Star Wars Legends Lore: Origins of the Sith

The origins of the Sith trace back to the ancient Sith species, a red-skinned, Force-sensitive race native to Korriban (later called Moraband) and Ziost, who developed a rigid, warlike society steeped in dark side rituals and sorcery. Their civilization thrived in isolation for thousands of years, and they were ruled by powerful Sith kings and priests such as King Adas, who briefly unified them against the Rakata of the Infinite Empire at around 28,000 BBY. However, the Sith as an order truly began in 6,900 BBY when a faction of Dark Jedi, exiled from the Republic after losing the Hundred-Year Darkness, fled into deep space and stumbled upon Korriban. These exiles, including Ajunta Pall, discovered the Sith species and, using their superior Force abilities, subjugated and interbred with them, creating a new hybrid culture. The Dark Jedi introduced Sith alchemy and dark side techniques, elevating themselves to godlike status and forming the first Sith Empire, with Ajunta Pall as the first Dark Lord of the Sith. Over centuries, this empire flourished in isolation, developing distinct Sith traditions, constructing massive temples, and advancing dark-side knowledge beyond what the exiled Jedi had ever imagined. The Sith thrived in secrecy until their first war with the Republic, the Great Hyperspace War in 5,000 BBY, which nearly wiped them out, leading to the survival of only a few scattered Sith Lords, most notably Darth Vitiate, who later rebuilt the Sith Empire on Dromund Kaas and ensured the dark side would endure.