Star Wars is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in the most shocking way, by turning a monstrous race of Force predators on the Wookiee planet Kashyyyk. George Lucas had always wanted to visit the Wookiee homeworld, Kashyyyk; in fact, it originally appeared in Return of the Jedi (the Wookiees were replaced by the Ewoks). He finally pulled it off in Revenge of the Sith, sending Master Yoda on a mission there. Now, Star Wars is headed back to Kashyyyk – in a terrifying way.
Lucasfilm is currently exploring the High Republic Era, in a series of adventures set centuries before the Skywalker saga. George Mann’s new Audible exclusive, Haunted Starlight, reveals that an ancient foe – once thought defeated and destroyed – has returned. The Drengir are ancient allies of the Sith, carnivorous plant-creatures with a dark side hive mind. The Jedi believed the Great Progenitor, center of the hive mind, was ᴅᴇᴀᴅ – but it has survived, and it has set its sights on Kashyyyk.
Why The Great Progenitor Is Targeting Kashyyyk
It Fears An Even Greater Threat
Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The High Republic transmedia initiative is drawing to a close right now, and the Jedi are facing a dangerous threat known as the Blight. This appears to be a sort of “anti-Force,” consuming living tissue and entire worlds alike, and there have been hints it is striking on planets that have previously seen Drengir activity. The Drengir, of course, are terrified.
The problem, though, is that the Drengir have no idea what they’re heading into. Kashyyyk has already been exposed to the Blight, meaning they’re literally traveling toward one of the planets where they’re at greatest danger. The Drengir seek sanctuary, but they’re instead stepping – or slithering – into the line of fire.
Will The Drengir Remain On Kashyyyk?
This Seems To Be A Planet Rich In The Force
Oddly enough, though, I’m not entirely convinced this is setup for a story set during the High Republic Era. There have already been subtle hints of Drengir activity on Kashyyyk in the original trilogy era, meaning it’s entirely possible these creatures will hide themselves away on the lush, richly-vegetated world for centuries. In that scenario, they presumably survive the Blight… and could return to stalk the Star Wars galaxy anew.
The Empire tore through Kashyyyk like a wildfire, and their actions may well disturb the Drengir. In that scenario, Palpatine would find one of the ancient Sith allies emerging from the shadows to oppose him. Alternatively, they could instead emerge in the post-Return of the Jedi era, a terrifying threat for Luke Skywalker and his other Star Wars allies to confront.
