Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

"The old system is dead, senator. You would be wise to subscribe to the new one."

- Darth Vader

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader is a novel written by James Luceno and published by Del Rey. Dark Lord takes place in the immediate aftermath of the events in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and focuses on Darth Vader and his rise to prominence in the newly-inaugurated Galactic Empire.

Author Luceno devotes much of Dark Lord to the internal conflict that Darth Vader undergoes as he tries to slough off his former identity of Anakin Skywalker. Palpatine intends for these early missions that he sends Vader on to be as much about learning what it means to be a Sith as they are about consolidating the rule of the nascent Empire.

American

 * ISBN 0345477324; November 22, 2005; Del Rey, 336-page hardcover
 * ISBN 0739323946; November 22, 2005; Random House Audio, Abridged CD (Jonathan Davis - Narrator)
 * ISBN 0345477332; June 27, 2006; Del Rey, 368-page paperback

Foreign

 * ISBN 3442366097; December 2006, Blanvalet; German paperback (Dunkler Lord – Der Aufstieg des Darth Vader)
 * ISBN 8324125264; 2006, Kartonowa Foliowana, Polish hardcover (Czarny Lord: Narodziny Dartha Vadera)
 * ISBN 8372456380; Amber, 328-page Polish paperback
 * ISBN 8495070928; June 2006, Alberto Santos Editor, Spanish paperback (Darth Vader: El Señor Oscuro)
 * ISBN 0099491230; 2006, Arrow Books Ltd., 338-page UK paperback

Publisher's summary
'Throughout the galaxy, it was believed that Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker&mdash;the Chosen One&mdash;had died on Coruscant during the siege of the Jedi Temple. And, to some extent, that was true. Anakin was dead.'

''From the site of Anakin Skywalker's last stand&mdash;on the molten surface of the planet Mustafar, where he sought to destroy his friend and former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi&mdash;a fearsome specter in black has risen. Once the most powerful Knight ever known to the Jedi Order, he is now a disciple of the dark side, a lord of the dreaded Sith, and the avenging right hand of the galaxy’s ruthless new Emperor. Seduced, deranged, and destroyed by the machinations of the Dark Lord Sidious, Anakin Skywalker is dead&hellip; and Darth Vader lives.''

''Word of the events that created him&mdash;the Jedi Council's failed mutiny against Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the self-crowned Emperor's retaliatory command to exterminate the Jedi Order, and Anakin's massacre of his comrades and Masters in the Jedi Temple&mdash;yet to reach all quarters. On the Outer Rim world of Murkhana, Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak and Padawan Olee Starstone are leading a charge on a Separatist stronghold, unaware that the tide, red with Jedi blood, has turned suddenly against them.''

''When the three narrowly elude execution&mdash;and become the desperate prey in a hunt across space&mdash;it's neither clone soldiers, nor the newly deployed stormtroopers, nor even the wrath of the power-hungry Emperor himself they must fear most. The deadliest threat rests in the hideously swift and lethal crimson lightsaber of Darth Vader&mdash;behind whose brooding mask lies a shattered heart, a poisoned soul, and a cunning, twisted mind hell-bent on vengeance.''

''For the handful of scattered Jedi, survival is imperative if the light side of the Force is to be protected and the galaxy somehow, someday reclaimed. Yet more important still is the well-being of the twin infants, Leia and Luke Skywalker, the children of Anakin and his doomed bride, Padmé Amidala. Separated after Padmé's death, they must be made safe at all costs, lest the hope they represent for the future be turned to horror by the new Sith regime&mdash;and the unspeakable power of the dark side.''

Synopsis
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader begins in the final hours of the Clone Wars, just prior to the implementation of Order 66. When a contingent of Republic clone troopers on the planet Murkhana refuses to open fire on Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak, along with Padawan Olee Starstone, the Jedi with whom it has fought alongside during the war, Emperor Palpatine orders Darth Vader to investigate the matter. Vader's query soon becomes a hunt for the fugitive Jedi, and takes him back to Coruscant, then on to Alderaan and Kashyyyk. During the course of Vader's search, we discover the whereabouts of several other characters from Revenge of the Sith, including Bail Organa, R2-D2 and C-3PO, Chewbacca, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. We also see the beginning of Vader's partnership with Moff Tarkin.

The final chapters of the novel depict the beginning of the Imperial enslavement of the Wookiees of Kashyyyk, an act that will eventually lead to the partnership that develops between Han Solo and Chewbacca.

The novel ends with Obi-Wan Kenobi watching the infant Luke Skywalker as Qui-Gon Jinn's spirit tells Kenobi why it is that Darth Vader will never return to Tatooine, thus ensuring Luke's safety.

Characters

 * Roan Shryne
 * Nat-Sem
 * Salvo
 * Jango Fett
 * Saras Loorne
 * Palpatine
 * Dooku
 * Grievous
 * Passel Argente
 * Olee Starstone
 * Bol Chatak
 * Climber
 * Idis
 * Yoda
 * Ras
 * Trace
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Ion Team's munitions expert
 * Darth Vader
 * Nute Gunray
 * Darth Maul
 * CC-1119
 * Jocasta Nu
 * Asajj Ventress
 * Mace Windu
 * Padmé Amidala
 * Cash Garrulan
 * Jally
 * Qui-Gon Jinn
 * Sifo-Dyas
 * Bioto
 * Brudi Gayn
 * R4-K5
 * Bail Organa
 * Mon Mothma
 * Garm Bel Iblis
 * Mas Amedda
 * Sly Moore
 * Sate Pestage
 * Armand Isard
 * Luke Skywalker
 * Leia Organa
 * Owen Lars
 * Beru Whitesun Lars
 * Breha Antilles Organa
 * Fang Zar
 * Skeck Draggle
 * Archyr Beil
 * Filli Bitters
 * Eyl Dix
 * Jen Shryne
 * Raith Sienar
 * Jula Shryne
 * Darth Bane
 * Siadem Forte
 * Deran Nalual
 * Klossi Anno
 * Iwo Kulka
 * Jambe Lu
 * Nam Poorf
 * Saesee Tiin
 * Kit Fisto
 * Agen Kolar
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi
 * Plo Koon
 * Cin Drallig
 * Darth Plagueis
 * Collus
 * Raymus Antilles
 * C-3PO
 * R2-D2
 * Sheltay Retrac
 * Celana Aldrete
 * Quinlan Vos
 * Luminara Unduli
 * Cudgel
 * Darcc
 * Wilhuff Tarkin
 * Guania
 * Lachichuk
 * Chewbacca
 * Tarfful
 * Yarua
 * CC-1004
 * Ugan
 * Nullip
 * Merl Tosche

Sentient species

 * Human
 * Koorivar
 * Zabrak
 * Neimoidian
 * Kaminoan
 * Hutt
 * Twi'lek
 * Rodian
 * Chagrian
 * Togruta
 * Chalactan
 * Ho’Din
 * Tusken Raider
 * Umbaran
 * Wookiee
 * Trandoshan
 * Gossam
 * Jawa

Creatures

 * Bantha

Droid models

 * Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I
 * Droid tri-fighter
 * IG-227 Hailfire-class droid tank
 * NR-N99 Persuader-class droid enforcer
 * Prowler 1000 exploration droid
 * OG-9 homing spider droid
 * Sith Elite Warbot
 * TT-8L gatekeeper droid
 * R4-series agromech droid
 * 2-1B surgical droid
 * B1 battle droid
 * B2 super battle droid
 * Droideka
 * 3PO-series protocol droid
 * R2-series astromech droid
 * Binary loadlifter
 * DSD1 dwarf spider droid
 * LM-432 crab droid

Events

 * Separatist Crisis
 * Clone Wars
 * Outer Rim Sieges
 * Battle of Murkhana
 * Battle of Deko Neimoidia
 * Mission to Geonosis
 * Battle of Geonosis
 * Battle of Manari
 * Battle of Kashyyyk
 * Duel in the Chancellor's Office
 * Duel in the Senate
 * Duel on Mustafar
 * Order 66
 * Operation: Knightfall
 * Declaration of a New Order
 * Battle of Kashyyyk
 * Battle of Endor

Locations

 * Murkhana system
 * Murkhana
 * Murkhana City
 * Argente Tower
 * Aurek-Bacta
 * Paarin Minor
 * Geonosis
 * Petranaki arena
 * Mygeeto
 * Muunilinst
 * Neimoidia
 * Coruscant
 * Jedi Temple
 * Jedi Archives
 * Senate Building
 * Grand Convocation Chamber
 * Chancellor's office
 * Emperor's throne room
 * Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center
 * Private Meditation Chamber
 * Boz Pity
 * Deko Neimoidia
 * Kamino
 * Kuat
 * Tingel Arm
 * Mustafar
 * Saleucami
 * Felucia
 * Tatooine
 * Anchorhead
 * The Weary Traveler
 * Jundland Wastes
 * Ben Kenobi's hut
 * Mos Eisley
 * Wayfar
 * Tosche Station
 * Great Chott Salt Flat
 * Stars' End
 * Bogden
 * Agon 9
 * Eriadu
 * Weytta
 * Manari
 * Ord Mantell
 * Alderaan
 * Aldera
 * Aldera Royal Palace
 * University of Alderaan
 * Chandrila
 * Commenor
 * Rodia
 * Polis Massa
 * Naboo
 * Sern Prime
 * Enisca
 * Kashyyyk system
 * Kashyyyk
 * Kachirho
 * Rwookrrorro
 * Kepitenochan
 * Okikuti
 * Chenachochan
 * Wawaatt Archipelago
 * Tion Cluster
 * Mossak
 * Perlemian Trade Route
 * Bonadan
 * Dellalt
 * Jaguada system
 * Jaguada
 * Jaguada's moon
 * Ziost
 * Korriban
 * Hutt Space
 * Nal Hutta
 * Bimmisaari
 * Utapau
 * Endor

Vehicles and vessels

 * Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry
 * Victory I-class Star Destroyer
 * Gallant
 * Mankvim-814 light interceptor
 * Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter
 * Alpha-3 Nimbus-class Starfighter
 * BARC speeder
 * Venator-class Star Destroyer
 * Imperator-class Star Destroyer
 * Exactor
 * Theta-class T-2c shuttle
 * Dead Ringer
 * CloakShape fighter
 * Acclamator-class assault ship
 * Victory II-class Star Destroyer
 * Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor
 * Darth Vader's Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor
 * SoroSuub Skiff
 * CR90 corvette
 * Tantive IV
 * Drunk Dancer
 * Relay
 * SX troop transport
 * Vagabond Trader
 * Lucrehulk-class battleship
 * L-200
 * Hoversled
 * Oevvaor jet catamaran
 * Executrix
 * Death Star I
 * CR25 troop carrier
 * Artillery crawler
 * Infantry Support Platform
 * Detainer CC-2200 interdictor cruiser
 * Heavy Missile Platform
 * Raddaugh Gnasp fluttercraft
 * Heavy Assault Vehicle/wheeled A6 Juggernaut
 * Recusant-class light destroyer
 * Invisible Hand

Organizations and titles

 * Jedi Order
 * Jedi High Council
 * Acquisition Division
 * Lost Twenty
 * Agricultural Corps
 * Galactic Republic
 * Grand Army of the Republic
 * Clone trooper
 * 32nd Air Combat Wing
 * Advanced Recon Commando
 * Clone commando
 * 22nd
 * Ion Team
 * Biker Advanced Recon Commando
 * Office of the Supreme Chancellor
 * Galactic Senate
 * Confederacy of Independent Systems
 * Corporate Alliance
 * Magistrate
 * Lethe Merchandising
 * Separatist Council
 * Trade Federation
 * Trade Federation Viceroy
 * Vibroblade Brigade
 * InterGalactic Banking Clan
 * Commerce Guild
 * Murkhana Space Traffic Control
 * Black Sun
 * Vigo
 * Kuat Drive Yards
 * Galactic Empire
 * Galactic Emperor
 * Stormtrooper
 * 501st Legion
 * Clone shock trooper
 * Imperial Senate
 * Emperor's Royal Guard
 * Imperial Academy
 * Delegation of 2000
 * Imperial Security Bureau
 * Loyalist Committee
 * Moff/Regional Governor
 * Sith
 * Dark Lord of the Sith
 * BlasTech Industries
 * Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc
 * Tenloss Criminal Syndicate
 * Neuro-Saav Corporation
 * Sienar Fleet Systems
 * SoroSuub Corporation
 * Incom Corporation
 * Baktoid Armor Workshop
 * Students of Collus
 * Alderaan Guard
 * Claatuvac Guild

Weapons and technology

 * Lightsaber
 * DC-15A blaster rifle
 * DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System
 * Vibroblade
 * Vibro-whip
 * Thermal detonator
 * Droid buster
 * Ion cannon
 * EMP grenade
 * Jedi beacon transceiver
 * Glowrod
 * DX-2 disruptor pistol
 * Proton torpedo
 * Hyperdrive ring
 * Tractor beam
 * Hyperdrive
 * E-5 blaster rifle
 * Stun net
 * DL-13 Ion Blaster
 * Bowcaster
 * Macrobinoculars
 * Hush-98 comlink
 * Fine-point laser cutter
 * Holoprojector
 * Hologram
 * Electrobinoculars
 * Datapad
 * Magnetic shield
 * Holocam
 * Identify Friend/Foe transponder
 * Sith holocron
 * Holomap
 * Hyperwave transceiver

Miscellanea

 * CIS Shadowfeed
 * Polyplast
 * Katarn-class commando armor
 * Brandy
 * Lekku
 * Permaplex
 * Synthcrystal
 * Force persuasion
 * Emergency Code Nine Thirteen
 * Permacrete
 * "Hero With No Fear"
 * Chosen One
 * Old Guard
 * Synthflesh
 * Transparisteel
 * Diatium
 * Koorivar
 * HoloNet
 * Galactic Constitution
 * Petition of 2000
 * Hangar bay
 * Spacer
 * Smuggler
 * Slicer
 * Identichip
 * Trash compactor
 * Medkit
 * Bronzium
 * Sabacc
 * Ceramaton
 * Synthfur
 * Wroshyr tree
 * Aurodium
 * Hrrtayyk ceremony
 * Durasteel
 * Blue milk
 * Sugar

Behind the scenes
Luceno told the magazine Star Wars Insider about a discussion he had with Ryan Kaufman, formerly of LucasArts, who had worn a Darth Vader costume during the production of a number of LucasArts Star Wars video games. Kaufman's description of what it was like to wear the suit led Luceno to dedicate a substantial amount of the novel toward Vader's struggling with the discomfort of his new prosthetics and armor.

According to Luceno, the book was not supposed to be primarily about Vader whilst he was writing it; the title was applied to the book only after he had finished the manuscript.

An error at the beginning of Chapter 9 states that the Venator-class Star Destroyers were not made by Kuat Drive Yards, when in fact they were.

An error in Chapter 37 of the novel places Vader aboard the Executor rather than the Exactor.

An error in the novel is that Appo and his troops are incorrectly described as red-armored Coruscant shock troopers, not blue-armored 501st troopers.

Collections

 * The Dark Lord Trilogy

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader.