Tales of the Empire: The Nightsisters and the Mountain Clan of Dathomir

Originally debuting in the late Dave Wolverton's 1994 Legends novel The Courtship of Princess Leia, the Nightsisters, a coven of witches from the planet Dathomir, have evolved into one of the most compelling factions within the vast Star Wars universe. Among these witches are iconic characters like Asajj Ventress, Merrin, and Morgan Elsbeth. The Nightsisters have been players in the franchise since Star Wars Legends and series like the Clone Wars. However, we recently got to see another addition from Dathomir in Tales of the Empire with the Mountain Clan.

The Nightsisters, like the Jedi and the Sith, are Force wielders, but these witches harness the Force's power much differently: as dark magick. This coven also has something else in common with the Jedi and Sith, a more virtuous rival: the Mountain Clan. The Mountain Clan calls on the power of the Force to use their magicks for defense, not attack. Sound familiar?

The Nightsisters of Dathomir were recently revealed to have originated on the ancient planet of Peridea, where Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger landed after being shot into hyperspace with the Purrgil. The majority of the Nightsisters tend to remain on Dathomir, as they draw their power from the planet's magickal ichor, a green mist. They are a matriarchal society led by Mother Talzin, who had ties to the Sith, including Darth Sidious and his apprentice, Darth Tyranus. The Nightsisters use their magicks for aggressive and life-prolonging means, traits and actions commonly associated with the Sith. Though they may similarly use the dark side of the Force and use it for similar reasons, the Nightsisters of Dathomir are clearly distinguished from the Sith, having wildly different perspectives on the Force.

Less is known about the Mountain Clan, but they are another coven of witches on the magick-imbued planet of Dathomir. This clan uses their magicks quite differently compared to their fellow Dathomiri sisters though. Much like the Jedi, the Mountain Clan are pacifistic and noble in nature, using their magicks for defensive purposes only. In Tales of the Jedi, their leader, the Matron, used a blast of energy to defend her people and Morgan Elsbeth. Unlike the Nightsisters and their normal green mist, the Matron's magick was white and pure.

The Nightsisters and the Mountain Clan of Dathomir demonstrate that the power of the Force can be wielded and interpreted in many different ways, but it always comes down to how one uses that power. Star Wars is, ultimately, an epic chronicle of the never-ending battle between good and evil.