| abstract | - The Dark Lord was the former apprentice of Darth Plagueis, whom he murdered in Plagueis' sleep to become the Dark Lord of the Sith in 41 BBY—a method of execution the Dark Lord later came to regret. This act prompted the beginning of the galaxy-ending Apocalypse, which would continue for at least nineteen years. As the Dark Lord, his power within the Force grew, and he held himself in high regard. He chose to communicate non-verbally, believing that speaking was too primitive for his immense power. After Plagueis' murder, the Dark Lord ordered Darth Maul, whom he took as his apprentice just after Plagueis' death, to kill Shmi Skywalker and her unborn son, Annikin Skywalker; the Dark Lord believed Annikin was destined to be the Chosen One who would destroy the Sith. Maul failed to kill Shmi Skywalker on Tatooine and her son was born. The Dark Lord, therefore, chose to change his plans, deciding to one day capture the boy and turn him to the dark side of the Force. The Dark Lord continued his reign through the invasion of Utapau in 22 BBY, during which time Maul attempted to find Skywalker on Tatooine in an effort to capture him as the Dark Lord planned.
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