The Dark Lord was the former apprentice of Darth Plagueis, whom he murdered in Plagueis' sleep to become the Dark Lord of the Sith in 41 BBY—a method of execution the Dark Lord later came to regret. This act prompted the beginning of the galaxy-ending Apocalypse, which would continue for at least nineteen years. As the Dark Lord, his power within the Force grew, and he held himself in high regard. He chose to communicate non-verbally, believing that speaking was too primitive for his immense power.