Summary
One new detail has finally revealed the origins of theSith Wayfinderoriginally seen inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The Wayfinders were key to finding the Sith planet Exegol in the Skywalker saga’s final intallment, and were what Rey and her allies searched for during a lot of the movie. Kylo Ren had already been in possession of one of the Wayfinders, but the Resistance sought to find the other so they could take downPalpatine and the Final Order.
While the Sith Wayfinders felt a bit like a MacGuffin inThe Rise of Skywalker, they’ve become increasingly more interesting as more information has been revealed about these Sith artifacts. The Wayfinders may have been MacGuffin-esque in the first part ofThe Rise of Skywalkerbut quickly turned into a vital object that eventually led to the Resistance taking down the Final Order at the Battle of Exegol. Despite their importance,Star Warsis still releasing new information about the Sith navigation devices.
Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Cast & Character Guide
The cast of the Star Wars sequel trilogy includes icons like Harrison Ford reprising their old characters and newcomers including Daisy Ridley.
The Rise Of Skywalker’s Sith Wayfinder Has Links To Purrgil
They Were Inspired by The Space Whales
In the upcomingStar Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy, it’s been revealed that the ancient Sith created the Sith Wayfinders seen inThe Rise of Skywalkerafter dissecting purrgil.Purrgil areStar Wars’ version of space whalesand have been seen in differentStar Warstitles, most notablyStar Wars RebelsandAhsoka.Purrgil can travel in hyperspace, and as learned inAhsoka, can even travel to different galaxies.TheStar Wars Encyclopedia, explains that Wayfinders:
…are an exceptionally rare example of navigational technology that’s still not completely understood by modern scholars. Created by ancient Sith, without the use of modern navicomputers and hyperspace routes, the first wayfinders are inspired by the Sith’s dissection of purrgil whales. They combine the species’ natural faster-than-light capabilities with an infusion of the dark side of the Force.
It’s already been established that hyperspace travel was originally inspired by passing purrgil, but knowing that the Sith dissected a purrgil only to use its abilities and infuse it with dark side energy completely rewrites what was previously thought about the Wayfinders. TheStar Wars Encyclopediagoes on to explain that after a location has been mapped out, the Wayfinder keeps this destination’s data and will allow any user to safely get to their destination.This is likely how Rey was able to use the Wayfinder inThe Rise of Skywalkerwith easeand lead the Resistance to Exegol.
Jedi & Sith Wayfinders Are The Key To Finding Powerful Force Vergences
At Least Luke Skywalker Thought So
Audiences to this point have only seen the Sith Wayfinder, but Jedi have also studied the technology, with Luke Skywalker taking a particular interest in finding a Wayfinder and Exegol. Because Luke took such good notes, it allowed Rey to figure out how to find Palaptine’s Wayfinder in the remnants of the second Death Star.Force vergenceswere best described recently inThe Acolyteand, with theWayfinder’s supraluminite iodestones absorption technology, it could allow a user to track any potential Force vergence by using the Wayfinder as a kind of compass.
Star Warsreleasing this origin of the Sith Wayfinder may indicate that these artifacts will come back and play a part in an upcomingStar Warstitle. While it doesn’t seem like they will play a role in shows likeAhsoka, seeing them return in theupcomingNew Jedi Orderfilmwould be interesting. With Daisy Ridley returning as Rey Skywalker, it means there would be no questioning how Rey came into possession of the Sith Wayfinder. It’s unfortunate audiences didn’t see Wayfinder’s full potential inThe Rise of Skywalker, but hopefully, it’s not the last time they’re seen onscreen.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Cast
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga with Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron leading the Resistance against the First Order. As the final battle unfolds, they draw upon the wisdom and strength of previous generations to confront their adversaries. Released in 2019, the film concludes the sequel trilogy.
