Khem Val is a surviving link to a much older Sith world. His appearance connects the Sith Inquisitor's ambitions to Tulak Hord, ancient tombs and questions about whether a long-serving guardian is a political subject or someone else's property.
Original class-story recruitment
How to recruit Khem Val
The tombs of Korriban introduce the Dashade bound to your early class adventure.
Not showing in your crew? Continue the purple Sith Inquisitor class missions and open Companions & Contacts (default N). The original story recruitment is different from later Alliance reunions, some of which depend on expansion decisions. If you are already in a later expansion, see the current companion-availability guidance below.
Class companion progression guide ↗ · Official companion-system update ↗
01 · Companion research
Background and family history
Khem Val once served the ancient Dark Lord Tulak Hord, developing a formidable reputation as a Dashade who hunted Force users. SWTOR's Holonet presents his long separation from that era through confinement in stasis in the tomb of Naga Sadow. That temporal distance makes him an unusual historical witness: he remembers the power of an earlier master but enters a social world dominated by a much later Sith establishment.
02 · Companion research
Role in the Origin Story
The Sith Inquisitor encounters Khem on Korriban during trials that rely on tomb exploration and recovered antiquities. The companion's forced relationship to a new master establishes a tense dependence. Later Inquisitor developments involving Lord Zash make bodily autonomy and identity matters that cannot be separated from Sith sorcery. Players should treat specific outcomes as dependent on the choices and story state that produced them.
03 · Companion research
Gameplay after joining the crew
Khem is an early Sith Inquisitor companion encountered during the Korriban story. The Holonet lists launch-era weapons and numerical statistics; these should be read historically. For current gameplay, consult the companion window and game patch notes rather than using old gear instructions.
04 · Companion research
Background and cultural interpretation
Khem illustrates the difference between cultural heritage and individual freedom. Powerful institutions might celebrate the prestige of ancient lords while treating living carriers of that history as tools. He also complicates the assumption that archaeological recovery is intrinsically benevolent: removing someone from a tomb may awaken a person into another regime of coercive authority.
Keep following the crew
Explore the story behind this companion
Return to the Origin Story where you met this character or explore another crew member. Companions can respond differently to your dialogue choices, so your version of the adventure matters.
06 · Sources and continuity
Read the primary record
- Official SWTOR companion Holonet: Khem Val
- Additional publisher background / original story context
- Sith Inquisitor Origin Story dossier
- Official companions directory
- Official Game Update 7.9 companion availability changes
The player may see different conversations and outcomes. Retired Holonet statistics and gift-preference values are not evidence of current optimal builds. All fictional histories discussed here are Legends continuity.
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Talos DrellikArchaeology, heritage management and patronage
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