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Sith - Star Wars '99 Concepts
🕑 Added 2015-11-02 02:56:05 +0000 UTC http://starwars1999.tumblr.com/In ancient times, there were Sith: sorcerers and warlords who ruled entire star systems through command of a mystic power they called the Dark. Eventually a splinter group within the Sith, calling themselves Jedi, developed a new way of communicating with the Dark that relied on tranquility.
The Jedi believed the Dark was an imperfect understanding of a greater presence in the galaxy called the Force, and after a long struggle, they overthrew the Sith, creating a peace that lasted many thousands of years.
The Sith differ from Jedi in that while the Jedi view the Force as a holistic companion and ally, they believe the Dark is a well of power that exists as a means to an end. They also believe that those who master The Dark are natural rulers, viewing the Jedi's philosophy of service and selflessness to be blasphemous.
Comments
Sen
Yeah, ancient religions tend to be more brutal, and I think it makes sense for early use of the Force to be mainly dominated by warlords. From a technique standpoint, too, it's also partly inspired by the history of martial arts, with more external forms of combat giving rise to the "internal" school that requires nuance and relaxation (which are based on Daoism, the partial inspiration for the Jedi to begin with).
KM
I scratched my head for a second at the reversal of the old Sith/Jedi story- but it makes a fair bit more sense. Serenity, inclusion, and selflessness are relative newcomers to the philosophical scene visa via grumpy primate politics, and Jedi "falling" would be seen by those undertaking the journey as the reclamation of an older creed- fundamentalists, in other words.
Sen
A plot point in the story is that while Jedi had long believed that the Sith were dark Jedi banished to Korriban, they discover that in reality Jedi culture and philosophy were later offshoots of an ancient empire.
John Daly
So, instead of the Sith being Jedi who have fallen from grace, the Jedi are Sith who refined the philosophy. That's a big, beautiful leap away from Milton and Tolkein and I salute you for it; it makes a huge amount of practical sense. And, of course, the design work is absolutely fantastic; these guys just have so much character.
