In got to see a Krayt Dragon, the fearsome and giant beast that was only glimpsed in Star Wars: A New Hope through the remnants of their large bones, but even this dangerous creature is no comparison to Sithspawn. Created by Sith sorcerers and scientists —like Darth Sidious — these abominations are capable of so much more.

The Jedi have demonstrated to fans that they have some amazing powers, but the dark side of the Force is “a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural,” as Emperor Palpatine was fond of putting it. In the Star Wars LegendcCanon, which comprised hundreds of books, comics, and video games, Palpatine was a skilled practitioner of Sith alchemy, and combining the dark side with genetic engineering. He was one of a long line of Sith who pursued the art, which may even tentatively exist in the current Disney-approved canon. The precursors of the Jedi and Sith order, the Je’daii were also known to practice forms of Force-aided genetic manipulation, such as using their abilities to create beasts like Rancor-dragons. It is assumed that Sith alchemy evolved out of this Je’daii practice, and was taken to extremes with help of the dark side. Sithspawn is a generalized term to describe any genetically manipulated beast or creature crafted through the combination of the Force and genetic engineering.

The Sith Created The Galaxy's Most Fearsome Creatures

The practice was often done to enhance an existing trait within a beast, such as their brutality, cunning, or intelligence. They often broke natural law to become impossibly deadly, and could even replicate Sith powers like Force lightning. Many were so formidable that they could defeat a Krayt Dragon, one of the most feared creatures in the galaxy. In the Dark Horse Comics miniseries Jedi Academy: Leviathan by Kevin J. Anderson and Dario Carrasco, Jr., of the New Jedi Order encounter the terrifying Leviathan, an ancient Sithspawn that was extremely large and carnivorous. The creature was created by the Sith of old as a living superweapon that could draw out the life energies of enemy soldiers.

Sithspawn Came In All Shapes And Sizes

Other notable Sithspawn are the Terentatek, which fed off the blood of Force-sensitives, and the Massassi, who were an enslaved subspecies of the ancient Sith race. Both were created by the fallen Jedi Exar Kun. Some Sithspawn were sentient, like the mutated Gamorrean, Gorc, and his “brother” the mutated Kowakian monkey-lizard, Pic. Each was given elevated levels of intelligence and an aptitude for the dark side of the Force, which allowed them to become low-level dark Jedi. Wookiees, Twi-leks, Rancors, and even Krayt Dragons themselves were not safe from Sith alchemists and scientists looking to bioengineer their next superweapon.

However, as the Sith began to bicker among themselves and kill each other off, the practice became less common. Elements of the ancient techniques and sciences lasted through the ages, and later Sith masters, like Plagieus and Sidious, were more than capable of using them to their benefit. However, the Sithspawn themselves became less common and fell into myth and out of memory. They only really remain as an old Corellian curse.

The Jedi are guardians of the light side of the Force and life itself, but the Sith prefer to bend both of those things to their twisted purposes. That is why they created Sithspawn, and they were not afraid to unleash their living weapons against any who opposed them. So, Star Wars fans who think they have seen the most fearsome beast of the universe in the Krayt Dragon... they don’t know Sithspawn.