Saladeen, also known as Sultan Saladeen, was a Human male from Coruscant. He was recruited by the Jedi and eventually became a Jedi Knight. Upon the advent of the lightsaber, his viewpoints on the role of the Jedi changed. He believed that rather than being just an organization of peace and negotiation, the Jedi should become the clear rulers of the entire galaxy. The power of the lightsaber had no match in single or ground combat, and gave them the advantage against the "weak" Republic military. He felt that the corrupt Republic had been given the chance to right itself and failed and that it was up to the Jedi Order to right its path by cleansing the leadership of the government.
Saladeen was unaware that these thoughts had corrupted himself and essentially became a victim of his own philosophy. The Order's leadership saw this and opposed his ideals by siding with their long standing traditions. Saladeen and his growing followers saw this as ancient and corrupt body that was afraid to change.
The two factions, rebels and loyalists, resorted to armed combat to resolve their differences. Saladeen led the renegade Jedi in battle in the Ashta Matha monastery, the name remained even after changing their official title. The monastery was completely destroyed after the battle was completed; losses on both sides were massive. The Jedi lost half of their remaining loyalist roster and the rebels ranks were depleted by at least seventy percent, according to official records.
Saladeen and his rebels were forced to retreat off-world and remain in hiding. The rebels would be the foundation of the Dark Crusaders and later the Sith. He was forced to wear a special suit and many cybernetics due to his injuries at the monastery.
Behind the scenes[]
Saladeen is a slight alteration of the name "Saladin". Saladin was a famed leader of the Islamic cause during the Christian Crusades, at the time of the middle ages.
He is also the inspiration for Saladeen's Ring, a weapon of mass destruction devised by the Dark Crusaders during the time of Nurada Aladeen.