Strand-Cast

Strandcasts represented genetically engineered entities, a specific type of clone that was described as an "artificial genetic construct." They came into being through a version of the cloning process known as Strand-Casting. By incorporating genes from other organisms into a base template, the original host's genetic code underwent significant alteration, leading to the creation of modified clones that were "not-quite-identical," referred to as strandcasts. Despite their origins, strandcasts retained the capacity for independent decision-making.

The Strand-Casting process was known to induce various genetic defects, resulting in flawed and unhealthy specimens. This led to a high mortality rate, with the majority of Darth Sidious' modified clones failing to survive. A major drawback of this genetic technology was that utilizing a base template from a specimen with desired traits, such as Force-sensitivity, did not automatically guarantee that the resulting strandcast would express those traits, like a connection to the Force. However, at least concerning Force-sensitivity, it was possible to intentionally create a strandcast with substantial Force powers. A strandcast could also be replicated to produce multiple genetic copies.

Strandcasts were cultivated within gene farms. The Sith Citadel, an ancient fortress situated on the planet Exegol within the Unknown Regions, housed numerous vats containing Force-sensitive strandcasts that were the result of Darth Sidious' experiments. Sidious, the Sith Lord who ruled the galaxy as Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine, had long sought immortality and aimed to transfer his consciousness into a new body should his original one die. The artificial beings he created existed in constant agony. Around 3 ABY or 4 ABY, Darth Vader, Sidious' Sith apprentice, uncovered this program. While Vader defeated a group of his Sith Master's Tanker creations, Sidious asserted that any of them could replace his apprentice.

Around 9 ABY, Din Djarin, a Mandalorian bounty hunter, became the protector of Grogu, a mysterious alien foundling with a strong connection to the Force. Djarin considered that the child might be a strandcast. Kuiil, an Ugnaught who worked in the gene farms, believed Grogu looked too evolved and "too ugly" to be a genetic construct.

Darth Sidious was brought back to life on Exegol, his consciousness inhabiting a clone after his original body was destroyed during the Battle of Endor. The cloned body resulted from cloning methods employed by the Sith Eternal cult. Despite his resurrection, the Emperor's host body was unable to handle his connection to the dark side of the Force, leading to its rapid deterioration. Sidious was stuck in a decaying form and confined to Exegol. Further genetic research by the Emperor's Sith cultists led to the artificial genetic strandcast known as Snoke. Although Snoke had a strong connection to the Force, Sidious did not consider him a suitable host for his consciousness. Instead, he decided to use Snoke as a proxy for the Sith, a symbolic Supreme Leader through whom he could govern the First Order, which had emerged from a remnant of the Galactic Empire. Following Snoke's creation, Sidious utilized Snoke's unique DNA to produce several clones of him. These clones were Snoke's "brothers," kept in hibernation within tanks filled with nutrient fluid.

Snoke, a towering humanoid, was physically weak but strong in the Force, particularly the dark side. Denying any connection to the ancient Sith Order, Snoke, possibly unaware of his origins, possessed independent thought while still being influenced by his creator. Besides controlling the First Order, Snoke's purpose was to train Kylo Ren, the grandson of the Sith Lord Darth Vader. This allowed Sidious to bypass the tradition of a Sith apprentice rising through the death of their Sith Master. By being Ren's master, Snoke groomed the young Force warrior to become an heir to the Sith legacy, shaping him into a master of attack and cunning. When Snoke died at the hands of his apprentice, he fulfilled his purpose as intended by the cultists who created him. After Snoke served his purpose, Sidious discarded Snoke's clones, cutting off their life support and leaving their corpses to drift in the tanks. When Ren arrived on Exegol and discovered the deceased clones of his master, and after learning Snoke's true origins, Ren lost respect for his former master and felt justified in usurping the title of Supreme Leader. Sidious disposed of the bodies of Snoke's clones shortly after meeting with Kylo Ren.

Further Strand-Casting attempts by the Sith Eternal resulted in a series of altered clones, created from Darth Sidious' genetic material with cells from various other specimens. However, as before, the cultists failed to produce a host body capable of containing the Emperor's spirit due to its strong connection to the dark side. Only one strandcast survived the cloning process that killed the other clone bodies. This sole survivor was biologically human, an offshoot of the Emperor's genetic experiments. He was in excellent health but lacked any connection to the Force. The cloned strandcast's "father" scorned him for his ordinariness. Although Sidious acknowledged their blood relation, he still rejected his "son," referring to him as "it" and a "useless creature."

The Emperor considered his son an unworthy heir but allowed him to live due to his biological link to the Palpatine bloodline. Sidious believed that while his scientific experiments had failed to create a suitable Force-sensitive host, an heir could still be created through natural means. Sidious' granddaughter, Rey, was born in 15 ABY. Unlike her powerless father, she was born with a strong connection to the Force, like her grandfather. While Sidious had not anticipated his son's marriage to the woman who bore Rey, he saw an opportunity in his granddaughter to ensure his legacy's survival, deeming her the genetic heir to a new Sith Empire.

Sidious was determined to possess her before his cloned body completely deteriorated, but his son escaped into hiding with his wife and daughter. The strandcast, rejected by Sidious as a son, rejected his father in return. The assassin Ochi tracked the strandcast to the desert world of Jakku and killed him at Sidious' command, but failed to find Rey.