Warning: contains a preview for Star Wars: The High Republic #15!
In a new preview for the final issue of affected his connection to the Force. However, it may end up being the key to ensuring the survival of his padawan and their fellow Jedi in this new issue.
As confirmed in earlier issues of The High Republic, Jedi Master Sskeer has developed a condition unique to his species known as the Magrak Syndrome, a brain disease that causes Trandoshans to give in to their base urges of rage, aggression, and fury. While Sskeer's mind has been subconsciously fighting to control the rare disease, the cost was his connection to the Force. Until a cure is found, Sskeer cannot be a Jedi of balance and control. However, Sskeer has still been determined to help his allies against the marauding Nihil, the Jedi Order's chief threat during this past era.
While the Nihil recently attacked the High Republic's Starlight Beacon, the new preview for The High Republic #15 from writer Cavan Scott and artist Ario Anindito reveals Sskeer may be crucial to keeping the rest of the Jedi safe. The Nihil have unleashed the powerful Jedi-killing Levelers on Starlight Beacon; deadly creatures which can overwhelm Force-sensitive beings, nullifying their connection to the Force before turning them to stone. However, Sskeer stays behind in this new preview, allowing his fellow Jedi to escape while he buys them time, his current weakness in the Force seeing him unaffected by the Levelers. Enjoy the preview pages for the final issue of this current High Republic series:
Because of his condition, Master Sskeer stands the best chance of defeating the Levelers on Starlight Beacon. However, this could still be Sskeer's last stand, with the Jedi Master giving everything he has to save his padawan Keeve - who's only recently become a knight - as well Starlight's Jedi Marshal Avar Kriss. While he might not be suffering from the same hallucinations as other Jedi would, the Levelers are still formidable and deadly creatures.
Regardless, Sskeer recognizes in this final issue preview that losing his connection to the Force had a purpose, allowing him to stay behind and save those he cares for most. While the fate of Sskeer and the rest of the Jedi during this era is largely unknown, it will be interesting to see who ultimately survives the Nihil and their Levelers in this final issue of this series before Star Wars goes back even further with its second publishing phase for The High Republic. Star Wars: The High Republic #15 releases on March 3.
