Star Map

"You must not fail in your mission. Find the Star Maps that lead to the Star Forge. This is the only way to stop Malak and his Sith followers. You and Bastila are the galaxy's last, desperate hope."

- Vandar Tokare, to Revan, after being redeemed

Star Maps were artifacts left behind by the ancient Rakatan Infinite Empire. Built of a self-sustaining technology and imbued with the dark side of the Force, the Star Maps were built as monuments to the glory of the Rakatan Empire. Originally, each Map indicated the route to the Empire's greatest achievement: the Star Forge. Through intentional sabotage from the retreating Rakata, much of the information contained in the Star Maps was lost. Over time, however, the Maps self-repaired allowing for those who sought their information to piece together the remaining puzzle. The most complete known example, as of the Mandalorian Wars, was located on Dantooine. The Map on Dantooine was housed in an ancient temple built by Rakatan slaves and protected by a set of droids, including one designed for informational purposes. During the close of the Mandolarian Wars, a rogue Jedi named Revan sought out the Maps, traveling to at least five planets. After piecing together all the information, Revan and his apprentice, Malak, took control of the Star Forge. With the Star Forge under their command, the newly proclaimed Sith Lords created an immense fleet to conquer the fledgling Galactic Republic. During the Jedi Civil War, Revan was captured and became amnesiac. In order to combat the continued expansion of the Sith Empire, Revan was charged with once again completing the quest of accessing each Star Map, piecing together information so that the Star Forge could be destroyed.

Function
The Star Maps were constructed as monuments to recognize the expanse and might of the Rakatan Infinite Empire. As a result, the Maps contained information regarding planets and other key locations under control of the Empire. Most notably, the Maps pointed to the location of the Star Forge: a large space station that served as a manufacturing facility. The maps were also equipped with technology to self-repair. Even though the ancient Rakata attempted to destroy the information stored in the Maps, the information eventually returned in part.

Description
The Star Map was a holographic image stored inside a structure that stood approximately the height of Revan upon his visits to each Map during the Jedi Civil War. The apparatus was free-standing, supported by three legs, though the Map could be connected to another device, such as a computer terminal. Extending from the base were three "arms" engraved with runes which unfolded when the Map was accessed. As the arms unfolded, the base of the structure opened, allowing an orb to be released. The orb ascended from inside the base and projected the holographic image of the galaxy with various locations of the Infinite Empire notated.

As with other Rakatan technology, the Star Maps were imbued with the dark side of the Force. Each Map had different means of activation, though all of them were only able to be activated by one who was strong in the Force. Even those strong in the Force had to overcome the protective measures assigned to some of the Maps. For example, the Maps on Dantooine and Kashyyyk were protected by defense droids and computer systems, which mentally and physically tested those who sought its secrets.

Infinite Empire
As the Infinite Empire expanded and conquered other worlds, the demand increased for more military supplies. Ships and weapons were needed to supply soldiers for battle and to lord over the captured slaves. In response to this need, the Rakata built the Star Forge. The Star Forge was called the greatest achievement of the Rakata, but it was highly corruptible. Even though fed of the primary star in the Lehon system, it was also steeped in the dark side of the Force.

As the Infinite Empire conquered more worlds, Star Maps were developed as tribute to the Star Forge. Star Maps were placed on at least five planets, though it is possible that more may have existed. The Star Maps illustrated the extent of the Infinite Empire and offered the location of its greatest achievement. Some of the Maps, such as the one on Dantooine, were placed inside an ancient temple dedicated to the Star Forge. Others, such as the Map on Kashyyyk, were attached to an ancient computer system, but not placed inside a temple or monument.

The Infinite Empire, however, eventually began to fall and gradually more and more worlds began to revolt. To protect and keep secret its achievement, the retreating Rakata sabotaged the Star Maps and accompanying information droids, attempting to remove all vital information. The Star Maps were temporarily rendered obsolete, and the location of both the Star Forge and the Lehon system were hidden. The technology, however, began to self-repair, causing some of the deleted information to slowly return. Other information, such as information about the Rakata, was still corrupted and inaccessible upon the rediscovery of the Maps.

By around 4,000 BBY, the Rakata and their Empire had become forgotten by citizens of the Galactic Republic. Some planets, such as the Rakata homeworld of Lehon, were unknown to the broader galaxy by this time. The ruins of various monuments and temples dotted the galaxy as the only surviving legacy to the Infinite Empire.

Mandalorian Wars
Sometime toward the close of the Mandalorian Wars, two Jedi Knights, Revan and Malak, discovered evidence about the existence of the Star Maps and the Star Forge. As Revan and Malak fell to the dark side, they continued to lead the Republic fleet against the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders. During the preparations for the a battle near Malachor V, it was believed that Revan visited the Trayus Academy and learned of the Maps. Following the Battle of Malachor V, Revan took his fleet and disappeared into the Unknown Regions under the guise of eliminating the remaining Mandalorians. During this time, however, Revan was amassing resources and seeking out the Star Maps in order to find the Star Forge.

Even though the Star Maps were sabotaged by the Rakata during the decline of their Empire, the Maps had begun to self-repair. As a result, some information returned to each map allowing only a limited amount of information to be accessed. Darth Revan had to travel to multiple systems, visiting the Star Maps on Dantooine, Kashyyyk, Korriban (at least twice), Manaan and Tatooine. At the time of their rediscovery, enough data could be compiled that when combined the Star Forge's coordinates were revealed.

Upon their visit to each planet, Revan and Malak had to face different challenges to acquire the Map information. On some planets, computers or droids posed combative challenges. On others, such as Korriban, the Map had to be found in the Tomb of Naga Sadow with its own ancient defenses. The pair, nevertheless, were successful in gathering enough information to trace the Star Forge to the Lehon system. After gaining favor with the Rakatan Elders, Revan and Malak were given access to the Temple of the Ancients and the Star Forge. With the Star Forge under their command, the Sith Empire, founded by Revan and Malak, was able to mass produce large quantities of starships, battle cruisers, battle droids and other weapons in order to conquer the fledgling Republic.

At this time, however, the Maps would remain relatively unknown to the broader galaxy. The ruins on Dantooine were investigated by the Jedi Nemo during the period of Revan's retraining. Nemo was killed, however, by the ancient security measures before he was able to access the room which housed the Map. The Map on the planet Manaan was discovered by kolto harvesters, but too remained unopened. Similarly, the Star Map on Kashyyyk had not been accessed, though it had been discovered by exiled Jedi Jolee Bindo and other explorers in the Shadowlands who were either hunters or employees of the Czerka Corporation.

Jedi Civil War
"You're a neophyte Padawan who's been saddled with the responsibility of tracking down these Star Maps. Why? That's not normal!"

- Carth Onasi, to a redeemed Revan

The new might created by the Star Forge was coupled with soldiers and officers of the Republic fleet and Jedi&mdash;who had fallen due to the Battle of Malachor V&mdash;which defected to serve under Revan. In 3,959 BBY, the first major victory for the Sith Empire was the surprise attack on the drydocks and shipyards of Foerost, dealing a substantial blow to the remaining Republic Navy. Initially, the Republic, weakened by the the Mandalorian Wars, was quickly overwhelmed by the advancing Sith Empire which quickly swept through the galaxy unchecked.

About two years after the devastation of Telos IV, the Republic assigned a small team of Jedi to board Darth Revan's Command Ship and capture the Dark Lord. During the battle aboard the ship, Darth Malak saw the opportunity to usurp the mantle of Sith Master. He ordered his vessel to fire upon Revan's ship, rendering him unconscious and on the brink of death. One of the Jedi, Bastila Shan, used the Force to keep Revan from dying and brought him before the Jedi Council.

Eventually, the amnesiac Revan, whose mind had been reprogrammed by the Council began to be trained once again as a Jedi. Not remembering the secrets of how the Sith Empire had amassed such power, Revan was asked to investigate the ancient ruins near the enclave. In 3,956 BBY, Revan scouted the ruins, finding the Star Map as he had years earlier. Armed with this new information, and at the edict of the Council on Dantooine, the redeemed Revan once again set out in the quest for the Star Maps. Being joined by Bastila Shan and Carth Onasi, among others, Revan sought to retrace his earlier steps. Finally, after visiting Kashyyyk, Korriban, Manaan and Tatooine, Revan was able to trace the Star Forge to the Lehon system and set out to destroy it.

Dantooine
"The ancient Jedi sealed this archway. Once we pass beyond these doors, we can never go back. The Order will surely banish us."

- Malak, to Revan

The first discovered Star Map was found on Dantooine in the ancient ruins located not far from the Jedi Enclave. Following the Mandalorian Wars, Darth Revan and his apprentice, Darth Malak, visited these ruins to tack down the Star Map. An information droid was stationed in the main room of the ruins, which instructed the two fallen Jedi how to reach the Star Map. Access to the main chamber, which laid straight ahead, was only granted by completing the puzzle found in the two rooms adjacent to the right and left. In these two rooms were ancient computer terminals that were protected by the ancient security droids. The droids immediately attacked Revan, but Revan was able to complete the puzzle in these rooms and enter the main chamber housing the Star Map.

Kashyyyk
"Match found? What the&hellip;!"

- Jolee Bindo

Attached to an ancient computer terminal, this Star Map was located on the surface of Kashyyyk. Due to a malfunction in the computer system in the years past, the native wroshyr trees grew to an immense size, causing the surface of the planet to become a wilderness of wild beasts and other creatures known as the Shadowlands. During his exile in the Shadowlands, Jedi Knight Jolee Bindo encountered the Star Map, but was unable to access it despite his numerous attempts. Wookiee Chieftain Freyyr was also unable to access the device. After traveling deep into the Shadowlands on a mission for Chuundar, the amnesiac Revan encountered knowledge of the device's existence. Revan, who had accessed the device years earlier in his search with Darth Malak, was able to access the device in 3,956 BBY. During the encounter with the computer terminal, Jolee Bindo replied with great surprise that the computer recognized Revan and that he was able to access the attached map.

Korriban


Located in the Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban, this Star Map was located within the unused tomb constructed for the ancient Dark Lord of the Sith Naga Sadow. Even though Sadow lived millennia after the fall of the Infinite Empire, the Map was located in a room of the burial construct whose access was obstructed by a pool of acid. While it was said that Revan and Malak visited Korriban twice, it is unknown if the Map was accessed both times. Nevertheless, once the Star Forge was under their command, reaching the Star Map&mdash;along with withstanding the other challenges of the tomb&mdash;became part of an important initiation rite for the promising students of the Sith Academy on Korriban.

In order to access the Map again, Revan, having been redeemed, had to temporarily join the Academy and perform various tasks to receive prestige with Sith Master Uthar Wynn. After completing these various tasks, Wynn believed Revan to be quite the promising pupil and a potential candidate for further Dark Jedi training. Once he was given access to the tomb, Revan had to overcome the obstacles of the tomb's defenses and fauna that had taken lair. Among the creatures in the tomb were two terentateks. After using special grenades to negate the effects of the acid pool, Revan crossed and accessed the Map.

Manaan
The Star Map on Manaan, a water world, was located beneath the watery surface along the Hrakert Rift. It is unknown how Revan and Malak discovered or reached the ancient artifact initially, but it was rediscovered by kolto harvesters working for the Republic during the Jedi Civil War. After the harvesters hit the "obstruction" in their efforts to tap into the kolto, the redeemed Revan arrived on Manaan with the crew of the Ebon Hawk. After performing some tasks for Roland Wann, head diplomat of the Republic Embassy on Manaan, he was allowed access to the harvesting station via submersible. Blocking the route to the Map, however, was the Progenitor, a giant firaxan shark responsible for the insurrection at the harvesting station. In order to appease the beast, the portion of the harvesting station that reached into the rift had to be destroyed. With the station not interfering with the natural cycle of the kolto, the Progenitor permitted Revan to cross the rift and access the Map. At this point in time, however, the Map was not protected by ancient droids or visibly near an ancient building.

Tatooine
On Tatooine, the Star Map was placed inside an ancient Rakatan temple, which had become ruins by the time of Revan and Malak. The ruins were located in the Eastern Dune Sea, a great open expanse of hostile desert. When the redeemed Revan visited the ruins in 3,956 BBY, a krayt dragon had made its lair there making access to the Star Map difficult. The krayt dragon had possibly been attracted by the dark side energies from the Map. The lairing dragon was eventually killed by Revan, with the assistance of Komad Fortuna allowing the map to be accessed. The map was not attached to any computer systems or security droids at the time of this visit.

Behind the scenes
In gameplay of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Star Maps&mdash;other than the Map on Dantooine&mdash;can be acquired in any order. The order of Maps listed in this article is alphabetical and does not imply the canon order the maps were acquired.

The player also has the option of turning to the dark side during the course of the game. In doing so, the play thereby uses the Star Maps to reacquire and retake the Star Forge from Darth Malak. As a result, Revan is coronated the true Dark Lord of the Sith at the Temple of the Ancients. Turning toward the dark side has no other effect on the ability to access the Maps except for player interaction with the computer terminal on Kashyyyk.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Notes and references
Sternenkarte Gwiezdna Mapa