Deep within the
inhospitable wilds of the planet Arkania, a Jedi Master named
Arca has established a training compound for Jedi knights. Here
Ulic Qel-Droma, Arca's most fearless - and certainly the most
bold - student, is practising his lightsaber skills against a
training droid for which Arca and two other jedi knights, Tott
Doneeta and Ulic's brother, Cay, watch on. Ulic, despite his
skills, allows over-confidence to get the better of him and loses
this training battle for which Arca instructs "Let the force
be your strength."
As Cay attempts to repair the droid, Master Arca instructs his
students to be an audience to his story. As they sit down Arca
tells them of Onderon, a half-civilised world, which has recently
been discovered by galactic explorers. "One of the four
moons of Onderon, Dxun, has an atmosphere of its own and contains
monstrous and savage flying creatures. Eons ago the atmospheres
of Onderon and Dxun would briefly touch allowing these creatures
to escape the confines of the moon and enter the atmosphere of
Onderon. The peaceful tribes on Onderon were perfect fodder for
the creatures but soon the Onderonians learnt to defend
themselves, they began to hunt and build weapons. Eons later
tribal culture evolved into true civilisation which had developed
in the form of Iziz, a great walled city. The city kept everyone
safe from the Dxun creatures while outside these walls remained a
savage outland. Lawbreakers within the city were punished by
being exiled into these outlands where they quickly become food
for these ghastly creatures. Over time though, these outcasts
learnt to defend themselves fom the Dxun beasts and some even
managed to control them. What eventually resulted was a state of
civil war between the people of Iziz and the outcasts."
What Arca is getting at is that he has been assigned to watch
over the Onderon system. But he is not going himself, rather he
is sending his three apprentices to go to Onderon and assist the
Onderonians who have asked for help. The three Jedi knights are
stunned yet excited - at last, after years of training, they are
to go forth on a mission of justice. Ulic, along with Cay and
Tott Doneeta, farewell Master Arca and aboard the "Nebulon
Ranger."
Emerging from hyperspace, they make their way to the city of Iziz
on Onderon but not without some difficulty as they are attacked
by beast riders. Refusing to fire - they are here on a mission of
peace - they manoeuvre around the creatures and land within the
great-walled city.
Disembarking, the three youths are met by Novar, the Onderonian
Minister of State. As they introduce themselves however, Tott
Doneeta is taken captive by Novar's guards under Novar's request
that "alien races are not allowed within the royal citadel
and he is to be placed in immigration for interogation".
Ulic and Cay are quick to defend their friend's honor and ignite
their lightsabers as a warning to release him. Novar warns them
that mortal threats from jedi will cause "severe political
repercussions".
Following this they are taken to Queen Amanoa who allows Tott
Doneeta (or as she calls "worm head") to be released.
Amanoa expresses her disappointment in receiving three
"untutored" youths rather than the great Jedi Master as
she had been informed. Nevertheless, they are introduced to the
Queen's daughter, Galia, whom Ulic has a instant fondness for.
Their meeting is cut short however, with the news that several
beast riders have broken into the citadel. Ulic, Tott and Cay
find themselves in action quicker than they thought they would as
they attempt to defend the city from its attackers. As they do
so, a bulk of the "beast warrior commandos" disembark
their flying beasts and enter the palace. Ulic sends Cay and Tott
after them but when they finally reach the royal quarters they
discover that Galia has been abducted.
Queen Amanoa curses the Jedi knights for this event and orders
them to find her. Ulic immediately obeys but Cay and Tott believe
they should consult Master Arca first, sensing powers of the dark
side within these strange people.
Ulic, Cay and Tott Doneeta venture into the vast wastelands of
the planet in search of Galia, but their mission is slightly
thwarted when their ship is shot down and several beasts surround
the cruiser.
Luckily, Tott Doneeta has a unique jedi power of understanding
beast languages and they become honorary riders to the beasts who
take them to the location of the kidnapped Princess.
Upon arrival they interupt the wedding of Oron Kira, son of the
Beast Lord Modon, and Princess Galia. The Jedi take to rescuing
Galia, only to find that she wishes to marry Oron and that the
abduction was planned.
Ulic discovers that the city of Iziz is strong with the dark side
of the force with many inhabitants worshipping the ways of
Freedon Nadd, a dark lord of the Sith who ruled the city
centuries ago. He takes Galia and Oron back to Iziz hoping a
marriage between the two waring clans might bring peace, only to
find Queen Amanoa turn to rage and summon the full power of the
dark side. Meanwhile, the beast-lord Modon, has rounded up his
warriors and they attack the City.
As the battle commences it looks as if the sides are even but
Queen Amanoa visits the mausoleum of Freedon Nadd where she gives
herself completely to the dark side and begins to manipulate
Modon's warriors into defeat. Meanwhile Cay, after confronting
the Queen, is attacked by her guards and in the battle he loses
his arm. Ulic comes to his rescue but brave old Cay tells him not
to worry, after all it's only an arm. Seeing an expired XT-G
Model Droid, he takes the droids arm and uses it for his own.
As the battle between the beast warriors and the Onderonians
wages on, Modon's army begin to face defeat due to Amanoa's
spell. But someone else, also experienced in Jedi Battle
Meditation, has arrived on the battleground and begins to give
the beast warriors the winning spirit they need. As Ulic and the
others watch the battle from a distance they see the strange
turnaround and recognise the new arrival to be Master Arca.
Slightly disappointed with Ulic's efforts, Arca leads his
students to the tomb of Freedon Nadd where Amanoa stands,
continuing her worship. Arca uses his power to extinquish the
dark side, which kills Amanoa in the process.
Galia is married to Oron and the warring tribes unite but Arca
warns that the dark side has not completely left this world and
asks Ulic and his other apprentices to stay on a while longer to
ensure peace