Star Map

The Star Charts were created as monuments to commemorate the vastness and power of the Rakatan Infinite Empire. Consequently, the Charts contained details about planets and other significant locations under the Empire's dominion. Most notably, the Charts indicated the position of the Star Forge, a gigantic space station that functioned as a high-volume manufacturing center capable of producing war materials at an incredible pace. The Charts also possessed technology that allowed them to repair any damage they sustained. Despite the ancient Rakata's attempts to erase the information stored within the Charts, to prevent their former slaves from discovering their homeworld and seeking vengeance, these integrated repair mechanisms eventually restored the structures and the data they contained.

The Star Map was essentially a holographic image-based database housed within a self-supporting structure with three legs. While the Map itself was a standalone unit, it could be linked to other devices, such as a computer terminal. Three "arms" etched with runes extended from the base; these armatures unfolded when the Map was activated. As the arms locked into position, the base of the structure opened, releasing a projector orb. This orb would then rise from within the base and project a holographic representation of the galaxy. This image highlighted key locations within the Infinite Empire, showcasing the extent of Rakatan influence and control.

Like other Rakatan technologies, the Star Maps were infused with the power of the dark side of the Force. Each Map had unique activation methods, but all of them could only be activated by individuals strong in the Force. Even those with Force abilities had to overcome the security measures protecting some of the Maps. For example, the Maps on Dantooine and Kashyyyk were guarded by defense droids and computer systems that tested the mental and physical capabilities of those seeking their secrets. Those deemed unworthy were rejected as "false" and overwhelmed by these defense systems, often resulting in death.

As the Infinite Empire expanded, conquering more and more worlds, the demand for military supplies increased. Starships and weaponry were needed to equip soldiers for combat and to maintain control over subjugated populations. To meet this demand, the Rakata constructed the Star Forge. This massive space station and manufacturing complex was regarded as the Rakata's greatest achievement, but its use came at a significant cost, corrupting those who wielded its power. The Star Forge was powered by the primary star in the Lehon system, but its role as a tool of conquest and domination steeped it in the dark side of the Force.

As the Infinite Empire expanded its reach, Star Maps were created as tributes to the Star Forge. These Maps were placed on at least five planets, although it is possible that more existed. The Star Maps depicted the extent of the Infinite Empire and revealed the location of its greatest achievement. Some of the Maps, such as the one on Dantooine, were housed within temples dedicated to the Star Forge. Others, like the Map on Kashyyyk, were connected to computer systems but not placed within temples or monuments.

However, the Infinite Empire eventually began to decline, and more and more worlds began to rebel. To protect their creation and keep it secret, the retreating Rakata sabotaged the Star Maps and their accompanying information droids, attempting to erase all vital data. The Star Maps were temporarily rendered useless, and the location of both the Star Forge and the Lehon system was concealed. However, the technology began to self-repair, gradually restoring some of the deleted information. Other information, such as data concerning the Rakata, remained corrupted and inaccessible upon the rediscovery of the Maps.

By approximately 4000 BBY, the Rakata and their Empire had been forgotten by the inhabitants of the Galactic Republic. Some planets, such as the Rakatan homeworld of Lehon, had faded from the memory of the galactic community by that time. The ruins of various monuments and temples scattered across the galaxy served as the only surviving legacy of the Infinite Empire.

Around the end of the Mandalorian Wars, two Jedi Knights, Revan and Malak, uncovered evidence of the existence of the Star Maps and the Star Forge. As Revan and Malak succumbed to the dark side, they continued to lead the Republic fleet against the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders. During preparations for a battle near Malachor V, it is believed that Revan visited the Trayus Academy and learned about the Maps. Following the Battle of Malachor V, Revan took his fleet and disappeared into the Unknown Regions under the pretense of eliminating the remaining Mandalorians. However, during this time, Revan and Malak encountered the reborn Sith Empire on Dromund Kaas. Embracing their cause to reclaim Republic space, the Sith Lords gathered resources and sought out the Star Maps in order to locate the Star Forge.

Although the Star Maps had been sabotaged by the Rakata during the decline of their Empire, they had begun to repair themselves due to their advanced construction. The restored data was limited in scope. As a result, Darth Revan had to travel to multiple systems, visiting the Star Maps on Dantooine, Kashyyyk, Korriban on at least two occasions, Manaan and Tatooine. By the time of their rediscovery, enough data could be compiled to reveal the Star Forge's coordinates when combined.

Upon arriving at each planet, Revan and Malak faced various challenges to acquire the Map information. On some planets, computers or droids resisted their efforts. On others, such as Korriban, the Map was found in the Tomb of Naga Sadow and protected by the tomb's ancient defenses. Nevertheless, the pair succeeded in gathering enough information to trace the Star Forge to the Lehon system. After gaining favor with the Rakatan Elders, Revan and Malak were granted access to the Temple of the Ancients and the Star Forge. With the Star Forge under their control, the Sith Empire, founded by Revan and Malak, was able to amass vast quantities of starships, battle cruisers, battle droids and other weapons to conquer the weakened Republic.

At this time, however, the Maps would remain relatively unknown to the broader galaxy. The ruins on Dantooine were investigated by the Jedi Nemo in 3956 BBY. However, Nemo was killed by the ancient security measures before he could access the room housing the Map. The Map on Manaan was discovered by kolto harvesters, but it also remained unopened. Similarly, the Star Map on Kashyyyk had not been accessed, although it had been discovered by the exiled Jedi Jolee Bindo and other explorers in the Shadowlands who were either hunters or employees of the Czerka Corporation.

The new power created by the Star Forge was combined with Jedi who had fallen during the Battle of Malachor V, as well as soldiers and officers of the Republic fleet who defected to serve under Revan. In 3959 BBY, the first major victory for the Sith Empire was the surprise attack on the drydocks and shipyards of Foerost, inflicting a significant blow to the remaining Republic Navy. Initially, the Republic, weakened by the Mandalorian Wars, was overwhelmed by the advancing Sith Empire. Under the command of Darth Revan, the advancing fleet quickly swept through the galaxy unopposed.

Approximately two years after the devastation of Telos IV, the Republic assigned a small team of Jedi to board Darth Revan's command ship and capture the Dark Lord. During the battle aboard the ship, Darth Malak saw an opportunity to seize the mantle of Sith Master. He ordered his vessel to fire upon Revan's ship, leaving him unconscious and near death. One of the Jedi, Bastila Shan, used the Force to prevent Revan from dying and brought him before the Jedi Council.

Eventually, the amnesiac Revan, whose mind had been reprogrammed by the Council, began training as a Jedi once more. Not remembering the secrets of how the Sith Empire had amassed such power, Revan was asked to investigate the ancient ruins near the Jedi Enclave. In 3956 BBY, Revan explored the ruins, rediscovering the Star Map as he had years before. Armed with this new information, and at the Council's direction on Dantooine, the redeemed Revan once again embarked on the quest for the Star Maps. Joined by Bastila Shan and Carth Onasi, among others, Revan sought to retrace his previous steps. Finally, after visiting Kashyyyk, Korriban, Manaan, and Tatooine, Revan was able to trace the Star Forge to the Lehon system and set out to destroy it.

One of the first Star Maps discovered by Darth Revan and his apprentice, Darth Malak, was located on Dantooine within the ancient ruins situated near the Jedi Enclave. Following the Mandalorian Wars, the pair visited these ruins to locate the Star Map. Before their initial entry into the depths of the ruins, Malak questioned Revan's certainty about their chosen path. After a moment of consideration, Revan unsealed the doors. At the time of Revan's arrival during the Mandalorian Wars, this Map was the most complete in terms of the data it contained.

Several years later, when the amnesiac Revan, accompanied by Bastila, re-entered the ruins, an information droid stationed in the main room provided instructions on how to reach the Star Map. Access to the main chamber, located directly ahead, was granted only by completing the puzzles found in the two rooms situated to the right and left. These two rooms contained ancient computer terminals protected by security droids; the ancient droids immediately attacked the party, but they were able to solve the puzzles in these rooms and enter the main chamber housing the Star Map.

Connected to an ancient computer terminal, this Star Map was located on the surface of Kashyyyk. Due to a malfunction in the computer system in the preceding years, the native wroshyr trees grew to an immense size, transforming the planet's surface into a wilderness of wild beasts and other creatures known as the Shadowlands. During his exile in the Shadowlands, Jedi Knight Jolee Bindo encountered the Star Map but was unable to access it despite his numerous attempts. Wookiee Chieftain Freyyr was also unable to access the device. After venturing deep into the Shadowlands on a mission for Chuundar, the amnesiac Revan learned of the device's existence. Revan, who had accessed the device years earlier during his search with Darth Malak, was able to access it again in 3956 BBY. During the encounter with the computer terminal, Jolee Bindo expressed surprise that the computer recognized Revan and that he was able to access the attached Map.

Located in the Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban, this Star Map was situated within the unused tomb constructed for the ancient Dark Lord of the Sith Naga Sadow. Although Sadow lived millennia after the fall of the Infinite Empire, the Map was located in a room of the burial construct whose access was obstructed by a pool of acid. While it is said that Revan and Malak visited Korriban twice, it is unknown if the Map was accessed both times. Nevertheless, once the Star Forge was under their command, reaching the Star Map—along with withstanding the other challenges of the tomb—became an important initiation rite for promising students of the Sith Academy on Korriban.

To access the Map again, Revan, having been redeemed, had to temporarily join the Academy and perform various tasks to gain prestige with Sith Master Uthar Wynn. After completing these tasks, Wynn considered Revan to be a promising pupil and a potential candidate for further Dark Jedi training. Once granted access to the tomb, Revan had to overcome the tomb's defenses as well as fauna that had taken over the lair. Among the creatures in the tomb were two terentateks. After using special grenades to neutralize the effects of the acid pool, Revan crossed it and accessed the Map.

The Star Map on Manaan, a water world, was located beneath the watery surface along the Hrakert Rift. It is unknown how Revan and Malak initially discovered or reached the ancient artifact, but it was rediscovered by kolto harvesters working for the Republic during the Jedi Civil War. After the harvesters encountered an "obstruction" while attempting to tap into the kolto, the redeemed Revan arrived on Manaan with the crew of the Ebon Hawk. After performing some tasks for Roland Wann, the head diplomat of the Republic Embassy, he was granted access to the harvesting station via submersible. However, blocking the route to the Map was the Progenitor, a giant firaxan shark responsible for a recent insurrection by the Selkath at the harvesting station. To appease the beast, the portion of the harvesting station extending into the rift had to be destroyed. With the station no longer interfering with the natural cycle of the kolto, the Progenitor allowed Revan to cross the rift and access the Map. At this point, the Map was not protected by ancient droids or visibly near an ancient building.

On Tatooine, the Star Map was placed inside an ancient Rakatan temple that had been reduced to ruins by the time of Revan and Malak. The ruins were located in the Eastern Dune Sea, a vast and hostile desert expanse. By the time the redeemed Revan visited the ruins in 3956 BBY, a krayt dragon had made its lair there, making access to the Star Map difficult. The krayt dragon may have been drawn to the dark side energies emanating from the Map. The dragon was eventually killed by Revan, with the assistance of Komad Fortuna, allowing access to the Map. The Map was not connected to any computer systems or security droids at the time of this visit.

The Star Maps first appeared in the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. They function as a key plot element; the player must obtain the coordinates contained within the Maps to reach the Lehon system and locate the Star Forge.

In the gameplay of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Star Maps—excluding the Map on Dantooine—can be acquired in any order. The order of Maps listed in this article is alphabetical and does not indicate the canonical order in which the Maps were acquired.

The player has the option of embracing the dark side during the game. By doing so, the player uses the Star Maps to reclaim the Star Forge from Darth Malak. As a result, Revan is crowned the true Dark Lord of the Sith during a ceremony at the Temple of the Ancients. Choosing the dark-side path throughout the game does not affect the ability to access the Maps, except for player interaction with the computer terminal on Kashyyyk, where correctly answering the questions posed by the AI guarding the Star Map earns Dark Side points.

When the player discovers the fifth and final Star Map, its animation will be different. The map will initially open normally, but then the outlines and most of the schematics will disappear, leaving six hovering points with various pre-Aurebesh letters flickering above them. Red triangles will flicker between these points until two triangles on opposite ends of the Map turn green, and a blue line consisting of small separated rectangles connects the two green triangles. These triangles, points, and the line disappear after a few seconds, and then a large star appears in the center. It is surrounded by a transparent sphere divided into grids, which is surrounded by four dotted lines forming circles arranged to resemble a solar system. Another large blue line of divided rectangles starts at the edge of the hologram and works its way around the star, ending at a small object in the line closest to the star, which is shaped like a steep upside-down pyramid pointing down at the star it orbits and has more small dotted lines forming circles around it. This is likely a map of the Lehon system, with the star representing the system's sun, Abo, and the outer three rings representing the orbits of the 3 closest planets from the sun (Iwar, Meldina, and Taxiode, in order from first to third from the sun). The closest ring around the star contains the pyramid-shaped object, which likely represents the Star Forge.