Jedi/Legends

"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic."

―Obi-Wan Kenobi

A Jedi was a member of the Jedi Order, who studied, served and used the mystical energies of the Force—usually, the light side of the Force. The weapon of the Jedi was the lightsaber, a weapon with a blade made of pure energy. The Jedi fought for peace and justice in the Galactic Republic, usually against their mortal enemies, the Sith and Dark Jedi, who studied the dark side of the Force. Although the Order was almost destroyed four times, including once by the Sith Empire of Darth Revan, by the Sith Triumvirate under Darth Nihilus during the First Jedi Purge shortly after, 4,000 years after that by the Great Jedi Purge of Darth Sidious, and a century afterwards by Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire and its Third Jedi Purge, the order continued to live on, in part due to the Skywalker family who time and time again played important parts in the history of the Jedi.

History of the Jedi

"Remember, a Jedi fights only as a last resort. If you are forced to draw your lightsaber, you have already forfeited much of your advantage. A Jedi trusts the Force and at first seeks other ways to resolve problems: patience, logic, tolerance, attentive listening, negotiation, persuasion, calming techniques. But there are times when a Jedi must fight."

―Luke Skywalker to his students

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Yoda, one of the most renowned and powerful Jedi in galactic history

Originally formed as a philosophical study group situated on the planet Tython, the Jedi became revered as guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. As mystical wielders of the Force and of their signature lightsabers, their powers inspired all citizens in the galaxy. The calm, considered demeanor of the Jedi made them ideal brokers of peace in times of conflict or dispute. Yet, for all their power and diversity, the Jedi were few. Often beset by foes in times of doubt and confusion, undercurrents of evil often challenged their order and the establishment they served, the most notable being the Sith. These dark warriors were the antithesis of the Jedi, their sworn enemies, and the battle between them brought the galaxy to war more than once. In times of crisis, the Sith could even use the dark side of the Force to diminish the powers of the Jedi, and prevent them from sensing the future.

The way of the Jedi had become the way of wisdom and patience, backed by swift and decisive action when necessary. However, the Jedi Council sometimes showed what appeared to be a lack of decisiveness, such as during the Mandalorian Wars, preferring to work with events and patterns over the long term. Their inaction spurred Revan to fight back, and eventually led to the Jedi Civil War. To the rest of the galaxy, the line between Jedi and Sith became blurred during the conflict, and both sides were blamed for the destruction wrought on worlds such as Katarr, Telos IV, and Taris.

Through intricate planning and dazzling adaptability, one Sith Master (Senator Palpatine of Naboo who was the Sith Lord Darth Sidious) even rose to the office of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, engineered the Clone Wars, and undermined the Jedi until he could, in one swift, masterful stroke, destroy the Jedi Order and control the galaxy beneath his banner as Galactic Emperor of the new Galactic Empire. Yet, even this catastrophe failed to eradicate the Jedi completely, and, within a generation, they had returned to once again protect and nurture the galaxy with their wisdom and guidance in the form of the New Jedi Order. The Jedi would continue to protect and serve the galaxy through the horrors of the Yuuzhan Vong War and downfall of the New Republic and the establishment of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances.

Path of the Jedi

"You have chosen the lonely path. The Jedi teach denial of self. That is their weakness. No sentient can long abide that."

―Saes Rrogon, Jedi-turned-Sith Lord

Becoming a Jedi required the most profound commitment and astute mind; the life of a Jedi was one of sacrifice. To hinder transgression, those who showed an aptitude for the Force were taken directly from birth (or soon afterward) to train in the Jedi Temple headquarters on Coruscant or at smaller Jedi Enclaves as Padawans. From the beginning of their training, a Jedi was expected to adhere to a strict Code that included concepts such as rational thought, patience, and benevolence. Dark emotions such as hate, anger, and fear were thought to be destructive, leading down the path to the dark side of the Force, so the Jedi were taught to purge such feelings.

Training

"Master Ooroo, I have been very busy here with my tasks as a Jedi Knight…I certainly miss the days of my peaceful tutelage."
"Yes, but a Jedi must learn action as well as knowledge…"

―Jedi Knight Odan-Urr and his Master, Ooroo

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Padawans would typically go on missions with their Jedi Masters to learn from experience.

Younglings being trained as Jedi were instructed in "clans" by a venerable, experienced Jedi Master, learning the ways of the Jedi and the powers of the Force. After Ruusan it had become normal that the Jedi trainees were always children. Once Yavin 4 had been established as Jedi headquarters, the Jedi initiates, which were no longer children, were trained first under the direction of Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, and, in time, under another Master's direction in groups. When the New Jedi Order began, the younglings were again trained in clans from childhood.

When an individual student achieved satisfactory understanding of the Jedi way, they were usually taken under the wing of another Jedi member and instructed individually to complete their training. Masters typically brought their Padawans along on missions, and later sent them on missions of their own, to allow them to gain experience and learn from practice.

Not all students were promoted to direct study as Padawan learner under a Jedi Master. In the days of the Old Republic, it was common practice for younglings who were not selected to be Padawans by the age of 13 to be shifted into one of the divisions of the public service organization, the Jedi Service Corps. Such was to be the fate of young Obi-Wan Kenobi until the events at Bandomeer caused Qui-Gon Jinn to accept Obi-Wan as his Padawan.

Way of life

"Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge, and even if you succeed, it's a hard life."

―Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, to a young Anakin Skywalker

In following the Code, Jedi behavior was rigidly structured to uphold self-discipline, responsibility, and public service. The Jedi conquered emotions and materialism. They honored life, the law, the Order itself and the master-student relationship. Jedi rendered aid to support and defend the weak; compassion was encouraged. Rules of engagement included such notions as understanding the dark and light in all things, learning to see accurately, opening their eyes to what was not evident and exercising caution, even in trivial matters. Above all, Jedi upheld their duty to the Republic and embraced the Force. The Jedi before the Ruusan Reformation typically had more leeway in their dealings, as the Order was more loosely organized and the individual Knights and Masters granted greater personal freedom. Afterward, the Order was more centrally regulated by the High Council.

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The Jedi Temple, the traditional home of the Order

Early Jedi utilized shields and armor to protect themselves in battle, and used blaster pistols as well as lightsabers in combat. Later, as the lightsaber became a more self-contained weapon without an external power pack, the Jedi chose to carry it as their sole "tool" of defense and offense. The lightsaber was considered more a tool than a weapon. The lightsaber came to fulfill both a symbolic and pragmatic role for the Jedi; it identified the wielder, had a powerful visual impact, and given the availability of cybernetic replacement limbs might have been seen as a "cleaner" weapon than the blaster, which Obi-Wan regarded as "uncivilized," "clumsy" and "random."

The Jedi of the pre-Reformation era (Old Jedi Order) also did not seem to have had any formal dress code, and dressed more or less as they saw fit, although traditional robes were favored by most Masters. These included a tunic, a cloak, and sometimes a tabard—usually in varied tones and shades of white and brown, though gray was also common for the overtunic. The left side of the dress was always turned on the right part of the torso. After the Reformation, these robes became the typical Jedi apparel, even in battle. The Jedi also wore trousers, an obi, a leather utility belt, where they carried specialized field gear for their missions, and leather boots. The Jedi colors, which showed harmony with the Force, formed a stark contrast to the antithetical Sith, who were draped primarily in black.

In accordance with their philosophies of non-attachment, clothing was viewed as quite disposable. Indeed, possession itself was forbidden as another form of attachment, and most Jedi lived out lives of material poverty, though the Order's infrastructure and the support of the Republic meant the Jedi did not lack for food, housing, or clothing.

Some time prior to the Great Sith War Jedi were forbidden to hold strong attachments, as they were believed to lead to the emotions of the dark side. For this reason, Jedi were not allowed to marry. Reess Kairn had an attachment, despite this being a violation of the Code. After finding his lover with another man, he killed them both in anger. This led him to the dark side. Anakin Skywalker would become a testament to such Jedi circumspection, as his fear of losing his undisclosed wife, Padmé Amidala, ultimately caused his fall to darkness, but his connection to his son, Luke Skywalker, would later drive him back to the light. Although Jedi were not required to be chaste as well, many Jedi were abstinent if not outright celibate, due to sex being considered self-indulgence and an unnecessary act. At least one special case was recorded in this arrangement: Ki-Adi-Mundi who, due to low Cerean birth rates, was permitted to have a polygamous marriage, and fathered seven daughters. Ranik Solusar was disciplined by the Council for his marriage and the child it produced, but was not expelled from the Order.

Despite this restriction, Jedi were known to have clandestine relationships, whether with non-Jedi—such as the marriages of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Quinlan Vos and Khaleen Hentz, Nejaa Halcyon and Scerra Halcyon, and Etain Tur-Mukan and Clone commando Darman Skirata—or within the Jedi Order—such as the relationships of Kit Fisto and Aayla Secura, Qui-Gon Jinn and Tahl, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Siri Tachi, and Tholme and T'ra Saa. Some were developed even as Padawans, such as Mak Lotor and Kass Tod, who died together, with Tod stating there was the Force, death and love. Many of these relationships did not lead to mishap. Further, Revan shared a romantic affection with Bastila Shan, who was redeemed by him after her fall.

Others openly defied the High Council on this matter. This led to particular strife with Jolee Bindo and his wife, Nayama Bindo, during the Great Sith War. Bindo trained his wife in the ways of the Force, but she soon fell to the dark side. He was not expelled from the Order, and instead was to be promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight. He then lost faith in the wisdom of the Council and left the Order.

Luke Skywalker and members of the New Jedi Order

Up to the Great Sith War, some Jedi did marry and had families of their own. There were even cases of families consisting entirely of Jedi, such as that of Andur Sunrider. The children of Jedi families were often gifted in the Force. Even later in the Order, such families existed—though the continuation of the line was through those family members who did not become Jedi. Famous Jedi families of the late Republic included the Koon family and the Diath family.

However, it appears that some Jedi might have been granted the right to marry, not as a special case, but as a norm. Several Corellian Jedi (Keiran Halcyon during the Old Republic, and Corran Horn in the time of the New Republic) were allowed to marry and raise children without repercussion. Whether this was due to an agreement between the Jedi and the planetary government—Corellia was known for its family-centric culture—or purely personal choices made against the Jedi Code is not known, except in the case of Nejaa Halcyon, who married his wife secretly without the approval of the Council. Corellian Jedi often had many other noticeable differences from the traditional Jedi ways, such as in clothing and a reluctance to take on missions outside of their home system.

By the time of the New Jedi Order, the practice of forbidding or discouraging marriages had been discarded, as many of the Order's members had spouses and children, including the Order's Grand Master himself, whose wife was another Jedi Master.

The way of the Jedi was a lifelong path, and a Jedi usually remained part of the Order their entire life—learning more about the Order and the Force and following the will of the Jedi Council. Until the beginning of the Clone Wars, only twenty Jedi (of rank Master or higher) were said to have ever left the Order (although there was some debate as to whether this meant the post-Ruusan Order, the Order after some earlier point in its history, or literally in its entire history), of which the most prominent were Count Dooku and Master Phanius. These were commonly referred to as the Lost Twenty, or simply The Lost.

The Force

Further information: Force powers

"My ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is."

―Yoda

The Jedi were unified by their study of the Force, an "energy field" that emanated from every living thing. The Force was channeled by microscopic organisms in the bloodstream, midi-chlorians. They were in every living thing and communicated with the Force. The Jedi sought to understand the Force so that they could use its power to protect and aid the people that they served. The Jedi believed that the Force could be harnessed through careful study and contemplation to benefit the user and the universe around them. As they studied the light side of the Force, the Jedi encouraged their members only to use the Force for healing and defense—never in anger or fear. However, several members of the Jedi Order throughout history disagreed with this view, believing that darker uses of the Force should be embraced because they offered a quick and easy path to power, while contemplation of the light side of the Force required patience and effort. This disagreement gave rise to the Sith, the constant enemy of the Jedi.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, a master of mind tricks

The Jedi focused their lives on understanding and strengthening their connection with the Force to allow them to manipulate it as an extension of themselves. This connection was increased by rigorous training and meditation to achieve a state of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual harmony, a kind of inner peace.

The dark side of the Force brought with it a great temptation for many Jedi; to many the dark side seemed a quicker and easier path. Pursuit of the dark side, however, was a self-destructive endeavor, and many Jedi who tasted dark powers found it harder and harder to turn away. Though some Jedi could be redeemed back to the path of the light, many fell and became Dark Jedi, some of whom became members of the Sith Order. Further, the pall of the dark side could diminish Jedi ability, clouding their insights into important matters. For these reasons, practice of dark Force powers was often, but not always, forbidden by the Jedi Council.

Those fallen to the dark side, however, the Jedi tried to save. To the Jedi, killing was a last resort. This quality was at once a strength and a weakness of the Order.

The lightsaber

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A Jedi wielding his lightsaber

"One of the ways the Jedi learn to know the Force, is to use the lightsaber as an instrument of meditation. The lightsaber is not only a weapon of defense—it is important for focusing the mind. A Jedi uses his lightsaber to assist his connection to the Force."

―Master Thon to Nomi Sunrider

The traditional Jedi weapon was the lightsaber, which, in the hands of a skilled wielder, could be deadly in combat, even against opponents armed with ranged weapons. To attain this level of skill, however, required great focus and training. Students practiced the rubrics of lightsaber combat with a remote, and children used training lightsabers. They also dueled fellow Jedi as a test of their skills.

Anakin Skywalker assembles his first lightsaber in the caves of Ilum

Due to all the weight being in the hilt, the lightsaber was a difficult weapon to handle. Jedi needed heightened awareness to use the weapon well, and such conditioning helped to hone their connection to the Force. Since the binding of a lightsaber's intricate innards and the initial charging of the power cell also required knowledge of the Force to implement, the Padawan was tasked with constructing their own lightsaber as part of their training, using a unique crystal (such as the type found on the ice planet of Ilum, for example) that focuses the power cell's energy, thus creating the lightsaber's blade.

During the Jedi Civil War era, many Cerean Jedi used specially forged Kasha lightsaber crystals as a meditative tool; by incorporating such crystals into their training regimens, they helped to clear the wielder's mind of distractions, even during tense physical combat. Further, it was a task in itself to find components for the lightsaber. Meditation in a crystal cave on a planet such as Ilum or Dantooine would often produce an image in the Jedi's mind about the lightsaber they were to build. The construction of a lightsaber was considered a milestone on the path to Jedi Knighthood, and took on a heavily symbolic meaning.

During the times of the Old Republic, it was a customary practice for a Jedi Master to present their own personal lightsaber as a gift to their most accomplished student. Jedi apprentice Nomi Sunrider was the recipient of one such lightsaber, receiving the weapon from Master Thon as a testament to the potential for greatness he recognized within her. Though the apprentice was indeed grateful for receiving such an honored gift, their Master would still stress the importance of knowing how to build one, requiring or even demanding that eventually the apprentice learns to construct their own, unique, lightsaber.

The Three Pillars of the Jedi

"Jedi do not fight for peace. That's only a slogan, and is as misleading as slogans always are. Jedi fight for civilization, because only civilization creates peace. We fight for justice because justice is the fundamental bedrock of civilization: an unjust civilization is built upon sand. It does not long survive a storm."

―Mace Windu

The strength of the Jedi Code and organization of the Order rested on the three core tenets of Force, Knowledge, and Self-Discipline. Built into a Jedi's everyday life, the Coruscant Jedi Temple's main entrance statuary was illustrative of the three pillars.

Main corridor of the Jedi Archives

The first pillar was the Force, the constant between all things. Given purpose by the Force, Master Sabla-Mandibu described the Jedi as "swimming in the Force in our every moment—breathing it, tasting it, riding its currents to our unique destines." A symbiosis of midi-chlorians and sentient beings was the key needed to be able to touch the Force, but this biological necessity was not a main focus of Jedi study. Instead, Jedi contemplated the will of the Force and the differences between its two aspects: the Unifying and Living Force.

The Pillar of Knowledge maintained that a Jedi's role in the galaxy could not be filled without intense study and accumulated wisdom. To assist in the pursuit of knowledge, the Temple was equipped with a deep well of knowledge known as the Jedi Archives. In addition to the Archives and supplementary library, the Temple contained several vaults which housed the holocrons of the Order. While an individual could never learn everything within the collection, the presiding Chief Librarian that maintained the collection would argue that it wouldn't hurt to try.

Lastly, the Pillar of Self-Discipline was rightly known as the Third Pillar. Classes on combat and physical training were not given until mastery of the first two tenets was gained. Once ready to study the art of self-discipline, students were oftentimes disappointed to learn that they would not begin intense lightsaber training, but would be encouraged to take on more stringent forms of meditation. Only after mastering oneself could an Initiate proceed to take up a lightsaber for the first time.

Jedi ranks

"What kind of nonsense is this?! Put me on the Council and not make me a Master? It's never been done in the history of the Jedi. It's insulting."

―Jedi Knight and council member Anakin Skywalker

As the Jedi instructed their members in the ways of the Jedi Code and the Force, each member progressed through four basic levels of rank.

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Jedi younglings

Hierarchy

• Jedi Initiate (or "Youngling" or "Jedi Hopeful") – The youngest members of the Order, these Force-sensitive children were given the rank of Initiate when they began their communal training in clans. Recruited from worlds throughout the galaxy where blood testing was required upon birth, Initiates were removed from their families and brought to a Jedi academy for formal training.

A Human male Jedi Padawan

• Jedi Padawan (or "Jedi Apprentice") – After being selected for individual tutelage under a single Jedi Knight or Jedi Master, Initiates were given the title of Padawan. Eligible for this rank following the successful completion of the Initiate Trials, Padawans were typically taken at adolescence and completed their training away from the academy. Per tradition, Padawans of a hair-growing species would wear a long braid of hair behind their ear; hairless Padawans were encouraged to wear a type of jewelry, a tattoo, or other body modification. A Jedi Knight or Jedi Master could have only one apprentice at a time, and the Padawan had to be promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight before another apprentice could be chosen, a practice that was formalized following the Great Sith War. While in place, the policy could be suspended when the Order saw a decline in number, and necessity forced the apprenticeship of several students to a single master. Following several unsuccessful attempts at the Initiate Trials or if a student was not chosen by a Master, the Council of Reconciliation would place the student within the Jedi Service Corps. Depending on where the student's talents lay, this might be the Agricultural Corps, the Medical Corps, the Educational Corps or the Exploration Corps. If this role did not suit a particular student, they could choose to leave the Order entirely.
• Jedi Knight – Following a period of nearly a decade of one-on-one training with a master, a disciplined Padawan was eligible to attempt the Jedi Trials. Upon successfully completing all tests put forth, a Padawan's braid was severed by the High Council and their life as a Knight began. No longer attached to a master, Knights were free to accept missions from the Council, pursue specialized training on one of the three branches of Knighthood, or take their own Padawan.
• Jedi Master – An experienced Knight who demonstrated great wisdom and understanding of the Force could be elevated to the rank of Master by the High Council. Self-declaration of the title was frowned upon and rare practice in the latter days of the Order, but not uncommon during war times or periods of disbandment. Amongst the Order's Masters, only a select few were appointed to one of the Jedi Councils. Made up exclusively of wise, experienced Masters, the Councils of the Order had different levels of membership, ensuring fresh perspectives were expressed as new events occurred. The High Council was made up of 12 masters, five of them holding life terms, four holding long terms, and three holding short terms. The elected leader of the Council was known as the Master of the Order and was often bestowed upon the acting Grand Master, the recognized leader of the entire Order.

Specialization

Upon a Padawan's ascension to Knighthood, they faced the choice of continuing down one of three branches of Jedi training. Choosing based on preference and personal talents and skills, the opportunity to join the ranks of the Jedi Guardian, Jedi Consular, or Jedi Sentinel was open to all who passed the Jedi Trials. In addition to their specialization, the High Council could demand that the members of the Order assume military ranks in order to defend the Republic.

Jedi Guardian

Anakin Skywalker was a Jedi Guardian

Knights preferring to take a physically active stance against the dark side of the Force and all other threats to the Republic pursued the title of Guardian. Brandishing their lightsabers proudly, Guardians focused much of their training on perfecting their sparring and athletic skills, as well as the art of unarmed combat. The Force skills studied by the Guardians were typically those used for quickly disabling an opponent and aiding in agility and stamina. The most profound masters of this specialization were known as Warrior Master.

• Jedi Ace – Members of the Jedi Starfighter Corps were known as Aces and specialized and used a starfighter as an extension of their being, combining piloting skills with mastery of the Force.
• Lightsaber instructors – Stationed at the Jedi academy, these individuals were battle-scarred Masters who were determined to pass down their experience to the young students of the Order. The highest ranking instructor within the academy was given the title of Battlemaster by the High Council and was responsible for selecting and referring future instructors.
• Jedi Peacekeeper – Those Jedi wishing to pursue a peacekeeping role were stationed within planetary or sectoral government's security agencies where they worked as the area's special police. Helping to quell riots and capture terrorists, the Temple Security Force was made up of Peacekeepers. Within its ranks, Jedi could be trained as Gate Master, Sniper, or Brute.
• Jedi Weapon Master – A Jedi Master who mastered the technique of wielding an exotic weapon was dubbed a Weapons Specialist, or Weapon Master. The Weapon Master was among the greatest physical fighters of the Order.

Jedi Consular

Jedi Healer Barriss Offee during the Clone Wars

Focusing not on physical force but on mastery of the Force and the sharpening of mental skills, the Jedi Knights who became Consulars worked closely with the Republic Diplomatic Corps and medical facilities. Overseen by the Council of Reconciliation, Consulars worked as healers, prophets, and researchers, wielding a lightsaber only for self-defense. The most studied masters of this specialization were known as Sage Master.

• Jedi Ambassador – The face of the Republic to each newly discovered world, Ambassadors worked closely with bureaucrats to assist in greeting unaligned governments and helping them join the Republic. Some Ambassadors were designated as advisers to certain Senators or even the Supreme Chancellor upon request.
• Jedi Diplomat – Always right in the middle of a dispute, Jedi Diplomats were given the authority to hammer out a compromise or treaty during tense negotiations, backed by the full support of the Senate and Jedi Order. Jedi were often called upon to act as impartial diplomats. This was possibly due to the Order's traditions of detachment from secular society and the phenomenon of Force-guided intuition. They would serve as moderators and negotiators during disputes, and their judgments were recognized as just and binding. When acting as diplomats, Jedi took the utmost care to be impartial and fair-minded. The legacy of this impartiality was such that, decades after the Great Jedi Purge and Palpatine's false accusations of the corruption of the Jedi Order, the legend of Jedi impartiality lived on in the memories of some sections of galactic society. Some species who respected the Jedi—for example, the Barabel—retained a tradition of calling upon a Jedi's impartial judgment even for minor interpersonal disputes.
• Jedi healer – Some Jedi would focus on the more humanitarian aspects of the Force, manipulating the Living Force to perform the art of healing. Led by the Circle of Jedi Healers and headquartered out of the Coruscant Temple's Halls of Healing, healers were also deployed to serve aboard MedStar frigates and, occasionally, in Republic's mobile surgical units, or Rimsoos.
• Jedi Lore Keeper – Jedi wishing to contribute to the growth of the Jedi Archives would become Lore Keepers, a group directed by the Librarian's Assembly. Divided into historians, archivists, and librarians, each group worked for the proliferation of knowledge and preservation of the past.
• Jedi Researcher – Solving theory and updating the Archives of the Order, researchers chose specializations such as that in archaeology, geology, biology, mathematics, and astronomy.

Jedi Sentinel

Knights that sought a balance between the intensive combat training of the Jedi Guardians and the wider philosophical views and teaching responsibilities of the Jedi Consulars. These Jedi ferreted out deceit and injustice, bringing it to light. They were generally employed in scouting missions and were skilled in security, computers, or stealth techniques, and also had diplomatic skills.

• Jedi Watchman – Charged with overseeing a particular system or sector, a watchman served as a liaison officer between the system or sector and the High Council as well as the Republic in general. Jedi Watchmen were often highly skilled in diplomacy and knew the culture of the system or sector they oversaw, typically having lived many years amongst the people of said world.

Military and warfare

"We're often called a militant Order, but do you know one of the principal differences between the military and the Jedi Order? The military are expected to follow orders, even when they feel those orders are not what's right. The Jedi are expected to do what's right, even when the course of action runs contrary to orders."

―Jedi Master Cilghal

In times of war, especially when Sith forces were involved, Jedi would sometimes assume military ranks and govern armies of Republic military units, as was seen in the Mandalorian Wars, the Jedi Civil War, the New Sith Wars, and the Clone Wars. So Jedi indeed became soldiers, not just keepers of the peace. During the New Sith Wars, the Order created the Army of Light, a massive military branch that consisted of the majority of active Jedi.

• Jedi Commander – A Padawan serving as a Commander in the Grand Army of the Republic, the Jedi Commander was assigned to a Jedi General until knighted. Once a full Jedi, the Padawan was then referred to as General.
• Jedi General – Jedi Knights or Masters who had been placed in command of a Republic army were dubbed Generals. Jedi Masters could become Senior Jedi General, leading one of the twenty Sector Armies. Out of the twelve High Council members, some became High Jedi Generals not only commanding their own Systems Army, but also supervising all other ranking Jedi.
• Jedi Lord – a Jedi who served as a commander in the Army of Light during the New Sith Wars. The Jedi Lord assumed this title mainly out of political motivation. The rank was abolished after the war.

Behind the scenes

The "Failed Jedi", "Minor Jedi", and "Quixotic Jedi" were three of the original twenty-four character templates used by the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, first published in the first edition rulebook.

Appearances

Tales of Jedi comics Rebel Dawn (Indirect mention only) "Changing the Odds: The Adventures of Dannen Lifehold" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 3 (Mentioned only) "Ringers" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 6 (Mentioned only) Domain of Evil "Domain of Evil" – Classic Adventures: Volume Two Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel (First appearance) Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope "The Occupation of Rhamalai" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 13 (Mentioned only) Star Wars (1977) 35 (Mentioned only) "Jedi Heirlooms" – Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (Mentioned only) Graveyard of Alderaan (Mentioned only) "Graveyard of Alderaan" – Classic Adventures: Volume Two (Mentioned only) Planet of the Mists (Mentioned only) "The Natural" – Star Wars Gamemaster Screen "Swoop Gangs" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 6 (Mentioned only) "The Battle for Gap Nine" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7 (Indirect mention only) "The Farrimmer Cafe" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 11 (Mentioned only) "The Treasure of Celis Mott" – Instant Adventures (Mentioned only) "The Mecetti File" – Tapani Sector Instant Adventures (Mentioned only) "The Grand Prize" – The Far Orbit Project (Mentioned only) "To Fight Another Day" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 6 (Mentioned only) "The Most Dangerous Foe" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 11 (In flashback(s)) "Uhl Eharl Khoehng" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 8 Blind Fury! (Mentioned only) Splinter of the Mind's Eye "Only Droids Serve the Maker" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 10 (Mentioned only) "Crimson Bounty" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 14 (Mentioned only) "Idol Intentions" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 12 "The Last Hand" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 13 "Uninvited Guests" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 1 (Mentioned only) Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back The Empire Strikes Back: A Storybook Star Wars (1977) 41 Star Wars (1977) 42 Star Wars (1977) 43 Star Wars (1977) 44 (Mentioned only) "The Emperor's Trophy" – Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 11 (Mentioned only) Star Wars (1977) 50 Shadows of the Empire novel Shadows of the Empire audiobook Shadows of the Empire junior novelization Shadows of the Empire comic "Hand-Off" – Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook (Mentioned only) "Partners No More" – Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook (Mentioned only) Star Wars (1977) 68 (Mentioned only) "That's Entertainment: The Tale of Salacious Crumb"—Tales from Jabba's Palace (Mentioned only) Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel "Tongue-tied: Bubo's Tale"—Tales from Jabba's Palace (Mentioned only) "A Free Quarren in the Palace: Tessek's Tale"—Tales from Jabba's Palace Star Wars (1977) 81 Star Wars (1977) 82 Star Wars (1977) 87 Star Wars (1977) 90 Dark Forces: Jedi Knight "Missed Chance" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7 (Mentioned only) X-Wing: The Krytos Trap X-Wing: The Bacta War (Mentioned only) X-Wing: Iron Fist (Mentioned only) The Courtship of Princess Leia "Artifact of Aaris"—The DarkStryder Campaign (Mentioned only) "Shintel Downtime"—The DarkStryder Campaign (Mentioned only) Heir to the Empire Dark Force Rising The Last Command "Rendezvous with Destiny" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 6 "Betrayal by Knight" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 12 (Mentioned only) Star Wars: Dark Empire Star Wars: Dark Empire II Star Wars: Empire's End Jedi Search "Firestorm" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 Dark Apprentice Champions of the Force I, Jedi "Murder in Slushtime" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 14

Sources

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Freighters, Second Edition Cracken's Rebel Operatives "The Free-Trader's Guide to Sevarcos" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 2 "The Prophecy" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 2 TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide The Star Wars Planets Collection Classic Campaigns "Stand and Deliver" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 5 "Smugglers of the Outer Rim" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 5 "Zirtran's Anchor" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 5 Star Wars Technical Journal "Into the Core Worlds" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7 Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies The DarkStryder Campaign Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi, Second Edition  Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Premiere Limited (Card: Affect Mind) (backup link) Heroes & Rogues "Boba Fett: Mystery Man in Not-So-Shining Armor" – Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 1 "Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A Guide to the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Universe, Part 1" – Star Wars Insider 26 Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995) The Jedi Academy Sourcebook "The Free-Trader's Guide to Sevarcos" – The Best of the Star Wars Adventure Journal, Issues 1-4 TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM: The Official Strategy Guide The Kathol Rift Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Luke Feels the Dark Side) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Luke Scores a TIE) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: "Help Me, Obi-Wan...") (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Vader Seethes Over Luke's Escape) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Luke Becomes One with the Force) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Same Beast, Different Sewer) (content obsolete and backup link not available) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Will Xizor Call Luke's Bluff?) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Guri Goes Toe-to-Toe with Luke) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Dash's Secret Getaway) (backup link) 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Luke Plans Han's Rescue) (backup link) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Leia (In Boushh Disguise)) (backup link) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Luke Skywalker (In Imperial Guard Disguise)) (backup link) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Darth Vader vs. Prince Xizor) (backup link) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Swoop) (backup link) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Micro Machines (Pack: Collection II) (backup link) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Limited Collector's Edition Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Embossed Metal Collector Cards (Card: ISSUE 3: Wanted: Luke Skywalker) (backup link) The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back, Second Edition Tales of the Jedi Companion Live-Action Adventures Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded "Smuggler's Log" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 11 Endgame Gamemaster Toolkit: Live-Action Adventures Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised Wretched Hives of Scum & Villainy Introductory Adventure Game "Alien Encounters" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 13 The Black Sands of Socorro Rules of Engagement: The Rebel SpecForce Handbook Cracken's Threat Dossier Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear Lords of the Expanse Player's Guide to Tapani "The Breath of Gelgelar" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 14 ("T'laeran Larn" capsule) "From the Files of Corellia Antilles" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 14 Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition "Special Military Unit Intelligence Update" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 "Tasariq: The Crystal Planet" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 Stock Ships The Far Orbit Project Alien Encounters Star Wars: The Art of the Brothers Hildebrandt "Straight from the Horse's Mouth" – Star Wars Insider 35 Star Wars: Rebellion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide

See also

• Anti-Jedi sentiment
• Corellian Jedi
• Jensaarai
• Knighting ceremony

External links

• Jedi on Wikipedia