Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 1 represents the inaugural issue of the Star Wars Legends comic book miniseries entitled Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith. This issue was penned by Tom Veitch and Kevin J. Anderson, with illustrations provided by Chris Gossett, and initially saw publication on October 1, 1994 through Dark Horse Comics.
The narrative of this issue, titled "Masters and Students of the Force," primarily centers around the Jedi Exar Kun as he uncovers concealed knowledge pertaining to the Sith and the fallen Jedi Freedon Nadd.
Within the far-flung territories of the Star Wars galaxy, a long-dormant and perilous force has been inadvertently awakened by a naive and conceited young Jedi. He will embark on a journey to attain the title of Dark Lord of the Sith, thereby placing the entire galaxy under the shadow of his impending power.
On the planet of Dantooine, Exar Kun, a Jedi apprentice, is engrossed in listening to his master's holocron as it recounts the tale of Naga Sadow, a Sith sorcerer. Sadow managed to evade Republic gunships by skillfully manipulating solar flares emanating from the Denarii Nova, resulting in the destruction of the Republic gunships and, consequently, the obliteration of the entire star system. Kun's curiosity is piqued by the Dark Lords of the Sith and Dark Jedi, figures like Freedon Nadd, a matter that deeply concerns his master, Vodo-Siosk Baas.
Before Kun can delve into the story of Freedon Nadd, Master Vodo commands him to cease using the holocron, asserting that such knowledge is reserved exclusively for Jedi Masters. Despite Kun's confidence, stemming from his near completion of lightsaber training, Vodo cautions him that a Jedi's education is a lifelong pursuit. He directs Kun to prepare for lightsaber practice with fellow students Crado and Sylvar.
Within the Empress Teta system, Lord Keto is conducting an inspection of a carbonite outpost to strengthen connections with the Carbonite Guild. However, his inspection is disrupted by the arrival of the Royal Tutor Korus, Aleema Keto, Satal Keto, and four additional young royals. The younger Keto siblings had established a clandestine dark side society known as the Krath, which engaged in Sith magic.
When Lord Keto demands an explanation, Korus opens his mouth, revealing a dark side illusion. The Krath employ these illusions to overwhelm the Mining Guild officials and Lord Keto's guards, rendering them catatonic. The Krath then proceed to immerse Lord Keto in a vat of molten carbonite, carefully dipping him to create a frieze. Subsequently, the Krath initiate a political uprising, executing numerous dissidents using the same method.
While dining above the head of Minister Halkans, Satal suggests the obliteration of several cities on Kirrek, while Aleema boasts about torturing and humiliating descendants. Korus, a disfigured former Tutor, has been reduced to servitude. When he accidentally spills a flask of wine, Aleema incinerates him using Sith magic. Satal remarks that it is time for their aging fathers and teachers to yield to the new generation and requests that another servant be dispatched with more wine.
On the planet Onderon, the Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma, Nomi Sunrider, Dace Diath, Tott Doneeta, and Qrrrl Toq are enjoying a respite by learning to ride Drexl beasts. Their leisure is interrupted by Jedi Master Arca Jeth, who informs them of the political upheaval in the Empress Teta system. The Jedi discover that the coup's orchestrators, Satal and Aleema, had visited Onderon during the Freedon Nadd Uprising and established contact with King Ommin.
As the Jedi and Republic mobilize forces to rescue the Tetan worlds from the Krath, Master Arca assigns Dace, Qrrl Toq, and Oss Wilum the task of briefing Jedi and Republic leaders on the planet Ossus about their observations on Onderon. Arca intends to instruct Nomi in the art of battle meditation and plans to dispatch her and Ulic to the Empress Teta system to spearhead the Jedi intervention.
While preparing Sith artifacts for shipment to the Jedi Archives on Ossus, Ulic encounters a Force ghost of the Sith Lord Freedon Nadd, who proclaims that the Sith are destined to rise again and asserts that Ulic will be among the great ones. Nadd also foresees the emergence of another one even more significant than Ulic.
Back on Dantooine, Exar Kun engages in parrying practice with Crado under Master Vodo's guidance. The arrogant Kun defeats Crado in combat, and the two exchange insults. Kun then duels Crado's mate, Sylvar. When Kun provokes her with xenophobic remarks, Sylvar succumbs to her rage and scratches Kun's cheek. Kun retaliates and challenges her to a fight.
Before the enraged Kun can strike her down, Master Vodo intervenes, restraining him and cautioning him against succumbing to anger. Vodo questions Kun if his lightsaber makes him a greater warrior than his master. Kun responds that Vodo remains the master, but he only knows his own capabilities. Crado incites Kun by tossing him his lightsaber.
Kun challenges his master to a duel, but Master Vodo overpowers him with his wooden staff. Vodo attempts to assert his authority, but Kun uses the Force to retrieve another lightsaber and shatters Vodo's staff. As Sylvar assists Vodo to his feet, Vodo acknowledges Kun as the most formidable student he has ever trained. However, he senses something amiss within Kun and warns that Kun's heart is straying from the light side. Kun retorts that only he knows his own heart.
In this issue, Naga Sadow is depicted as having a Human appearance and is described as "a member of an elite priesthood, of pure Sith blood" who rebelled against the Dark Lords of the Sith descended from the human Exiles that conquered them. This portrayal was later retconned in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Golden Age of the Sith, where Sadow was established as a Sith species/Human hybrid with predominantly human blood and a Dark Lord of the Sith himself, while his primary rival, Ludo Kressh, was predominantly of Sith blood.
- (No UPC) ; October 1 , 1994 ; Dark Horse Comics ; First printing [1]
- (No UPC) ; November 10 , 2015 ; Marvel Comics ; Digital edition [3]