The Force is one of the most mysterious elements ofStar Wars. The original trilogy cleverly hid most of the secrets of its magic system behind decades of lost knowledge, leaving only a handful of old masters who could answer any questions. Future entries provided more information, but those answers often raised new questions. The Force moves in mysterious ways, but the idea of a location with a close connection remains consistent. A vergence is a strong concentration of the Force that surrounds places, objects, or even a person.
Star Warsunderwent a full lore reconstruction in 2014, afterDisney bought the franchise. This creates a lot of questions among fans, as the details of a previous entry might not gel with the new stuff. The fun ofStar Warsdoesn’t necessarily live in strict adherence to canon, but the franchise still wants to pull off the Marvel Cinematic Universe gimmick that incentivizes fans to watch every entry lest they miss something. These two urges don’t go together well, leaving a lot of casual fans out.
What is a vergence?
A vergence is a naturally occurring concentration in the power of the Force. The overwhelming majority of examples center on specific locations, but some seem to surround objects. Vergences are extremely varied, and no two are exactly alike. They come in all shapes and sizes, with some covering entire worlds, while others are limited to a few square feet. Some focus on one side of the Force, coloring the area with light or dark influences. Others are neutral, with no explicit moral tie to the Force. Beyond that,the two halves of the Forcealso claim separate vergences. Some locations are tied to the Living Force, becoming Wellsprings of Life. The point at which all life began in the galaxy might have been a Wellspring of Life. Conversely, the Cosmic Voice can grant a Force-sensitive individual incredible visions of the past, present, and future. Every vergence exists at a varying level of strength, with some ranking among the most powerful locations in the galaxy.
Vergences have a lot of uses, but their go-to utility in theStar Warsuniverse is to increase power. The official tabletop role-playing game adds several details to this concept. Some vergences enhance specific skills, otherswork to train younglingsin specific ways, and still others expose Force-sensitive beings to unique tests. At least a few act as teleportation gates, allowing some to instantly travel great distances. In general, vergences draw Force-sensitive beings to congregate, meditate, and gain access to power.
Notable vergences in theStar Warsuniverse
The most iconic vergence by far is Anakin Skywalker. The boy who would become Darth Vader was born as a result of a vergence in the Force. Anakin was born to a mother, Shmi, with no father to speak of.Qui-Gon Jinn theorizesthat the midi-chlorians, the microscopic alien beings that live in blood and allow organisms to connect to the Force, conceived Anakin themselves. Anakin’s role as a vergence gave him his spectacular powers, making him one of the most capable beings ever born. Most vergences, however, are not living beings. They tend to be locations. Here’s a short list of notable examples:
Vergences are a very broadconcept in theStar Warsuniverse. This is an intentional choice, as it allows for the endless writers and filmmakers involved with the franchise to experiment while tying things together. Any place could be a vergence, because the only necessary element is a large concentration of Force power. The Force is a living thing, so maybe it just has certain places it likes to hang out.
