Star Wars: The High Republic - Everything We Know So Far

We knew from the start that the story of the High Republic begins with an event known as the Great Disaster.

With nothing further to go on, speculation was rife among fans and theorists as to exactly what form a disaster could take.

We now know, however, that the Great Disaster actually relates to the disruption of the galactic hyperspace lanes.

The catalyst for this calamity is currently unknown, but it's a safe bet that the villainous Nihil have more than a little to do with it.

Why are compromised hyperspace lanes considered a disaster, you ask?

With travel between planets and systems from the Core to the Outer Rim dependant entirely on utilising the jump to lightspeed made famous by a certain Captain Solo, any disruption to this system would literally cut off entire sections of the galaxy.

With travel impossible, aid cannot reach far flung frontiers, beings cannot flee oppressive regimes, and the Jedi cannot help those who need them most.

Perhaps most significantly, however, cut off from civilised society and beyond the reach of even the Jedi, the Outer Rim territories will descend into the lawless, dangerous, "Wild West of the galaxy" we know from the original Star Wars movies.