The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless is an Star Wars: The High Republic young-adult novel by George Mann. It was published as part of the multimedia project's Phase III on September 24, 2024.
Publisher's summary[]
The New York Times best-selling series continues in this heart-wrenching sequel to Defy the Storm where fans will reunite with fan-favorite Jedi Knight Reath Silas.
Written by the author of The High Republic: Eye of Darkness, The High Republic: Quest for the Hidden City, Dark Legends, and Myths & Fables, this next High Republic installment is perfect for fans of investigative mysteries, mythology, monster-hunting, and apocalyptic sci-fi.
It's been over a year since the fall of the Starlight Beacon space station, and both heroes and villains alike must face the consequences of their decisions. When Jedi Knight Reath and Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo are sent on a mission to test their theories about the Nameless, they'll come face-to-face with the terrifying creatures once thought to be myth–and learn the true meaning of fear…fear that fallen Jedi Azlin Rell advised them to embrace if they have any hope of defeating the monsters…
Plot summary[]
Part 1[]
Jedi Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo and Jedi Master Mirro Lox are on Cethis helping to evacuate a settlement threatened by the blight alongside the Republic Defense Coalition. They overhear a disagreement between one of the residents, Aaila, and her father, Mikal, as Aaila is upset they had to leave many of their friends and neighbors behind. Lox steps in, and he and Azzazzo set out to locate the missing residents. They find the villagers fleeing from a large creature, which is also infected by the blight. The two Jedi successfully kill the creature and rescue the villagers.
Affie Hollow and the other crew of the Vessel approach the planet Oisin, along with two Jedi, Master Eve Byre and Padawan Zaph Mora. On Thall, former Jedi Cohmac Vitus reflects on his decision to leave the Jedi Order and searches for information on the Nameless potentially once encountered by the Tolemites. In his lab in the Jedi Temple, Jedi Knight Reath Silas is studying the hand of Cair San Tekka when he is interrupted by Azzazzo, who wishes to help with Silas's research, as he has more first-hand experience of the blight, and the pair discuss the potential connection between the Nameless and the blight.
Baron Boolan gives the Child of the Storm Sicarus an injection of blood serum and directs him to take three of the Nameless to Oisin to hunt the Jedi there. Over Oison, the Jedi in question leave the Vessel in midair to hijack and destroy a Nihil ship. On Coruscant, Silas visits Azlin Rell.
Thirty years in the past, Vitus and his friend and fellow Padawan Orla Jareni race each other on Wadi Raffa, only for Vitus to find himself hesitant to risk crossing a canyon, despite knowing he can easily make the jump. Jareni attempts to convince him to make the jump, but fails.
In the present, the Vessel lands on Oisin, and Hollow reunites with Mora, who is unscathed. They unload the relief supplies, and the Vessel's crew bid farewell to the Jedi, with Hollow giving Byre a specialized comlink with a homing beacon. On Coruscant, Azzazzo assists Silas in his lab and contemplates the amount of pressure Silas is under. Silas discovers that the destruction from the Nameless is identical to the destruction from the blight, proving their relation. Silas leaves to notify Jedi Master Elzar Mann, and stops to check on fellow Knight Vernestra Rwoh, still recovering from her fight with Marchion Ro. She tells him of Ro's apparent ability to avoid infection from the blight, and Silas leaves to speak with Mann.
Thirty years in the past, Vitus is informed by Master Laret Soveral that Jareni left on another race approximately five minutes earlier, and hurries to catch up. He finds her at the edge of the canyon, and she tells him they will jump the canyon together. However, Vitus stops at the last moment and does not make the jump. He takes the problem to his teacher, Master Simmix, who tells him that the issue is one of faith, primarily in himself.
In the present, Sicarus and his Nameless track Byre and Mora, the latter of whom is consumed by the Nameless, the former of whom he takes with the intent to deliver her to Boolan. On Coruscant, Silas reports his findings to Mann, who promises to arrange a meeting with the Jedi Council and reveals that there has been discussion of capturing a Nameless for study. Silas also notes Mann's visible exhaustion.
Silas continues his research in the Jedi Archives, focusing primarily on the Tolemites; he finds stories both of an expedition which brought back a plague, nearly destroying the Tolemite civilization, and of an expedition which brought back creatures reminiscent of the Nameless. Silas hypothesizes that both stories are true, and notes that the Tolemites are said to have found a way to defeat the plague.
Vitus continues investigating the ruins on Thall, and locates an ancient star map which he believes could hold the location of the Tolemite homeworld; however, the map is damaged. He successfully locates Tolis on the map through The Force, but cannot decipher its actual location. He considers returning to the Jedi Archives, but decides to leave the decision until the morning.
On Coruscant, Hollow discusses the risks of opposing the Nihil with Leox Gyasi, as well as the state of the newly-reconstructed Byne Guild. Silas visits Rell to ask about the Tolemites, and considers his uncertainty at the fact that he feels understood only by Rell. Rell compliments his insight connecting the disparate stories of the Tolemites to both the blight and the Nameless, which unsettles Silas, and encourages him to follow his own path, rather than following what Rell sees as the dangerously rigid path of the Jedi Order.
Azzazzo and Lox are practicing acrobatic combat maneuvers of the sort which they used on Celwis when they are interrupted by Silas, who has come to update Azzazzo on their research and his discoveries about the Tolemites. Lox learns of Silas's interactions with Rell and reacts with concern, as Azzazzo notes that Silas has been under significant strain after his former master left the Order. After Silas leaves, Lox suggests to Azzazzo that they ought to be there for him where possible, which Azzazzo agrees with. Sicarus and his Nameless land on Thall, tracking Vitus.
Thirty years earlier, Vitus discusses his master's advice with Jareni, who reminds him that certainty and perfection are impossible, and as a Jedi he is never alone. He makes the jump successfully.
In the present, Vitus awakens from the memory and realizes he has been recalling the incident because he is still doubting himself. He concludes that he must return to Coruscant despite his misgivings. Just as he begins towards his ship, he feels the effects of the Nameless, and attempts to flee, jumping into a chasm in the ruins to escape.
Silas attends a meeting with the Jedi Council, alongside Mann and Master Avar Kriss. He presents his research on the Tolemites and the connection between the blight and the Nameless, and the Council discusses the possibility of capturing a Nameless for study, which Mann argues is possible with the help of the Republic Defense Coalition. As the meeting concludes, Master Ry Ki-Sakka pulls Silas aside and reminds him to be careful in interacting with Rell.
Vitus catches himself with the Force and descends into the catacombs, hoping to navigate back to his ship while underground. As the Nameless approach, he hallucinates Silas, Jareni, and several other Jedi. Vitus escapes by falling further into the catacombs, despite Sicarus's frustration, but is injured in the fall. He successfully makes it to his ship and begins the journey back to Coruscant.
Silas has a dream of the Shrine in the Depths, which he identifies as a Force vision indicating a danger he must identify. He asks Vernestra Rwoh to accompany him, and she agrees, though she is disquieted by hearing of Silas's association with Rell and suspects the vision to be his influence. The two descend towards the shrine, and locate the danger Silas sensed; however, instead of the corrupted vision of himself he saw in his dream, they find that the blight has taken root in the shrine. Rwoh leaves to inform the Council immediately, while Silas returns to his research, which they agree is all the more urgent.
While in his lab, Silas is approached by Vitus, who has returned to the Temple. Vitus apologizes for his absence, but Silas stops him, as it reminds him too much of Rell's manipulations and he wants clarification more than apologies. Vitus explains that he's not returning to the Order, but he has been researching the Nameless and has brought information, including on the location of Tolis. Vitus explains that he has already spoken to the Council but wanted to speak to Silas before the meeting; Silas, feeling overwhelmed, tells him they will speak later.
In the meeting, Vitus proposes that he and Silas travel to Tolis in search of further information, and Silas agrees. When questioned, Silas admits that he is not without misgivings but maintains that he and Vitus are the best choices for the mission. He also suggests they travel with the Vessel. The meeting continues with discussion of a mission to capture a Nameless, for which Lox volunteers, and Azzazzo concurs.
Silas visits Rell, both to inform him about the Tolis expedition and to discuss Vitus's return. Rell praises Silas on his discovery, tells him that Vitus alone should bear the burden of his departure, and encourages him to embrace his fear in order to survive the Nameless. Meanwhile, Rwoh, concerned about Silas's interactions with Rell, follows him and observes the cell from outside. After Silas departs, Azlin knocks on the door from inside, and the Temple Guard outside enters for a couple of minutes.
Part 2[]
Azzazzo prepares for his upcoming mission and meets two of the non-Jedi crew, Ashton Vol and L-77, as well as the medical officer, Dorian Innes, to whom Azzazzo is immediately attracted. Silas, preparing for his own mission, reunites with Hollow, Gyasi, and Geode. During the journey, Silas and Vitus discuss the events surrounding Vitus's departure; Vitus apologizes for his absence and explains that he had been struggling with his own doubts. Silas asks if he was part of the problem, which Vitus assures him he was not, and whether he will be returning, which Vitus is unable to truly answer. Silas finds himself disquieted by the reminder that his mentor and all the Jedi he considers role models are just as fallible as he is. Vitus searches through his belongings for a spare lightsaber, only for Silas to return his own, and gifts Silas a Jedi shield he acquired shortly after leaving the Order.
Rwoh travels down to the Shrine in the Depths to check on the Jedi monitoring and attempting to slow the blight, and speaks with Master Yoda about her concern for Silas and distrust of Rell. He reminds her to follow her instincts.
Azzazzo, en route to Angoth, speaks with Innes, who asks about his ability to remain optimistic. Azzazzo explains the Jedi's philosophy is to understand their bodies and emotions, compartmentalize what isn't useful, and work through their emotions when they aren't in the field.
Sicarus, on Angoth, contemplates his failure to kill Vitus on Thall. He speaks to Boolan, who says he has been told by an informant that Vitus and another Jedi are traveling to Tolis and directs Sicarus to kill them. The Jedi in question arrive over Tolis, and find that the blight has reemerged on the planet, consuming everything sans a variety of ore which runs through the rock. The Vessel's crew volunteer to take samples while the Jedi search for the Tolemites' repository.
Over the Nihil base, Azzazzo, Lox, and the RDC team discuss their strategy for capturing a Nameless. After some discussion, they decide that the two Jedi will work to distract the Nihil while the RDC forces capture a Nameless. As they approach, Azzazzo struggles with his misgivings but pushes on.
Vitus and Silas explore the ruined city in search of the repository, with little luck. Vitus tells Silas he's been worried about him since returning to Coruscant, which Silas deflects. As they continue to search, Silas realizes that what they had assumed to be mountains are actually massive hibernating creatures rich in the Force; Vitus, meanwhile, locates the repository, which sunk beneath the ocean, and suggests they raise it again.
Azzazzo and Lox engage in battle against the Nihil, and are generally successful despite being heavily outnumbered, helped by use of their practiced maneuvers. They are successfully distracting the Nihil, allowing the RDC to enter the base, when Bullgar enters. Azzazzo and Lox successfully defeat them, but are alerted by Vol that there are two Nameless loose and heading in their direction.
Vitus and Silas discuss what they will attempt to do, and Vitus reminds Silas he has faith in him. Together, they use the Force to lift the repository, and just barely manage to bring it above the surface. After they recover from the strain, they enter the repository together.
Rwoh, following her intuition as Yoda instructed, returns to Rell's cell and witnesses again the Jedi Temple Guard outside entering when Rell knocks. She notices a light on in one of the nearby rooms and investigates to find a comm unit which has recently been used. She concludes that the Temple Guard has been using it to make unauthorized communications, as instructed by Rell, and confronts him when he exits the cell.
Azzazzo and Lox are unable to flee before they begin to feel the effects of the Nameless, and despite his best efforts, Azzazzo collapses. He is pulled away by one of the RDC volunteers, while Vol, L-77, and the others attempt to aid Lox and subdue the Nameless. They successfully stun and sedate one of the creatures, but not before Lox is killed. Azzazzo passes out again after witnessing his master's death, and when he wakes, Innes attempts to soothe him, recalling the loss of his own father, and Vol explains their current situation: while the Nameless is already on its way to Coruscant, they found the message from Boolan to Sicarus sending the latter to Tolis after Vitus and Silas, and waited for Azzazzo to wake before deciding whether or not to follow him. Azzazzo chooses to go to Tolis.
Vitus and Silas enter the repository, which Silas finds ominous. When they reach the end, they find no obvious way to continue, as the room appears empty aside from several carved circles in the wall. Vitus points out that the Tolemites were a culture based in the Force, and realizes that the circles can be manipulated through it; together, they realize that the circles form a star map, representing other planets in the sector. They manipulate the circles accordingly, revealing three crystal pillars, made of pure kyber and serving as the coffins of the Three Ancients. Silas realizes that the information in the repository is stored within the corpses, accessible through the Force, and does so. He finds himself in a vision, watching through their own point of view as a group of Tolemites attempt to capture a group of Nameless on an idyllic planet. The vision then shifts to Tolis, where the Nameless are starving and thus consuming the Tolemites. The vision changes again to a member of one of the last surviving Tolemites, watching the blight approaching, and he witnesses the creation of three rods which the Three Ancients used to guide the Nameless home before returning to Tolis and constructing the repository. Upon coming out of the vision, Silas collapses.
Sicarus arrives on Tolis. He releases the Nameless to pursue Vitus and Silas, and watches with interest as one of the Nameless, which he describes as translucent, emaciated, and particularly hateful, attempts to feed on one of the others before he stops it via electrical shock. Innes, en route to Tolis, attempts to reassure Azzazzo, who regrets his inability to act when faced with the Nameless. Innes suggests that Lox may have preferred that Azzazzo stay safe, and assures him that it's okay to be afraid. As they approach Tolis, Azzazzo puts down his lightsaber and takes up Lox's instead.
Hollow and Gyasi, having collected samples of the ore, receive an alert, which they initially assume to be from Vitus and Silas before Hollow realizes it's the homing beacon she gave to Byre. She notices that the signal is coming from Tolis, and they realize there's another ship present whose location matches that of the homing beacon. Gyasi attempts to contact Byra and Mora, but hears only a moan and ragged breathing in reply. As they descend towards the surface, they find there is a problem with the Vessel's fuel regulator that requires repairs. Hollow insists that they land and check on Byre and Mora first, which Gyasi reluctantly agrees to.
Silas discusses his vision with Vitus, and they agree they must find one of the rods, though Vitus is more optimistic than Silas. As they go to leave the repository, both begin to feel the effects of the Nameless, which have followed them. Silas temporarily drives one back using the shield, but they remain cornered. Vitus opens one of the coffins, redirecting the Nameless towards the remains, and the two Jedi manage to escape. Silas contacts the Vessel, who are already descending, but before they can board, Sicarus's ship automatically shoots the Vessel down.
On Coruscant, Rwoh considers the Temple Guard, Borthas Mitto, who claims to have no knowledge of the comm unit and to respond to Rell's summons only to bring him food or drink. She believes he is sincere, but combined with the knowledge Azzazzo's team acquired about an informant within the Temple, she believes he has been manipulated by Rell into making the transmissions, but has no proof. She confronts Rell, who claims no involvement, and tells him Silas will never listen to him again; Rell says it appears he is the only one who is there for Silas, which Rwoh denies, and she leaves.
Azzazzo and his companions arrive over Tolis in time to witness the Vessel's crash. Their ship is also shot down, but they are all unharmed by the crash. Azzazzo immediately senses the Nameless, but retains his composure with Innes's help and directs the group towards Silas and Vitus, who are surrounded by Sicarus and two of the Nameless. Vol and L-77 attack the Nameless, while Sicarus attacks Azzazzo; the third Nameless returns from the repository as Innes goes to Silas and Vitus's aid. On the Vessel, Gyasi determines that they can likely get airborne again with time, and Hollow leaves to follow Byre's homing beacon while he and Geode fix the ship. She locates Sicarus's ship and finds Byre inside; she frees her and learns of Mora's death.
Azzazzo, heavily outmatched, is about to be killed by Sicarus when Silas manages to throw the shield and knock Sicarus back. As Silas engages with Sicarus, he realizes he is Force-sensitive, despite his close proximity to the Nameless; however, the control device which protected Sicarus from the Nameless was damaged by Silas's attack, and when the third Nameless returns, it feeds on and destroys him. Vol, L-77, and Innes help the Jedi return to the Invictus, where they take shelter from the remaining Nameless. Vitus contacts Hollow, who is relieved to hear he and Silas are safe but informs him the Vessel's power relay inverter is broken, leaving the ship unable to fly. Azzazzo suggests they take the inverter from the Invictus as a replacement, which Gyasi says may work. The Jedi brainstorm how to get between the two ships, as Vol and L-77 are both too injured to fight the Nameless outside. Silas suggests they wake one of the hibernating creatures he noticed earlier and request its help, which they agree is their best chance.
While Innes removes the inverter, the three Jedi attempt to reach out to the creatures, and successfully wake one. They, along with Innes, L-77, and the unconscious Vol, use the diversion to run towards the Vessel, while the Nameless attacks the leviathan. As they reach the Vessel, the creature returns to the sea. Hollow checks on Silas, who thanks her for all her help.
Three days later, Rwoh visits Silas's lab to check in with him and Azzazzo. Silas tells her that Vitus will be staying for a while, and mentions her investigation into Rell; he agrees that the transmissions she found must have been related to the message from Boolan discovered on Angoth, but seems unconvinced that Rell is responsible. She also tells him that Chancellor Lina Soh has authorized another trip to Tolis, this time without any Jedi. She reminds him that he's brought the Jedi hope and leaves.
Hollow visits Byre in the Jedi Temple medical bay and finds that she is doing much better. Byre states her intention to return to the field as soon as the Council allows, and they discuss Mora's death.
Silas visits Rell and describes their findings on Tolis. He also asks Rell about Rwoh's suspicions, which Rell denies, claiming he sees Silas as their greatest hope, and Silas is not fully convinced but suspects he was not responsible for the leaked information. He tells Rell that he faced the Nameless, but did not embrace his fear in the way that Rell meant; instead, he says he needs to acknowledge his fears and overcome them with support. Rell tells him to leave, which Silas does.
Silas approaches Vitus in the Jedi Archives, and admits that he has been feeling doubt about himself and his actions and says he can't work through it alone. He tells Vitus he needs his help, and Vitus reassures him that he is there for him.
Media[]
Cover gallery[]
Editons[]
- ISBN 9781368095174; September 24, 2024; Disney–Lucasfilm Press; US hardcover[3]
Appearances[]
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
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Organisms
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Droid models
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Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
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Vehicles and vessels
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Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
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Sources[]
SWCE 2023: 9 Things We Learned from the Star Wars: The High Republic Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 219
- The Fate of Burryaga Revealed, The High Republic Heads to San Diego Comic-Con, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- The High Republic Authors on Authors: George Mann and Cavan Scott on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: The High Republic Chronological Reader's Guide on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- Inside Star Wars: The High Republic: The Nameless Strike Back in Phase III on StarWars.com (backup link)
- This Week! in Star Wars Dispatch: Star Wars: The High Republic Cover Reveals on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 227
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 228
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 229
- Star Wars Year in Review 2024 on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 230
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 231
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2
SWCE 2023: 9 Things We Learned from the Star Wars: The High Republic Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ Michael Siglain (@msiglain) on Twitter (post): "Cover reveals for BEWARE THE NAMELESS written by Zoraida Córdova with art by Peter Antonsson and TEARS OF THE NAMELESS written by @George_Mann with art by @CoreyBrickley. And keep your eyes peeled for more #StarWarsTheHighRepublic news and announcements over the next few weeks!" (backup link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates Starlight Beacon's destruction to 230 BBY. The implementation of the Guardian Protocols, which Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia places in 229 BBY, took place one week after Starlight Beacon's fall according to The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight 1. As The High Republic Adventures (2023) 4 takes place one year and two weeks after the destruction of Starlight Beacon, it must be set in 228 BBY. Since the events of The High Republic Adventures (2023) 6 are set immediately following the fourth issue and depict the expansion of the Stormwall, the expansion must have taken place in the same year. Meanwhile, the events of "Tales from the Occlusion Zone: No Big Deal" include the Stormwall's expansion and also depict the start of Pikka Adren's pregnancy. A later story, "Tales from the Occlusion Zone: Sparks Fly," states that Adren is eight months pregnant during its events, indicating that it is set eight months after "No Big Deal," and therefore one year, eight months, and two weeks after the fall of Starlight Beacon. "Sparks Fly" is set during the Battle of Eriadu, an event that begins in The High Republic Adventures Phase III - The Wedding Spectacular. As Star Wars: The High Republic Chronological Reader's Guide on StarWars.com (article) (backup link) places The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless between the events of "No Big Deal" and The Wedding Spectacular, its events must also be set in 228 BBY.
