The Exiles, known as Jen'jidai in the Sith language, comprised twelve Dark Jedi. These individuals were banished by the Jedi Order to the Unknown Regions following the Hundred-Year Darkness. Ultimately, the Exiles established themselves on Korriban, where they subjugated the existing Sith Empire and supplanted it with their own, thereby founding the Sith Order to govern the region. Notable figures among the Exiles included Ajunta Pall, who held the rank of High General, XoXaan, a Marchioness and commander of the Black Legions, Remulus Dreypa, an Admiral with the title of Baron, as well as Karness Muur, and Sorzus Syn, all of whom were high-ranking commanders during their conflict with the Jedi.
The Hundred-Year Darkness concluded in 6900 BBY with the defeat of the Dark Jedi at the Battle of Corbos. The defeated Dark Jedi were then forced onto an unarmed galleon and banished beyond the boundaries of explored space.
Sorzus Syn guided the Exiles through the treacherous Stygian Caldera. Syn had dedicated years to gathering information about the fabled Kingdom of the Sith. Eventually, they discovered Korriban, a world deeply connected to the dark side of the Force and the native land of the Sith species. Upon their arrival, the Exiles impressed the Sith with their mastery of the dark side, leading the Sith to call them the Jen'jidai. To gain favor with Sith King Hakagram Graush, the Exiles formed an alliance with the Shadow Hand. However, their leader, Ajunta Pall, swiftly executed Graush. Having seized control, they declared themselves Lords of the Sith, with Pall assuming the title of Jen'ari, signifying Dark Lord of the Sith.
However, some Exiles were impatient and dissatisfied with merely ruling the Sith and waiting to consolidate their power. Within a year, some Dark Jedi ventured back into Republic space to attack the Jedi. These hasty actions alerted the Republic and its defenders that some Exiles had survived and were now in control of a region known as Sith Space. Those who stayed on Korriban employed their alchemical skills to merge their DNA with that of the Sith, ensuring their legacy would continue through the Sith species. After taking over Korriban, the Exiles reorganized themselves into the Sith Order and established the Sith Empire.