a succession of sith-led regimes would arise to challenge the jedi and the galactic republic. however, internal power struggles would prove decisive in thwarting the sith's designs. the paradox of reconciling endless personal ambition with corporate action would become a great practical and philosophical concern for the sith. ultimately, this paradox would be “resolved” through a drastic reorganization effected by a leader named darth bane, who recast the sith in an esoteric lineal master-apprentice tradition known as “the rule of two.” thereafter (at least, as a matter of orthodoxy) there would be only two sith at a time: one to embody power, and another to crave it. while concealing their identity as sith, a succession of sith masters and apprentices would work through the centuries to inveigle or force themselves into positions of power and undermine responsible government, preparing the galactic republic for eventual usurpation. the banite tradition encouraged each apprentice to eventually challenge and slaughter his or her master, and take an apprentice in turn. in this way, darth bane guaranteed the conspiracy remained a secret for a thousand years; he believed that the kratocratic essence of sith philosophy could be reconciled with a sustained project of galactic domination and revenge against the jedi. the first six "star wars" films chronicle the consummation, and eventual undoing, of this ancient scheme.