With Star Wars Jedi: Survivor taking place in 9 BBY (or nine years before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope), fans might be left wondering what else was happening in the universe at that time. Picking up five years after the events of Jedi: Fallen Order, Survivor will see Cal Kestis fighting to stay one step ahead of the Empire’s forces. A lot happens in 9 BBY, which may influence the plot of Survivor, but it also gives clues as to who may or may not appear in the sequel.
[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi.]
The universe is still nine years away from the fateful meeting of Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker in 9 BBY, but that doesn’t mean things are quiet. During the year Star Wars Jedi: Surivor takes place, the Galactic Empire has been in power for 10 years after the fall of the Republic, and the galaxy has already seen many changes. Whispers of rebellion are starting to stir as those unhappy living under tyranny refuse to stand idly by any longer.
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Several key events in Star Wars history take place during this year, each impacting people from many planets in the wider Star Wars galaxy. The most significant events involve central Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Leia Organa. However, some other seemingly less crucial events have far-reaching consequences and could influence the story of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Jedi: Survivor Timeline – The Death Star & The Geonosian Genocide
One of the most noteworthy events during the year Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes place is one that initially seemed minor: the Death Star being moved from Geonosis to Scarif. Originally designed and built by the Geonosians (as hinted in Attack of the Clones), the Death Star was the Empire’s secret super weapon, which they were determined to protect at all costs. After the Geonosians had outlived their usefulness, the Empire began its genocide of the Geonosian people.
This horrific event is seen in Star Wars Rebels when the crew of the Ghost is sent to investigate reports of Imperial construction, and it is hinted that the Rebels have found the origin of Star Wars’ infamous Death Star. Further investigation later led to the crew returning and meeting the lone survivor from a civilization that had been approximately 100 billion in number. However, Klik-Klak, as Erza Bridger named him, was unable to properly communicate with the Ghost crew to tell them what the Geonosians had built for the Empire.
The Empire had moved the Death Star to a more secure location to continue its construction on the orders of Grand Moff Tarkin. The tropical planet Scarif was chosen, and the Empire transferred the plans for the Death Star to the immense databanks in the Imperial Citadel. It would be here, nine years later, that Jyn Erso could find the plans to the Death Star and successfully transmit them to the Rebels.
The Entire Plot Of Obi-Wan Kenobi Takes Place In 9 BBY
A plot by the Third Sister, also known as Reva Sevander, resulted in several branching events in the new Star Wars canon timeline, as seen in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. This began with the kidnapping of the young Princess Leia Organa on the orders of the Third Sister in an attempt to lure surviving Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although young Leia was eventually returned to her parents, it was not without significant consequences.
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These effects were primarily felt by the organization known as the Path, which had been assisting Force-sensitive people in evading the Empire and its Inquisitors. In the attack on Jabiim, several members of the Path were killed while holding off Imperial forces long enough for the majority of refugees to escape. One of these people was Tala Durith, who had aided Kenobi in his rescue of Leia from Fortress Inquisitorius on Mustafar’s moon of Nur (previously seen in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order). This Fortress was the primary base for the Inquisitors in Star Wars, dark side Force users who serve Vader and hunt Jedi.
After the attack on Jabiim, Reva traveled to Tatooine, intending to kill Luke Skywalker. At the same time, Kenobi faced down his former pupil on an unnamed barren moon, eventually realizing that his friend Anakin Skywalker was indeed dead, and now only Darth Vader remained. Kenobi was able to travel to Tatooine in time to prevent Reva from killing Luke and begin his own journey within the Force with the aid of his former master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
How Jedi: Survivor Could Intersect With The Wider Star Wars Universe
With the Star Wars Jedi sequel and Obi-Wan Kenobi taking place in the same year, some fans may expect Survivor to include some characters from the Kenobi series. While the main characters of Kenobi are obviously occupied, the series introduced a number of supporting characters that Cal could meet and interact with. Haja Estree (Kumail Nanjiani) was a con artist who worked with the Path and was a humorous, surprisingly heartfelt character. Having Cal meet or interact with the Path during the events of Jedi: Survivor makes a lot of sense, and having Haja there would put a smile on many faces.
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Another dangerous foe active after the events of Kenobi is the Grand Inquisitor. First encountered by fans in Rebels, he eventually met his end after a duel with Kanan Jarrus, but in 9 BBY, he would still be very much alive and still hunting Jedi. Having Darth Vader in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor wouldn’t make sense as he is solely focused on his former Master. However, the Grand Inquisitor is absent for part of the Kenobi storyline and could be an exciting villain for Cal to face.
There is also the possibility of cameos from other Star Wars characters active around this time, such as Maul, Hera Syndulla, or Kanan Jarrus. Both Hera and Kanan were active long before they met Ezra Bridger in 5 BBY, and not all of their time before the events of that series has been explored. Jedi: Survivor could have Cal meet the crew of the Ghost and perhaps run some missions with them. Maybe Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios or Sabine Wren could meet Cal on their way to Lothal and learn their stories.
The adventures seen in Kenobi take place over a short period leaving the remainder of 9 BBY open for the story of an older Cal Kestis in Jedi: Survivor to continue unhindered. Jedi: Survivor has not yet revealed whether events from Kenobi will impact its plot or if the game will carefully step around any mention of Kenobi and the Path. Regardless the year 9 BBY is rich with lore for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor to delve into, and fans will be looking forward to seeing what Respawn contributes to Star Wars history when it releases in 2023.
Next: Who Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s New Villain Is
