“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.Naturally they became heroes”
Princess Leia Organa
Small Summary
This article is a part of a series of articles that will analyze the timeline of the Star Wars Universe. The aim is to provide an analytical chronology of all the events that took place in the Star Wars Universe. The events recorded are derived from every film movie, book or comic that has been published. This part deals with the Old Republic era.
Abbreviations used
SW4 = Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope
SW5 = Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back
SW6 = Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi
“A” prefix (e.g., ASW6) indicates “after”
“B” prefix (e.g., BSW4) indicates “before”
NA = information not available
(p) = pencils; (i) = inks
[bracketed text] denotes information regarding future releases (release dates are approximate)
MEDIUM : This word refers to the type of media in which the story was published (movie, comic, book etc).Star Wars
The Old Republic
Time period: 25,000 to 40 years BSW4
1.THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SITH EMPIRE (c. 5000 to 4999 years BSW4)
1.1 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi— The Golden Age of the Sith
MEDIUM: 6-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, issue #0: July 1996, issues #1-5 monthly: October 1996 – February 1997) prequel to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi.
ISSUE TITLE – AUTHOR – ILLUSTRATORS
0 “Conquest and Unification”Kevin J. AndersonChris Gossett (p) Stan Woch (i)
1 “Into the Unknown”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
2 “Funeral for a Dark Lord”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
3 “The Fabric of an Empire”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
4″Pawns of a Sith Lord”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
5″The Flight of Starbreaker 12″Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
NOTE: issue #0 is a 99¢, 16-page prequel to issues #1-5
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
issues #0-5 collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—The Golden Age of the Sith (Dark Horse Comics, August 1997)
SUMMARY:
Gav and Jori Daragon, brother and sister explorers risking everything to
discover safe, new, economical paths through hyperspace, awaken Naga
Sadow’s Sith Empire, which ushers the galaxy into a golden age of evil
“Navigators and explorers are a special breed—they blaze the paths
others will follow. They must have strength, drive, and hope, and be
more than a little fearless. But nowhere is it written that they must
have luck. Gav and Jori Daragon make their living charting the routes of
hyperspace and selling those routes to traders and haulers. When a
starswarm cluster batters their ship, they land on the planet Cinnagar,
destitute and forlorn, and convince the relatively stable Aarrba the
Hutt to make the necessary repairs. A long, long, long time ago, in a
galaxy far, far away, life wasn’t always kind to the honest and the
upstanding. This was a period ruled by evil and malice. This was The
Golden Age of the Sith.” (From Previews, Vol. VI, No. 8, August 1996)
CHRONO-SETTING:
takes place c. 5,000 years BSW4
1.2 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi— The Fall of the Sith Empire
MEDIUM:
5-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, June – October 1997)
sequel to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—The Golden Age of the Sith
ISSUE TITLE – AUTHOR – ILLUSTRATORS
1″Desperate Measures”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr.
(p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
2″Forces in Collision”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr.
(p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
3″First Encounter”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
4″The Dogs of War”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
5″End of an Empire”Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
issues #1-5 to be collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of
the Jedi—The Fall of the Sith Empire (Dark Horse Comics)
[due out 1998]
SUMMARY:
“The Sith Empire has rallied its forces for an all-out battle for
control of the galaxy. Their goal: Crush the Republic. And with so many
Sith masters amongst them, the goal is not unachievable. As Naga Sadow
readies his fleet to attack, one lone person threatens to undermine the
entire campaign—Jori Daragon. She isn’t a Jedi. She doesn’t come from a
military background or have a history of fighting. She’s an explorer, a
mapper of hyperspace who stumbled on the plans of the Sith. And she just
may be the savior of the Republic. Star Wars novelist Kevin J. Anderson
continues the adventures of a time before the Clone Wars, before the
Death Star, and before the rise of the Empire.” (From Previews, Vol.
VII, No. 4, April 1997)
CHRONO-SETTING:
takes place c. 5,000 years BSW4
NOTE: according to Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars Timeline, Jori Daragon’s
tale takes place c. 4,990 years BSW4 despite internal evidences to the
contrary
2.TALES OF THE ANCIENT JEDI (c. 4000 to 3998 years BSW4)
2.1 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
MEDIUM: 5-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, monthly: October 1993 – February 1994)
ISSUE TITLE – AUTHOR – ILLUSTRATORS
1″Ulic Qel-Droma and the Beast Wars of Onderon”Tom
VeitchChris Gossett (p)
Mike Barerrio (i)
2″Ulic Qel-Droma and the Beast Wars of Onderon”Tom
VeitchChris Gossett (p)
Mike Barerrio (i)
3″The Saga of Nomi Sunrider”Tom VeitchJanine Johnston (p)
David Roach (i)
4″The Saga of Nomi Sunrider”Tom VeitchJanine Johnston (p)
David Roach (i)
5″The Saga of Nomi Sunrider”Tom VeitchJanine Johnston (p)
David Roach (i)
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
pages 1-12 of issue #1 were originally published as a 6-part,
black-and-white Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi preview (“Ulic Qel-Droma
and the Beast-Wars of Onderon”) in Dark Horse Comics’ Insider #15-20
(March – August 1993)
issue #3 was originally published as a 3-part, full-color Star Wars:
Tales of the Jedi preview in Dark Horse Comics #7-9 (February – March
1993)
issues #1-5 collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—Knights of the Old Republic, formerly titled Star Wars: Tales of
the Jedi—The Collection (Dark Horse Comics, 1994)
ADAPTATIONS:
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Full Cast Audio Drama (audio dramatization,
Highbridge Audio, 1997 [formerly published by Time Warner Audio Books,
1995])
script written by John Whitman
directed by Kevin Thomsen
produced by Kevin Thomsen; executive produced by John Wynne
SUMMARY:
Jedi Knight Ulic Qel-Droma attempts to quell a civil war on Onderon;
Nomi Sunrider avenges her Jedi husband’s murder
” ‘This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight . . . Not as clumsy or as random
as a blaster. An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. For over a
thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the most powerful, most
respected force in the galaxy . . . The guardians of peace and justice
in the Old Republic.’ With those words, Obi-Wan Kenobi hinted at a grand
legend, the era of the Jedi Knights. Travel with us now to those
majestic times, 4,000 years before the birth of Luke Skywalker. Witness
the deadly trials that face young Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma, and the tragedy
that will turn Nomi Sunrider into one of the greatest Jedi of her time!”
(From the back cover of the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—Knights of the Old Republic)
CHRONO-SETTING:
takes place c. 4,000 years BSW4
NOTE: according to Tom Veitch, Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars Timeline,
and A Guide to the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Universe (Part 1, Star
Wars Insider #26), Ulic Qel- Droma’s tale takes place c. 4,000 years
BSW4, while Nomi Sunrider’s tale takes place c. 3,999 years BSW4,
despite internal evidences to the contrary; the audio dramatization
adaptation, however, has both tales taking place concurrently with each
other
2.2 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi— The Freedon Nadd Uprising
MEDIUM: 2-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, monthly: August – September 1994) sequel to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
ISSUE TITLE – AUTHOR – ILLUSTRATORS
1″The Freedon Nadd Uprising”Tom VeitchTony Akins (p)
Denis Rodier (i)
2″Initiates of the Sith”Tom VeitchTony Akins (p)
Denis Rodier (i)
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
issues #1-2 collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—The Freedon Nadd Uprising (Dark Horse Comics)
[due out 17 December 1997]
ADAPTATIONS:
adapted as part of the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Full Cast Audio
Drama (audio dramatization, Highbridge Audio, 1997 [formerly published
by Time Warner Audio Books, 1995])
script written by John Whitman
directed by Kevin Thomsen
produced by Kevin Thomsen; executive produced by John Wynne
SUMMARY:
on the planet Onderon, Ulic Qel-Droma and Nomi Sunrider battle the dark
spirit of Freedon Nadd
“These are the recondite histories of the ancient order of Jedi Knights,
as recorded in the crystalline recesses of the Jedi Holocron. The period
four thousand years before the birth of Luke Skywalker marked a turning
point in the history of the Galactic Republic. During that time, two
young Jedi became respected throughout the galaxy for their heroic
exploits in great battles with the dark side of the Force. Their names
were Ulic Qel-Droma and Nomi Sunrider. We take up an early chapter in
their saga on the planet Onderon, a world long-divided into warring
tribes. Following the death of Queen Amanoa of Iziz, her daughter Galia
has ascended to the throne, sharing power with her husband, the
Beast-Lord Oron Kira. For a time it seemed that Jedi Master Arca and his
three apprentices (Ulic, his brother Cay Qel-Droma, and Tott Doneeta)
had succeeded in bringing peace to divided Onderon. But many Onderonians
still worship the memory of Freedon Nadd, a dark Jedi who ruled the
planet centuries earlier. Joining with mutinous officers of Onderon’s
royal military, the Naddists are staging violent protests inside the
great walled city of Iziz. Queen Galia’s new government is already on
the verge of collapse . . . ” (From the crawl text of Star Wars: Tales
of the Jedi—The Freedon Nadd Uprising #1)
CHRONO-SETTING:
takes place c. 4,000 years BSW4, immediately after Star Wars: Tales of
the Jedi
NOTE: according to Tom Veitch, Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars Timeline,
and A Guide to the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Universe (Part 1, Star
Wars Insider #26), The Freedon Nadd Uprising takes place 3,998 years
BSW4, despite internal evidences to the contrary; the audio
dramatization adaptation, however, has some events in Star Wars: Tales
of the Jedi—The Freedon Nadd Uprising taking place concurrently with
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
2.3 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi— Dark Lords of the Sith
MEDIUM: 6-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, monthly: October 1994 – March 1995) sequel to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—The Freedon Nadd Uprising alternately titled Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith: Book 1 in the indicia
ISSUE TITLE – AUTHORS – ILLUSTRATORS
1″Masters and Students of the Force”Tom Veitch
Kevin J. AndersonChris Gossett (p)
Mike Barerrio (i)
2″The Quest for the Sith” Tom Veitch
Kevin J. AndersonChris Gossett (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
3″Descent to the Dark Side”Tom Veitch
Kevin J. AndersonChris Gossett (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
4″Death of a Dark Jedi”Tom Veitch
Kevin J. AndersonChris Gossett (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
5″Sith Secrets”Tom Veitch
Kevin J. AndersonChris Gossett (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
6″Jedi Assault”Tom Veitch
Kevin J. AndersonArt Wetherell (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
the first 4 pages of issue #1 were originally published as Star Wars:
Dark Lords of the Sith #1—Special Advance Comics Edition in Advance
Comics #70 (October 1994)
the first 12 pages of issue #1 were also published in a black & white
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith “ashcan” edition
polybagged with the collector’s edition of Star Wars Galaxy Magazine #1
(Topps Publishing, Fall 1994)
issues #1-6 collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith (Dark Horse Comics, 1996)
alternately titled Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Volume 2 on the back
cover
ADAPTATIONS:
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith: Full Cast Audio
Drama (audio dramatization, Highbridge Audio, 1997 [formerly published
by Time Warner Audio Books, 1995])
script written by John Whitman
directed by Authur G. Insana
produced by Authur G. Insana; executive produced by Maja Thomas
SUMMARY:
Jedi Knight Exar Kun becomes a Dark Lord of the Sith; Ulic-Qel Droma,
hoping to infiltrate and destroy the Krath, attempts to learn and use
the secrets of the dark side of the Force against them “For a thousand
generations young Jedi Knights have dedicated their lives to preserving
harmony and justice throughout the Galactic Republic. Four millennia
before the birth of Luke Skywalker, the brothers Ulic and Cay Qel-Droma
were two who took up the Jedi way. Together with the Twi’lek Tott
Doneeta they apprenticed to the wise Jedi Master Arca of Arkania.
Another student of the Force was Nomi Sunrider, who chose to become a
Jedi Knight after the tragic death of her Jedi husband, Andur. Nomi and
her daughter Vima were taught by the great beast-Jedi, Master Thon of
Ambria. These renowned Jedi, and others equally as valiant, became
enmeshed in dramatic and harrowing events surrounding the reappearance
of the dark teachings of the Sith, an ancient race of magicians long
thought extinct. Four hundred years before Arca and Thon, a dark Jedi
named Freedon Nadd introduced the suppressed Sith teachings to the
planet Onderon. Nadd’s dark-side powers took hold on the isolated world,
and flourished unchecked until Master Arca brought together a band of
Jedi to root them out. Now Freedon Nadd’s living spirit has managed to
confound the great old Jedi. On Onderon, under Arca’s very nose, Nadd
has instructed two young aristocrats, Satal Keto and Aleema, heirs to
the throne of the Empress Teta System. Satal and Aleema have returned to
their homeworld as powerful initiates of the Sith way. Elsewhere, other
events are unfolding that will affect the galaxy: On the planet
Dantooine, a proud Jedi named Exar Kun steals his Master’s holocron,
curious to learn more about the legendary fallen Jedi Knights who were
known as Dark Lords of the Sith. The Holocron speaks . . . ” (From the
crawl text of Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith #1)
CHRONO-SETTING:
takes place c. 3,999 years BSW4
NOTE: according to Tom Veitch and A Guide to the Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi Universe (Part 1, Star Wars Insider #26), the rise of the Krath
takes place 3,996 years BSW4, despite internal evidences to the
contrary; in addition, according to Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars
Timeline, the rise of the Krath takes place 3,992 years BSW4
2.4 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi— The Sith War
MEDIUM: 6-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, monthly: August 1995 – January 1996) sequel to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith
ISSUE TITLE – AUTHOR – ILLUSTRATORS
1″Edge of the Whirlwind”Kevin J. Anderson
(script & plot)
Tom Veitch & Chris Gossett
(plot)Dario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
2″The Battle of Coruscant”Kevin J. Anderson
(script & plot)
Tom Veitch & Chris Gossett
(plot)Dario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Jordi Ensign (i)
3″The Trial of Ulic Qel-Droma”Kevin J. Anderson
(script & plot)
Tom Veitch & Chris Gossett
(plot)Dario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
4″The Jedi Holocaust”Kevin J. Anderson
(script & plot)
Tom Veitch & Chris Gossett
(plot)Dario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
5″Brother Against Brother”Kevin J. Anderson
(script & plot)
Tom Veitch & Chris Gossett
(plot)Dario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
6″Dark Lord”Kevin J. Anderson
(script & plot)
Tom Veitch & Chris Gossett
(plot)Dario Carrasco, Jr. (p)
Mark G. Heike,
Bill Black, &
David Jacob Beckett (i)
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
issues #1-6 collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—The Sith War (Dark Horse Comics, 1996)
alternately titled Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Volume Three on the
back cover
SUMMARY:
Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun and his new apprentice, Ulic Qel-Droma,
spearhead an effort to destroy the joint forces of the Jedi Knights &
the Republic in order to usher in a second Golden Age of the Sith
“It has been six months since the former enemies Exar Kun and Ulic
Qel-Droma have joined forces, forced into a common goal by hypnotic
visions of a reborn Golden Age of the Sith. Through his dabbling in
forbidden teachings, Exar Kun has fallen completely under the spell of
the ancient Sith ways, and he knows he must gain additional disciples to
fan the flames of his planned victory. Meanwhile, in the iron-walled
city of Cinnagar in the Empress Teta System, Ulic Qel-Droma has stumbled
down the dark path—driven by a distorted need to avenge the murder of
his beloved Master Arca, poisoned by dark Sith toxins, and seduced and
manipulated by his wily lover Aleema. He has allied himself with Exar
Kun to bring about a new Golden Age, following the dream-images that fog
his mind. His mission is to gather an army awesome enough to take on
even the mighty Galactic Republic. But as their plans proceed, far from
the watchful eyes of the loyal Jedi Knights, other vicious crusaders
turn their attentions to what may seem to be easy pickings while Ulic is
preoccupied . . . ” (From the crawl text of Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi—The Sith War #1)
CHRONO-SETTING: takes place c. 3,999 years BSW4, approximately 6 months after Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—Dark Lords of the Sith
NOTE: according to Tom Veitch and A Guide to the Star Wars: Tales of the
Jedi Universe (Part 1, Star Wars Insider #26), Exar Kun’s rise to power
as Dark Lord of the Sith takes place 3,991 years BSW4 despite internal
evidences to the contrary (see above crawl text); in addition, according
to Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars Timeline, the rise of the Krath takes
place 3,990 years BSW4
2.5 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi— The Redemption of Ulic Qel-Droma
MEDIUM: 6-issue comic series (Dark Horse Comics, monthly; [issue #1 due out 1998]) sequel to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—The Sith War
ISSUE TITLE AUTHOR – ILLUSTRATORS1 [NA] Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
2 [NA] Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
3 [NA] Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
4 [NA] Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
5 [NA] Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
6 [NA] Kevin J. AndersonDario Carrasco, Jr. (p) Mark G. Heike, Bill Black, & David Jacob Beckett (i)
PUBLISHING HISTORY: issues #1-6 to be collected in the trade paperback Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—The Redemption of Ulic Qel-Droma (Dark Horse Comics, monthly) [due out 1999]
SUMMARY: Ulic Qel-Droma, his Jedi powers taken away by Nomi Sunrider, attempts to redeem himself and regain his knighthood
CHRONO-SETTING: takes place c. 3,989 years BSW4, 10 years after Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—The Sith War
NOTE: implied by Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars Timeline, Ulic Qel-Droma’s
redemption takes place 3,980 years BSW4 at the earliest
Sources
The Star Wars Literature Compendium: http://www.asb.com/usr/cardsafe/beidler/comphome.htm
The Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition: http://www.starwars.com/
The Star Wars History Home Page: http://www.elon.edu/users/s/knigr5c0/starwars/sw_history.html
The Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition: http://www.starwars.com/
The Star Wars History Home Page: http://www.elon.edu/users/s/knigr5c0/starwars/sw_history.html
Decipher Inc. company portal: http://www.decipher.com
Star Wars Trilogy: Official Website: http://www.starwars.com/
LucasArts Entertainment Company: http://www.lucasarts.com
Star Wars Encyclopedia: source
The Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia: http://members.aol.com/rvitas/starwars/index.htm
STAR WARS: The Archive: http://www.rit.edu/~rjs0090/starwars.html
The Star Star Wars Planets Guide Version 2.0: http://ourworld.compuserve.com:80/homepages/jedi/
Star Wars Novels Info and Links: http://www.wco.com/~headley/starwars.html
LucasArts Entertainment Company: http://www.lucasarts.com
Star Wars Encyclopedia: source
The Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia: http://members.aol.com/rvitas/starwars/index.htm
STAR WARS: The Archive: http://www.rit.edu/~rjs0090/starwars.html
The Star Star Wars Planets Guide Version 2.0: http://ourworld.compuserve.com:80/homepages/jedi/
Star Wars Novels Info and Links: http://www.wco.com/~headley/starwars.html
Next Chapter
The next chapter of the Star Wars Timeline series of Knols will include the timeline of: The Dark Times (40 to 0 years BSW4).
Very complete with good sources — A very complete summary of this time period in the history in the Star Wars Universe. Well-researched, although the article itself is perhaps a bit too analytical and difficult to read. A good reference, but could have a more conversational tone. Crawl text could use some better spacing.Overall, I would recommend this knol as a reference for anyone looking for specific knowledge on this period.
Untitled — Thanks Robert for your comment and suggestions! I will work on improving the performance and appearance of the Knol as soon as I have time.