Sith alchemy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Two dark side adepts engage in Sith alchemy.
Enlarge
Two dark side adepts engage in Sith alchemy.

Sith Alchemy (from the fictional Star Wars Expanded Universe) is a field of techniques and occult lore employed by the Sith. The technique uses the Dark Side of the Force to alter and warp either living beings or inanimate objects to suit the alchemical adept. During the Old Republic era, Sith alchemy was used to create many unnatural creatures, such as Terentateks (seen in KotOR) and Hssiss dragons (seen in KotOR II). Most ancient Sith were proficient with the technique as evidenced by the common creation of the Sith Sword, especially Exar Kun, who could hastily create Kalgrath. The Sith Sword is a striking example of Sith alchemy as even though it was mere matter, through the enhancements wrought, it could withstand even the determined blow of a lightsaber, a property shared only with cortosis ore, (which strictly speaking does not withstand the blow; rather it shuts down the lightsaber before it cuts too far). In later millennia, Emperor Palpatine would prove to be extremely gifted in the technique, writing the definitive tome, On the creation of Monsters, upon the subject for his Dark Side Compendium.

The Creation of Monsters detailed how Sith alchemy could create beasts like the Chrysalis Monsters (mutated rancors that guarded the Emperor's Citadel on Byss), or Imperial Sentinels. Prior to his death, the corrupted Jedi Master and Inquisitor Jerec studied it, learning about a true "dark side elite." However, he did not succeed in creating a true Elite before Palpatine barred him from examining the manuscript, and sent him looking for the Valley of the Jedi on Ruusan; Palpatine hoped to use the pent-up Force-energy in the Valley to apotheosize himself.[1][2][3]

Palpatine proved his expertise when created the Crysalide Rancors to guard Byss, and often set his Dark Jedi the task of creating an Imperial Sentinel- a clone of that Darksider warped into a dumb but immensely strong and capable giant. The Prophet of the Dark Side Cronal was referred to as Palpatine's "monster-maker", and was responsible for the creation of such sithspawn as Gorc and Pic through the dark art of Sith Alchemy.

The technique is incredibly painful to living beings and often fatal. Sith Alchemy was also the only way to create cortosis implements until the science of the Old Republic finally figured out non-Force techniques for effectively forming weapons and armor out of it.

[edit] References

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../s/i/t/Sith_alchemy.html"