From my point of view, the Jedi are pure corruption
—Varad Zagg to Ganner Slarwalker
Varad Zagg was a Shadow Assassin who lived in the Umbaran Sith Temple. He was the head of the Temple, and worked alongside Darth Massikus and Talzin (LOTF) before and during the Shadow Conflict. He manipulated a large portion of it, and was indirectly responsible for Ganner Slarwalker breaking free of Massikus' influence. He later fought in the Eclipse of Umbara, where he was slain alongside his apprentice in a successful last-ditch effort to allow a possessed Xux time to escape.
Biography[]
Early history[]
Little is known about Varad's upbringing, but he eventually became the head of the Umbaran Sith Temple and took on Arek Saris as his apprentice. He also came into contact with Darth Massikus and Talzin, and the three often met at the Sith Temple.
After his exposure to the Binding, Varad became intrigued with the idea of using it to raise an army of Sith from the dead. He had visions of a vanguard for the army, a mercenary known as Xux. He began making plans to bring Xux to Umbara and perform the Binding on him and to wage war on the Galaxy. Unbeknownst to him, Talzin became aware of his intentions and started to plot against him.
The Shadow Conflict[]
Varad was present when Ganner, Yula Ardinn, Bail Malakath, and Tyrral Thraxton discovered the Umbaran Sith Temple, and battled Ganner as he bought time for his friends to escape. After Darth Massikus was bound to Ganner and began to pursue the rest of the Jedi, Varad sent Saris to spy on Massikus and eliminate him if any opportunity to do so arose. Saris found his opening on Dantooine during a duel in the ruins of an old Jedi Temple, but instead of killing Massikus merely weakened him enough for Ganner to overpower him with the assistance of his father. Saris then moved on, and with Ganner in pursuit, would carry out Varad's plan to get Xux from Pre Vizsla. Saris was nearly killed by Ganner, but succeeded and mortally wounded the Jedi before returning to Umbara.
Eclipse of Umbara[]
Upon his return to Umbara, Varad chastised Saris for his near-failure in handing Ganner while Talzin (LOTF) resurrected Massikus into Yula's body. Not long after, Ganner arrived over Umbara, bringing his newfound allies in The Brotherhood with him. Varad, testing Saris, asked him for tactical advice as the enemy forces began to land on the Umbaran Airfield. He advised laying a trap, and Varad ordered the Shadow Assassins to do so.
The Shadow Assassins on and near the airfield were eliminated when Varad sliced into Brotherhood communications and tricked Dylan into activating Eclipse Protocol, taking out a large portion of the forces of both sides. Changing his strategy, Saris sent Siri ahead with a front line of defenders of the entrance to the Sith Temple and retreated further with Varad to prepare to fight for time for Xux to escape. Ganner, now at the peak of his power, tore through the Temple's defenses leaving no survivors straight to the duo. They battled with the assistance of battle meditation from a group of Assassins, but Ganner ultimately overpowered even their best efforts. During the fight, Ganner incapacitated Varad, then killed Saris. Finally, he moved on to executing Varad, who challenged his philosophies with his last words. Having none of it, Ganner beheaded him. Varad's death wasn't entirely in vain; Xux was able to escape to Korriban, where he would later duel Ganner.
Legacy[]
Varad's remains would later be discovered during an Imperial investigation of the Eclipse of Umbara. His and Saris' journals would prompt the Emperor to assign Decien the task of uncovering the secret of the Binding.
Personality and traits[]
Varad, as head of the Shadow Assassins, was very prideful and demanded respect of all he considered below him. He was very ambitious, and a skilled tactician; had it not been for Talzin's interference, his plan to take over the Galaxy would have succeeded as she foresaw. He had a tendency not to view people as people but rather a means to an end, as he did with Xux and Talzin. He also sometimes looked down upon his apprentice Saris, but ultimately died fighting alongside him.
Powers and abilities[]
Varad was decently powerful, being head of the Sith Temple, but was nowhere near a match for Ganner Slarwalker, even with the assistance of many Shadow Assassins.
Behind the scenes[]
Varad first became part of the story in the second draft of Ganner Slarwalker, in which he held a similar role to his final one, intending to raise an army of Sith through a dark ritual amplifying the darkness in a Force user, which Talzin plotted against. His role was then later expanded and adapted into its final state.
Varad is based on a boss of the same name from the game Clone Wars Adventures.
Appearances[]
- LOTF: Ganner Slarwalker(First appearance)
- LOTF: Resurgence