Who Is Baylan Skoll? Abilities, Role, and Legacy

1. Who is Baylan Skoll?

Baylan Skoll was a male human Force-sensitive who worked as a mercenary lord. He was formerly a Jedi Knight and served as a Jedi General in the Grand Army of the Republic.

Skoll survived the Great Jedi Purge. During the New Republic Era, Skoll and his apprentice, Shin Hati, aligned with Morgan Elsbeth—an industrialist and Nightsister survivor—who sought to bring back Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Galactic Empire. Their mission to locate Thrawn coincided with Ahsoka Tano and her apprentice, Sabine Wren’s, quest to find the Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger, leading to a battle on the planet Seatos between Skoll and Tano. In this fight, Tano was defeated, and Wren was captured.

Upon reaching Peridea and sensing its deep connection to the Force, Skoll encountered Thrawn. However, Skoll showed little interest in the plans of Elsbeth and Thrawn. When Thrawn tasked Skoll and Hati with tracking down Bridger and Wren to eliminate them, their views began to diverge on the future of the Force and their respective destinies.

After finding Bridger, Skoll parted ways with Hati, no longer believing her destiny could be achieved by remaining his apprentice. He briefly encountered Ahsoka Tano again, but she managed to escape, and Skoll continued his journey to uncover his destiny on the planet.

Following the escape of Thrawn and Ezra during the Battle of Peridea, Skoll pursued his quest for meaning and eventually discovered the statues of The Father and The Son, along with a heavily damaged statue of The Daughter. At that moment, Skoll was unaware that his former apprentice, along with Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, and Huyang, still remained on the planet.

2. What Drives Baylan Skoll’s Actions and Beliefs?

Baylan Skoll was a former Jedi who had lost faith in the Order after its destruction. Though he expressed a certain level of sentimentality regarding the Jedi Order—such as showing pity at the decreasing number of surviving Jedi—he was still willing to kill Ahsoka Tano if necessary.

During his journey to Peridea, Skoll revealed to Elsbeth that he had abandoned his faith long ago. Later, he explained to Tano that the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn was a necessary evil, believing that a new future for the galaxy could only be created through conflict and destruction.

Outwardly, Skoll displayed a calm and composed demeanor, resorting to violence only when it was unavoidable. He gave some of his potential enemies the chance to avoid confrontation, as he considered himself honorable. This honor was demonstrated when he promised Sabine Wren that no harm would come to her if she helped find Ezra Bridger, and later reprimanded his apprentice for attempting revenge on Wren.

However, in combat, Skoll’s approach became more aggressive. During his duel with Ahsoka, he mocked her for the destructive legacy of her master, Darth Vader, and accused her of following a similar path.

Although reluctant to engage in conflict with Jedi or their allies, Skoll held great disdain for his former comrade, Anakin Skywalker. Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader, and his role in the destruction of the Jedi Order, fueled Skoll’s disgust. He extended this loathing to Ahsoka, accusing her of sharing her master’s legacy of death and destruction, even though he admitted that he did not resent seeing her again on Peridea.

3. What is Baylan Skoll’s Role in the Ahsoka Series?

In the opening episodes of Ahsoka, Baylan Skoll is introduced alongside his apprentice, Shin Hati, as they rescue Morgan Elsbeth, a Nightsister loyal to Grand Admiral Thrawn. Immediately, Baylan’s calm, deliberate demeanor sets him apart from other typical villains. He is thoughtful, not overtly cruel, and there is a measured purpose to his actions.

3.1 How is Baylan Skoll Different from Other Villains?

Baylan’s role in the series is not just to serve as a foil for the hero, Ahsoka Tano, but to explore the deeper philosophical underpinnings of the Force. When he faces Ahsoka in battle, it is not simply a confrontation of good versus evil but two Jedi survivors, each of whom has taken vastly different paths. While Ahsoka continues to protect the ideals of the Jedi, Baylan has chosen to reject the limitations of both the Jedi and Sith. His conflict with Ahsoka is rooted in this philosophical divide, not in personal vendetta.

3.2 What are Baylan Skoll’s Ultimate Goals?

Baylan Skoll’s ambitions extend far beyond the traditional objectives of galactic domination or allegiance to a specific cause. Unlike most antagonists, he is driven by a profound desire to break free from the cyclical nature of conflict that has plagued the galaxy for generations. His journey to Peridea is not about aiding Morgan Elsbeth or restoring Grand Admiral Thrawn’s power but about uncovering something ancient and fundamental—something he believes lies beyond the philosophies of both the Jedi and Sith.

Baylan perceives the Force as more than a tool for personal gain or political control; he envisions it as a gateway to reshaping the galaxy’s destiny on a deeper level. While others view Thrawn as a critical player in achieving their immediate objectives, Baylan regards him as merely a stepping stone in a far greater pursuit. However, by the end of Ahsoka Season 1, the specifics of this larger plan remain shrouded in mystery, leaving his ultimate goals tantalizingly ambiguous.

4. How Powerful is Baylan Skoll in Combat and the Force?

As a former Jedi, Baylan Skoll was highly skilled in Force abilities and a formidable lightsaber combatant. His fighting technique emphasized long, powerful two-handed strikes, leveraging his physical strength and endurance to overwhelm adversaries. He was proficient enough to match Ahsoka Tano in battle, even managing to defeat her by using his lightsaber to send her tumbling off a nearby cliff after she compromised her stance by burning her hand on the heated map.

Skoll was also adept at deflecting blaster bolts, which he demonstrated during the rescue of Morgan Elsbeth, where he effortlessly dispatched New Republic soldiers. His fighting technique bore a strong resemblance to Form V: Shien/Djem So, known for its aggressive, defense-into-attack style. However, like most Jedi, it is likely that he trained in multiple lightsaber forms.

In addition to his combat prowess, Skoll was skilled in telekinesis, as evidenced when he used the Force to lift a soldier and hurl a large rock at his opponents. He also displayed the ability of precognition, which allowed him to anticipate events in battle. His mastery of telepathy enabled him to read the thoughts and emotions of others, such as when he sensed Sabine Wren’s memories, which he then used to manipulate her into surrendering.

As a teacher, Skoll passed many of these abilities on to his apprentice, Shin Hati, who also became highly skilled in lightsaber combat and telekinesis.

5. Baylan Skoll’s Lightsaber

Baylan Skoll constructed his lightsaber during his time as a student in the Jedi Order, during the late Republic Era. As a Jedi, he served as a Jedi General in the Clone Wars and survived the Great Jedi Purge, eventually becoming a mercenary. By the time he worked as a mercenary, Skoll’s lightsaber emitted an orange-red blade. He also took on an apprentice, Shin Hati, training her to surpass the Jedi of the past, in his view. Hati, under his tutelage, wielded a similar orange-red blade.

Around 9 ABY, Skoll used his orange lightsaber during the search for the missing Grand Admiral Thrawn, believed to be on the extragalactic planet Peridea, where Skoll suspected a great power resided. During an attack on the New Republic starship Vesper, he and Hati rescued their employer, Morgan Elsbeth, who sought to retrieve Thrawn.

Skoll killed New Republic Captain Hayle and many soldiers during the assault. Huyang, the droid who once assisted Skoll in constructing his lightsaber, later identified the weapon through a hologram of its hilt. Skoll also dueled Ahsoka Tano with his lightsaber and briefly crossed blades with her again on Peridea before continuing his own quest.

6. What is the Nature of Baylan Skoll’s Relationship With Shin Hati?

Baylan Skoll’s relationship with his apprentice, Shin Hati, appeared to be modeled after his own training within the Jedi Order. He cared for her deeply, becoming enraged when Ahsoka used the Force to throw Hati into a pillar during their fight, knocking her unconscious.

The bond between them was mutual, as Hati rarely took orders from anyone without first seeking approval from her master. Despite this closeness, Hati was curious about Skoll’s past, and during their time on Peridea, she learned of his disillusionment with the Jedi Order.

7. What Were Baylan Skoll’s Early Experiences as a Jedi?

Baylan Skoll received training in the Force from the Jedi Order. He was born during the era of the Galactic Republic. Skoll, being Force-sensitive, was inducted into the Jedi Order and eventually attained the rank of Jedi Knight.

During his time with the Jedi, Baylan Skoll learned of the ancient stories about Peridea, which he regarded as mere myths. He was acquainted with Huyang and also knew Anakin Skywalker, who often praised his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. As a Jedi General, Skoll fought for the Republic during the Clone Wars. However, in 19 BBY, the war came to an end when Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, secretly a Sith Lord, reshaped the Republic into the Galactic Empire and initiated the execution of the Jedi.

Skoll managed to survive the Purge. With the Jedi Order now dissolved, he became a mysterious mercenary. During this period, he learned of Skywalker’s fate as the Sith Lord, Darth Vader, and developed a deep resentment for his former colleague. Skoll would later confront Tano, telling her that her legacy, like her master’s, would only bring destruction.

8. How Did Baylan Skoll Adapt After the Jedi Purge?

8.1 What Led Baylan Skoll to Peridea?

8.1.1 How Did Baylan Skoll Rescue Morgan Elsbeth?

Baylan Skoll, having survived the Galactic Civil War, lived into the New Republic Era when Luke Skywalker began rebuilding the Jedi Order. By this time, Skoll had taken an apprentice, Shin Hati, and trained her with the intent that she would surpass the Jedi.

In 9 ABY, followers of Grand Admiral Thrawn—who was stranded in a distant galaxy with Ezra Bridger—were working to bring Thrawn back to restore the Galactic Empire. However, their plan was hindered when Ahsoka Tano captured Morgan Elsbeth, a key ally of Thrawn and leader of the mission to return him.

Skoll, now an associate of Elsbeth, embarked on a mission to free her, sensing a powerful connection to Thrawn’s location that he sought to exploit. Alongside his apprentice Hati, they also teamed up with the Inquisitor Marrok to rescue Elsbeth.

Later that year, aboard their Eta-class shuttle, Skoll and Hati intercepted the New Republic Defense Fleet vessel, Vesper, posing as Jedi and using an old Jedi access code. Once aboard, they were confronted by a security team led by Captain Hayle. Despite Hayle’s suspicions, Skoll signaled Hati, who swiftly began eliminating the New Republic crew. After Hayle aimed his blaster at her, Skoll used the Force to turn the weapon on Hayle himself, confirming they were not Jedi before killing him with his lightsaber.

Afterward, Skoll followed Hati through the ship as they took down the crew. Hati advanced towards the bridge while Skoll headed to Elsbeth’s cell, cutting down the soldiers in his way and using the Force to choke one to death. He eventually reached Elsbeth’s cell, removed her restraints, and offered his hand, promising he would be well-compensated for his efforts.

Elsbeth revealed that the Jedi who captured her had obtained crucial information about Thrawn’s whereabouts, revealing that Ahsoka Tano was responsible. The trio left the ship, leaving no trace of their attack.

8.1.2 What Role Did Baylan Skoll Play in Obtaining the Star Map?

Around this time, Ahsoka Tano discovered an ancient Nightsister temple on Arcana, containing a map that could lead to Thrawn’s location. She retrieved the map and left the planet, but Skoll, Hati, Marrok, and Elsbeth arrived too late.

After searching the area, Skoll and Marrok found nothing and reported back to Elsbeth, who sensed that the map was now in the hands of Sabine Wren. Skoll considered it a fortunate turn of events, and Elsbeth ordered him to send Hati to Lothal to retrieve it. Though Hati questioned the plan, Skoll assured her there was no magic involved and commanded her to follow through with the mission.

Hati successfully recovered the map and brought it back to Skoll, who then contacted Elsbeth. They traveled to Seatos, where Elsbeth revealed the map’s mechanism. After activating it, they discovered the pathway to a second galaxy. As Elsbeth pointed out one location, Skoll realized it was Peridea, confirming the stories he had once heard in the Jedi Temple were true. Afterward, he ordered Hati to go to Corellia to assist in the operation there.

8.1.3 How Did Baylan Skoll’s Mission Lead to His Duel With Ahsoka Tano?

Morgan Elsbeth returned to the Eye of Sion stationed in the Denab system. Skoll, Hati, and Marrok communicated with her via hologram. After Marrok encountered Ahsoka Tano on Corellia, Elsbeth ordered Skoll to kill Tano. Though he considered this a pity due to the scarcity of Jedi, he agreed. When Elsbeth questioned whether he was being sentimental, Skoll responded that he was only stating the truth.

Soon after, Hati and Marrok chased Tano and Sabine Wren through space. The two eventually landed on Seatos, where Hati and Marrok searched for them. Meanwhile, Skoll arrived on the planet and commanded his droids to track down the two Rebels.

As Tano and Wren arrived at Seatos to reclaim the mapping mechanism, Skoll sent Hati and Marrok to confront them, staying behind to guard the device. After Ahsoka defeated Marrok, she faced Skoll, who was waiting for her. Skoll remarked that her former master, Anakin Skywalker, had spoken highly of her during their time in the Jedi Order. He then questioned whether Tano had abandoned Skywalker because of the man he became. Skoll explained that while he had no desire to start a new war, he believed that destruction was necessary for creation, and that Thrawn’s return was a required step.

They then engaged in a lightsaber duel, with Skoll fighting not to kill Tano, but to prevent her from interfering with the map. While the mapping mechanism was transferring the coordinates to Elsbeth, Skoll defended it from Tano’s attempts to seize it. He accused Tano of following a legacy of death and destruction, much like her master, Darth Vader. This provoked Tano, who kicked Skoll down and rushed to stop the mechanism, burning her hand in the process. Enraged, Skoll intensified his assault, driving Tano toward the edge of a cliff.

Meanwhile, Hati reclaimed the map at the henge but was disabled by Tano using the Force. As Skoll and Tano continued their fight, she became trapped near the cliff’s edge in a saber lock, forcing her to use her injured hand to defend herself with the Force. Skoll, frustrated by the situation, told Tano she had left him no choice. Sabine Wren arrived at the henge, threatening to destroy the mechanism. Despite her warnings, Skoll struck Tano with an upward lightsaber swing, sending her plummeting into the abyss.

8.2 What Was Baylan Skoll’s Role on Peridea?

8.2.1 Why Was Peridea Significant to Baylan Skoll?

On their journey to the distant galaxy, Sabine Wren was imprisoned aboard the Eye of Sion. Skoll approached her cell, observing as she sarcastically commented that she would have preferred a room with a view. Skoll chuckled, asking if she found the confinement difficult, to which Wren responded that she did. Skoll remarked that it was a good time for reflection, although Wren said she tried to avoid it. As Skoll started to walk away, Wren reminded him of their deal, but he simply smirked and left without responding.

Skoll returned to the Eye’s bridge, where Elsbeth inquired about their prisoner. Skoll replied that Wren was impatient, and when Elsbeth asked if he intended to honor their agreement, Skoll noted that Wren’s focus on finding Ezra Bridger could still be useful to them. At that moment, one of the droids announced that they had arrived at their destination.

After exiting hyperspace, Elsbeth revealed the significance of Peridea, the planet that had come into view. Skoll remarked on what the Jedi archives said about the planet, linking it to the Purrgils, the star whales that traveled between galaxies. Elsbeth further revealed that the ancient Nightsisters were the first to tame these creatures. Skoll then described Peridea as a graveyard where the Purrgils came to die. Soon after, the droids detected a signal from the planet, prompting Elsbeth to suggest they shouldn’t keep the witches waiting.

8.2.2 How Did Baylan Skoll Interact with Grand Admiral Thrawn?

Upon arriving at Peridea, Skoll, Hati, and Elsbeth met with the Great Mothers, three Dathomiri witches, who then escorted them to Grand Admiral Thrawn. When Thrawn arrived from his Star Destroyer, he immediately recognized Skoll as a former General of the Jedi Order. After confirming his identity, Thrawn tasked Skoll and Hati with locating and killing Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren, forcing them to break their previous promise to Wren.

8.2.3 How Did Baylan Skoll Pursue Sabine Wren?

Skoll and Hati set out to track Wren and Bridger across Peridea, riding their dark and light Howlers through the grasslands and meadows. They eventually discovered the aftermath of a battle between Wren and a group of nomadic bandits. Skoll deduced that Wren had survived the encounter, judging by the bodies left behind. Hati inquired if her master knew who Wren was so desperate to find, to which Skoll responded that he did not, but referred to Ezra Bridger as a Bokken Jedi—a Jedi trained after the fall of the Order.

Hati questioned if she would fall under the same classification, but Skoll denied it, affirming that he had trained her to be much more than a Jedi. She then directly asked if he missed the Jedi Order, to which Skoll admitted that he missed the ideal of the Order but not what it had become, citing its weakness and lack of a future.

When Hati expressed doubts about a future on Peridea, viewing it as a barren wasteland, Skoll referenced the presence of the Great Mothers as evidence that this place was once the ancient Witch Kingdom of the Dathomiri, validating the myths recorded in the Jedi archives.

Hati noted that the witches seemed eager to leave, suggesting that perhaps they were fleeing from something more powerful. Skoll revealed that something on Peridea was calling to him, and he was certain that there was something special about the planet. Before Hati could respond, they noticed bandits watching them from a distance. Skoll calmly intervened, stating that for the time being, they should consider the enemies of their enemies as allies.

8.2.4 Why Did Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati Part Ways?

Skoll and Hati finally located Wren and Bridger, who were traveling with a group of Noti across the planet. The pair spotted Skoll and Hati and immediately turned to flee. Skoll instructed Hati to contact Thrawn, eliminate Wren and Bridger, and take her place in the new Empire. Confused, Hati asked if he intended to help, but Skoll replied that their paths had diverged—her ambition driving her toward the Empire, while his journey led him elsewhere.

After a moment of silence, Hati contacted Thrawn, relaying the location of the two Force-sensitive Rebels. Before parting, Skoll gave her one final lesson: impatience in the pursuit of victory would only lead to defeat. The master and apprentice shared a glance before Hati nodded and rode off with the bandits to chase down the Rebels.

Shortly after, Ahsoka Tano—who had survived her fall and traveled to Peridea with the help of the Purrgils—arrived to confront Skoll again. They clashed in battle, but Tano pointed out that she did not need to defeat him. At that moment, Huyang fired missiles from his T-6 shuttle, creating an explosion that allowed Tano to escape by riding away on Skoll’s howler.

After Thrawn and his forces left Peridea, Skoll stood atop a high cliff, gazing toward a mysterious, flickering light emanating from a distant mountain—seemingly the source of the energy that called to him. He stood on a statue of The Father, which pointed toward the light, flanked by statues of The Son and a damaged representation of The Daughter.

9. What Is Baylan Skoll’s Legacy and Future in Star Wars?

9.1 What Does Baylan Skoll’s Final Scene in Ahsoka Season 1 Mean?

By the end of the first season, Baylan Skoll is seen standing on a cliff in Peridea, gazing at a distant mountain with a mysterious figure or symbol glowing on top. This scene suggests that Baylan is on the verge of discovering the ancient power he seeks, but the show does not reveal what that power is or what its implications will be for the galaxy. His journey is left unresolved, which invites speculation about his future role.

9.2 What Questions About Baylan Skoll Remain Unanswered?

Baylan’s search for a way to break the cycle of conflict is a major theme in his character arc throughout the season. He frequently expresses frustration with the repetitive nature of war in the galaxy and seeks something that can change the future fundamentally. However, since the series does not provide clear answers about the power he seeks or its potential consequences, these elements remain unresolved by the end of Season 1.

9.3 How Will Ray Stevenson’s Passing Affect Baylan Skoll’s Storyline?

Unfortunately, Ray Stevenson, who portrayed Baylan Skoll, passed away in May 2023, before the full release of Ahsoka. This adds uncertainty to how the character’s story will be handled in future Star Wars projects, especially since his arc is left open-ended at the end of the season. Whether the role will be recast, or his storyline altered, remains an open question, adding to the ambiguity of Baylan’s legacy.

9.4 How Could Baylan Skoll Influence the Future of Star Wars?

Baylan Skoll’s philosophical approach to the Force, seeking something beyond the typical Jedi and Sith ideologies, creates fertile ground for future storylines. He could introduce a new philosophy or source of power in the Star Wars universe, expanding the lore in significant ways. Given that the show ties him to a larger conflict involving Thrawn and the mysterious ancient powers of Peridea, it seems likely that he was intended to play an important role in future stories, whether in additional seasons of Ahsoka, other shows in the “Mandoverse,” or broader Star Wars projects.

External Sources

• Baylan Skoll | Wookieepedia – Fandom
• Baylan Skoll | Databank
• Baylan Skoll – Disney Wiki – Fandom
• Baylan Skoll’s lightsaber | Wookieepedia – Fandom

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