[ costume design and progress art ]

Darth Bane, Architect of the Sith
Darth Bane was the Dark Lord responsible for the Rule of the Two. This doctrine ushered in a new age of secrecy for the Sith, stating that no more than two Sith shall exist at any one tyme; a Master and an Apprentice.

Darth Bane, post Dxun
Darth Bane realized true power came from knowledge. To that end, Darth Bane devoted much of his life locating and studying the ancient teachings of the Sith. After the Battle of Ruusan, Darth Bane traveled to the beast moon of Dxun and entered the ancient tomb of the Sith Lord Freedon Nadd. Sequestered within the tomb, Darth Bane was further guided by Freedon Nadd's own apparition as he sought out secrets of long dead Sith Lords.

Deep within the chambers of Freedon Nadd's Tomb, Darth Bane was beset by Orbalisks, symbionts that feed on dark side energy. The Orbalisks, awakened by the living embodiment of the Sith, grafted themselves to Darth Bane's body. The ordeal would have killed most any other being, and yet, for the Dark Lord, the result was a living suit of armour that bolstered not only strength, but agility as well. Darth Bane emerged from the tomb a changed man, stronger and closer to the Dark Side than any other Sith Lord had been in ages.

references
13. Star Wars: Evolutions, Legacy of the Sith, Hasbro, 2008
(action figure with removable helm and orbalisks)
12. Star Wars: Darth Bane: Rule of Two, Del Rey, 2008
(illustrated, cover art portrait with orbalisk armour, expansion of Darth Bane's revelations on Dxun, and the training of apprentice Zannah.)
11. Star Wars: Jedi Vs Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, Del Rey, 2007
(illustrated, powers and historical role explained; Battle of Ruusan)
10. Star Wars: Champions of the Force, 10/60, Wizards of the Coast, 2006
(illustrated, and game piece; Battle of Ruusan)
09. Star Wars: Legacy, issue 5, Dark Horse Comics, 2006
(illustrated--based on my costume--holocron projection; post Dxun)
08. Star Wars: Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, Del Rey, 2006
(illustrated, cover art portrait in Sith academy attire, story of the rise of Darth Bane)
07. Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Characters, Del Rey, 2002
(illustrated, post Dxun)
06. Star Wars: Jedi Vs Sith, Dark Horse Comics, 2001
(illustrated, first depiction of Bane at the Battle of Ruusan)
05. The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide, Chronicle Books, 2001
(illustration of Orbalisk)
04. The Dark Side Sourcebook, Lucas Books, 2001
(illustrations and character summary)
03. Star Wars: Bane of the Sith, SW Gamer Issue 3, 2001
(short story explaining Bane's exotic armour)
02. Star Wars: Secrets of the Sith, Lucas Books, 2000
(first illustration of Darth Bane)
01. Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Del Ray, 1999
(first mention of Sith Lord Darth Bane)

"I am not craven. I have done only what was required. Someone had to escape, so that the flames of dark lore would not be extinguished completely."