Korriban’s Dark Draw

Korriban’s Dark Draw: The Peril of the Sith Homeworld’s Influence

For centuries, the red sands of Korriban, the ancestral home of the Sith, have whispered promises of power to all who dare tread its surface. A planet steeped in ancient malevolence, Korriban’s connection to the dark side of the Force is unparalleled, making it both a coveted prize and a treacherous battleground in the eternal conflict between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic.

The Republic has long debated the possibility of capturing Korriban, with some viewing its occupation as a symbolic and strategic victory that could break the Sith Empire’s morale. Proponents argue that seizing the planet would not only disrupt Sith operations but also allow the Republic to dismantle the dark rituals and teachings that thrive within its sacred tombs. Yet, for every voice advocating such a conquest, there are others who warn of the grave danger posed by prolonged exposure to the planet’s dark energies.

Korriban’s dark side presence is not merely an atmospheric phenomenon—it is a living, breathing force that seeps into the minds and souls of those who linger too long. Jedi historians and scholars have documented numerous accounts of individuals, both Force-sensitive and otherwise, succumbing to the planet’s insidious pull. The Sith Lords of old, whose spirits still haunt Korriban’s vast tombs, are said to reach out through the Force, corrupting and tempting intruders with visions of glory and power.

One of the most infamous examples of Korriban’s influence occurred during an ill-fated Republic mission to lessen the planet’s dark side aura. A group of Jedi, committed to shielding the galaxy from the Sith’s growing power, established a meditative enclave on one of Korriban’s seven moons. Their objective was to channel the light side of the Force in an effort to weaken the oppressive darkness emanating from the planet below.

At first, the initiative showed promise. The Jedi reported a tenuous connection to the light side, and some claimed to feel the faintest easing of Korriban’s oppressive aura. However, as weeks turned to months, the mission began to unravel. The Jedi stationed on the moon reported haunting dreams and unsettling visions, with the whispers of long-dead Sith Lords becoming a nightly torment. Doubts and fears crept into their meditations, and their bonds with the light side began to fray.

One by one, the Jedi succumbed. Drawn to Korriban’s surface, they abandoned their mission and gave in to the dark side’s call. This defection was not a quiet retreat but a violent betrayal. The group slaughtered the Republic forces stationed on the moon and pledged allegiance to the Sith Empire. Since their fall, these rogue Jedi have become some of the Empire’s most ruthless agents, their intimate knowledge of Republic tactics making them a deadly force on the battlefield. They have been implicated in countless atrocities, including the deaths of hundreds of soldiers, civilians, and even fellow Jedi who sought to reclaim them.

The tragedy of the moon’s enclave serves as a stark reminder of the corrupting power that lies at Korriban’s core. Even the most disciplined and devout Jedi are not immune to its pull, and the risk of exposure to the planet’s dark side energies cannot be understated.

Despite these dangers, the allure of Korriban remains strong. For the Sith, it is a sacred world—a cradle of their history and power, where the spirits of ancient Lords like Naga Sadow and Tulak Hord await new disciples. For the Republic, it is a potential key to weakening the Empire’s hold on the galaxy. Yet the question remains: can the light ever truly take root in a place so thoroughly consumed by darkness?

Korriban stands as a symbol of the eternal struggle between the light and the dark. Its sands are soaked in blood, its tombs echo with the voices of the past, and its very essence radiates the conflict that defines the galaxy. To capture Korriban is to risk being consumed by it—a risk that no one, not even the most steadfast Jedi, can take lightly.

---

For as long as the Republic has known of Korriban, the idea of capturing the Sith homeworld has been a major topic of discussion. Some believe it would mark a major turning point in the war against the Empire. Others, however, share a grave concern that prolonged habitation on the planet would cause its occupiers to be drawn to the dark side of the Force.

A group of Jedi once encamped upon one of Korriban’s seven moons with the aim of lessening the planet’s intense dark side aura through meditation, but the call of the dark side overcame every last one of them in time. The group defected to the Empire, and have since been linked to the deaths of hundreds of Republic soldiers and civilians, as well as several Jedi. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic)

---