DARTH VADER

(Human male from Tatooine: Sith)

Anakin's past is tangled in myth and speculation, but it is known that he displayed incredible affinity for the Force even as a child growing up on Tatooine. It was the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who first discovered the boy's potential but it was Obi-Wan Kenobi who guided him during his formative years. Anakin soon became a heroic pilot and together with Obi-Wan battled in the legendary Clone Wars. Sadly, Obi-Wan was overconfident in his ability to properly teach Anakin the ways of the Force. Under the influence of the evil Senator Palpatine, Anakin was seduced by the dark side; he gradually succumbed to burning feelings of anger and hate until he became Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith. In this new incarnation, he launched a campaign to purge the universe of the Jedi Knights, paving the way for Palpatine's rise to power.

Although the metamorphosis into Darth Vader is unclear, some tales hold that his final fall occurred after a duel with his former teacher Obi-Wan Kenobi. The battle was fierce and Anakin was horribly scarred and grievously wounded, all remnants of Anakin had slipped away and he was wholly one with the Dark Side. The remains of his shattered body were supported by a fearsome armored suit and his burned face was covered by the mask of Darth Vader.

Whatever the cause of his transformation, it is clear that Anakin embraced his Darth Vader identity. As Vader, he pursued the remaining Jedi Knights throughout the Galaxy, virtually extinguishing the order. When Palpatine took the title of Emperor, Vader was appointed his enforcer. In this role, he joined Grand Moff Tarkin in the construction of the Death Star and hounded the fledgling Rebel Alliance. After Tarkin's death at the Battle of Yavin, Vader took full control of the Imperial forces and devoted all his energies toward extinguishing the Rebellion. He maintained his position through a constant campaign of terror, murder and intimidation.

In the end, however, Anakin Skywalker proved stronger than Darth Vader. When Vader discovered that he had a son, he and Palpatine began plotting to corrupt Luke Skywalker. But after that proved impossible, the Emperor attempted to murder the young Jedi. As Luke struggled in agony, Vader managed to break free of the influence of the Dark Side and became Anakin Skywalker once more. He then risked himself to rescue Luke from certain death and hurled Palpatine into the reactor core of the second Death Star. Anakin perished soon after, but before he died he instructed Luke to remove his helmet. For the first time, Anakin looked upon his son with his own eyes and at last his redemption was complete.

A short time later, Luke saw a vision of his father, alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, as a luminous being finally at peace with the Force.