but after seeing Revan's power, he and his crew were granted an audience with the One. The One told Revan about his original promise to kill the Elders and gain their secrets to enter the Temple of the Ancients, so Revan sought out the Elder tribe. When the Elder Council revealed how brutal and warlike the One and his tribe were, Revan and his crew decided to help the Elders. The Elder Council was very reluctant to trust Revan again due to his betrayal the last time they had met.[1]
The Republic fleet assaults the Star Forge.
They tasked Revan with rescuing an Elder scout from the One's enclave in order to regain their trust. Upon arriving at the One's enclave, the One and his tribe turned on Revan and his crew. The entire tribe fell under Revan's strength, and Revan freed the scout. After gaining the support of the Elders, Revan and the Jedi travelling with him entered the Temple of the Ancients and defeated the hordes of Dark Jedi that Malak had left in the temple.[1]
At the top of the temple, Revan was forced to confront a fallen Bastila. Following a week of torture at Malak's hand, Bastila had at last given in to her hate and had embraced the dark side. She was now, she claimed, the Dark Lord's new apprentice, replacing the slain Bandon.[1]
Bastila attempted to entice Revan to reclaim his former title of Dark Lord of the Sith. Revan was faced with a decision that could alter the course of the galaxy.[1]
- "The Dark Lord Revan is dead. I am a servant of the light now."
- ―Revan
Revan rejected Bastila's temptation and ultimately chose the light side. Enraged, Bastila retreated to the Star Forge. Revan and the crew repaired the Ebon Hawk and pursued Bastila as a Republic fleet that had arrived commenced an assault on the Star Forge. Surviving Jedi from Dantooine's destroyed enclave boarded the Star Forge in hopes of disrupting Bastila's battle meditation so the Republic capital ships could close in to destroy the Star Forge.[1]
Aboard the Star Forge, Revan displayed his restored affinity for the Force and mastery of lightsaber combat by nearly single-handedly confronting and defeating Malak's army of Star Forge battle droids and Dark Jedi. In the Star Forge's war room, Revan faced off against Bastila once again, this time, alone.[1]
Though Bastila was able to draw on the Star Forge to renew her strength, Revan still bested her. Bastila begged Revan to kill her after all she had done, but Revan attempted to convince her to return to the light side by drawing on the powerful bond of love they shared. He succeeded and Bastila used her battle meditation to aid the Republic, turning the tide of the climactic battle.[1]
Revan then confronted Malak who, upon his arrival, used the Force to choke two Jedi prisoners, and threw his lightsaber into one and blasted the other with Force lightning, effectively killing both. The former Dark Lord told Malak that if he surrendered the Jedi might show him mercy, but he replied that the wiping one of one’s identity was no act of mercy, and that he would rather die. He then unleashed the unlimited army of Star Forge battle droids upon Revan and escaped to the Star Forge's observation tower.[1]
The Final Confrontation
Revan dueling his former apprentice.
- "Once again, we shall face each other in single combat, and the victor will decide the fate of the galaxy."
- ―Malak to Revan
Revan, however, managed to stop the droids from attacking and followed Malak to the observation tower. Realizing that Revan had become much stronger than he ever was as the Dark Lord, Darth Malak said that he could break break his former Master's will and bind him to him as his apprentice, but he continued that perhaps Revan was too powerful to be his apprentice, and perhaps that when and if Revan became stronger than him, he would betray him, as he himself had betrayed Revan. The former Dark Lord said that he would never turn to the dark side again, which Malak said were "foolish words".[1]
- "The darkness and the light wage a constant war within you. The balance is tipped one way now, but it can easily be tipped back. Savior, conqueror, hero, villain. You are all things Revan... and yet you are nothing. In the end you belong to neither the light nor the darkness. You will forever stand alone."
- ―Darth Malak
They then began a lightsaber duel, whose victor, unlike in their previous duels,[18] would decide the fate of the galaxy. Revan proved himself to be a better lightsaber duelist, almost defeating Malak, but Malak withdrew from battle, explaining to Revan that he could not be defeated.[1]
He told Revan that he had brought the bodies of Jedi from the Jedi Academy on Dantooine to the Star Forge, but instead of letting them become one with the Force, he drained the life from them, transferring it to himself. Revan, instead, freed as many of the Jedi as he could and allowed them to become one with the Force, successfully shortening Malak's supply of energy. At last, Malak, the last surviving apprentice of Revan, was vanquished.[1]
Before he died, Malak wondered and asked Revan what would have happened had their roles been reversed, or if Revan had never led him down the dark path. Revan apologized for starting him down the dark path, but reminded Malak that he had continued down it willingly. Malak accepted his apology, realizing that he had no one to blame for his fate save himself. Thus, the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Malak's life ended in darkness and regret immediately prior to the Star Forge's destruction.[1]
- "I suppose… I suppose you speak the truth. I alone must accept responsibility for my fate. I wanted to be Master of the Sith and ruler of the galaxy. But that destiny was not mine, Revan. It might have been yours, perhaps… but never mine. And in the end, as the darkness takes me, I am nothing."
- ―Darth Malak's final words to Revan
Revan and his crew were given a hero's escort back to Lehon. There, they were each rewarded with the Cross of Glory, the Republic's highest award. Vandar also thanked Revan, re-bestowing his rank of Jedi Knight, and proclaiming him the "Prodigal Knight" and his friends as the heroes of the era and galaxy.[1]
Into the unknown
- "He left a lot of people who cared about him behind. But I think he did it because he thought it was the right thing to do. But whatever he set out to do, I… I don't think he succeeded."
- ―Carth Onasi
Following the Battle of Rakata Prime, it was rumored that Revan intended to return to the warring Korriban so as to subdue the threat of any potential Sith insurgents.[2] Thousands of years later, Revan was indeed credited with having "driven the Sith from Korriban"[19] but the means by which he did so remain ambiguous at best.
The defeat of Darth Malak at the hands of a redeemed Revan, as seen in Duron Qel-Droma's vision.
Since defeating Darth Malak, more and more of Revan's lost memories had returned, including those with knowledge of Trayus Academy and the Sith teachings he had harnessed on Malachor V.[20] According to Kreia, Revan reawakened to the the threat posed by an ancient Sith faction (that she referred to as the "True Sith") that lurked within the Unknown Regions and resolved to battle against them.
Kreia, the first Master of Revan, would later say to her last student that she did not believe the Jedi Council had changed Revan as they claimed, but that they had merely stripped away the surface and allowed his true self to emerge once again.[21] During Revan's final duel with Malak, Malak said to him that the balance was tipped one way, but that it could easily be tipped again.[1]
He entrusted Carth Onasi with the Republic's safety, and left instructions to Canderous Ordo to unite the scattered clans of the Neo-Crusaders by reclaiming Mandalore's helmet, which Revan took for his own after the execution of Mandalore the Ultimate. He said goodbye to Bastila, and traveled to the shattered remains of Malachor V with T3-M4 and HK-47, then he left the Ebon Hawk and his droid companions behind, and disappeared from known galaxy. "It would have helped," Kreia would later remark, "had he made her understand. But she was always strong-willed, that one, and did not understand war as Revan did."[2]
Unknown to Revan, however, T3 was ordered by Bastila, who had learned a few things through their bond, to return to the Republic and find her if something went wrong, her or whatever help could be found. In time, the small astromech droid set out to find assistance aboard the Ebon Hawk and found the last known Jedi Knight in 3,951 BBY,[22] the Jedi Exile, who also happened to be sought by another of Revan's acquaintances, his first Jedi Master Kreia.[2]
The Exile came under Kreia's tutelage and took ownership of T3 and the freighter, Canderous later joined her against the Sith; she also met Carth following the Battle of Telos IV and eventually learned of Revan's ties to her companions. When the former Jedi General asked T3 if he had gotten to the Ebon Hawk with Kreia, the droid had little to say on the matter, and since T3 had the only means of accessing the Ebon Hawk's voice-locked navicomputer,[23] the Exile had no way of knowing whence the ship came either.
Following the destruction of Malachor V and the remnants of the Sith triumvirate, the Jedi Exile left to join Revan again as she did in the Mandalorian Wars.[2]
Legacy of a Dark Lord
Darth Revan on Lehon, the planet that hid his Sith legacy for nearly three millennia.
- "My time here is ended. Take what I have taught you and use it well."
- ―Darth Revan
Though he eventually rejected the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith and returned to the light side, Revan's legacy as a powerful Sith Master would live on thousands of years after his death in a holocron that he had constructed during his reign. Hidden away on the planet Lehon, within the Temple of the Ancients, it would remain undisturbed for nearly three thousand years.[15]
Having become obsessed with the knowledge and prowess of the ancient Sith, Revan in particular, Darth Bane—recently proclaimed a Dark Lord himself—traveled to Lehon in search of power enough to topple the existing Sith regime, the Brotherhood of Darkness.[15]
Once there, he discovered Revan's holocron and from it received training and instruction that, he felt, surpassed the entirety of the Korriban Academy's archives. After obtaining all the trainings from Darth Revan's holocron, Bane destroyed it as was the way of the Sith to eliminate things that were of no further use.[15]
Partially through the wisdom and Sith philosophy imparted to him by Revan, Bane would acquire the strength, power, and knowledge necessary to reshape the Sith as he saw fit, destroying the Brotherhood of Darkness and establishing the Rule of Two[15], thus birthing a new incarnation of the Sith Order; one that would go on to topple the Galactic Republic and all but destroy the Jedi Order.
Additionally, the Zelosian Darth Rivan would choose his Sith name from a corrupted manuscript that misidentified Revan as "Rivan."[6]
Powers and abilities
- "What can I say? I'm a talented individual."
- ―Revan
Revan had a wide variety of skills and abilities. The most prominent are listed below:
Force adept
- "Revan was power. It was like staring into the heart of the Force."
- ―Kreia
Revan was an incredibly talented and diligent student of the Force—perhaps the most gifted of his time—and eventually, by all accounts, became a very powerful Force practitioner. As one of the few individuals in galactic history to reach the heights of Sith power and return to the Jedi, he proved himself highly skilled in the use of both the light and dark sides of the Force.[1]
Military commander
- "His strategies and tactics defeated the best of us. Even Mandalore himself was taken aback by the ferocity of his attacks, the tenacity of his defenses and the subtlety of his plans."
- ―Canderous Ordo
Revan was often credited as an exceptionally brilliant strategist and tactician. Certain individuals, such as Canderous Ordo, went as far as to place almost the entirety of the Republic's success during the Mandalorian Wars on his shoulders[1]. Likewise, before his capture during the Jedi Civil War, there were those that believed that it was only a matter of time before he conquered the entire galaxy[2].
To the Mandalorians, Revan represented a supremely worthy foe—one that both embodied their philosophies and showed them their weaknesses[1]. The Echani, on the other hand, believed that Revan represented the epitome of what one could achieve in the arts of war, and that his skill was born out of a highly advanced battle precognition[2].
Warrior
- "You, Revan, are the single greatest warrior of this age, and any battle we fight will bring me honor."
- ―Canderous Ordo
Revan was a highly skilled warrior. He defeated a number of high profile and skilled fighters in his lifetime, including the former Echani general and senator Yusanis, Mandalore the Ultimate, and Darth Malak who was counted among the skilled swordsmen of the era. Perhaps one of his more impressive feats was his single-handed slaying of a pair of terentatek in the depths of Naga Sadow's tomb..[1]
Leader
- "I hear he was a very powerful man. Very charismatic."
- ―Yuthura Ban
Revan was widely regarded as an incredibly charismatic leader. At a relatively young age, he managed to persuade a significant portion of the Jedi Order to rebel against the High Council and led them into battle against the Mandalorians.[1] Likewise, at the end of the war, all but one of the Jedi that had followed him—the Jedi Exile—were converted to the dark side of the Force.[2]
- "Ah, but to make officers turn on their own people, to bomb innocent worlds to make pacts… strong influence, indeed."
- ―Kreia
However, it is possible, given his studying and apparent understanding of Force bonding techniques, that he was deliberately utilizing a similar process to that unconsciously carried out by the Jedi Exile. This would seem to be supported by Kreia, who told the Jedi Exile that manipulating and using his followers through the Force had been "Revan's way". Similarly, Kreia suggested that the reason for Revan's success in converting so many Jedi to the dark side was because he understood how to take advantage of wounds in the Force.[2]
Polyglot
- "Between that and your facility with languages, I'm lucky you're here."
- ―Carth Onasi
Revan had a remarkable affinity for languages, such as Basic, Mando'a,[24] Shyriiwook, Binary, and the Selkath and Rakatan languages[1]. It is unknown whether this was an intuitive understanding born of his Force sensitivity or the result of his previous application of Force techniques. Interestingly, he was unable to understand the language of the Sand People, requiring the use of HK-47 as an interpreter.[1]
Author
- "Why? The manuscripts contain the wisdom of the ancient Sith. I have learned much about the ways of the dark side from them."
- ―Darth Bane
During his reign as the Dark Lord, Revan wrote a book entitled The Rakata and the Unknown World. Approximately 3,000 years later, the book was still in the Korriban Academy's archives. It is possible that Revan wrote more volumes during his time as the Dark Lord.[15]
Mechanic
- "His passion for such tools, for things dead to the Force, defies me."
- ―Kreia
Revan was apparently, like Anakin Skywalker millennia later, a skilled mechanic. Shortly after the Battle of Malachor V, he built the sophisticated "protocol droid," HK-47.[2] He also displayed this skill during his time searching for the Star Forge, when he was able to repair HK-47 enough to regain many of his old memories and combat programs. However, HK's memories of his previous service with Revan would remain locked deep in his memory core and untouchable until Malak's revelation. He proved adept at repairing abandoned, decommissioned, or rusted droids encountered on his journey and could program them to fight for him..[1]
Swoop racer
Revan races his swoop.
- "You did it—you got the top time! You just beat racers who've been doing this for twenty years! This is amazing!"
- ―Hidden Bek mechanic
Revan proved himself adept at racing swoop bikes. His first known taste of the sport was on Taris, where he defeated the veteran Black Vulkar racer Redros, taking the Sector Championship to win Bastila's freedom. He continued to compete professionally, eventually winning both the Tatooine and Manaan sector championships.[1]
Behind the scenes
A possible unmasked Revan from a Knights of the Old Republic TV commercial.[25]
Revan's story, as dictated above, is the plot of the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Though there are numerous possibilities to change on the details of the events above and Revan may end up as a redeemed Jedi or a renewed Sith Lord, the canonical ending features his return to the light side. This follows the usual practice of LucasArts.
Revan was voiced by Rino Romano. While his main dialogue is never voiced, when his game sprite is selected, poisoned, achieving a critical hit etc., his voice can be heard.[1]
As second place runner-up in the Fan's Choice Figure Poll, an action figure of Darth Revan released around September of 2007 in the 30th Anniversary Collection: Expanded Universe Wave 5. Originally a Quinlan Vos figure was to be made, but Hasbro was already creating one in a special two-pack series.
Male appearance selection of Revan.
While Revan's gender is specified by the player, the canonical Revan is confirmed by Leland Chee to be male.[26] Also, The New Essential Chronology and the Chronicles of the Old Republic, published prior to the release of The Sith Lords, both refer to Revan as male. However, this has proven a controversial point among some fans of the series.
Revan's name apparently comes from "revanche", meaning "the act of retaliating," or "the intent of regaining lost territory or standing." This word has etymological connections to English revenge. In Star Wars canon, there has been some ambiguity concerning whether or not "Revan" is the character's original name or merely an alias. Abel G. Peña comments on his starwars.com blog that he believes that Revan and Malak used their true names, thus making them the first Sith to take up the "Darth" title without also adopting a Sith moniker.[27] However, in the Essential Guide to the Force, Alek Squinquargesimus, a Jedi from the Knights of the Old Republic comics, was confirmed to have been Darth Malak[6]. John Jackson Miller has hinted that Revan might not be his original name, although the Knights of the Old Republic comics have not taken a stance on Revan's identity as of yet.[28][29]In the Q&A section of the twenty-ninth issue of the comic series, Miller promised that the comics would "speak to the matter of Revan and Malak–perhaps sooner than you make think".[29]
Due to his appearance with two lightsabers in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords[2], some have argued that Revan employed Jar'Kai as his main combat style. In all Knights of the Old Republic cutscenes, however, Revan wields but one blade[1]. It is not known which form Revan favors, and no retcon has yet been developed to assign one to him.
Continuity
Amnesia
- "Even the combined power of the Jedi Council couldn't keep your identity buried forever, could it? The Jedi strike team captured you and the Council used the Force to reprogram your mind: they wiped away your identity and turned you against your own followers."
- ―Darth Malak
Some uncertainties remain concerning the sequence of events that caused Revan's amnesia. Within the primary source material, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, two seemingly contradictory explanations are provided. Bastila Shan tells Revan, "When Malak fired on the ship you were badly injured. We thought you were dead. Your mind was destroyed"; however, all other sources in the game and all later sources, including the Chronicles of the Old Republic, The New Essential Chronology, and the StarWars.com Databank[30][31], clearly report that the Jedi Council erased Revan's memory.
The New Essential Chronology explicitly states that the "Jedi Council chose not to imprison or execute Revan. Instead they Force-scoured the memories from the fallen Jedi's brain, placing Bastila in charge of a powerful warrior who was now little more than a blank slate."[3] Of course, it is quite possibe that the Council decided not to reveal the true cause of Revan's amnesia to Bastila.
In any case, Revan had recovered the memories taken from him by the Jedi Council by the time he and his party infiltrated the Star Forge. The New Essential Chronology states, "Aided by the full Republic fleet, Revan—now in possession of the memories the Council had erased—killed Darth Malak and destroyed the Star Forge above Rakata Prime."[3]
However, according to Bastila, Revan's full memory could never be restored to him: "Your mind was too badly damaged to ever fully restore your memories, Revan. But your power, your strength of will, the essence of who and what you are: these things remain!"[1]
Fall to the dark side
Little is known about exactly when Revan fell to the dark side. Unfortunately, many of the available sources treat the matter speculatively and in minimal detail. During a conversation in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Vrook Lamar states that "Revan was once a promising Padawan. But ever eager to learn more about the Force, Revan sought knowledge of Sith magics, foolishly ignoring the dangerous lure of the dark side."[1]
Vrook also expressed the opinion that Revan and Malak had fallen under the sway of the dark side even before the Mandalorian Wars[1]:
- "I do not believe Revan and Malak were corrupted on the Outer Rim. They had begun their journey down the dark path long before the Mandalorian threat appeared. Here on Dantooine they discovered a sinister cave, a place where the strength of the dark side overwhelms the light. Perhaps this discovery was what first corrupted them… or perhaps they sought the cave out because they were already corrupted. Whatever the explanation, the Order was unable to turn them back to the light."
- ―Vrook Lamar
Later in the game, Bastila and members of the Enclave Council opined that Revan and Malak took their first steps towards the dark side when they investigated a complex of ruins on Dantooine. Inside, they found the first of five Star Maps which, when combined, would ultimately lead them to the Star Forge. Bastila states, "this must be what Revan and Malak found when they entered this temple. This must be where their journey down the dark side began."[1]
The Chronicles of the Old Republic state that, in the year 3,963 BBY, Revan was already influenced by the dark side when he began to develop "an evil but brilliant plan: Using the dark power of Malachor V, he will seduce an army of Jedi, completely loyal to him alone." In the years following that event, the Chronicles assert that Revan was further corrupted while studying Sith artifacts, relics, and holocrons which he had discovered within vast tombs and cities buried beneath the surface of Malachor V,[14] however, the Essential Guide to the Force says that Revan fell to the dark side in 3,961 BBY, not 3,963 BBY.[6]
The available evidence concerning Revan's motivations for embracing the dark side is equally conjectural. Kreia states, "perhaps Revan never fell. The difference between a fall and a sacrifice is sometimes difficult, but I feel that Revan understood that difference, more than anyone knew. The galaxy would have fallen if Revan had not gone to war. Perhaps he became the dark lord out of necessity, to prevent a greater evil."[2]
Whatever his original intentions may have been, Revan eventually embraced the dark side completely. His holocron would later advise Darth Bane that the "dark side offers power for power's sake. You must crave it. Covet it. You must seek power above all else, with no reservation or hesitation."[15]
Dark side ending
- "Malak is dead—all hail the return of Darth Revan, the true Lord of the Sith!"
- ―Bastila Shan (from the non-canon ending)
"The true Lord of the Sith!"
Accepting Bastila's offer, Revan struck down the Jedi Jolee Bindo and Juhani (only Jolee if Juhani had been killed on Dantooine), the stain of their blood on the temple stone symbolizing Revan's return to power. He returned to the Ebon Hawk and explained the absence of Jolee and Juhani to his stunned party. Shocked by his return to the dark side, Carth Onasi fled, leaving Mission Vao to be mercilessly struck down by Revan. Alternatively, Revan used his mind-dominating Force powers to convince Zaalbar to kill Mission, or Revan will have to kill them both.
Flying to the Star Forge, Bastila used her battle meditation to thwart the Republic fleet, allowing Revan to penetrate the depths of the Star Forge to fight Darth Malak. Striking Malak down, Revan regained his rightful place as Dark Lord of the Sith.
- "Yes… I cannot deny it any longer. You are the one who deserves… who deserves to be the Dark Lord. It was you who found the first Star Map on Dantooine, Revan. It was you who led us on our quest to find the Star Forge. I only followed in your wake. I tried to usurp your rule, to steal the title of Sith Master from you. But that destiny was yours, Revan, not mine. You are Darth Revan, Lord… Lord of the Sith. And I… I am nothing."
- ―Darth Malak's dying words in the non-canonical dark side ending
Using the resources he now commanded as Master of the Star Forge, Revan created an infinite fleet that rolled forth to crush the Republic. Surprisingly, however, Revan soon halted his offensive. It was noted as odd that Revan deliberately avoided striking the Republic's manufacturing facilities in his previous war, and again that he seemingly ended the Star Forge's production of vessels early. Bastila Shan, in a holocron discovered on Korriban, reported that Revan mysteriously vanished one day and told her to wait for him.
Bereft of a strong dark side user to guide it, the Star Forge atrophied and was destroyed by the Republic. It is assumed that Darth Revan visited all his former strongholds searching for something that is not yet readily apparent. It is known, however, that he headed for the Unknown Regions with the intent of stopping something menacingly powerful, something that was apparently responsible for initially coercing the Mandalorians to invade. Revan's former master, Kreia, suggests that Revan was searching for the original Sith Empire.
Cut alternate ending
- "No, it's too late for that. And it's too late for you to turn back… but you can end this here. There's still time for one final act of redemption."
- ―Carth Onasi (from cut non-canon ending)
Love or power?
Should the player had been playing a female Revan and successfully completed the romance sub-plot with Carth Onasi and then join the dark side on Lehon and murder Jolee Bindo and Juhani, Carth flees, declaring that she is not the woman he loves.
When Revan defeats Darth Malak on the Star Forge, she is confronted by Carth again. At this point, Revan is forced to either kill him or have Bastila murder him. However, in a cut ending, it is possible for Revan to change her mind, kill Bastila, and die with Carth as the Republic destroys the Star Forge.
The final game only includes the options for Revan or Bastila to kill Carth due to time constraints in making the final movie. Later, the Exile would discover a message in T3-M4 from Carth, which he left as a back up plan in case the increasingly dark-sided Revan eventually betrayed them.
Relationships
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Bastila Shan
- "I love you too, with all my heart."
"You aren't afraid to love anymore?"
"After this? No. Nothing could make me feel safer than to be loved by you." - ―Bastila Shan and Revan
In the game, it is considered canon that Revan enters into a relationship with Bastila, although she is reluctant since the Jedi forbid love. However, after resisting for a period of time, Bastila opens up to Revan, but after that, she insists that it is for the best if they stay on their mission and ignore the feelings they share.
In the canonical light side ending of the game, Revan redeemed Bastila and persuaded her to return from the dark side. When Bastila asked Revan to strike her down after he defeated her on the Star Forge, he refused and told her that he loved her. She replied by saying that there was a time when she had yearned for, yet also dreaded to hear those words. Because she loved him too, but she could never face who he was. In the end however, Bastila told Revan that she loved him too, and was no longer afraid to love.
Afterward, Revan went off to face Malak, and Bastila used her Battle meditation to aid the Republic fleet against the Sith fleet. Both of them played a key role in the destruction of the Star Forge, and the victory of the Republic.
Carth Onasi
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Although not considered canon, if the player chooses to make a female Revan, she and Carth Onasi can flirt and tease each other through the entire game. Because of Carth's growing affection for Revan, he begins to think less about the death of his wife and his desire to kill Saul Karath, the man responsible for her death and the loss of his son, Dustil Onasi. Carth eventually promises to protect Revan from what is to come.
When he discovers that the woman he is falling in love with was Darth Revan, he remains isolated from her, unsure what to do with this information since he believes that Revan's betrayal of the Republic destroyed his life. Carth eventually comes around and confesses that he couldn't hate her no matter how hard he tried.
Carth Onasi and female Revan in the Ebon Hawk.
(Note:Revan's garment and face are customizable.)
If Revan declines Bastila's request to join the dark side, Carth confesses that he loves Revan in front of the rest of the party members on the beach of Lehon. Although the scene is open for interpretation, fans have assumed this to be the place of Revan and Carth's kiss (Mission Vao makes the comment, "Sheesh, get a room, will ya?").
Between KotOR I and II, Carth and Revan remain together as Carth advances through the Republic military up to the rank of admiral. But Revan also begins to remember things she had done as the Dark Lord and used it as a wall between the two lovers. She eventually tells him that she has to go beyond the Outer Rim to find the other threat beyond the Mandalorians, the True Sith and their empire, though she doesn't specify exactly what the threat is to Carth and she leaves without warning.
However, he had anticipated this, at least to some extent, and left hidden programming in T3-M4. Carth is desperate to find some sign of her, and, in KotOR II, eventually meets up with the Jedi Exile and hopes to hear some word of Revan. Unfortunately for him, the Exile has no news to offer him, but he asks that Exile tell Revan that he's still here waiting for her if Exile ever sees her.
Juhani
- "I… I… I care for you. I do not know why. I do not know if anything will be possible or if you even return what I feel, but I do know it is there."
- ―Juhani
A second non-canon romance was available to female players. If the player turned Juhani back to the light side and continued to build her trust and friendship along their journey, Juhani slowly develops feelings towards Revan. After Revan rejects the dark side and former identity on the Rakatan temple, Juhani will shyly admit her feelings. This is all that happens between them for the remainder of the game, and what happens for them, regardless if Revan rejects or returns her feelings.
Whatever happens between them from there to the events of KotOR II five years later is unknown. In the original pressing, there was a bug in the game that allowed a male romance option in certain copies of the game. This bug has been fixed in subsequent versions of the game, and a male romance is not possible without hacking the game.
Appearances
- Shadows and Light (Vision to Duron Qel-Droma)
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 0: Crossroads
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 6: Commencement, Part 6
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 9: Flashpoint Interlude: Homecoming
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 15: Days of Fear, Part 3
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 18: Nights of Anger, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 19: Daze of Hate, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 21: Daze of Hate, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 23: Knights of Suffering, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 29: Exalted, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Galactic Republic Defense Ministry Daily Brief KD0092 (Mentioned only)
- Knights of the Old Republic: Opportunities (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (Vision to Jedi Exile)
- Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (Appears in holocron)
- Echoes of the Jedi (Mentioned only)
Sources
Darth Malak in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)- Bastila Shan in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- HK-47 in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Forge in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Knights of the Old Republic: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
- Chronicles of the Old Republic
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide (Mentioned only)
- The New Essential Chronology
- The New Essential Guide to Droids
- Star Wars Miniatures: The Force Unleashed
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Handbook (First identified as The Revanchist)
- Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
- Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
- "Heritage of the Sith" — Star Wars Insider 88
- "The Force Unleashed Preview 3" on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- "Behind the Threat: The Sith, Part 1: Portrayal" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
