Warning: spoilers for Star Wars: The High Republic #4
New this month in the world of Star Wars, the latest threat to the High Republic has left an indelible mark on Jedi Master Sskeer, a mark that the Siths of old would’ve cherished. After losing his arm at the Battle of Kur, Master Sskeer has seemed troubled to his Padawan—now a full Jedi Knight—Keeve Trennis. Though his reptilian species is capable of growing back lost limbs in time, the trauma Sskeer suffered at Kur has left lingering shadows. Now that an ancient and deadly enemy—the Drengir—has reawakened, the entire galaxy is in peril.
The Drengir are a race of sentient plant-like creatures capable of physically bonding with and invading the minds of its prey. They are incredibly hostile and hungry, and by all appearances operate under a psychic hive mind whose center is a queen-like figure referred to only as “the first”. At the end of last month’s Star Wars: The High Republic #3, from writer Cavan Scott and artist Ario Anindito, readers discovered that not only had Sskeer’s mind been taken over by the Drengir, but that the creature’s anatomy had joined with his body and regrown his arm. In this months’ issue, it’s revealed that the new and improved arm is permanent and representative of a much deeper bond between Sskeer and the Drengir.
Thankfully, Jedi Master Sskeer isn’t completely lost to the Drengir. As it turns out, though the enemy’s mental and physical corruption is strong, it’s outmatched by Sskeer’s Jedi training and connection to the Force. Ever the cunning warrior, Sskeer allowed himself to be taken over by the Drengir in order to acquire greater insight into what makes these beings tick. Thanks to him, the Jedi are now armed with knowledge of the Drengir’s weaknesses, though it isn’t exactly clear what those are at this point in time. Regardless, the ease with which the captured Jedi are able to drive off their foes after having been captured is testament enough to the veracity of the gathered intel. However, the connection between Sskeer and the Drengir goes both ways. So much so that the Jedi Master is struck with incredible pain when attacking the Drengir, and, of course, that the alien appendage cannot be excised from his body.
Fortunately, there are positives to consider. As seen in the comic, not only can Sskeer still channel the force through his new arm, but this limb carries the raw physical strength and protean versatility of the Drengir, as well. As seen on the cover of issue #4, the mass of Drengir vines that have grown to take the place of his left arm can grow, contort without the limitations of a skeleton, and entwine enemies with incredibly dexterity. Were it not for the psychic invasiveness of the Drengir species, the Jedi Master could certainly make great use of this living prosthetic in combat. Moreover, now that it has been revealed that the Sith were once allies, and now enemies, of the Drengir, it’s frightening to consider how dangerous the users of the dark side of the Force would be if infused with this powerful alien physiology.
With the High Republic storyline, Star Wars is building up its new comic book lore, and now that a shared history between the Drengir and the Sith has been revealed, it’s clearer now more than ever that this new alien menace is here to stay. What’s more, this means that Jedi Master Sskeer’s strong psychic connection to the Drengir could continue to be exploited for the benefit or the dismay of the Jedi. Hopefully, readers will continue to see Sskeer use his viny arm in new and exciting ways.