Beyond the Sith, New Republic Era. The dark side, a perversion and twisting of the Force to match one's own will, has many distinct followings. The most prominent of these is the Sith Order, a group with a long and storied history that even used the word "Acolyte" in many cases, as exemplified in the series The Acolyte.
The Acolytes of the Beyond, however, have nothing to do with the TV series, as they existed over a century later and first came into prominence around the Battle of Endor. The group persisted for many years afterward as well, being a thorn in the side of a newly formed New Republic, and even facing off against Luke Skywalker. Falling before the sequel trilogy, but being instrumental in the events that led to it, the Acolytes of the Beyond are one of the most unique dark side groups in all of Star Wars.
The Acolytes Of The Beyond Were Created By Palpatine Loyalists
Yupe Tashu's Relic-Collecting Rebels
The Acolytes of the Beyond were a cult of dark side followers seemingly created by one of Palpatine's most loyal and trusted advisors, Yupe Tashu. Yupe Tashu was one of the Emperor's advisers during his reign, similar to the colorfully-cloaked individuals he arrived on the second Death Star with. Most importantly, though, Tashu was directly involved with the establishment of Palpatine's contingency plan for a situation where he was killed – which came to over Endor.
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After this, Tashu took a leading role in the Imperial Shadow Council following the fall of Vader, with Palpatine at its helm. This was around the same time that the Acolytes of the Beyond began appearing in the galaxy, with several Sith artifacts coming into their possession during this time period, and becoming significant for the contingency later on. All of this, from their leaders to their plundered artifacts, clearly demonstrated that the Acolytes of the Beyond were Sith-worshipers, not Imperial loyalists.
What Did The Acolytes Of The Beyond Believe?
Sith-Worshiping Dark Side Acolytes
The Acolytes first prominently emerged as followers of Sith teachings, causing chaos on many different planets as a coalition of cells. They believed that Sith spirits could commune with them or appear in their dreams if they pursued their teachings, and relentlessly sought after Sith artifacts to channel this. Most of all, the Acolytes of the Beyond viewed the Force as a great river, and that the dark side was the only true way to change its current.
The Acolytes saw the Sith as withstanding the push of the river, able to control their own destinies. This was in contrast to the rest of the galaxy, whose inhabitants were slaves to the Force according to the Acolytes. Significantly, the Acolytes of the Beyond were largely non-Force sensitive, relying on faith in Sith doctrine and dark side artifacts for their power, which they used to stage revolts and uprisings across the galaxy. Beside Yupe Tashu, Ochi of Bestoon was another prominent member of the Acolytes.
The Acolytes & Sith Lightsabers
The Acolytes also came to revere lightsabers that had been created by the Sith, seeking them out and sometimes even wielding them in combat as a great sign of honor. Shortly after Endor, a group of Acolytes of the Beyond purchased a red lightsaber that they believe belonged to Darth Vader. They intended to destroy this lightsaber, in order to return it to its rightful wielder in the netherworld of the Force.
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During a revolt in Coronet City on Corellia, the Acolytes of the Beyond came into conflict with CorSec (Corellian Security forces). During this revolution, two romantically-involved Acolytes named Remi and Kiza stole a Sith lightsaber from CorSec's archives, and it gradually drove Remi insane. Yupe Tashu would later the lightsaber on to Kiza, who killed her former lover in battle, falling further into the darkness while causing more chaos for the New Republic.
Yupe Tashu & The Acolytes Of The Beyond
The Dark Side Of The Aftermath
Yupe Tashu led the Acolytes of the Beyond during the chaotic year between the battles of Endor and Jakku, collecting and using artifacts for various reasons. Some artifacts were used by Tashu for empowering the Acolytes, like the Mask of Exim Panshard, an ancient Sith. Others, however, Tashu used specifically for Palpatine's contingency plan for the Empire.
The Battle of Jakku is known as the end of the Galactic Civil War in Star Wars canon, but it was almost much more destructive and chaotic. Palpatine's original contingency plan involved Yupe Tashu, and the Emperor's secret protégé, Gallius Rax, destroying the entire planet. To do this, Tashu and Rax enacted a Sith ritual over a hole in the planet's core deep underground, causing the planet to shake just before Rax betrayed and killed Tashu. Fortunately, New Republic and Imperial agents Norra Wexley and Rae Sloane prevented Jakku from fully detonating, killing Rax in the process.
Luke Skywalker Defeated The Acolytes Of The Beyond
The New Jedi Versus A Sith Cult
During the time period when the Acolytes of the Beyond first rose, there was another powerful Force-presence in the New Republic: Luke Skywalker himself. Beginning his quest to reclaim Jedi secrets and restart the Order through study and research, Luke came into conflict with the Acolytes during the early New Republic era. The two sides of this fight are very reflective of each other in a way too, with both seeking out ancient treasures of their opposing faiths.
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By the late New Republic Era, the Acolytes of the Beyond had completely fallen apart. The organization no longer existed, thanks to Luke Skywalker's intervention. In one case, an Acolyte named Komat met Luke while they were both searching for the lightsaber of Darth Noctyss. Luke saved her life, an act of selflessness and comion that made Komat rethink her dedication, renouncing the Acolytes of the Beyond and becoming a hermit and, even later, an ally of Skywalker's.
Luke and Lando sought out Komat in the novel Shadow of the Sith by Adam Christopher.
The Legacy Of The Acolytes Almost Resulted In Rey's Capture As A Child
Kiza Of Corellia & Exim Panshard
In 21 ABY, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker once again came into with the Acolytes, this time through their legacy – being carried by Kiza of Corellia. Mentioned previously, Kiza was wearing the mask of Exim Panshard, an ancient Sith whose spirit was fully controlling her at that point. At the same time, Luke and Lando crossed paths with Ochi of Bestoon, who was now serving the Sith Eternal instead of the Acolytes and was seeking out Rey and her parents, who were on the run from Sith agents.
These two Acolytes of the Beyond were key parts of Rey's abandonment on Jakku, resulting in the death of her parents and pushing Luke and Lando off of their trail. Despite the Acolytes being long-gone by this point, their influence remained, and it was an important part of the proliferation of the dark side and Sith teachings in the sequel trilogy era. Hopefully, Star Wars will continue to dive deeper into the Acolytes of the Beyond, as they are an interesting and unique part of the galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Movies |
Release Date |
|---|---|
The Mandalorian & Grogu |
May 22, 2026 |
- Created by
- George Lucas
- First Film
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Cast
- Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
- Star Wars: Visions
- Video Game(s)
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Movie(s)
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
