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
 * ISBN 9634971573; 2007, Szukits Kiadó; Hungarian paperback (Sötét nagyúr)

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.''

Part I: The Outer Rim Sieges
"LIVE TO SERVE!"

- Phrase laser-etched on Commander Salvo's helmet.

Jedi Masters Roan Shryne, Bol Chatak and Padawan Olee Starstone land on Murkhana with a contingency of clones. Using information from a defected mercenary, Shryne leads a surgical strike on Murkhana City much to the dismay of Commander Salvo who preferred a strike from aboard the Star Destroyer Gallant. Joined by Clone Commando Climber and his Ion Team, Shryne led the attack on the Separatist's shield generator, successfully completing their mission.

During preparations to rendezvous with the other Republic forces, Climber was contacted by Salvo with the order to exterminate the Jedi. Conflicted by his commands and his loyalty to his comrades, Climber instructs Ion Team to disrupt the planned ambush on the Jedi. A quick standoff ends with Climber allowing Shryne, Starstone and Chatak with a head start before starting the hunt. Salvo lost most of his trust in Climber and his team and kept his eye on them.

Shryne and the others decide to abandon their Jedi garb and weapons and are captured by the Republic Army.

Part IV: Kashyyyk
In Kashyyyk the rescued Jedi and Starstone along with the Wookiees fight the stormtroopers. Two of the Jedi are killed while Darth Vader fights Starstone. Then Shryne fights Vader telling Starstone to flee. Chewbacca flies the remaining Jedi besides Shryne to the Drunk Dancer. Vader reveals himself to Shryne and killes him. Kashyyyk was the first non-human enslaved planet.

Characters

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

Creatures

 * Bantha

Droid models

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

Events

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

Locations

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

Organizations and titles

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

Sentient species

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

Vehicles and vessels

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

Weapons and technology

 * Blaster
 * Bowcaster
 * Comlink
 * Comm unit
 * Computer terminal
 * Darth Vader's armor
 * Datapad
 * DC-15A blaster rifle
 * DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System
 * DL-13 Ion Blaster
 * Droid buster
 * DX-2 disruptor pistol
 * E-5 blaster rifle
 * Electrobinoculars
 * EMP grenade
 * Fine-point laser cutter
 * Glowrod
 * Holobook
 * Holocam
 * Holomap
 * Holoprojector
 * Hologram
 * Hush-98 comlink
 * Hyperdrive
 * Hyperdrive ring
 * Hyperwave repeater
 * Hyperwave transceiver
 * Identify Friend/Foe transponder "IFF"
 * Intercom
 * Ion cannon
 * Ion drive
 * Jedi beacon transceiver
 * Katarn-class armor
 * Laser cannon
 * Lightsaber
 * Macrobinoculars
 * Magnetic shield
 * Mine
 * Moisture vaporator
 * Navicomputer
 * Photoreceptor
 * Proton torpedo
 * Shock baton
 * Sith holocron
 * Stun net
 * Sublight drive
 * T-visor
 * Thermal detonator
 * Tractor beam
 * Turbolaser cannon
 * Turbolift
 * Vibroblade
 * Vibro-whip
 * Vocoder

Miscellanea

 * Aurodium
 * Basic
 * Blue milk
 * Brandy
 * Bronzium
 * Ceramacrete
 * Ceramaton
 * Chosen One
 * CIS Shadowfeed
 * Credit
 * Diatium
 * Durasteel
 * Emergency Code Nine Thirteen
 * Flimsiplast
 * Galactic Constitution
 * Hangar bay
 * Hardwood
 * "Hero With No Fear"
 * Hide-and-seek
 * HoloNet
 * Hrrtayyk ceremony
 * Hyperspace
 * Identichip
 * Katarn-class commando armor
 * Koorivar
 * Lekku
 * Lightspeed
 * Medkit
 * Midi-chlorian
 * Military Creation Act
 * New Order
 * Old Guard
 * Orbital bombardment
 * Permacrete
 * Permaplas
 * Permaplex
 * Petition of 2000
 * Polyplast
 * Republic Classic era style
 * Sabacc
 * Sith statues
 * Slicer
 * Smuggler
 * Spacer
 * Stars' End
 * Sugar
 * Synthcrystal
 * Synthflesh
 * Synthfur
 * The Force
 * Dark side of the Force
 * Force Jump
 * Force lightning
 * Force persuasion
 * Saber throw
 * Theocracy
 * Transparisteel
 * Trash compactor
 * Wroshyr tree

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 while 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 mistakenly refers to the Star Destroyer Executrix as the Executor.

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.