Gethzerion

"Do you know how many bones are in the human body, General Solo? If you do, just triple the number, and you'll know how many bones you'll have when I finish with you."

- Gethzerion, to Han Solo

Gethzerion was the founder and leader of the Nightsisters from the planet of Dathomir. She was the daughter of Clan Mother Augwynne Djo and sister of Barukka, Kara'Teel and Allaya Djo. A ruthless and tyranical matriarch, Gethzerion ruled the Nightsisters with an iron fist and terrorized the other Dathomiri for years.

Biography
The people of Dathomir lived in clans ruled by Force-sensitive female leaders with the male population serving as servants and mates. Traditionally, those who broke their laws and codes were exiled to live out their lives in the wilderness in solitude and contemplation. However, at some point during the waning days of the Galactic Republic, two members of the Singing Mountain Clan, Gethzerion and Baritha were exiled after attempting to assassinate Clan Mother Augwynne Djo. The two exiles began to gather together other outcasts to form their own clan, which eventually became the Nightsisters.

The Nightsisters did not fear the dark powers forbidden by the ancients, but reveled in them and raised their daughters in the dark side, although they did not understand it as the Jedi did. During the reign of Gethzerion many of the Dathomiri were killed or captured by her clan, which grew ever more powerful and was aided by the other Witches' indecision in dealing with them.

At some point Gethzerion noted that a fellow Nightsister Kyrisa had showed exceptional promise in her ability to control the beasts of Dathomir. However, Kyrisa became so convinced in her own superiority, that she choose to directly confront Gethzerion in combat. During the fierce clash for leadership, Kyrisa openly declared her intent to slay the Clan Mother and to take her place and the leader of the Nightsisters. However, her challenge of Gethzerion had failed and for her attempt Gethzerion banished Kyrisa not only from the Nightsisters, but from the planet itself.

While the Nightsisters believed that they had to perform rituals to unleash their Force powers, only Gethzerion realized the true power that she could control. Emperor Palpatine knew of her power while he was alive and ordered that she be kept trapped on Dathomir where she could still rule but not use her power elsewhere. Zsinj, who would later become a ruling Imperial warlord, was assigned to keep an eye on Dathomir.

When Han Solo crash-landed the Millennium Falcon on Dathomir, Gethzerion was contacted by Zsinj and the two of them managed to capture Han Solo and Leia Organa.

Gethzerion finally met her match in Luke Skywalker and Teneniel Djo (a Dathomiri from Gethzerion's former clan and her niece) when they turned up to rescue their friends. Gethzerion fled in a space carrier but was killed when two of Zsinj's Star Destroyers opened fire under his orders. With the ship's destruction along with it's occupant the Dathomirians were free of Gethzerion's tyranny.

It was believed that at some point Gethzerion wrote the Book of Shadows, containing details of the spells and rituals of her Nightsisters.

Powers and abilities
Gethzerion was extremely powerful in the Force, to the point that even Emperor Palpatine was wary of her, stranding her on Dathomir and allowing no ships to land in an effort to isolate her. She was able to generate weather-based Force storms merely through anger, had very advanced telekinetic abilities, killed General Melvar along with 100 Stormtroopers effortlessly, and near-fatally injured Luke Skywalker. In addition she could perform Telepathy and had a decent ability in Force jump and speed despite her advanced age. Furthermore, Gethzerion was a fierce and deadly combatant and was also one of several Nightsisters known to use a lightsaber.

Behind the scenes
The Essential Guide to Characters mistakenly lists Gethzerion as "Gethzerionb" in the title for her entry, likely a typography error, although other instances of her name are correct.

Appearances

 * The Courtship of Princess Leia
 * The Courtship of Princess Leia