Vergence

For other uses, see Nexus.

"Locations exist where the Force is more sharply focused, but dangerous these places can be. Vergences, they are called, and should not be explored without training and permission. The Jedi Temple on Coruscant has one such. The Living Sea of Gazian, another. Jedha, as well."

―Yoda in a Jedi holocron^[1]

DarkInk-Domain-of-Evil — The so-called "Cave of Evil" was the site of a dark-side vergence on Dagobah.

A vergence,^[2] sometimes described as a Force nexus,^[3] a nexus,^[4] or a locus,^[5]^[6] was an unusual yet naturally occurring concentration of Force energy localized around a place, object, or person. A vergence centered on a location could give nearby Force-sensitives stronger interactions with the Force, often including visions.^[7] The ethereal world of Mortis was the fulcrum of the galaxy and the Force.^[8]

Description

Overview

Torbin: "What's a Vergence?"

Indara: "A concentration of Force energy, centered around a location."

Sol: "A Vergence could create life, like what we see on this planet. It's a power that should be studied, protected. Nothing could be more important to the Jedi."

―The Jedi team studying the planet Brendok discuss their mission^[9]

Emerging thanks to Force energy concentrating around a location^[9] object, or person,^[7] Vergences could occur anywhere, and were often places with weighty histories and great importance to the wider galaxy. They varied in size, being as as large as an entire planet, or as small as a single room. The bounds of time and space did not confine a vergence, as they could exist beyond them.^[4]

Jedi scholars speculated on what created a vergence, but every theory was flawed. While no two vergences were exactly alike, Jedi archivists and researchers have managed to classify known vergences into various types. Vergences could be light side vergences, dark side vergences, or neutral vergences, and each of these types existed in varying strengths.^[4]

Some vergences were natural concentrations of the Living Force known as "Wellsprings of Life." They were some of the strongest and most powerful light side vergences in the galaxy. It was thought that all life may have originated from such a vergence, and the Wellspring of Life may be where the Force could be given form and voice. Other vergences were concentrations of the Unifying Force, where time and space was more fluid. At such vergences, Force-sensitives could more easily see their own future or that of their allies. While meditating at vergences concentrated with the Cosmic Force could show the Force-sensitive many things, including other places and the past.^[4]

Capabilities

The powerful Force energies of a vergence could obscure the presence of Force-sensitives, making them much more difficult to sense. The powerful vergence at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant may have helped conceal Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine's darkness from the Jedi Order, while the Cave of Evil on Dagobah possibly enabled Yoda to hide from the Galactic Empire.^[4] Vergences were also so powerful that they had the ability to create life. Further, they could be used—and were the only source powerful enough to—artifically manipulate said life on a grand scale, such as how a vergence was used to split a single conscious into the two bodies of Verosha Aniseya and Mae-ho Aniseya.^[10]

Some vergences were particularly useful for amplifying specific techniques. The natures of these enhancements varied widely; Force powers could be amplified only while at the site, or they provided an insight that allowed a temporary benefit. Other vergences made it easier to access specific aspects of the Force, which those with training could exploit.^[4]

Some vergences provided trials that tested the Force-sensitive's character and shaped their destiny. Possible trials included:

Trial of Fear: The Force-sensitive was confronted with visions of their greatest fear.^[4]
Trial of Attachment: The Force-sensitive was subjected to visions of terrible fates befalling the object or person to which the Force-sensitive was most attached.^[4]
Trial of Aggression: The Force-sensitive encountered their most hated enemy.^[4]
Trial of Sacrifice: The Force-sensitive was subjected to visions in which they must trade life itself to protect the defenseless.^[4]

History

Origin

The Wellspring of Life, a planet^[11] that was the foundation of life and what connects the Living and the Cosmic Force,^[12] the birthplace of midi-chlorians, and the dwelling of the five Force Priestesses,^[11] was also described as a nexus.^[4]

Age of the Old Republic

During the age of the Old Republic, the Jedi and Sith had often warred for control of vergences.^[13] The sacred spire on Coruscant was^[6] a powerful light side vergence^[4] which attracted Force wielders of various beliefs and was deemed sacred by local Coruscanti.^[6] The Sith constructed an immense black shrine^[4] no later than close to five millennia before 14 BBY^[14] atop of the spire at the heart of the planet, hoping to corrupt it with the dark side of the Force, which eventually succeeded, until it was razed by the Jedi at the end of a great war.^[4] Eventually, the Four Masters erected^[6] the Jedi Temple, hoping to reverse the process and return the vergence to the light side.^[4] In truth, the dark side energy from the vergence^[4] had seeped upward and outward since its entombment, infiltrating the hallways and rooms of the Jedi Temple, and weakening the Jedi Order.^[15]

The Cave of Evil on Dagobah was a vergence^[4] that was alive.^[16] The Jedi Temple on Lothal, the Temple of Eedit on Devaron, the Jedi Temple on Ilum,^[4] the Mirror cave on Ahch-To,^[17] and the great chasm on Ushruu were also vergences.^[18] The planet Aleen and the moon Iktotch had vergences.^[4] Exegol had enormous fissures that reached deep into its crust. Such were thought to be pathways to a hidden transportative vergence, and hence excavated by Sith loyalists in antiquity.^[19]

Age of the High Republic

The living planet^[20] Sophros was a nexus in the Force. It held back the Blight from spreading into the greater galaxy.^[21]

During the Great Hyperspace Disaster, the planet Brendok was rendered lifeless. By 148 BBY, life returned to the planet, drawing the attention of the Jedi Order. A expedition led by Jedi Master Indara was sent to investigate the cause, which was attributed to a vergence.^[9]

Rise of the Galactic Empire and beyond

"I have encountered a vergence in the Force."
"Located around a person?"
"A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life-form. It is possible he was conceived by the midi-chlorians."

―Qui-Gon Jinn and Mace Windu^[2]

The individual Anakin Skywalker was a vergence.^[2]

During the Imperial Era, the Sith Lords Darth Sidious^[7] and Darth Vader tried to use the energies of vergences^[22] in the Force to break the rules that governed life and death.^[7] Vader hoped to harness the dark side energies of the Sith cave on the planet Mustafar to break down the barrier between life and death.^[22] Meanwhile, Sidious pursued his obsession with immortality; he coveted any and all vergences. One vergence in particular drew his attention: a gateway beneath the Jedi Temple on Lothal. The Emperor's agents had excavated this relic, and transported the doorway offworld.^[7]

The Skywalker lightsaber acted like a vergence when Rey came into contact with it, granting her insights from the past when she touched it in the Takodana Castle.^[19]