Darish Vol

"It is&hellip;an unusual way to pick an apprentice."

- Darish Vol, on Ship choosing Vestara Khai as an apprentice

Darish Vol was a Force-sensitive male Human born on the remote planet Kesh. He was the Grand Lord of the Lost Tribe of Sith, the highest ranking position in the Tribe. As Grand Lord, he presided over the Tribe's ruling council, the Circle of Lords. In 41 ABY, when Ship, a Sith Meditation Sphere, arrived on Kesh and spoke through the Force with Sith Tyro Vestara Khai, Vol agreed with the council's decision to promote Khai to the position of apprentice. The Tribe then began to use Ship to capture vessels for their new fleet to conquer the galaxy. Vol was present on Kesh in 43.5 ABY, when Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker touched an Aing-Tii relic, the Codex, alerting the Tribe to his presence. In 44 ABY, Vol called a meeting in the Circle Chambers in the capital city Tahv to discuss an alliance with the dark side entity Abeloth.

Biography
"Tyro Vestara Khai. Tell this gathering the story of the Return."

- Vol, to Khai

Darish Vol was a male Human Force-sensitive from the Wild Space planet of Kesh. He was trained in the ways of the dark side of the Force with the Lost Tribe of Sith&mdash;descendants of a group of Sith who survived the crash-landing of their starship, the Omen, on Kesh during the Great Hyperspace War in 5,000 BBY. Vol learned the ways of the Sith, and he rose to power within the Tribe, completing his training and eventually becoming the Tribe's leader, the Grand Lord. As Grand Lord, he presided over the Circle of Lords&mdash;the Tribe's ruling council&mdash;in the Circle Chambers, which were located in the planet's capital city of Tahv.

By 41 ABY, Vol was very old when a Sith Meditation Sphere called Ship arrived on the planet and spoke with a young Sith Tyro, Vestara Khai, through the Force. The Circle of Lords decided that Khai should be officially taken as an apprentice, due to Ship's interest in her. Vol believed that it was an abnormal way to choose an apprentice, but he also deemed it acceptable, as the Sith Meditation Sphere's purpose was to train apprentices. The Circle of Lords decided that Khai would be put under the instruction of Lady Olaris Rhea.

Ship soon after located a Damorian s18 light freighter en route from the world Eriadu. Ship called for five Sith to assist in an attack on the vessel, and Vol was present at the meeting wherein those Sith were chosen. With the help of Ship, the Tribe thus continued to venture out into the galaxy, capturing ships to form a new armada. In 43.5 ABY, when Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker touched an Aing-Tii relic, the Codex, his presence was magnified and his name was whispered through the Force to the members of the Tribe. Ship gave Vol information about Skywalker and the threat that he presented to the Tribe, and Vol and Rhea handpicked a strike team to hunt the Jedi down. However, Ship then abruptly left Kesh to follow the call through the Force, and Vol ordered that the strike team find Ship before going after Skywalker.

The strike team encountered a powerful dark side entity called Abeloth, but the strike team and Sith fleet's numerous attempts to kill Skywalker and destroy or capture Abeloth all failed. After one such failed mission on the planet Nam Chorios, Abeloth contacted the Sith and proposed an alliance to defeat their mutual enemy, the Jedi. Vol immediately called a meeting of the Tribe in the Circle Chambers to discuss the implications of such an alliance. During the debate, the Sith Saber Yasvan reported to him that Ship had arrived in orbit with Abeloth and Saber Gavar Khai. The Grand Lord eventually decided to allow Abeloth to be brought down to the surface of Kesh, and arranged for a presentation to celebrate her arrival.

Personality and traits
"I have heard the arguments for continuing to work closely with her, and the arguments to sever ties. While I confess I am not overly fond of the former, and have made little secret of my opinion, neither do I think it is time for the latter. The best way to win is to cover all angles of the situation. And so Kesh and the Circle of Lords will invite Abeloth to our world. We shall give her a grand welcome, with feasting, and arts, and displays of our proud and powerful culture. And, we will watch,a nd learn, and listen."

- Darish Vol

Darish Vol was a strong, wise leader and the most respected member of the Tribe. As such, he was also found rather intimidating, especially to the younger members of the Tribe. Although Vol did not fully trust anyone except for himself and the Force, he counted High Lord Ivaar Workan among those not likely to betray him. During the meeting in Tahv regarding the Tribe's interaction with Abeloth, Vol was content for the majority of the debate to simply watch the Lords argue over the matter. Vol believed that although one could learn about dangerous beings by being around them, one might not be able to survive to put that knowledge to use; and he hesitated to ally with Abeloth for that reason. Nevertheless, he did not believe it would be a good idea to sever all ties with so powerful a being, either, and decided to bring her down to the surface in order to study her and make a final decision.

By 44 ABY, Vol's was old by Human standards; although his eyes remained sharp, his face was gaunt, and his hands were claw-like in appearance. For formal ceremonies and meetings, he wore colorful robes and vor'shandi markings on his face.

Powers and abilities
"She is very strong in the dark side. Stronger than anyone we have ever heard of.''" "''Stronger than I?"

- Takaris Yur and Darish Vol, on Abeloth

Darish Vol was very strong in the Force, and he became the most powerful member of the Lost Tribe of Sith. Though he was extremely old by 41 ABY, his presence in the Force was still deemed remarkable, and his power remained greater than that of anyone else on the planet.

Behind the scenes
Darish Vol was created by author Christie Golden for her first Star Wars novel, Omen, the second novel in the Fate of the Jedi series. He later appeared in "First Blood," a short story also written by Golden, as well as Golden's third installment in Fate of the Jedi&mdash;the eighth novel overall&mdash;Ascension.

Appearances

 * Omen
 * First Blood
 * Abyss
 * Ascension

Notes and references
Darish Vol Darish Vol