Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone #4!There is no shortage of powerful Sith artifacts inStar Warscanon, as imbuing objects with dark side energy is something Sith have done since the dawn of their existence as a way to spread corruption across the galaxy for generations to come - and, in most cases, to increase their own power. However, one ofthe most powerful Sith artifactshas just been permanently destroyed, thus ending its ability to both corrupt and empower.
InStar Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone#4 by Cavan Scott and Vincenzo Riccardi, a former-Jedi-turned-monster-hunter named Ty Yorrick is called upon by the Jedi Order to investigate a planet that was utterly decimated by the Nihil. When Ty and her monster-hunting partner get there, they find a crash-landed Nihil ship, though no sign of the crew. So, they venture beneath the surface, where they don’t encounter any Nihil soldiers, but arguably something far more dangerous:the Hand of Siberus.
The Hand of Siberus is worn by Tey Sirrek, a former Guardian of the Whills who turned away from his duties as a warrior-monk to become a thief and vigilante. Tey first got his hands on the Hand of Siberus inStar Wars: The High Republic#9. Now, Tey is using the Sith artifact to battle what he believes are Nihil forces (though he’s mistaken). The plant life has come to life all around him, and one of the seemingly sentient vines grabs the Hand of Siberus and destroys it, extinguishing the gauntlet’s dark influence in the galaxy forever.
What Is the Hand of Siberus? Star Wars’ Powerful Sith Artifact, Explained
The Hand of Siberus First Appeared in Star Wars: The High Republic #9
The Hand of Siberus may have been introduced inStar Wars: The High Republic#9 (which took place in 382 BBY), but it had existed in theStar Warsuniverse for much longer than that. The Sith artifact actually dates back tothe Sith War, roughly 5000 BBY. While it shares a name with a Sith Lord named Darth Siberus, it’s unclear if she was responsible for its creation, or if that is just a coincidence.
However, regardless of exactly who created it, the power of the dark side emanates from this gauntlet, and it grants its wearer that power. Anyone who wields the Hand of Siberus is given a number of abilities in the dark side, all while being slowly corrupted by the artifact. The wearer is imbued with the power to summon purple-colored Force-lightning, with the added benefit of having their preexisting power in the dark side of the Force increased, making this a trulyterrifying Sith weapon, indeed.
Star Wars Taking This Sith Artifact Off the Table is Surprising
The Hand of Siberus Could Have Made Appearances in Star Wars Canon for Years to Come
The Hand of Siberus meeting its end in this issue is shocking for a number of reasons. Not only was the scene itself totally unexpected, but it is surprising thatStar Warswould actually do away with a Sith artifact like this, as it had the potential to influenceStar Warscanon for years to come. Other ancient Sith artifacts likethe Mask of Darth Mominand the Fermata Cage have been majorly influential (including the events of the Original Trilogy), proving how impactful a Sith weapon like this can be. But now, this Sith artifact won’t get that chance.
“The Third Jedi Purge”: Years Ago, Star Wars Set Up an Epic Story That’s All But Begging to Return
Not 1, not 2, but 3 major Jedi Purges have happened in Star Wars, and the Third Jedi Purge is just begging for a major comeback in Star Wars canon!
Instead,Star Warsopted to have the Hand of Siberus crushed by the vines telekinetically controlled by a ‘Lonto Plant-Mage’, bringing this Sith artifact’s story to an abrupt and shocking end. While that eliminates any future storytelling potential (indeed, what if someone like Darth Vader wielded this gauntlet?), theStar Warsgalaxy is certainly a better place with it gone.
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone #4by Dark Horse Comics is available now.
