It may sound unlikely, but it’s true. According to the Star Wars: Vector comics, Darth Vader battled a 4,000-year-old Jedi. This winding story provides a larger context for the Old Republic and Galactic Empire. Through this duel, we find out more about Vader’s journey through the galaxy and gain insights into an ancient, unique Jedi.
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Who Was This 4,000-Year-Old Jedi Master?
The Jedi in question was Celeste Morne, an ancient female Jedi Master whose identity was erased from the records because she operated as a Covenant Shadow agent. Separate from the main Order, Morne and other agents were in charge of tracking down Sith artifacts.
In 3963 BBY, she was sent to recover the Muur Talisman, a Great Amulet that could turn “other beings into mindless thralls” under its command and provide control over mutant rakghoul creatures. Morne eventually retrieved this amulet but fell under its powers.
To protect the Star Wars galaxy from herself, Morne allowed Padawan Zayne Carrick to seal her away in a Dreypa’s Oubliette, a casket that could preserve someone for a long time. There Morne lay until Vader paid her a visit in 19 BBY.
The Star Wars: Vector series by Dark Horse Comics focuses on Morne and portrays these events. Because of her 4,000-year age and the elements of her story, Morne is perhaps “the most interesting of Legends’ additions to the franchise.” Her mission began in the Old Republic and ended with a fight against Vader in the age of the Empire.
How Did Vader Battle a 4,000-Year-Old Jedi?
Awakened from her stasis, Morne came to realize that the Sith now dominated the galaxy. Unhappy, to say the least, she engaged Vader in combat.
In this video, we encounter some of the action, with Vader first discovering Dreypa’s Oubliette. Once he opened the casket, Vader found Morne, who quickly discovered that the Muur Talisman was “trying to attach” to Vader since he was “a more powerful Sith.” To stop Vader, she “tapped into the power of the talisman” and turned Vader’s stormtroopers into rakghouls to fight him.
The result was that the swarm of rakghouls and Morne overwhelmed Vader and forced him to retreat. This alternate video provides a closer look at the fight and how the spirit of Karness Muur, creator of the talisman, attempted to have Vader assume the Talisman’s power. Muur commanded, “Yes! Kill her! Take my talisman for our own!”
Vader briefly envisioned taking over the galaxy, but also realized that he would become subservient to Muur. Hence, Vader did not take the offer and fled from the “zombies”, leaving Celeste Morne abandoned on a desolate moon.
How This Character and Story Are Unique
Celeste Morne is unique for her age. She is one of the oldest Jedi in the Star Wars comics. Older than Yoda and Yaddle, Morne did not die until 137 ABY. She persevered with the light side of the Force against great odds and a powerful talisman.
Morne had to contain the power of the Sith spirit inside her, which came to a culmination before she died. At the Battle on Had Abbadon, a band of mixed Jedi and Imperial Knights joined together to defeat Darth Krayt. Morne led her rakghoul mutants into the battle as she dueled with Krayt, who was mortally wounded by the Imperial Master Azyln Rae.
After Morne appeared to finish Krayt off with some Force lightning, she had Jedi Cade Skywalker take her life to end the torment of keeping the Muur’s spirit at bay. That’s where Morne’s remarkable journey ended, but Krayt would return…
Vader Battled a 4,000-Year-Old Jedi
In the Star Wars: Vector comics, Vader battled a 4,000-year-old Jedi. This provides another interesting layer to Vader’s story arc. Yet, through this duel, we also get a glimpse into the fascinating character and storyline of Celeste Morne, a Jedi who transcended the ancient to more modern times of Star Wars.