Learn about the origins and legends about the Unstable Lightsaber Crystal and why Kylo Ren’s Grossguard lightsaber used a Kyber crystal.
After Bioware released the Unstable Arbiter’s Lightsaber to the SWTOR’s InGame Cartel Store, it was obvious that I am going to do something and expand our knowledge of the origins and legends about the Unstable Ligthsaber Crystal, as well as to throw in some light into Kylo Ren’s Crossguard Kyber Crystal powered Lightsaber.
SPECIAL BONUS FOR MY PATRONS:
Full Script, Background Audio (all tested tracks) and Pictures used in the video
ORIGINS
It is unknown when the Sith began using synthetic crystals, though red crystals have been in use since the days of the Old Sith Empire. The primary reason for the usage of synthetic crystals among Sith and other Darksiders was the need to stay hidden, as most of the sites where natural crystals suitable for lightsabers could be gathered were frequented by the Jedi Order. In fact, synthetic crystal creation was viewed by Darksiders to be a sign of greater mastery over the Force. the Jedi frowned on the creation and use of synth-crystals among their initiates, associating this with taking the quick and easy path, as they believed they should rely on crystals found naturally. However, sometimes Jedi were forced to create synth-crystals when a weapon was needed and no naturally occurring crystals were accessible. Notable examples include Luke Skywalker, who used a synth-crystal for his first lightsaber, because he had no knowledge of the natural crystals at that point. Synth-crystals made by the Jedi usually had colors other than red, to avoid similarities with the Sith. Skywalker created a green crystal. In fact, because Darth Sidious had most of the sites where crystals occurred naturally looted or destroyed during the reign of the Galactic Empire, the New Jedi Order had to rely on synth-crystals almost exclusively.
SPECIFICATIONS
Though synthetic crystals were ordinarily unsuitable for use in lightsabers, the Sith discovered that they could create synth-crystals that were energized, magnetized, and modified with the power of the dark side of the Force in special furnaces, causing the crystal to glow in harmonic vibration. As a result of their artificial origins, synthetic crystals created more powerful lightsaber blades and could be more easily augmented. Also, their common usage by Sith and other Darksiders after this discovery caused synthetic crystals to become something of a staple among such groups, and their use among Jedi was strongly discouraged.
Most synthetic crystals were red, a result of the forging process, and oftentimes the initiate’s intentional manipulations, as most individuals who utilized synthetic crystals were Darksiders. The red-hued lightsaber blades generated by such crystals were often nicknamed “bloodshine blades”. The crystal’s ability to change to reflect the intentions of the creator could be said to foster a stronger bond between the resulting lightsaber and the wielder. However, synth-crystals could be made in any color, requiring only slight adjustments of the creation process and special manipulations through the Force during the forging.
Construction
Synthetic lightsaber crystals were manufactured within a machine known as a geological compressor. The original purpose of the compressor was to replicate geological conditions on distant worlds in a laboratory setting, and it was easily adapted for creating synth-crystals; simply replicating the geological processes that create crystals. The raw materials that the crystal was fashioned from were easily accessible, simply being minerals with a high carbon concentration. The raw minerals would be placed within the machine and essentially left to bake for a period ranging from twenty-four hours to four days, during which time, the initiate creating the crystal would meditate on it with the Force, guiding the formation and increasing the potency. This level of control over the formation process allowed initiates to create crystals that best suited their needs. In addition to the numerous colors synthetic crystals could be fabricated in, there were also variations in the crystals themselves that affected how they focused lightsabers blades.
Unstable Lightsaber Crystal
The Unstable Color Crystal is one of 3 types of Synthetic Color Crystals (Standard and Compressed being the other two).
Like compressed crystals, unstable crystals were the result of the initiate failing to accurately replicate the natural formation processes of crystals. The blades generated by unstable crystals were obviously more unstable than the norm, causing the blades generated to crackle with energy at erratic intervals, sometimes causing sparks to fly or streaks of electrical energy to run along the length. Due to the energy sparking from the blade, unstable synth-crystals caused more damage than normal when they hit enemies. However, they were much more prone to shorting out, causing the lightsaber to deactivate for a time.
KYLO REN’s LIGHTSABER
Kylo Ren’s lightsaber was a crossguard blade constructed and utilized by Kylo Ren approximately thirty years after the Battle of Endor. The lightsaber was crudely assembled based on an ancient design dating back thousands of years to the Great Scourge of Malachor. A single cracked Kyber crystal, barely able to contain the weapon’s power, necessitated the lateral vents which diverted the extra heat produced by the crystal to either side of the hilt, and gave the weapon’s red plasma blades an unstable, serrated appearance. Kylo wielded this weapon while working alongside the Knights of Ren and the First Order. The lightsaber was used to murder Church of the Force member Lor San Tekka, and Ren’s own father, and later crossed blades with the lightsaber that formerly belonged to the Skywalkers; Ren defeated and injured the former stormtrooper known as Finn in the duel, but was overpowered in the ensuing duel with Rey. Rey successfully channeled the Force within herself to fight back and cleaved Ren’s lightsaber in two.
For more Star Wars Lore videos, check out my collection page (click on the banner below)
