Crystal Cave

Description

Encompassed by Ilum's largest mountain range, the Crystal Caves presented a labyrinthine network of twisting tunnels, seemingly bottomless abysses, and constricting passageways, potentially stretching tens of thousands of kilometers. These intricate pathways snaked through the core of the mountains and plunged far beneath the planet's surface. Despite their critical role for the Jedi Order over millennia of mining, the total expanse of the caves remained an enigma. The Jedi meticulously charted the paths closest to the entrance, but beyond this lay a complex web of dead-ends, chasms, and perplexing, meandering routes. The primary Jedi Temple facility on Ilum was erected at the largest natural opening to these caves. The cave's interior was composed of a naturally glossy black stone, a type of volcanic rock that absorbed light rather than reflecting it. As the Jedi Order evolved and expanded, Jedi who visited the cave recorded their experiences on the walls. A diverse assortment of Adegan crystals flourished freely on the tunnels' walls, floors, and ceilings, easily extractable by hand or with simple digging tools. In certain areas, these crystals were so abundant they covered the ground.

The caves themselves served as a potent focal point for Force energy, forming a vergence within the Force. The sheer intensity of the Force within the confined spaces of the caves induced a disorienting effect, causing significant distress to most who ventured deep within. Many who entered experienced intense hallucinations, and occasionally, Jedi were permanently lost within the darkness. Another common effect within the caves, particularly for young Jedi seeking their first lightsaber crystal, was the masking of crystal presences. Padawans would navigate the tunnels, guided by the Force, towards the crystal that resonated with them, with only that specific crystal being visible.

History

Around 22,800 BBY, scouts from the Jedi Order discovered the icy world of Ilum. They found it to be home to numerous concealed caches where crystals grew naturally. These crystals, highly valued for their use as focusing lenses in the Order's symbolic weapon, the lightsaber, prompted the Jedi to establish a Temple and training facility at the entrance to these caves. This allowed members of the Order to mine the rare kathracite, mephite, and pontite crystals.

During the Great Galactic War between the Republic and the resurgent Sith Empire, the Empire seized control of the caves in a swift battle. As the Empire began stationing troops on the planet, the Temple became inaccessible. Due to limited resources, the Order was unable to reclaim it for more than a decade. Following the Sith Empire's defeat, the Order reestablished their Temple on Ilum and maintained a small Jedi presence to safeguard their prized crystals.

Several millennia later, during the Clone Wars, a devastating conflict between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Caves were once again rendered inaccessible. In a skirmish between Confederate probe droids and Jedi, bombs were planted throughout the Temple, damaging the cave entrance. Following this attack, the Jedi High Council concluded that the coordinates to the secret Jedi world had been compromised. The Council ordered the harvesting of all crystals, which were then transported to the Coruscant Jedi Temple for safekeeping. Despite this, Jedi Initiates continued to be brought to the Crystal Caves to find their lightsaber crystals in the ritual known as The Gathering.

As Order 66 was enacted by the Grand Army of the Republic, leading to the systematic destruction of the Order, the Galactic Empire seized Ilum's valuable crystal caves. By blocking access to the Temple at the cave's entrance, the subterranean depths became largely unreachable. In the months after the Great Jedi Purge, two surviving Jedi, Fy-Tor-Ana and Garen Muln sought sanctuary within the Crystal Caves. Fy-Tor-Ana eventually departed for Coruscant, while Muln remained. Ferus Olin later rescued Muln a few months after.