Lightsabers. They’re all the rage these days. Amiright?
*POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS*
Star Wars villains have had a history of looking for ancient artifacts. From those terrible, non-canon Glove of Darth Vader books to Revan and Malak finding the Star Forge, the Star Wars universe is full of ancient mysticism, prophesies, and antiques that are better left untouched.
But, of course, so many people still want to touch them. Enter the First Order, who just can’t keep their collective mittens off any object connected with the Dark Side.
What objects does the First Order have?
Well, it’s a pretty safe bet that that shot of Darth Vader’s melted mask is in a First Order base. We’ve also speculated that it’s extremely likely Anakin/Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber is in the possession of the First Order when it’s acquired by Finn.
In the recent book release Star Wars: Aftermath, it was revealed that a merchant on Taris sells a lightsaber he claims belonged to Darth Vader… though how he acquired it after the thing fell into the Death Star we have no idea. According to the book, he doesn’t know if the lightsaber is actually Vader’s which we completely buy.
Who does he sell it to?
We’re not entirely sure. They call themselves “Acolytes of the Beyond,” dark side users who seem to want to destroy the lightsaber to return it to its master…
… but we’re not completely sold that’s what happens.
Why?
After the Empire retreats to the outer rim and slowly forms into the First Order, it’s clear they’ve taken a zealous approach to their doctrine. They establish a religious order, the Knights of Ren, and their leader clearly knows a fair amount about the Force.
Furthermore, we’ve speculated as to the nature of Starkiller Base’s superweapon… and we honestly think the thing is powered by the Force.
How would you study how to harness the power of the Force? Specifically the dark side?
Well, you study objects with powerful ties to the Force. Like everything that belonged to Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, and any other Sith Lord who schemed in the past.
Could Starkiller Base be powered by these artifacts?
It’s possible. And it would certainly explain why Kylo Ren seems to want Luke/Anakin’s lightsaber so darn much. But we think that might be stretching it a bit. It’s very likely that, being a religious organization, the First Order puts a high priority on dark side artifacts the way Medieval Christians wanted to find objects tied to Jesus Christ such as the Holy Grail and the Spear of Destiny. Such objects were said to have supernatural and divine powers.
We’re willing to bet the First Order believes the same thing of objects connected to Darth Vader… and they’re probably right.
what if the Knights of Ren were actually failed padewans of Luke Skywalker, that’s why Luke Skywalker is in hiding in the first place.