InStar WarsLegends,Darth Vader’s first apprentice was one of the most unique characters in the saga – and a powerful one as well. Darth Vader was a Sith apprentice to Darth Sidious, and thus garnereddark side acolytesin order to challenge his master. This was the way of theRule of Two. Long before this was created in our universe, however, the comicStar Wars Annual#1 by Chris Claremont and Mike Vosburg was released in 1979.
This single issue reveals the first ever apprentice of Darth Vader, a winged, green humanoid known as a S’kytri, named Kharys. Kharys was the ruler of the Imperial Satrapy on her homeworld, Skye. BetweenA New HopeandThe Empire Strikes Back, she comes into conflict with Luke, Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca using some startlingdark side Force powers.
Kharys' Sith Demons Were Truly Horrific Creatures
Dark Side Smoke Monsters
Kharys, trained by Darth Vader, had learned the technique known as Dwomutsiqsa. This translated from Sith into “summon demon”, and was a powerful ability that allowed the dark sider to summon a smoke demon.These terrifying creatures began as spiraling clouds of smoke, but later assumed the form of a large, red, horned figure.
All 13 Force Powers Anakin Skywalker Possesses (In Canon & Legends)
Anakin Skywalker is one of the most powerful Force users in Star Wars, using a variety of Force powers in the canon and Legends continuities.
Smoke demons were neither tangible nor intangible, but existed in multiple forms. While fighting one of these demons,Luke Skywalkerclaims that it feels solid, but he also feels it firmly in his mind – implying a dark side presence that might make these creatures more effective against Jedi. More importantly, though, the Sith smoke demons could disintegrate living beings, absorbing them into their smoky forms.
Only A Lightsaber Could Stop A Sith Demon
Luke Skywalker Vs The Smoke Demon
In the issue, Luke and Leia come face to face with a Sith demon onboard theMillennium Falcon. The beast is able to tackle and attack physical beings, and even drains the soul of an old friend of Han Solo’s. The creature is immune to damage from a blaster bolt and tackles Luke and Leia to the ground, before young Skywalker is able to use his lightsaber to defeat it.
After Luke stabbed the demon with his father’s lightsaber, it reverted into its orange, smoky form, leaving the realm of the living. This act by Luke also released all the souls contained within it. Luke expressed that he had never felt anything like it before, and that it must’ve been summoned by a powerful dark sider, whom he later learns is Kharys, the first ever apprentice of Darth Vader inStar Warshistory.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
