Summary

• Baylan Skoll, a mysterious Dark Jedi, survived Order 66 and is on a mission to unlock ultimate power in Peridea.
• Baylan's orange lightsaber and lack of Sith-like behavior raise questions about his alignment as a possible Gray Jedi.
• The future of Baylan's story remains uncertain after Ray Stevenson's ing, leaving many mysteries unresolved.

Played by the late Ray Stevenson in Ahsoka, the Dark Jedi Baylan Skoll is still deeply mysterious. Baylan and his apprentice - Ivanna Sakhno's Shin Hati - were two of the most intriguing elements in Ahsoka season 1. A mysterious pathway to Peridea will help him unlock that power.

Lucasfilm has confirmed Ahsoka season 2 is in production, which means showrunner Dave Filoni will need to make a difficult decision over whether he should recast the role of Baylan Skoll after Stevenson's tragic ing. One thing's for sure; whatever Filoni decides, there are many mysteries that need to be resolved. Here are the top ten.

10 How Did Baylan Survive Order 66?

Baylan was still a Jedi during Order 66

Every Jedi has their own Order 66 story, but Baylan's is a complete unknown. He somehow knew Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, which has raised some speculation Baylan made have actually been at the Jedi Temple itself - witness to Anakin's rampage. It was hard enough to survive Order 66 when on the battlefield, let alone at the Jedi Temple itself. The few Jedi who survived did so by the skin of their teeth, often with help. There's surely a story here that needs to be told - whether n Ahsoka season or elsewhere, such as in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi season 2.

9 What Is Baylan's Mission?

Baylan is involved with the Mortis gods

Throughout Ahsoka, Baylan consistently claimed he was concerned with what he saw as the almost inevitable cycle of light versus dark. Baylan claimed the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Empiire was an inevitability, and insisted Ahsoka's legacy was one of death and destruction - again as though this reinforced the sense of the inevitable. His entire life philosophy is based on a lack of faith in systems of power and a belief in shifting power dynamics.

Baylan claimed his mission to peridea was for the "greater good," and that he sought a power beyond that of any government, Jedi, or Sith to end the cycle. He believed Peridea was the place where the cycle of light versus dark first began, and discovered statues of the Mortis gods - avatars of the Force itself - suggests he was right. It's still unknown how Baylan believes he will acquire such power and what he intends to do with it to end the cycle.

8 Why Did Baylan Work For Lady Morgan Before He Knew About Peridea?

Baylan was loyal to Lady Morgan before he knew Peridea wasn't a fairytale

When talking about Peridea, Baylan states that he thought it was a fairytale. This suggests he served Lady Morgan Elsbeth before he knew Peridea actually existed - and his original reasons are still unexplained. One possibility is that he didn't start working with her until she received dreams from the Great Mothers telling her to go to Peridea. If this is the case, then he could've ed her out of hope that it was true.

7 Why Is Baylan's Lightsaber So Unique?

Orange is not a common lightsaber color

There are many different lightsaber colors, but Baylan's is unusual in its orange hue. This is particularly surprising in that it differs from the blood-red lightsabers of other dark siders. Baylan's blade is close to red, but it is not red in itself, suggesting there is something strange here. The same can be seen with Baylan's apprentice, Shin. Marketing for Ahsoka stressed the orange lightsabers, but they weren't even commented on in the show itself.

6 What Was Baylan's Original Purpose For Shin, & Has He Abandoned It?

Baylan abandoned Shin after telling her he trained her to be something greater than a Jedi

Baylan told Shin he intended to be more than just a "bokken Jedi," a term he used to refer to Jedi trained away from the Temple. Surprisingly, shortly after saying this, he chose to abandon Shin - telling her to return to the Empire, or essentially do whatever she wished. It's as though Baylan gave up on whatever mysterious plan or purpose he had for her. Considering all the effort he put into training her, this doesn't make sense, and it should be addressed in Ahsoka season 2.

5 Is Baylan Skoll A Dark Force- Or Gray Jedi?

Baylan uses the dark side, but he doesn't act like a Sith

The concept of Gray Jedi originates with Star Wars Legends, but hasn't previously been seen in canon at all. The term refers to Jedi who try to walk the balance between light and dark without fully surrendering to the dark side. The term can also be used to describe Jedi who operate outside the will of the Jedi Council and reject some of the Order's stricter rules in favor of doing what they believe is right. Gray Jedi differ from dark side s in that, while they may tap into the dark side at times, they don't stay in it.

Baylan clearly has no issue with both him and Shin using the dark side when it is convenient. He Force Chokes a person when breaking Morgan Elsbeth out of prison. For all that's the case, though, he doesn't show any of the other traditional signs of the dark side; he is more controlled, more precise, with none of the surging anger. He doesn't have a red lightsaber.

Further, Baylan doesn't desire power the way the Sith and other dark side s seem to. He claims to want to end the cycle of light and dark, not gain power for himself. He also expresses disgust for Ahsoka due to her past as a warrior. This suggests that he may be more of a gray Jedi.

4 How Much Does Baylan Know About The Mortis Gods?

Baylan seems to know more about the Mortis gods than a regular Jedi

The Mortis gods are cosmic avatars of the Force who appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and they were apparently killed - demonstrating how out of balance the Force was during the conflict. Baylan seems to know more about the Mortis gods than even Ahsoka Tano, because he has a certain agenda now he is on Peridea. This naturally raises a difficult question about just how he acquired this knowledge.

3 When Did He Acquire Shin Hati As An Apprentice?

Baylan trained Shin Hati after Order 66

Ahsoka season 1 confirmed Shin was recruited as a Padawan sometime after Order 66; she knows surprisingly little about the Jedi Order as a whole. This raises the question of how Baylan and Shin first met. The end of Ahsoka season 1 left Shin abandoned by her master - a strange parallel to Sabine's past with Ahsoka - and it is possible more will be revealed.

2 Did Baylan Know Anakin Skywalker?

Baylan alludes to the fact that he may have known Anakin, but their relationship is not defined

Baylan tells Shin that everyone in the Order knew of Anakin Skywalker, but few lived to see what he became. He also told Ahsoka that Anakin spoke highly of her. This suggests that he may have at least met Anakin at some point - likely towards the end of the Clone Wars, after Ahsoka had left the Jedi. It would be interesting to know what their relationship was before Order 66 and if they ever worked together.

1 What Will Happen to Baylan's Story Now That Ray Stevenson Has ed Away?

Baylan's journey may not be able to be completed

Ray Stevenson's tragic ing means the future of Baylan Skoll is currently up in the air. Lucasfilm has tended to avoid recasts of late, meaning it's possible many unanswered questions about Baylan will never be explored - because the character may well be written out. Alternatively, given how many mysteries demand exploration, Lucasfilm may well decide the best way to honor Stevenson's performance is to continue Baylan's story. Hopefully Lucasfilm won't take long to reveal more about Ahsoka season 2 - and their decision about Baylan.

Ahsoka is available to stream on Disney+.