Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 6.
Summary
A classiclightsaber typehas made its live-actionStar Warsdebut inThe Acolyte, 39 years after it was introduced. Lightsabers are one of the most recognizable elements of theStar Warsfranchise, taking inspiration from various forms of “magic swords” in folk tales and more recent science fiction and fantasy properties, from literature to film serials. Not long after the introduction of the lightsaber, however, theStar Warsfranchise began introducing lightsaber variants, with unique and deadly new forms of the weapons being wielded by heroes and villains alike. Said variants include thedouble-bladed lightsaberand the crossguard lightsaber.
One of the earliest lightsaber variants was introduced in the classic MarvelStar Warscomic series, one of the franchise’s earliest non-movie properties. While the first six issues simply adaptedA New Hope, the comics began telling original stories in the fall of 1977, capturing the characterizations of theStar Warsheroes and villains flawlessly as well as giving viewers new stories in the Star Wars galaxy before the release ofThe Empire Strikes Back. The comics also greatly expanded theStar Warsmythos at a time when they – along with otherExpanded Universematerials – were officially canon.
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The Lightwhip’s Origin In Legends Explained
Marvel’s classicStar Warscomics introduced a plethora of planets, species, concepts, and characters to theStar Warsmythos, with much of its lore impacting later Legends-era works and – in some cases – making its way into live-action properties. Easily one of the most powerful and cunning Sith to rise to power afterReturn of the Jediwas the Dark Lady of the Sith, Lumiya, who debuted in Marvel’s comics. Initially known as Shira Brie, Lumiya was a Force-sensitive Imperial spy who Darth Vader trained in the ways of the Sith (with Emperor Palpatine’s approval). Lumiya’s signature weapon was a lightwhip.
Lumiya’s lightwhip debuted in 1985’sStar Warsissue 95 (by Mary Jo Duffy and Cynthia Martin)and was used to devastating effect against Luke Skywalker in the following issue. Despite taking place less than a year after Luke Skywalker’s victory over Darth Vader, Lumiya defeated him in their duel on Kinooine, leading Luke to build a shoto (short-bladed lightsaber) to counter it. Lumiya would use her lightwhip against Luke – now a Jedi Grandmaster – in theLegacy of the Forcenovels. Although Lumiya was the original and most famous lightwhip user, other lightwhip wielders would appear throughout the Legends continuity.
The Sith Lord Githany, who falsely thought of herself as a potential Sith apprentice to Darth Bane, wielded a lightwhip alongside a standard lightsaber, though she notably was not as skilled with the weapon as Lumiya. Although lightsabers and lightsaber variants were rarely found among Force sensitives who were not Jedi or Sith,oneNightsister, Silri, used a lightwhip as her signature weapon. As shown in the 2004 novelThe Cestus Deception, by Steven Barnes, Obi-Wan Kenobi constructed a lightwhip for Kit Fisto, when the latter disguised himself as a member of Count Dooku’sSith Acolytesduring the Clone Wars.
How Lightwhips Work In Star Wars
The mechanics of a lightwhip are explained succinctly in the 96th issue of Marvel’sStar Warscomics.Lumiya explains to the Nagai Den Siva that a lightwhip operates on the same principles as a standard lightsaber, with Force-imbued crystals powering the weapon. While standard lightsabers can function with only a single crystal (though some use more than one), lightwhips require multiple gems and the hilt lacks the necessary components to keep the energy blade rigid. The result is a far longer energy blade that is flexible, allowing it to be used like a conventional whip.
Lumiya’s lightwhip is powered by fragments of the Kaiburr crystal, which debuted in Alan Dean Foster’sSplinter of the Mind’s Eye, the first Star Wars Legends novel with an original story and the initially-planned sequel toA New Hope. The hilt of Lumiya’s lightwhip is made of Mandalorian beskar.
Lightwhips are arguably superior to lightsabers as offensive weapons, with their flexible blades making them extremely difficult to predict and counter. That said, lightwhips are inferior to lightsabers as defensive weapons and are extremely hazardous to their own users if they are wielding them at close quarters or lack the proper skills to wield them. Although Jedi and Sith both use lightwhips, the fact that the weapons are geared more towards offensive techniques makes it unsurprising that they are found in the hands of Sith more often than Jedi.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
Here’s everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
Vernesta Rwoh Introduced The Lightwhip To Canon
AlthoughStar WarsLegends became a mostly-discontinued alternate continuity in April 2014, it continues to inspire the lore of the modernStar Warscanon. Lightwhips were introduced to the newer continuity via a mention inEndless Vigil, aStar Warsroleplaying game sourcebook. The weapon made its first full appearance in the 2021 novelThe High Republic: A Test of Courage, by Justina Ireland. The novel depicts a youngerVernestra Rwohas a Jedi Knight, modifying her lightsaber so it could function as a standard weapon or a lightwhip.
The book reveals thatlightwhips were used by ancient Jedi in their various wars with the Sith, using the exotic weapons to counter Sith Lords who used Forbidden Forms in combat. The book also reveals that the Nightsisters of Dathomir (who were significantly reimagined for the modern canon) sometimes used lightwhips. Vernestra Rwoh has made her live-action debut inThe Acolyte, withepisode 6 – “Teach / Corrupt” – including the live-action debut of the lightwhip, with Rwoh using her weapon against an attacking umbramoth.
The Lightwhip Is Now At The Center Of A Major Acolyte Theory
Did Vernestra’s Lightwhip Give Qimir His Scar?
Both the lightwhip and Qimir’s scar being introduced inThe Acolyteepisode 6 have caused the weapon to become the center of a dark theory. Though Vernestra’s history in theStar Wars: The High Republicpublishing initiativesuggests otherwise, it seems as ifthe show is starting to hint at the possibility of Vernestra using her lightwhip against Qimir, thus creating this curved scar. This would explain why Qimir tells Osha that he was stabbed in the back by his Jedi Master, and why Vernestra has been so comfortable acting outside the Jedi High Council.
It would certainly follow the Legends history of the weapon if something like this truly did occur. Though Vernestra never seems to give off an air of dark-sidedness, Jedi have had brushes with it before and come back to the light - including Elzar Mann, a Jedi Vernestra works with often in the High Republic era. Wielding a weapon that has a Sith history attached to it and Legends and more makes this even more likely. Still, it would be a shock ifThe Acolyteproved this to be true, and only time will tell if this theory is correct.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
