As Star Wars fans, we've all heard of the Sith known as Darth Vader, Darth Sidious, and Darth Revan. But, to those more casual viewers, what if I were to tell you that there were other dark side collectives out in the galaxy and beyond? Legends fans will already know about entities such as Abeloth. Few, however, know about the Sorcerers of Rhand. There is, in truth, very little known about them, which makes for an even greater potential to explore them as a new enemy in the Star Wars universe.
As Star Wars begins to expand its scope from the Known Galaxy and beyond the Outer Rim (we've already seen glimpses of this in Ahsoka), new, unknown enemies will undoubtedly begin to rear their heads.
Who are the Sorcerers of Rhand?
Lurking within a place called the Nihil Retreat, far in the expanses of the Unknown Regions, the Sorcerers of Rhand are a sinister cult who believe in a power that is supposedly greater than the Force itself: The Dark. It was this belief in the powers of darkness and destruction that made them the absolute masters of the twelve planets under their domination.
Their motto goes like this: “Only power is real, and the only real power is the power to destroy. Existence is fleeting. Destruction is eternal.”
The Dark, the Way of the Dark, or the One Truth, is the belief that destruction is the inevitable cycle of the universe. Creation is simply waiting to be destroyed. The Jedi try to retain peace, to allow creation to flourish in all things; the Sith try to dominate, bending the galaxy to their own creative will. Both, therefore, despite their differences, wish to create. The Sorcerers of Rhand could not be more opposite.
From the little already known of the Sorcerers of Rhand, their major appearance in Star Wars lore comes when Luke Skywalker, following the Battle of Endor, was lured to the planet of Mindor. On the planet, a sorcerer named Lord Cronal, who had been appointed as Director of Imperial Intelligence by Emperor Palpatine himself, made attempts to possess Skywalker.
This attempt to destroy the New Republic and installation of himself as Emperor failed and he was killed. Cronal would resurrect himself following his defeat, but would suffer a more permanent defeat after being defeated a final time by Luke Skywalker on Andooweel.
It’s time to reintroduce these villains
How could the Sorcerers of Rhand fit into the current Star Wars universe? Well, Star Wars spans many thousands of years. The Sorcerers of Rhand could fit in pretty much any era. A High Republic story with their presence could add to the Jedi’s belief that the Sith are truly extinct (believing that only other, lesser dark side organizations remain alive).
It would deepen the ignorance of the Jedi as their focus turns away from their “long-dead” nemesis. A post-Rise of Skywalker story could unleash this mysterious enemy onto an already fractured galaxy, with results as of yet unknown.
Either way, the horror-like aspect of this dark cult could be a really unique opportunity for Star Wars to develop something new.
The Sith will always be the classic enemy of the Jedi. They will always be the Dark Side's foremost champions, but to expand the scope of dark (and light) side organizations would only improve the depth of Star Wars. The Sorcerers of Rhand could be a gateway to deeper and darker things for Star Wars.