The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural, and Sheev Palpatine is arguably the most infamous follower of these Sith doctrines. Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core, Darth Sidious restored the Sith and destroyed the Jedi Order. Living a double life, Sidious was in fact Palpatine, a Naboo Senator and phantom menace. He slowly manipulated the political system of the Galactic Republic until he was named Supreme Chancellor -- and eventually Emperor -- ruling the galaxy through fear and tyranny. Long thought killed at the Battle of Endor, a transmission intercepted during the time of the First Order suggests that Palpatine has returned.

As Supreme Leader of the First Order, Kylo Ren wields more power than ever before. The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben Solo was seduced by the dark side of the Force and renamed himself Kylo Ren, becoming the First Order’s champion and Supreme Leader Snoke’s student. Kylo killed his father and his master and now seeks to destroy his mother’s Resistance while he continues to search for secrets of the Force from the depths of the dark side.

A legendary Wookiee warrior and Han Solo’s longtime co-pilot, Chewbacca continues to serve as faithful first mate to carry out daring missions against the First Order behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon. Known as Chewie to his closest friends, he was part of a core group of rebels who restored freedom to the galaxy during the reign of the Galactic Empire. Known for his short temper and accuracy with a bowcaster, Chewie also has a big heart and unwavering loyalty to his friends.

The fabled founding texts of the Jedi Order were sheltered from Ahch-To’s weather by the huge trunk of a once-mighty uneti tree. This collection of ancient tomes was painstakingly assembled by Luke Skywalker, but became a burden and a torment to him. Luke vowed to burn down the library, but repeatedly found himself unable to do so – until Yoda’s spirit called down lightning to do it for him. Luke didn’t know the library was empty: Rey had already spirited the Jedi texts to safety aboard the Millennium Falcon. She then studied them as part of her own training, learning of techniques such as Force healing and the existence of secret worlds such as Exegol.

The Alazmec of Winsit are adherents of the dark side, and particularly devoted pilgrims journey to Darth Vader’s wrecked castle on Mustafar to venerate his memory. These Sith devotees are the guardians of Mustafar’s Corvax Fen, where they have planted irontrees in its scanty soil. They defend its secrets against seekers they consider unworthy – including First Order Supreme Leader Kylo Ren.

An admirer of Kylo Ren’s, Amret Engell has assumed responsibility for stormtrooper training after the death of Captain Phasma. She sees each new world liberated by the First Order as a source of valuable children to be trained as soldiers for Ren’s regime.

Deep in the Unknown Regions, Exegol remains one of the oldest Sith worlds, home to a massive citadel filled with ancient, crumbling statuary and a still viable enclave of Sith cultists intent on carrying out Darth Sidious's plot.

The New Republic’s rise reduced the once-mighty Empire to a rump state hemmed in by strict disarmament treaties and punishing reparations. But in the galaxy’s Unknown Regions, former Imperial officers, nobles and technologists plotted a return to power, building fleets and armies in secret. This movement became the First Order, ruled by Supreme Leader Snoke, and is now ready to reclaim the Imperial legacy.

Made of tough steel shot through with phrik and beskar, Vicrul’s trademark scythe channels vibrosonic energy to make it more lethal in combat. The “harvester” of the Knights of Ren also carries a blaster pistol for long-distance battles.

Supreme Leader Kylo Ren speeds into battle aboard a TIE whisper modified to his exacting specifications, boasting increased range, speed, and firepower than the standard model. The whisper carries sensor-confusing technology that allows Ren to avoid enemy detection.

A brutishly simple and effective weapon, Ushar’s war club is a studded length of metal topped with a pommel that can store and then unleash kinetic energy in a deadly concussive wave.

Trudgen’s massive vibrocleaver is an intimidating weapon even before its wielder activates its ultrasonic capabilities. Trudgen often carries his great blade propped on one shoulder, a promise of devastation that reduces his enemies to quaking fear.