By: Jason Dietzel
The Voss Mystics became the authoritarian rulers of the planet and species of the same name some time prior to the Cold War between the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire, circa 3,650 BBY. Not much is known about the origins of the Mystics, but Voss lore suggests the Force-sensitive group helped their people fend off an attack by a species known as the Gormak.
Though pre-flight in their advancements, the Gormak were considered technologically advanced compared to the Voss. However, the Mystics, attuned to the Force, were able to utilize and master the healing and seer arts. Their unique skill at foresight allowed them to predict their opponents’ actions, securing their victory over their advanced opponents.
Their success cemented the Voss Mystics as the supreme authority, paving the way for them to establish their philosophy. Having no formal instruction in the various philosophies of the Force, the Mystics developed their own philosophy in isolation. However, this led them to become very arrogant and xenophobic, not caring about other species or their views, and considering themselves to be the Force’s “chosen” race.
Both the Jedi and Sith considered them to be “gray,” not possessing any belief in the light side or dark side of the Force. The Mystics put primary focus on being seers for the sole purpose of elevating the Voss people above all and at the expense of all else; if it benefited the Voss and furthered the autocratic rule of the Mystics, that was all that mattered.
When the feuding Jedi and Sith rediscovered Voss, it was discovered that the Gormak were the original inhabitants of the planet, and that the Voss evolved from them, due to the Jedi and Sith’s initial interference there. When the two factions left and “forgot” about the planet, those that had some Force sensitivity would eventually evolve into the Voss, paving the way for the conflict between the two species.
This revelation ensured renewed conflict between the Gormak and the Voss, with both Republic and Sith governments vying to help the Voss in this conflict in order to garner their support. But given the Mystics’ ability to utilize the Force for visions, they knew both governments were only trying to befriend the Voss so that their side could gain the upper hand from the foresight.
In the end, the Voss Mystics chose neutrality, pushing the Jedi/Republic and the Sith back, both during the initial interaction of the Cold War and the subsequent Galactic War. The Voss and Gormak did put aside their differences to aid in the fight against the Eternal Empire, but it is assumed the Mystics led their people back to neutrality following those conflicts.
The Voss Mystics would slip back into obscurity in the galaxy following the events between the Republic, Sith Empire and Eternal Empire. Their only appearance in the Star Wars universe was in the online roleplaying video game The Old Republic and mentioned in its associated material.