The Knights of Ren remain one of the biggest mysteries of the sequel trilogy.
I’ve covered this in videos before, but many fans, including myself, believe that
their origins have been hinted at in the Aftermath book trilogy, and the latest release, Empire’s
End, continues dropping hints.
This video will contain very light spoilers for the book, but no plot details.
Regardless, if you want to read it first, pick it up for free on Audible, breeze through
it, and come back here later!
The first Aftermath book introduced us to a group known as the Acolytes of the Beyond.
They were creepy, but nonviolent, and in their one chapter they purchased a red lightsaber
that they planned to destroy in order to return it to its master.
They were under the impression that it was Darth Vader’s lightsaber, but that can’t
be confirmed.
In Aftermath: Life Debt, they became violent.
They attacked a police precinct on Corellia and stole yet another red lightsaber.
Their respect for Darth Vader was still highlighted, and they were known to leave graffiti throughout
the city that claimed Vader Lives.
Aftermath: Empire’s End revealed a lot more about the organization.
The chapter takes place on Devaron, where the Acolytes are planning to attack a New
Republic outpost.
This attack is just one of many that will happen simultaneously throughout the galaxy.
We learn that one of their leaders is none other than Yupe Tashu, a former advisor to
Emperor Palpatine.
He honors the Acolytes with Sith relics such as ancient weapons or masks.
The Acolytes themselves have all received visions of some sort.
Dreams of the dark side and ancient Sith Lords.
These visions sound very similar to the ones the Emperor also claimed to have near the
end of the Galactic Civil War.
I believe they are connected with Snoke, which I’ve already covered in another video.
But these visions or dreams have caused the Acolytes to be intensely zealous and loyal
to the dark side.
One member is shown to have doubts until Tashu offers her the mask of Viceroy Exim Panshard,
which was made of meteoric metal that somehow contained the screams of those he slaughtered.
When the doubtful Acolyte puts the mask on, the darkness sweeps over her and her fears
vanish.
All of this is very intriguing, but it still doesn’t tell us why they could become the
Knights of Ren.
So I’ll be speculating from this point forward.
The Sith relics, weapons, and masks described are all reminiscent of the very brief shot
the Knights of Ren.
I specifically want to talk about the masks.
In Life Debt and Empire’s End, a lot of importance is placed around masks.
The Acolytes are known to wear masks, but they have to be earned, as we are told in
Life Debt.
When Tashu awards the mask of Panshard, he claims that masks have the power to gather
darkness.
They are also meant to be worn in honor of Darth Vader.
So let’s think about that for a second.
The Acolytes of the Beyond are possibly corrupted by masks that have gathered power in the dark
side of the Force.
Then nearly thirty years later we have a group of mask wearing, strange weapon-wielding people
that follow around Kylo Ren, who also wears a mask, worships Darth Vader, and even has
the mask of Darth Vader.
What’s more is that the Acolytes don’t appear to have any abilities in the Force.
So it makes sense that Kylo Ren could become their leader despite being a very new member.
The actual heir of Darth Vader, who has a deeper connection with the Force and the dark
side than they will ever know or understand.
But what do you think?
Are the Acolytes of the Beyond the precursors to the Knights of Ren, or are they something
else entirely?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
If you’re interested in picking up Empire’s End, and looking into this yourself, you can
check it out on Audible.
The audiobook is out now, and you can get it for free by clicking on the link in the
description or by going to www.audibletrial.com/starwarsexplained.
If you sign up for a trial, you’ll get a credit for one free book, and you can use
it on Aftermath: Empire’s End.
Or a number of other Star Wars books.
Or get any book you want!
The point is you get a free book, and you’ll be supporting the channel when you do!
That’s it for today!
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