Treaty of Coruscant
From The Old Republic Wiki
The Treaty of Coruscant was the peace treaty that brought an end to the Great War in 3,653 BBY. The Galactic Republic was strongarmed into the treaty following a crippling stalemate in the war against the Sith Empire. While representatives of both factions met on Alderaan to discuss the terms of peace, the Sith Empire launched an unexpected assault on the Republic capital world of Coruscant.
Following the Sacking of Coruscant, the victorious Empire forced the Republic into a highly disadvantageous agreement. The Treaty forced the Republic to withdraw their troops and Jedi forces and abandon many long-time allies and outlying systems to their enemy. The result was an uneasy peace which allowed the Sith time to consolidate their growing power.
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[edit] Background
The Great War between the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire began with the return of the True Sith to the galaxy. These Sith were the last surviving remnant of the original Sith Empire that the Republic and Jedi had defeated thousands of years prior in the Great Hyperspace War. The Emperor and Dark Lord of these Sith was a Lord of the original Empire that had escaped death by fleeing into the unknown regions.[1]
While the Republic fought several wars against other Sith factions lead by Exar Kun, Darth Revan, and Darth Traya, the "True Sith" were gaining power for an assault of unrivaled proportions. Several hundred years after the end of the Dark Wars, the Sith launched their attack. Fighting viciously, the Empire quickly gained ground and the suprised Republic forces were caught off guard. Battles raged on Ilum, Dathomir, Agamar, and Utapau, while the Rimma Trade Route was cut off as a result of a Mandalorian blockade. The battle at Sluis Van resulted in the destruction of the planet's shipyards and the water-borne cities of the neutral planet Manaan were destroyed.[2]
Although they seemed to be on the verge of victory after decades of war, the Sith Empire hesitated, and instead extended an offer of peace to the Galactic Senate. Crippled and unable to refuse, the Republic accepted and plans were made for a summit on the Core World of Alderaan.[1]
[edit] Meeting on Alderaan and the attack on Coruscant
While the Republic delegation lead by Senator Am-Ris and Sith delegtion lead by Lord Baras conviened on Alderaan to begin peace talks, the Sith Empire set in motion a plan to force the Republic to accept their terms. The peace talks had been a distraction to lure the Republic into believing the Emperor was no longer interested in conquest, while in reality, they hoped to marginalize the Republic and establish a permanent Sith government.[3]
As the Alderaan summit began, a fleet of Sith warships appeared over Coruscant and destroyed Orbital Security Station Six. The fleet, lead by Lord Angral began a massive assault on the city-planet, destroying the Jedi Temple, killing six members of the Jedi Council, and capturing the Senate Building. Because the Sith held Coruscant hostage, the Republic diplomats on Alderaan had no choice but to accept the terms demanded by the Empire.[1]
[edit] Terms and Results
The Treaty of Coruscant called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawl of all Republic and Jedi forces from battlefields across the galaxy. As the Treaty went into effect, worlds once allied with the Republic were left defenseless, and were quickly absorbed by the Empire. Coruscant was also placed under the rule of the Sith Dark Council for a short time. As the Jedi returned to their ruined temple on Coruscant, they were met by anger on the part of the Senate, who placed blame for the War at the feet of the Order. The Jedi, unable to stay on Coruscant where public opinion had turned against them, relocated to the world of their origin, Tython.[1]
Although his Empire was stronger than ever, the Sith Emperor no longer seemed to desire total conquest. He handed over control of the Empire to the Dark Council, a body of twelve Sith Lords who would oversee the day to day affairs of state. The Dark Lord went on to pursue his own mysterious goals as the Sith consolidated their power.
The galaxy, divided between the two rival factions, was locked into a Cold War that included small battles in the Outer Rim and other conflicts fought by proxy. Although the situation could have easily erupted into another galactic conflict, neither side was ready to wage a full scale war yet again.
Following the Treaty of Coruscant, the Galactic Senate adopted it's signing as a new dating standard, with years preceeding the treaty being termed "BTC", or "Before the Treaty of Coruscant", and years after being called "ATC", or "After the Treaty of Coruscant."[1]
[edit] Behind the scenes
The Treaty of Coruscant acts as the basis for the setting in the upcoming LucasArts massivly multiplayer game, Star Wars: The Old Republic. The Old Republic, a follow up to the hugely successful Knights of the Old Republic series, is set in the Cold War that was created as a result of the Treaty.[4]
The events surrounding the treaty were elaborated upon in Treaty of Coruscant, an online timeline available on the Star Wars: The Old Republic website. The timeline is narrated by Jedi Master Gnost-Dural, who is voiced by actor Lance Henriksen. The events prior to this treaty are also currently beeing shelled out in the online comic book, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Threat of Peace.[4]
