Conclave at Deneba

Background

Trouble in Empress Teta

In 3998 BBY, Arca Jeth, a Jedi Master, spearheaded a team of Jedi Knights in a series of engagements on the planet of Onderon, collectively known as the Freedon Nadd Uprising. Freedon Nadd, an ancient Dark Lord of the Sith, had maintained Onderon under the dominion of the dark side of the Force for nearly four centuries. This lasted until the arrival of Master Jeth, who banished Nadd's spirit and freed the Onderonian populace from his sinister influence. Consequently, the Jedi were under the impression that the dark side had been contained.

However, in 3997 BBY, the Jedi became aware that the Empress Teta system had experienced a violent political uprising, orchestrated by the heirs to the thrones of Empress Teta, Satal and Aleema Keto. The Ketos had been present on Onderon during the final battle of the Uprising and had acquired knowledge of ancient Sith magic. Armed with this newfound sorcery, they established the Krath, a clandestine society of Sith sorcerers. To cement their control over the system, the Krath besieged their own homeworld of Empress Teta, which was the last of the Tetan worlds to resist their coup.

Master Jeth suspected a connection between the unrest in the Empress Teta system and the uprising on Onderon. Therefore, he and his Knights assumed guardianship of the Tetan system. Subsequently, the Jedi engaged the Krath, with the assistance of the Galactic Republic, with the intention of restoring peace to Tetan space. However, the Krath's display of Sith powers left the joint Jedi/Republic forces bewildered and defeated. The swiftness with which the Krath propagated the influence of the dark side across the galaxy caused increasing concern among the leaders of the Jedi Order. They began to suspect that an ancient prophecy foretelling the resurgence of the Dark Lords of the Sith was about to be realized. This led to an unprecedented event: a full assembly of all Jedi was convened.

Arrival on Deneba

Given the pivotal role of the dark side in the Krath's ascent to power, the Jedi Masters resolved to convene and deliberate on whether the situation warranted a renewed Jedi war effort. Nearly every Master, Knight, and Padawan throughout the galaxy was summoned to Deneba, resulting in a gathering of approximately ten thousand individuals. Among those in attendance were Master Arca Jeth, Ulic Qel-Droma, Nomi Sunrider alongside her daughter Vima, and the Tchuukthai Jedi Thon. Sunrider and Qel-Droma had recently returned from a failed relief mission to Empress Teta. There, in an effort to expel the Republic Navy from Tetan space, genuine Krath CX-133 Chaos starfighters initiated suicide attacks amidst illusory ones. Qel-Droma sustained injuries during the assault, compelling the Republic fleet to retreat and reassess their battle strategy. The Jedi began a discussion about the battle that Cay Qel-Droma had missed. As the conference was about to begin, they proceeded to take their places in the amphitheater.

The conclave

Message to the conclave

The Jedi convocation convened within a vast, excavated valley at the heart of Mount Meru, featuring a prominent stage at the valley's center. Odan-Urr, a Draethos Jedi Master recognized for his age and wisdom, occupied that stage. As the spokesperson for the Council, he was selected to preside over the convention. As the assembly commenced, Master Jeth cautioned Ulic and the others regarding the Draethos, humanoids who naturally communicated through telepathy. Before he could complete his warning, the minds of the Jedi were suddenly filled with Odan-Urr's voice. Initially unsettled, the Jedi relaxed and listened attentively as Odan-Urr recounted the prophecy concerning the return of the Dark Lords and the catastrophe at Empress Teta. He posed the question of whether the Jedi should dispatch a more formidable force to address the dark-side threat, as they had done on Onderon. It was at this juncture that Ulic Qel-Droma approached the stage.

Ulic's plan

Qel-Droma received acknowledgement from the Draethos Jedi, and through the Force, Odan-Urr conveyed Ulic's words to the minds of all attendees. He initiated his address by discussing past events and how the incorrect approach had been adopted in dealing with the Krath. Qel-Droma argued that the Jedi were mistaken, believing that overwhelming military strength would never fully eradicate the dark side. He posited that even if the dark side were defeated in Tetan space, it could easily re-emerge elsewhere in the galaxy and proliferate once more. However, Qel-Droma's prior success in battle was questioned by his associates, as he had recently returned from a defeat, and many Jedi doubted his ability to lead them to victory. He then unveiled his true plan: one not of direct confrontation, but of infiltration. Qel-Droma proposed that a Jedi be selected to function as a double agent, feigning allegiance to the Krath while secretly studying their methods and plotting their downfall.

The assembly erupted in an uproar, as Qel-Droma proposed the unthinkable. Numerous individuals, including Master Jeth, cautioned him against such folly, asserting that the only means of defeating the dark side was to confront it directly. Knights such as Shoaneb Culu and Dace Diath, who had fought alongside Ulic on Onderon, also voiced their opposition to his plan. The aged Master Shayoto spoke of the perils of attempting to destroy the dark side from within. Master Jeth concurred with Shayoto, warning Qel-Droma that he could not entirely destroy the dark side, but could only attempt to subdue it, similar to how Thon trapped the darkness of the planet Ambria within a lake on that world. Jeth further stated that while the Jedi could never hope to destroy the dark side, they could collectively create a wall of light to repel it. A recess was then called, as additional Jedi arrived on Deneba.

The shadow of Freedon Nadd

Only a small number of Jedi were absent from Deneba, and many of those arrived late during the recess due to the vast distances they had traveled. Among the latecomers was Master Vodo-Siosk Baas. The Krevaaki Jedi was deeply troubled, as his most promising student, Exar Kun, had departed in search of dark-side knowledge, causing Vodo great concern. He sensed that Exar Kun would inevitably be caught up in the impending dark times. Vodo sought out Master Jeth, encountering Ulic and Cay Qel-Droma as Cay was rebuking Ulic for his audacious proposal. After a brief exchange, Vodo was directed toward Arca Jeth. Upon greeting each other, the two Masters walked together while discussing Exar Kun and his fascination with the dark side. Suddenly, both Vodo and Jeth felt a violent surge through the Force, which Vodo immediately recognized as originating from his apprentice Exar Kun. Unbeknownst to him or any of the other Jedi who sensed the disturbance, Exar had been severely harmed by the dark side by the dark spirit of Freedon Nadd, who was attempting to entice him to embrace the dark side to avoid death. At Master Jeth's urging and Kun's pleas for help from his master, Vodo reached out with the Force and meditated around his student. When Nadd's spirit realized that Exar Kun was receiving external assistance, he turned his attention to Vodo. Vodo sensed this too late, as Nadd lashed out at him through the Force. He was knocked back, and his connection to Exar Kun was severed. Realizing that he could do nothing more for his student, Vodo and the other Jedi resumed their positions in the arena as the convocation was about to recommence.

Battle of Deneba

Before the conclave could resume, the Jedi were ambushed by hundreds of life-pods that descended from orbit onto Deneba's surface, releasing a deadly cargo of Krath war droids. As the pods opened to reveal the droids, the unsuspecting Jedi were swiftly drawn into a fierce battle. Master Jeth quickly suggested erecting a protective shield wall using the Force, but Cay Qel-Droma pointed out that it was too late. He then instructed his T-12 servant droid to investigate the area, but upon receiving the order, the droid's programming changed, and all servant droids received new instructions to eliminate the Jedi. The Krath droids launched a formidable offensive, but despite their intense assault, the Jedi emerged victorious. However, in the heat of the battle, Master Arca Jeth was killed by a war droid.

Outcome

Following the battle, the day's events were recorded into the personal holocron of Master Vodo-Siosk Baas. He recounted the tragedy of Arca's death and the discovery of the Krath's responsibility for the war-droid attack. Meanwhile, Ulic Qel-Droma sat with Master Jeth's robes, overwhelmed by feelings of guilt for his Master's death. He vowed to carry out his plan, despite the Masters' warnings. Sunrider implored him to reconsider, arguing that such an idea would only lead to disaster, but Qel-Droma remained resolute. Cay also attempted to dissuade his brother from making such a desperate decision, but he too was unsuccessful.

The Jedi returned to Ossus, where Qel-Droma and Sunrider sought additional information regarding the Empress Teta system. Qel-Droma spent the following days learning everything possible about the Krath and their home system to gain a better understanding of the situation. Upon arriving at the Great Jedi Library, he and Sunrider were greeted by Master Ood Bnar. Bnar provided Qel-Droma with a comprehensive history of Empress Teta but also cautioned him about his rash decision. Before departing, Bnar brought the Knights before Master Odan-Urr, the Jedi Keeper of Antiquities. Odan-Urr then unveiled his rare Sith holocron and displayed stories of ancient Jedi who had fallen to the dark side for Sunrider and Qel-Droma. However, the young Jedi Qel-Droma remained unmoved. He stated that he was not seeking the Masters' approval but only their understanding. The Masters recognized his determination but also knew that attempting to hinder him would be futile. Ood Bnar and Odan-Urr then departed, offering Qel-Droma their blessing.

Before leaving Ossus, Ulic Qel-Droma had a conversation with his brother Cay. Cay firmly believed that his brother was making a foolish decision and feared that he would never see him again. All his attempts to sway his brother were in vain, as Ulic's determination remained unwavering. The two brothers embraced, and Ulic assured Cay that everything would be alright. Ulic then spent the next morning with Nomi Sunrider, preparing himself and his starship for departure to the Tetan system. Refusing repeated offers of assistance from Sunrider, he left her with a passionate kiss and departed for Empress Teta. The Jedi would not hold another convocation until the Conclave of Exis Station in 3986 BBY.

Principal participants

Odan-Urr

Odan-Urr, trained by the ancient Celegian Master Ooroo, became one of the oldest and wisest Jedi of the Order. As a young Padawan, he was an avid learner, relentlessly studying Jedi lore and history and mastering ancient and forgotten Force techniques. He played a significant role in the Unification Wars of the Empress Teta system, demonstrating his proficiency in the rare art of Jedi battle meditation. During this period, he became a personal advisor to Empress Teta herself. In 5000 BBY, a prophetic vision forewarned Odan-Urr of an impending invasion from the legendary Sith Empire, leading to the Great Hyperspace War. As a Knight, Odan-Urr once again went to battle, alongside his warrior Empress and the Galactic Republic. Following the defeat of the Sith, Odan-Urr discovered a Sith holocron among the spoils of an abandoned Sith warship. In the aftermath of the war, Odan-Urr established the Great Jedi Library on Ossus, where he housed his prized Sith holocron among other antiquities. Odan-Urr eventually attained the rank of Master, and by the time of the conclave on Deneba, he had presided over Jedi assemblies for nearly six centuries, serving as the acting spokesperson for the Jedi Council.

Ulic Qel-Droma

Ulic Qel-Droma was a renowned Jedi Knight and, along with his brother Cay, was an apprentice of Arca Jeth. During his time as Master Arca's padawan, Qel-Droma was assigned to a diplomatic mission to the planet Onderon. Accompanied by Cay and the Twi'lek Jedi Tott Doneeta, he traveled to the dark-side world, where their mission ultimately failed. The Jedi became involved in Onderon's Beast War conflict, assisting Beast-Lord Oron Kira in defeating Queen Amanoa and her dark-side legions. In the aftermath of the Beast Wars, Qel-Droma and his Jedi companions battled Amanoa's husband, the sorcerer King Ommin, and the dark-side spirit of Freedon Nadd. Following their victory over King Ommin, Qel-Droma was among the Jedi who recognized that the dark side had not been completely defeated and had spread to the Empress Teta system. Consequently, Master Arca and his apprentices accepted watchman duties for Empress Teta. Arca then dispatched Qel-Droma and Nomi Sunrider as Jedi liaisons to the Galactic Republic, where they once again requested assistance on behalf of the Tetan worlds. The Jedi-Republic effort proved unsuccessful, and Qel-Droma was severely wounded during the battle for Empress Teta. As a result of the mission's failure, the Jedi Order convened a Jedi gathering on the planet Deneba, where Qel-Droma unveiled his plan to secretly infiltrate the Krath. Despite the unanimous opposition of the Jedi assembly, Ulic Qel-Droma remained determined to destroy the dark side from within.

Arca Jeth

Arca Jeth of Arkania served as the Jedi Master of Ulic and Cay Qel-Droma, as well as the Twi'lek Tott Doneeta. During his time as a Knight, Arca participated in the Hyabb-Twith Campaign of 4050 BBY, a Jedi effort to rid the Hyabb-Twith Corridor of the notorious Nelori Marauders. Thirty-five years later, he played a significant role in the Great Droid Revolution, revealing a little-known Force power that allowed a Jedi to disable a droid's internal mechanisms using the Force. As the watchman of the Onderon system, Arca Jeth sent his three Padawans in his place to mediate the civil unrest on the system's namesake planet. When his apprentices proved unsuccessful, Master Arca intervened, utilizing the power of Jedi battle meditation to decisively defeat Queen Amanoa and her dark-side army. Arca and his apprentices once again battled the dark side, this time in the form of Amanoa's husband, King Ommin, and the spirit of Sith Lord Freedon Nadd. Arca and his Jedi eventually triumphed over Ommin and succeeded in cleansing Onderon of the darkness. Arca was also aware that Sith magic had escaped Onderon and taken root in the Empress Teta system. When the Jedi were summoned en masse to Deneba for a discussion regarding the darkness in the Tetan system, Arca adamantly opposed Ulic's plan to ally with the Krath.

Shayoto

Shayoto was a venerable Jedi Master who had lived through such galactic conflicts as the Gank Massacres of 4800 BBY and the Vultar Cataclysm nearly five hundred years later. Shayoto was also well-versed in the machinations of the Sith and fervently opposed Ulic Qel-Droma's intentions of joining the Krath. After being overlooked and nearly ignored by the assembly of Jedi, Shayoto was finally granted the opportunity to speak, with Arca Jeth yielding the floor to him. He then recounted previous conflicts such as the Great Hyperspace War and spoke of how his Master's Master had informed him of the Hundred-Year Darkness. From this ancient Jedi, Shayoto learned how the darksiders implemented their evil schemes, acting with utmost secrecy and striking only when their victims were most vulnerable. He cautioned Ulic and the assembly of Knights about the dangers and wiles of the dark side and how darksiders had successfully toppled entire civilizations in the past.

Behind the scenes

The Conclave at Deneba first appeared in Dark Lords of the Sith 3: Descent to the Dark Side, an issue of the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi comic series. The battle was conceived and written by Tom Veitch and Kevin J. Anderson, and was drawn by Chris Gossett. Veitch and Anderson chose to use the conclave as the setting for Arca Jeth's death, which served as a pivotal moment in Ulic Qel-Droma's fall to the dark side. The Conclave at Deneba was also featured in the Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith audio drama, with voice actors John Cygan (Ulic Qel-Droma), Glynnis Talken (Nomi Sunrider), and Jim Ward (Arca Jeth) providing a more detailed perspective on the established narrative. The warning about darksiders given to Ulic by Master Arca in the audio adaptation was delivered by Master Shayoto in the comic version.

The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia erroneously states that Exar Kun killed Vodo-Siosk Baas during the Conclave on Deneba, when in reality, Kun killed him following the battle of Coruscant.

The Star Wars Insider 26 article Straight from the Horse's Mouth places the Conclave at Deneba in 3996 BBY, rather than the established date of 3997 BBY. As Straight from the Horse's Mouth contradicts several other established dates, this article treats it as incorrect.