Summary
One of Palpatine’s most important allies in theStar WarsLegends continuity has gained a counterpart in the modern canon. Since becoming an alternate timeline (having previously been the officialStar Warscanon) in April 2014, the Legends continuity has become a source of inspiration for the modern canon, with characters, planets,Force abilities, and other elements of lore receiving reimagined iterations in the newer timeline. One essential – albeit obscure – ally of Palpatine has recently been mentioned in aStar Warsreference book, with fascinating implications, considering this character’s history in the originalStar Warstimeline.
In addition to being the most powerful Sith Lord in Darth Bane’s sinister lineage, Palpatine is also a gifted administrator and manipulator, using his resources and various proxies to covertly and overtly expand his political power and wrest control over the galaxy well before initiatingOrder 66and declaring himself the Galactic Emperor. One member of Palpatine’s inner circle quietly provided the secret Sith Lord with invaluable assistance in his rise to power, reign as Emperor, and even his return from the dead during Operation Shadow Hand.
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Kinman Doriana Worked For Palpatine In Star Wars Legends
Kinman Doriana, a political figure from Palpatine’s homeworld of Naboo, was a key player in critical moments in Palpatine’s rise to power, though his presence is often overlooked in-universe. Brought into the fold by Palpatine early in his Sith Lordship at the behest ofDarth Plagueis, Doriana served as Palpatine’s covert political advisor. While an invaluable ally to Palpatine,Doriana did not know that his employer was also the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, yet he communicated with both of Palpatine’s identities, believing them to be different people. Throughout his life, Doriana helped Palpatine ideate and orchestrate numerous conspiracies.
Doriana assisted Palpatine in his orchestration of the Yinchorri Uprising, a rebellion meant to test the Yinchorri as Jedi-killers and potential doners for the Clone Army. He also sabotaged the chancery campaign of Ainlee Teem, who ran against Palpatine during the Invasion of Naboo. Kinman Doriana was also heavily involved in Palpatine’s meddling with the Jedi Order’s Outbound Flight Project, a Jedi-led expeditionary mission to the Unknown Regions. Doriana, along with Palpatine, discovered that the mission might inadvertently accelerate the eventual invasion of the extragalactic Yuuzhan Vong species, and the two resolved to sabotage the mission.
It was during this time thatDoriana also discovered Mitth’raw’nuruodo (the futureGrand Admiral Thrawn), granting Palpatine one of his most valuable military leaders in theGalactic Empire. It was also thanks to Doriana that Jedi Master Jorus C’baoth was cloned, and it was thanks to Doriana that C’baoth and the Outbound Flight Project were destroyed, with Doriana ordering a Vulture Droid strike that killed the fallen Jedi Master, saving Thrawn in the process. During the Clone Wars, Doriana obtained Spaarti cloning cylinders, which would go on to be stored on Wayland and Byss.
The Spaarti cylinders on Wayland would be used by Joruus C’baoth to create Luuke Skywalker, a mindless minion based on the template of Luke Skywalker. The cylinders on Byss would provide Palpatine with mindless clone bodies to inhabit after his death at the Battle of Endor, allowing the Emperor to lead the Dark Empire during Operation Shadow Hand. Kinman Doriana would not live to see his Emperor return from the dead, however, ashe died sometime before the Battle of Endor, having been one of Palpatine’s most useful allies, despite his existence being largely forgottenby the galaxy writ large.
Jorus C’baoth’s clone - Joruus C’baoth – was one of the main antagonists of Timothy Zahn’sThrawn Trilogy.
Star Wars Canon Has Brought Kinman Doriana Back At Last
The 2024 in-universe reference bookStar Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empireby Dr. Chris Kempshall has brought Kinman Doriana into the modern canon. The book, fittingly, references him as an enigmatic figure, noting that he seemingly was of little significance and influence, yet he had a direct line to Palpatine himself and Palpatine’s inner circle. Given that the book is written from the perspective of historian and Resistance soldier Beaumont Kin, the lack of information about Doriana is fitting. Since he is now a part of the modern canon, future stories may flesh him out more.
Purchase Dr. Chris Kempshall’s Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire Here
Every Order Palpatine Had In Star Wars Legends (Besides 66)
While Order 66 was essential to Palpatine’s coup, it was actually only one of over 150 contingency orders for the Grand Army of the Republic.
Could Kinman Doriana Have A Similar Tie To Thrawn In Canon?
Grand Admiral Thrawn received a counterpart in the modernStar Warscanon inStar Wars Rebels, and before he made his live-action debut inAhsoka, his origin and history in the newer timeline were explored extensively. Timothy Zahn – Thrawn’s creator – wrote two new novel trilogies, delving into the new version of the famous Grand Admiral. For better or worse,the modern canon’s Thrawn has no known ties to Kinman Doriana, so the famous yet obscure political advisor from theStar WarsLegends continuity may lack ties to Thrawn unless a future property retcons their histories.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
