Kao Cen Darach

"Go, Satele. You must walk a different path."

- Kao Cen Darach, to Satele Shan

Kao Cen Darach was a male Zabrak Jedi Master of the Jedi Order during the early stages of the Great Galactic War in 3,681 BBY. That year, Darach and his Padawan Satele Shan were present on a space station orbiting the Sith homeworld of Korriban during the resurgent Sith Empire's assault to retake the planet. Kao Cen Darach ultimately sacrificed himself in order to hold off Sith Lord Vindican and his apprentice, ensuring that his Padawan was able to escape and warn the Galactic Republic of the Sith Empire's return.

Biography
"The Sith Empire has returned!"

- Kao Cen Darach

A male Zabrak Jedi Master, Kao Cen Darach served the Jedi Order in the years leading up to the Great Galactic War. Darach and his apprentice, Satele Shan, were on a space station over Korriban in 3,681 BBY, and were escorting a smuggler who had recently been taken into custody. While the smuggler maintained his innocence, Darach rebuked him for attempting to smuggle Sith artifacts off-world. Darach then noticed that Shan was troubled by something she sensed approaching, the source of which was soon revealed when the resurgent Sith Empire attacked the planet, marking the beginning of the Great Galactic War.

Darach decided that the Galactic Republic needed to be warned of the Sith's return to the planet, and since none of the station's shuttles would be able to outrun the Sith fighters, the smuggler volunteered his own vessel, which he claimed to be the fastest in the sector. Darach, Shan, the smuggler, and two Republic troopers fought their way to the hangar, facing heavy resistance from Sith boarding parties. The group eventually reached the hangar, although one of the troopers was killed in the process. After defeating the Sith troopers defending the hangar, the two Jedi confronted Sith Lord Vindican and his apprentice, Malgus, who arrived shortly afterwards to stop the escape attempt. While the Jedi and Sith dueled, the smuggler and the remaining Republic trooper prepared their starship for departure. While Darach was able to hold his own in combat against the Sith, Shan did not fare as well, and Darach decided it was more important that Shan escape to bring word to the Republic.

Master Darach told Shan to board the starship and flee while he stayed behind and fought the two Sith, essentially sacrificing himself. Before she left, Shan gave Darach her double-bladed lightsaber, and he used it simultaneously with his own lightsaber to continue the battle. Despite being outnumbered, Darach proved to be an even match for the two Sith, even managing to mortally wound Vindican, before Malgus took his master's lightsaber with the Force and launched a brutal, rage filled assault, which eventually succeeded in slaying the Jedi Master. Shan felt Darach's death in the Force but continued on to warn the Republic of the Sith's return.

Darach's sacrifice ultimately enabled the Republic to hear about the return of the Sith, and prevented them from being caught completely off-guard by further Sith attacks. Darach's Padawan Satele Shan also went on to fight against Sith forces in numerous conflicts and eventually became Grand Master of the Jedi Order, a feat only possible because of Darach's willingness to save her life at the cost of his own.

Personality and Traits
Darach had brown skin and green eyes, as well as the cranial horns typical of his species. Like many Jedi Guardians of his era, Darach wore armor under his standard Jedi robes. Darach displayed considerable bravery and did not hesitate to enter a battle with two powerful Sith. He was also willing to sacrifice himself so others, many of whom he barely knew, would survive, demonstrating his selfless nature. Darach was also a very stoic and calm figure, and did not break his composure, even when in heated combat. He also had a close relationship with his Padawan Satele Shan, and was immediately able to tell when something was troubling her. He was always consistently looking after Shan's well-being and even intervened on her behalf during combat.

Powers and abilities
As a Jedi Master, Kao Cen Darach was a capable warrior and displayed proficiency in telekinesis and lightsaber combat. His telekinetic ability was significant enough that he was able to hurl large objects and repel opponents during combat, and his level of control enabled him to use the difficult skill of throwing his lightsaber. Darach was also a skilled lightsaber duelist, utilizing a green single hilt lightsaber, and proved capable of handling Sith Lords Vindican and Malgus at the same time. Darach also demonstrated the use of an unorthodox style, simultaneously using a double-bladed lightsaber and a single hilt lightsaber. His combat abilities enabled him to eventually defeat Vindican, although he was ultimately overwhelmed by Malgus' rage and brute strength.

Behind the Scenes
Kao Cen Darach's first and so far only appearance was in the Return cinematic trailer for the Star Wars: The Old Republic video game. While Darach had spoken lines, he was unnamed in the trailer and was not identified until a wallpaper giving his name was later released.

Appearances

 * Return