Katarn family compound

History

The family had owned the compound for an extended period, predating Kyle Katarn's birth. Following the passing of Patricia, the workshop became the central hub of the homestead. It was in this space that Morgan Katarn dedicated considerable time with his son, Kyle.

Morgan constructed the kitchen counters using stones sourced from a quarry situated north of the estate. Around 1 BBY, he integrated a complex map leading to the Valley of the Jedi into the ceiling of his workshop, following the instructions provided by the Jedi Qu Rahn.

During the Subjugation of Sulon, the Ghost Battalion invaded the house with the intention of capturing Morgan. However, he was outside at the time and only saw them leaving. Brazack, Koyo, and Santo forced open the workshop door and deployed an Anti-Personnel Grenade to incapacitate WeeGee. Subsequently, the Imperial commandos thoroughly looted the house and set it ablaze before departing. Fortunately, the house was saved by its sprinkler system. In the aftermath, individuals seeking to profit from Katarn's death arrived to steal. Over the subsequent four years, others trespassed, defacing the walls with graffiti, pilfering Morgan's tools, and turning the living room into a makeshift campsite filled with refuse. WeeGee remained disabled and covered in plaster.

Years later, during Jerec's pursuit of the Valley, 8t88, an agent of Jerec, conducted a search of the house and discovered several holodiscs previously owned by Morgan. Most of these discs contained information related to farming or agriculture, or were family recordings. However, he also found one that was encrypted. Unable to decipher it, he lured Morgan's son, Kyle, to Rimmer's Rest. Instead of cooperating, Katarn retrieved the disc for himself. Meanwhile, Jerec had used probed Rahn's mind, learning of the map's existence. He dispatched Sariss, Yun, and Boc to investigate. They located the map and removed the workshop's roof. Several corridors, including the one leading to the workshop, were collapsed by remnant forces. Maw positioned Grave Tuskens in and around the complex to impede anyone visiting the compound before Jerec reached the Valley of the Jedi.

Kyle's return

As the Dark Jedi departed, Kyle returned to the compound and battled his way through the Grave Tuskens to reach his father's workshop. Inside, he found the family droid WeeGee, which he reactivated, a message from his father concerning the Valley of the Jedi, and Qu Rahn's lightsaber, which had been left for him.

He later returned with Rebel operative Jan Ors and WeeGee to locate equipment needed to connect to the severed head of the droid 8t88. By doing so, they were able to view a digital version of the map to the Valley of the Jedi. Overjoyed, he embraced Jan, and they shared their first kiss before apologizing. Kyle then admitted that this place was where he had left his heart, and it was the right place to have feelings again. At that moment, an X-wing landed outside, carrying Luke Skywalker, who came to check on their investigation of the Map. He confirmed that Kyle's training was complete and, as a Jedi Knight, he should proceed to Ruusan and fulfill the Poem of Ages.

Once Luke and, subsequently, the agent duo departed to continue their quest for Ruusan, the home was once again abandoned.

Layout

Approximately half of the house was constructed underground to conserve resources and provide insulation, and it was surrounded by earth.

The compound comprised multiple interconnected structures, some of which were integrated into the natural landscape. These structures contained rooms such as a kitchen, living room, courtyard, workshop, and garage. The house was built around a small waterfall, providing the compound with a private dam and water reservoir. The compound's power was supplied by a live battery trench, a pool filled with battery acid.

The kitchen had a back door, and its counters were made of stone from the quarry north of the estate. The Map to the Valley of the Jedi was also crafted from stone from the same quarry.

While Morgan lived alone, the living room remained largely unused and neglected. The workshop, where Morgan, an agro-tech mechanic, spent most of his time, was filled with tools, blueprints, schematics, and monitors. After his death, most of his tools were stolen.

The complex was equipped with numerous data ports, allowing Wee Gee to connect and monitor the entire farm. The household computer controlled various facilities within the house, including the sprinkler system, which was fed by the Tap Tree.

Behind the scenes

In Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, levels 3 ("The Return Home to Sulon") and 4 ("The Jedi's Lightsaber") take place both inside and outside the Katarn family compound. Despite the novellas' portrayal of the Katarns as not particularly wealthy, the Katarn estate, as depicted in the game, is actually quite extensive. The compound includes numerous rooms, and the irrigation system appears to span for miles. The name Katarn family compound was first used in the Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II: The Official Strategy Guide.