Exploring Taron Malicos: The Dark Secrets of a Former Jedi

The lightsaber realm is filled with characters who follow the Force. They can either be the follower of the light side or dark side of the Force. Although both sides have powerful characters who embody the principles of their respective sides, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda who represent peace and balance while Darth Vader and Darth Malgus who represent hatred and aggression in the galaxy. 

But, the galaxy also hosts some morally gray characters. These intriguing characters are usually the Jedi who, for some reason, fell to the dark side and are called Fallen Jedi in the galactic realm.

In this blog, we are going to discuss a morally gray character of the galaxy who is a classic example of a Fallen Jedi. From being a Jedi General during the Clone Wars to succumbing to the dark side of the Force after Order 66, Taron Malicos’s journey in the galaxy is one to ponder over. So without wasting any more time, let's get into it!

Who Is Taron Malicos?

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Taron Malicos was a former Jedi General who served in the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. His survival of Order 66, the infamous purge of the Jedi led by Chancellor Palpatine, mirrors the traumatic journeys of other Jedi survivors. 

A Jedi’s Survival After Order 66

After escaping the troopers, Darth Malicos starfighter crashed into the Swamp of Sacrifice which was a residence of ruined nightbrother arena, on the red planet known as Dathomir. He was spotted falling by Brother Viscus and his clan of Nightbrothers, warriors who served the Nightsisters, Dathomirian witches. Scared and angry, Taron Malicos was panting and in pain as he tried to escape but he was caught by the Nightbrothers and dragged to the village. Eventually, being unable to fight the strong bond of the planet with the Force, Taron Malicos embraced the dark side of the Force.

Becoming the Nightbrothers’ Leader

After some time in prison, Taron Malicos fooled his captors into fighting each other. As he tried to escape, the Nightbrother warriors ran after him across the Halls of the Nydak, a collection of rooms near their village. Malicos was hard to get a hold of but then finally he was captured and taken back to the dungeon where he murdered some of the Nightbrothers. They took him before Brother Viscus, and Taron Malicos battled with him in the Collapsed Settlement. Taron Malicos killed and defeated Viscus, who, in his last words, mentioned that the Nightbrothers would never bow to him.

However, after the death of Viscus, Malicos took control over the Nightbrothers. They placed their arms down and surrendered before him and he became the new leader of the Nightbrothers. He ruled over them with fear, and soon, the Nightbrothers began to worship him for the power he had in the Force. Then, Taron Malicos arrived at the Strangled Cliffs and Brother's Bastion, where he was drawn to the energy emanating from the ruins of the Tomb of Kujet, a palace-grave structure. Upon entering this place, he succumbed to its dark energy and collected a good number of Nightbrothers who now claimed it for him.

Meeting with Nightsisters’ Witch Merrin

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Later, Taron Malicos met Merrin, a Nightsisters clan witch, in the Swamp of Sacrifice, where they had an intense conversation. She told Taron Malicos that if he fails to leave Dathomir, then Nightbrothers will kill him. Taron Malicos contradicted her and challenged Merrin to join him, saying that the Nightbrothers were no match to her.

In Kujet's Tomb, Taron Malicos, who was thirsty for power, requested Merrin, who was afraid of the curse over the tomb, to lead him through the ruins. He told her that she shouldn't be afraid, and she agreed to teach him her magick. Magick, or Nightsister sorcery, is a Force technique utilized by the Dathomirian witches, sourcing the dark and light aspect of the Force. 

Taron Malicos explained to her that the Jedi had massacred the Nightsisters during the Clone Wars, and in return for her teaching, he promised to help her with taking revenge. Thus, a deal fixed their alliance. Taron Malicos and his Nightbrothers later put Merrin under harsh treatment.

Taron Malicos as a ‘Wanderer’ Meets Cal Kestis

It is in 14 BBY when, on Dathomir, Taron Malicos as a "Wanderer," keeping his background as a fallen Jedi hidden, encountered Cal Kestis near the Tomb of Kujet. He was surprised that Cal Kestis lived through an event with Merrin and realized the lightsaber Cal Kestis carried had saved him. Taron Malicos told Kestis that the Clone Wars had come to Merrin's world, where she had to watch her family die. Taron Malicos cautioned Cal Kestis to keep away from the power of the tomb because it may corrupt him.

When Cal Kestis asked him about how long he had lived on Dathomir, Taron Malicos explained that the planet had sheltered, taught him wisdom, and also provided him with peace during some of his darkest times. He asked if Kestis knew much about the Nightsisters. Taron Malicos said he had picked up much from watching the secrets of Dathomir. He cautioned Cal Kestis to beware the many mysteries of the planet. Later, Kestis returned to Dathomir and found out that Taron Malicos had killed Viscus, the past leader of Nightbrothers. Contrary to Tarom Malicos ' advice, Kestis went into the Tomb of Kujet, with the intention of continuing.

The Dark Secret of Taron Malicos Revealed

After Cal Kestis left the Tomb, Malicos asked Cal Kestis why he went in and reminded him of his previous warning. Cal Kestis kept quiet but Malicos growled, thinking that Kestis was lost on the planet. But when Cal Kestis asked who Taron Malicos was, the former Jedi revealed his true identity. He told Cal Kestis how both managed to survive the Jedi Purge and how they were forced to kill and flee clone troopers. He said dark power almost controlled him but so added that he managed to rise above that.

Cal Kestis learned that Taron Malicos was the leader of the Nightbrothers, which he confirmed, saying he was their leader because of the power he employed through the Force. Taron Malicos also told Cal Kestis that they must stand together or they would be destroyed. When Cal Kestis refused, Taron Malicos pointed out his broken lightsaber by saying he had seen something terrible in the ruins. He then continued to try to persuade Cal Kestis to take control of the planet's power, which Cal Kestis refused.

At the same time, Merrin came, with an accusation against Taron Malicos for attempting to recruit a Jedi after having revealed to her that the Jedi had killed her sisters. Taron Malicos dismissed her, but Merrin insists that she put her trust in Taron Malicos and this led the Nightbrothers astray. She said the Nightsisters never betrayed each other. Her sisters were gone, pointing Taron Malicos to nearby graves. Merrin called out Zombies on Kestis and Malicos to make them fear her powers. Taro  Malicos told Cal Kestis to run and both of them escaped, with Cal Kestis leaving Dathomir once more.

Taron Malicos Finally Defeated

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When Kestis returned to Dathomir, Merrin approached him in Kujet's Tomb. She reacted to his return with astonishment, labeling it brave but stupid. Cal Kestis said to Merrin that Malicos had deceived her regarding the Jedi, wherein the Separatists, headed by Sith Lord Count Dooku and General Grievous, had attacked the Nightsisters. Merrin also confessed that Taron Malicos said he would help her get revenge in return for teaching him magic.

Together, Kestis and Merrin decided to stop Taron Malicos. Cal Kestis met with Taron Malicos in the tomb. But the fallen Jedi tried to persuade Cal Kestis to be a part of his plans regarding the building of a "better" future. When Cal Kestis refused, Malicos attacked him with two lightsabers. In the heat of the duel, Malicos used the Force to slam Kestis to the ground and tried to kill him with a massive rock. But Merrin stepped in with her magick, grinding the massive rock into fragments and tossed energy bolts at Malicos whom he cast aside with the help of his two lightsabers.

Taron Malicos then used the Force to destroy the pillar Merrin was standing on, but she hastily retreated and urged Cal Kestis to continue fighting. Merrin continued to help Cal Kestis by attacking Taron Malicos with magick throughout the battle. Finally, Merrin overpowered Taron Malicos as she used her magick to bury him alive beneath the floor of the tomb, defeating him and ending his reign. The duo came out successful.

Legacy of a Fallen Jedi

After the duel, Merrin informed Cal Kestis that Malicos was looking for her to attack his crew, Cere Junda and Greez Dritus. However, she realized they would not be a problem to her. Then, she joined the crew of the Stinger Mantis.

Later, visiting Kujet's Tomb, Cal Kestis asked Merrin if Taron Malicos was ever genuinely sane. Merrin did the best to explain that his behavior seemed different after Kestis' arrival, especially since he saw the Padawan as a threat and/or an opportunity. Kestis was glad they had stopped Taron Malicos, even if it still was unclear what his goal was.

FAQs

How did Dathomir impact Taron Malicos's fall to the dark side?

Almost immediately after crash landing on Dathomir, Darth Malicos was saturated in its dominant dark energy. Being betrayed by his own clonetroopers, receiving torture at the hands of Nightbrothers and the shock of Order 66, he renounced the teachings of the Jedi and embraced the dark side by becoming a powerful leader among the Nightbrothers.

How did Taron Malicos take control over the Nightbrothers?

Malicos tricked the Nightbrothers as he fought and killed the leader, Brother Viscus, thus making the Nightbrothers submit under him. Though, they did so out of fear more than loyalty.

What was the relationship of Taron Malicos with Merrin?

Malicos managed to initially convince Merrin to ally with him by using her sorrow of the Nightsisters' demise. He offered to take her to and find revenge in exchange for her teaching him magick. But later it was revealed to Merrin that his acts were selfishly motivated, creating conflict between him and Merrin.

What was it that attracted Taron Malicos to the Tomb of Kujet?

The Tomb of Kujet released much dark energy which Malicos could not understand. He thought it held secrets and was a source of power that would make his control in Dathomir grow, but obsession with it later led to his death.

How was Taron Malicos defeated at last?

The reign of Taron Malicos came to an end at the hands of Cal Kestis and Merrin. When they confronted him, Merrin trapped him using her magick beneath the floor of the tomb, marking the end to his ambitions on Dathomir.