The Malachor system consists of the Malachor star and hundreds of asteroids that are fragments of what was once the system's only temperate world, Malachor V. The system itself has rarely been utilized and has a past that remains largely a mystery.

Archeological records predating Malachor V's destruction suggest that it was used as a fortress world by ancient Sith who established a training facility for assassins, the Trayus Academy. The reason for their abandonment of the system is unclear, but it is likely the result of growing instability within their empire.

The system was left alone for hundreds of years until the Mandalorian Wars when it served as the location for the final battle. The Republic forces, led by the Jedi Revan, placed the Mass Shadow Generator superweapon on Malachor V's surface and lured the Mandalorian forces toward the planet. When a sufficient number were in range, the weapon was activated and drew many of both fleets crashing to the planet, effectively ending the Mandalorian threat.

After the Mandalorian defeat, the system fell out of use and was forgotten. However, rumors persist of Malachor V's use by Revan as a training facility for assassins during his war against the Republic, and later as the headquarters for the Sith Triumvirate, which was supposedly behind the near elimination of the Jedi Order. Rumors also persist about the destruction, most centering around the belief that upon the Triumvirate's defeat, the Mass Shadow Generator was once again activated, finally wrecking the desolate planet.