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Darth Caedus is a Sith Lord from Star Wars Legends, primarily featured in comic books. Born as Jacen Solo, he was the son of Leia and Han Solo, potentially serving as an inspiration for the character Kylo Ren in the movies.
Jacen’s journey led him down the path of becoming a Sith Lord, ultimately turning against his own family and friends. Once a Jedi who played a crucial role in ending the Yuuzhan Vong War, his deep desire to safeguard the galaxy drove him to increasingly extreme measures.
Fans of the expanded Star Wars universe, particularly those who appreciate Sith-centric narratives, often regard Darth Caedus as one of the standout villains in the franchise.
In terms of backstory, Jacen grew up under constant threat due to his high-profile parentage. This environment, combined with his naturally intense personality, eventually pushed him towards the dark side. He and his twin sister, Jaina, attended the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker, where they received training in the Force. It was there that he developed a romantic relationship with Hapan princess Tenel Ka Djo. Later, he and his younger brother Anakin became Jedi apprentices.
During the Yuuzhan Vong War, tragedy struck as Anakin was killed. Jacen then took it upon himself to lead a strike team to eliminate the voxyn queen, a pivotal success. However, he was subsequently captured by the Yuuzhan Vong and endured nearly a year of brutal torture. In the depths of this suffering, he briefly succumbed to the allure of the dark side before eventually escaping with the help of Vergere, a former Jedi.
Following his escape, Jacen embarked on a journey that took him to various Force-using sects. A vision he experienced with the Mind Walkers solidified his determination to prevent a malevolent figure from ruling the galaxy. Returning to the Jedi Order, he adopted a more ruthless approach, willing to make sacrifices for what he believed was the greater good. Over time, he succumbed further to the dark side, gradually turning against both the Jedi and his own family.
After his fall, Jacen committed heinous acts, including the murder of Mara Jade Skywalker (Luke’s partner) and the torture of his former apprentice Ben Skywalker (Luke and Mara’s son). He took on a new apprentice, Tahiri Veila, and eventually ascended to the title of Sith Master. His reign of terror ultimately came to an end at the hands of his twin sister, Jaina, who was forced to confront and defeat her once-beloved brother.
In terms of abilities, Jacen was an exceptional lightsaber duelist, honing his skills from a young age to become one of the finest. He also demonstrated a proficiency in Force speed, a talent he frequently utilized after adopting the persona of Darth Caedus. By the time he became a Sith, his mastery of lightsaber combat was formidable, enabling him to hold his own against multiple Jedi simultaneously. Caedus regarded himself as second in skill only to his uncle, Luke Skywalker.
Interestingly, there are parallels between Jacen Solo and Kylo Ren from the New Trilogy, suggesting that elements of their names and family dynamics were drawn from the Legends Skywalker lineage to create new characters for the films.