Darth Xaphan born Gabriel Skywalker was a fallen Jedi and Dark Lord of the Sith during the New Sith Wars. Gabriel was a legendary warrior as a Jedi before his fall and was apprentice of Lord Hoth and Valenthyne Farfalla temporarily. Later Gabriel fell to the dark side of the Force and became the second apprentice of Darth Bane. At later years he was known as Lord of Fire.
As a Jedi he was trained at the academy of Tython. He was the youngest of Hoth's apprentices. He gained crucial importance for its academy at New Sith Wars especially at Battle of Uba IV and Ruusan Campaign in which he was a key factor of the victories of the Jedi Order. Later he took part at Second Jedi Schism fighting against Laura Keldaria and the Order of Light. After the death of his master at the Seventh Battle of Ruusan, Gabriel was one of the highest ranked members of the Jedi council. Circa 992 BBY some Jedi trapped Gabriel and tried to kill him above Keldan Wardemon. Qordis discovered Gabriel on Rhelg and transferred to him some dark energy.
Although Gabriel remained enough strong to duel with the darkness. He was lost from Qordis for over ten years until a vision. This vision showed Darth Andeddu revealed to Gabriel. Gabriel discovered Andeddu's holocron and this was the beginning to his downfall. Gabriel was sent from Andeddu to discovered the imprisoned dark side energy of Ambria and to free Darth Simi. Darth Simi tempted Gabriel and taught him about the nature of darkness. Gabriel although became apprentice of Valenthyne Farfalla and learnt new abilities at the light side. A group of Jedi tried to electrocute him but they failed again. Gabriel began killing Jedi executing Simi's orders. He promised at Simi that he will keep her presence unknown to the Jedi and then to help him come closer to the Sith. Simi gave to him the whole dark energy that was imprisoned on Ambria and then Simi gave to him the name of Darth Xaphan. Simi believed that the fire was the force that will bring Gabriel to the dark side of the Force and indeed was truth for Gabriel. Gabriel was weak to ressist to the lure of the dark side when Simi took the control of his emotions.
Some moments before his fall Gabriel was too calm. Darth Bane told him that he was too strong for being the Shadow Hand of the Sith'ari. Gabriel destroyed the Jedi Temple but he failed to win Valenthyne and was seriously electrocuted.