A Star Wars theory connects the secret Sith Lords of the High Republic Era to the sequel trilogy – and the villain is hidden in plain sight. Set centuries before the prequel trilogy, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The High Republic publishing initiative has distanced itself from the Sith, as the Jedi Order is meant to believe their ancient enemies are extinct at the time. Instead, it’s a group of vicious raiders known as the Nihil that pose the biggest threat to the Jedi and Republic in this era, led by Marchion Ro, a man hellbent on destruction and punishing the guardians of peace and justice.
While Ro’s atrocities have had a catastrophic impact on the galaxy at large through the Great Disaster, his motives are personal. There are Sith Lords active in the High Republic Era, but they aren’t the architects of Ro’s designs. Naturally, the Sith will still relish the pain and terror inflicted upon the Jedi by the creatures known as the Nameless, though they aren’t rolling up their sleeves to join the Nihil in their quest for galactic control. It seems inevitable that the Sith of The High Republic will be revealed in the final pages of the last story, and when they are, the person’s name may be familiar.
The High Republic’s Sith Lord Could Be Related To A Sequel Trilogy Character
Introduced in the opening sequence of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lor San Tekka is presumably among the last of what was once a very influential family. A member of the Church of the Force, San Tekka was in possession of the map to Luke Skywalker, spending his twilight years among the people of Jakku. Hundreds of years prior, his ancestors were doing anything but living among simple folk, as the San Tekka clan was one of two major hyperspace prospecting groups in the High Republic Era.
It’s the perfect situation for a Sith. During their time in the shadows, the Sith were often public figures with significant pull, manipulating events to their advantage while keeping their true identities secret. A member of the San Tekka family being a Sith Lord would put unimaginable wealth at the dark sider’s disposal, and in an era of discovery there are hyperspace lanes they could keep for themselves. The family was known to have ties to the Church of the Force and a deep respect for the Jedi long before Lor, making even better cover for one who’s a Sith.
The Nihil’s war with the Jedi isn’t one they can win, and the Sith know that. It isn’t worth throwing all of their eggs in that basket, and with a family so large, the Sith Lord can only provide so much aid to Ro and his warriors without being detected. The Sith were in need of a more competent army to take on the Jedi, and the Nihil were only good for roughing them up. But to be a Sith is to manipulate and take advantage of those around them. By providing Ro and the Nihil with “donations” and hyperspace routes, a San Tekka would have the opportunity to weaken a strong Republic and lay the foundation for the Sith’s victory.
Lor San Tekka Is Redeeming His Family’s History In The Sequel Era
Jump ahead 250 years in time, and Lor San Tekka is a humble man doing his best to aid Luke Skywalker in his exploration of the Force. He’s a true member of the Church of the Force, asserting that his allegiance is to the Jedi and their pursuit of balance. There’s certainly nothing nefarious behind any of Lor’s actions; he remains loyal to Luke until the end, cut down by his old ally, Kylo Ren. But what truly drives him may not be benevolence – it could be shame.
With a family as prominent in history as the San Tekkas, Lor and prior generations would eventually discover the truth if one of their own were to be a Sith Lord. It’s a permanent stain on an otherwise fairly clean slate, the kind of revelation that has enough weight to destroy the family. Something big happened to shatter their influence, divisive enough to see Lor living in poverty when his lineage had attained generational wealth and elite status.
Beyond being a good member of the Church of the Force, Lor San Tekka is working to redeem his family for his ancestor’s transgressions. This added layer to Lor’s background provides more weight to his statement to Kylo: “You cannot deny the truth that is your family.” If Lor is the descendent of a Sith, just like Ben Solo, he’s willing to own it and pave the way for the Jedi Order’s future. The High Republic isn’t likely to show the downfall of the San Tekka family, but revealing another Sith Lord was part of a prominent family would bridge two of Star Wars‘ biggest eras.
