When we last left off, we had just finished our look at the overall time period that leads up to Star Wars: The Old Republic. Today, we will be shifting gears and focusing on a pivotal figure of the time: Darth Malgus.
A word of caution, though: our look into the life of Darth Malgus will contain SPOILERS from SWTOR: Deceived by Paul Kemp. If you do not wish to have the novel spoiled, take the time to read it instead. It is one of the better novels set in this particular time period and is definitely worth the read! Otherwise, follow me after the jump, and together we can take a look at the history of one of the Sith Empire’s greatest assets.
Born with the name Veradun, Darth Malgus was raised in the adoptive care of an Imperial Biologist. While still a child, Malgus (Veradun at the time) killed a young Twi’lek servant for a minor mistake, just to see if he would be capable of the deed! Seeing the action as a sign of Veradun’s true potential, Veradun’s adoptive father proudly sent him to the Sith Academy on Dromund Kaas to study in the ways of the force.
However, one day before he was to leave for the academy, Veradun’s father imparted three lessons to him. The lessons had a profound affect on Veradun, to the extent that many years later, he would use them in battle to destroy an enemy.
On Dromund Kass, Veradun became the apprentice to a Sith pure blood named Vindican. Together, the two traveled across the Empire and the Outer Rim. During one such voyage, Veradun encountered the Twi’lek slave Eleena Daru on Geonosis. Veradun killed Eleena’s owner and took her as his own personal slave, though they quickly became lovers.
It was not until the start of the Great Galactic War, that Veradun would be recognized for his achievements. When he was finally acknowledged as a Sith Lord, Veradun took the name Darth Malgus.
During the war, Malgus took part in numerous battles as an Imperial Military commander. But one of his crowning achievements would be the successful retaking of the ancient Sith world of Korriban. It was in the space above Korriban that Malgus would finally come into his own. After engaging in an epic battle involving Vindican, Satele Shan, and Satele’s Master Kao Cen Darach, Malgus would prove the ultimate victor. Malgus managed to slay the Jedi Master Darach, as well as strike down his own master (who Malgus had come to see as being too weak for what was ahead). While on Korriban, Malgus saw the Republic aflame and he reveled in it.
Over time, the Sith Empire began making its push towards the Galactic Core. Malgus was tasked with taking the world of Alderaan, and he did so to great effect. Using a brilliant feint, Malgus managed to lure the bulk of the Republic’s fleet away from the Core World. The space forces left behind to guard Alderaan were no match for Malgus’ fleet and they were quickly dispatched; however, Malgus grew arrogant.
While razing cities across the planet, Malgus was ambushed by the Republic’s Elite Special Forces Havoc Squad. Commanded by Jace Malcom, Havoc Squad engaged in a vicious battle against Malgus’ forces. For a time, it seemed as if Malgus would triumph. Even though he took wounds from one of Malcom’s rockets, the Sith Lord incapacitated Malcom. Had it not been for the timely arrival of Satele Shan, Malgus might have succeeded in destroying the remaining Republic forces, but that would not be the case. Together, Shan and Malcom would overcome Malgus and ultimately push the Imperials off the planet.
It was during his retreat from Alderaan that Malgus, still grievously wounded from his battle with Shan, would call upon his father’s lessons to kill two Jedi. After Alderaan, Daru, who Malgus saw as a wife, would nurse him back to health. Even with treatment though, the wounds Malgus received on Alderaan would force him to wear a respirator.
As the war with the Republic dragged on, the Empire would engage in a desperate strike against the Republic’s Capital. Using peace talks as a cover, the Empire sacked Coruscant, and though the operation was under the control of a Sith named Angral, Malgus was in charge of destroying the Jedi Temple.
With Daru at his side, Malgus and fifty of his brethren, razed the Jedi’s home. As the Temple burned, Malgus and his forces gathered their wounded, which included Daru, and made their way back to the fleet in orbit. Victorious, Malgus believed the Empire would finally put an end to the Republic, and aboard the medical ship Steadfast, where Daru was being treated, Malgus waited for the orbital bombardment to begin. When it didn’t, Malgus was disgusted to find out that Darth Angral and other Sith leaders were instead planning to use Coruscant as leverage in negotiations with the Republic.
Allowing his anger to get the best of him, Darth Malgus confronted both Angral and his subordinate Adraas (a rival of Malgus’ who had been present during the strike on the Jedi Temple). In a short amount of time, the confrontation became violent. Adraas, seeking to enrage Malgus even more, revealed that he had refused to give Daru treatment aboard the Steadfast, sending her to one of the hospitals on Coruscant’s surface instead. Malgus and Adraas crossed lightsabers before Angral ended the conflict and sent Malgus away.
After recovering Daru, Malgus was left to command the blockade of Coruscant. It was during this time that he would come into conflict with a rogue Jedi Knight by the name of Aryn Leneer. Leneer had trained under Jedi Master Ven Zallow, whom Malgus had personally killed during his strike on the Jedi Temple. The death of her former master greatly troubled Aryn, so much so that she planned to kill Eleena Daru in order to show Malgus how much pain he had caused her. However, when she finally encounter Daru, Aryn spared her life. Malgus would return the favor after facing Aryn in combat, allowing her instead to leave the planet safely.
The encounter with Aryn would change Malgus. Realizing that Daru was the one weakness his enemies could exploit, Malgus confessed his love to her and then, in a bittersweet moment, ended her life. With his love’s death, Malgus was finally free of the shackles of emotion; however, he was now disillusioned with the Empire as well.
Betrayed by his Empire, Malgus made the choice to change things. He now realized that if he wanted to end the Republic, he would have to take control of the Empire himself, starting with the death of his rival Adraas.
Devoid of emotion, and seeking the Republic’s death, Malgus was poised to play a central role in The Old Republic, but there are others.
Join us next time as we continue to explore the exciting events and people who shall play pivotal roles in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
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