Star Wars Revises the History of the Sith and High Republic Era

The latest episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, specifically episode 5, subtly unveils intriguing connections to the history of the Sith and their influence during the High Republic Era. While Jedi believed they had vanquished the Sith a millennium prior to the events of the Skywalker saga, the dark lord Darth Bane managed to survive. He restructured the Sith around the Rule of Two, a strategy designed to eliminate the internal strife that had previously led to their downfall.

As illustrated in the upcoming series, *The Acolyte*, the Sith operated quietly over many generations, skillfully orchestrating the Jedi’s decline and the collapse of the Republic. The intricate web of their activities has always piqued my interest, and the recent Easter egg in *Skeleton Crew* episode 5 has provided an exhilarating clue about these shadowy manipulations.

Star Wars’ “Ancient Pirates”Were Shockingly Close To The Sith

Skeleton Crew Secretly Hinted At The Truth

The image above, unveiled by Empire Magazine in October, captivated my attention, particularly because of the mysterious runes adorning the walls—runes that even the character KB fails to decipher. It’s intriguing to note that these markings are inscribed in the ancient language known as ur-Kittât, or the Old Tongue, which predates the formation of the Jedi Order. The use of this language indicates a profound connection to the dark side, making it a perilous pursuit for those who attempt to understand it.

Fans will recall similar runes from *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, which were etched on a dagger wielded by Ochi of Bestoon during the tragic scenario involving Rey’s parents. The Old Republic had prohibited the use of ur-Kittât, causing C-3PO to be unable to translate it. Thus, encountering ur-Kittât on the walls in the pirate stronghold of Lanupa raises significant questions about its presence and implications.

All The Evidence Ties “Captain Donner”To The Nihil

The mysteries deepen when we broaden our perspective on the roles of piracy within the Star Wars universe. While *Skeleton Crew* might be the first live-action series to center on pirate conflicts in the galaxy, several other media formats have provided rich narratives, particularly Lucasfilm’s *The High Republic* initiative. This expansive storyline reveals that pirates thrived in the uncharted territories of Republic space at a time of significant expansion.

During the High Republic Era, approximately 200 years before the Skywalker Saga, the Republic’s aggressive push into the Outer Rim triggered displeasure among pirate factions, particularly the Nihil. Their violent resistance coincided with a series of “Great Works,”through which the Republic sought to establish its dominance. Notably, the Nihil were able to significantly undermine the Republic during this tumultuous time, even capturing parts of the galaxy with advanced stolen technology.

Interestingly, Captain Donner’s emblem bears an uncanny resemblance to the Nihil’s logo, suggesting that the connection is anything but coincidental. Further analysis indicates that Captain Donner and the residents of At Attin may be intricately linked to the events of the High Republic Era. The mention of a “Great Work”within At Attin aligns with the broader narrative, hinting at deeper connections to this tumultuous period.

Were The Galaxy’s Pirates A Sith Plot?

Whether Directly… Or Indirectly

The presence of Sith runes near pirate factions raises compelling questions about their intentionality in *Skeleton Crew*. Initially, I wondered if Captain Donner had stumbled upon a formidable Sith world or if his stronghold in Lanupa was previously a Sith enclave. This notion hints at a troubling possibility—that groups like the Nihil may have been operating out of ancient Sith hideaways, infused with dark side energy.

However, an alternate explanation emerges: could it be that these pirates were unwittingly or deliberately part of a Sith strategy? The parallels between the Jedi’s struggle against the Nihil and the Clone Wars I observed lead me to consider whether the Sith were using these events as a probing exercise. Could the activities of the pirates serve as a test for the Jedi, allowing the Sith to gauge their vulnerabilities?

Such manipulation could occur covertly. Should some of these pirates have taken refuge in Sith lairs, it stands to reason that the Sith at the time would be privy to their operations, using the Force to incite deeper hatred against the Jedi. In addition, the usage of formidable creatures known as the Nameless by the Nihil would be manageable for the dark side practitioners of the era, as evidenced by Palpatine’s ability to conceal his own Force presence.

If these speculations hold true, then *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew* may have just illuminated a critical aspect of the High Republic narrative that has perplexed many fans regarding the elusive nature of the Sith. Operating in the shadows, they may have been orchestrating conflicts and manipulating pirates to exacerbate the tension with the Jedi—an ingeniously deceptive tactic that fits seamlessly into the lore of the Star Wars universe.

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