Warning: contains spoilers for Star Wars: The High Republic (2022) #1!The Jedi and the Sith are not alone in their veneration of the Force. While these two organizations have been the most prominent in galactic history, other religions dedicated to the Force have always existed outside them. Their views on the Force, and how they apply it, can be diverse across these myriad religions and cults. Now, adventures set in the Star Wars galaxy long before the prequel trilogy explore an unusual organization dedicated to the Force – the Lonto.
On the Pilgrim Moon there is a council known as the Convocation of the Force, a group representing the various Force religions present in the Holy City of Jedha. While some representatives hail from established factions like the Jedi or the Guardians of the Whills, others are from more obscure corners of the Star Wars universe. Among this latter half are the Lonto, followers of the Light and balance in the Force, seemingly defined by their mastery of one of Star Wars most overlooked Force abilities: plant surge.
The Lonto’s appearance as members of the Convocation in The High Republic (2022) #1 by Cavan Scott, Andrea Broccardo, and Ario Anindito marks their debut in Star Wars canon, as an unnamed Lonto representative attempts to stop chaos breaking out by wielding powerful vines. The Force ability known as “plant surge” has been utilized by Jedi in the past, described in 1999’s Extinction by Ron Marz and Claudio Castellini in Star Wars Tales. Plant surge is much as it sounds: a Jedi or other Force user can channel the Force into plant life, controlling its movement or rapidly accelerating its growth. While a nameless Jedi in that story attempted to restrain Darth Vader with local flora, the Lonto seem to have taken this ability to the extreme.
Star Wars’ Lonto Wield the Force Through Plantlife
The Lonto representative’s entire combat style while attempting to restrain her Fallanassi counterpart revolves around using plant surge to keep her at bay, though most striking is the Lonto’s appearance. She is not simply commanding the plants, she is one with the plants, intertwined with their vines which appear to be sprouting out of her bark-like flesh. The connection is made more apparent as the Matukai representative severs vines with his poleaxe, causing the Lonto representative to scream in agony. While only one Lonto has been seen so far, the issue appears to imply this intense plant-bond is core to their belief system, and to their difference from the Jedi.
It seems that the Lonto are specifically and radically dedicated to respecting the Force as it manifests in living beings. This explains the Lonto representative’s actions: not only does she vouch for the well-meaning intentions of the Yacombe envoy (a Force religion once dedicated to the Dark Side, but seemingly reformed), but her manner of combat is purely defensive and focused on restraint. Where a Jedi could use the Force as a bludgeon on their opponent or draw their lightsaber, the Lonto commands her plant surge to hold back those who would cause harm.
The Lonto are a new addition into an ever-growing list of religions dedicated to the Force – another unique path that demonstrates how varied its worship can be in the galaxy. With a focus on an oft-underutilized Force ability, they enter the Star Wars universe with a fascinating foundation to build on.
