Season 2 of Ahsoka is gearing up to be a breathtaking whirlwind in a galaxy far, far away. Baylan Skoll, portrayed with gravitas by a compelling cast, stands at the cusp of unveiling a dark power on Peridea—an odyssey that might revive a villain fans of Star Wars Legends will recognize with a shiver: Abeloth.
The Darkness Beckons: Baylan's Quest
Baylan, a former Jedi who survived the infamous Order 66, harbors an incredible perspective on the galaxy's seemingly constant rise and fall. Unlike the Sith's lust for power, Baylan's ambitions are much stronger, rooted in his desire to end this path of destruction. His journey draws him to Peridea, a planet in a distant galaxy, where he is summoned by a prescient force, promising a path to his high end game however it's terrible.
Abeloth's Sinister Legend
For those of you who don't know, Abeloth is a sinister character from the Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series, part of the ongoing Star Wars Legends series. Once a slave and then an adopted member of the Mortis family of gods, Abeloth's tragic transformation into a man with a dark side came from his fear of death. Drinking the forbidden Font of Power and swimming in the Pool of Knowledge turned him into an evil force.
Abeloth's powers are dangerously special—he can drive young Jedi mad, lure them into his prison and destroy their life force to fend for himself. This insidious power plays ominously on the possible fate that awaits Baylan, as mentioned in the season 1 finale of Ahsoka.
The Missing Mortis Connection
The confirmation of Abeloth's involvement comes almost cinematically when Baylan is seen atop statues of the Mortis gods. This isn't mere fan service; it's a deliberate nod to a deeper narrative connection. The Mortis gods—entities representing the balance (the Father), the light (the Daughter), and the dark (the Son)—once imprisoned Abeloth within the Maw Cluster. Their absence since events in Star Wars: The Clone Wars leaves Baylan vulnerable to her dark allure.
Unleashing Abeloth: Baylan's Fate
Should Abeloth be the entity Baylan seeks, his fate is predictably grim. Abeloth's interactions in the Legends continuity suggest a calamity far worse than death. Abeloth maintained her power by absorbing her victims' life forces, often integrating their consciousness into her own. This could lead to Baylan being consumed or coerced into an unending servitude as part of Abeloth's collective psyche.
A Tangled Web: Palpatine and the Sit
Interestingly, the thread that weaves through Abeloth's legend ties back to another infamous figure: Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious). The arcane knowledge Palpatine pursued about the Mortis gods hints he might have encountered Abeloth's power, potentially explaining his eerie force-draining ability seen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This narrative could add new layers to the Mandoverse, threading Baylan's discovery to Palpatine's darker lore.
Conclusion: A Gritty Path Ahead
In conclusion, Baylan Skoll's quest to end the galaxy's cycle of destruction might steer him—and viewers—towards a sinister abyss if Abeloth is indeed the dark presence on Peridea. Will Baylan's noble quest turn into a desperate scramble for survival against an ancient evil? Only time will unravel the fate of Baylan Skoll and the Star Wars galaxy. As always, may the Force be with us.
As we prepare for Ahsoka Season 2, the anticipation grows. Keep your galaxy close and your speculations closer—this journey through the dark side promises to be unforgettable.
Don't miss the upcoming season packed with spectacular visuals and intense storytelling, premiering exclusively on Disney+.
