Darth Plagueis/Legends

Darth Plagueis the Wise was a Sith Lord, who lived during the thousand years of Sith 'extinction' between Darth Bane and the Battle of Naboo. He trained Darth Sidious in the ways of the Sith.

Plagueis furthered the teachings of Darth Bane, unlocking the deepest, darkest secrets of the Force. Darth Plagueis became a powerful Sith Lord during the thousand years leading up to the Battle of Naboo, and took on a Sith apprentice to whom he gave the name Darth Sidious. Sidious' early life remains shrouded in mystery, though he learned much from Plagueis, and grew even more powerful than his Master. Plagueis realized Sidious could well implement the final stages of the revenge of the Sith, and began to teach his apprentice his most important secrets. In his study of the dark arts, Darth Plagueis had somehow found a way to cheat death; to manipulate midi-chlorians to sustain and even create life through the Force. This secret he never taught to his pupil, forcing Sidious to assassinate him and attempt to discover the secret himself. Sidious would later remark on the irony of Plagueis' ability to save anyone from death but himself.

Sidious later told the 'tragedy' of Darth Plagueis to Anakin Skywalker, luring him to the dark side with the notion of eternal life. Skywalker, plagued by disturbing visions of the death of his wife, was soon corrupted. As Anakin swore alligience to him, Sidious declared that together they could rediscover Plagueis' lost secret.

It has been speculated that, given that Anakin was supposedly born of a virgin birth, it is possible that Darth Plagueis was the one who influenced the midi-chlorians that 'fathered' Anakin, thus making him a sort of father by extension. Further speculation produces the possibility that this may have spurred Sidious into killing his master, so that he may take Anakin as his own, potentially as a vital piece in discovering the Plaugeuis' secret.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (mentioned)
 * Labyrinth of Evil (mentioned)