Revan



Revan, renowned as "the Revanchist" and dreaded as Darth Revan, was an eminent Jedi Knight turned conquering Dark Lord of the Sith until, stripped of his true persona, he returned to the crumbling Jedi Order and helped defeat the Sith Empire. A human of unknown origins, he was trained as a Padawan by Kreia and a number of other Jedi Masters, both on Coruscant and at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. Acknowledged as a very gifted pupil, by 3,964 BBY he was a Jedi Knight respected enough to amass a notable following that argued for Jedi intervention in the Mandalorian Wars. Though opposed in this by the Jedi Council itself, Revan could not be dissuaded. Revealing the horror of the Mandalorians' genocide of the Cathar, Revan bolstered his support base and then quickly circumvented the Council, exploiting a technicality that forced it to begrudgingly "sanction" the intervention he desired. With the Council sidelined, the charismatic young Jedi and his closest friend, Malak, were able to recruit and lead a faction of Jedi Order to war without fear of reprisal. A talented military tactician and strategist, Revan directed the Galactic Republic to victory after assuming command of its forces in 3,961 BBY, finally ending the conflict the following year with the defeat and execution of Mandalore the Ultimate, the destruction of Malachor V and the disarmament of the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders. Yet in the wake of this triumph, Revan, his loyal Jedi followers, and the third of the Republic fleet that remained under his direct control ventured into the Unknown Regions and ceased all communications with the known galaxy.

Having embraced the seductive Sith teachings he encountered at the Trayus Academy on Malachor V, Revan tracked down ancient Rakatan Star Maps in pursuit of the Star Forge, a superweapon of the Infinite Empire. Succeeding in this, he returned to the civilization he had left behind openly as Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith. Commanding the continued obedience of many veterans of the Mandalorian Wars, and alongside the man who was now his Sith apprentice, Darth Malak, Revan betrayed the Jedi, turned against the Republic, and plunged the known galaxy into the Jedi Civil War. Utilizing the Star Forge to spawn an immense armada, Revan cut a carefully calculated path of conquest through the Outer Rim, establishing a powerful Sith Empire to which new converts regularly flocked. Though the Republic staved off total defeat for two years, thanks to the extraordinary battle meditation of the gifted Jedi Bastila Shan, Revan's ultimate triumph seemed inevitable until he and Malak were ensnared by a Jedi trap. As a Republic fleet engaged that of the two ruling Sith, a strike team led by Shan boarded Revan's flagship and battled its way to the Dark Lord. Moments before the Jedi engaged Revan in combat, however, Malak—sensing an opportunity to be rid of both the Jedi and the Master whose power he coveted—had his own vessel open fire on the distracted Sith Lord's bridge. Caught by surprise, Revan was incapacitated by Malak's attack and then captured by the strike team while his traitorous apprentice, believing his Master destroyed, seized control of the Sith Empire.

His mind shattered, his memories scattered, and soon thought dead by the galaxy–at–large, Revan's life was preserved by none other than Shan, an act that forged a Force bond between them. Either unable or unwilling to restore their prisoner's true self, but requiring the knowledge buried within his mind, the Jedi Council used the Force to rebuild Revan with a new identity loyal to the Republic. Almost one year later, after Revan, still oblivious to his true past, rescued the captive Shan alongside Commander Carth Onasi and an eclectic band of allies on Taris, the Jedi Council on Dantooine opted to retrain him. Reawakening to his former skills and charged with unearthing the source of Malak's colossal fleet, Revan and his loyal comrades thwarted all obstacles and adversaries as he and Shan were guided by shared "visions"—in truth Revan's own memories—to the Star Maps on Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban. In the midst of this odyssey, the group was ensnared by Admiral Saul Karath, commander of the Sith fleet, and imprisoned aboard the Leviathan. Though Revan and his friends escaped, killing Karath along the way, Darth Malak confronted his former Master, revealed his true identity and ultimately recaptured Shan, the woman Revan had come to love. Continuing in the face of this loss, Revan and his allies successfully discovered the final Star Map and the location of the Star Forge. There, in the Rakata System, Revan allied himself with Shan and vanquished the reigning Dark Lord, playing his part in the battle that brought the war he had instigated to a close. A year onward, Revan—with more memories returning—left the known galaxy behind on a solitary quest against the "true" Sith. As of 3,623 BBY, he was thought to have never returned.

Early life

 * "Some said that Revan was born in the Outer Regions, beyond the Rim, and that's what called to him during the Mandalorian Wars… and after. It was the call of home."
 * ―Kreia [src]

The exact details of Revan's early life cannot be ascertained. Though there were some that claimed he had been born beyond the Outer Rim Territories, his parentage and homeworld remain unknown.[6] Regardless, he was eventually deemed suitable for instruction in the ways of the Force by the Jedi Order.

Jedi training
Three of Revan's many teachers.:"Revan had many Masters, Zhar, Dorak, Master Kae before Kae left for the Wars. Towards the end of his training, he sought out many to learn techniques. It is said that he returned to his first Master at the end of his training, in order to learn how he might best leave the order."
 * ―Mical [src]

By the Jedi Master Kreia's account, it was she who undertook Revan's initial instruction in the Jedi Arts[6] and, along with his closest friend Alek, Revan was trained both on Coruscant[5] and at the Jedi Academy on Dantooine.[7] Though both Revan and Alek would visit Twi'lek Jedi Master Zhar Lestin for additional training, the elder Jedi noted Revan's "insatiable" desire for knowledge in particular. At the time, he dismissed it as mere exuberance and eagerness, believing the youth to be a future champion of the Jedi Order. Master Vrook Lamar, on the other hand, later claimed that Revan was perhaps too eager to learn more about the Force, and had sought knowledge of ancient "Sith magics."[5]

Revan was said to have left his first Master's tutelage entirely, going on to study beneath numerous Jedi Masters, including the aforementioned Lestin, as well as Master Dorak, the Jedi chronicler of the Dantooine Jedi Enclave[5], and Arren Kae. Some years later, the former Jedi Mical would claim that Revan had deeply studied the process of Force bonding, among other techniques, during this period. Eventually, however, it was said that Revan returned to his first Master Kreia when "he realized there was nothing more to be learned from the Jedi—except how one could leave them forever."[6] By 3,956 BBY, the general consensus amongst the Jedi Masters on Dantooine was that, though a very promising Padawan, Revan had been headstrong, proud and far too quick to dismiss the dangerous lure of the dark side.[5]

Some time before 3,963 BBY, Revan, along with Squinquargesimus, attained the rank of Jedi Knight.[8]

The Revanchist

 * "Who I am is not important—my message is."
 * ―Revan [src]

The Revanchist.During the early Outer Rim skirmishes between the Republic and Mandalorians, Revan—by this time a well known, powerful and charismatic Jedi Knight—moved throughout the Jedi Order, arguing his case for Jedi intervention. Though at first a lone voice among the Jedi, considered the "Jedi's own crusader" by the Republic media,[8] Revan gradually gathered something of a following. The first to be drawn to Revan's cause was his closest friend Alek Squinquargesimus, who then aided him in further recruitment.[9] Late into 3,964 BBY Revan, now considered the honorary "Master" of those who followed him—specifically Squinquargesimus,[8] made the decision to journey to the Mandalorian front against the Jedi Council's wishes, so as to scout out the enemy lines. On the way, he and his followers briefly stopped by Taris. An acquaintance of the Jedi Master Lucien Draay, Revan hoped to recruit more Jedi to his cause from the academy on the world, yet neither Draay or any of the other Jedi on the planet were willing, or allowed, to oblige.[10]

Sometime after leaving Taris, Revan left the majority of his followers on the planet Suurja while he investigated events on Onderon and Dxun. Though he reported his "disturbing" findings to the Jedi High Council shortly after the onset of the Mandalorian Wars proper, the Council told him yet again that there was "no place" for the Jedi Order in the war and sent him on a mission to rescue those of his followers that had been captured during the Fourth Battle of Suurja. As he departed the Council chambers, Revan encountered Lucien Draay once more and, after a brief conversation about an undefined "truth," he left to complete his task.[11] Alek and his "Master" sense a great disturbance in the Force.Ultimately, however, Revan's captive "learners" were saved from the experiments of the sadistic Demagol by the fugitve Jedi Padawan Zayne Carrick, who was framed by his former Master Lucien Draay for the Padawan Massacre of Taris,[12] and the rogue Mandalorian Rohlan Dyre.[13] Once reunited with his disciples, Revan's campaign for Jedi intervention in the war against the Mandalorians continued, albeit somewhat differently than before. Whereas his efforts had previously been considered a curiosity at best, in the context of a larger Mandalorian War he suddenly found himself a celebrity. As the Revanchist movement behind him grew, the Republic media cast Revan in the role of crusading savior, wrongfully ignored by the aloof High Council. Though first referred to as "the Revanchist Leader" in reports, it was not long before the young Jedi Knight was given a new, "snappier" moniker: the Revanchist.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_Handbook_7-3">[8]

Revan continued to travel the galaxy during this time, taking his message of Jedi intervention to all who would listen. During the Battle of Serroco, while on the planet Cathar alongside Squinquargesimus, he—along with many other Jedi across the galaxy—felt the deaths of thousands on Serroco as the Mandalorians rained nuclear warheads onto the surface. Doubled over in empathic pain, the most he could say to his best friend was: "I feel it!"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13">[14] A short time later, Revan was invited to bid on the exogorth superweapons that the leader of Adascorp, Arkoh Adasca was selling on behalf of his increasingly large faction within the Jedi. Unable to attend due to pressing business elsewhere, Revan sent Squinquargesimus in his place. Several Jedi had visions concerning Adasca's exogorths and the role they could play in the war, so Revan instructed Squinquargesimus to ensure that the danger they presented was taken "out of the mix."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14">[15]

Shortly after the Adasca affair, the siege of Taris, and the bombardment of Jebble, Lucien Draay was appointed to the Jedi Council. He reported to the Council that Republic intelligence reports indicated that there was a blow to the Mandalorian's plans of conquest, reportedly by an insurrection within their own ranks, and stated that the "interventionist path" sought by Revan was wrong for both the Republic and the Jedi. The Council approved his motion, which ordered the recall, or if necessary, detention, of the "prowar renegades."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_29_15-0">[16] The Jedi Council sent Squinquargesimus back to Revan and his followers with a final warning.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_35_16-0">[17] after Squinquargesimus, now going under the guise of "Captain Malak",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_31_17-0">[18] testified to the Jedi Council against the secret cabal known as the Jedi Covenant.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_35_16-1">[17]

The Mandalorian Wars

 * "When the Mandalorian threat first arose, Revan and Malak were eager to defeat the enemy of the Republic. But the council thought it best if we moved with care and caution. The true threat, the council feared, had not yet revealed itself. But Revan would not be dissuaded. Charismatic and powerful, it was inevitable many of the Order would flock to Revan's seemingly noble cause. Malak was the first to join his closest friend. Others followed, many of our youngest and brightest, intent on saving the galaxy from the Mandalorian threat."
 * ―Zhar Lestin [src]

As the Mandalorian Wars continued, the desperate Republic military petitioned the Jedi Council for aid. Unwilling to charge into another conflict so soon since the last with Exar Kun and fearing a greater threat, the Council refused. Revan and his followers, however, did not.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-12">[5] With the devastating details of the Battle of Cathar having become widely known—several years after the fact—Revan used them to his advantage. In an act of rebellion above and beyond anything he had ever done before, he refused to acknowledge the authority of the High Council and sent out a full call to arms to the Order. No longer was he arguing for Jedi intervention, he was going to intervene. As always, Squinquargesimus was the first to join his closest friend, but soon hundreds of Jedi answered Revan's call.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-13">[5] An arrest order was issued for those Jedi Knights who joined Revan,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_29_15-1">[16] and Squinquargesimus adopted the alias of "Malak" to avoid it.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_31_17-1">[18] Revan and his followers being confronted by Vrook Lamar.When Malak returned from Coruscant to Cathar, Revan, Malak, and their Jedi were confronted by Vrook Lamar and a large group of Jedi, who surrounded Revan and his followers. It seemed as if their efforts would be for naught, as they would not be taken into custody. Revan, however, discovered something in the dirt - a Mandalorian mask. Suddenly, the group was beset by Cathar fleeing toward the ocean, followed by a swarm of Mandalorians. The Jedi ignited their lightsabers and tried to help the Cathar, only to discover that both the refugees and their pursuers were only vision of the past. This attack had happened years earlier, under the command of Cassus Fett. The Jedi watched helplessly as the Cathar were herded into the ocean and Cassus prepared to murder them all. One Mandalorian, however, flew to the Cathar and told Cassus that they had been defeated, and the genocide was unnecessary. Cassus declared that the Cathar must pay for dishonoring the Mandalorians during the Sith Wars, but if the warrior wished to speak for them, then so be it. Cassus saluted her efforts, then had the warships fire anyway, killing her and all the Cathar. It was this woman's mask that Revan had found, and after seeing this vision, he placed the mask on his head and vowed to wear it until the Mandalorians had been defeated once and for all. Revan dons the Mandalorian mask for the first time and vows to avenge the victims of Cathar.The entrance of Revan and his Jedi into the war marked its turning point. Revan's clever military strategies and tactics coupled with Malak's courage and fiery determination saw the pair becoming the foremost heroes of the conflict. Claiming victory time after time, they were propelled through the ranks of the Republic military and were eventually given direct control of a full third of the Republic's fleet. With his newfound authority, Revan spearheaded the Republic war effort and began to steadily push the Mandalorians back. Together, Revan and Malak liberated Taris, fought Cassus Fett—Mandalore the Ultimate's primary strategist—at Jaga's Cluster, and defeated much of the Mandalorian army at Althir. Yet, despite such victories, there were concerns raised over the Jedi's behavior. Though Revan's tactics were near flawless and Malak's righteous fury unmatched,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-14">[5] the pair began to adopt very similar characteristics to the Mandalorians they were fighting, growing to despise weakness and indecisiveness in all its forms. Unfortunately for the galaxy, the growing darkness surrounding Revan did not just stem from his experiences with the Mandalorians.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-5">[6]

At some point in the year 3,961 BBY, Revan found a Rakatan Star Map on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. He then discovered the ancient Sith world of Malachor V, which was considered taboo to the Mandalorians. On its surface, Revan was quickly assaulted by the destructive dark side energies that permeated the world, yet through the strength of his will, he was able to feed on the evil power without being consumed by it. Soon thereafter, he stumbled upon the Trayus Academy,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_CG_1-4">[2] a Sith Temple on the surface of Malachor. While unearthing the planet's buried secrets, Revan learned the exact location and immense significance of the planet Korriban, the homeworld of the Sith species. Though further details of what transpired in that ancient Sith bastion remain unknown, Kreia would later imply that it was there that Revan discovered the continued existence of the "true" Sith and, "to prevent a greater evil," embraced the Sith teachings himself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-6">[6]

Returning to the wars, Revan forced a final confrontation with the Mandalorians over Malachor V. His plan was to unleash the recently constructed Mass Shadow Generator on the planet, wiping out the majority of the Mandalorian fleet, as well as those Republic forces and Jedi who were not fervently loyal to him. Trusting the device's activation to a capable Jedi General who would later become known as the Jedi Exile<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-7">[6], Revan battled and killed Mandalore the Ultimate himself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-15">[5]

The battle resulted in catastrophic losses on both sides. In the end, many Jedi were twisted to the dark side, and the once proud Mandalorian clans were crippled, just as Revan had intended. After the battle, Revan denied the vanquished force their leader's ancestral mask, and with it their ability to choose a true successor. Ordering his forces to strip them of their weapons and armor, and to dismantle their Basilisk war droids, Revan condemned the Mandalorians to perpetual exile, where many became bounty hunters, bodyguards, and mercenaries. Such a total victory over their adversaries, despite the Republic casualties, saw Revan hailed as a savior. Yet unbeknownst to those praising him, the Sith teachings were already sweeping through the ranks of those who had followed him to war. Instead of returning to the Republic, Revan and Malak took the remainder of their fleet and disappeared from the known galaxy. They claimed to be searching for the remnants of the Mandalorian fleet; those who had fled the final, devastating battle. In reality, they were pursuing the power of the Star Forge.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-16">[5]

Quest for the Star Forge

 * "Once we pass beyond this door, we can never go back. The Order will surely banish us."
 * ―Malak [src]

Revan and Malak discover the Star Map on Dantooine.Whether during or after the wars, it is known that Revan and Malak visited Dantooine at some point, avoiding detection by the Jedi and entering the old burial mounds located near the Jedi Enclave. After successfully passing the "trials" set for them by the guard droid that had been left behind by the so called "builders," they were given access to a Star Map. Moments before they went beyond the door that led to the dark side artifact, however, Malak—still new to the dark side—warned Revan that stepping beyond this threshold would mean that they could never return to the Jedi Order; they would certainly know that the two Knights had fallen to the dark side. Whether or not Revan considered this, or even cared, as he paced in front of the sealed door is unknown; but if he had any doubts, he swiftly cast them aside. After examining the Star Map on Dantooine, Revan and Malak would go on to uncover Star Maps on Tatooine, Manaan, and Korriban. Though the order in which they did so is unknown, Bastila Shan was aware that the pair had visited Korriban "at least once" when they were known as Jedi, suggesting that they may have gone to this planet during—rather than following—the Mandalorian Wars.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-17">[5]

With the information obtained from the five Star Maps, Revan and Malak traveled into the unknown regions in search of the Star Forge. At some point during their search, they met the Sith Emperor of the old Sith Empire thought destroyed during the Great Hyperspace War. Though the details and exact timing of these events are unclear, the Sith Emperor corrupted both Revan and Malak and gave them a mission to return to the Republic to serve as a vanguard for a Sith invasion.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gameinformer_interview_18-0">[19]

Using information given to them by the Sith Emperor, Revan and Malak traveled to the previously unknown Lehon system; yet upon their arrival, the pair immediately crashed on Lehon. Shortly after, they were attacked by the primitive Black Rakata, who attempted to take them prisoner. The Dark Lord and his apprentice bested them easily, and though Revan could not understand the Rakatan language, he was able to use a Force technique to rip it from their minds, driving Basic into their skulls in turn through a unique Force power. Having been cowed into submission by the Sith Lords' Force powers, the Black Rakata took them to meet their leader, The One. After "teaching" the Rakatan leader Basic, Revan explained that he was pursuing the power of the Star Forge, and that he would require access to the Temple of the Ancients. Yet, from the superstitious, primitive ramblings he received in response, it soon became clear that neither the One nor his followers had any true comprehension of their species' past, nor the technological might that they had once command. Nevertheless, the One promised to help Revan enter the Temple, providing he used his "strange magics" to slaughter the Elders—a competing Rakatan tribe that had so far resisted his might. Revan swore he would do so.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-18">[5]

Revan soon realized that these "Elders" were likely in possession of the answers he sought and rather than destroy them, he instead approached them in peace. This proved wise, as from the Elders, Revan learned much of the Rakata and their old empire—and of the disruptor-field that had caused his and Malak's ship to crash. Sensing the Elders' abhorrence for their species' violent past, Revan proclaimed himself to be a servant of the light, searching for a way to destroy the Star Forge. Trusting him entirely, the Elders gave Revan and Malak access to the temple, and thanking them, the pair promised to destroy the Star Forge and return.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-19">[5] Instead, Revan and Malak declared themselves the new Dark Lords of the Sith.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_CG_1-5">[2]

The Star Forge
The Star Forge.:"All you saw was an enormous factory, all you ever imagined was an infinite fleet rolling forth to crush the Republic."
 * ―Darth Malak [src]

Leading his hidden forces to the Lehon system, Revan began to realize his plans. Though the Star Forge was capable of granting vast power to those who fully embraced its dark nature, Revan minimized his exposure to the ancient spacestation, using it purely to construct an enormous fleet with which to conquer the Republic. Darth Malak, horrified that his Master would reject such strength, would later balk at what he perceived to be Revan's stupidity, yet the truth was that Revan was far from ignorant.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-20">[5]

Revan, unlike his apprentice, understood the dangerous consequences of drawing upon the Star Forge too heavily. The artifact had led the Infinite Empire to its doom: fueling the Rakatan species' hate, driving them to civil war. Revan had no intention of letting over-reliance on the Star Forge disrupt the order he planned to bring to the galaxy. As with everything else, he would use it for as long as he needed it, then discard it.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-21">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DB:_PoD_19-0">[20]

Once ready, Revan led his powerful new Sith armada back into known space, finally revealing himself as a Sith Lord and plunging the galaxy into war once again. As his old teacher Dorak would later say: "The hero had become a conqueror."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-22">[5]

The Jedi Civil War

 * "Revan understood one thing–the real battle was going to be fought between the Jedi on both sides. That was the only battle that mattered. […] Whoever had the most, the strongest Jedi were going to win the Civil War. If Revan couldn't convert Jedi, then Revan would kill them."
 * ―Atton Rand [src]

The Sith Lords Darth Revan and Darth Malak.In the year 3,959 BBY, Revan began a campaign to end the "tyranny" of the Jedi Council once and for all.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HotS_20-0">[21] They returned to Korriban, and seized control of the planet, establishing a new Sith academy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_CG_1-6">[2] The war, while bloody, was orchestrated to topple the Republic while doing little damage to its underlying industrial infrastructure. Under his leadership, Sith forces bypassed militarily vital planets that would be required for the defense of the galaxy against the threat of the "True Sith." Revan's plan was to keep the Republic largely intact for the purposes of post-war rebuilding. He even took out a number of political figureheads, such as Yusanis of the Echani,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-23">[5] Senator Mimas Yoon of Corellia and Lelin-Dor of Serroco. As such, he could begin his rule with a relatively functional military and economy rather than starting from scratch. Also, had he failed in conquering the galaxy, he believed the end result would be much the same: a stronger Republic, more capable of defending itself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-8">[6]

A year after they returned to the Republic, Revan and his Sith carried out a successful attack at Foerost, capturing a majority of the Republic fleet; they also carried a successful attack on the world of Telos IV. Revan had intended for Telos to be conquered, [source?] but his apprentice Darth Malak ordered the former Republic admiral Saul Karath to prove his loyalty to the Sith by destroying Telos. Karath complied, earning the wrath of surviving Telosians such as the Republic captain Carth Onasi, whose wife died after the attack.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-24">[5]

Revan knew that, with Jedi in the war, this contest would come down to whoever had the most and strongest Jedi. He pioneered new Sith tactics relying on secrecy rather than brute force. His Sith assassins quietly flooded into the Republic to kill and/or abduct Jedi throughout known space. Revan reestablished strongholds and academies upon worlds of ancient power such as Lehon, Dxun, and Korriban. On these particular planets, his most faithful servants broke captured Jedi and converted them to the dark side. Revan also kidnapped some of his own Force-sensitive troops and converted them into Dark Jedi. Utilizing assassin droids—such as HK-47, whom Revan created after the Battle of Malachor V—Revan eliminated threats to the stability of his fledgling Sith Empire.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-9">[6]

With Revan at the helm and Malak as his head general, the Sith forged vital alliances to expedite the support and deployment of their forces. They conspired with the Czerka Corporation, one of the richest and most powerful galaxy-spanning companies of the time, to amass much needed resources, and they secured diplomatic relations with the ocean planet of Manaan so that they were able to export the healing agent kolto.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-25">[5] At some point during the war, Malak saw Revan as being too soft, resulting in a tension that culminated in a lightsaber duel in which Revan removed Malak's entire jaw with a single stroke from his lightsaber. Malak's injury neccessitated a cybernetic jaw guard<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_CG_1-7">[2], which allowed Malak to speak, albeit with a gruff electronic tone which created an intimidating effect. During this time, Malak had asked Revan's assassin droid HK-47 what he thought of him. When Malak was informed by the droid of his "meatbag" status, Revan found the term amusing and programmed HK to call all organics such.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21">[22]

The apprentice betrays the Master

 * "I betrayed you when I realized my own strength was greater than yours."
 * ―Darth Malak [src]

The reinvigorated Sith won battle after battle, until a young Jedi Knight named Bastila Shan entered the fray with her battle meditation, a powerful Force ability that increased the combat effectiveness of the Republic's forces and sapped the will of enemy combatants. Yet, even with Shan's aid, the Republic forces knew that they could not hold out forever against the Sith. In 3,957 BBY, in a desperate attempt to end the war, the Republic and the Jedi set a trap for Revan and Malak, luring them into battle against a small fleet. During the space battle, Shan led a team of Jedi that boarded Revan's flagship and managed to corner the Dark Lord on the bridge. Revan, however, seemed unfazed by the strike team, as he quickly eliminated all the Republic soldiers while the Jedi took down the Sith Lord's Dark Jedi.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-26">[5] Bastila Shan and other Jedi confront Darth Revan just prior to his apparent death.As the Dark Lord prepared to battle with the Jedi, Darth Malak, in the hopes of destroying both Revan, Shan, and the Jedi, betrayed his Master, ordering the ships under his command to fire on the bridge of Revan's flagship. Although Malak believed himself to have been successful in killing the man who had been his best friend, this was not the case. Revan survived the turbolaser blasts that had rocked through the bridge, although rendered comatose. Shan also survived, and was faced with a choice. Upon regaining her wits, she was confronted with the broken, comatose body of Darth Revan. The Dark Lord was nearly dead—by Shan's own admission, just a tiny spark of the Force remained alive within him.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-27">[5]

For whatever reason—perhaps a sense of duty to the Republic, pity, or a simple urge to save his life—young Shan made the decision to grab a hold of that waning spark and keep Revan alive. Through that act, she somehow tied Revan's life to her own, unwittingly forging a powerful Force bond. Shan took Revan and escaped the cruiser, while the Sith, believing their Master dead, retreated from the battle. Shan had stabilized Revan, but the Sith Lord was still in critical condition and his mind remained heavily damaged. Shan brought him to the Jedi, and a huge debate enveloped on what to do. Eventually, the Jedi Council decided that in order to find out how Revan had made a practically unbeatable fleet, they had to rely on Shan's bond with the former Jedi Knight to draw out Revan's memories and find the answers. To do this, Revan's broken mind was reprogrammed by the Council to conceal the Dark Lord's old identity. Shan was charged with keeping Revan's identity hidden and drawing out the former Dark Lord's memories.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-28">[5]

Crash-Landing on Taris

 * Main article: Rescue of Bastila Shan
 * "Taris? The planet's all one big city..."
 * ―Carth Onasi [src]

A year later, Revan, who was under an implanted name and with no recollection of his real history or of his former mastery of the Force, was enlisted as a common soldier in the Republic army,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Deesra.27s_entries_6-1">[7] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22">[23] and placed under Shan's command on the Republic warship Endar Spire. Darth Malak, thinking his Master dead, had devoted all his forces to the hunt for Shan, and in orbit above the world of Taris, his fleet ambushed the Endar Spire. Revan awoke in the middle of the battle and proceeded to fight his way off the ship with the aid of fellow Republic soldier Trask Ulgo, who sacrificed himself to save Revan from a "Dark Jedi"—none other than Darth Malak's apprentice, a former Jedi named Darth Bandon. Along with the Republic captain Carth Onasi, he managed to escape in the last escape pod on the Endar Spire just moments before it exploded.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-29">[5]

The search for Bastila
Revan and Carth escape the Endar Spire in an escape pod.After crash-landing on the surface of Taris, Revan was knocked unconscious. Onasi dragged Revan from the crash site, where Revan began experiencing flashbacks through the Force of his buried past. The two men discovered that Shan had been captured by the Black Vulkars swoop gang and was being offered as a prize to the winner of a swoop race tournament called the Tarisian Season Opener.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-30">[5]

With help from the Vulkars' rival, the Hidden Beks, as well as a young Twi'lek female by the name of Mission Vao and her Wookiee friend Zaalbar, Revan entered the tournament himself and was able to win Shan's freedom. These accomplishments were enough to attract the attention of the Mandalorian mercenary Canderous Ordo, who gave Revan an offer to escape Taris: stealing the Ebon Hawk, an extraordinarily fast freighter from the Exchange crime lord Davik Kang.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-31">[5]

Escape
After Revan and his companions were able to steal the bypass codes to the Sith blockade overhead from the Sith base, with the help of their new droid companion T3-M4, Ordo introduced Revan to Kang as someone wanting to join the Exchange. While Kang ran a background check, Revan and his newfound crew broke into the hangar in an attempt to steal the Ebon Hawk. There they were confronted by Kang and the infamous bounty hunter Calo Nord. During the short firefight that ensued, Malak ordered the Sith admiral Saul Karath to bombard the planet saying “Wipe this pathetic planet from the face of the galaxy!” The resulting bombardment resulted in Kang's death, and allowed Revan and his crew to make their getaway.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-32">[5]

Return to the Jedi Enclave

 * "I have not heard of any new apprentices being accepted for training recently. What brings you to this place, may I ask?"
 * ―Deesra to Revan upon arrival on Dantooine [src]

Deciding that they needed to regroup, Revan and his companions fled to the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. Shan spoke to the Jedi Council of “recent developments”, and once being informed of Revan, the Council requested an audience with him. Onasi found that the invitation was unusual for someone who was apparently not even a Jedi yet, and the Twi'lek Jedi Deesra Luur Jada remarked that he had not seen anyone accepted for training recently. Normally, the Council would not accept an adult for training, but Revan was a “special case”.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-33">[5]

Shan presented Revan to the Jedi Council. Jedi Master Zhar Lestin, a member of the Council, told Revan that they had been discussing him, and that Shan had told them that he was strong in the Force. However, contrary to the other Masters, Vrook Lamar said that they needed indisputable proof of his strong connection to the Force before they could even consider training him. Shan argued that surely all of them could feel the strength of the Force within Revan. Lestin said that they could indeed, though the power was wild and untamed, and that they could not ignore it. Knowing Revan’s former identity, Lamar further argued that if they trained him, perhaps the Dark Lord–Revan himself–would return. Not wanting to reveal Revan’s identity to him, Master Vandar Tokare declared that they would discuss the matter in private.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-34">[5] The Jedi Enclave.While the Council debated, Revan and Bastila shared a vision of himself and Malak, as Jedi, visiting Dantooine's ruins when they found the first Star Map. After Shan and Revan told the Council of the event, Master Dorak claimed that the ruins had long been known to them, but they believed them to be merely burial mounds. Revan learned from the Masters that he and Shan shared a Force bond, and the Council believed that together, they would both be able to defeat Malak. The Council decided to send them to the ruins in their vision, where they believed they would find some clue as to why he and Malak had been corrupted by the dark side.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-35">[5]

Jedi training and disputes on Dantooine

 * "What greater weapon is there than to turn an enemy to your cause? To use their own knowledge against them?"
 * ―Bastila Shan — Listen (file info) [src]

Before Revan was to be sent, he was trained in the ways of the Force–unknown to him to be the second time. Revan’s progress was amazing, and Zhar Lestin, his teacher, said that he had never seen anyone who had mastered the initial training so quickly. He was soon welcomed fully into the Jedi Order. Before ending his apprenticeship and becoming a Padawan, he was to complete three tests. First, his knowledge of the Jedi Code was tested; second, to build a lightsaber. After succeeding in both the trials, he was told by Lestin of his third trial: to cleanse a meditation grove of its dark taint.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-36">[5]

There, he found the source of the dark taint: a Cathar female Dark Jedi named Juhani, who, before his mind was destroyed, he had encouraged to become a Jedi after rescuing her from the Exchange on Taris. After Revan dueled and defeated her, Juhani, realizing that he was stronger, explained who she was. Revan spared her life and persuaded her ask the Jedi Council for mercy. The Jedi Council was pleased with his success, and his decision to redeem her. He had passed the final test, and therefore became a Padawan. Meanwhile, during his stay at the Enclave, he learned of the history of the Mandalorian Wars and of his turn to the dark side, as well as Malak's.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-37">[5]

Revan also helped the farmers and settlers of Dantooine. He met a farmer named Jon, who demanded justice for the Mandalorian’s murder of his daughter. While Revan did not initially rebuke Jon, he was not one for wanton violence, and so continued on his set tasks. Inadvertently, Revan was forced to kill several Mandalorians in combat, due to their ambushing him on the fields around the Enclave. Returning to Jon with the news, Revan inquired deeper into the situation.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-38">[5] Bastila and the Dantooine Jedi Council.Jon told him that the carnage would not stop until the ringleader, Sherruk, had been killed. Despite Revan's constant avoidance of the lure of the dark side, he set out after Sherruk, with the justification that he would be helping the farmers. On the grassy plains of Dantooine, he confronted Sherruk, and urged him to refrain from his actions. When Sherruk refused and attacked him, Revan killed him and his cronies in combat. Revan returned to Jon with the news, which calmed the volatile farmer down. Jon insisted that Revan take his reward of a hundred Republic credits.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-39">[5]

Another situation he influenced involved the Matale and Sandral families. The Matales had a long running feud with the Sandrals, and even with assistance from the Jedi Enclave, no compromise could be reached to settle the arguing. Later, Shen Matale was kidnapped by Nurik Sandral, who believed his son Casus was killed by the Matales. When Revan arrived at the Sandral estate, Rahasia Sandral, Nurik's daughter, told Revan about Shen's kidnapping. Due to Revan's interference, Shen escaped with Rahasia, but both were ambushed by their parents outside the estate. Revan was able to convince the fathers to allow their children to live their own lives, and the two agreed to purchase a new house for their children.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-40">[5]

The ancient ruins

 * "You're a neophyte Padawan who's been saddled with the responsibility of tracking down these Star Maps. Why? That's not normal!"
 * ―Carth Onasi [src]

After this, he and Shan went to investigate the ruins that they had seen in their vision of Revan and Malak. Once inside, they were confronted by a droid speaking the language of the Rakata, which were, at this time, completely unknown to the rest of the galaxy. It switched to a language resembling that spoken by the Tusken Raiders, but finally changed to something Revan understood. The language happened to be an archaic and ancient dialect of the Selkath language. The droid said that it had been programmed to serve the “builders” if they sought knowledge of the “Star Forge”. When asked whether he knew of Revan and Malak, the droid replied that they were neither builders nor slaves, like him, but they had proven themselves worthy, and that they themselves must now do the same.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-41">[5]

After passing the tests, they gained access to the room which contained a Star Map, which would help lead them to the Star Forge. Though the Map was not complete, it pointed the way to the worlds of Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and Korriban, on which it was suspected more Star Maps could be found. Only with the combined information of these five worlds would Revan be able to rediscover the location of the mysterious Rakatan artifact. Revan and Shan reported their findings to the Council immediately after, and the Jedi Masters agreed that the Star Forge must be found. The Council still wanted Shan to continue drawing out Revan's memories to find the Star Maps. They were also curious to see if Revan could complete this mission without falling prey to the dark side, and reclaiming his former title as Dark Lord. Juhani requested that she join Revan’s party in their search for the Star Forge. Onasi expressed confusion over the Council's choice of sending Revan on an assignment that could be the deciding point of the war.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-42">[5] Revan's mind flashes back to his reign as the Dark Lord.

The second search for the Star Forge

 * "Who do you bring before me, Yuthura? A young human, bristling with the Force?"
 * ―Uthar Wynn on Revan [src]

Revan finding a Star Map on the ocean bed of Manaan.Revan, Shan, and their companions journeyed to these worlds, tracing the steps Malak and his Master had taken years before. During these travels they gained two new companions; on Tatooine, Revan purchased the assassin droid that he created as a Sith Lord, HK-47, and on Kashyyyk, the self-exiled Jedi named Jolee Bindo joined his party on the search for the Star Forge. On each planet, the powerful dark side aura of the Star Maps created perilous conditions that made accessing the Maps difficult.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-43">[5]

Additionally, the crew of the Ebon Hawk found themselves hunted by Sith and bounty hunters, such as Calo Nord on his last stand on Tatooine, and confronted with the problems of the local populace at every turn. One of their greatest challenges was Darth Bandon, Malak's apprentice, who met his end at the hands of Revan after he had found the fourth Star Map on Manaan. Throughout their journey, Revan and Bastila grew closer due to the feelings created by their Force bond. However, Bastila feared their love, thinking it would only lead to the dark side. In truth, she was afraid to face her feelings, out of fear of who Revan once was. She attempted to resist the feelings, yet their love for each other was undeniably strong.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-44">[5]

Revelation on the Leviathan

 * "You cannot hide from what you once were, Revan! Recognize that you were once the Dark Lord - and know that I have taken your place!"
 * ―Darth Malak to his old Master [src]

As the crew was searching for the fifth and final Star Map, Revan and his allies were captured by the Sith flagship Leviathan which was under the command of Admiral Saul Karath, Onasi's former mentor. As the Ebon Hawk was being brought in via tractor beam, its crew discussed their escape, and Revan chose a member of his party to escape the Sith and save them from capture.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-45">[5]

Revan, Shan, and Onasi were put into Force cages and interrogated by Admiral Karath. After Onasi argued with him and insulted him for the deaths on Telos, Saul said that he was insignificant part of events anyway, and that Darth Malak was far more interested in the two Jedi, who both said that they would never turn to the dark side. From Revan's words, Saul found, unexpectedly, that he did not know of his former identity. He, however, said that he would not be the one to deprive Malak of the pleasure of telling him himself. Karath suspected that he would not succeed in the interrogation, and said that the Dark Lord would no doubt torture them for information and for his own twisted pleasure. He knew, however, that at the time Malak was in another sector and that it may be some time before he would arrive, and so he began torturing them himself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-46">[5] Revan, Bastila, and Carth are tortured by Saul Karath.Knowing that Revan cared for Shan, Karath made her suffer each time when Revan refused to answer his questions. He used this to test Revan's loyalty when he asked him where the Jedi base was. Revan's will weakened, but still gave no answer to the former Republic Admiral. Karath revealed that the question was only a test, for Malak, of course, being a former Jedi, knew the location of the Jedi Enclave and had destroyed it. Karath then left the three alone until Malak would arrive, leaving Shan greatly upset by the Academy's destruction, and hoping that the Jedi had managed to escape. Both Jedi soon felt a disturbance in the Force, and they knew that Karath had sent a message to the Dark Lord of their current location. Meanwhile, the party member Revan had chosen to free them found them and deactivated their force cages. Feeling Malak's dark presence approaching, the Jedi devised a plan to escape; go to the bridge, in secrecy, and disable the tractor beam. Onasi was also included in the plan, for he wanted to kill Karath, who would be on the bridge, in revenge. Revan also sent Canderous Ordo and the rest of his crew to the docking bay so that they could deal with the guards.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-47">[5]

They fought their way to the bridge and confronted Karath and his guards. The Admiral said that if they lay down their weapons, he would ask Darth Malak to be merciful when he arrived–he could have arrived at any minute–but Onasi said that he had seen enough of Sith mercy and attacked him. Revan, Shan, and Onasi slew the Sith troopers and left Karath mortally wounded. His dying words to Onasi were the revelation of Revan's identity. Furious, Onasi accused Shan of keeping the secret from him, and Shan pleaded with Onasi to not let Revan know at the time, and said that she would explain everything to both of them when they had escaped the flagship. Just before they would be able to arrive in the docking bay which held the Ebon Hawk, they were confronted by Darth Malak, the Dark Lord of the Sith. After discovering that Revan still had no knowledge of his time as the Dark Lord, Malak was amused and told him his true identity, which had been wiped by the Jedi. Stunned and bewildered, Revan refused to believe that he was the former Dark Lord of the Sith, the infamous Darth Revan, until Malak's assertion was reluctantly confirmed by Shan, who said that she had been part of the Jedi strike team sent to capture him. Darth Malak took advantage of Revan's shock and made every effort to sow discord between his former Master and the Jedi who had manipulated him, yet Revan refused to turn upon his allies.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-48">[5] The Ebon Hawk escaping the Leviathan.Following their brief discussion, Malak created a stasis field around both Shan and Onasi and prepared to end his former Master. Revan fought valiantly, proving himself a capable swordsman. Malak had always regretted betraying his Master from afar, for because of it others claimed that he was a coward, but now he had been given a second chance to prove himself. Shan ultimately sacrificed herself so that Revan and Onasi could escape. Reluctantly, Revan and Onasi left, and they and the rest of the crew escaped the ship. Revan was forced to deal with Malak's revelation and the loss of his beloved Shan. When he told his companions of her sacrifice, Jolee Bindo suspected that Malak was planning to turn her to the dark side and use her Battle Meditation against the Republic. Revan then revealed the shocking revelation to the crew. Onasi, who had been told by Karath on the bridge of the Leviathan, was furious but said he would try to accept it. This made no difference to Mission Vao, who said that he was different person than he was before, and Zaalbar said that he was still bound by his life-debt to the man Revan was, not the Dark Lord. Bindo claimed that had known his identity all along but that he would still follow him, and Canderous Ordo was simply glad to battle alongside his people's conqueror. HK-47's deleted memory core was restored, and he revealed that Revan was his creator. He also recalled once calling Malak a meatbag, which Revan had found humorous, and programmed the droid to call all organics a meatbag.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-49">[5]

Confrontation on Lehon and the Battle of the Star Forge

 * "Well done, Revan. I was certain that the defenses of the Star Forge would destroy you, but I see now that there is more of your old self in you than I expected."
 * ―Malak to Revan [src]

After finding the fifth and final Star Map, Revan and the crew discovered the Star Forge in the home system of the ancient Rakata. Upon arriving, the Ebon Hawk was forced to crash on the unknown planet because of its disruptor field. Revan was assaulted by warriors of the Rakatan tribe, but after seeing Revan's power, he and his crew were granted an audience with the One. The One told Revan about his original promise to kill the Elders and gain their secrets to enter the Temple of the Ancients, so Revan sought out the Elder tribe. When the Elder Council revealed how brutal and warlike the One and his tribe were, Revan and his crew decided to help the Elders. The Elder Council was very reluctant to trust Revan again due to his betrayal the last time they had met.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-50">[5] The Republic fleet assaults the Star Forge.They tasked Revan with rescuing an Elder scout from the One's enclave in order to regain their trust. Upon arriving at the One's enclave, the One and his tribe turned on Revan and his crew. The entire tribe fell under Revan's strength, and Revan freed the scout. After gaining the support of the Elders, Revan, Jolee Bindo, and Juhani entered the Temple of the Ancients and defeated the hordes of Dark Jedi that Malak had left in the temple. At the top of the temple, Revan was forced to confront a fallen Shan. Following a week of torture at Malak's hand, she had at last given in to her hate and had embraced the dark side. She was now, she claimed, the Dark Lord's new apprentice, replacing the slain Bandon. After a short duel, Shan realized Revan was still powerful in the Force, despite what the Council had done. She attempted to entice Revan to reclaim his former identity as the Dark Lord of the Sith with her as his apprentice. Revan was faced with a decision that could alter the course of the galaxy.


 * "Malak is dead—all hail the return of Darth Revan, the true Lord of the Sith!"
 * ―Bastila Shan (from the non-canon ending) [src]

"The true Lord of the Sith!"Accepting Bastila Shan's offer, Revan struck down the Jedi Jolee Bindo and Juhani (only Jolee if Juhani had been killed on Dantooine), the stain of their blood on the temple stone symbolizing Revan's return to power. He returned to the Ebon Hawk and explained the absence of Bindo and Juhani to his stunned party. Shocked by his return to the dark side, Carth Onasi fled, leaving Mission Vao to be mercilessly struck down by Revan. Alternatively, Revan used his mind-dominating Force powers to convince Zaalbar to kill Mission, or Revan will have to kill them both. Flying to the Star Forge, Shan used her battle meditation to thwart the Republic fleet, allowing Revan to penetrate the depths of the Star Forge to fight Darth Malak. Striking Malak down, Revan regained his rightful place as Dark Lord of the Sith.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DSE_45-0">[46]

Using the resources he now commanded as Master of the Star Forge, Revan created an infinite fleet that rolled forth to crush the Republic.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DSE_45-1">[46] Surprisingly, however, Revan soon halted his offensive. It was noted as odd that Revan deliberately avoided striking the Republic's manufacturing facilities in his previous war, and again that he seemingly ended the Star Forge's production of vessels early. Shan, in a holocron discovered on Korriban, reported that Revan mysteriously vanished one day and told her to wait for him. Bereft of a strong dark side user to guide it, the Star Forge atrophied and was destroyed by the Republic. It is assumed that Darth Revan visited all his former strongholds searching for something that is not yet readily apparent. It is known, however, that he headed for the Unknown Regions with the intent of stopping something menacingly powerful, something that was apparently responsible for initially coercing the Mandalorians to invade. Revan's former Master, Kreia, suggested that Revan was searching for the original Sith Empire.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46">[47]

Into the unknown
Following the Battle of Rakata Prime, it was rumored that Revan intended to return to the warring Korriban so as to subdue the threat of any potential Sith insurgents.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-10">[6] Thousands of years later, Revan was indeed credited with having "driven the Sith from Korriban".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24">[25]

Since defeating Malak, Revan regained more and more of his memory, including his knowledge of the Trayus Academy on Malachor V, and the Sith teachings he had harnessed there. According to Kreia, Revan's first and last Jedi Master, Revan rediscovered the threat posed by an ancient Sith faction known only as the "True Sith" that lurked within the Unknown Regions and resolved to battle against them.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25">[26] She would later say to her last student that she did not believe the Jedi Council had changed Revan as they claimed, but that they had merely stripped away the surface and allowed his true self to emerge once again.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26">[27] During Revan's final duel with Malak, Malak said to him that the balance was tipped one way, but that it could easily be tipped again.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-56">[5]

Legacy

 * "My time here is ended. Take what I have taught you and use it well."
 * ―Darth Revan to Darth Bane [src]

Though he eventually rejected the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith, Revan's legacy as a powerful Sith Master would live on thousands of years after his death in a holocron that he had constructed during his reign. Hidden away on the planet Lehon, within the Temple of the Ancients, it would remain undisturbed for nearly three thousand years. Having become obsessed with the knowledge and prowess of the ancient Sith, Revan in particular, Darth Bane traveled to Lehon in search of power enough to topple the existing Sith regime, the Brotherhood of Darkness. Bane regarded him as one of the greatest Sith Lords in history.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DB:_PoD_19-1">[20]

Once there, he discovered Revan's holocron and from it received training and instruction that, he felt, surpassed the entirety of the Korriban Academy's archives. After obtaining all the trainings from Darth Revan's holocron, Bane destroyed it as was the way of the Sith to eliminate things that were of no further use. Partially through the wisdom and Sith philosophy imparted to him by Revan, Bane would acquire the strength, power, and knowledge necessary to reshape the Sith as he saw fit, destroying the Brotherhood of Darkness and establishing the Rule of Two,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DB:_PoD_19-2">[20] thus birthing a new incarnation of the Sith Order; one that would go on to topple the Galactic Republic and all but destroy the Jedi Order.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30">[31]

During the New Sith Wars, the Zelosian Sith Lord Darth Rivan would choose his name from a corrupted Sith manuscript that misidentified Revan as "Darth Rivan, the most powerful Dark Lord of the Jedi Civil War."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-EGTTF_31-0">[32]

Powers and abilities

 * "...Your potential is unlimited..."
 * ―Zhar Lestin [src]

Combat skills

 * "You, Revan, are the single greatest warrior of this age, and any battle we fight will bring me honor."
 * ―Canderous Ordo [src]

Revan was known as a highly skilled warrior, having defeated some of the greatest and most accomplished fighters of his time during the Mandalorian Wars and the subsequent Jedi Civil War, including the former Echani general and senator Yusanis, Mandalore the Ultimate, and Darth Malak, who was counted among the skilled swordsmen of the era.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-57">[5]

While he was stuck on Taris, he participated in the dueling ring to earn some credits. Under the alias of "The Mysterious Stranger", Revan defeated the top five duelists, Deadeye Duncan, Gerlon Two-Fingers, Marl, Ice, and Twitch, to become the champion. His dueling sparked the interest of the former Mandalorian Bendak Starkiller, who only fought in death matches, but it is unknown if these two met in the ring. Perhaps one of Revan's more impressive feats was his single-handed slaying of a pair of terentatek in the depths of the ancient Sith Lord Naga Sadow's tomb on Korriban.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-58">[5]

Force powers

 * "Revan was power. It was like staring into the heart of the Force."
 * ―Kreia [src]

.Revan was an incredibly talented and diligent student of the Force— the most gifted of his time—and eventually, by all accounts, became a very powerful Force practitioner. As one of the few individuals in galactic history to reach the heights of Sith power and return to the Jedi, he proved himself highly skilled in the use of both the light and dark sides of the Force.

As a Sith Lord, Revan used a variety of Force powers. He could use the Force to create a whirlwind of Force energy that would encircle his opponent. He also used the Force to grip and choke his enemies, and was proficient in the use of Force storm, and was able to use the dark side of the Force to tap into his innermost fears, pain and hate, and convert them into intense anger, channeling it to increase his speed, strength, and ferocity. Revan also used powers that were able to afflict his opponents, and was capable of using the Mind trick.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_CG_1-8">[2] He also used the Jedi healing technique.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Exile.27s_vision_8-1">[9] Though the full extent of Revan's abilities is unknown, before his and Revan's final duel, Darth Malak stated that Revan was stronger in the Force than he ever was as the Dark Lord of the Sith.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-59">[5]

Five years later, Revan's first Jedi Master Kreia would tell the Jedi Exile that staring at Revan was like staring into the heart of the Force.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-15">[6]

Strategy

 * "His strategies and tactics defeated the best of us. Even Mandalore himself was taken aback by the ferocity of his attacks, the tenacity of his defenses and the subtlety of his plans."
 * ―Canderous Ordo [src]

Revan was an exceptionally brilliant strategist and tactician. Certain individuals, such as Canderous Ordo, went as far as to place almost the entirety of the Republic's victory in the Mandalorian Wars on his success.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-60">[5] Likewise, before his capture during the Jedi Civil War, there were those that believed that it was only a matter of time before he conquered the entire galaxy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-16">[6]

Revan's ingenuity as a battlefield commander would earn him the undying respect of both the Mandalorian and Echani warrior cultures as according to the former, Revan represented a supremely worthy foe—one that both embodied their philosophies and showed them their weaknesses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-61">[5] The Echani, on the other hand, believed that Revan represented the epitome of what one could achieve in the arts of war, and that his skill was born out of a highly advanced battle precognition.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-17">[6]

Other skills

 * "What can I say? I'm a talented individual."
 * ―Revan [src]

In addition to his combat prowess, Force mastery, and clever battle strategies, Revan spoke and comprehended a variety of languages, including Basic, Mando'a,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32">[33] Binary, Huttese,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_CG_1-9">[2] Shyriiwook, and the Selkath and Rakatan languages. It is unknown whether this was an intuitive understanding born of his Force sensitivity or the result of his previous application of Force techniques, but the The One, the leader of the Black Rakata, stated that during his time as a Dark Lord of the Sith, Revan ripped the language from the mind of one of the Rakata. Interestingly, he was unable to understand the language of the Sand People, requiring the use of HK-47 as an interpreter.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-62">[5]

Like Anakin Skywalker millennia later<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33">[34], Revan was a skilled mechanic. According to Kreia, the first of his Jedi Masters, Revan exhibited a natural talent and interest in machinery, particularly droids. While Kreia held a great deal of pride for her Padawan's unique abilities with the Force, she was nevertheless confounded by Revan's preference of droids as she herself could find little to no interest in "all things dead to the Force." Years later, Kreia stated to the Exile that she believed Revan's talent for building droids stemmed from his desire for followers that obey orders without question. With that in mind, Revan would come to succeed in creating his ideal droid not long after recreating himself into the Dark Lord of the Sith.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-18">[6]

Shortly after the Battle of Malachor V, he built the sophisticated "protocol droid," HK-47.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_II_game_5-19">[6] He also displayed this skill during his time searching for the Star Forge, when he was able to repair HK-47 enough to regain many of his old memories and combat programs. However, HK's memories of his previous service with Revan would remain locked deep in his memory core and untouchable until Malak revealed to the re-programmed Revan his true identity. He proved adept at repairing abandoned, decommissioned, or rusted droids encountered on his journey and could program them to fight for him.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-63">[5] Furthermore, Revan proved himself adept at racing swoop bikes. His first known taste of the sport was on Taris, where he defeated the veteran Black Vulkar racer Redros, taking the Sector Championship to win Bastila Shan's freedom. He continued to compete professionally, eventually winning both the Tatooine and Manaan sector championships.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-KotOR_game_4-64">[5]

Dark side ending

 * "Malak is dead—all hail the return of Darth Revan, the true Lord of the Sith!"
 * ―Bastila Shan

"The true Lord of the Sith!"Accepting Bastila Shan's offer, Revan struck down the Jedi Jolee Bindo and Juhani (only Jolee if Juhani had been killed on Dantooine), the stain of their blood on the temple stone symbolizing Revan's return to power. He returned to the Ebon Hawk and explained the absence of Bindo and Juhani to his stunned party. Shocked by his return to the dark side, Carth Onasi fled, leaving Mission Vao to be mercilessly struck down by Revan. Alternatively, Revan used his mind-dominating Force powers to convince Zaalbar to kill Mission, or Revan will have to kill them both. Flying to the Star Forge, Shan used her battle meditation to thwart the Republic fleet, allowing Revan to penetrate the depths of the Star Forge to fight Darth Malak. Striking Malak down, Revan regained his rightful place as Dark Lord of the Sith.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DSE_45-0">[46]

Using the resources he now commanded as Master of the Star Forge, Revan created an infinite fleet that rolled forth to crush the Republic.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DSE_45-1">[46] Surprisingly, however, Revan soon halted his offensive. It was noted as odd that Revan deliberately avoided striking the Republic's manufacturing facilities in his previous war, and again that he seemingly ended the Star Forge's production of vessels early. Shan, in a holocron discovered on Korriban, reported that Revan mysteriously vanished one day and told her to wait for him. Bereft of a strong dark side user to guide it, the Star Forge atrophied and was destroyed by the Republic. It is assumed that Darth Revan visited all his former strongholds searching for something that is not yet readily apparent. It is known, however, that he headed for the Unknown Regions with the intent of stopping something menacingly powerful, something that was apparently responsible for initially coercing the Mandalorians to invade. Revan's former Master, Kreia, suggested that Revan was searching for the original Sith Empire.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46">[47]