The Secret Honor of George Lucas' Oldest Plans for the Sith in KOTOR

The Ancient History of the Galaxy Far, Far Away

The Knights of the Old Republic games, set thousands of years before the Skywalker saga, delved into the ancient history of the galaxy far, far away in some very exciting ways. The games provided a massive amount of new lore and history for the Star Wars universe, exploring the origins of both the Jedi Order and Sith Lords, as well as various factions and splinter groups. This included the Legions of Lettow, a group of rogue Jedi whose name was inspired by George Lucas' initial work on the original trilogy of Star Wars films.

Legion of Lettow

The Old Republic era, as depicted in the games, became the perfect period to repurpose an original concept from George Lucas himself. Although it's since been known as 'Legends' following Disney's continuity purge of the Star Wars timeline, the games impressively explored the ancient history of the galaxy, providing a rich backdrop for the exploration of George Lucas' earliest ideas for the Sith.

Prime Jedi and Dawn of the Jedi art.

The Legacy of the Legions of Lettow

In the first revision of George Lucas' script from A New Hope, the Sith Lords were first known as the Lettow. Knights of the Old Republic saw an opportunity to honor the Lettow even though the name would later be changed to the Sith. As such, a new faction of dark-side users during the Old Republic Era were created known as the Legions of Lettow.

The Legions of Lettow were a sect of Jedi that broke off from the early Jedi Order, seeking to delve into the darker aspects of the Force rather than remaining in the light. Led by the Kashi Mer exile known as Xendor, Xendor created a rival academy for his acolytes and followers on the planet Lettow which rivaled the Jedi Temple on Ossus. Although they were eventually destroyed by the Jedi, many of the Dark Jedi exiles that came after believed they were the inheritors of the Legions' legacy, creating a dark lineage in the Legends continuity.

The Future of the Legions of Lettow

While the Legions of Lettow are currently part of the old Legends continuity and not part of the established Star Wars canon or timeline, they could certainly be reintegrated in the near future like many other characters and elements have over the years since Disney's purge. Case in point, the origins of the First Jedi will soon be revealed on-screen in a Star Wars movie from director James Mangold. Perhaps the Legions of Lettow could be featured or even referenced, reestablishing their legacy and history in the official Star Wars canon.

The exploration of the ancient past in Star Wars has opened the door for the reintroduction of elements from the Legends continuity. With upcoming projects set to delve into the earliest history of the Jedi and the Sith, there is potential for the Legions of Lettow to find a place in the official Star Wars canon, bringing George Lucas' original concept full circle.