Torture/Legends

Torture was the act of causing an individual severe pain in order to punish them or make them reveal information or do something. Torture could be administered in a variety of methods, and was usually performed in conjunction with interrogation.

History
"What did you hope to accomplish by coming here? Was it your intention to betray us to the Jedi Knights?" "I told you...I...no...longer...serve...the Jedi. I came to...Cinnagar to...learn the ways...of the dark side."

- Satal Keto as he tortures and interrogates Ulic Qel-Droma

Throughout the galaxy, torture was widely recognized as a means to extract information from an individual who was not as forthcoming with information as the captor desired. The methods of torture varied. The use of droids specifically designed for torture was prevalent in the galaxy. Darth Vader employed such droids on many occasions. Some droids could be modified from their original functions to serve as torture droids, such as those used by Krath leader Satal Keto. There was no standard as to what could or could not be used as methods of torture.

During the reign of Emperor Palpatine, torture was elevated to an art form. The Galactic Empire dedicated an entire branch of government, the Inquisitorius, to the sole purpose of squeezing and tearing information from the reluctant. A training facility on Coruscant called the School of Torturers, was another testament to this tradition.

Torture varied in both method and purpose between species. The Yuuzhan Vong glorified pain not only as a motive for action, but as a state of living. The Yuuzhan-Vong's Embrace of Pain, a rack-like restraint that stimulated pain receptors in victims' brains, was device often used for torture, though the Vong themselves did not consider its use as such. The warrior caste took perverse pleasure in their own pain and the pain of others.

Adolescent Tusken Raiders had to undergo ritual bloodrites, in which they had to capture and torture a lifeform for weeks before ascending to adulthood. The Tusken emeerged more esteemed if the victim was sentient.

The life of the Mandalorians revolved around battle and war, both as a culture and as a source of pride and honor. In battle, they would do anything to reach their goal. The clone commando RC-1136 ("Darman"), trained by the Mandalorian mercenary and assassin Kal Skirata, went as far as saying that torture had to be done, and didn't make you a bad person. Mandalorians were also trained to endure torture.

The Zabraks were known for their incredible willpower, and were able to endure intense physical pain and torture without breaking their resolve.

Notable examples
"Ulic Qel-Droma: I am only a humble torture droid, while you are a great Jedi Knight. My masters are pleased that you have chosen to join the noble Sith, but claims of loyalty must be tested...and verified."

- Krath torture droid, torturing and interrogating Ulic Qel-Droma



Ulic Qel-Droma was a victim of Krath leader Satal Keto's torturous ways. When Ulic attempted to infiltrate the Krath in 3,997 BBY, Lord Keto had the Jedi restrained in the dungeons of the Krath's Iron Citadel, where Krath torture droids administered excruciating punishments to him.

During the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Alpha-17 were presumed dead after an explosion during the Battle of Jabiim. They had actually been captured by Asajj Ventress, who transported them to her stronghold on Rattatak. There she tortured them to obtain information about Republic troop movements. She used a variety of methods including muscle maggots, a Sith torture mask on Kenobi, and a torture droid on Alpha-17.

In 0 BBY, while a captive aboard the first Death Star, Princess Leia was tortured by Darth Vader in order to learn the location of the hidden Rebel base. He employed mind-altering drugs and subliminal suggestion in his sessions.

Three years later, Darth Vader again tortured Leia, as well as Han Solo and Chewbacca on Cloud City knowing their anguish would reach Luke Skywalker through the Force, drawing him to Bespin where he could be captured and taken to the emperor.

Shedao Shai, made use of a torture device known as the Embrace of Pain to inflict pain on himself and others, including Caamasi senator Elegos A'kla.

The Embrace of Pain was used again by the Sith Lord Darth Caedus, who in 40 BBY used it to torture his own cousin, Ben Skywalker.

Darth Krayt would later do the same with Cade Skywalker, having previously encountered the Embrace after completing his apprenticeship with XoXaan on Korriban and being captured by the Vong. As Dark Lord of the Sith, Krayt would use the Embrace as part of the training for certain members of the New Sith Order, including Darth Nihl, in order to push them towards the dark side. He would also have the Embrace of Pain installed in the underlevels of the Temple of the Sith.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising
 * Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
 * Jedi vs. Sith
 * Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
 * Darth Bane: Rule of Two
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Evil Experiment
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Death of Hope
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Ties That Bind
 * Jango Fett: Open Seasons 2
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones novelization
 * Star Wars Republic 49: Sacrifice
 * Star Wars Republic 54: Double Blind
 * Jedi: Count Dooku
 * Star Wars Republic 60: Hate and Fear
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero
 * Republic Commando: True Colors
 * Star Wars Republic: Loyalties
 * Star Wars: Purge
 * Evasive Action: End Game
 * Star Wars Dark Times 8: Parallels, Part 3
 * Star Wars Dark Times 9: Parallels, Part 4
 * The Hutt Gambit
 * Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon
 * Rebel Dawn
 * Star Wars (radio)
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Death Star
 * Star Wars Journal: Captive to Evil
 * The Rebel Club
 * Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice
 * Star Wars 16: The Hunter
 * Star Wars 29: Dark Encounter
 * Star Wars 35: Dark Lord's Gambit
 * Gambler's World
 * Star Wars: Empire 24: Idiot's Array, Part 1
 * Star Wars: Empire 25: Idiot's Array, Part 2
 * Star Wars: Empire 34: In the Shadows of Their Fathers, Part 5
 * Star Wars: Empire: The Wrong Side of the War
 * Star Wars Rebellion 0: Crossroads
 * Star Wars Rebellion 1: My Brother, My Enemy, Part 1
 * Star Wars Rebellion 2: My Brother, My Enemy, Part 2
 * Star Wars Rebellion 3: My Brother, My Enemy, Part 3
 * Galaxy of Fear: Eaten Alive
 * Galaxy of Fear: Army of Terror
 * Galaxy of Fear: Clones
 * Jabba the Hutt: Betrayal
 * River of Chaos 3
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eye
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * The Empire Strikes Back (radio)
 * Star Wars 54: Starfire Rising
 * Shadows of the Empire novel
 * Star Wars 80: Ellie
 * Lucky Stars
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * The Truce at Bakura
 * X-wing: Rogue Leader
 * X-wing Rogue Squadron: The Warrior Princess
 * X-wing Rogue Squadron: Masquerade
 * X-wing: The Krytos Trap
 * Tatooine Ghost
 * Dark Empire II
 * Boba Fett: Agent of Doom
 * Crimson Empire
 * Jedi Search
 * Darksaber
 * The New Rebellion
 * Vector Prime
 * Dark Tide I: Onslaught
 * Edge of Victory I: Conquest
 * Star by Star
 * Traitor
 * Destiny's Way
 * The Final Prophecy
 * The Joiner King
 * The Unseen Queen
 * The Swarm War (illusion)
 * Bloodlines
 * Tempest
 * Exile
 * Sacrifice
 * Inferno
 * Fury
 * Revelation
 * Star Wars Legacy 2: Broken, Part 2
 * Star Wars Legacy 9: Trust Issues, Part 1
 * Star Wars Legacy 11: Ghosts, Part 1
 * Star Wars Legacy 12: Ghosts, Part 2
 * Star Wars Legacy 15: Claws of the Dragon, Part 2
 * Star Wars Legacy 16: Claws of the Dragon, Part 3
 * Star Wars Legacy 17: Claws of the Dragon, Part 4
 * Star Wars Legacy 18: Claws of the Dragon, Part 5